Category: Content Services

Achieving Learning Efficacy Through Assessments in K-12 and Higher Education

Posted on by aashish-dev

Unraveling the true potential of students along their learning journey is pivotal in achieving success. Assessments, a cornerstone of this process, go beyond mere knowledge evaluation. They wield a profound influence, serving as both proactive and reactive aids. As diagnostic tools, assessments empower educators to identify students who may need extra guidance, ensuring no one is left behind. Equally important, they offer students an invaluable self-evaluation tool, igniting a sense of ownership over their learning and driving overall improvement. Assessments have evolved from instruments of measurement, assessment OF learning, to strategic facilitators that enrich the entire learning experience – assessments FOR and AS learning – elevating education to new heights.

 

In fact, the State of Assessment in K-12 Education report for 2022 by Instructure shows a positive change in the use of assessments beyond just scoring students at the year-end to make promotion decisions. The report reveals that 94% of educators are using formative assessments and 81% are using interim assessments to inform instruction, design interventions, evaluate teaching efficacy, and, of course, test learning progress.

 

In this article, we explore the three assessment strategies: assessment OF, FOR, and AS learning, alongside a brief analysis of technology’s impact on assessments.

 

Assessment OF Learning

 

This essentially refers to summative assessments, typically administered at the end of a specific grading period to provide evidence of students’ learning. These assessments are usually criteria-driven, such as curriculum outcomes. They may also compare a student’s learning achievement against a class, district, or national standard or benchmark. The main purpose is to communicate student progress to the students themselves, parents/guardians, educators, other educational institutions, and potential employers.

 

This type of assessment enables decisions regarding learning, primarily for the purposes of promoting students from one grade to another and evaluating career readiness. They also provide insights into the design and implementation of curriculums, structure of education delivery, and benchmarking of performance of schools nationwide. Needless to say, such assessments could put huge stress on students to achieve the highest possible grades.

 

Assessment FOR Learning

Contrary to the assessment of learning, assessment for learning includes formative or adaptive assessments, administered throughout the learning process. They provide information for educators, parents, and students for:

  • The early identification of at-risk students.
  • Adjusting instruction to improve learning outcomes.
  • Monitoring student progress to provide ongoing personalized support.

The aim is to enhance concept clarity, knowledge acquisition and to better meet learning objectives. It allows a proactive, data-driven approach to helping students. The key here is to also provide regular feedback to inform and motivate students to progress in the right direction and focus on areas of improvement.

 

Assessment AS Learning

Assessment AS learning has been taking precedence in recent times because it mainly promotes self-directed learning, helping students monitor their own progress to achieve better learning outcomes. Although formative and adaptive assessments are used here too, the focus is on giving the learner greater control over their learning path. In other words, it is student-directed, albeit with the support of educators. According to UNESCO’s International Bureau of Education, assessment as learning

“actively involves learners and encourages them to think about the way they learn. It occurs when learners reflect on and regulate and monitor their learning progress. It comprises learner reflection and peer and self-assessment.”

 

 

Such assessment is crucial for students to regulate their learning, making informed decisions based on feedback to engage effectively with the course’s learning priorities. It gives learners greater control and autonomy, two elements that are valued by Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the populations that are currently engaged in K-12 and higher education.

 

The Role of Technology in Powering Assessments of/for/as Learning

Technology platforms, equipped with a powerful assessment engine, empower the education system to effortlessly offer formative, adaptive, and summative assessments. With edtech-driven assessments, education publishers and educators can:

  • Create and deploy question banks with multiple question types, including multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blanks, true or false, and even open response assessments.
  • Measure complex skills and problem solving for real-world situations through video assessments, tools for collaboration, and real-life skill demonstration.
    Provide instance and/or live feedback to enhance student engagement and support learning.
  • Improve accessibility through anytime/anywhere access, multilingual support, and tools such as read-aloud, captioning, etc.
  • Offer gamified, video-based, audio-based, interactive, and computer simulations for assessment.
  • Empower students to make the most of assessment feedback to achieve their learning goals.

The K-12 assessment system is already undergoing significant changes to ensure equitable, inclusive, and accessible education. A prime example is the Balanced Assessment Systems Collaborative of the Council of Chief State School Officers, where 28 US states are working to design better assessments to support learning.

 

The Emerging Role of AI in Educational Assessments

Although the use of AI in education isn’t new, the technology is still in its nascent stages in terms of educational applications. It has huge potential to enhance success in achieving curricular, skill-related, and knowledge-based outcomes.

 

For instance, voice-based conversational AI could prove to be an effective virtual learning assistant for students, interacting with them through speech for personalized, natural language conversations. On the other hand, text-based generative AI could facilitate guided learning to encourage critical thinking, problem solving, and overall better academic outcomes.

 

AI/ML is already helping educators with learning analytics to personalize support and curate learning journeys. This technology can also be applied for predictive, diagnostic, and prescriptive insights. Such insights can be leveraged by educators to personalize support and deliver targeted interventions.

 

Another area where AI is likely to excel is voice recognition. It could help in the early diagnosis of reading and other learning issues, interact verbally with students to ask questions and guide them in clarifying their argument for essay-type assessments. While developing and using the latest AI-powered edtech tools, the aim should now be to guide students even as they work on solving problems, rather than after completing the entire assessment. This could personalize learning even further, while engaging and motivating students more effectively.

 

At Integra, we help learning services providers, educational publishers and edtech organizations experiment and innovate within their space by providing the much-needed bandwidth. Through our digital content development, assessments and AI/ML solutions, our team of experts can help you design innovative and impactful learning interventions for your learners. Contact us to find out more about how we can support you with this transformation!

WCAG 2.2: Latest Proposed Recommendation & Web Accessibility Impact

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Step into a world of endless digital possibilities, where web accessibility forms the bedrock of an all-inclusive online realm. Today’s fast-paced tech landscape demands that we embrace digital platforms and ensure seamless access and easy navigation for every individual, regardless of their abilities.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, popularly known by its acronym WCAG, have played a pivotal role in making the web more accessible to people with disabilities. These guidelines ensure that individuals can effectively perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with online content. Since their initial publication in May 1999, the world of digital accessibility has made significant strides.

As we near the expected release of WCAG 2.2 as the final W3C Recommendation by the end of August 2023, let’s take a quick review of the new guidelines that will be included.

WCAG 2.2 takes a progressive leap from version 2.1, gearing up to address emerging challenges posed by mobile devices, touch interfaces, and assistive technologies. Complying with WCAG 2.2 extends beyond mere legal requirements; it reflects a firm commitment to inclusivity, offering equal access to all users. Let’s embrace the digital future, ensuring it remains open to everyone.

Key Changes and Enhancements in WCAG 2.2

Drawing upon the foundation of WCAG 2.1 accessibility guidelines, the most recent candidate recommendations for WCAG 2.2 unveil nine innovative success criteria. These new guidelines prioritize the enrichment of user experiences and the promotion of inclusivity, enabling individuals with disabilities to seamlessly access digital content.

However, there’s one noteworthy alteration between WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.2—the exclusion of criterion 4.1.1 Parsing. The rationale behind this decision stems from the current functionality of modern browsers and assistive technology. Any functional challenges that may affect users with disabilities will now be addressed by other success criteria.

Revamped & Refreshed WCAG Standards for Better Accessibility

WCAG 2.2 extends the success criteria of WCAG 2.1, focusing on enhancing accessibility for three key groups: those with cognitive or learning disabilities, low eyesight, and disabilities on mobile devices.

