Future of Education - A perspective

The landscape of education is undergoing a profound transformation fueled by rapid technological advancements and changing learner preferences. As technology continues to reshape various aspects of our lives, it is no surprise that the field of education is also experiencing significant shifts.

According to the World Economic Forum's 2023?Future of Jobs Report, 52% of CEOs believe that labour and skills shortages will significantly affect profitability in the next 10 years. The jobs landscape is expected to be drastically different in the future and change will continue at a rapid pace. In a survey,?91% of Millennials?expect to stay in their jobs for less than three years.?The need for a global?Reskilling Revolution?is clear.

Taking a?skills-based approach,?defined by UNESCO , as “alternative and multiple routes for engaging in learning, and a means of achieving educational qualifications alongside formal schooling”, places the emphasis on a person’s skills and competencies – rather than how those skills have been acquired. Democratizing access to economic opportunities and pathways to “good work” – setting a new benchmark for job quality – can help address labour and skills shortages.

Shifts in Learning Models

1. Technology-Enabled Learning: In the future, education will be increasingly driven by technology, revolutionizing the way knowledge is imparted and acquired. Online learning platforms, virtual classrooms, and interactive multimedia tools will play a pivotal role in delivering educational content. Immersive technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) will provide students with engaging and experiential learning experiences. Advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms will enable educators to gain insights into student performance, identify learning gaps, and provide personalized feedback for effective remediation.
2. Customization and Personalization: The future of education will prioritize customization and personalization to meet the diverse needs and preferences of learners. Adaptive learning algorithms and intelligent tutoring systems will analyze student data, such as learning patterns, strengths, and weaknesses, to tailor content and learning pathways accordingly. Personalized learning plans will enable students to learn at their own pace, focus on areas that require attention, and explore their passions. This individualized approach will foster deeper engagement, improve retention, and enhance overall learning outcomes.
3. Blended Learning and Flexibility: Blended learning, combining online and in-person instruction, will become the norm in the future of education. Educational institutions will adopt hybrid models that allow students to choose from a mix of on-campus classes, remote learning, and self-paced online modules. This flexibility will accommodate students' busy schedules, provide access to high-quality education from anywhere in the world, and foster a sense of independence and self-regulated learning. Collaborative learning tools and virtual collaboration platforms will facilitate peer-to-peer interaction and group projects, creating a sense of community and enhancing the learning experience.
4. Competency-Based Education: The future will witness a shift from traditional time-based education to competency-based models. Rather than focusing solely on completing a set number of credit hours, educational programs will emphasize the mastery of specific skills and knowledge. Competency-based education will enable students to progress based on their demonstrated abilities, ensuring that they are adequately prepared for the workforce. This approach will bridge the gap between education and industry needs, providing employers with highly skilled and job-ready graduates.
5. Lifelong Learning and Microcredentials: In an era of rapidly evolving industries and changing job requirements, the future of education will place a strong emphasis on lifelong learning. Continuous upskilling and reskilling will be essential for individuals to remain competitive and adaptable in the workforce. Microcredentials, such as digital badges, certifications, and nano degrees, will gain prominence as they offer targeted skill development in specific areas without the need for lengthy degree programs. These bite-sized learning modules will allow professionals to acquire new skills and competencies throughout their careers, making learning a lifelong journey.
6. The Role of Traditional Universities: While online learning and alternative models are on the rise, traditional universities will continue to play a vital role in the future of education. These institutions will need to adapt and embrace technological advancements to remain relevant. Collaborations between universities and edtech companies can leverage the best of both worlds, combining the academic expertise of universities with the technological innovations of online platforms. Universities can also focus on creating unique value propositions, such as research opportunities, hands-on experiences, and mentorship programs, to complement the evolving needs of students.

Changes in Indian context

The following 4 changes, happening in India, keep the students at the centre and provide mobility and flexibility without losing the required rigour.

1. The vision for a national digital university that can coexist with brick and mortar and collaborate in order to provide a wider reach to all across the country
2. Microcredentials involving earning of credits, seamless transfer of credits especially with the new Academic Bank of Credits concept giving the students unparalleled flexibility
3. The democratization of education through NPTEL and SWAYAM initiatives giving students the option to specialize along with a traditional university education
4. Multiple entry/exit feature not dissimilar to the Erasmus concept in the European Union for seamless student transfer across universities and qualifications and ABC (Academic Bank of Credits) system

How can universities adapt to the future of learning and work?

