The development of technology has not only transformed our lives but also impacted our social relationships, ways of working, and a significant part of the world economy. Education is one of the most important fields affected by technological advancement. Since the internet became part of our lives in 1991, and with the widespread availability of computers and cell phones, technological tools have become accessible on a large scale, making access to technology easier. Traditional face-to-face tutoring or in-person classes have now been replaced by lessons on virtual platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. To learn from the world’s best teachers, it’s enough to access YouTube or purchase courses through platforms like Edx and Coursera
Some of the attractive features of digital education include saving time on commutes to work and school, being more economical, and being accessible from anywhere in the world with just an internet connection and a smart device. Online education also accommodates different learning methods, enables access to top-tier educators, and provides standardized and quality education, all valuable benefits.
Of course, like anything beneficial, there are some downsides to digitalization. Social isolation is one, as prolonged periods of loneliness can have negative effects on mental health. Excessive screen time can lead to eye issues, while inactivity can invite a variety of other health problems. To minimize these harms and maximize the benefits of technology, it is essential for people to develop digital awareness and receive proper education on this topic.
The 4 Phases of Digitalization in Education
The digitalization of education certainly didn’t happen overnight. To predict the future, it’s useful to examine how we reached this point by looking at the past. Many technological innovations and advancements have brought us to where we are today. According to a study investigating global online education trends, the development of digitalization in education can be divided into four phases: the period from 1991 to 2000, when the internet first emerged and gradually became accessible; 2000-2007, a time marked by the increased use of Learning Management Systems (LMS); 2008-2012, the period of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs); and the era from 2012 to the present.
When the internet first appeared, it served a more limited audience—mainly financially well-off, technically savvy people. Over time, this changed as technological tools became cheaper and software more user-friendly. Accessing and sharing information became easier with a single click. Initially, small fragments of information reached people via blogs, emails, and e-books uploaded to servers. With the arrival of Web 2.0, users could also share information. Search engines made finding information easier, online libraries were established, and online encyclopedias like Wikipedia were created. Over time, LMSs were adopted by companies and universities, followed by significant reforms in online education with the rise of MOOCs in 2012.
The Rapid Transformation Triggered by the Pandemic
With the closures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, participation in online education soared, and investments in this area increased. Online education became an integral part of our lives, with not only schools and universities but also the world’s largest companies recognizing that using online platforms to train their employees had become a necessity. Companies began mentioning online education budgets in their job postings to attract employees. To improve productivity, keep employees updated in their fields, and provide additional support, companies have been increasing their investments in this area. It’s expected that in the future, corporate spending on online education will grow rapidly.
Investments, Industry Status, and Leaders
The growth and future of digital education can be observed through the investments made in this field and general industry statistics. Since 2000, digital education (e-learning) has grown by 900%, becoming the fastest-growing sector in education. In 2019, the share of online education in global trade was around $200 billion, and this is expected to reach $457.5 billion by 2026.
From a corporate perspective, LinkedIn’s report offers valuable insights into the content of digital education. According to LinkedIn’s 2018 report, 90% of companies provided digital learning opportunities to their employees. Digital education focused mainly on acquiring new skills and improving existing ones (59%), leadership and management (53%), and virtual hiring and onboarding (33%). Training on social skills is the top priority for companies and employees. Additionally, digitalization has impacted employee development, with 68% of employees preferring to learn while working and 58% opting to learn at times of their own choosing.
What Platforms and Methods Are Used in the Rapidly Growing Digital Education Field?
It’s challenging to provide an exhaustive answer to this question, but looking at the biggest and most pioneering companies in the sector can offer some clues. In terms of MOOCs, Coursera and EdX are both leaders and the most widely used platforms, offering numerous courses and partnerships with top universities. Udacity, unlike other MOOC platforms, collaborates with major tech companies like Google and Microsoft instead of universities. Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and SkillShare are other popular platforms. In terms of online course platforms, examples include Thinkific, Teachable, and LearnWorlds, while LMS platforms include LearnUpon and Docebo.
What Awaits Us in the Future? The Metaverse?
The recent rising trend, the Metaverse, or virtual reality focusing on social interaction, is expected to bring groundbreaking reform in education. Facebook and Microsoft have invested heavily in this area, aiming to enable experiences in virtual classrooms with VR headsets that rival the physical world. Imagine a world where medical students can practice surgeries in a virtual environment, where history lessons place you right in the midst of Napoleon’s battles, or where you can take your driving test from home with technological tools—virtual reality will make all this and more possible. Microsoft recently announced Mesh for Teams, a major step toward virtual reality, currently in preview and soon to be generally available.
Metaverse is a virtual world accessible with VR glasses and additional tools, but what if we could connect directly to the Metaverse with our brains, eliminating all technological devices? Neuralink’s founder, Elon Musk, envisions this possibility, suggesting that a small device implanted in the skull could provide a virtual experience indistinguishable from reality. One of Neuralink’s aims is to facilitate brain-data exchange through a BMI (Brain-Computer Interface) device. Imagine receiving terabytes of simplified, meaningful data from advanced AI models directly to your brain, possibly reducing the time required to master a field from years to just hours. Only time will tell if Neuralink achieves its goals, but it certainly sets ambitious targets for humanity. Our responsibility is to make the most efficient use of the conveniences technology offers and to prepare ourselves for new advancements. Let’s see what time will reveal; the journey of imagination continues.