2.4.11 Focus Not Obscured (Level AA) and 2.4.12 Focus Not Obscured (Enhanced) (Level AAA)

Both the new guidelines 2.4.11 and 2.4.12 focus on smooth user experience for interactive controls, like links or buttons, to retain a distinct and consistent focus state. This ensures their visibility, even when situated amidst other page elements. As a result, users can effortlessly discern the selected button or link without any obstructions from neighbouring elements.

Example: In a web form with several buttons for navigation, with these guidelines in place, the active button will have a distinct visual indication, such as a highlighted border or colour change.

2.4.13 Focus Appearance (Level AAA)

Ensuring an inclusive web experience, guideline 2.4.13 mandates visible focus indicators for interactive controls like buttons and links. These indicators must have contrasting colours from their surroundings, sufficiently large (at least double the area of a 1 CSS pixel thick perimeter), and not obscured, easily distinguishing them from non-focus states. By complying with this, users navigating without a mouse, relying on keyboard or alternative input methods, can effortlessly identify the active or selected control. This update reflects the commitment to Level AAA accessibility, empowering all users to interact seamlessly with websites.

Example: When a visually impaired user tabs through a webpage, with these guidelines in place, the active button will have a distinct visual indication, such as a highlighted border or colour change.

2.5.7 Dragging Movements (Level AA)

Enhancing user experience for individuals with limited motor ability is the primary goal of WCAG standard 2.5.7. It facilitates these users, aiding them in using path-based gestures like sliders and drag-and-drop interfaces. A single pointer mode of operation is introduced to address these challenges. It ensures that interfaces reliant on dragging and keyboard controls become accessible via clicks or tap and hold.

Example: A mobile app that allows users to reorder items by dragging them can incorporate a click-based alternative, enabling users with motor limitations can achieve the same functionality seamlessly.

2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum) (Level AA)

With the introduction of the new minimum target size guidelines, all clickable elements on webpages, like buttons and links, must now provide ample space for easy pressing by people with motor disabilities or touch screen users. The objective is to enable seamless interaction for everyone, including individuals with disabilities, ensuring effortless access to essential webpage components without unintentionally clicking on surrounding content.

Example: Imagine a person with limited motor control trying to navigate a website using a screen reader. With the new guidelines, the buttons and links will be big enough for the person to confidently interact with the critical elements on the page, like submitting a form or accessing important information, without any inconvenience.

3.2.6 Consistent Help (A)

Success Criteria 3.2.6 focuses on delivering a seamless user experience for individuals seeking support in locating help on the website. This becomes especially vital for users with diverse disabilities accessing digital platforms. Maintaining consistent and easily accessible help and support information on websites is paramount. This ensures users can swiftly find the assistance they need, eliminating the frustration of repeated searches.

Example: Imagine a visually impaired user navigating a website looking for help in understanding a website feature. With this criterion, they can quickly find the necessary support, enhancing their overall experience.

3.3.7 Redundant Entry (Level A)

WCAG standard 3.3.7 seeks to help users with short-term memory difficulties and other cognitive issues by reducing the need to recollect information they may have provided in a previous step or in an earlier stage of a process, such as a registration or form submission.

Example: During a registration process, provide a checkbox option for users to confirm that their billing address and mailing address are the same, eliminating the need to re-enter the information unnecessarily.

3.3.8 Accessible Authentication (Minimum) (Level AA) and 3.3.9 Accessible Authentication (Enhanced) (Level AAA)

WCAG standard 3.3.8 and 3.3.9 aims to provide users with cognitive challenges or other disabilities an accessible, and safe method to log in and access digital experiences, while avoiding re-entering login information that was previously entered or the need to authenticate by solving puzzles.

Example: Enable device authentication, where users can log in using their fingerprint or face recognition, ensuring a simple and secure method for access.

Embracing an Inclusive Digital Future

As we approach the much-anticipated release of WCAG 2.2, the world of web accessibility is set to take a significant stride towards inclusivity. With the nine new success criteria, including seamless focus states, visible focus indicators, and improved interactions for users with disabilities, WCAG 2.2 reflects a firm commitment to an all-inclusive digital landscape. Let’s embrace these changes and ensure equal access for all, making the web a welcoming space for everyone.

Integra is a trusted partner in content development, eLearning and accessibility services for many leading organizations worldwide since 1994. For over 12+ years Integra has been supporting various organizations with accessibility services. As a Benetech Global Certified Accessible™ (GCA) Vendor, Integra is committed to enabling organizations seeking to make their content accessible to everyone. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support you in accessibility compliance!

Harnessing the Power of ‘Flow’: Gamification and Digital Learning Games in Education

Posted on by aashish-dev

Education has long grappled with the challenge of keeping students motivated and engaged amidst various distractions, ranging from video games to social media and now streaming services. Additionally, attention spans have shrunk, with Gen Z known for a mere 8-second span and Gen Alpha showing an even shorter one.

Over the past decade, educators have sought inspiration from professional sports and digital gaming to deliver captivating learning experiences that effectively achieve educational goals. Although gamification in education is no longer a novel concept, its success varies across different scenarios. The key lies in creating a state of “flow” that enthralls learners and shields them from common distractions. This state of “flow” reflects the immersive engagement observed in passionate gamers and athletes, who become completely absorbed in the present moment, unaware of the passage of time. This is what gamers call being “in the zone.”

Gamified learning experiences strive to recreate this “flow” state, akin to the captivating immersion found in popular games like Minecraft or Call of Duty. Within this state, learning becomes profoundly impactful for students.

The ‘Theory of Flow’ in Education

The term ‘flow’ was coined by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who discovered that people who experience this mindstate describe similar experiences, such as finding tasks easier to accomplish, where things simply seem to “come together,” and there is an experience of timelessness. In his book, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi defined flow as:

“A state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience is so enjoyable that people will continue to do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it.”

While experiencing flow, people can effectively filter out irrelevant stimuli and gain greater control over thoughts. They pay closer attention to details, which enhances their ability to meet challenges and solve problems.

Other researchers have taken Csikszentmihalyi’s work further to establish a relationship between flow and learning. A 2021 study found a positive correlation between flow, learning outcomes, and learning satisfaction in remote digital learning.

Using gamification in education to create flow can help educators improve learning outcomes. Flow creates intrinsic motivation, where the task is perceived as enjoyable.

Benefits of Gamification in Education

A study published in August 2022 demonstrated that gamified e-learning increased motivation and satisfaction among middle school students. Some of the other benefits of digital learning games are:

  • Enhanced engagement leading to a deeper understanding.
  • Improved focus and concentration.
  • Clear learning goals and gaming rewards lead to perseverance on the learning path.
  • Use of critical thinking skills, collaboration, and problem-solving.
  • Immediate feedback through quizzes, points earned, progress tracking, etc.
  • Personalization of learning since gamification caters to different styles and paces of learning.
  • Enhanced academic performance.

Gamification also encourages competition and collaboration, where students are encouraged to work together to overcome challenges, demonstrate skills, and practice problem-solving through critical thinking. This fosters inclusivity.

Strategies to Build Flow in Education

Undoubtedly, digital learning games can enhance the learning experience manifold. However, to gain the maximum benefits of gamification in k-12 and gamification in higher-ed, the objective should be to build flow. Here’s a look at some ways to achieve this.

1. Set Short-term Learning Goals

From kindergarten to higher education, the pursuit of end-of-year academic achievements often overshadows the joy of learning. By setting short-term learning goals, introducing gamified formative assessments, employing adaptive assessments, and establishing clear milestones, we redefine a student’s entire learning journey. No longer confined to a linear progression every small goal conquered along this path should be recognized and rewarded, fostering a continuous cycle of motivation for students.

