Change can be a bitter pill to swallow, I love it because it can force us out of habits and help to create new ones but it can also be stressful and overwhelming, costly, and even destructive when the people it affects are not involved. I worry when I hear statements like, “we do whatever it takes”, “We’re going to need all hands on deck”, or “I know you guys are stressed out so on Friday we will have a jeans day.” Although these are neat ideas, as an educator I hear, “stay longer to get the work done, add more work to our plates, and you can wear jeans, and this is the only accommodation I’m making for you. This can send messages to your staff that being in tune with the world crisis is not their priority. Now, I agree this is the perfect time to rethink content delivery, effective online and blended learning strategies, and supporting the world through trauma but not all at once. What's important about change is how we acknowledge what is best for our students and how do we take care of the very people who support them.

We Need Innovation Now!

I really think our educational system needs new and innovative ideas with a diverse curriculum, new AI technologies programs, and personalized learning methods that will keep up with our ever-changing world. Luckily, there are thousands of researchers who are doing what they can to develop new pathways and Technology to educate students. In the last five years, there has been a boom in five different types of learning. As of now, the foundations for these five new learning trends are in development but they will be critical as the Year 2030 approaches.

 The top 5 educational trends that will transform our current educational system are:

 ●      Nano-learning - long ago, it was believed that concentrating for several hours at a time was the best way to learn anything but the world that we live in today is focused on short snippets of learning. In the world of smartphones and digital devices, learning must adapt and compete with many of our social platforms. Nano learning emphasizes learning small bits of information in 2 to 5 minutes. Teachers can infuse media such as podcasts, Ted-Talks, blog articles, and mini-lectures from around the world. Time is precious, This type of bite-sized content is great for on-the-go learning online schooling, and Teacher Professional Development Training.

 ●      Virtual Reality Learning - with virtual reality and augmented reality, students can travel to museums, historical periods, and Laboratories, along with any other different spaces that are unreachable, all from the comfort of their own classroom. Virtual learning can dramatically cut down on costs (Fun Tech Blog, 2020).

 ●      Project-based learning - teaches students about teamwork and helps them learn to collaborate with people from different backgrounds. Maybe students can Artfully express, analyze the causes-effects of, or otherwise evaluate population growth. (TeachThought)

 ●      Experiential learning - this educational trend centers around real-world application and real-world problem-solving and it also promotes lifelong learning. Think about how we can expand beyond the classroom. Experiential learning emphasizes situational learning and how lessons can be applied to real-world scenarios.  Although this research is underdeveloped experiential learning can improve a student’s confidence when they are in a real-world situation (Kent).

●      Online and blended learning - teaching students online can break down barriers but the lack of access to broadband has been a challenge. A major benefit to online learning is being anywhere and two-way communication but we have always known that working with K-3rd grade in an online-only environment has proven to be challenging. We are noticing major gaps in education due to students acquiring content online, meanwhile, teachers are simultaneously learning effective ways to deliver content online, and working hard to keep students engaged. Blended learning is a hybrid approach that incorporates both online and face-to-face methods. This method has proved to be successful for students and teachers alike.

Select One Idea and Try it!

Whatever you choose, make sure the resources are at your disposal and you are not doing it alone. Even though I know the educational system needs a change try one of these things in your classroom first, I know it may be a challenge to work outside of your comfort zone but this is a perfect time. As for administrators, support your teachers and be an advocate for their learning growth and their mental health. Work to provide support for your team, listen to their feedback often, check on them daily and please advocate for professional development on Social-Emotional learning and working with students through trauma. We can all benefit from these ideas!

 References

“8 Benefits of Virtual Learning Environments (Importance of Virtual Classrooms).” FunTech Blog, 11 Aug. 2020, https://funtech.co.uk/latest/benefits-virtual-learning-environments-classrooms.

 Kent. “What Is Experiential Learning and Why Is It Important?” Kent State University, https://www.kent.edu/community/what-experiential-learning-and-why-it-important.

T. T., TeachThought is an organization dedicated to innovation in education through the growth of outstanding teachers. (2022, January 11). 50 smart ideas for Project-Based Learning. TeachThought. Retrieved January 21, 2022, from https://www.teachthought.com/project-based-learning/pbl-ideas/