Explore The Current Online Learning Curriculum Trends

The present Covid-19 pandemic led to the shutdown of schools across the globe. More than 1.2 billion learners were out of classrooms. High schools shifted their programs to online delivery and completed their school calendar online. Whereas remote delivery programs that are planned in a hurry differ from online high school programs planned well, professionals state that an abrupt shift to online learning would further hasten the advancement of online studies and maximize its potential.

With this abrupt shift from traditional classrooms in various parts of the world, many parents and students are wondering whether online high schools will continue to persist post-Covid-19 pandemic, the effect of the shift on the worldwide education market.

Even prior to the Coronavirus pandemic, there was high growth as well as the adoption of an online learning curriculum, with world edtech investments hitting US$18.66 billion in 2019. The overall market for online learning is expected to hit $350 Billion by 2025. Whether it is through online learning software, video conferencing tools, online tutoring, or language apps, there has been a notable rise in utilization since the emergence of Coronavirus.

What this Means for Future Education

Even though most people believe that the rapid and unplanned shift to online learning-with little preparation, insufficient bandwidth, and no training- will lead to a poor user experience that is not conducive to continuous growth, while others believe that there will be an emergence of a new hybrid model, with numerous benefits. The integration of information technology in learning will accelerate, and online high school curriculum would ultimately become a crucial component of school education.

Online learning curricula have transformed ways of teaching. It enables instructors to reach learners more effectively and efficiently through document sharing, video meetings, and group chats, particularly during this Covid-19 pandemic. Besides, online learning makes it easier for learners to communicate. Teachers believe that online education and traditional learning go hand in hand.

Following a trial by fire in 2020, experts say high schools are now poised to provide more online courses. Here is a look at the future of online high school learning in regard to Coronavirus and online learning trends, which were already at play prior to the pandemic- as predicted by online learning experts.

Virtual Reality Would Improve the Capability of Offering Hands-on Courses Online

Most classes – and all courses – are more challenging to provide online as compared to others. For instance, the demands of Social Studies may be fulfilled easily online compared to biology lab. But professionals like Schroeder state that virtual reality will eliminate these barriers and make hands-on courses more available online. Other education experts point to online skill demonstrations, interactive videos, and the same practices. Most science courses were already leveraging interactive video tools and peer-reviewed curriculums leveraging recorded skill demonstrations to increase their accessibility and engage learners outside class. In his email, Ryan Lufkin, the senior director of product marketing for Canvas in Higher Education at a learning software organization known as Instructure, said that the Coronavirus pandemic has made people change their perception regarding skills that need traditional classroom demonstration as well as those that may be practiced and demonstrated in a self-paced and self-service format.

Virtual Learning Would Be Increasingly Data-Driven

Since the popularity of online learning has risen over the past years, course providers and high schools can collect a lot of data to help them in measuring and predicting the performance of online learners. Tracking how learners are – or are not -engaging with learning materials can assist in pinpointing why some learners struggle or how to enhance learning outcomes. Advisors and educators progressively have access to real-time data regarding the engagement of their students. According to Ryan Lufkin, technology-enhanced learning offers a level of insights never experienced in the past and the capability to support learners in ways that they have only started exploring.

Technological Advances and Better Online Course Design Will Lessen the Digital Divide

As high school changed to online during the Covid-19 pandemic, the digital divide becomes an evident issue. Learners without access to high-speed internet or computers were at a disadvantage as they tried to completer their programs online. High schools with resources deployed Wi-Fi hot spots, but it was not an opportunity for all learners. Some flocked to parking lots or restaurants and shops so as to access the internet. Online education professionals suggest that an online curriculum designed to be equally accessible across all devices such as cellphones or laptops can help improve the online learning experience. The other bright spot anticipated in the United States is the rollout of SpaceX’s Starlink internet service, which would beam high-speed broadband internet access into remote areas through satellites.

There is a Rise in Massive Open Online Courses

Massive open online courses, also referred to as MOOCs, gained momentum in 2011, and a 2012 headline in The New York Times declared “The Year of the MOOC.” Currently, Massive open online courses are more popular as many people prefer them. With the Covid-19 pandemic and many people isolated in their homes, most can take the chance to enroll for MOOCs. Online students may take these free online programs to learn a wide range of skills.

High Schools will Add New Online Courses

According to experts, high schools are encouraged to provide more courses online based on a test run for numerous schools last year. High schools can also see an opportunity to boost enrollment in their courses. Shifting courses online enables high schools to not only depend on regional or local learners to boost their enrollments.

Virtual Credentials are Becoming More Popular

High schools have launched many programs over the years which allow learners to numerous micro-credentials -like certificates – as they proceed towards their final goal. Professionals believe that programs such as this would increase in the future hence leading to the growth of micro-credentials.

Blended Learning Will Last Forever

Even as learners streamed back to schools in the fall, with some high schools reopening, lessons were usually taught online and in-person through a blended learning model, which education say will be more common. Coronavirus has been a model-shifting moment for high school education, throwing online learning into the spotlight unlike previous years – but the requirement for high-quality, relevant, blended, affordable, and accessible online studies will go beyond the Covi-19 pandemic.

Slow but Steady Growth in Competency-Based Learning

Also, increasingly common in online diploma programs: competency-based education, where learners progress fast through acquainted material by demonstrating mastery, taking assessments, and given their knowledge. A study conducted by the non-profit American Institutes for Research described “slow but steady” advancement for competency-based education. Competency-based learning can help in making online high school diplomas more affordable as compared to traditional schools.

More Online Choices Will Necessitate Learners to Do Thorough Due Diligence

Not all high school diplomas are of equal quality, a reality that is applicable to both in-person and online instruction. With the emergence of numerous online choices, learners have to weigh their options carefully. The greatest challenge for learners has been and will continue to be quality judgment. There are horrible courses that are offered in schools, focusing majorly on getting learners in as well as accessing their financial assistance to pay for their studies, with little concern or thought regarding the quality of learning experience or learning outcomes. Whereas quality courses thrive, learners ought to be conscious of warning signs like the absence of learner services, diploma paths that seem too easy and fast, and lack of accreditation.

Online Learning Spaces and Programming Will Expand

Learners taking their classes in traditional classrooms might anticipate running into colleagues in major areas like dining halls, student unions, and libraries. Typically, this has not been the case for virtual learners. There is an expectation that high schools will provide more online programming to make online learners feel part of the high school community. Online students can expect virtual programming, group activities, and student unions as part of their online learning experience.

Most Learners will Make Online Studies their First Option

Post Coronavirus, learners will ultimately go back to high schools. Nevertheless, many learners will make virtual learning their first option. A recent study of alumni from graduate programs in partnership with 2U established that students are highly satisfied with an online learning experience. Additionally, Schroeder states, anecdotally, that most graduate students and older students find virtual learning liberating. Watret states that more traditional-age learners prefer online programs. However, he doubts that it can be challenging to sell for the present high school learners with the Covid-19 pandemic. Learners want face-to-face interaction. There is going to be a balance between online delivery and face-to-face delivery, and online high schools will endeavor to work through that.

Resources and References:

• The Future of Online Learning
• Empowering Students with Self-Paced Learners
• Competency-based Education