Online Education and Social Skills

Posted 07/22/2016 in Industry Trends, Interactive Technology, Mobile Technology, Online Education, Social Networking

A recent article by the Boston Consulting Group found that social and emotional skills can be fostered by the use of online education platforms. Although many may find this hard to believe at first, the study found that the customization of online school and the many online social outlets make it easier for students to form student-to-student relationships, and therefore increasing their social skills. The research goes on to say that the technology revolution has allowed those with no access to traditional universities with not only a quality education, but social skills that may bring them a long way. BCG describes, “Education technology can personalize learning, engage the disengaged, complement what happens in the classroom, extend education outside the classroom, and provide access to learning to students who otherwise might not have sufficient educational opportunities.” This specific type of social learning is given a name, Social and Emotional Learning, or SEL. As described in the research, SEL has ordinarily not been taken seriously as a motivating factor in traditional education. However, recent studies suggest that the implementation of SEL has lasting effects for it’s students. “Social and emotional skills can strengthen the labor force, boost academic performance, and produce long-term […]

Education Technology Beyond Graduation

Posted 07/02/2016 in Education Issues, Industry Trends

Where does education technology fit in beyond the classroom? Beyond graduation? Some of the biggest issues in higher education today isn’t always the education itself, but establishing good employment fits for the recently graduated. It’s not new news that more and more college graduates are having trouble finding employment, no matter how qualified they may be. Recently TechCrunch magazine describes a world in which education technology can be incorporated, quite appropriately, into job-searching (and employee searching). Here’s three ways that technology is transforming employment: 1. Competency data is more available for the recently graduated. With online education, technology is more able to gauge the skills and qualifications of students, making this information more readily available for employers. Techcrunch describes, “Online psychometric assessments, e-portfolios and micro-credentials are surfacing student competencies beneath the level of the terminal credential (i.e. degree).” 2. There are also clear pathways, as described, for employers to use this information for hiring. ATS, or Applicant Tracking Systems, are one way in which students can use their own information (which they have built up over the years) and easily make it available to employers for applications. This not only reduces the time for students to apply for jobs, but […]