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Shifts in education and learning occur regularly, introducing new methods and technologies to classrooms and areas of learning. Technology is responsible for much of this, and with plenty of recent trends and evolutions in the way we teach and learn, it’s time to pause and identify just how much has changed over recent years, and where we are today.

Hybrid Learning

Hybrid learning, also referred to as a blended learning, combines traditional face-to-face classroom teaching with online learning materials, combining the strengths of both digital and physical education. The benefits? The support of a teacher to help speed up learning in the classroom, as well as the flexibility and growth in self-sufficiency that digital self-learning delivers. As the global pandemic has shown, hybrid learning is a successful and often preferred alternative to solely in-person teaching. With tools like Zoom, Microsoft Office, and other software, students and teachers can quickly and easily connect to digital classrooms, bringing education beyond the walls of schools and universities and into the wider world. As major companies around the world focus more and more on digital worlds, with the recent news of the ‘Metaverse’ on everyone’s lips, education is also being swept up in the conversation, leaving many to wonder where the future of education might lead. Additionally, virtual and mixed reality devices are becoming more accessible to consumers, offering immersive and effective ways to teach and introduce new topics to students. Obvious examples include history, biology, geography, and others that all stand to benefit from more interactive, digital methods of teaching. One challenge facing digital classrooms is cybersecurity, keeping both the e-learning environment safe from intrusions and hacks, and also protecting students themselves. Learning institutions are quickly discovering established ways to protect themselves and students, with tools like VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) and malware scanning tools. While the classroom isn’t going anywhere soon and teachers continue to adapt to the new challenges presented by online learning, this marked shift from place-based learning to a more flexible approach is being quickly adopted out of necessity, and we’re likely to see this hybrid approach continue.  

STEAM Education

STEAM-based learning helps students improve their critical thinking, dialogue, and other soft skills through the use of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. The intention is for students to go beyond rote memorisation of facts and use their minds to challenge and problem-solve. Since 2015, STEAM day, which falls on the 8th of November, and its accompanying STEAM week, have championed this modern approach to learning, and the importance of the five included subjects. York-based BinaryBots was recently acquired by Cambridge HackLab Academy, combining the two enterprises’ services and products to “provide an innovative, sustainable, and integrated STEAM – science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics – education to the next generation.” (Source) It follows recent promotions to cement STEAM’s importance in education by the likes of Professor Brian Cox CBE, who led a keynote presentation and Q&A session at North Star Science School’s event in December.  

Learning Technologies

As the Learning Technologies conference approaches, kicking off at the end of February, we’re once again drawn to analyse how technology has transformed education. Digital learning has certainly enjoyed the spotlight over recent years, ensuring entire generations of students continue their studies despite the challenges presented by COVID-19. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s teacher and learning survey conducted in 2018 discovered that only around 60% of lower secondary teachers felt they had ICT skills for teaching. (Source, Figure 12, page 24). Much can happen in five years, especially when the entire educational institution has been challenged to adapt to digital ways of working; the UK government’s 2019 white paper (page 7, points 8 & 9) on addressing barriers to technology in teaching have only become more vital in a world dealing with COVID-19. The prediction here is that as the world continues to return to a ‘new normal’, much of the digital transformation that’s affected education will remain, and we’ll see permanent evolution to both student and teacher’s proficiencies in IT and digital learning. As mentioned at the beginning of the article, Hybrid Learning is sure to play a major part in this.  

Recommended ASUS Products for Hybrid Learning & Evolutions in Learning

The ASUS ZenScreen MB16ACV portable USB monitor gives you the versatility to learn at school or from home, via a single USB-C cable, and giving you the ability to extend your screen real-estate. A proprietary antibacterial ionic silver treatment4 embedded in the bezels and rear of the monitor offers long-lasting protection, inhibiting up to 99.9% bacterial growth and adhesion, keeping key areas clean and hygienic. ASUS Ultra-Low Blue Light and flicker-free technology protect your eyes while you focus on your studies.   When it comes to networking, ASUS RT-AX86 series dual band WiFi 6 routers deliver seamless and secure connectivity for hybrid learning. ASUS is an industry-leading WiFi 6 provider and together with ASUS AiMesh technology, it’s easy to build up and manage an education network that features fast, reliable and efficient W-Fi, even for multiple classrooms and devices. With comprehensive security solutions, ASUS AiProtection, and VPN features, teachers and students can enjoy peace of mind when constructing a virtual learning system or learning from home.   Looking for something small and compact for digital learning? Look no further than the ASUS Chromebox 4, which provides new and enriching experiences in and out of the classroom. Simple, secure, and featuring an array of built-in education apps, students and teachers can work and learn right out of the box.   Looking to update existing IT infrastructure for learning? ASUS CSM motherboards provide enhanced features to smooth IT operations in schools and education institutes, including data privacy protection, 24/7 system stability, and better campus IT management. ASUS Control Center Express software is provided with CSM motherboard purchases, allowing IT administrators to monitor teacher or student devices remotely, at school or from home, and provide real-time troubleshooting, efficiency and improved results for digital classrooms. Wondering how ASUS can help your education or that of your students succeed? Speak to us today.