Education 2047 : October 2023

Education 2047 #Blog 23 (12 OCT 2023)

The world of education has witnessed a dramatic transformation over the last few decades, giving rise to distinct educational eras - Education 1.0 to 4.0, and now Education 5.0 being touted. Each of these educational phases has been characterized by significant shifts in teaching methodologies, technology integration, and educational philosophies, with each era becoming progressively shorter. The rapid expansion of the internet and its accessibility through mobile platforms has made educational resources available to a wider and more diverse audience than ever before.

Education on the Go

The learners now have the power to access textbooks, lectures, research materials, and educational apps at any time and from anywhere, in multiple languages. Mobile apps and platforms have opened up new opportunities for collaborative learning, enabling students to work together on group projects, share notes, and engage in meaningful discussions with both peers and instructors. Furthermore, adaptive learning apps on smartphones are now able to tailor educational content to the unique needs of each student, allowing them to learn at their own pace and concentrate on areas where improvement is needed.

But it's not just formal education that's reaping the benefits of mobile platforms. These platforms are also ushering in an era of non-formal education. Whether you want to learn a new language, pick up coding skills, or pursue a hobby, there are bite-sized lessons and interactive apps that cater to your needs. This means you no longer have to wait for the right moment to embark on your learning journey. Skill-building in areas like photography, cooking, fitness, and many others is now accessible from the comfort of your own home, offering individuals the ability to explore their personal interests and passions beyond the traditional classroom setting.

Lifelong Learning in Your Pocket

The world of mobile learning platforms doesn't stop at formal or non-formal education. It extends to lifelong learning, with a wide array of online courses, webinars, and educational podcasts accessible right from your smartphone. These platforms empower individuals to continually acquire new knowledge and skills throughout their lives. Social media and online forums on smartphones connect lifelong learners with like-minded individuals, creating communities where they can share resources, experiences, and insights. Additionally, smartphones grant access to professional development resources, including certifications, conferences, and industry-specific news, supporting lifelong career growth. This transformative shift has led to a reconsideration of how we acknowledge the acquisition of knowledge through credentialing.

The Credentialing Conundrum

Credentialing plays a fundamental role in education, as it validates an individual's skills, knowledge, and qualifications. For centuries, various forms of credentialing have existed, including written documents, letters of recommendation, or seals of approval from authoritative figures. However, the industrial revolution brought about standardized credentialing processes, making traditional degrees, such as diplomas and certificates, the gold standard for education and career advancement. In the teacher-centric model of education, the curriculum, pace, and assessment are typically determined by the teacher or educational institution, with degrees serving as the primary indicator of a learner's educational attainment and readiness for the workforce.

The Emergence of Learner-Centric Credentialing

In the evolving learner-centric education approach, the educational system adapts to the learner's preferences and progress. Learner-centric credentialing shifts towards competency-based assessments, evaluating learners based on their ability to demonstrate specific skills or knowledge, regardless of the time it takes to acquire them. While traditional degrees still hold value, they are no longer the sole focus, as experience and skills take precedence over knowledge in the workplace. Learners may pursue degrees as part of their educational journey, but they are now supplemented with badges and other micro-credentials to provide a more comprehensive picture of a learner's abilities.

The Future of Credentialing in the Digital Age

The educational landscape is poised for even more changes with the introduction of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, extended reality, brain-computer interfaces, cyber-physical systems, and quantum technologies. The democratization of knowledge has rendered traditional approaches obsolete, with experiential learning taking center stage, and experience becoming the new currency in academia. The need is for credentialing learning that is flexible, experiential, and personalized (let's call it FLEXPER learning), and bundles abilities, competencies, skills, and knowledge.

