Technology is transforming education at an unprecedented pace, pushing educators to push the boundaries of the traditional classroom and providing students with new learning opportunities in the classroom. Do you need signals? I have a pretty big one: the global education technology market is growing rapidly, with a present value of €254 billion, and forecast to more than double by 2027, with an estimate of €695 billion.
What will the future bring to the classroom? Here are 3 technologies that could shape education.
Augmented reality
One of the probable turning points of the sector. In the future, most likely from the next decade, students will use the same wearable devices in the classroom that will allow them to explore the world without hunching over a smartphone.
For educators, AR will make classroom teaching easier and more effective. They will be able to transfer data and insights in real time, literally into the eyes of students. And since augmented reality provides contextual relevance, understanding will not have much interference. With AR they will be able to understand complex things by "enriching" the real world with interactive examples.
The nature of this technology makes it more difficult to divert attention, and perhaps this will also shape the duration of an AR session in the classroom. Not bad, there will be more time for comparisons and exchanges of observations on what we have just seen.
Cloud computing
If AR is a prospective technology, cloud computing is already literally transforming the education sector: a trend that will consolidate in a few years, taking on globally recognized forms and standards.
Consider the DAD seen in the pandemic as a "primitive omen", and move from necessity to evaluating opportunities. Imagine being able to do your homework anywhere, anytime, without having to carry heavy textbooks into the classroom. Thanks to a robust, simple and widespread cloud, students will be able to access assignments and teaching materials with flexibility and freedom never seen before.
Digital libraries in the cloud will transform physical ones, which will have more spaces to host readers and cultural activities. Tests and assignments for students will travel at the speed of light (with a predominance of quizzes and oral tests, especially if it is not possible to stem the creation of written assignments with artificial intelligence: this is a challenge). There may be series of lessons that even non-members will be able to follow, as "listeners", in new school webinars. In summary: Whether the classroom is in-person or remote, education and learning will be more accessible and convenient for everyone.
3D printing in the classroom
Imagine a future where the 3d printing it is within reach for anyone. Engineering students, in particular, will benefit enormously from this technology: with 3D printing, they will be able to create small models that will help them develop and refine their designs before presenting final prototypes. Furthermore, they will be able to experiment freely without having to spend too much time on technical details. And just like other subjects that teach theoretical concepts, 3D printing will make molecular structure easier to understand, giving students of all levels the chance to create a more engaging and innovative learning environment. You can't wait to see how this technology will revolutionize the way students learn and create!
3D printing is destined to find its way into the classroom as it allows students to visualize a structure entirely or its individual parts, helping them to better understand concepts. With the spread of 3D printers, teachers will be able to better integrate prototyping into their teaching methods: seeing the "whole" of something helps students understand how what they observe works.
