Given the unpredictability of how this year will pan out, here are some trends that we can expect to observe in school education. By Rohan Parikh
We all know that 2020 was an unpredictable year for educational institutes as much as it was for the rest of the world. We were faced with disruptions, chaos, confusions and parents were left juggling between their jobs, personal life and their children’s education more so than before. Educational institutions have to swiftly shift gears and move to online teaching so as to prevent any disrupting student learning, and a month into 2021, we will carry some of these learnings forward. Given the unpredictability of how this year will pan out, below is a list of some trends that we can expect to observe in school education during the coming months.
Greater focus on socio-emotional learning: After a year filled with uncertainty and unprecedented change, we have realised the value importance of social-emotional learning (SEL) more than ever before. SEL is important in teaching students as well as adults how to manage their emotions, relationships and organise themselves. Adults and students can both benefit from time spent on SEL, especially because of the emotional difficulties this pandemic has created for everyone. As a result, it is important for schools and educators to place more emphasis on it to create a safe and conducive learning environment. A focus on SEL can also help students navigate through difficult times in future situations that they may encounter.
Virtual learning and ed-tech: We have seen how many new digital learning platforms and ed-tech have come up this past year. Massive acquisitions and big investments in disruptive education ideas have taken up large spaces in our daily news updates. It is, therefore, probable that in 2021 parents and students will explore these new offerings. Schools may also begin tie ups with such service providers to maximise student learning, especially if the COVID-induced lockdown continues to prevail, physical industries like in person tutoring will likely be affected by the entrance of so many digital and tech-based players.
Digital classrooms and hybrid learning: While we are all hopeful about the vaccines, their impact and reach, the uncertainty of 2021 still remains. Even as schools plan for their physical reopening, the implementation will likely be slow and phased. We can, therefore, expect digital classrooms to continue to be the norm for a good part 2021. Students will most likely continue to learn online for at least the first half of the year. As physical schools reopen, hybrid learning classrooms will be common. Hybrid classrooms are those where there is a mixed use of in-person teaching along with online learning methods in order to maximise student’s knowledge and ensure no loss of learning.
Blended learning: Finally, blended learning is likely to be an expected feature of physical classrooms in the year. After being forced to use only technology and innovative ways of teaching for close to a year, educators have had the opportunity to experience first-hand the many advantages of technology in the classroom. It is, therefore, the best time to bring technology into classrooms. Children are more familiar and comfortable with it than ever before. The long process of implementing technology in classrooms has already been taken care of for us by the pandemic.
One of the big fears of parents has always been the use of technology in the classrooms, the common misconception being that this will result in students being dependent on it. However, due to this global health crisis scenario, we have seen how technology can be used appropriately in order to benefit students.
Other less obvious changes will also take place in our learning environments this year. Students will show a greater sense of agency, as in the last year we have seen students take more control of their own learning than ever before. Similarly, parents’ involvement and support became a key element of learning during the pandemic and so more parent participation and community engagement can be expected. Additionally, we have seen the important role educators have played for students, while everyone was stuck at home. We can hope that this sense of gratitude and appreciation continues, restoring in some ways the respect that this profession has lost.
And lastly, the new year, if it brings with it some normalcy, will also require a great deal of catching up. While educators and education institutions have adapted to the new normal and shown great resilience, students have certainly experienced some losses in learning. As we come to terms with the new normal, a big priority will be ensuring that those who have been most affected, are enabled to catch up!
(The writer is the Managing Director of The Green Acres Academy.)
