IN South Fayette Fall 2021 | Page 25

EDUCATION Guide Special Section
Trends for 2022 :
• Increased access – Policy makers , school administrations , and teachers say there ’ s no going back to the way things were prior to the pandemic . Although many districts are going back to in-person learning , the need and desire for a more structured option for virtual learning is clear . Requests for grants to increase access to technology and a reliable and safe infrastructure are being submitted by administrators to provide their student populations with the option for virtual or hybrid learning .
• Greater focus on data privacy and cybersecurity – Devoid of the safety of protected private school networks , data privacy and cybersecurity continue to be a concern for school administrators . Ensuring the safety of students and faculty is a top priority , but it ’ s been challenging to manage .
Victories of Virtual Learning
Remote learning also had its successes . The change to virtual forced students and teachers to quickly master and adapt to a new way of learning — a way that will now be a viable option for the future of education .
Teachers found groups of other educators who were going through the same trials , sharing best practices , finding mentors in the field , and becoming a stronger community through the process . Younger generations were helping older generations adjust to using new technologies , while students were finding new and unique ways to maintain their social relationships through virtual means . Online learning opened new opportunities for students to learn at their own pace , provided access to resources that may never have been available to them in a physical setting , and gave the entire world a crash course in a new way of learning that would have otherwise taken years to achieve .
It ’ s safe to say that the future of education has virtually changed forever .
Trends for 2022 :
• Option for self-paced learning – The online classroom provided students with the flexibility to set the pace for how and when they learn , giving them the best opportunity for success . Some students were even afforded the opportunity to learn from other educators beyond the “ four walls ” of their classroom .
• Push for tech-related learning – Students and parents alike are recognizing that the future is bright through technology . As students forced themselves to become more tech savvy and solve internet issues , deal with devices crashing , and learn new software , they ’ ve discovered an interest in technology ( beyond social media ) that they never knew existed .
The Future : Recovering from a Year “ Lost ”
Although the first few months were a struggle mentally , physically and emotionally , we were all in it together . Families started finding routines to balance remote learning time with time spent together . Students were finding the mute / unmute button with ease , and on-camera slip-ups were happening less often . The learning gap will be felt throughout the world , but teachers , students , and parents have proven their ability to adjust . It ’ s safe to say that the future of education has virtually changed forever .
10 College Majors That Hold Promising Career Paths
Preparing for life after high school can be stressful but choosing a college major shouldn ’ t be ! Although you should take time to explore your strengths and passions , also keep in mind specific industries that are of interest to you . Many college majors can teach you the general tools you need to succeed in a certain profession and can be applied across several industries . The following majors are just a peek into the top college majors in demand today .
1 . Nursing – If this past year has proved anything , it ’ s that health care workers are true heroes . Nursing has had a steady employment rate for years , and in recent times continues to grow . With the once largest generation of Baby Boomers entering later stages of life , and the now largest generation of Millennials having children , nurses are in high demand for our increasing population .
2 . Computer Science – This major can span many industries and focuses on exposure to both computer hardware and software . The current advancements in technology have computer science majors learning about robotics , natural language recognition , and artificial intelligence , among others . Careers with this degree include IT consultant , information systems manager , database administrator , games developer and technical writer .
3 . Business Administration – If you ’ re not quite sure what career path to take , business administration could be a good option . A degree in business administration could open a myriad of doors to industries large and
Continued on the next page >
SOUTH FAYETTE ❘ FALL 2021 23