How has COVID 19 changed the future for education sector?

It is hard to say that it will change the future at this point, but what we do know is that it is currently affecting our approach to teaching; however, during this period educators globally have embraced new challenges and new approaches to learning which I feel will contribute to the development of learning coupled with pedagogic practice before COVID 19. Teachers and students have been able to adapt to change which shows resilience and hopefully this will help broaden and deepen their overall confidence.

What has been the biggest challenge for this sector in these times of crisis?

Wellbeing, both student and staff wellbeing is a major concern. The rise in education technology has its benefits and downfall, but I feel face to face contact is something students are missing. From this experience we have learnt the value of planning and preparation, as the famous saying goes, “fail to plan, plan to fail”.

How has technology changed operations for all aspects of the education industry?

Technology has its benefits and downfall, for example, technology is great for collecting data, increasing student autonomy, developing new skills, gamification, and provide instant feedback. There are many programs presently that we can use to elevate the challenges we are currently facing, imagine something like this happened back in the 90s, what would the approach have been? Technology should complement education, not replace what we currently have as there are many skills students need to acquire that do not require technology, it is all about creating a balance.

According to you, which area of education sector will witness maximum use of emerging technology in the next 5 years?

As Sir Ken Robinson said “children starting school (2006) will be retiring in 2065, but we don’t know what the world will look like in 5 years’ time”, so my answer is a mixture of what he said as we have no idea what will happen in a year’s time, but to be balanced I would say that there is a rise in AI and it will be interesting to see how that changes the education sector and our approach learning.

As the crisis imposes immense setback for teachers to impart knowledge, how do you think their concerns and wellbeing can be addressed?

There are many ways we can support teachers: create supports groups, increase regular checkups on staff, and create a positive environment where you are approachable. Schools have to be realistic with regards to meeting targets/outcomes and right now they need to focus on quality rather than quantity and wellbeing if they want to achieve their desired results.

How do you think attendees will benefit from Saudi Education Technology Summit?

I think that a summit like this will help bring educators back together after isolation, rekindle a passion and drive, to know that they are not the only ones struggling or facing the same challenges. It will be a great opportunity for them to share ideas and learn from each other and strengthen our learning community again.

How has COVID 19 changed the future of the education sector? What has been the biggest challenge for this sector in these times of crisis?

COVID 19 has benefited the education sector in many ways by opening up opportunities for new learning ways. Even when we return to the classrooms, educational technology and online learning will continue to be integrated into our school systems much more than it was before. The biggest challenge for the sector has been teacher training. Many educators were not exposed to much technology before and were forced to make a quick transition.

How has technology changed operations for all aspects of the education industry?

Accessibility and flexibility of communication. For example, students can easily message teachers or classmates through technology instead of waiting for the next class period. Educational technology has enabled teachers and administrators an easy direct line of daily communication with parents, and parents can now monitor their students’ day-to-day progress and school life. Technology has also allowed administrators to monitor classrooms to ensure teaching quality and offer assistance where needed. Furthermore, technology has greatly assisted in the admissions procedures, enabling online registrations, remote entrance exams,
and Ministry tracking systems, which all promote efficiency and quality in the education system.

Which area of the education sector do you think will witness the maximum use of emerging technology in the next five years?

Technology previously has played a larger role in higher education – offering distance degree and training programs. With the present pandemic situation, the doors to online learning for everyone has opened, and we will see a lot of technological advances and applications for primary and secondary schools. Teachers and administrators see the many benefits of technology in the classroom, such as a more active synthesis of learning materials and more flexibility for learners. Both teachers and administrators should become more comfortable with technology, integrate it into our education system, and obtain such an important tool’s advantages.

The present COVID 19 crisis imposes immense setback for teachers to impart knowledge. How do you think their concerns and well-being are to be addressed?

It is vital to ensure a continuous conversation between teachers and administrators through informal chat groups, immediately address any problems or concerns, and listen to the teachers’ suggestions as they work in real-time/real-world situations. It is crucial that the administrators support their teachers with proper training, listen to their concerns, and make them central to developing and refining strategies. The presence of a “we’re in this all together” attitude instead of teachers commanded to implement admin decisions they may not be comfortable with goes a long way.

How do you think attendees will benefit from Saudi Education Technology Summit?

Through the Saudi Technology Summit, we will all benefit by sharing our experiences, ideas, and solutions to KSA’s unique situation. This way, we will develop coordinated strategies and policies and effective response across all education sectors in the Kingdom

How has COVID 19 changed the future for education sector? What has been the biggest challenge for this sector in these times of crisis?

