Returning to campus this spring semester, students and academics will experience an education industry in transition.
Preparing for the new semester means that education technologists are on a brink to leverage the technologies already adopted, those that need upgrades or updates, and the new technologies they need to consider for implementing this semester. These decisions will contribute to the transition toward the fast-paced race of Digital Transformation in higher education.
Here is a quick checklist of the technologies that colleges and universities must be working on implementing this year. These are technologies that many students and faculty can expect to see more during this spring semester.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI, ML)
Artificial Intelligence together with Virtual Reality top the list of technology trends in higher education that will play a role in accelerating colleges and universities Digital Transformation. Starting from this spring semester, more institutions will incorporate AI into their curriculums. Grading and library services is where students may see more AI this semester. AI will also play a more active role optimizing hybrid learning environments as well as eLearning.
Augmented/Virtual Reality and Extended Reality (AR/VR, XR)
Back to school this spring means many students will see the incorporation of AR, VR, and XR into their classes. This technology will enhance their learning experience making it more engaging and promoting knowledge retention. By exploring and interacting with virtual objects and scenarios students can take advantage of situations that would not be possible in the physical world. Currently, universities are using AR, VR, XR or a combination of them in med schools, veterinary schools, engineering design, and even agriculture. The University of Brighton, in England, is piloting VR for agriculture students.
Metaverse (Metaversity)
The Metaverse marks the start of the next phase of the Internet: Web 3.0. The Metaversity, an immersive environment which combines VR and AR technologies, is something that students and faculty will see coming closer this spring. This will have a great impact on eLearning programs offering a more life-like feel to online learning environments (OLE).
Digital Twins
A Digital Twin, a digital representation of a university campus, enables universities to admit global students offering all the regular benefits but at a fraction of the price. Students and faculty can easily interact with each other via their institution’s Digital Twin. Spring is a good time to start planning and taking the first steps for launching a Digital Twin for the next academic year, if not started already. At least 10 colleges in the United States have been working on the launch of their Digital Twin in the past couple of years, including Morehouse College which created its Digital Twin back in 2021 in order to enhance its remote learning.
5G Network Technology
All the above technologies require a powerful, fast network, without which the technologies could not reach their potential. Updating and/or upgrading the institutions network to a low-latency, multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) will play a paramount role in the efficiency of the connected campus, supporting digital learning, expanding academic and training opportunities by enabling immersive environments such as AR, VR, digital twin learning experiences, giving life to the whole Metaversity.
Wi-Fi 6E Wireless Accessibility
Many returning to campus and dorms this spring may be delighted to find their institution upgraded to high-speed We-Fi 6E Wireless connectivity, making it available for all students, faculty, and staff on all their mobile devices. Upgrading the Wireless network means the institutions count with the proper connectivity solution to meet the students’ needs and support eLearning.
Colleges and universities adopting these technologies can expect to attract more students and increase enrollment.
For other articles on how universities are adopting technology, see:
Holographic Healthcare Training Now Available for Med Schools
How Universities Are Enhancing Veterinary Education Utilizing VR