Past, Present, and Future of Education
Written by: Canika Zhu
Education has evolved in many ways over the past decade. It has changed from the traditional practices of pen and paper note-taking and examinations to the usage of digital technology found in classrooms. With the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and the evolution of technology, what will the future hold for our education?
In the past, education has always been held in a traditional classroom setting, with the practice of pen and paper note-taking and examinations. Additionally, access to education was also limited in the past, as there was less government intervention to bridge the inequality between private and public school education.
After the COVID-19 outbreak, things took a major turn. Students and teachers were forced to stay at home to ensure they stayed healthy. Hence, institutions made use of the technological advancements available to them, such as online meeting platforms (Zoom, Google Meet) and virtual classrooms (Google Classroom). These digital learning tools make it possible for students to easily find information and learn more effectively.
In the present, increased global access has been presented worldwide, and the evolution of different standardized tests promotes a more adaptive learning environment for students nowadays. They now have the opportunity to choose the subject of interest instead of following a standardized curriculum for all.
With the rise of artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, the future of education can be unsteady and unpredictable. Artificial intelligence and other technologies may assist students in better comprehending the topics they are studying and ease the completion of tasks given to them. However, this may also mean that education may need to take a major turn and shift to a skill-based approach rather than a knowledge-based approach, as artificial intelligence can act as a threat to some jobs done by humans.
In conclusion, education's past, present, and future are all stages in a process of change. We have moved from the traditional classroom model with restricted access to the digital age, where personalized learning and technology are changing how we learn. Future education will likely be characterized by artificial intelligence (AI), lifelong learning, and international cooperation, with an emphasis on problem-solving and practical skills.