In 2020, students across the country were just getting used to distance learning amidst the coronavirus outbreak. 2021 was the year when online learning really became an inherent, routine part of mainstream education, inciting speculations that Internet access should be a basic human right. Experts expect that in 2022 we are set to witness an even greater boom of paper writer assistance and online study tools despite many students going back to campuses. So, what else is there around the corner for students to look for in the year to come?
New Normal: Educational Technology Tools, Learning Apps Everywhere!
Equity financing for EdTech start-ups in 2019 was less than $5 billion. Last year it surged to over $12.5 billion, according to a report by CB Insights, a tech market intelligence platform. Experts predict that educational technology will keep booming, as online learning is here to stay even beyond the peak of the pandemic. And while it’s still widely argued whether online learning can replace in-class education, modern students live in dire times when not using the Internet and opportunities it offers for studying puts them behind in the ever-lasting academic race.
Today, it is impossible to imagine the middle and high school educational process without some of the best online learning platforms for kids, for instance, Google Classroom, Kahoot, Khan Academy, or PearDeck. Every college student knows what Grammarly can do to improve their texts, how to search Coursera or Udemy for relevant courses, or set up collaboration space on Edmondo. However, nothing describes the penetration of new technologies into education better than the term “Zoom.” This communication and video conferencing tool has long been the synonym to distance studies. As a result, online learning software is everywhere today. Using it to achieve your academic goals is the new normal. What cutting-edge trends to watch out for and which state-of-the-art services students can already use today to make studying easier and gain a competitive advantage?
Digital Learning Tools for Micro-Step and Adaptive Learning
Technologies and solutions for adaptive learning attract lots of attention from educators. The core of this approach is a high level of personalization achieved due to using Artificial Intelligence and (quite often) gamification techniques. In layman’s terms, machine learning algorithms define what and how a student learns for the best outcome. They can even find the best tutor match based on learners’ preferences and behavior. The technology is already widely used in corporate training and in education, with Socratic by Google, Kahoot, Prezi, Photomath, ThingLink being several prominent examples.
One of the most promising Artificial Intelligence Education (AIEd) solutions today is a software called Century. Its creators claim that their invention “supercharges learning through personalization.” How? It uses big data, behavioral science, and – obviously – AI to break learning materials into micro-steps and appropriate levels and introduce them to students when they are most ready to take it in. This method is combined with a personalized tutor’s guidance and support when lagging students are quickly spotted and get additional help. As a result, gaps in students’ knowledge or skills get filled while their proficiency increases gradually.
Overall, experts predict that the adaptive learning trend will dominate the digital education industry in years to come. Students will only benefit as solutions that cater to brief AI-based learning content, track the educational process’ effectiveness, and provide individualized AI-driven tutors’ support will considerably relieve the study load.
Online Libraries, Academic Paper & Essay Samples for Self-Directed Learning
Despite the fact that education is today a playground for tech innovators, practical, low-tech tools still play a significant role in helping high school, college, and university students learn. Various online checkers, generators, calculators, and converters still have lots of fans. Another nuance is that they increasingly get wrapped in self-directed learning solutions. Great examples of what EdTech can offer people ready to invest their time in studying are online libraries. If you haven’t heard or used Project Gutenberg, Open Library, or Z-Library, you’re missing a lot. The next, more practical step from reading a book is reading an example of a paper you need to craft. That’s where a free essay database comes into play.
For instance, Wow Essays offers students up to 100.000 sample papers for free browsing. This massive database can serve as a source of writing examples that students may follow when crafting their own papers. Entries are conveniently categorized by paper types (almost 40) and topics (over 14.5K); an on-site search by keywords is also available. Additionally, there’s a paid subscription-based sample database with over 1 million downloadable papers and enhanced search capabilities. From a practical standpoint, finding relevant college essay examples, using them as writing models in terms of content structuring and presentation, sources of topic ideas or overall inspiration form a potent self-directed learning opportunity.
The name notwithstanding, modern academic paper and essay database resources offer way more than just sample collections of argumentative essays and business case studies. On the WowEssays.com website, one can also find almost three dozen free writing assistance tools, for example, grammar and readability checkers, topic and citation generators, essay summarizer, various counters and converters, etc. Add quizzes, tests, personalized writing, editing, or homework help, and you’ll get a multifunctional platform that provides willing students with a variety of online tools to fulfill their self-education potential.
Apparently, self-directed learning platforms have a huge potential in terms of extending their functionality with Netflix-style customizable studying software, gamification, user-generated and social learning tools, and other solutions. This, in turn, lets easily incorporate them into the lifelong learning concept and increase their value not only for students but for everyone who is ready to study, study, study.
Online Courses Educational Platform Solutions for New Level of Learning
At first sight, online video courses are old hat. It seems like Coursera, Udemy, TED-Ed, SkillShare have been around close to forever. However, fresh ideas and the latest technology advancements can infuse new life into this tool and make it great again.
Take, for example, MasterClass. This online educational platform took it to a new level by inviting celebrities as classes hosts. What can you find here? Leadership courses from Bill Clinton and George W. Bush; diplomacy courses from Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice; songwriting and production courses from Christina Aguilera and Timbaland; writing classes from Neil Gaiman and Aaron Sorkin; cooking classes from Gordon Ramsay, after all! Impressive, huh? Now imagine such online courses enhanced with augmented or virtual reality – technologies that enable students to learn more materials faster, as per a study by PwC. Math by Carl Gauss, physics by Albert Einstein, poetry by William Shakespeare – why not? In a nutshell, niche knowledge presented by recognized field experts using a personalized approach, micro-learning techniques, and even direct support. Chances are that for modern and future students studying not only will be easier but also more enjoyable and fun.
Several Brief Tips on Using Online Learning Tools for Greater Benefit
Education technology might be moving forward in quantum leaps, but in the foreseeable future, some learning tips for students will remain unchanged. Here are some that apply to online learning; following them will benefit your studying experience greatly and, eventually, let you perform better:
- Plan and set clear learning goals. This will allow you to choose the most appropriate online tools and achieve your goals faster and easier.
- Stay focused during online classes. Distractions and interruptions make your mind wander and miss out on essential content.
- Don’t just watch and/or listen – do. That’s a simple one: practice makes perfect. Try to apply obtained knowledge as soon as possible, then repeat over again.
- Request feedback and/or ask for help. If the online platform allows getting tutor’s feedback – don’t ever neglect demanding it. Likewise, if you need assistance, ask for it. For example, WowEssays can provide writing help right via their website.
- Keep adequate study-life balance. Students’ burnout is no joke; overburden will only decrease your learning capabilities.
Never Stop Learning!
The Internet and other technologies keep reshaping the education landscape every day. In this context, living in the COVID era has at least one positive side – this ‘Black Swan’-level event dramatically sped up changes in both online and in-class learning. It’s true that some students may growl about distance studying and relevant software on an individual level; for the most part, it’s because of personal issues with time management or motivation. However, on the industry’s level, explosive EdTech development led to a breakthrough that opened virtually endless online learning opportunities for those ready to embrace the change. Hopefully, 2022 will be the year when online learning trends turn into mainstream practices that make studying in particular and students’ lives in general much easier.