2. Ensure Immediate Feedback

Immediate feedback, provided on-demand and contextually, helps deepen learners’ understanding, reinforces knowledge, helps rectify mistakes, and affirms competence. Providing instant feedback is simplified with a powerful digital learning platform that allows the inclusion of question banks with a variety of question styles, such as multiple choice, fill-in-the-blanks, etc. Additionally, implementing a smart rewards system can further enhance the efficacy of learning.

3. Foster Collaboration and Healthy Competition

Online games where teams compete have gained huge popularity for the sense of social connect and competition they evoke. A similar flow can be achieved with digital learning games that bring together groups of students to complete tasks. Confidence increases when individuals perceive a balance between their skills and the level of difficulty. Each group member contributes their own unique strengths.

The Role of Technology in Building Flow in Learning

Concentration and focus can be enhanced through ‘flow’. The end result is intrinsic motivation and improved learning outcomes. Educators no longer need to play the traditional role of being the sole disseminators of information. By creating a conducive and immersive learning environment, students can be encouraged to discover information that aids their progress along the learning path. This approach empowers learners, promoting self-directed learning and fostering greater engagement with education.

Integra recognizes the value of captivating learning experiences rooted in the “flow” state. We specialize in assisting organizations with gamifying their content and offering related services. By recreating the engaging immersion of popular games, we guide students into a profound learning zone. Our research-backed approach ensures distractions are filtered out, thoughts are controlled, and optimal learning outcomes are achieved. Connect with us now to discover how we can support your educational goals!

Augmented Learning: Enhancing Education through Artificial Intelligence

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Education is on the brink of a transformation toward a skills-first approach by 2030. The Research and Markets Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education report sheds light on the use of advanced technologies driving this shift. With a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36.6% between 2022 and 2030, the global market for AI in education is expected to reach $47.7 billion. Leveraging the potential of AI and learning analytics will play a crucial role in fostering innovation in instruction and content delivery, fueling the rise of the emerging paradigm referred to as ‘Augmented Learning.’

 

Augmented Learning

Augmented learning in education has expanded its scope beyond the use of experiential technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality. Initially seen as a supplement to traditional educational resources, this approach faced cost and scalability challenges.

 

In the new paradigm augmented learning refers to the integration of AI, data analytics, and other advanced technologies to transform both teaching and learning. By leveraging intelligent algorithms and ML, extensive student data, including performance, engagement, and preferences AI systems generate personalized learning pathways, adaptive content, and interactive experiences tailored to each student’s needs. This redefined augmented learning becomes the key to future-proofing digital education, fostering innovation in instruction and content creation.

 

In this article we will explore how AI-powered learning pathways redefine and enhance education, driving improved learning outcomes.

 

AI-Powered Augmented Learning

Digital pedagogy enables educators to design digital learning environments that supplement classroom instruction while catering to the unique requirements and preferences of individual students. Integrating AI and digital pedagogy opens exciting possibilities for a wide range of teaching and learning practices in education. Numerous opportunities to incorporate AI into digital pedagogy are emerging, and within this article, we will explore a few interesting possibilities of AI-powered augmented learning in education.

 

Voice-based Conversational AI as a Learning Companion

Incorporating voice-based conversational AI technology has immense potential in education. Learners can interact with an AI-powered virtual learning companion through speech, enabling natural and personalized conversations. The AI tutor understands queries, provides explanations, and offers multiple learning pathways.

 

An intriguing aspect involves creating voice profiles that emulate slightly older or peer group mentors, enhancing natural interaction through emotional resonance, nonverbal cues, and subtext. This approach fosters a deeper connection, empowering even reserved students. Widespread use of personal mobile devices makes this implementation feasible across various operating systems and devices, given the popularity of voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.

 

Guided Discoveries with Text-based Generative AIs like ChatGPT and Bard

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, guided learning has emerged as a powerful tool, enhanced by applications similar to generative AIs like ChatGPT and Bard. Text-based conversations provide a unique and personalized learning experience for students, fostering their intellectual growth through intelligent prompts and encouraging critical thinking. With the ability to adapt to different conversational styles, these applications encourage active participation and self-discovery.

 

Learners can ask questions, seek clarification, and delve deeper into concepts, creating a symbiotic relationship between technology and education. Through guidance, explanations, and relevant resources, text-based AIs enable students to explore various subjects at their own pace in an interactive and immersive learning environment. Guided learning through text-based bots revolutionizes conventional learning methods, empowering students to become proactive learners and nurturing curiosity.

 

Leveraging Learning Analytics to Enable Subject Mastery

By harnessing the power of learning analytics, educators can foster subject mastery. By analyzing content performance, student progress, areas for improvement, and in-demand skills, learning analytics provides valuable insights. Leveraging AI-based assessment generators, diagnostic and prescriptive analytics reveal individual learning gaps and recommend necessary reinforcements for student success.

 

Predictive intelligence and AI-powered learning pathways enable educators to deliver personalized and targeted interventions that align with each learner’s capabilities and unique needs. Through this approach, students are empowered to excel in subject mastery, supported by tailored guidance and adaptive learning experiences.

 

Reimagining Education for the Future with AI-Powered Augmented Learning

 

In the ever-changing landscape of education, AI-powered augmented learning emerges as the cornerstone for future-proofing digital education. By embracing AI-powered digital pedagogy and exploring voice-based conversational AI and text-based generative AIs, we unlock new avenues for engaging, immersive, and personalized learning experiences.

 

In the pursuit of enhanced learning outcomes and skill development, AI-powered augmented learning takes the lead in transforming education. Embracing its potential equips learners with the necessary tools to thrive in a dynamically evolving world, securing education’s influential role in shaping the future.

 

At Integra, we help education and learning services providers experiment and innovate within their space by providing the much-needed bandwidth through our digital content development and AI/ML solutions. Our team of experts can help you design innovative and impactful learning interventions for your learners, including augmented learning services in education. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support you with this transformation!

The Role of Big Data and the Application of Learning Analytics in Education

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With the growing importance for quality education across sectors, data mining and learning analytics applications in educational research is gaining traction. Especially, the role of big data in understanding learner’s behavior & performance, improving educational systems, modeling and educational data warehouse, and the integration of big data into the curriculum, has garnered much attention.

 

Big Data in the context of learning and learning analytics can deliver specific outcomes. These include:

 

1. Delivering learning as a product

Big Data can provide better understanding of learners’ behavior and performance through analysis and identification of patterns. The data can then be used to improve a given learning experience by modifying the content, delivery, and/or assessment methods. Additionally, data can be used to identify at-risk learners and provide targeted interventions.
For example, big data and learning analytics in higher education can be used to develop customized learning experiences for individual learners. By identifying students’ needs and preferences, and by recognizing students who are more engaged and motivated by certain types of activities and content, student learning experiences can be tailored to individual needs.

 

2. Modeling and educational data warehouse

Big Data can identify patterns and trends in data that can be used to improve models and create educational data warehouses. The information helps improve the accuracy of predictions made by models and educational data warehouses by providing more data for the model to learn from. A larger dataset allows systems to consume more knowledge, and assess more outcomes rapidly.[1]
Ways in which Big Data helps create modeling and educational data warehouses:

  • Spotting trends over time
  • Helping to develop and refine models
  • Identifying relationships between different data sets
  • Assisting with the creation of reports and dashboards
  • Analyzing patterns in data to identify areas that need improvement

3. Improving the learning system and driving behavior change through education

Data can be used to track students’ progress and identify areas where they are struggling. This information can then be used to tailor the teaching methods and materials to better meet the needs of the students.

Big data in educational data mining and learning analytics can be used to assess the effectiveness of different educational interventions and programs. Educators can use this information to make decisions about programs that are worth investing in, and those that need improvement.

