Children belonging to “Generation Alpha” (born between 2010 and 2025) – otherwise known as the “iGeneration” can expect to become adults in a world orders of magnitude more technologically advanced than the one we live in today. As education technology entrepreneur Minal Anand states: “there are going to be massive changes in technology and trends that are likely to shape the lives of this generation especially when it comes to their education.”
Long-gone are the days of computer labs and a few videos being sufficient to prepare for the new reality emerging in academia and the world at large. That is why education systems are playing catch up to the rapidly emerging education landscape trends by constantly reassessing their content and delivery through education technology solutions.
Arguably, the largest trend is illustrated by University Instructor in Early Childhood Chris Drew who states: “There is an increasing awareness that the early years are the most vital years of life.” Based on this premise, the following 8 trends or strategies are being applied in pre- and early-school education around the world.
1. The use of phonics
Phonics are integral to learning proper grammar and pronunciation; Dr. Christina Williams states: “A trend I’m observing—and cheering for—in the field of early childhood education is the focus upon explicit, systematic phonics in literacy instruction.” Ellinopoula emphasizes the use of phonics in developing an extensive curriculum to ensure kids have the proper foundations for learning Greek.
2. Learning a second language
As early childhood development writer Elaine Hunter states: “Babies and toddlers from a single-language household can learn a foreign language, according to new research. The sooner they are taught, the better - because learning a second language has been shown to improve the way young children solve problems.” This is the main drive behind the Ellinopoula Pre-K course which is designed especially for preschoolers by incorporating colors, animals, and other cues that appeal more to their age.
3. Allowing kids to express their creativity
Kids learn by exploring and a major aspect of that is creating through drawings and colors. The Ellinopoula Pre-K course focuses on teaching through colors to keep kids actively engaged in learning Greek. That is why the platform features a wide range of color-in activities.
4. Personalized / tailored learning
Digital platforms allow for personalized learning by gathering and interpreting data conventional learning is not able to. This allows teachers and parents to better monitor which areas the child is strongest in and which ones need more support. This also allows young children to advance at the pace best suited to their needs. Ellinopoula’s core teaching feature – the Learning Path – is designed to take kids by the hand and guide them in learning Greek one step at a time, while offering extensive progress reports to parents and teachers.
5. Accessibility
The world is increasingly connected which translates into increased ease of access to work, play, and learning. Remote learning and collaborating with other students and teachers online, is taking off and schools and learning platforms must adapt to this new reality.
6. Interactive learning
Interactive learning places kids in charge of their learning process as opposed to learning in the old-fashioned dictation (passive) method. As Professor Mazur of Harvard University states: “Active learning, not passive [learning] makes it impossible to sleep through a class.” Similarly, Ellinopoula constantly develops new interactive learning activities for kids to make the most out of their time learning Greek.
7. Video and animation – based learning
Motion, colors, and characters bring subjects to life, be they history, chemistry, or the Greek language. Kids love animation, which is why Ellinopoula features hundreds of animated features and video series.
8. Play-based learning
Last but certainly not least – education technology allows kids to do what they love most – to have fun playing! Gamifying the syllabus with “points collected” and “stages to pass” helps keep kids motivated to achieve more.
References
- Minal Anand, “Upcoming Trends That Will Shape The Future of Education for Children”, EdTechReview, 31 May 2019.
- Professor Chris Drew and Dr. Christina Williams quoted by Brianna Flavin in “4 Emerging Trends in Early Childhood Education”, Rasmussen College, 03/23/2020.
- Elaine Hunter, “Babies and toddlers can learn second language in one hour per day”, Theirworld.org, August 18, 2017
- Professor Eric Mazur quoted by Jillian Anderson in “The Benefit of Interactive Learning, Harvard.edu, November 17, 2014.
