Higher education is constantly shifting the way it offers access to resources to its students. In order to make education more easily accessible by everyone, the influence of digital transformation is essential. This is exactly why it has become easier to watch classes online and keep up with assignments and research from the comfort of your home.
In addition to this, digital transformation in higher education is improving the students’ life on campus in many ways. Depending on the field of studies someone follows, technology can offer many advantages to those studying. Here are the top trends of digital transformation in higher education for this year.
1. Improving accessibility with online education
One of the main things this past year has taught us is how important online education is. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, nearly every educational facility resorted to using an online platform to continue their classes. This is a very important aspect of digital transformation that can improve the lives of many students and professors globally.
Apart from that, there are other reasons why using online classes in higher education is important. One of the main ones is creating a more accessible environment for people with disabilities. Allowing everyone to follow the same classes without requiring physical presence is very helpful. This will ensure education is equal for everyone and no one is left out.
Lastly, online education allows students from all over the world to participate in a course without having to move abroad. They might still have to travel for research purposes and presentations, depending on the field. This will cost a lot less, and it will allow them to keep their jobs and everyday lives while still following their desired course.
2. Using VR as a means to educate
Virtual reality has played an important role in providing students of higher education with access to certain resources. Through VR, students can study different fields such as physics and archaeology without leaving the classroom. This can be a very important asset of any class and can help students better understand their studying topics.
In addition, VR headsets can be used to create more interesting projects and presentations. Instead of sticking to plain and boring presentations, students are able to create exactly what they want to show. With all the materials available online, students are able to create detailed presentations with visuals that can better explain each topic they study.
At the same time, professors can offer a much more detailed experience in their classes. No matter the subject they are teaching, they can enhance the learning experience. Virtual reality can help answer questions better than any verbal explanation can. As a result, the learning process becomes easier and better structured, allowing students to stay focused and interested.
3. Utilizing big data in academia
Big data is always in trend when it comes to digital transformation in higher education as it can help evolve it in so many ways. One of the most important reasons why is based on providing the students with online libraries and materials for their studies. For many niches, books and research papers are not easily accessible online. Big data can be used to provide these resources through an online library for the students easily.
In addition to that, big data offers professors a chance to use an easier grading system to simplify their work. If they need to have immediate access to information, they will be able to use it to grade papers and other materials.
Lastly, big data is also used in order to gather student based information to help improve the education process. By gathering information such as the searches students make on the online library, you can find more about their needs. As a result, the learning experience will become much smoother for the students.
4. Personalizing learning approaches
Based on the previous point about big data, there are more reasons why the information students produce can come in handy. One of the things many academic systems are lacking is personalization of the learning experience. Many are trying to turn this situation around and use digital transformation to improve higher education.
One of the ways this is happening is by allowing online classes to become more personal. Through the various platforms available, professors can connect with their students a lot easier. This allows them to answer questions and build a relationship with the people they are teaching. As a result, the whole process becomes easier and more interesting for both parties involved.
Professors can choose to use online questionnaires or other means to learn more about the learning preferences of their students. In any case, this is something that will make the learning experience a lot easier and more fun for academics.
5. Taking advantage of the IoT
Many institutions are already making investments in the Internet of Things as it can create new possibilities for people in higher education. This digital transformation trend involves the use of all the devices available to all academics. The main interest is how they can be used on campus for a better learning experience.
In addition to that, smart lighting has also gained a lot of ground in recent years. Whether this is applied on the outside or the inside of the campus, it will be very beneficial. The idea is to replace traditional lighting and bulbs with LED lights, which will save more energy. This way, universities will save funds and be able to spend more money on other important resources.
6. Sharing important information through the cloud
The use of online cloud technologies has a lot to offer to universities all around the world. Whether used on campus or remotely, the cloud can easily store big amounts of intimation and make it accessible to everyone. This can make the need for textbooks very small and make education a lot more affordable for students.
Another very important benefit of the cloud is that it can provide easier remote learning for international students. When someone is not able to be on campus, sharing notes and class materials can be tricky. If the professor or their colleagues manage to upload the necessary materials at the end of each class, no one will be left out.
Along with that, the cloud can help attract more students that don’t speak the language a course is held in. By videotaping and uploading the classes on the cloud, other multilingual students can add subtitles and make it more accessible for others. This will easily attract more students to a certain university and make higher education a lot more accessible for many people around the world.
7. Improving the security across digital devices
Last but not least, a very important matter that current trends are trying to tend to is digital security. It is not rare for a university to be the victim of an attack where they accidentally expose confidential information. This doesn’t only have to be the university’s information, but also the information of their students.
The best way universities are trying to combat this issue is through securing their networks. The ways to achieve that are many, but it is essential to have a way to analyze user behavior and suspicious activities. When something similar is suspected, it is wise to look into it to avoid bigger issues that come with the loss of precious data.
This is very important and needs to gain more ground as time progresses. Ensuring the security of the personal information of anyone involved with a university is crucial. Entity behavior analytics (UEBA) and stricter cybersecurity measures will become a necessity for any academic institution in the years to come.
Helping students worldwide become digital citizens
Keeping up with the technological trends will help students and professors improve the current standards of higher education. Whether it is about working from home or on campus, following the current trends will help remove many obstacles and make education available to more.
Using technological advances in higher education has a lot of benefits to offer to both students and professors. Keeping up with trends is essential in order to improve the research of those involved and help them evolve the way they work. Thanks to the trends that keep appearing and gaining more ground, higher education can become more accessible for students from all over the world.
Author
Bridgette Hernandez is a professional writer working on Subjecto Flashcards, specializing in creating education-related content. She loves to learn and has a passion for educating her audience on things about technological advances and how they can improve their lives. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spends a lot of time outdoors with her dog.
