EDUCATION IN A

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DIGITALISED

FUTURE

Education in a digitalised future

Millennials & Generation Y

“technology is improving so much that I’ll just put on my Google glasses and I’ll be able to read my text book…” Katleho 15

“will schools and colleges even be necessary or important in the future? Even a 5-year-old knows how to use technology now…” Lucinda 16

“there’ll be more, smaller schools created by people in their homes… maybe like only 10 children using computers to help teach…” Elani 17

Just a small selection of quotes from TelkomlBusiness Connexion’s recent research amongst Millennials (born 1980 – 2000) and Generation Y (born 2000 onwards). This research was commissioned in order to clearly illustrate to business and governmental agencies the changes and roles being played by both this new generation and the tsunami of digitalisation that is changing the world we live in. The question being asked is; are our educational organisations and systems going to embrace or be in a position to embrace this new generation of super-brains with their new-aged thinking and technology?

Hardly a week goes by without some game changing technological advancement being blazed across the tech media. The three youngsters quoted here represent a new generation – a tech savvy and informed generation who embrace and welcome technology. The pull of an eager and demanding new generation and the push of tech advancement. The world of digitalisation is firmly upon us, opening enormous potential for improving the way we educate.

Let’s have a look at this generation a little more carefully. All generations have characteristics that define them as different to all preceding generations. The catch here is that the differences that identify these two generations are marked and game changing; think Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger (Instagram), David Karp Tumblr – all under 35 years old.

This generation was born into a world of technology. They interact with the world in a completely different way to their parents or grandparents. They are the ‘digital first’ generation and have grown up with computers, email, mobile phones, and the Internet, as an integral and accepted part of their everyday life. Following on from their footsteps is generation Y (born 2000 onwards). They share many of the tech-focused characteristics of millennials, but they’re much more pronounced. While millennials may still remember the early stages of the Internet and cell phones, Gen Z will not remember a time before the iPhone or Facebook. Some defining characteristics of these two generations:

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So, let’s have a look at this generation a little more carefully.

They are always-on – connected in some way with some device and at ease with tech.

They are multi-channel – they can split their attention between their phones, TV, games, computers and importantly from a retail perspective, enjoy multi-channel shopping.

They are knowledge driven – they have knowledge at their fingertips and they use it.

They are socially and environmentally conscious – they care about the World and what’s on it.

They live in a virtual world, an augmented world where everything is possible – boundaries no longer are.

Tech requirements

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So, these are the new students coming into our existing education system. Are we doing enough to utilize the powerfully enabling technologies that are available? For the most part no. There are a select few examples (mainly in the private sector and some universities) but for the vast majority of young South Africans the benefits of available technology are not being felt. This is unfortunate because it is precisely at this level that technology as a skill needs to be introduced, quite apart from the benefits it brings in aiding learning. Merely introducing tablets into the classroom does not constitute being tech savvy. In this form the tablets are nothing more than electronic note takers. It’s using the tablets in an interactive way through specific apps that will make them valuable teaching and learning aids.

Here are some of the ways educational bodies are looking to use tech as educational aids and as standalone means of leaning:

Personalised learningThe concept is that digital devices, software, and learning platforms offer a tailored educational approach to individual students based on their academic strengths, weaknesses, interests, motivations and personal preferences.Each student would:

• have a “learner profile” that documents his or her strengths, weaknesses, preferences, and goals;

• pursue an individualized learning path that encourages him or her to set and manage personal academic goals;

• follow a “competency-based progression” that focuses on their ability.

The idea is that this allows for “24-7” learning at the time and location of the student’s choosing.

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1 to 1 computingThe principal behind this move is the hope that by putting devices in the hands of students, it will help with some or all of the following goals:

• Allowing teachers and software to deliver more personalized content and lessons to students, while allowing students to learn at their own pace and ability level;

• Helping students to become technologically skilled and literate and thus better prepared for modern workplaces;

• Empowering students to do more complex and creative work by allowing them to use digital and online applications and tools;

• Improving the administration and management of schools and classrooms by making it easier to gather information on what students know and have done;

• Improving communications among students, teachers, and parents.

Blended learningBlended learning combines traditional, teacher-to-student lessons with technology-based instruction used in a rotational manner throughout the day. This system has merits in that the teacher keeps learners on course with the syllabus, but also allows learners the freedom via tech to do their own research/learning and questioning.

Importantly: In all the above cited models, it’s important to note that specific applications and software need to be developed and used in order to make the use of the tech truly effective. For example, apps used by the students for specific purposes (tests, learning modules) must be shareable and interactive with the teacher/lecturer in order that dialogue and monitoring can take place. Connectivity of any and all devices via Wi-Fi or any other platform is also extremely important as it is the inter-connectedness and interaction whilst using tech for education purposes that will make it truly useful and successful. Tech should be able to bridge the gaps that exist in personal student/teacher relationships. Source: Education Week by Benjamin Herold

Tech and the South African educational environment

Locally, TelkomlBusiness Connexion are already leading the way in introducing enabling technology into learning institutions with NetCampus. NetCampus is learning software, which includes instructor-led learning, blended learning, e-learning and live virtual learning via free Wi-Fi access on selected campuses. The opportunities and benefits are almost limitless; home learning, virtual study groups, virtual teachers, individualised and personalised curriculums based on a student’s abilities and passions… ultimately a mix of all or some of these will provide better and more effective learning into the future.

The Solution

How Millennials & Generation Y view the future

The very real issue for any educational organisation is, how to go about planning and implementing the diverse range of technologies needed to make these things a reality. If we just look back at the three quotes featured above and unpack what tech would be needed to make these visions a reality, one gets a sense of what one is dealing with: Big Data, Cloud Computing, Mobility, Digital & Social Media, Unified Communications & Collaboration, Analytics, Omni channels, IT solutions, Wi-Fi solutions and more.

TelkomlBusiness Connexion is equipped to be a single vendor solution. We have the infrastructure (networks – copper, fibre, cell, Wi-Fi, satellite), the planning and strategic capabilities and the solutions and integration capabilities to make it happen. At the very least we can plug in into existing structures and provide partnerships that work with you and your existing vendors. We see and understand the whole universe of digitalisation and we can help it make it work for you.

Finally, to give you a flavour of what this new generation of learners thinks about the future of education, have a look at this small selection of quotes taken from Telkom|Business Connexion’s recent qualitative research. These youngsters were aged between 11 – 18 years old and came from LSM groups 5 – 10. They’ve got a pretty good handle on what to expect.

“There won’t be any books in schools in the future, just tablets and smart devices…” Thoko 14

“I’d like books and a tablet depending on what I’m doing…I like writing when I’m doing maths… Andrea 13

“I think it’s better that we don’t have books as it’s a waste of paper and we have to cut down trees and like that’s not good for the planet…Jonathan 14

“some teachers talk so slow…they’re so boring! Maybe robots could do a better job?” Roddy 12

“I see some of the Cambridge based school systems are already doing tests online which is cool so you can do them at home…” Clint 18

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Telkom Park, 61 Oak Avenue, Centurion, South Africa Tel: 10217 | Web: telkom.co.za

“I don’t think that the way that schools look will change, cos I think that socialising and the friendships that you make at school is healthy, but the way we learn will change with technology. Gary 18

“Education is not only about books and learning, it’s about social education as well and meeting new friends…” Ryan 18

“Even if you did lose your iPad, you’d still be able access your work and text books off the Cloud and technology like that…” Gary 18

“I still like thinking and brainstorming using paper…” Thulani 17

“schools in the future needs to have more laboratories so that students can perform more actual experiments…” Awanda 14