The future of face-toface learning will likely be a blended one .
Ongoing transformation
Key education lessons for 2021 and beyond .
By Pramesh Khadka
Just as we start to ease back into some normality , new variants of COVID-19 and concerns around the vaccination process globally have underscored the need to adapt and remain agile in an everchanging environment .
The pandemic has had a very significant and direct impact on the Australian education industry . From schools to universities , education as we know it is no longer the same .
Schools and education providers have been forced to address the need for enhanced technology and capabilities to meet potential home-schooling demands , while higher education continues to be shockingly crippled by locked borders .
Alarming numbers from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates there were only 150 international student arrivals into Australia in November 2020 , a decrease of over 38,000 students compared to the corresponding month in 2019 . That is a 99.6 per cent decrease in arrivals .
While the industry continues to navigate its way around uncertainties brought upon by the pandemic , we cannot ignore the significant transformation that has come about in Australia ’ s education industry . Today , in 2021 and beyond , the lessons and key learnings from 2020 will continue to be pivotal in shaping the future of education .
INNOVATE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE One key learning across the board has been the need to keep up with the times . Legacy management systems and traditional tools are no longer acceptable in today ’ s lens . The sector needs to take advantage of modern technology and infrastructure to deliver high standards of learning .
In the last 20 years , the Australian education sector has grown exponentially . However , to continue to excel we must persistently innovate and maintain our competitive edge . Globalisation of education has provided students with more options to enrol in the best school or universities . Competitive markets in India , China and Canada are constantly looking towards technological advancements to attract students and talents .
The drive for better educational technology or EduTech is a key factor in ensuring the Australian education ecosystem , from K-12 to vocational and higher education , remains relevant , competitive and attractive to students both domestically and internationally .
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IS MORE THAN JUST ONLINE LEARNING The need for online learning became front of mind when COVID-19 hit . Virtual classrooms and the use of video conferencing tools such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams proved the industry can be adaptive and transformative to continue to deliver teaching and quality learning experiences using different tools and mechanisms . However , it should not stop there .
Digital transformation does not stop at online learning capabilities . Online learning , while a key component , must be supported by greater advancement in digital transformation . The industry needs to look at ways to further stimulate and enhance learning desires and experiences with the aid of new technological advancements such as artificial intelligence , with near-life simulation tools , automation and augmented reality
– technologies that are going to shape the future of learning .
There is a variety of emerging technology already out there to bolster the capabilities of schools and universities to enable better learning experiences for students . There are also EduTech providers with the right technology and infrastructures to help boost operations , workflow efficiencies and management capabilities for schools , universities and education providers .
THE FUTURE OF FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING If being socially distant taught us anything , it is that human interaction cannot be replaced .
Students and teachers will always be looking for real-time learning experiences that the traditional classroom setting brings .
We must start shaping the future of face-to-face learning . What will face-to-face learning look like in a post-pandemic world ?
While technology has proven to be a good disruptor in the education sector , the future of face-to-face learning will likely be a blended one – combining real life classroom experiences with embedded technological enhancements to provide students with a comprehensive learning experience . From augmented reality in classrooms to virtual simulation tools , the possibilities are endless .
With the adoption of technology by schools , universities and education providers , and the ability to keep innovating , the education sector has the opportunity to remain competitive and produce quality education and learning .
The infrastructure already in place now will only further enrich the potential of education in Australia , future-proofing schools , vocational education providers and universities to be more resilient , agile and technology-driven . ■
Pramesh Khadka is the founder and CEO of EduTech solution provider Meshed Group . He is a former academic in IT Studies and has over 20 years ’ experience in the education and technology space .
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