What do you think about the educational scene? Is there a textbook and a pencil? Recently, a new
aspect can be found in the educational scene. Unlike the classroom in the past, which consisted only of learning tools such as textbooks and pencils, in today's education, learning tools that combine the latest technologies are utilized. In addition, there is not only the teacher's one-way class but also the two-way communication class which is created by students and teachers. These changes in education are becoming more diverse and sophisticated.
About the 'EduTech'
The term 'EduTech', which combines education and technology, can explain the changes in education. It provides learners with new and diverse experiences by applying ICT technology (information and communication technology), which is the basis of the 4th Industrial Revolution, to traditional education. Typical types of EduTech include 'blended learning, software (SW) education, artificial intelligence (AI) education, and metaverse education'. Let's look at each of these.
Blended learning
Blended learning is a form of learning that combines online and offline. It has grown significantly as a way to guarantee students' right to study in the COVID-19 situation. The advantage of blended learning is that it is possible to do repetitive and additional learning suitable for the level of individual students. Also, cooperative learning beyond time and spatial constraints are possible. In the case of Wolpyeong Elementary School in Daejeon, blended learning is operated on the premise
of complete face-to-face school classes. After individual students learn online, they perform small group activities and paper-written tasks offline. By applying this circular method, students' customized education and self-directed learning are realized.
Software education
Software education develops the ability to solve problems through computational thinking. (*Computational thinking: thinking ability that understands basic concepts, principles, and technologies of computer science, and solves problems logically and creatively.) In many cases, coding is used as a method of software education, which converts commands into programming languages such as C language, Java (JAVA), and Python. Looking at the related curriculum, firstly, elementary schools develop basic software skills through algorithms and programming experiences. The middle school focuses on solving real-life problems through computational thinking by educating the comprehension and representation of algorithms, and the basics of computer programming. High schools focus on solving problems in various fields through computational thinking by educating algorithm design and analysis, and the applications of computer programming.
Artificial Intelligence Education
Artificial intelligence (AI) education is widely accepted as AI has been incorporated into education. Here, AI refers to a technology that realizes human capabilities through computer programs. First, there is education using AI technology. It is to analyze students' learning results with AI technology. Based on this analysis, students are provided with content suitable for their learning type and level.
An example is <Toctoc! Math Expedition> supported by the Ministry of Education. It
is a system that supports elementary school students by providing game content which is suitable for students' math level and can be used at school and home. In addition, education to understand the basic principles of AI is also accepted as AI education. In high school, the basics of AI and mathematics are elective subjects. These subjects include not only basic principles of AI
but also intensified contents of AI such as AI's social influence.
EduTech, Education for the future
Metaverse Education
Metaverse is a combination of the Greek word Meta, meaning 'processed, abstracted', and Universe,
meaning 'real world'. It is characterized by the fact that virtual space comes to the real world and interactions between users are possible. Recently, Metaverse has also expanded its range of use in education. At Janggi Elementary School in Siheung city, Gyeonggi-do, students interacted with teachers and friends as they traveled through various spaces of the school in the metaverse. And metaverse education was realized by producing a safety VR map, using metaverse. Current Status of Future Education
Then, why are these EduTech and future education growing? This is because the necessary capabilities have changed due to the 4th Industrial Revolution. In the past, people with fixed and professional knowledge were needed, but now, people with creative problem- solving skills are needed. Competent digital literacy in software and programming, and the ability to fuse
multiple fields have also become important. In addition, the ability to collaborate between people that machines cannot has become essential. In this trend, the government also announced a
'comprehensive plan for fostering digital talent' aimed at fostering a total of 1 million digital talents from 2022 to 2026. The major policies for 'expanding the base of digital education' are as follows.
First of all, there is an expansion of information education (education to deal with various information processing). The contents include expanding the number of information classes (*34 hours of elementary school, 68 hours of middle school or more), introducing 'information', one of the elective subjects, and expanding the subjects opened by middle and high school principals. Also, elementary and secondary computer language (coding) education is essential, and software AI convergence education is activated. It is to support the cultivation of digital capabilities within
universal public education. The next is the EduTech expansion. It supports AI-based customized learning systems such as AI assistants, tutoring. And it continues to expand and distribute digital textbooks and contents (Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended
Virtual World (Metaverse)). It also includes policies to support the digital educational environment. It has enacted the AI Education Promotion Act and AI ethics standards in education. Also, it establishes an integrated digital-based teaching and learning platform, builds a smart school, and supports laptops (or tablets) for each student.
What is the current state of future education in other countries?
The UK has been implementing computing education since September 2014. Computing education refers to education centered on software such as algorithms, programming, and physical computing education. Currently, such computing education is conducted for more than one hour per week in the entire elementary, middle, and high school process. And the A-level exam (17-18-year-old students) for college entrance includes computing. China encouraged seeking new educational models and developing informatization·innovation consciousness and digital learning habits through the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020). In addition, since announcing the AI education project for elementary, middle and high schools in September 2018, the AI education system
has been steadily established.
From September 2019 semester, AI textbooks were introduced in several local elementary and secondary schools in Beijing, Wuhan, and Guangzhou. Moreover, information literacy evaluation, AI and coding education were also included in the curriculum. Japan runs a GIGA school. GIGA School is a learning method for generations in the society 5.0 era and was introduced for creative development.
The Japanese government establishes the StuDX Style and expands its business by providing practice case information for local governments and schools. It emphasizes future education by presenting five items such as online education without time-space constraints and project- based learning (PBL) to foster creativity as the next- generation education field items of GIGA School. Korea National University of Education & Future Education Our university (Korea National University of Education) also prepares and supports a lot for future education. Typically, 'Innovation Institute for Future Education (KNUE-INFE)' is operated for future education.
The KNUE-INFE was established in March 2009 to foster creative and convergent teachers. It promotes various programs to enhance teaching and learning capabilities for professors, undergraduates, and postgraduates ofour university step by step. The main businesses are supporting teaching-learning programs, educational media content, facilities and programs to strengthen the remote education ability of prospective teachers, and smart education. The KNUE-INFE promotes thefollowing programs. First, it supports the future education space.
It also runs a smart math and science space. This is a program for students and residents in Cheongju and Sejong. It lends several spaces and equipment, including chemistry, metaverse universe laboratories, and chromakey experience spaces. It is meant to provide math and science education programs using advanced technologies and opportunities to use maker space. In addition, it provides various support to strengthen future educational capabilities, including metaverse-based education and recruitment of small groups to lead prospective teachers in blended classes. Besides this, there are many programs in the university to strengthen future educational capabilities.
In the Department of Primary Education, two software-related lectures (Primary software education and computingthinking & Software and Primary Education) are essential. Through this course, undergraduates learn various contents such as understanding computer science, computational thinking, and entry programming. It is possible to develop the actual software education capabilities required in the elementary school field and expand positive perceptions of software education.
Moreover, in the KNUE Library Culture Lecture, a lecture on the theme of 'The necessity and role of SW- AI education in elementary and middle schools' is held. And, as part of the university innovation support project, 'Cheongchul Eoram Future Class' is operated. Like, in our university, activities to strengthen future educational capabilities are actively promoted. How will education change in the future? The obvious fact is that EduTech is gradually developing and the form of education is also changing.
What we can do is look at the ever-changing future of education with interest. It's time to remind John Dewey's saying, "If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday's, we rob them of tomorrow." Based on the introduced EduTech and our university's programs, let's try to become educators with future education capabilities.