How technology is setting a new bar in unconventional learning

Education is the foundation of learning and the stepping stone to a country’s progress and development. From prehistoric times when the seeds of education were sown, young adults began to be trained in knowledge and skills that were essential to help them cruise through the challenges of life. Every era brought with it new challenges and advanced developments that dictated how learning evolved and transformed through the ages.

The onslaught of the pandemic had a far-reaching impact on education around the world. According to a report by UNESCO, the pandemic affected more than 1.5 billion students and the most vulnerable learners were hit hardest. Sushma Sharma, Director - Career Success Strategy, Veative Group said, "It brought about a significant influence on the way education is delivered, marking a major shift to non-traditional ways of learning including online learning and remote learning. And now as we live in the post-pandemic world, it is likely that some of these changes will continue for many decades to come. What was spurred by the pandemic, is becoming the established norm. The advancement of technology and availability of online resources are increasing the popularity of non-traditional learning methods."  

Leveraging online learning to enhance education

Interestingly, online learning has done wonders to enhance the reach and accessibility of education. Recent reports have shown that enrollment in online learning has increased by roughly 12–14% per year.  Virtual learning tools have made it easier for students to share knowledge and data, taking the educational field by storm. It has brought in myriad other benefits."

Flexibility: Non-traditional learning is more flexible than traditional education, allowing learners to study at their own pace. This is especially beneficial for learners who are not comfortable with traditional classroom settings, as well as older learners who have busy schedules or other commitments.

Convenience: Online learning has proved to be quite convenient as it allows learners to access educational resources from anywhere. This can be especially beneficial for people who live in remote or underserved areas. 

Tailored experience: Alternate learning can mostly be tailored to the specific interests and goals of the learner, which can make it more engaging and relevant. Personalization is a major propeller for online education tools to gain mass popularity. 

Vast resources: Pandemic-induced hybrid learning has enhanced the periphery of educational resources, adding to the richness of the pre-existing pool of resources. Now, learners have access to both traditional and unconventional resources, thus adding to the learning experience.

Self-directed learning: Unconventional learning provides avenues for a more self-directed approach to learning, which can be especially beneficial for those who prefer an autonomous learning style.

Unconventional teaching at its best

Sushma Sharma noted that in the past few years, institutions and educators have been using a variety of unconventional or alternative teaching techniques that not only improve student learning in the classroom but also further integrate the concepts of the lessons being taught, making them clearer and easier to understand.

According to a CompTIA survey, 78% of teachers and administrators working with students in grades K–12 feel that employing unconventional teaching techniques in the classroom has improved outcomes in general.  All over the world, students have benefitted from the integration of non-traditional methods within the classroom, such as educational videos, ungraded assignments, field trips, game-based lessons, smart boards, and more.  

VR infiltrating classrooms

Picture this: a virtual tour of NASA wherein students are exploring NASA projects, thinking like scientists and learning about real NASA missions. This scenario is nearly physically impossible for middle-school students in a rural classroom due to several reasons. However, all of this is now possible, all thanks to technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality. Instead of physically being there, students can learn previously unexplored topics with a pair of low-cost virtual reality headgear. They can virtually navigate any learning environment, browse books, and examine any concept they choose from a close quarter. This kind of non-traditional learning accommodates varying learning styles by adding audio, voiceovers, videos, and graphics, making learning three-dimensional. 

Change is the only constant

Sushma Sharma added that globally, educational institutions have come up with unconventional ways to uplift the status of education for the betterment of students, filling gaps to make classroom learning more impactful. For instance, Finland’s education system, which is considered to be one of the finest education systems in the world, doesn't burden their children with homework and exams for the first six years, which allows them to understand how to learn rather than how to pass exams. Similarly, in the Netherlands, students are provided iPads and apps early with the intent that by giving children the knowledge and abilities they need to use today's (and tomorrow's) technology, they are better preparing them for life after school and acknowledging the drastically different world in which the students are being raised.

It is imperative to recognize the growing needs of students and how we, as educationists and edtech solution providers, can effectively meet those needs. Non-traditional learning methods have indeed become the new normal owing to the convenience and flexibility they offer. It is important to recognize the value of both traditional and non-traditional methods of learning and to apply a combination of both in order to meet the needs of students irrespective of geographical barriers.