FLEXPER learning, encompassing internships, apprenticeships, volunteer work, and other hands-on experiences, is becoming more valuable than traditional classroom learning. To effectively credential such learning, various strategies and approaches can be implemented:

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA): A process for evaluating knowledge and skills acquired through experiential learning, offering course credit or exemptions based on the results.
Structured Internship/Apprenticeship Programs: Collaborative programs with industry partners that include defined learning objectives, mentorship, and assessment criteria, leading to certificates or credentials upon successful completion.
Competency-Based Education (CBE): A shift towards a competency-based education model, with credentials based on learners' ability to meet predefined competencies, where experiential learning plays a significant role.
Digital Badges and Micro-Credentials: Tailored to different experiential learning experiences, these represent specific skills or competencies gained through collaboration with employers, community organizations, and educational institutions.
Portfolio Assessment: Encouraging learners to create portfolios that document their experiential learning journey, including reflective essays, project reports, photographs, and other evidence.
Collaboration with Industry and Professional Associations: Partnering with industry and professional associations to create recognized credentials for experiential learning, leveraging their expertise to design assessment criteria.
Licensing: Collaborating with professional and licensing bodies to recognize experiential learning as a pathway to professional credentials, establishing guidelines and criteria for qualification.
Collaboration with Employers: Engaging employers in the credentialing of experiential learning by designing and recognizing specific programs or internships.
Workplace Certification Programs: Many industries offer certification programs based on experiential learning, validating practical skills in fields like IT, healthcare, and project management.
Lifelong Learning Records: Establishing lifelong learning records that include both formal educational achievements and experiential learning experiences, with a standardized format for easy sharing.

The credentialing of FLEXPER learning in a learner-centered setting is a complex yet increasingly important endeavor in the modern educational landscape. Approaches to credentialing will continue to evolve, driven by digitalization and the demand for security and traceability. Digital badges and micro-credentials will gain wider acceptance, especially in non-formal and lifelong learning contexts. Artificial intelligence and machine learning will personalize learning pathways and assess competencies, and the integration of blockchain technology will enhance the security and transparency of digital credentials.

The Shift from Degrees to Experiences

It's clear that degrees are losing their appeal in the age of digital learning, and there are two primary reasons for this shift. First, knowledge, which can quickly become obsolete, can now be accessed outside formal educational systems. Second, skills that used to take years to acquire through traditional degree programs can now be gained in a matter of months. As a result, education must evolve to become FLEXPER Learning, catalyzed by technological advancements. In the next two decades, we can anticipate increased standardization, personalization, and security in the credentialing process, ensuring that learners receive recognition for their diverse, discrete, and uninhibited learning experiences.

Transforming Credentialing in India

In alignment with the transformative vision laid out in the National Education Policy 2020 by the Government of India, the evolution of credentialing is set to play a pivotal role in reshaping the educational landscape. This policy emphasizes flexibility, experiential learning, and the integration of technology to create a holistic and learner-centric approach to education. As we move forward, it is essential that educational institutions, policymakers, and industry stakeholders collaborate to bridge the gap between traditional degrees and modern, experiential forms of learning. The successful implementation of credentialing approaches enunciated in this article will not only empower learners to thrive in a rapidly changing world but also provide the agility and adaptability needed to meet the demands of the 21st-century workforce. Together, we can ensure that education remains a dynamic and lifelong pursuit, where the recognition of learning experiences through innovative credentialing approaches becomes the norm in our Amrit Kaal, guiding our journey toward a brighter and more inclusive educational future.

***

Author is Pro Chancellor, JIS University- Kolkata

Views are personal.

Feedback is appreciated in the comment box below.

Previous blogs

Futuristic Frameworks- Rethinking Teacher Training For Learner-Centric Education

Unveiling New Markers of India's Education-2047

Redefining Doctoral Education with Independent Research Paths

Elevating Teachers for India's Amrit Kaal

Indiscipline in Disciplines for Multidisciplinary Education!

Re'class'ification of Learning for the New Normal

Re-engineering Educational Systems for Maximizing Learning

'Rubricating' Education for Better Learning Outcomes

Reconfiguring Education as 'APP' Learning