For more than two years, we have seen a significant shift in technology in education due to the pandemic. Accelerated technology adoption brings new ways of learning at scale, and education pivots to address real-world learning. We can all agree that a learning journey is personal and happens anywhere and anytime with technology. As we are coming out of the COVID-19 disruption, we take our lessons learned, priorities and opportunities with us. Here are the top five trends that will shape Asia’s education in 2023 and beyond;

 

Hybrid/ Blended Learning

With the rapid digital adoption during the pandemic, schools and education institutes have changed how they deliver learning experiences to their students. Though online learning may not be suitable for all learners due to the lack of infrastructure, it gives flexibility and impact when used to design new learning models, as Singapore’s Education Minister Chan discusses in an interview. Learning Management Systems (LMS) are vital in delivering engaging learning experiences. Many education institutes leverage what they have built during the pandemic to create the next normal of learning.

 

Personalised learning

We all learn differently, based on our interests, learning styles and accessibility to resources. Learning during the pandemic has amplified each student’s uniqueness. With the assistance of technology, the learning experience can be more personal and relevant to students. Schools and educational institutes have an opportunity to create a more targeted learning experience for students in terms of content, pedagogy and assessment. Real-time data monitoring and tracking, as well as software learning analytics, can help to create student-centric learning experiences. A Thailand-based Starfish Class is a personalised, authentic assessment tool to help teachers develop skills and record learning evidence of students.

 

Bite-size/ micro/ nano learning

Learning is best if it’s of interest and timely. The “amount” of learning is shrinking based on a shorter attention span. The “seriousness” of content and delivery are transitioning to a more “playful” way. Teachers used social media platforms such as Tik Tok and YouTube Shorts during the pandemic as their education channels. An EdTech company in Thailand, Vonder takes this approach and offers a micro-learning platform where students can engage with learning in a fast and fun way.

 

Immersive learning technology – Extended Reality (XR)

Extended Reality (XR) is the umbrella term that covers Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), mixed Reality (MR), and other immersive technology. It has tremendous opportunities for learning as it offers a “real-life” learning experience without limited time and space. “Walking” through a temple in the Ayutthaya period is likely much more fun and engaging than just trying to read and remember from a history book. Extended Reality also offers a simulation environment for students who are training in medical schools or who are undertaking vocational training, for example. A national initiative such as the Aniveres Mataverse project, a partnership between 17 Thai Universities with the Ministry of Higher Education, Thailand is shaping trends on a large scale.

 

Lifelong learning/ Skill acquisition

The existing education system today is constantly playing catch-up with the fast-paced and ever-changing world. The curricula available in schools can be outdated very quickly as the world moves at high speed. The things students need to learn are not taught in schools. Students and employees are expected to reskill to cope with the demands in the future. The global initiative World Economic Forum is working with more than 350 organisations to provide 1 billion people with better skills and education development to close the skills gaps.

Many EdTech companies in Asia are addressing this specific problem. Starfish Labz is an online learning platform for educators, parents and students to learn future skills. Conicle is a people development platform to empower your organisation to develop and acquire skills. Learning is not just confined to classrooms.

 

We indeed have learned a lot over the past two years. The pandemic forces us to rethink and reimagine how we learn and prepare for the future. With technology as an enabler, the opportunities are endless. We just have to focus on creating a relevant and meaningful education for us to thrive in the challenging world.

 

About the author

Dr Nanthaporn Prae Seributra is CEO of Starfish Education, part of Firetree Trust, a philanthropic organisation in Asia. Starfish Education operates a school, a professional development institute, an online learning platform and EdTech products in Thailand.

Join Dr Nanthaporn Prae Seributra at Bett Asia 2022: the leading education technology thought-leadership event in the Asia-Pacific, now taking place on 11-12 October 2022 at The Athenee Hotel, Bangkok. Register today here: https://asia.bettshow.com/visitor-registration