Top Trends That Will Impact Adult Education in the New Decade

Education is as old as humanity itself. Our drives to learn more, to explore our world, and to follow curiosity to its natural limits have built civilizations. Now those desires are propelling new technologies and trends that will change the way we learn in the next century. 

Traditional classroom instruction and hands-on learning will always play important roles in college and beyond. But new frameworks are expanding access and deepening understanding. As we stride into 2020, here are the trends that will shape education this decade. 

Microlearning

It’s hard to consume any media without hearing about the so-called epidemic of distraction. Smartphones and other digital devices, so the story goes, have produced a generation that can’t pay attention for long periods and that needs constant entertainment. Rather than fighting this trend, microlearning uses it to encourage a different approach to education. 

With microlearning, a person learns in succinct bursts. Think 5-minute YouTube videos, very short podcasts, brief phone games, and quick posts to academic blogs and message boards. This approach works great for people with busy lives, who may only have a few minutes at a time to devote to their education. They can watch a video while waiting in line at the DMV, post a blog response while rocking a baby to sleep, or read a message board post in a doctor’s waiting room. 

The key to successful microlearning is to use smaller bites of learning to build a nourishing full meal. For example, a person might need to watch five 5-minute YouTube videos and then post two message board responses to them in between classes. Over time, this encourages them to engage meaningfully with the material—and often, to more fully integrate coursework into daily life. 

Online Learning 

Although online learning itself is not new, its prominent role in higher education is. In 2017, a third of all students took at least one online class. One in six (15.4 percent) completed all of their coursework online. 

Virtual courses can have identical formats to traditional learning, complete with a lecturer who asks questions and encourages discussion. But that’s not the only way to structure these classes, making them a versatile option that can cater to many learning styles. Online learning has also opened new doors for students shut out of in-person classes. Those with intense anxiety, certain disabilities, busy schedules, and geographic disadvantages can now attend school from the comfort of their own home. 

Many schools now offer additional forms of online learning. A student might be able to access course material on the go via an engaging app. And many classes support a blended learning format, in which a student completes a portion of their education online and an additional piece in person. 

Education as a Networking Tool 

People have always relied on academic peers to help them get jobs and connect to professional networks. Consider how members of the same sorority may support one another or how mentioning a shared alma mater in an interview can suddenly make you a more appealing candidate. 

Some schools are being more explicit about the role of education in professional networks. They are increasingly recruiting instructors from the professional world rather than career academics. A professional writer might teach a creative writing course, while a local business leader may offer instruction on finance or business ethics. This allows students to meet industry leaders whom they might not otherwise connect with, potentially allowing them to join professional circles before they even graduate. 

The cohort model of learning is also increasingly popular. At SNU, students learn alongside a cohort of peers pursuing a similar education. Upon graduation, this group is a ready-made professional network that may help one another embark on lucrative careers, attend professional events, and rise to prominence. 

Self-Directed Learning 

Self-directed learning empowers a student to choose what they want to learn and how they want to learn it. For example, when a child wants to learn how a remote control works and then takes it apart, they’re engaging in a hands-on type of self-directed learning. 

In formal education settings, a self-directed approach gives students more control over how and what they learn. Students might be allowed to choose the type of project they do or suggest a project to the teacher. They might get to choose from a number of ways to measure learning, such as tests, presentations, or papers. And in some contexts, they might even get to choose when they learn. For example, being able to take online classes on their own schedules is an example of self-directed learning. 

This approach works well for students who struggle in traditional classrooms, as well as those who want more control over their educational experience. Self-directed learning also supports a more personalized approach, allowing students and their instructors to identify effective learning modalities and then implement them as part of the curriculum. 

Game-Based Learning 

Research consistently shows that children learn best through play. Adults, too, may learn better when they enjoy the material or the instructor finds a way to make it fun. 

Game-based learning can be tailored to meet a wide range of learning styles. For example, someone who struggles to sit still may do well with a virtual-reality-based scavenger hunt that allows them to move around while seeking out the items they’re learning about in school. A person who loves video games may remember academic terms better when they’re incorporated into a game, while a puzzle aficionado may find geometry easier when it’s made relevant in the form of a real-world puzzle. 

Most concepts can be taught through games, or at least in more playful ways. An instructor’s creativity and willingness to experiment with different options are the only limits on this potent learning tool. 

Corporate and Other Partnerships 

Though students pursue higher learning for many reasons, most hope that their degree will prepare them for the working world. Schools understand this and are increasingly seeking out opportunities to integrate professional networks and norms into the curriculum. One strategy uses corporate partnerships as part of the academic landscape. With a corporate partnership, a student might receive instruction from a number of executives, get the chance to shadow a C-suite executive for a day or two, or gain access to internships. 

Another approach uses students to solve organizational problems. This allows students to bolster their professional skills while benefiting a corporation or nonprofit. For example, law students might research a constitutional issue on behalf of a charity or law firm, introducing them to the challenges and triumphs of a life in the law. Nursing students might participate in a low-income medical clinic, offering assistance to people who need it while sharpening their own clinical skills. 

At SNU, we believe that innovators lead the way into the future. That’s why we embrace forward-thinking educational solutions, such as online learning, cohort models, and partnerships. Our students graduate ready for the real world, as they graduate from courses taught by experts in their field. We’d love to help you think about what comes next. Contact us to learn how an SNU education can change your world.