As we approach 2025, emerging educational trends are reshaping how we view and apply current teaching and learning methods across all levels of learning. With advancements in technology and increased investments in IT infrastructure, there are more opportunities to improve the future of education.
Let’s check out some of the top emerging trends in education.
There’s been a significant shift towards competency-based education, where students are encouraged to master specific skill sets aligned with their chosen career paths. Educational sectors are increasingly focusing on career preparedness. This is great for students who know what they want to do at a young age, because the sooner they start, the more they’ll be able to develop and refine the skills needed for success in their chosen careers.
This is a big one. Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has completely transformed the educational sector. For students, AI is creating new learning opportunities to analyse data, take notes during class, get tutoring on subjects, and gain personalised feedback on assignments. The more data they gather, the more personalised content they can produce. These adaptive learning platforms are tailoring their assistance to students’ exact needs through their algorithms.
For teachers, Generative AI helps to automate tasks such as assignment checking, admin, and report summarisation. However, as technology advances each day, it’s critical that educators receive continuous professional development to effectively integrate new technology into their teaching methods.
While AI has many positive implications, it’s important that schools and universities develop policies to maintain educational integrity because we don’t want it to get out of hand. Also, as educators, we must safeguard student data and privacy, so confidential information is kept safe.
Extended Reality is all the craze these days. It consists of Augmented Reality (AG), Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR). These real-life inspired digital experiences have opened the doors to new learning paths and are only projected to grow further – nearly 35% by 2028. They improve engagement, are more interactive, and offer real-world experiences. There is a chance these technologies can soon take students to virtual environments such as a molecule in science class or a prehistoric time to gain a better understanding of the topic.
In 2021, EDUCAUSE shared that nearly 40% of higher education institutions have adopted XR for a few specific projects and 12% are using XR more widely since the pandemic. With its projection to grow, there is a high chance that the adoption rate will increase immensely.
Have you heard of nanolearning or microlearning? These two techniques are gaining traction and becoming increasingly popular. Most people have a difficult time remembering material when they sit in class for long periods. This is because once our brains are on overdrive from too much information, they have an inherent limit and are not wired to retain more. Microlearning and nanolearning techniques help to cope with this, with short bursts of learning.
These two types of learning are focused on taking modules that break down more complex educational topics into digestible short version segments. This gives the brain enough time to retain the material, but doesn’t overwhelm it. Users can take small breaks in between, which energises them to keep going forward.
A great example of this is the language learning platform, Duolingo. Duolingo is great for those who want flexibility and opportunities to learn on the go when you want on your own schedule in bite-sized chunks. The short, repeated learnings over time, are said to help new concepts and material sink in for a longer period of time.
As neuroscience—the study of the nervous system—advances, many traditional educational practices, such as in-person classes, memorisation-based testing, and one-size-fits-all learning approaches, are being re-evaluated. Gaining insights into how the brain processes memory and enhances learning effectiveness is reshaping how we think about education.
Post pandemic, there has been an increase for digital and hybrid learning to make education more accessible and reduce geographical barriers. Online learning has helped reduce costs, provide greater convenience, and create a wide range of flexible opportunities. However, it’s crucial for the education industry to ensure that a digital divide isn’t created between those with access to technology and those without, in order to prevent further widening of the education gap.
Outside of traditional school, a variety of online learning courses and classes are becoming available for those who want to master a skill. Entrepreneurs and gurus are starting their own classes on platforms such as Skillshare, Udemy, and Masterclass where they are offering users expertise in a field they’re interested in. Want to learn photography? There’s a step by step video guide. Want to learn how to be a good leader in your business? There are educational courses with the framework you need.
Before this, no detailed or advanced training was broadly available, outside of YouTube and actual school. Yet now these online learning opportunities are emerging and trending, creating a likelihood that more people may opt for this option rather than the traditional route.
As students head into the workforce, the trend that’s becoming relevant is that they should take note of the soft skills they bring to the table. Do you work well in teams? Are you good at decision-making and adapting under pressure? These skills are just as valuable as technical expertise and can set you apart in a competitive job market. According to a report from LinkedIn, “More than 90% of HR professionals agree that soft skills are very important to the future of recruiting.”
As we look ahead to the next 5-10 years, it will be fascinating to watch how academic culture and structure continue to evolve. It’s important to stay ahead of the curve by keeping these trends in mind and taking action to prepare for every future classroom. At St Francis Xavier College, we take pride in preparing our students for the brightest futures. As the world changes, so do we. We embrace new developments to help our students thrive in an ever-evolving environment, and are continually preparing for education in the future.
If you’d like to learn more about our school, please reach out to us.