Education
performance and can predict future patterns for learning, giving teachers the tools
necessary to prepare an appropriate curriculum for their students.
Teacher Adaptation: Teachers develop a new approach to
instructing their students when adopting personalized learning. In
a typical classroom, there are students who are ahead of the curve
and students behind the curve, with very few considered to be
on the curve. A teacher typically aims to teach on the curve,
with students on either end falling short of their learning
capabilities. Personalized learning gives faculty the ability
to spend more time tailoring their approach on an individual
level.
Use Case: A high school in San Diego is currently implementing
the personalized learning approach in classrooms after receiving a
$10 million grant aimed at making high schools more personal. The
effort launched two years ago with a small group of students. After seeing firsthand the
academic success of these students, the school decided to take the approach school-wide
by introducing one grade level every year, starting with the freshmen of 2017.
PRESCHOOL TRENDS IN EARLY
CHILDHOOD LEARNING
Early childhood learning has been studied by educators, lawmakers and
researchers for years to identify the importance of learning at a young age.
Research has confirmed that when educators provide a valuable education
to early learners, the benefits last a lifetime. According to Educa, preschool
stakeholders across the U.S. are addressing the need for a standard in consistency and
quality in early education. States are taking a look at child care centers, daycares and
preschools to develop an accreditation program that ensures quality in a number of areas
including learning environment, increased parent engagement, teacher experience and
quality center management.
Along with quality standardization, there are other trends to keep an eye on for early
learners:
• Student Assessment – The achievement gap is often used to assess the output of
students in different socioeconomic groups, measuring grade point averages, test scores
and dropout rates. Since preschoolers aren’t likely dropping out of school, early learning
centers focus on the importance of providing ongoing education and supporting
students from a young age. This includes reading to children, engaging them in everyday
conversations, establishing routines and using positive reinforcement.
• Classroom Technology – Although use of technology in early learning is still heavily
debated, it is proving to be a valuable resource to students who may not as easily have
access to learning materials. According to the Pew Research Center, 73 percent of
households have a computer with internet
accessibility, providing a platform for early
learners to participate in effective online
education from their homes.
• ECSEL Skills – Teachers are
encouraged to incorporate Emotional
Cognitive Social Early Learning
(ECSEL) into lesson plans for
preschoolers. At a young age,
emotions are the tool of choice
for children to express themselves.
Encouraging early learners to be
confident and understanding at
a young age provides an important
platform for growth into adolescence. ■
5 ONLINE EDUCATION
TRENDS FOR COLLEGE
Online education allows non-
traditional students the opportunity
to earn a degree without leaving
the comfort of their own home.
This educational approach has opened doors
for individuals with circumstances prohibiting
them from participating in on-campus education.
Whether they are working full time, raising
families, or they live in a different state, online
education provides the opportunity to earn a
degree remotely. According to U.S. News and
World Report, the number of online students is
continuing to grow and experts are predicting a
number of trends within the next year for online
learning.
1. Adoption of “Microcredentials” – As
non-traditional students are on the rise,
universities are developing multiple program
levels since not everyone is looking to
complete a four-year degree. Microcredentials
offer certificate programs, digital “badges” of
completion, and other types of credentials
to prove successful completion of continued
education coursework.
2. Tailored Curriculums from Data
Insights – Since students complete all of
their work online, universities are receiving
data that is not typically available in a
traditional classroom setting. Analytics
teams are using this data to predict student
success, and in turn, teachers are enhancing
their curriculum to meet the needs of their
students.
3. Artificial Intelligence – Universities are
investing in artificial intelligence, such as
virtual assistants, to provide an additional
layer of support on top of that which students
receive from their professors.
4. Nonprofit Programs – Experts are
continuing to see a drop in for-profit
programs as more nonprofits are ramping up
their online education offerings. Nonprofit
institutions are working to keep up with the
demand for more online programs.
5. Ranging Disciplines – As online programs
continue to grow, they are offering an
increasing number of focus areas that may
not have been thought of until recent years.
Some students who already have degrees are
looking for specialized programs to learn new
technology in their field and to increase their
knowledge and credibility.
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