Consequently, Big Data can also be used to evaluate the impact of education on society. This information can be used to inform policy decisions and help ensure that education is providing value to the community.

 

Measuring The Effectiveness of Learning Interventions

While Big Data helps in understanding performance differences and bridging gaps through data, the application of learning analytics is where the primary outcome is. Here are some ways to measure the effectiveness of learning interventions, using the acquired data.

 

1. Using analytics to measure progress
Analytics can help identify which students are struggling and which students are excelling. This information can then be used to target interventions and support students who need it. Additionally, analytics can be used to measure how effective instructional methods are and whether students are engaging with the material.[2]
There is no single silver bullet when it comes to measuring progress with learning analytics. The best way to use learning analytics to measure progress will vary depending on the specific goals and objectives of the organization or individual. However, here are some common metrics that help gauge the progress:
● Engagement rate
● Completion rates
● Time spent on tasks
● Performance on assessments
● Patterns in student behavior
● Tracking changes in learning outcomes over time, and the
● Impact of specific interventions as a measure of the above-mentioned metrics

 

2. Measuring the effectiveness of tactical learning approaches
The application of learning analytics can help in measuring the effectiveness of tactical learning approaches, by providing data on how well students are engaging with the material, how well they are retaining information, how well they are applying the information, what they have learned, and how often they return to the learning environment to review or practice new skills. The use of a big data architecture for learning analytics in higher education can also help educators adapt their teaching methods to meet the needs of their students better.

 

3. Studying the short-term vs. long-term retention of knowledge
The effects of different learning interventions on short-term vs. long-term retention of knowledge could be studied by administering a test to participants immediately after they receive the intervention, and again after a delay (e.g., one week, one month, six months). The scores on the two tests could then be compared to see if there are any differences in performance. Additionally, participants could be asked to rate their confidence in their answers on the second test, to gauge how well they remember the material.
Such information can be read with learning analytics to understand the effectiveness of different regimens, their importance and value for students, and how they impact the education regime.

 

4. Studying the implementation of knowledge gained from learning interventions
Learning analytics can inform the level at which learners are able to implement the knowledge gained from interventions by providing data on how learners interact with learning materials, and how they perform on assessments.

 

Tracking how students use and apply the knowledge they have learned can help identify areas where learners are struggling and where additional support may be needed. Such applications of deep learning in big data analytics can point to areas for improvement in future interventions and identify patterns in student learning and application of knowledge, which can be leveraged to inform future instructional design.

 

Learning analytics as the way forward

As we drift from traditional and standardized education towards more impactful practices, we need to deploy measures to assess their success. Fortunately, the digital age has enabled us to leverage metrics to comprehend complex issues in quantifiable terms. Learning analytics allows us to gauge learning outcomes, and how well they fit into the education landscape for all students in a single cohort, while accommodating diversity, difficulty, and differentiation in every group.

 

With companies such as Google Inc. making investments and acquiring companies in the Ed-Tech analytics space[3], we must acknowledge how critical it is to the education industry, and invest in leveraging the technology as we move forward.

 

References
1. Comparison of learning analytics and educational data mining: A topic modeling approach, Elsevier (ScienceDirect) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666920X21000102
2. Learning analytics don’t just measure students’ progress – they can shape it by Rebecca Ferguson, The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/mar/26/learning-analytics-student-progress
3. Google Discreetly Acquires Edtech Analytics Company BrightBytes by Daniel Mollenkamp, EdSurge https://www.edsurge.com/news/2022-10-11-google-discreetly-acquires-edtech-analytics-company-brightbytes

2023 Learning & Development trends you need to know

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Introduction

Linear career ladders of ‘learn, work and retire’ are part of a bygone era. Nations and businesses are currently facing geo-political, technological, social, economic and environmental changes all at the same time. In this milieu, organizations that do not foster a culture of continuous learning to overcome skill shortage will be left behind. Organizations must give skill development its due importance in order to capitalize on opportunities, stay competitive and future-proof their businesses.
As large scale job changes continue to occur across industrial sectors, future employment will mostly be skill and competency-based, and not solely dependent on academic knowledge. Amidst the impending talent shortage, businesses will have no option but to adopt workplace learning to bridge the skills gap. With automation making older job roles redundant, newer roles with intrinsic digital savviness are being developed that require a workforce that possess digital and other skills, along with core domain skills.

“eLearning shortens the pathway to skill building and is vital for a talent continuum for business 4.0 and industry 4.0 in the new economy.”
In the last couple of years, corporate L&D departments in large enterprises have managed to scale their key success factors in training. These companies are now using eLearning systems to benefit a wider employee reach than previously supported. More than 40% of Fortune 500 companies have, in fact, been using eLearning systems. IBM for example has gained sizeable savings estimated at $200 million through its eLearning investment. French retailer Carrefour has found eLearning a valuable solution for its time and mobility challenges. Chocolate maker Godiva’s visually rich gamification has earned it high ratings from its learners. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that have switched to eLearning have also found a great way to achieve scalability, agility and democratized learning at a fraction of the cost spent on classroom trainings.

Digital learning solutions find use cases across multi organizational functions like sales, marketing, HR, and requirements like technical and non-technical certifications, technical training, customer success, analytics etc. With hybrid and remote working here to stay, the biggest challenge for L&D professionals is to ensure a productive learning culture. Digital delivery of learning provides consistent and flexible learning experiences, and development opportunities on-the-go for employees, regardless of where and what time they work.

In this article, we give you a preview of significant corporate eLearning trends for 2023 to help you reshape and meet your eLearning goals in the year ahead.

Top 5 Learning & Development trends to watch out for in 2023

Innovation is the trending buzzword in business. Experiencing the benefits of eLearning solutions, L&D departments in large enterprises will continue to use them to provide lifelong learning opportunities, and to foster innovative thinking across all workforce categories. Small and medium businesses can take a valuable cue from them.
As eLearning solutions evolve to align with business and workforce requirements, let’s explore some common trends that are shaping-up learning and development in 2023, across industries.

Employee-Led Continuous Learning Culture

As the Great Reshuffle slowed and the job market cooled, LinkedIn Learning recorded its audience doubling this year at 7.3 million learners who watched their most popular videos. This is evidence of a growing trend that employees have been acquiring skills not just through formal organizational Learning & Development interventions, but also through micro credentials from MOOCs like edX, Coursera, Udacity and Unacademy. Organizations are beginning to recognize employees who acquire new skills through personal initiatives and are providing them with growth opportunities within the organization. In today’s disruptive environment, organizations can leverage this employee-led learning trend to improve business performance.

Blended Learning – The emerging go-to-choice strategy

The benefits of blended learning are manifold. It is highly flexible as it uses a variety of instructional delivery methods, improves learner engagement and retention rates, suits best for designing impactful learning pathways tailored to specific needs – more so in breaking down complex requirements to manageable training/learning blocks, and lastly improves ROI on training investments by reducing the total cost of training.
Due to its modular framework any part of the training journey can be adapted or modified to meet evolving needs. Blended learning strategy also helps organizations with limited L&D budgets. Organizations of all sizes and industries are benefitting from this highly productive strategy and this methodology is poised to become the go-to-choice for L&D teams.

Microlearning – Moving from Learning to Mastering

Two key factors to consider while structuring corporate eLearning modules are: 1.The attention time span, and 2. The time for internalizing learning. Learning nuggets with shorter durations and more learning segments ensure sustained learner interest and greater in-depth learning. L&D teams have found this to be an effective strategy to reinforce learning, and to enhance job performance. Organizations across industries use microlearning as an effective workforce performance strategy. Also, as microlearning helps L&D teams to get more done in less time, this strategy helps organizations respond quickly to disruptive changes by greatly reducing time-to-competency of their workforce in acquiring new skills.

