SPECIAL SECTION:
U.S. classrooms by 47.5% in the next three years, according to
the Artificial Intelligence Market in the U.S. Education Sector
report. In addition to AI, other technologies are providing
students with the opportunity to connect with classmates in
other countries, giving teachers the ability to educate a virtual
classroom from the comfort of their own home, and expanding
access to applications that were once inaccessible.
Another key focus in education this year is on ensuring
that students feel safe, connected, supported, and challenged
through a variety of different ways. School culture and safety
are being addressed and adapted based on recent school
safety concerns across the country. Teachers, administrators,
families, and community groups are putting a critical focus
on social-emotional learning activities to facilitate a better
look into dealing with anger management, conflict resolution,
empathy, and other important life skills. School is often the
only place where social and emotional learning deficiencies can
be addressed; therefore teaching students these invaluable life
skills ultimately prepares them to become active members of
society. This is another pivotal point in a teacher’s role in the
classroom.
Teachers continue to play an integral role in the lives of
students, one that cannot be replaced with even the most
advanced type of technology. This isn’t to say that the way
we taught even 15 years ago is suitable. Teachers’ roles are
continually changing, and their need to adapt is critical to
students’ success. School administrators must also support and
train educators with the tools and techniques they are being
given to ensure successful integration in the classroom.
SECONDARY EDUCATION
It was recently reported that teenagers spend nine hours
a day with technology. Whether in the form of social media,
listening to music, playing games, or texting with friends,
technology plays an integral role in their lives. Educators have
taken note and are now reaching teenagers where they are
spending a majority of their time. Digital tools are providing
teachers with the opportunity to incorporate personalized
learning to students in a way that benefits them. For
example, AI is being used to allow for greater individualized
and differentiated learning to be conducted by teachers.
Applications that provide learning and testing for students can
identify opportunities for them to excel, flag potential gaps in
understanding, and provide feedback on learning progress.
One exciting feature that will dramatically enhance
technology capabilities in the classroom is the integration
of 5G technology. Predicted to be ubiquitous by 2020, 5G
technology allows for data speeds almost 1,000 percent faster
than 4G, empowering educators with the ability to provide
a seamless platform for limitless learning. 5G will allow for
applications to run without fail or interruption, download
speeds to increase dramatically, and a significantly greater
number of devices to be able to connect without delays. Just
another exciting way technology is expected to enhance
learning.
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EDUCATION
EARLY EDUCATION
The next generation is starting to have children. This generation
grew up in the 1980s and early 1990s, when televisions were “old
news” and computers were just starting to creep into people’s
homes. Gen Yers, as they’ve been named, can still vividly remember
the sound of the dial-up tone as they anticipated the number of
emails that would rush into their inbox once the modem finally
connected. For these new parents, the answer to any question is,
and almost always was, just a click away. These parents are aware
of the benefits of early childhood learning and of the plethora
of options available to them. In addition, shifting demographic
patterns, with an increase in two working parents and single-parent
households, are calling for affordable options for child care.
As the importance and positive impact that early childhood
education has on toddlers is realized, the demand for early
education options continues to increase and expand offerings. A
few key focus areas have been identified as important initiatives that
will shape the young minds of the future, including early literacy,
technology in the classroom, and emotional, cognitive, social early
learning (ECSEL).
Early literacy teaches children letter recognition, word sounds,
vocabulary, and awareness of storytelling. Each of these key
fundamental elements helps lay the groundwork for success in
reading in the future. Early literacy programs can also be found at
local libraries as a way for parents to engage their children even if
they are not enrolled in a preschool program.
Technology is something our children must learn and
understand to succeed today. But it is important for technology in
the classroom to be used properly and not abused. Early childhood
educators are combining technologies with other types of play
and hands-on activities to get the most out of the tools available
to them. Such tools allow for young learners to work cooperatively
on learning activities with the use of technology to enhance their
lessons.
ECSEL focuses on teaching children how to understand and
manage emotions to become more confident, resilient, and
understanding, which are all critical to the success of a young
learner. Laying the foundation to build an early understanding of
feelings and emotions allows children to better recognize emotions
in others and how to cope with them. These valuable life skills add
a tremendous amount of value to a young child’s understanding of
healthy relationships with his/her peers. ■