3 Ways Technology Is Changing How People Learn

Technology has improved almost any aspect of our lives, and education is no exception. 

The learning environment is changing at an astonishing pace, providing students with more options than ever. 

Here is how technology is changing the way we learn.

1- Making a Shift from Passive to Active Learning

In traditional classrooms, learners were passive content receptors. They were listening to teachers and taking down notes for hours without participating.

Today, learners want to have a sense of control over their lectures.

One such example is VR learning tools. These tech solutions apply to both on-premise and virtual classrooms. They allow students to create a virtual world, enhancing learner engagement and improving information acquisition. 

Learners are immersed in the learning process and encouraged to participate actively.

With virtual reality, schools can provide experiential learning. Learners can acquire knowledge and skills by doing rather than passively listening. 

For example, with VR tools, healthcare students can better understand patients. Embodied Labs uses VR tools to simulate what it is like to live with different health conditions.

VR and AR technologies play a fundamental role in corporate training and employee onboarding, as well. For instance, KFC uses a VR simulator to train employees on how to prepare chicken.

2- The Rise of Differentiated Learning and Personalization

Not all students are the same. Each of them has a set of learning needs, concerns, preferences, and techniques. Above all, they have different learning goals. 

Unfortunately, traditional learning models do not value individuality enough. Students need to meet course requirements and expectations, even if they do not meet their learning objectives. 

Technology changes this approach, emphasizing personalization. Learning tools provide a learner-centric approach. For example, if a student is looking for tennis instruction for beginners, advanced training programs do not resonate with them. Adaptive learning allows them to tailor the learning program to their skills and preferences. 

ScootPad. Its founders wanted to create a learning tool that “understands” that not all students have the same preferences and needs. ScootPad uses real-time technologies that assist learners with comprehension, assessments, and exercises. They adapt to each student’s learning pace, ensuring they fully understand the teaching materials before moving forward. 

Now, there are two types of personalization in learning:

• Adaptive learning uses pre-assessment and similar techniques to learn more about students and offer customized feedback. That way, learning programs can match learners’ proficiencies and skills and provide a more relevant learning path. 
• Giving control to the learner – a student takes control of the learning process on their own. They create an individualized learning path for themselves. Continuous evaluations help them stay on track.

3- Collaborative Learning Processes

In traditional learning environments, student interactions were kept to a minimum.

That is where EdTech solutions step in. With their help, the learning process has shifted from individual-only to collaborative education.

Collaborative learning has been gaining momentum over the past few years. It is a learning model where two or more students learn together through continuous collaborations, discussions, and reflections.

That way, teamwork is not optional anymore. It becomes a necessary feature that facilitates education and makes it more efficient. 

Most importantly, these tools are filing the lack of human touch, which is often associated with online learning. 

The technologies mentioned above encourage genuine student collaboration. With the rise of online forums, mobile applications, cloud file-sharing systems, and instant messaging software, students can communicate and share files in real-time. 

Video conferencing tools take the process to the next level. They eliminate the constraints of traditional classrooms, such as geolocation or classroom hours. Through video meetings, they can discuss ideas and work on projects more effectively, irrespective of their locations. 

E-learning platforms also offer instant chat, video tutorials, and communities that enable frictionless communications. Scores, tasks, lesson responses, and lectures are visible to everyone.

These technologies have gained prominence since the outbreak of Coronavirus.

Moodle is a perfect example of a learning platform with social functionalities. Students can submit assignments. They are later assessed by their peers based on a determined grading scale. The platform offers many collaboration tools, such as live chat, forums, media embedding, and direct messaging.

Conclusions

Technology has dramatically changed the way we learn. 

For starters, online learning technologies make learning available to everyone. 

Most importantly, EdTech makes the learning process user-centric and highly personalized. It encourages innovation, active participation, and collaboration during lectures. Students can adapt the learning process to their own needs and, in that way, retain the information faster.

I hope these insights will help you!