The appearance of new technological innovations has transformed the uses and behavior of individuals, companies and more generally the structure of markets. Educational institutions are not spared either.
By Bethany Turner, Financial Writer for Utility Media
The world of higher education has followed the digital transformation movement, from communication to lessons, not to mention revisions or competitions. While it remains difficult to imagine how school will develop for the next generations, one thing is certain: higher education is changing.
Technology in the hands of students
Forecasts for 2030 show that the majority of young people entering school want to work in a profession focused on new technologies. To prepare students for this new universe, National Education is starting to equip its schools. Interactive boards, tablet exercises, introduction to computer code from primary school onwards… Already used to screens, students find their account there. Many startups are positioning themselves in this market with the aim of making new technologies more fun and accessible to the youngest. However, the latter also relate their difficulties in accessing this market for reasons of culture, centralism, but also administrative red tape.
Side colleges and high schools, same observation. Teachings are going digital and school programs adapt to technological developments. It is no longer rare to find notions of robotics in physics textbooks or to study the operation of DTP (computer-assisted publishing) software in plastic arts classes.
Legal, educational and social issues
In addition to the technological and financial challenges facing players in the world of education, there are also legal issues. Today, several startups For example, issue certificates recognized by the RNCP (national directory of professional certifications), but do not have the right to have students carry out internships without having justified at least 200 hours of lessons. Besides, what about the robots that will soon appear in the classroom in place of an assistant? Apart from these legal questions, there is also an educational turning point because the digital transformation could call into question the role of the teacher.
The issue raised by digital technology is societal. Indeed, understanding computer thinking appears essential so as not to be sidelined in a society where connected objects and algorithms will occupy a predominant place.
If digital technology attracts so much attention, it is also to cope with changes in the labor market. Who could have defined the missions of a traffic manager or a UI / UX developer 15 years ago? In addition to multiplying, the new professions of the Web are recruiting. For schools, it is therefore urgent to train students in code, e-commerce or even web referencing.