Dr. Hamzeh Awad, Ph.D., FHEA, Academician and Researcher in Health Science and Health Information Technology, UAE & Ms. Juana Elbakhit, BSc, MSc candidate, IU of Applied Science, Germany
EdTech, when computer hardware and/or software are incorporated into the educational sector to facilitate learning, is known as e-learning or EdTech. This is a broad concept that includes everything from language learning apps for smartphones to Zoom classes. This might be referring to tangible objects like interactive whiteboards, laptops, tablets, or translation tools. It might also be used to describe online learning platforms or virtual reality applications. Edtech aims to encourage and support simpler teaching and learning.
Technology advancement has led to astronomical expansion in the education sector. Innovation has improved educational technology, a branch of research that focuses on analyzing, designing, and developing fresh approaches, putting them into practice, and gauging how productive the learning environment is. Additionally, it involves determining if the learners, processes, and learning materials are in the greatest possible shape to support desired outcomes. The capacity of technological education to widen networks and improve collaboration with other educators locally and globally has led to its adoption by the majority of educational institutions. Engaging students and providing quality services have been made easier by integrating new technologies into the classroom. Hundreds of millions of children and people throughout the world could benefit from improved learning outcomes because of education technology.
Current and Future EdTech trends:
- Augmented reality and virtual reality: exciting learning opportunities are provided by augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Students can utilize VR and AR to experience ideas in 3D rather than merely reading about them or viewing videos about them.
- Education Gamification: A Crucial EdTech Trend for Online Learning: Playing video games while learning has always been a fun experience. But one of the most recent EdTech trends is the gamification of education. The global market for game-based learning is predicted to expand and reach higher demand. Developers create video games and other fun and interactive methods of immersive learning using educational technologies. To make learning fun and engaging for kids, plots and storylines are devised. Gamification of education increases student experiences while transforming the setting of conventional education. Gamification inspires and stimulates students to pursue concentrated self-paced learning when they spend a lot of time using smart gadgets that are connected to the internet. Geographies including North America, Europe, and APAC are anticipated to stimulate significant demand for the gamification of education in the upcoming years.
- Utilization of Artificial Intelligence to Provide Personalized Learning Experiences: Artificial intelligence, or AI, is the technology that best utilizes developing technologies. When there is a constant flow of data in the digital age, artificial intelligence technology uses computational methods, analytics, automation, and algorithms to produce useful insights from end-to-end data. ML (Machine Learning), analytics, big data, and other tools are used to provide better earnings, supported by pure intelligence. Performance-based grouping and intelligent instructional systems are made possible with AI. It analyzes student demand, gains insight from their actions, and changes to meet their needs to provide highly customized learning experiences. The use of AI in education is drawing significant attention and is now being researched globally.
- Blockchain: Blockchain technology is being aggressively applied in the field of educational technology. This technology, which is most often linked to Bitcoin, enables secure, decentralized data sharing. The use of blockchain technology has many advantages for both institutions and students. Students can safely store their diplomas and certificates, access them whenever necessary, and have them confirmed. Blockchain also assists organizations with document and record security while streamlining admissions and transfer verification processes. Similar to how it has transformed many other industries, blockchain will be essential to the EdTech revolution and is expected to take a major part in Education.
- Big Data: we are all aware that “Data is the new oil” in the world of big data. However, data is currently expanding. Larger, more complicated data sets that are too numerous to be processed by conventional data processing technologies are known as big data. These enormous amounts of data can be applied to address issues and concerns. Institutions can use big data to help them spot trends and patterns that point to the most useful parts of their courses and programs. Additionally, data analytics are already being applied to find out which kids can benefit from extra help as well as strategies to raise student involvement and engagement.
- The Metaverse as a future trend in higher education: The new virtual world heavily announced by shifting “Facebook” to “Meta” is getting significant hype from various perspectives, including education. However, educational experts are still split about the future of the metaverse whether it will be heavily involved or selected for certain programs or applications. Indeed, higher education experts, asking how the metaverse will evolve, and to what extent the technological and societal dimensions will align or clash.
All in all, rapid Innovation and sustained Education System Transformation Require EdTech, The COVID-19 outbreak pushed the need for universal digital transformation, even though many educational institutions had considered it before the pandemic. Classes were suspended, schools and universities were closed, and social isolation and distancing tactics were used. The providers of educational services thus began their search to investigate strategies for maintaining educational continuity while confronted with a barrage of COVID-19-led problems at various endpoints. Post-pandemic one may conclude that educational institutions around the world are more aware of the value of EdTech solutions, they are eager to use education software development services to blend the correct technology into their curriculum, improve their digital skills, and achieve sustainable change.
About the Authors
Dr. Hamzeh Awad. Ph.D., FHEA, Academician and researcher in Health Science and Health Information Technology, UAE
Academician and researcher in Health Science and Health Information Technology. Dr. Awad completed his higher education in UK and Germany. With several years of experience in the Healthcare industry, academic institutions in GCC as well as higher education consultations. He has several publications in ISI journals, Book, and keynotes guest speaker at several international conferences. He is a member and fellow of the higher education academy, UK (HEA), a certified higher education technology expert by Blackboard, USA, and has several international collaborations with different research groups in Health Science Education Technology, Rehabilitation, Public Health Informatics, Health Management, and Digital Health.
Ms. Juana Elbakhit. BSc, MSc candidate, IU of Applied Science, Germany
Ms. Elbakhit is a Software engineer with years of experience in software tools uses in education as well as IT applications toward disease prevention with an emphasis on using AI and Machine learning algorithms toward prevention. Ms. Elbakhit is a master’s candidate at the International University of Applied Science, Germany.