TRENDS IN MATTERS EDUCATION

 A s the pandemic brought the world to a halt, most governments around the world temporarily shut down learning institutions in an attempt to contain the spread of the COVID-19. There after, many  launched online and distant learning programs  to fill in the void created by the shutdown of the learning institutions. That was about six months ago and much water has gone under the bridge since. A lot too has emerged concerning the Novel Virus and measures developed on how we are going to live with the virus but avoid getting infected. This still as we all hope and await the promise of a vaccine to keep the virus at bay. Meanwhile, seeing that life must go on ;albeit in the ‘now normal' governments world over are beginning to plan for recovery and reopening of economies as well learning institutions. However, concerning schools, this is a phase that involves much more than reopening the gates and readmitting learners back to teaching and learning processes.  Worth notin...

    corona virus pandemic could reshape education systems Well before the Pandemic COVID-19, there was already high growth and adoption of technology in education, with global education technology ( ed tech) investments reaching billions of dollars  and the overall market for online education projected to grow further. Whether it is  language apps ,  virtual tutoring ,  video conferencing  tools, or  online learning software , there has been a significant surge in usage since COVID-19.Consider the following points of interest: 1.      The corona virus pandemic has changed how millions around the globe are educated. 2.         New solutions for education could bring much needed innovation. 3.      Given the digital divide, new shifts in education approaches could widen equality gaps. It has been a matter of weeks and corona virus (COVID-19) has changed how learners a...

As we get to the last quarter of 2020, allow me share a little food for thought regarding STEM education transformation through the use of I.C.T .It is true and many of us understand that, the products and services of the future will depend on engineers, scientists, and technology experts creativity to invent them.This will only happen when all our learners will embrace and appreciate I.C.T and its integration especially in the STEM subjects. However, we may ask how I.C.T fits into this increasingly significant role of STEM education? Nowadays, teaching activities include Information and Communication Technology (I.C.T) in all of its aspects due to their implementation in everyday life. The integration of diverse digital tools into traditional educational process changes it and enables its transformation. The understanding of these digital tools is essential for their effectiveness in all school subjects but more so in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). S...

What is gamification? Gamification is defined as the practice of making activities more like games in order to make them more interesting and enjoyable. This would therefore means incorporating game elements, for instance, like point and reward systems as incentives for people to participate in an activity. Gamification therefore is the application of game design elements and principal s in non game contexts in order to encourage people to take part. Gamifying education content could also have a lot of benefits in the learning outcomes. And now teachers are starting to realize the advantages, too.  The benefits of gamification in education Below are some major benefits of using gamification in the teaching and learning process. 1. Gamification reduces learners’ fear of failure As much as failure  may be perceived as an integral part of learning,in the classroom it tends to be a source of diminished self esteem. The learner feels dejected and may end up with a wrong attitude ...

 Education Trends evident in 2020 and beyond Customized  Learning Experiences Improvement in education technology will make it easier for teachers to offer a broader variety of content. Students, who have become more devices -savvy than ever, will be able to explore education through the media  that resonate with them closely. This may be in many areas of learning,for example,problem-solving in a digital modern learning environment, finding  new ways to understand spelling through games, or carrying out an experiment in a virtual lab in the comfort of their houses/classrooms. This digital explosion of possibility  makes teachers  jobs easier and better. For instance, it will take less work to set learners on the right path during the teaching/learning process. This in turn helps teachers  to redeem time that  they  need to properly help learners on individualized levels especially if they experience certain learning challenges. Learner-Center...

Advantages of  ICT integration in the classroom Today’s learner is  more  likely to be already interested and engaged in using technology due to early exposure as compared to one of yester years. This presents many  opportunities for institutions and teachers to enhance the teaching and learning process through integrating some forms of technology in the classroom, making it  more effective and productive . Below are some of the top benefits of using ICT in the classroom. Improves learner engagement When technology is integrated into the learning process, learner's  interest is heightened and in turn their engagement in the subject matter is captured at a higher level hence improving expected outcomes .Integration of technology  during lessons offers varied opportunities  in making  learning more fun and enjoyable in terms of teaching same things in new ways. There is also is much fun when learners navigate the gadgets in carrying out specifi...

 Here is some food for thought concerning Online and Distant Learning in Kenya especially for primary and high schoolers. Here  are some of the uncleared questions about educational ICT interventions in  Kenyan context. 1.Should It be said that ICT is the solution,  then ,what is the problem? To start with, it is worth noting that teachers  use (or fail to use) ICT  during  the teaching process for various reasons . The intentions they have for using ICT in their work,  is that ICT will bring benefits of some kind, especially to the learning process and the expected outcomes. Therefore, while the country pushes  for various educational ICT programs  and projects, the real question is: what educational problems is ICT integration expected to solve? In other words, the use of ICT in the educational process ought to target specific objectives and outcomes. 2.What is our discourse about “using ICT in education”? Our discussions  about...