Learning with Active Practice through Experiential Learning Strategies

Experiential learning strategies have always had direct and immediate impact in learning and knowledge retention. Emerging technologies like Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR) and first-person game engines provide the right platform for transformative learning experiences. A more recent breakthrough is the ‘Metaverse’ that is finding transformative use cases among businesses, including training. By placing the learner at the center of learning and the participatory experiences, all these technologies foster improved learning efficacy. Immersive training strategies that use emerging technologies leverage many of the adult learning principles such as: learning by doing, past experience, practice, multisensory appeal and collaboration.

Data-Informed L&D Practice to Improve On-The Job Performance

The primary goal of the Training/L&D investments in any organization is to build a high-performance team with the right set of skills. A strong L&D strategy is a critical competitive advantage as it helps an organization’s readiness to respond swiftly to any foreseen and unprecedented disruption. Leveraging business performance data to an individual employee’s skill and performance level will emerge as a key trend in L&D. Organizations will invest in newer platforms like LXPs or leverage AI-enabled dashboards to analyze existing data even if it is distributed in various formats, across the organization. Learning analytics will bring in positive disruption to the L&D practice, and will become a key deliverable across all training investments.

Learn how key industries will manage talent risk in 2023 with eLearning

Gartner TalentNeuron data has revealed that the average number of skills per job is increasing.3 Businesses in several industries have been using interesting eLearning methods to meet their evolving skilling needs, especially in critical skill segments.

US President John F Kennedy once said that “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” As on cue, several industries are empowering their workforce to not only be more productive, but also be an integral contributor to business value creation and business leadership. We’ve spotlighted a few trends in some key industries, that are on this trajectory.

Aviation

International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s optimistic outlook indicates a steady recovery across passenger travel and cargo traffic. IATA has also hinted at a return to break-even or even profitability for the aviation sector in 2023.
Unfortunately, spikes in labor and fuel costs are contributing to a modicum of turbulence and the sector is challenged to improve efficiencies to ensure a smooth recovery. The industry also has to confront critical challenges like labor shortages as civil aircraft manufacturers, airlines and airports envision growth. Additionally, they have to deal with new regulations, sustainable aviation, and the capability to incorporate new technologies and techniques to improve practical training.

New age training in aviation will continue its flightpath into 2023

Aviation is gearing up for the next era and will soon be on full throttle with a host of new technologies fast becoming part of the industry. It is a sector that runs on specialized skill sets for almost every role. We have explored a few interesting drivers that have inspired new age training in the sector.

New eLearning routes in Aviation
IATA had set the trend in providing live virtual classroom training, eLearning and self-study as digital learning methods alongside their traditional classroom, in-house training, and partner-taught classroom methodologies. Their blended learning techniques include online lectures that learners attend before class. Learners then undertake assignments and problem-solving activities inside the classroom. Education providers in the aviation industry could replicate this successful trend as it has been producing improved learning outcomes and more productive employees.

Tech-first training in the Metaverse
Simulated environments with Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality have been a faster way for diverse trainee groups to achieve proficiency. Aircraft engineers, for instance, have been gaining a more in-depth understanding about the functionality of various aircraft parts through these immersive technologies. In December 2021, Boeing announced that it wanted to use the metaverse to build the ‘factory of the future’ and the next plane. The metaverse is expected to take virtual reality to a whole new level. L&D teams in the aviation industry will clearly need to upskill and cross skill aircraft engineers to meet manufacturing in the metaverse.

Creative thinking skills for modern CX
Airlines are now in a race to provide great customer experiences at every stage of a travel buyer’s journey, especially at the influence, inspiration and nurture stages. Eg. Emirates in a bid to influence buyers in their pre-purchase stage, offers an immersive, 3D and 360-degree view of carrier cabins, through web VR technology on its app. A host of tech trends are transforming CX in aviation – From contactless travel, super apps, biometrics, to digital identity, virtual queuing, and urban mobility etc., CX professionals have interesting times ahead as L&D teams provide them with skilling opportunities to provide travelers with superlative customer experiences.

BFSI

Banking and finance are an essential service for citizens and businesses. Having moved to virtual mode almost overnight with the onset of the pandemic, digital transformation has brought about a change in the required skill sets. New-age banking like neo-banking and fintechs are propelling transformation at traditional banks. BFSI businesses therefore had to resort to new L&D practices to create compatible workforces and maintain their competitive edge. So, what Learning & Development methods have banks and financial institutions been deploying?

BFSI businesses are banking on L&D to derisk and stay competitive

It’s a known fact that learners do not engage if the content is not captivating and the tools to learn are not user friendly. To meet this challenge, new L&D methods are being adopted by the industry, like microlearning, learning specific chatbots that are programmed for BFSI, and learner experience platforms. Banks are encouraging self-paced learning at the individual level, and ensuring compulsory learning at an organization level, by using a single platform. After creating contextual learning paths for employees based on their abilities, L&D has been deploying suitable multi modal learning like audio, video or interactive apps. Other L&D trends in the sector are:

Skilling to fortify cybersecurity
Customer data and bank data are the most sensitive assets for banks and financial institutions. Protecting this data has become a critical function for banks as cyber-attacks have grown exponentially, become more sophisticated, and bear a high cost of remediation and compensation to customers. The skills required range from technical to legal, customer relations, data management and governance. However, there is an acute shortage of such professionals, though there is a high demand for them. L&D will need to resort to re-skilling staff with the requisite skills, to fill the gaps, if they are unable to find and recruit the right talent.

Sales enablement for digital selling
Banking customers have transitioned from the physical to the virtual world thereby limiting branch visits. Sales teams of banks thus require a new set of customer acquisition skills to win customers. In the absence of face-to-face meetings, sales personnel need to excel at giving personalized banking advice or explain new product features and benefits to retail or corporate customers, convincingly. Such sales teams that work remotely with customers are benefiting from virtual classroom training and social learning – that facilitates peer collaboration.

Continuous learning to manage risk

Risk and resilience are center stage imperatives across BFSI institutions, especially after the financial meltdown in 2008. BASEL III norms for instance were introduced to strengthen supervision, regulation and risk management for banks. Enterprise and financial risk management are ever-evolving super-specialized domains that require highly skilled astute professionals. L&D will need to ensure continuous learning for risk management teams in the areas of risk assessment, risk management and reporting, through eLearning content and virtual classroom sessions.

Manufacturing

In a 2022 survey report by Manpower Group, 69% of employers globally are finding it a struggle to source skilled workers in high demand areas including manufacturing and production. In such a scenario a best practice would be to upskill and cross-skill the existing workforce to take on new roles and automate jobs that can be automated. Training has always been a challenge for manufacturing and the sector has been a laggard in adopting newer learning and development approaches. What will help is a shift in mindset from the ‘nice to have’ to a ‘need to have’ learning and development culture.

Gearing up for futurist manufacturing with skill development

Gartner reports that voluntary turnover in US manufacturing is likely to jump nearly 20% in 2022. Turnover in this sector is reportedly one of the highest across industries. However, workforce development opportunities and effective hybrid L&D methods can stem the tide. As the sector undergoes transformation with the pivot to Industry 4.0, we see how e-learning is trending as a necessity in manufacturing. eLearning also addresses sectoral supply chain and sales training.

