Connected learners: 10 trends to watch by Rosebank College

In this information age, where 24-hour connectivity is as much a part of our modern lives as wearing shoes, one key aspect of society struggling to keep up with these changes is education institutions.

Schools and tertiary institutions, and the learning therein, have remained largely unchanged since the 19th century. Pupils still sit in rows of desks, reading words on a board at the front of the class, words put there by a well-educated adult, sometimes several years ago. But how many of us went to work this morning wearing top hats or leopard skin – or riding a horse and cart for that matter?

With the dawn of the mobile phone, digital information and wireless connectivity, society is changing faster than it possibly ever has. Indeed, a staggering 90% of the data in the world today was created in the last two years alone (according to IBM).

Schools have the responsibility to educate the next generation and to prepare that generation with the skills and knowledge required for learning, life and work. But society now moves at such a fast pace that the jobs which will one day be filled by our current students have not yet been invented. It is imperative then, that schools provide students with the ability to learn for themselves, to adapt to new technologies and systems, and to create their own strategies for coping.

"Being online comes naturally to most of our students these days, but they tend to see their time online as 'social' rather than 'useful'. Why not tap into that space? Connected learners of the future will use every day Web tools and social media platforms to enhance learning and teaching. Mobile phones will become a medium of instruction and learning will be localised as well as globalised," according to Delvin Munsamy, Digital Marketing Manager at Rosebank College. Let us explore the top 10 trends to watch out for that will become a reality for connected learners of the future.

Mobile-based courses
Mobile technology is a growing and powerful trend. As an indication, Africa is dubbed the mobile continent and researchers predict that internet use on mobile phones will increase 20 fold on the continent in the next five years –double the ratio of growth in the rest of the world. With this said mobiles will be used in the same way as computers to house and disseminate learning material for students of the future.
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Source: Mail & Guardian Online (Press Release)