The disadvantage dilemma: A whole other pandemic

Worrying figures published in the UK 2020 indicate that the attainment gap between disadvantaged students and their peers has stopped closing for the first time in a decade. It looks as though this is replicated worldwide, with the education gap potentially set to widen in the future, making educator engagement and institutional action more vital than ever.

Even without the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, disadvantaged students can be upwards of a year of learning behind their peers by the time they’re 16. When you factor in the change in learning environments caused by Covid-19, the final figure may be altogether worse. This issue isn’t reserved for students in one particular country, with gaps in learning levels impacting students everywhere from the US and Europe to Asia.

If one thing is clear, it’s that the traditional model of education is no longer working.

Access to education

The ways in which students have access to education is often largely based on their socio-economic background, with more advantaged students consistently achieving better results. Some particular groups of young people are excluded from opportunities for success due to their socio-economic status (SES), a fact that calls for educational institutions to assess their practices, embrace innovative change, and make it possible for these students to enjoy the same access as others.

With regards to STEM education, a 2020 Australian study found that “low socio-economic status is the biggest barrier to STEM participation” - an issue which they link to school social segregation and lack of educational resources. The study also shows that Australia has one of the highest levels of school social segregation of all OECD countries.

One country that has climbed the educational ranks of the OECD over the last few decades is Finland. Believing in absolute equality in education, Finland teaches all students alongside each other in order to reduce the SES gap and encourage collaboration.

Access for all - how digital technology could bring about educational equality

By giving students access to STEM education and digital technology, institutions will in turn be nurturing a generation of coding experts, designers, innovators, animators, and scientists who are taking real-world problems and offering up sustainable solutions that bring about tangible change.

The solutions sought out by these students not only offer educational benefits, but also positive social change that improves the way the world operates.

The educational benefits here are tenfold. Students will be equipped to tackle real-world problems and be able to approach age-old issues from a fresh perspective, as well as allowing the generation of learners below them to enjoy better equality.

How technology has changed education

For the past centuries since formal education was institutionalized, it heavily relied on face-to-face lectures and printed materials. However, in just a matter of a few years, we have seen the transformative impact of technology on education, especially during the pandemic lockdowns.

Bedrooms and home study rooms became an extension of classrooms. From real-world, brick and mortar classrooms to digital virtual classrooms, education has undergone some significant changes. This not only includes the superficial or aesthetic changes, but also more significant, fundamental changes.

One significant change in education brought about by technology is the accessibility of information. A global library of textbooks, academic journals, newspapers, magazines, video documentaries, and other reference materials are now conveniently accessible. With a touch of your fingertips, you can freely access vast amounts of information without the need for leaving your chair and going to a physical library.

The blended learning and pure online learning modalities during the pandemic proved that digital learning is a viable alternative to traditional classroom learning. There are still some disadvantages and inconveniences associated with the digital format of learning, such as too many distractions. Nonetheless, digital technology has significantly democratized education. It made the world smaller and knowledge more accessible.

How will technology change education in the future?

Virtual reality, augmented reality, and faster internet connectivity will revolutionize education in many ways. These technological advancements will bring forth new ways of learning and interacting with people. Immersive learning will be less costly and safer for students.

For example, instead of actually exploring an underwater cave, students can learn the intricacies of a submerged ancient cave system via virtual reality. It could either be for purely educational purposes or as training and preparation for an actual exploration by a team of student scuba divers. Another promising application of virtual reality is in the study of medicine. Medical students can learn better through the immersive experience of operating on a realistic digital patient.

Augmented reality can be very helpful to those who are trying to learn history by walking in ancient streets or exploring historical sites. Augmented reality can provide the interesting trivia and important background information or context of a historical event that happened in a particular location.

How to improve critical thinking using educational technology

Critical thinking is the capacity to process various types and sources of information, which are sometimes conflicting, in order to form an opinion, judgment, or conclusion. It is almost synonymous with rational thinking and freethinking. Oftentimes, critical thinking entails examining one’s own biases before making any conclusions. It is also about problem-solving and gaining insights based on new information.

Formally, educational technology is the integration of new technologies into teaching methods. Technology is used as a tool or platform for learning. It helps students gain more insights in solving problems and dealing with information in a critical manner. It makes students realize that not all types and sources of information are of the same value or credibility.

As a field of study, educational technology focuses on investigating the process of improving teaching and learning via the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of the various aspects of education. Critical thinking is improved in the process as various avenues are explored and compared to find the best route for teaching and learning.

How does technology make education more accessible?

Technology has greatly democratized education by allowing open access to a wide range of information, particularly academic content. Many university libraries can be accessed online and the largest free encyclopedia online (Wikipedia) helps mold the way information of all sorts are written, edited, and distributed.

Gone are the days when you had to wait several years or even a decade to have an updated encyclopedia. Of course, there are drawbacks in terms of reliability and credibility, but online encyclopedias are good starting points in the search for knowledge.

Many universities and colleges are now offering online degree programs, both undergraduate courses and postgraduate courses. It is possible to earn a credible degree without attending a face-to-face class or entering a physical classroom. Online teaching platforms made all of these possible.

The future is digital

With artificial intelligence (AI) constantly improving the world we live and work in, by giving the students of today access to STEM education and the basics of coding, we will effectively be future proofing the great minds of tomorrow.

In 2018, it was reported that there were 23 million coders in the world, with that number set to increase to 28 million by 2023. It was also estimated that because of the expected advancements in AI, as many as 400-800 million manual jobs would be lost to robots. The flip side of this, of course, is that there will be a huge demand for AI experts and coding professionals.

By embracing STEM education and ensuring that all students can access the relevant resources during their school day, institutions will be investing in the future of their country, and of the entire world.

Just some of the examples of bright young minds putting AI and IoT into action include students using Arduino kits to create water filtration systems, solar-powered circuits and even a 3D-printed ball launcher for pets!

Are you an educator looking for STEAM resources for middle school, high school or university? Take a look at Arduino Education kits and how they can support your hands-on STEAM lessons.