Overcoming the impracticality of traditional training
Technical and non-technical employees when involved in co-structuring e-curriculums or eLearning pathways, result in a vastly improved impactful learning culture in manufacturing companies. This has also ensured higher engagement amongst their workforce, apart from improving their motivation and morale to learn. Some aspects of training are necessary in a classroom setting or the factory floor, while other aspects are more productive through eLearning modules. eLearning is proving to be a simpler and cost-effective way to educate the workforce on good manufacturing practices without disrupting production schedules. However, adopting the right learning platform is equally important. For instance, in manufacturing, Gen Y and Gen Z, prefer learning on mobile devices compared to a Gen X or older workforce.

Demystifying regulatory compliance
Manufacturing as a sector has to deal with new and frequent upgrades in compliances and regulations irrespective of industry category. For example – the manufacture of automobiles or even food production is governed by compliance. However, regulations and compliance frameworks can be confusing and difficult to understand. L&D has found that training when imparted differently for each employee category, is far more effective organization wide, to understand, apply and comply with changing regulations.

Skilling to manufacture sustainably
Sustainability has now become a business imperative with the clarion call for the manufacturing sector to follow scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions protocols. Businesses have no option but to respond to the sustainability challenge. The need for low carbon manufacturing and industrial systems has compelled manufacturers to reinvent design, sourcing, processing, manufacturing, delivery and service. eLearning solutions is a great way to spark creativity amongst the older and newer workforce to bring out innovative sustainable solutions collaboratively.

Healthcare & Pharma

Though the industry is edging out of COVID-19, the sector is yet to overcome staffing issues, patient safety, non-COVID care, and cyber risk among others. The EIU Healthcare Outlook 2023 expects a rise in healthcare spending (public and private combined) by 4.9% in nominal US dollar terms, amidst high costs and wages. Digitization of the healthcare system has brought in a new realm of patient engagement and is expected to continue in 2023 as well. There will also be more investment in localized pharmaceuticals according to the report.

L&D – A booster shot for innovation in healthcare and pharma

Since the industry revolves around patient needs and care, people-centered learning makes all the difference. The industry needs key skills for sustenance and future resilience, and can close the skills gap through training. Let’s take a look at L&D trending in healthcare and pharma.

Learning in the flow of work
Learning is an integral part of healthcare and pharma professionals’ work. It is important to stay up to date and acquire knowledge on the advancements in the industry; but figuring out topics that matter requires much time and effort. The problem with traditional learning methods is that they don’t fit into the flow of work. Learners are often tired or busy at work to take the time out for training sessions or seminars. Hence, traditional classroom-based learning has been replaced by learning in the flow of work, through learner-driven social learning, microlearning, and gamification techniques. Learning in the flow of work is a game-changing intervention to train and upskill in this highly dynamic domain.

Coping with new tech
L&D teams in healthcare and pharma are reassessing and recalibrating skilling requirements in the industry. The rapid release of the emergency use COVID-19 vaccines is a case in point of new tech like artificial intelligence facilitating accelerated vaccine development. Likewise, the digitization of diverse domains in healthcare like telemedicine, appeals triaging, cyber security and revenue cycle management that impact providers, payors and patients need a new set of skills to improve productivity and stakeholder outcomes. eLearning methods like interactive whiteboards and video tutorials are gaining ground to impart learning effectively.

Improving patient care
With the intensifying focus on patient care and community health, emerging models for care delivery ascend, while the industry gets verticalized. Patient care is not exclusively practiced in the domain of hospitals, hospices and doctors’ clinics anymore. Different alliances are being formed in the healthcare supply chain for care delivery which have different complexities, whereas lack of service knowledge and inexperience with digital tools severely impacts patient care. Micro learning is trending in this sphere to equip healthcare staff with relevant technical and soft skills training to enhance care delivery whenever needed, even if it is remotely required.

Conclusion: Fueling an impact with innovative eLearning solutions

As the new year unfolds and businesses make headway to meet their strategic goals for 2023, Jack Welch’s famous quote is a good reminder, “It is an organization’s ability to learn, and to translate that learning into action rapidly, that will define its competitive advantage.”

Skilling will be the core currency of the labor market, says a World Economic Forum report – ‘Strategies for the New Economy Skills.’

L&D departments have been creating impactful learning far more easily by collaborating with and outsourcing their workplace learning requirements to eLearning solution providers. Corporate eLearning must be part of your roadmap to achieve higher levels of retention and internal mobility, while boosting motivation, productivity and capability building.

Unlocking the potential of employees by employing modern eLearning is clearly the best way forward to scale employee and enterprise value, maximize ROI for L&D, and earn better business outcomes.

How closed-loop is redefining Ed-Tech?

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While there have been significant technological advancements in recent years, with billions of dollars invested in integrating technology into schools, the impact of digital transformation on student outcomes has been minimal to date. Even when teachers have been successful in integrating hardware and software into the classroom ecosystem, they frequently fall short in their attempts to use the new technology to gauge student achievement. Technology does, however, have the potential to improve every element of teaching and learning when it is carefully incorporated into every stage of the educational value chain by redefining the education system in student-centric ways. We are at the dawn of an era where teachers have the opportunity to harness technology to dramatically improve the teaching workflow and methodology enabling greater interaction and insights while also improving student achievement.

 

To fully achieve this promise and significantly improve student outcomes in primary and secondary education – Technology must work in tandem and in close collaboration with a closed-loop educational system through new education policy. This technology-enabled education system entails a closely coordinated set of academic goals, benchmarks, curriculum, tests, interventions, and professional development, by redefining learning & teaching using technology.

 

Open loop system – The problem and solution to overcome it

The current education system is a one-sided, open-loop system that relies purely on input with little reciprocation from the learners. This model has numerous flaws, making predicting classroom outcomes challenging for the heterogeneous population. Because the teacher is unable to track the pupils’ learning, the teaching-learning process remains open ended.

 

“Education remains one of the few sectors that information and communications technologies have not transformed,” says Tom Vander Ark, former Executive Director of education for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. One rationale for this failure is that technology spending remains a minuscule part of total education spending and budget allocation around the world, trailing considerably behind salary and other current expenses.  Education has received significantly less funding than other industries where technology has had a greater impact.

 

Moreover, a lack of steps to train instructors to use instructional technology and digital tools in higher education has made them hesitant to use newer technologies in their classrooms. Hence, they rely on traditional methods of teaching.

 

These learning strategies deprive students of the enormous wealth of digital resources that can arouse their curiosity, increase their engagement, and expand their knowledge. So, to fully utilize technology, educators, educational institutions, and policymakers must adopt a comprehensive strategy and integrate it into a closed-loop instructional system.

 

The Closed-loop system

According to a survey conducted on a group of students, about 60% agreed that the closed-loop system was a good way to encourage fact retention and practice. The closed-loop approach to education offers a holistic approach to driving student learning and engagement. It begins by defining specific goals, setting a tailor-made curriculum and instruction to accomplish those goals, and selecting instructors who can teach the subject.

 

Setting specific goals is the first stage in developing a closed-loop system. This stage clearly defines what students will study and the knowledge and skills they should possess by the time they graduate. In addition to this, they should possess 21st-century abilities such as critical thinking, collaboration, and knowledge from mountains of information. The University of Phoenix uses a similar virtual simulation program built by Toolwire to help students in its Axia College IT program acquire problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, redefining management education.

 

The next stage includes creating a curriculum enabling teachers to accomplish these goals by accessing educational resources available online. Curriki, a non-profit organization committed to using technology to improve the quality of online education, and free distribution of world-class educational materials for grades K-12. So, instead of depending on a single textbook, today teachers can tap into resources generated by the world’s top universities to educate students.

