The educational model that we currently have is out of fashion. Technology is making great strides, but mathematics is still taught on the class blackboard, many times with shreds and a green background.
It’s not that I don’t like blackboards, chalk has taught me a lot about differential equations in my life, but I’m sure there are more attractive and intuitive ways to teach certain concepts. And we don’t just talk about mathematics, I talk about history, grammar, English … you have to put the batteries.
In Forbes they do a good review of the subject, and they highlight some important pillars to be able to discuss the educational world in the future:
– Inequality of access: We cannot continue to allow only the wealthy with internet access to enjoy the advances in the world of education. There are millions of students without access to laptops or tablets, or the Internet, and this pandemic has put the problem on the table once again. Remote classes are perfect for those with resources.
There are companies that move in this direction, such as Byju, which, according to CNBC, recently eliminated its remote learning application fee for students and aims to help children in remote communities with poor access to high-quality education. but movements are needed on a global scale.
– Training for educators that personalizes learning: Teachers have suffered greatly during the pandemic. Many of them are not used to the digital world, nobody has taught them, and they have had to learn what they are, in a hurry.
School districts must prepare not only to implement new technology, but also to ensure that teachers are adequately trained to use new technologies and solve problems in a classroom or virtual environment.
We can already create educational strategies at various levels of learning development. In Forbes they make it clear:
[…] Devices, programs and software are constantly being created to bring smarter technology to all, providing inclusive learning opportunities and leveling the playing field for those who have historically been left behind.
But resources are useless if there are no people who can use them.
– Virtual reality: We have been talking about the subject for many years, but virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) continue to be treated like toys in most environments. The integration of virtual reality has been shown to stimulate creativity among students, help them retain information and increase their participation in the lesson, but having a pair of glasses for each student, with quality software and teachers prepared to teach in this way, is still a challenge to be overcome.
– A new structure in higher education: Many universities are not only leaning towards technology, they are embracing it entirely. As part of its special learning report, The New York Times highlighted the Sandbox ColLABorative, an arm of Southern New Hampshire University that enables students to explore innovative ideas to shape the future of college education. Through this partnership, university students have been able to test theories about language learning using VR or incorporating AI teaching assistants.
Still, it is an exception. In general, universities continue to teach in the same way as they did 20 years ago.
There is a long way to go, and we have to start moving our legs or we will never reach the destination: learn more and better.
