The pandemic has led to the rapid shift of digitization specifically in the education sector. This means teachers, students, and parents have to adapt to remote e-learning through digital platforms. As a result, institutions have shifted to novel approaches from the face-to-face methods in the education sector.
Institutions such as Red & Yellow Creative School of Business, based in Cape Town, South Africa, have been integrating transformative learning strategies for years, making their move to online education easy for both students and lecturers.
“Our approach has always been to equip our staff and students with the digital tools and skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), which has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Carmen Schaefer, Head of Academics at Red & Yellow.
“Part of our ongoing strategy is to innovate and expand our course offerings to ensure students are prepared to navigate the current and future climate of the professional world, no matter which career path they choose.”
The shifts in learning will benefit educators and students. Here, Schaefer highlights 5 trends Red & Yellow implemented as well as other schools in Africa and across the world:
1. Accessible Learning Systems
It is becoming more important for online management systems to be accessible and user-friendly. While students navigate their learning platform, they expect a seamless experience and the inclusion of downloadable resources to study offline helps in addressing connectivity and financial concerns.
2. Digital Classrooms
Humans are naturally social beings and a lot of students might not easily adapt to online classroom settings, which is why platforms like Zoom, Google, and WhatsApp have been embraced by students of the higher education sector.
Classrooms have been redefined and exams have been reimagined with the due of these platforms.
However, are educators prepared for the transition? Schaefer stated that Red & Yellow physical Skills Education Training Authority (SETA) accreditation was cumbersome but it digitized it pre-COVID 19 which provided the institute enough time to adopt the newly digitized process requested by accreditation partners.
3. Virtual and Oral Exams
Virtual open book examinations mean students can now learn with understanding instead of memorizing lessons. This results in more engaged and collaborative students.
In addition, there has been a remix and re-strategizing of the old format of oral examinations to build learning communities, enhance the communication skills of students, and help in overcoming the anxiety that comes with speaking in front of groups. Exams can now be invigilated using Exam.net and Zoom.
4. Blended Learning Approaches
Transitioning to digital learning does not mean in-person training will be abandoned totally? In fact, United Kingdom statistics reports that 59% of students are more motivated when using blended learning models that composes of workshops, online lessons, webinars, practical sessions, individual projects, and in-person lectures where possible.
This approach will further encourage students to conduct independent research while using their course materials as constant reference points.
5. Gamification
According to Metaari, a market research firm, in Africa game-based learning is expected to grow by 41% by 2024.
Gamification is known as the use of game design elements in non-game contexts and Metaari predicts that that virtual reality-based games will be at the forefront of learning, then games in assessment and evaluation, and language learning. Students are intrinsically motivated when a fairly relaxed learning environment and rewards are provided.
There is a premium on human interactions in the current digital-first era. This means that despite the school transitioning to online classes, Red & Yellow is committed to making sure the human experience can be accessed.
“Our approach to learning and teaching is holistic with educators and support staff, such as our dedicated mental health and well-being counselors, bringing their whole selves to their practice and not just concentrating on academics,” concludes Schaefer.