The future of work requires a holistic and inclusive educational approach. Universities can help learners acquire the skills employees increasingly need. We need an integrated, multi-pathway approach to education and jobs.

In a changing skills and education environment, we need to be clear about the wider role universities play can and how they might adapt to meet society’s needs. Remember universities act as knowledge creators and distributors. Much fo the industry today came out of university laboratory. Here are three key areas where universities can adapt to become more efficient and effective educators:

1. Embrace a skills-first approach

In many cases, a skills-first approach can be life-changing – giving individuals who haven’t attended university access to good jobs and financial security. Those who choose this alternative educational pathway gain valuable work experience, with the option to attend university or further education in the future. For universities, increasing the student population who have real-world work experience brings valuable insight to the classroom and helps to prepare other students for future employment.

For businesses, employees who go to university with specific industry knowledge can apply this context to their learning and return well-equipped to drive the business forward through innovation and leadership. For individuals, it opens up opportunities for professional growth beyond the scope of an exclusively skills-first approach.

To strengthen this pathway at all levels, universities can take concrete steps to attract and retain students based on a skills-first approach such as recruiting from non-traditional talent pools and reducing barriers to entry, e.g. testing and degree requirements. Once students are enrolled, universities can help ensure they thrive by providing pastoral support, counselling, flexible hours and appropriate accommodation.

2. Capitalize on a university’s strengths

The Future of Jobs report outlines the top 10 skills of 2023 – top of the list are analytical and creative thinking with “self-efficacy” skills also ranking highly. While there are many ways individuals can acquire these skills, they are difficult to teach in formats such as online micro-credentials. However, universities provide the perfect platform to develop these in-demand skills. To capitalize on this, universities should ensure these skills are taught as part of the curriculum and this is clearly communicated externally to prospective students and industry professionals.

For example, challenge-based learning brings together multi-disciplinary teams of students to find solutions to complex real-world problems. Oxford University’s SDG Impact Labs is one such example, integrating a 17-week training programme on ethics (values, character, purpose), evidence (observation, evaluation, experimentation) and engagement (communication, collaboration, delivery). A four-week placement with industry partners equips students with transferrable skills to lead transformative change in relation to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The challenge with this kind of programme is scaling, in this regard public-private partnerships could be invaluable. With the right stakeholders on board, developing these areas of competency helps drive businesses forward and enhance individuals’ careers in the long term.

3. Integrate traditional and alternative education pathways

Alternative pathways and higher education need not be mutually exclusive; learning should be a lifelong journey that integrates diverse, formal and informal methods. Just as universities are not the only road to employment, additional ways of acquiring skills such as?micro-credentialing ?can also serve as a valuable tool – before, during and after university education.

Coursera explains, “To succeed in a competitive and rapidly evolving job market, the next generation of talent requires a combination of broad-based education and specific workplace skills. Universities are integrating industry micro-credentials from top companies into their degree programmes to produce job-ready graduates and reduce the cost of education as students and employers alike expect higher education to become more flexible, affordable, and relevant."

Another concept is a membership model, where students engage in a university-curated lifelong learning journey, interspersed with other skills acquisition activities. While this idea remains largely theoretical, it points to the opportunities for innovation in the field.

Lifelong learning

Universities are reimagining not only their role, but more broadly what it will take to build an inclusive, highly educated society ready to contribute to improving the state of the world. As they do, they will benefit from embracing the innovations happening in skills and education. As universities and other learning providers develop these opportunities the learning horizon will become richer. Learning providers can create partnerships that harness each other’s strengths and build programmes and pathways that accompany learners on that lifelong journey.

To sum up:

• The future of education holds immense potential for transforming how knowledge is acquired, shared, and applied.
• With advancements in technology, personalized learning experiences, blended models, competency-based approaches, and a lifelong learning mindset, students will have more flexibility, accessibility, and tailored pathways to pursue their educational goals.
• Traditional universities, online platforms, and lifelong learning opportunities will coexist, offering diverse learning options for individuals across different stages of life and career trajectories.
• As we navigate this transformative era, it is crucial for educators, policymakers, and learners to embrace emerging technologies, adapt to evolving needs, and foster a culture of lifelong learning to thrive in the dynamic world of tomorrow's education.