Education 2047 : FUTURISTIC FRAMEWORKS: RETHINKING TEACHER TRAINING FOR LEARNER-CENTRIC EDUCATION

Education 2047 #Blog 15 (17 SEP 2023)

The evolution of education has been steered largely by the progression of communication technology, evident in the previous century, and more recently, by the rapid advancements in data processing and storage technologies. This evolution is also reflected in the enhanced appeal and interactivity of educational materials, attributed to the refinement of user interface technology circumscribing virtual reality, touch screens, voice recognition etc. Collectively, these technological advancements have caused transformative shifts in the journey of digital learners.

Still fresh in our memories are the video conferencing tools that made an inroad into the educational system during the global pandemic enabling real-time interactions, discussions, and allowing virtual guest speakers; they are here to stay for remote or hybrid learning scenarios as we settle for virtual learning environments. The global lockdown threw opportunities for the development of educational Apps that offer interactive simulations, quizzes, and games making remote learning more engaging. Teachers were quick to adopt social media and online collaboration platforms to facilitate group discussions, peer learning, and knowledge sharing among students. E-books and digital textbooks gained traction due to features like annotations, searchable content, and multimedia integration.

The institutions are now getting comfortable with learning management systems (LMS) that facilitate personalized learning experiences by allowing teachers to organize content, assignments, and assessments. Adaptive learning platforms allow adjusting the difficulty and pace of content based on a student's performance, enabling tailored learning paths. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies immerse students in interactive, immersive learning environments, enhancing engagement and understanding of complex concepts. Data analytics and learning analytics tools help teachers monitor student progress, identify areas of struggle, and adjust their teaching methods accordingly. All these and many such interventions should no longer evoke xenophobia in the academic fraternity.

Keeping pace with the changes requires teachers to shift from a sage-on-the-stage to in the pack-at-back which means they should transition from being the source of information to facilitating and guiding students in navigating their curricular paths. They should be able to craft individualised learning plans based on students' strengths, weaknesses, and interests and foster a learner-centric approach with generous use of artificial intelligence (AI). Incorporating learning strategies like group discussions, problem-solving tasks, and hands-on projects that encourage active engagement, is necessary now. Also identifying real-life problems that challenge and encourage students to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information that promotes deeper understanding; besides ensuring the practical relevance of their learning, to justify their renewed role.

Inverting traditional teaching by assigning lectures as homework and using class time for discussions and application of concepts (flipped learning) is the way forward as much as creating spaces for peer or collaborative learning. Further, allowing students to lead discussions and share their perspectives prepares them to take ownership of their learning and this approach must get integrated. With the internet empowering students through information and knowledge, they no longer need to be examined for retention of information and grade the memory; instead, they must be handed out feedback by teachers through regular assessments that contribute to their learning. To stay on the course, teachers should regularly update their skills more often than knowledge, to effectively integrate new technologies and teaching approaches.

The educational landscape appears to be fairly steady and tractable with the changes happening currently and teachers would, though hesitatingly, accept the change in their roles. However, the exponential changes in the technologies related to communication, computation, interface and allied technologies are not going to stop and we can expect some interesting developments beyond five years and it is worth keeping the following in sight:

Neuroadaptive Learning Systems: Advanced AI-driven systems will adapt learning content in real-time based on brainwave patterns and cognitive states, offering an unprecedented personalized learning experience.
Holographic Learning Environments: Holographic technology will create immersive, 3D learning spaces where students can interact with digital content and simulations, enhancing understanding and engagement.
Neurofeedback Devices: Wearable devices that provide real-time feedback on brain activity will help students regulate their focus and cognitive states, optimizing learning outcomes.
Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs): BCIs could enable direct communication between the brain and computers, allowing students to access information and learn in entirely new ways.
AI-Powered Virtual Teachers: Highly advanced AI avatars will serve as virtual teachers, capable of understanding and adapting to individual learning styles and needs.
Biometric Learning Analytics: Biometric data like heart rate and facial expressions will be analyzed alongside learning data to provide insights into students' emotional and cognitive states.
Ubiquitous AR Integration: Augmented reality will seamlessly blend the physical and digital worlds, providing continuous access to information and learning resources.
Emotion-Sensing Technology: Devices will be able to detect and respond to students' emotions, allowing for immediate interventions to enhance well-being and engagement.
Quantum Computing for Complex Problem Solving: Quantum computers will enable students to tackle incredibly complex problems and simulations, revolutionizing fields like scientific research and engineering.