 

Today, technology has made it possible to create incredibly dynamic and collaborative learning environments. Video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Hangouts, Skype and many more, allow learners to gain exposure to classes led by leading teachers remotely and also interact with distinguished teachers across the globe, redefining technology role in education. The instructor does not need to be physically present in the classroom to record or stream lectures, dramatically expanding his or her potential to reach pupils globally. Megastudy, for example, provides students in Korea with recorded lectures from star lecturers.

 

Technology can greatly expedite the assessment of student achievement by providing real-time input on how pupils are doing. Students receive instant feedback on their progress throughout the program, while teachers acquire a real-time view of the subjects that are problematic to individual students and the class as a whole. This knowledge enables teachers to better customize their in-person teaching time to their students’ urgent requirements.

 

Realizing the full potential of the closed-loop instructional approach requires combining all the elements into a seamless system, by redefining education through technology. Therefore, educational institutions must adopt closed-loop education systems to offer students the opportunity for self-evaluation and improvisations suggested by the teacher in the learning techniques, turning static teaching into dynamic teaching for team learning, increased productivity, and recall practice with improved technical communication.

 

A dependable partner who is familiar with the technology and the regional market environment is necessary to close the gap in bringing closed-loop-based solutions to developing nations. I believe Integra, a company with over 28 years of experience in the field, will be the best fit to close the gap by developing market-appropriate learning objectives and the best instructional strategies for teachers and students.

Source/ Ref: World Economic Forum – New Vision for Education.

Building a Future-ready Learning Eco-system

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The age of all things connected; the age of the ‘instant’ generation

The English alphabet has all but lent its last letter to name a generation. The baton has passed on to the Greeks. Gen Z has made way for Gen Alpha. To demystify, members of Gen Z are ‘digital natives’ [1], while Gen Alpha cohorts are ‘screenagers’ [2] – two terms that unambiguously sum up the digital dependency of these generations. The future soldiers of the global workforce are growing up on a diet of mobiles, smartphones, tablets, and AI-powered voice technology to communicate, surf for information and find entertainment. Self-directed, tech-empowered, and digitally-integrated, these generations are characterized by the “instant” syndrome – instant information, instant interactions, and instant solutions [2]. However, it would appear, that the orbit of this thrilling new world just about, if at all, passes through the portals of higher education that the digital natives must, by a rite of passage, transit. It begs the question, what are higher education institutes (HEI) and universities doing to remain relevant; to reclaim their power as respected seats of knowledge for generations who tend to ‘figure out stuff’ on their own?

 

A shake-up that universities cannot afford to ignore

Waves of technological innovations, geared towards accessibility, convenience, and engagement are driving important everyday choices. For students that translates to how they absorb new information and integrate it with their existing repertoire. Augmented reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and the Internet of Things (IoT) have disrupted traditional flows of learning and created hyper realities that stimulate learning experiences. Such advanced uses are still not a part of mainstream university education, despite being massive strides in the field, nonetheless. Therefore, as the lines between formal and informal education blur, as the need for skills-ready individuals who can bring creativity and innovation to the workplace takes precedence, the question then is: what must universities do to harness the energies of these over-stimulated minds and shape them productively? The answer lies in building a future-ready learning ecosystem.

 

The ABCs of a learning ecosystem

Consider a learning ecosystem like a wheel, wherein the students, content, delivery systems, and data are its cogs, connected to an axle of governance parameters. Each component is symbiotically related to the other. This is not to say that traditional classrooms lack this set-up; however, the nature of the components and how they interact, the shift in power to some components over the others is what differentiates the conventional from the future-ready.

A radical shift from the teacher-centered approach in the classroom; a re-imagining of course curriculum to purposefully engage and enable flexible learning plans to optimize a learner’s skills; integration of tools and technology to enable content creation, delivery, and learner data in real-time – in short, creating an immersive and responsive learning ecosystem is the game-changer. [3]

 

Let’s peel down the ecosystem into its essential parts [3]:

 

People:

Of the bulk of people who make up this ecosystem, the sizeable population is that of the students or the learners. If they consume quality content, the ecosystem thrives. In a future-ready ecosystem, the learner drives the car, the faculty are facilitators, mentors, and coaches who guide.

 

Content:

This is the core of the disruptive change that is beckoning. The content needs to mirror technologically conditioned students. Self-paced learning modules with a hands-on approach, simulations, podcasts, videos, and gamified learning are proven ways to solidify the practical application of theoretical concepts.

 

Technology and Data:

A learning experience platform is a robust way to curate content, create learner pathways for skill development, track a bouquet of learning activities, network students for social learning, and provide detailed data for faculty to gain insights into student development and their learning preferences.

 

Governance:

Every university needs to establish its learning vision, strategy, the selection or retirement of learning assets, technology, and the type of data needed to optimize the usage of the ecosystem. Governance is key to the success of the learning ecosystem.

 

Integra’s Learning Solutions Architect, Manju Singh, shares:

“As the education industry was transitioning rapidly from a classroom-only setting to a hybrid and online environment, Integra stepped in to provide digital-first content while managing the entire transformational project. Integra did a deep dive into the current state of learning artifacts and their usability and created a project scope for required changes within a lean budget and an eye on the reusability of assets. The team recommended more robust instructional strategies and successfully delivered content upgrades and new digital assets for a new delivery platform within time and budget. [4]

Our studio is constantly innovating to surface the value of progressive technologies. Intending to create an immersive first-person learning module on the types of fire and their extinguishers, Integra created a proof of concept right from storyboarding to its final stage of a training module in a 3D environment with simulations and interactivities.” [5]

 

The time is now

With a generation that is likely to search for Do it Yourself (DIY) videos on YouTube or subscribe to educational apps to visually learn core concepts, or even forage Insta reels; universities have quite the mountain to climb to keep their students focused, attentive, and productive. As the demand for personalized, on-demand experiences is nowhere near abating, HEIs and universities need to accept this new reality and accelerate the evolution of their learning ecosystems to pass the ultimate litmus test – the perception of value from their students.

Integra – a reliable partner to catapult universities into the future-ready state

Integra’s suite of services is at scale to provide the building blocks of a dynamic ecosystem to HEIs and universities. An entire team of experts collaborates seamlessly to create a curriculum at par with current trends and reduce the time to launch. Transform your content and systems today with our capable team of specialists who leverage 2D/3D animation technology for enhanced learner engagement. Partner with our innovators to deploy immersive content enabled by AR, VR, Mixed Reality (MR), and 3600 video apps.

 

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_Z
2. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rise-gen-alpha-children-today-workforce-future-sig-hr-fore
3. https://www.td.org/insights/learning-ecosystem-why-you-need-one-now-and-how-to-build-it
4. https://integranxt.com/project/project-managing-a-high-profile-title-refresh/
5. https://integranxt.com/project/course-development-in-virtual-reality-fire-safety/

More Productive Learning? Give these Gamification Techniques a Go

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The story of diminishing returns

 

If education is the playing field within which formal learning occurs, then it is safe to assume that students are expected to demonstrate positive cognitive, affective, and conative changes in behavior in this space. Yet, as one climbs the academic ladder, it is not uncommon to see diminishing levels of engagement in the class, distracted students, poor attendance, and dismal grades. The verdict that the stand-and-deliver mode of teaching has been failing the student population has been long out.[1] This failure boils down to the dilution or complete oversight of fundamental drivers of learning – motivation, engagement, participation, reflection, and feedback.[2]

 

Gamification answers core human tendencies

 

As much as the debate is between the efficacy of traditional versus modern approaches to education, it also seeks to validate how gamification – the buzzword in learning and development – can overcome these barriers to achieve successful learning outcomes. Gamification, or the application of game elements in non-game contexts, involves these learning drivers in varying degrees.[3] It speaks to the core and primal tendencies of humankind. Depending on the kind of mechanics one uses, it has the ability to intrigue, excite, spark the desire to compete or accept challenges, and endow one with a sense achievement. As these basic human instincts are ignited and fed, learning turns to fun. So, when the stage is ripe for learning, efficiency follows close at the heels.

