Knowledge is power. That’s why humankind’s never-ending pursuit for knowledge has allowed some of the best inventions and discoveries that people today can enjoy. Imagine if the primates never evolved to have opposable thumbs that could help them hold onto branches, then you wouldn’t be here today.
But because the Homo sapiens learned how to evolve and adapt to their circumstances, humans were able to send an astronaut to the moon. Humans keep finding ways to make food easier to digest and cure illnesses that seemingly appeared out of the blue. Humans learned and humans thrived.
Fast forward to modern times wherein learning is no longer limited to human capabilities because machines can now do too. Every single day, people learn new information that can add value to their lives and contribute to their growth, which is all made possible through technology.
There was a time when learning was only for the privileged and the upper class because they could afford the tuition fee in formal educational institutions. Fortunately, the developments in technology have made learning more accessible to the public. Here’s how technology is revolutionizing education:
Remote Learning and Online Schools
To cope with the current global health crisis that has forced thousands of brick-and-mortar locations of schools to shut down, educators managed to find a way to keep operating—by moving to the digital sphere. This paved the way for the prevalence of online schools and remote learning for students.
This is because the traditional face-to-face mode of instruction is no longer feasible in the time of coronavirus for it can put both the teachers’ and students’ health in danger. But even a pandemic can’t stop humankind from seeking education, which is why they have learned to adapt to their circumstances.
Currently, all classes, exams, and homework are divided into two overarching categories: synchronous and asynchronous modes of learning. Although remote learning is not an entirely new concept because hundreds of students have been home-schooled before, the scale at which it is being done is revolutionary.
Virtual-reality Classrooms
One of the biggest disadvantages of remote learning, however, is that it’s no different from seeking education on your own with the help of YouTube videos. This is because learning in a traditional school setup is an experience in itself, which is what remote learning setups have tried and failed to address.
Fortunately, tech companies have identified this gap in the market and have created a solution that can potentially solve it. Thanks to 21st-century technology and the brilliant minds behind it, students can now experience an immersive learning experience with the help of virtual reality (VR).
VR for education and training can truly become a game-changer because it can mimic the experience of being in an actual classroom. Of course, it won’t compare to the traditional school experience, but it can be the next best thing that can be beneficial for the future generations of humanity.
Free Online Learning Platforms
Quality education is a fundamental human right under the Convention against Discrimination in Education. But despite this being a human right, there are still millions of out-of-school youth and adults who aren’t receiving the education they deserve for free because of their pre-existing living conditions.
In addition to that, so many professionals can’t break through the glass ceiling because, among other things, they can’t afford to seek higher education that can help them advance their careers. Not only do they not have the money, but their demanding careers also won’t allow them.
That’s why it’s a good thing that there are learning platforms that anyone with an internet connection can access to receive free and inexpensive education. Among these online learning, platforms are Coursera, edX, Udemy, Udacity, Khan Academy, FutureLearn, and Codecademy.
Most of these learning platforms are established by non-profit organizations that seek to remove the barriers usually associated with traditional education, such as cost, location, and access. They offer thousands of free online courses that can help anyone earn a certificate or degree without worrying about the costs.
Human civilization will continue evolving and the technology that people can enjoy today is proof of that fact. The rate at which society is progressing is unprecedented because not even a looming global health crisis can stop the brilliant minds at work from discovering new information every day.
But despite all these developments in education brought about by technology, there is still an inequality gap that leaves almost half of the world’s population without access to basic education. So until this crisis is solved, the governments, global leaders, and educators should work hand-in-hand to come up with a solution.