COVID-19 has accelerated the need for technology-enabled education – something that will define the future of education. The paradigm shift that we are witnessing in how we learn is expected to continue long after the end of the pandemic, which has served as a catalyst for positive disruptive change to improve how teaching and learning take place. There is a growing awareness among educators and families that today’s curriculum needs to evolve to meet tomorrow’s reality. Moving away from the conventional patterns of teaching and learning, the
digital age is witnessing a sea change in the way teachers are teaching and students are assimilating information.

The biggest challenge faced by the education sector has been the ability to quickly transition to remote learning. Building an effective remote learning capability is not an overnight job – it involves thoughtful planning with continuous investment in the right set of tools, processes, technology and teaching capabilities and, above all, embracing a culture of change.

How has technology changed operations for all aspects of the education industry?

COVID-19 has brought about a paradigm shift in the way industries operate. The pandemic has accelerated digital adoption by 3-5 years. With teaching now online, parents’ receptibility to alternative learning methods has increased. This means technology-enabled teaching is increasingly in focus as compared to face-to-face learning. Furthermore, with many organisations moving to a “work from home” model, school operations are being managed online with an increased usage of collaboration and communication tools. With a reduction in footfall at school premises given the current situation, digital adoption is on the rise.

According to you which area of education sector will witness maximum use of emerging technology in the next 5 years?

Looking ahead, it is conceivable that the number of subjects and classes offered in schools may be adjusted because of blended learning or online school provisions gaining increasing prominence. Classroom time may be more productively utilised for in-person activities, face-to-face discussions, etc. We also anticipate that blended learning and online schools will become a permanent part of the education landscape and their presence will continue to grow.

In future, we will see the rise of personalisation and competency-based education. Students will not be confined to the physical classroom and time-based, grade-level progression. Simulations, virtual reality and AI-based personalised learning will gain traction as students develop critical thinking skills in a collaborative environment.

As the crisis imposes immense setback for teachers to impart knowledge, how do you think their concerns and wellbeing can be addressed?

As teaching shifts to increasingly online models, the concerns and wellbeing of teachers must be a priority as they look to balance the different demands both at work and at home. First, it is important to understand the cultural mindset required for remote learning, as it is strikingly different for traditional learning. The teacher’s role requires adaptability on a regular basis to navigate the demands of their everyday work in schools and classrooms. Teachers should be provided training to ensure they make the best use of the available resources across various collaboration and communication tools. Centralised technology helpdesks should be established to provide appropriate technical support. Plans that promote teacher wellbeing should be devised, and these should include advice on topics such as stress-management. Online teacher support groups can also be useful in promoting an understanding of the causes of stress and suggesting ways to overcome them.

How do you think attendees will benefit from Saudi Education Technology Summit?

Attendees at Saudi Education Technology Summit will benefit from the expertise and learnings of education and technology thought leaders and institutions – those who are at the forefront of using advanced technologies to enhance teaching and learning outcomes. With leading professionals sharing their ideas, experiences and solutions, the event is an ideal platform to learn directly from industry leaders.

How has COVID 19 changed the future for education sector? What has been the biggest challenge for this sector in these times of crisis?

In the past it was basically all in-person teaching and on-line teaching was frowned upon by many academics. Now virtual teaching and hybrid teaching has become the new normal. Band width for good connectivity and learning how to lecture wearing masks have been challenges for many academics.  Furthermore, new regulations are being developed on how to deal with students who may have been infected by being in contact with a COVID 19 positive individual. How do we know if a student is telling the truth or if the student is just trying to get out of writing a test or exam.  At Alfaisal University we have hybrid teaching so students have to come to labs part of the time as well as to some of the in-person lectures.

How has technology changed operations for all aspects of the education industry?

If COVID 19 had hit 20 years ago then the education sector would not have been able to handle it.  However today due to developments in IT and increased bandwidth & speed such as 5G, the education industry was able to adjust relatively quickly. This includes, students, faculty, administrators & support staff.

According to you which area of education sector will witness maximum use of emerging technology in the next 5 years?

Lecturing, student presentations including graduate thesis defences, report writing, and possible online exams will all see maximum use in the next 5 years

As the crisis imposes immense setback for teachers to impart knowledge, how do you think their concerns and wellbeing can be addressed?

Hybrid teaching which is a combination of mainly virtual teaching and limited in-person teaching is the new normal.  Social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands must be practised by all to help allay fears. There is also the concern of students who have senior family members at home with underlying medical conditions.  Faculty & administrators must be transparent in showing how everyone is being protected thru quarantines where necessary.  It is crucial to be sensitive to student concerns..

How do you think attendees will benefit from Saudi Education Technology Summit?

Attendees will benefit from the Saudi Education Technology Summit by being able to compare what has worked well & what has not worked so well with respect to online/virtual teaching.