Computerized and Global Education after COVID by Ashley

Computerized and Global Education after COVID by Ashley - May 2020 Scholarship Essay

The conventional classroom is illustrated through visions of a strict curriculum, physical schooling materials, students in desks, and a professor in front of a physical class room leading the lessons. Yet, the rise of globalization and technological advances has led to drastic changes in education in the last few years. Online schooling has become more legitimized and accepted. Study abroad and similar programs are encouraged for a global and cultural relative viewpoint. The workforce is even demanding more committed, tech skilled, and cultural competency workers.
I feel there will be another, much more forceful shift in how education is carried out in the next 50 years due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Firstly, education will continue to more online and virtual means, and shift to more home-schooling. More computerized devices will be used during school to complete assignments and engage with the class. Where there are physical classrooms, cell phones, tablets, and other personal technical devices will be used in areas where the school cannot provided these resources. Perhaps, physical writing will only be a class that students learn in elementary school before graduating to only computerized devices in higher learning. Maybe the educational system will diverge to such a point where there is no physical campus at all.
Secondly, there has been a call for more individualized styled learning as people have voiced frustrations over the “one size fits all model” that has still allowed a large percentage of Americans to remain illiterate. More opportunities will come to personalize academics, making it more appealing and accessible for the diverse public. The teacher will then serve more as a guide while the student is motivated to participated craft their self-based learning. For this form of learning to be accessible, there will also be classes in the future dedicated to technological literacy at a young age.
Additionally, the timing of education will change as online classes can take place at any time as it is crafted to the student's schedule. With self-paced learning, I believe the graduation rate and success rate of students in our nation will improve. Students will have the opportunity to complete their schooling faster if they choose to, and I do believe many will choose to. The type of courses will also be altered to fit the needs of the modern student. I believe there will be an increase in courses about data and statistics as careers call for critical thinking, analytical skill, and quantitative data.
I also feel there will be a push towards humanitarian work and health consciousness in all fields of academia. There has long been a push toward fieldwork, real-world experiences, and skilled-based research. As nations reopen after the virus pandemic, there will be a rush to opportunities to aid those in low and middle-income countries still suffering from the after-effects. Majority of students will be provided experiences that develop one's applied skills for the purpose of serving others and vulnerable populations.
Therefore, education will shift to a trend of more technology and individualized approaches. Academics will look more virtual with more uses of apps and tablets and less of the traditional pencil and notebook. Education will be interdisciplinary and multicultural as people from around the world connect and engage in teamwork. There will be a call and need to connect to people across the globe through our devices and humanitarian work. I hope this change will allow education to be more accessible and understandable to various communities. Ultimately, students, with the means to technology, opportunities, and an substantial understanding of the technology being used, will need to take ownership and more responsibility with their education.