The millennials are all born with a keen sense of technological acumen. At an age when baby boomers were being introduced to the concept of computers, millennials are well versed with the intricate workings of modern computers. Today’s students are experimenting with 3D printers and are having full access to all the books found in a library right from their homes. So, yes, the internet is a serious revolution if you consider every sector operating in the world. But, how far have the solution providers been able to properly harness the full potential of these latest innovations in the field of education, is a real concern?
What the millennials want to learn?
With improvised learning tools and some suave gadgets, students are actually much more engaged in their learning objectives than ever before. Math is actually turning out to be fun for many with a dedicated perseverance from many Math-lovers to increase its fan base. Software modules are the latest norms that have been implemented with regards to learners of different levels.
However, these software modules need to be constantly upgraded with latest updated subject materials and citations or else they stand to go obsolete. This is where AI and Machine Learning are being perfected upon. There are few researches going on and some companies are already preparing to incorporate both into their learning modules. According to one ongoing research, Artificial Intelligence is being developed, so as to be able to understand the learning patterns of the learner, their grasping power, the kind of citations they can relate to, the difficulty level of tests, and the points where the module itself is not capable of convincing the learner. The modern Artificial Intelligence systems are being designed to learn about the student while the student is learning on the modules. This way, the system learns about the student’s interest in various topics and hence the lessons can be crafted accordingly, similar to the way videos are recommended on video hosting sites.
Social Media – The Power of Collaborative Learning
There is no doubt that social media plays a very proactive role in everyone’s life today. The popularity of various social media platforms is already being tapped by institutes in every corner of the world. The only concern, however, with social media is, keeping them engrossed into the educational topics and not the usual fun and frolics that social media attracts.
Social Media could be the most powerful learning tool with the right, well-focused groups and erudite discussion sessions. Such groups do exist in most of these platforms, but like many, they are hardly unbiased and hence, could not be relied upon for doing complete justice to the purpose. Once again, Artificial Intelligence comes to the rescue. Many of the newly developed social media platforms are investing highly into the power of real-time Artificial Intelligence-based Analyzing technology to keep the students engrossed in their learning activities, much like the current social media platforms.
Virtual Reality – Learning from a Whole New Perspective
Currently, this technology is popularly being used in the gaming industry. With the requirement of advanced processing technologies and sophisticated programming, Virtual Reality would really take some time to get adopted for the financially backward learning industry. However, there are many non-profit organizations that are taking huge strides in making it a reality as soon as possible. The cardboard cut-out, smartphone-enabled, budget virtual reality devices available today are considered too naïve to be adopted for the current lot of students. That is, it doesn’t have the ability to keep a student engaged for a long time. This, however, is a matter of developing the content that leverages the complete potential of the VR Technology.
Holographic Projectors – Making Classroom Sessions Lively
The science-fiction phenomenon that has been continuously portrayed as a thing of the future is soon going to be a reality. We already have laser projector keyboards and mouse and other motion-enabled, holographic-based user interfaces. The Holographic projectors certainly seem to be the next frontier in the smartphone era and inevitably it will be the next best thing to happen in the education sector. Videos of classes being conducted using the holographic technology seems very promising and with an engaging user interface, holograms are going to make the topics very interesting and easier to grasp.
3D printing – Harboring the Future Designers
This is the most happening tool that has got the entire research world excited. From printing a prosthetic limb to a synthetic DNA strand and even a whole building, the possibilities with 3D printing is endless. This is exactly what makes it the most demanded tool in almost every industrial sector in the world.
However, the biggest drawback of a 3D printing equipment is its cost. It is beyond the reach of most of the research institutes and its accessories also come at a premium. Yet, there are some premium schools that are incorporating the know-hows of 3D printers and making their students accustomed to the basics of its operation. In the near future, craft activities using clay and paper are going to be complemented by the use of 3D printers. Even though it is shunned by many, there are still some art installations that are garnering attention around the world, just for being developed on a 3D printer.
Cloud and IoT – Evaluating Performance on Different Levels
This technology cannot be termed as the future, but is being heavily exploited by the present system itself. Students no longer need to haul heavy books in their backpacks. But there is more to this technology than just data storage. There are programs coming up that aims to implement Big Data Analytics in student’s study patterns, their overall performance in various subjects and consequently, their scope of creativity.
There has been a long-standing argument regarding the removal of the present evaluation system where the students are evaluated based on their scores in various subject matters. However, there are some revolutions coming up that consider the performance of an upcoming sportsman, a scientist, a civil servant and many more. Proposals have been going around to give equal considerations to every student showcasing different strata of interest in different activities. Using the cloud-based performance evaluation tools, it is possible to evaluate different students on varying benchmarks and hence, they could be recommended for the most apt career options. In a way, the world would be getting the most productive citizens through this program.
As per an undergoing program, students’ every little academic activity will be monitored through smart cameras installed in every nook and corner of the campus, which would be equipped with spectral technology, motion trackers (even for the eye that senses your level of interest for a particular subject) and other gimmicks. These cameras and other sensors, won’t be just tracking the students’ academic activity, but also their personality and their social interactions. The entire information will be processed, analyzed and evaluated to determine the further course the students need to follow. The only glitch to this collaborative technology would be the level of sophistication to acquire the required level of accuracy.
With the advancements in the timeline of Mankind, the amount of data and knowledge will only go on increasing and the upcoming generations are bound to learn many things in a much shorter amount of time. However, the latest technologies stand to be the only respite to the growing concerns of the educational institutes. Be it in preparing an engaging curriculum or in the smooth functioning of the institute, students are going to reap the benefits of the latest advancements in the technology.
