The main priority within education continues to focus on delivering the best learner experience possible and truly understanding each individual’s learning requirements is integral for success. This is one of the biggest challenges training providers face and can often be the reason some training providers fail.
Over the last year, many lives have changed dramatically. The impact of the pandemic has been particularly felt by those within the education sector, with both educators and learners having to quickly adopt new ways of teaching remotely and training online.
Despite the easing of social distancing and life slowly returning to some form of normality, the adoption of online learning is showing no signs of slowing, and with increased access to sophisticated technology, data and artificial intelligence, online learning providers are in the position to truly provide learners and educators with the best digital learning and teaching experiences.
The role of technology
Whilst online learning has been accelerated by the pandemic, it’s important to understand that as an established online-learning provider, technology-based learning has always been at the heart of what we do. With the resources we have at The Skills Network, we can provide learning any time, anywhere – removing barriers such as location, time of learning, and even speed of training.
The digital resources which we’ve taken years to create and invest in are now made available to all providers – from schools, to colleges and universities – who can use them as they wish to support learning.
As true believers of “flipped learning”, and with the help of technology, we’ve developed tools that support this framework, allowing providers to know their learners before, during and after their learning journeys. Compared to older methods, with technology it’s possible to gather this information in a cost-effective and quick way, enabling teachers to monitor and adapt as and when needed.
However, many still say that that there is little to no interaction with online learning – this couldn’t be further away from the truth. Teaching is so much more than a Zoom call, or uploading countless documents to a platform. Teachers still need to respond to questions, give feedback and support students – this is where the blended approaches come in. It’s important to consider that the new generation also expects online learning in some form – for many individuals, the world has been digital since they were born.
Additionally, the ability to access specialist tutors whenever and wherever you’re located is also a possibility. Teachers and lecturers use this flexibility to support their own students, providing them with additional support at any time. It’s all about taking the learner through a journey and helping them get through their personal challenges.
Knowledge really is power
One of the reasons why education providers find our learning experiences so beneficial, is because they can measure learning journeys before they even get started.
With the help of technology, knowing your learner before teaching them is now possible through a range of initial assessments focused on knowledge and skills. Additionally, by receiving key information on the cognitive development and mental toughness of individuals, providers can easily shape learning processes. With this data, providers can shape the learning, tailor programmes, and easily provide access to extra support, tackling the abilities and concerns of each learner.
As artificial intelligence and virtual reality start to come into play, we can predict – even before a learner enrolls – how they will do based on their initial assessments. This gives education providers powerful insights, highlighting concerns and solutions, and ultimately making teachers and lecturers’ lives easier.
Teachers and lecturers have a limited time to teach, so this is a real opportunity to supplement providers, and gives teachers (who already are extremely stretched) the freedom to do what they do best – teach.
Working together
With the full support of learning providers, teachers will be able to access support that will benefit not just their teaching online but give them qualities that will progress their teaching overall.
The Skills Network has already successfully provided 300 schools, colleges and universities with online e-resources. We also offer courses in personal development, employability, business, finance, health and social care, early years, digital skills, wellbeing and mental health.
For more information on The Skills Network visit www.theskillsnetwork.com.
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