 

Data is power

 

A study on the current and future state of gamification and game-based learning in the education sector states that 67% of the students have found gamification to be more motivating and engaging than traditional courses. It is poised to grow by 15.4% from 2019 – 2024. However, the statistic that can turn the tables for non-believers is this: students who were introduced to challenge-based gamification improved their performance by up to 89.45% compared to those who only attended lectures.[4]

 

How gamification fuels young minds

  1. High-visibility gamification ventures in education

 

When purposeful content receives the structure of game dynamics, the result is a high level of engagement and learning. Let’s look at three revolutionary examples that technology has gifted the world. The Minecraft: Education Edition offers students a mind-boggling interactive experience to learn about history, craft a story for a creative writing project, and delve into the mathematical concepts of shape, area, and volume. Google’s Read Along app leverages an avatar to help floundering students read a sentence or even shed light on unfamiliar words. With Kahoot, educators can rapidly deploy quizzes to students through a shareable link, while students respond to questions in-class in real-time. With a reward system in place, students remain motivated and attentive.[5]

 

2. Decoding game mechanics for learning efficiency

 

Strategies like dividing a class into groups to work on projects, having them compete to feature as star achievers on the class bulletin board are classic gamification techniques. When technology is brought into the mix, the opportunities for learning efficiency explode. Education technology (edtech), which is pushing the frontiers of pedagogical approaches, comprise a few or all the following elements, with the pre-supposition that it offers an interactive experience throughout: [6]

      •  Narrative: To set the context and to make the content relatable, a story with a protagonist, a challenge, and a plot are essential ingredients.
      • Rules: In gamified content, rules set the right expectations for how to navigate the content and of rewards and penalties along the way.
      • Levels: One of the running themes in almost every game is overcoming a challenge, attaining a goal and moving to the next level. If the content lends itself to such, levels are a great way to streamline content.
      • Rewards: Rewarding points or badges for responses to difficult questions is an excellent motivator to keep students glued to the content.
      • Competition: People love to be recognized and acknowledged. If an institution runs its edtech program through a learning management system, leaderboards are a perfect way to display player (read: student) rankings and their scores.
      • Discovery: Challenging learners to hunt for information to solve a problem or tackle a learning challenge is another exciting game element.
      • Feedback: In all the systematic frenzy of gamification, feedback is an integral indicator of the progress the learner is making. This can take the form of progress bars, new levels unlocked, badges at checkpoints, etc.

 

Well thought-out game elements do not overpower the content but shape the learning journey into a productive one.

 

The cutting-edge of gamification in Education Technology

 

As if the leap from the classroom to e-learnings was not enough, the real game-changers that have precipitated an unprecedented shift in learning are technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) – the metaverse of limitless possibilities. IoT connects daily objects and products to the Internet, which means there is a large exchange of data to and from IoT connected devices. Thanks to IoT, students can automate tasks such as note-taking and research. Educators can move away from manually grading papers and even offer personalized learning tailored to a student.[7]

Similarly, AR and VR are becoming the staple for an immersive, gamified experience. AR tags real-life objects with digital information. As a result, a student can point his tablet or smartphone to almost everything and read or hear constructive information. VR transports one to a virtual reality of far-flung places, space, art, or the human body to better understand and learn.[8]

VR promotes auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning. With the help of VR, students can hold the models of chemical compounds and understand structural movements at the molecular level. They are even capable of hypothesizing historical events, evaluating them, and then forming reasoned conclusions using 3D models in augmented reality.[9]

 

In conclusion

 

From creative subjects to analytical ones, gamification reduces cognitive overload and optimizes retention of knowledge or skill transference. Whether it is the metaverse, or the more familiar e-learning and mobile learning mediums, a gamified approach with the underpinnings of motivation, engagement, freedom to explore and make mistakes without serious consequences has irrefutably binding benefits for the learner.

As disruptive technology invades all spheres of life, and gamification proves its mettle, the education sector must stay relevant, adapt, and master the wave to stay true to its main objective – student development.

 

References:

  1. https://www.science.org/content/article/lectures-arent-just-boring-theyre-ineffective-too-study-finds
  2. https://www.globalfocusmagazine.com/seven-drivers-learning/
  3. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gamification
  4. https://financesonline.com/gamification-statistics/
  5. https://www.gamify.com/gamification-blog/top-5-examples-of-gamified-education
  6. https://community.articulate.com/series/everything-you-need-to-know-about-gamification-in-e-learning/articles/gamification-techniques-how-to-apply-them-to-e-learning
  7. https://www.insiderintelligence.com/insights/iot-technology-education/
  8. https://www.augmentedandvirtualreality.tech/education/ar-vr-and-gamification-in-education-industry/
  9. https://www.classvr.com/virtual-reality-in-education/virtual-augmented-reality-in-further-higher-education-age-16-to-18-years/

 

Impactful Microlearning strategy for Life Sciences Training in 2022

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In the words of Abraham Flexner, “Medical Education is not just a program for building knowledge and skills for its recipients…it is also an experience which creates attitudes and expressions”

 

Amid the COVID-19 global outbreak, it’s been stressful for those who work on the front lines of health care. Despite their busy schedules for attending patients, they need to take time to upskill themselves to stay abreast with new protocols, regulatory needs, and processes, especially with the new mutants and complexities around them.

 

In such scenarios, Microlearning becomes pivotal for the development of behavioral change and critical. Microlearning can help to upskill by accessing short, bite-sized learning chunks of informative courses from anywhere. Let’s look at key Microlearning strategies that Life Sciences trainers should adopt in 2022.

 

1. Microlearning in the flow of work:

In their extremely busy routine, healthcare professionals need just-in-time training that can be completed in their daily flow of work. The microlearning content can be easily accessed from smartphones anywhere anytime. E.g. a nurse can take a quick 5 minutes microlearning course on a new patient care protocol, answer a few questions, and get back to work. Similarly, a Medical Sales Rep can access key differentiators of a drug before pitching it to a Physician. Such learning content in small digestible chunks suits perfectly to busy healthcare professionals.

 

2. Offset the “Forgetting curve”

According to Hermann Ebbinghaus who coined the word “Forgetting curve”, information is lost over time when there is no attempt to retain it. The quality of training might be great but retention is not guaranteed. Microlearning is the most popular form of learning reinforcement. In Life Sciences training Microlearning can be effectively used to offset such a “Forgetting curve” by nudging learners with relevant content and testing their understanding from time to time. E.g. a Nurse may have been trained on how to treat a patient with Neurological Disorder. Reinforcement of such training at regular by delivering Microlearning content on smartphones ensures better retention.

 

3. Microlearning to foster Contextual Learning

Healthcare professionals often deal with pressure situations that require the right skills and prompt actions. Using micro-learning to impart critical thinking skills to deal with real-life scenarios. The objective is to simulate various medical contexts or situations in a controlled environment so that a healthcare professional can safely practice it.

 

4. Microlearning that sticks

Healthcare professionals can perform better when they are provided with training that sticks. Microlearning content in the form of videos, puzzles, and quizzes helps the engagement levels and improves retention. Microlearning is a much more engaging and interactive way of training. Learners are encouraged to take quizzes, solve puzzles, watch videos, answer mid-module questions and collect keywords to proceed, and so on. When learning is made so engaging and interactive it becomes easier to retain and recall the information. Bite-size video content appeals to multiple senses and helps healthcare professionals immediately recall the concepts while applying learning to practice.