The Dawn of the Digital Learner

This week, join us in #EducationNow with this first blog in a three-part miniseries on the transition to hybrid learning.

With many educational organizations shifting their entire schedules to distance learning tools or full virtual environments indefinitely, never has the statement “we are all in this together” been more poignant.  

Academic and information technology leaders had to lean into a sharp learning curve, as educators transitioned from occasional online and asynchronous delivery of classes to mass distance education. The influx of support requests from teachers, students, guidance, administration, parents and executives continues as we look to the fall semester. We are truly all in this time of change together – for our customers it is key that we continue to lean in. The near future will require partners, vendors, and service providers to collaborate to support global education institutions. Many have realized that these tools open possibilities and have a newfound appreciation of digital tools. Yes, this shift to a hybrid environment is a hill to scale, but the choices we make today are changing education forever. 

Replication of a classic classroom dynamic, where teachers teach, students learn and collaboration tools prepare us for regular assessment, is the first level of hybrid education. The true key to successful learning in this new environment is bolstering the student’s ability to learn in a digital environment. With education traditionally focused on audible, kinetic and visual learning types, teachers must adapt to identify what it means to be and how to form and foster “Digital Learners” – no matter their traditional learning style. The innovation we demonstrate in this life-altering period to form digital learners will define our ability to educate tomorrow. 

In the coming months of new methods of teaching and learning, we will see innovation and creative acceleration. This is the inflection point where we will see a proof of value for hybrid learning.  

Did students receive quality education during this period? Did advanced collaboration work as a 100% remote education platform? How can we better align campus and virtual classroom experiences?  

Already we see requests for more technology integrations, acceptance of artificial intelligence to assist teachers, and a better understanding of real-time analytics.   

We are on the cusp of creating digital learners and leveraging digital tools to initiate conversations, drive inquiry, enhance proficiency, create and adapt information, and – overall – accelerate a student’s success and career path. This is augmented education and it is here to speed the road to success.  

Moving to an augmented hybrid education environment will mean changes to more than just pedagogy. It will herald changes at all levels of campus life, education delivery, and skill development. Leveraging transformational tools already adopted in corporate environments like artificial intelligence and machine learning, augmented learning will use technology to build upon a student’s own proficiency and understanding. Of course, change brings fear. However, we have the unparalleled opportunity today to explore hybrid learning, to engage with our students and prepare them for success and careers in a rapidly changing world, and to pave the way for new educational models. 

Now is the time for the dawn of the digital learner. 

We are passionate about ensuring the continuity of learning through our Cisco education solutions portfolio. We can help you to keep our teachers, students, and administrators securely connected no matter where they are so learning doesn’t have to stop in these difficult times. Discover our distance education solutions today. 

Starting June 2nd be sure to add our Cisco Live Education sessions to your schedule. In “The Public Sector: Driving Country and Community Continuity in Times of Change,” discover how one school district has used our technology to make distance learning and collaboration the norm. Hungry for more on transformation? Stay tuned for “Education Now: Transforming Teaching and Learning in Times of Change.” 

Continue on the #EducationNow journey with a blog on how Connected North is powering collaboration and connecting remote classrooms in Canada next week and keep an eye out for the next blogs in the “Transition to Hybrid Learning” series on 6/9 and 6/16.