With these seemingly bemusing dots on the educational landscape ahead, teachers are poised for significant evolution in their roles, to drive a holistic and future-ready learning experience. At the forefront of this transformation lies the concept of meta-cognitive coaching. Teachers will veer from traditional knowledge dissemination to cultivating advanced meta-cognitive skills within students, enabling them to comprehend and regulate their learning processes. This shift will empower learners with a deeper understanding of their cognitive strengths and weaknesses, equipping them to autonomously navigate their educational journey.

Beyond the boundaries of conventional subjects, the educational paradigm will shift towards holistic skill development, through experiential learning. In response to the widening demands of an ever-changing world, teachers will nurture skills that transcend textbook knowledge. Adaptability, emotional intelligence, and complex problem-solving will take centre-stage, preparing students to navigate the challenges of the future with ingenuity. Simultaneously, the ethical dimensions of technology will emerge in the forefront of education. As students engage with advanced AI and digital tools, teachers will guide them through the complex terrain of ethical considerations.

One of the distinctive mainstays of this educational evolution is facilitation of virtual collaboration. Teachers will seamlessly connect students from diverse cultures, allowing them to collaboratively address real-world challenges. With incorporation of insights from neuroscience, teachers will tailor their strategies to align with cognitive processes, enhancing engagement and comprehension. Furthermore, transdisciplinary curriculum design will slay the barriers between subjects, highlighting the interconnected nature of future careers. This approach will promote holistic understanding and innovative thinking, vital for traversing a rapidly evolving landscape. While this transformation happens, an emphasis on digital well-being will become necessary to ensure that students strike balanced and healthy relationships with technology.

The lifelong learning culture will be embraced not only by students but by the teachers as well. As technology incessantly reshapes the educational landscape, both teachers and learners will go for continuous skill updates and growth. Learning analytics literacy will be a must-have competency for teachers, as they mine data for insights to tailor instruction effectively. To put it straight, this educational rejigging will be defined by teachers transforming into mentors, counsellors, pathfinders, navigators and collaborators- guiding students toward a future characterized by adaptability, innovation, ethical consciousness, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

To usher in a new era of education, three transformative pillars will delineate the revamped landscape of teacher training programs. Firstly, the integration of experiential AI will immerse teachers in interactive playing out with cutting-edge technologies, promoting familiarity and confidence in their applications. Through hands-on experiences, teachers will navigate AI-powered tools, setting the stage for a dynamic and technology-rich classroom environment.

The second pillar will be specialization in neuroeducation, which will not stay esoteric to the academics. Training programs will offer teachers the opportunity to understand cognitive processes and optimal teaching techniques, with information and insights from neuroscience. Armed with this deep understanding, teachers will be, aided by tools, able to design instructional methods enhancing engagement and comprehension.

Ethics and technology modules will constitute the third vital pillar. In a world continuously overwhelmed by AI and the likes, teachers will be able to understand and value the ethical aspects of these tools. This knowledge will empower teachers to guide students as responsible digital citizens, navigating the ethical challenges on the digital landscape.

Over and above these pillars emerges the transversal theme of collaboration. Global collaborative learning experiences will connect teachers across borders, enriching their perspectives and knowledge of innovative pedagogical approaches. The infusion of personalized learning AI tools will enable teachers to create personalized educational pathways. This personalized approach will optimize learning outcomes, catering to the need of holistic education that students would yearn for in future.

Even as the scenario presented evolves and responses are contemplated, it is convincingly clear that conventional classroom activities of teachers like reading out texts, imparting foundational knowledge, and evaluating answer sheets will no longer suffice as advanced technologies discussed earlier, mainstream into education. Teachers must adapt and elevate their roles to transcend traditional functions and boundaries. This paradigm shift will propel them to higher orbits of educational engagement and innovation.

With India aiming to enhance its intellectual prowess and reclaim its position in the global GDP while in its Amrit Kaal, there is a pressing need to elevate the role of teachers. This necessitates a corresponding restructuring of their training approach, emphasizing the cultivation of teachers who possess the expertise to create an enriching learning environment aimed at personalized learning, rather than being facilitators guiding students through semesters and years.

The training must change from merely enriching their domain knowledge as it is done presently, to hands-on experience inter alia on components like flipped learning (for better learner engagement), design thinking (to fire up imagination and creativity), rubrics (for assessment and giving feedback rather than grades), mentoring (to guide a learner to tread a path effortlessly) and use of AI based tools (to create dynamic and personalized learning spaces). These are some immediate imperatives to training that should be reconfigured, towards nurturing true Gurus, Drishtas, Acharyas, or Pandits (all embedded in our ancient learning systems) who will have significant roles (casting aside themselves as Upadhyays or Adhyapaks) to play in the age of personalized and learner-centric education.

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Author is Pro Chancellor, JIS University- Kolkata

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