Lifelong Learning Revitalizing the Education Industry in a Big Wave

What is the one permanent thing seen everywhere? Change, Exactly change is the only constant, irrespective of how fast or slow it is, it always happens. That is what lifelong learning or continuing education contributes too. The acquisition of new and more knowledge is critical for betterment. Continuing education is a necessary component of professional competence.

Doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers, CPAs, real estate agents, financial advisors, and many other professionals undertake the process of lifelong learning. It is capable of restructuring professional practice.

With mounting innovations, humans are living longer. The need for life-long learning prevails. It has become essential now for everyone about to work and working adults to take up continuing education to be a competitive component in the market.

Life-Long Learning is the core reason for the education industry to always be on the move. Learning and teaching never seem to cease.

Trends in the Education Industry

1. Microlearning is on the Roll

There is an old saying, "good things come in small packages," A great example of that phrase is Microlearning. It is a fast-moving world, and many adults hardly have the time to take up a lengthy and time-consuming course that they need for a day to day basis.

Microlearning's fuel is by rising Smartphone, web videos, apps, and other tools. It is performed in short time bursts and requires most little effort from the individual sessions. It most often involves only simple topics to wrap up quickly.

Microlearning is not just a byproduct of a short attention span. It is an eLearning methodology in the internet age when professionals do not have much time.

Examples of Microlearning:

• Instructional YouTube videos
• Flashcard learning
• Training quizzes
• Webinars
• Word of the day messages or emails

2. Continuing Education's Virtual Conferences

We know how hard it is for a working professional to leave a day of work and show up at a conference to learn something new. What if the person did not have to go there to be there? Yes. That is what Virtual Conferences have to offer. Virtual conferences are training approaches offering training, depending on the professional requirements directly from live conferences.

Place-based conferences are not likely to go away any time soon. But virtual conferences are too attractive to resist. They offer convenience, cost-effectiveness, and a standpoint to grow dramatically.

3. A Flipped Classroom

We know education is an on-going process now. But how would it be in the shoes of a busy person who is working and studying? Do you think a working professional who has taken up continuing education has the time to go back home and catch up on traditional homework? Not really, this is why we need flipped classrooms.

The flipped classroom is a study-online course, where learners can watch the lecture or seminar at home or when free, and do the homework, assignments, and discussions in class with the expertise of the teacher. The flipped classroom model can be highly motivational and provide for individual a blended learning practice and increased contact with teachers.

4. Adopting Social Learning

Did you know your ideas can spark ideas in someone else's mind? That is how the human brain works. Social learning eliminates the usual trial and error methods. Socializing can teach a person more than a classroom ever can. Continuing education institutions are engaging people through this now.

For instance, a community of farm management specialists is conducting a workshop on leasing farmland. In the audience are enormous landowners, agribusiness representatives, and tenants. During which the audience discusses certain materials, and it sparks ideas among the whole group.

People are employing a range of social connections and tools to support their learning process without even giving it a second thought.

5. Massive Open Online Course

Adults leverage MOOCs for professional development and continuing education. It is an online course developed for a massive audience and is completely open meaning, which means it does not require any fees directly or indirectly.

It might not be as popular as it was a few years ago, but has taken a stand in the education industry is known to stay for a longer time.

6. Alternative Credentialing

The education industry has come a long way. Now traditional qualifications can be acquired by alternative credentials. In a rapidly changing world, many people choose alternative credentialing for faster outcomes.

Alternative credentialing includes personal and professional development experiences as MOOCs, badges, boot camps, and much more based on competency. The alternative credential is an emerging pathway between studying and work.

7. Self-Directed Learning [SDL]

1 out of every 10 have the nature of thinking, "why should I pay for a membership to attend an annual conference which I can spend on books and sessions and meet my professional goals," Self-directed learning in adults is the buzz topic right now.

Malcolm Knowles says, "In its broadest meaning, self-directed learning describes a process in which individuals take the initiative, with or without the help of others, in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learning goals, identifying human and material resources for learning, choosing and implementing appropriate learning strategies, and evaluating learning outcomes"

8. Self Publishing

Self-publishing does not merely mean books, though that is the thought that pops up first. Self-publishing means creating and distributing knowledgeable content in any platform available. Such as WordPress, CreateSpace, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, iTunes, you name it.

It is the alteration of the playing field with all of it. It is a groundwork set, into more learning that creates entrepreneurial components and ambitious curators.

9. Big Data is Educating

We may be tired of hiring it again and again, but it is the time of big data. Directly, and indirectly we are creating an extensive amount of data as we travel through the web every day. Through data, we find out what is popular trending, what's about to come, and what is creating impact. It can lead people to targeted and high-value learning.

Concluding:

Isn't it true that we can't even go a day without reading an article on current trends? Continuing education or lifelong learning is now the new normal. It can move from a defined curriculum, change teacher, and student roles. Learners will have more choice and voice and give learned professionals more expertise in their fields.