Technology will increase continuous learning during pandemic
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Technology will increase continuous learning during pandemic |
With the
economies around the world recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, technologists
have revealed that there would be an increase to a learner-centred system that
would marry continuous learning with technology at all levels in ways never
before seen. According to them, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the fore
fault lines, particularly within the education space that has required
educators, learners and parents alike to be aware of the realities that existed
across the spectrum before its initial onset. “At its very peak, research has
shown that the pandemic left 1.6 billion students out of school and without
access to connectivity and resources of weeks, according to these experts,”
they said. They likewise noted that this change meant that governments and
educators needed to rethink ways of bringing sustained education to learners,
taking into account access to technology and the various other circumstances
that vastly separated students in the classroom in their home lives.
“Educators and institutions also needed to realise that the one-size-fits-all
approach to educating that existed for hundreds of years needed to go through
an ‘unprecedented shift’ from a culture of teaching to a culture of learning.
“The reality of it is that educators were and have also been placed into
unfamiliar territory where more societal and technological factors to easing
learners into the new normal needed to be explored – a first for many,” said
Angela Nganga, Education Lead, Middle East & Africa Emerging Markets at
Microsoft. She continued that as the pandemic spread throughout the continent
and globe, “governments, institutions and individuals began to band together,
navigating the ‘unsettled zone’ where issues and questions involve getting
access to the right technology, communication management and equity. “That is,
access to devices and connectivity – through to the ‘learning zone’, where
issues include enabling continuous learning, providing support to students who
lack independent skills as well and providing support to parents of students as
well. “The global response we have seen within the spheres of education at all
levels has demonstrated how technology can help transform how we teach and
learn. “This powerful shift to a learner-centred system will be amplified by
technology and driven by education that is steeped in purpose and meaning.
“While many institutions still find themselves in the two previous phases, some
have started entering what is the ‘growth zone’ where it becomes clear that
technology is a crucial part of the solution during the disruption and beyond.
“What also emerges here is recognition that it is time to move beyond a blend
of traditional teaching and online instruction to something more. “In other
words, moving to a hybrid learning model —one that combines the best of
in-school and remote learning with digital engagement. “It is more than a quick
fix. It is a way to enhance and accelerate learning by providing student-centered
approaches to meet diverse learners’ needs. “But what does this mean for all
involved? Ideally, for students— they will become empowered to learn for
themselves in flexible, collaborative ways, both inside and outside classrooms
at their own pace. “They will also be able to follow their own interests and be
challenged as appropriate. “Teachers will have access to individualised
real-time data on how well each of their students is progressing –
scholastically and emotionally – enabling them to devise new challenges and
offer appropriate support for each child to move ahead. “Lastly, parents will
be better connected to, and involved with, their child’s education with
certainty, detail, and confidence. “In an effort to make this a reality, we
have continued to invest in helping students in primary, secondary, and higher
education gain the skills to be successful in the future and are committed to
ensuring educators are equipped with the tools and curricular resources to
teach digital skills and prepare students for in-demand jobs across cloud,
data, artificial intelligence, coding and even quantum computing,” said Angela.
Speaking further, she said one of these investments includes “creating a new
experience on Microsoft Education and Microsoft Learn for students and
educators, providing curated experiences including learning paths focused on
technology for social impact, popular university courses, and foundational
developer paths. “In the same way, eligible educators and faculty members at
universities, community colleges and secondary schools can access Microsoft
ready-to-teach curriculum and teaching materials aligned to industry-recognized
Microsoft Fundamentals certifications. “The Microsoft AI Business School is
also a great resource for students to learn about applying AI to industry,
along with considerations for sales, marketing, culture, and responsible AI
application across a multitude of industries. “Furthermore, in an effort to
support students in showcasing their skills and building their portfolio,
Microsoft also provides institutions the opportunity to procure Microsoft
certification vouchers at academic pricing on their existing volume license
agreement — a great complement to existing degree studies or can serve as a
stand-alone credential to show proficiency in a specific technology. “For
providing students with assistance in getting a hands-on experience with
technology, programmes like Azure for Students, GitHub Student Developer Pack,
Visual Studio Code, and programs like Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors have
been put in place. “Looking forward, ‘rethinking’ will become a word synonymous
with how the rollout of education is approached from start to finish. “New
data-based technologies have opened up ways to transform practices, structures,
and even cultures in schools. “Our commitment to education remains at the core
of our mission and we will continue to push boundaries in this space – ensuring
learners, parents and educators gain the most out of this process,” said
Angela.
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