When you think about the future of education, what's the first thing that comes to your mind? For most people, it's digitization. After all, technology is changing every sector in the world including the education sector. While technology has a key role to play, there are still some other non-tech factors that will trend in the years to come. Some of these approaches to education have been popular from the beginning but others have just started gaining momentum.
Vocational Training
These days, schools aren't just teaching students how to become lawyers, and doctors; they are focusing on vocational courses as well. These vocational courses are now being added to different levels of education from the primary to the tertiary level. It is focused on teaching students technical skills and crafts. Teachers also teach them how to trade or become artisans. Children who take many vocational training classes or attend vocational schools can start practising their skills right after high school. It doesn't matter if they want to further their education or stop after high school.Blended Learning with Social Networking
Another approach to learning that will remain relevant in the years to come is blended learning. The world is increasing its reliance on digital technology and blended learning allows students to enjoy an effective blend of technology and traditional classes. While it involves all forms of edtech, the most popular type of blended learning requires the use of social networking apps. Studies have shown that students respond positively to social networks for collaborative learning. Most schools are using social networks for education and maintaining interaction, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Thanks to the work of web developers, many edtech social networking apps help with blended learning.Competency-based Learning
Competency-based learning is another approach to education that is effective in preparing students for life after school. Rather than regular standardized testing and examination, competency-based learning demonstrates that the students have gained the skills and knowledge they need to make progress and advance in their education. There is no global standard or rules that define student competence. Schools and districts are allowed to set their systems and strategies for evaluating students with the competency-based system.Underground Education
Proponents of underground education do not believe that students should only be taught in the classroom. While classrooms in a formal setting that provides structure, students aren't going to spend the rest of their lives in the classroom. So, they are educated in unconventional places. Centuries ago, education wasn't in constant supply. Only the elite could get educated formally. It was illegal to offer education outside the formal system. The poor and most vulnerable members of society would meet secretly to get educated in unconventional places.Problem-based Learning
Technology is still one of the key variables that will influence the future of education. Many edtech tools are making the learning process easier and more interactive. However, there is a lot of emphasis on teaching children software development skills from the early stages of education. Coding is being simplified for younger children so they can get an early start. They don't need to wait until high school or college before they can start learning to program. Many tools encourage young children to learn to code. Exposing children to these tools even when they are at home would help. Some fun tools that will help children develop an interest in coding are Kids Ruby, Hopscotch, Code.org, Robot Turtles, and Daisy the Dinosaur.
Conclusion
The education industry is ever-evolving but the trends above will remain consistent for the next few decades at least. Even if technology changes how knowledge is dispensed, there is no evidence to suggest that robots will displace teachers anytime soon. Teaching still requires a human touch for many reasons. Even the digital curriculum needs to be put together by human teachers.
Artur Meyster is the CTO of Career Karma (YC W19), an online marketplace that matches career switchers with coding bootcamps. He is also the host of the Breaking Into Startups podcast, which features people with non-traditional backgrounds who broke into tech.