International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 6 Issue 7, November-December 2022 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

The Future of Education

Matthew N. O. Sadiku , Grace A. Adegoye2*, Abayomi Ajayi-Majebi3, Sarhan M. Musa1
1

1
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, USA
2
Department of Nutrition and Health Science, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA
3
Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Central State University, Wilberforce, OH, USA

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Matthew N. O.

Although educators and leaders create, design, and imagine the Sadiku | Grace A. Adegoye | Abayomi
future, technology is changing how students learn and teachers teach. Ajayi-Majebi | Sarhan M. Musa "The
The future of education must keep up to date with the dynamic nature Future of
Education"
of the 21st century. It is expedient to take stock of the past in order to
Published in
look forward, imagine and plan for a better future. Today, we take a
International Journal
look at education and how social, economic, and technological of Trend in
changes will revolutionize the way children, youth, and adults go to Scientific Research
school. The future of education lies in harnessing technology to make and Development IJTSRD52270
us learn quicker, memorize effectively, and teach better. Without (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-
doubts, education today is not what it was even five years ago, and 6470, Volume-6 | Issue-7, December
the future of education will look significantly different than it did a 2022, pp.165-171, URL:
decade ago. This paper addresses how higher education institutions www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd52270.pdf
and K-12 schools can best prepare students for the future.
Copyright © 2022 by author (s) and
KEYWORDS: learning, teaching, education, futures, online International Journal of Trend in
education, digital education, online education, technology Scientific Research and Development
Journal. This is an
Open Access article
distributed under the
terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)

INTRODUCTION
Quality education is one of the pillars of the United the traditional model of education has remained
Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, largely unchanged since the 19th century. Although
which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality the pencil has been replaced by an iPad and the
education and promote lifelong learning opportunities chalkboard by the dry-erase or SMART board, it is
for all. Education is key to the future quality of still the same old story. In today’s classroom, students
human life and the sustainability of the world. still sit in rows reverently listening to a guru at the
Education can make all the difference in people’s front, half of the students are bored while half are
lives. It has a catalytic effect on the well-being of lost. If learning is a chore and boring then the most
individuals and the future of our planet [1]. Education important driver of human learning, inspiration, or
encompasses elementary, middle, and high schools, passion, is disengaged.
colleges, universities, apprenticeships, adult
The role of education has never been more critical.
education, special education, etc. Education helps
Many forces are influencing the future of education.
individuals escape poverty and increases their quality
Globalization, internationalization, interconnectivity,
of life. Education matters for economic growth and
personalization, customization, and digitalization are
power. As Malcolm X said, “Education is the
transforming every aspect of our society, including
passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those
education. To meet global expectations, education
who prepare for it today.” As technology advances
systems should prepare for the inflow of students
and becomes more complex, the quality of education
from various backgrounds, socio-economic classes,
becomes more important than ever.
and cultures. Students must develop global
Our world is changing fast and the days of a “job for citizenship skills and be aware of the wider world.
life” are gone. Although the education industry is Internationalization enables institutions to have
booming as a result of a growing global population, multiple sister campuses around the world.

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD52270 | Volume – 6 | Issue – 7 | November-December 2022 Page 165
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
Institutions can have a global presence by just having in education. Encouraging their use has helped the
their courses online. Interconnectivity changes learners have complete and unrestricted access to
education since human connections and interactions minute details. Imagine wearing an AR headset
are at the heart of education. Students prefer a user- that is able to superimpose educational lessons on
friendly, personal, and customizable way of learning. top of real-world experiences, as typically shown
Digitalization has come to stay in education, and we in Figure 1 [3].
can no longer ignore it. It will completely transform
Social media (or social networking): This refers
education. These forces are providing us with several
to any technology that facilitates the
new opportunities for human advancement.
dissemination and sharing of information over the
The pandemic exposed a need to rethink how systems Internet. The key purpose of using social media
leaders design schools, and instruction, and whom tools is to engage students through electronic
they put at the center of that design. The future of means, facilitate professional communication,
education can be summarized as follows: (1) future of improve student comprehension, enhance student
technology, (2) future of learning, (3) future of networking, and enable collaboration with other
teaching, and (4) future of online education. students around the globe. Popular social media
include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, SlideShare,
FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY
Technology is transforming how we live, work, play, Telegram, and YouTube.
think, buy and sell, and worship. It has become a key Robots: They have the potential to revolutionize
to success for different sectors. New technologies that education. They can improve the quality and
are being introduced today are eventually filling the effectiveness of learning and teaching. A robot
spaces. Technological advances in education are may be used as a teaching assistant as shown in
helping to make teaching a career with an excellent Figure 2 [4].
future. Due to technology, education has become These technologies are changing the way we work
accessible in various villages, towns, and cities. and live in almost every area of life. They have
Technology-related skills are increasingly in demand. transformed education. Although technology should
Understanding how technologies work, what they do, be used in service rather than dictating, our future
and their potential for benefiting society is critical to major challenge relates to how students use
a child’s future. The following technologies are technology. Technology is not a silver bullet solution.
poised to play an integral role in the future of Technology will transform education by giving
education [2]: teachers and students a variety of new tools to work
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning with. For example, tools for 3D models and
(ML): These are now transforming classroom visualizations already exist; now we just have to
experiences in schools and colleges around the make them work at scale in the classroom. A science
world. AI (or machine intelligence) can contribute class may cover 3D printing and how it can be used to
to a 24/7 learning environment for students that replicate prosthetic limbs. 3D printers allow students
achieves a deep level of personalization of how to work with mini models to test out engineering
they learn. design principles. Games can augment learning and
Cloud computing: It will grow with increased stimulate critical thinking. Learners are naturally
Internet access, leading to an explosion in the gravitating toward video. Education is being
amount of data that a classroom generates and has transformed in both formal and informal learning
access to. The birth of cloud-based computing and contexts by digital technologies.
virtual learning platforms enables decentralized FUTURE OF LEARNING
learning. The traditional art of learning has witnessed a huge
Digital Textbooks: Students need not carry change with the introduction of technology. Today’s
textbooks around but a tablet or a gadget with learners are digital natives, who are heavy users of
digitalized versions of textbooks stored in them. mobile devices. They are accustomed to getting
Open textbooks are digitalized textbooks in print, information in a user-friendly, personal, and
e-book, or audio format. customizable way. The formal classroom will be
replaced by learning areas that allow small groups to
3D printing: Students tend to learn faster and collaborate face-to-face or virtually on learning
understand a subject better using 3D printing. projects, as illustrated in Figure 3 [5]. The future of
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR): learning depends on finding the right match between
These are growing like crazy and are popping up technology and teaching. Education apps are also
crucial to the future of learning.

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD52270 | Volume – 6 | Issue – 7 | November-December 2022 Page 166
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
The future of education is all about strengthening and Personalized Learning: Technology allows us to
incorporating student-centric learning. This is create education that is tailored to the individual,
achieved through the following learning schemes. universal in nature, and decentralized in structure.
Since not everyone learns the same way,
eLearning: Technology has revolutionized
everything. eLearning is a modern form of personalized learning adjusts to each student’s
pace and style of learning. It may eventually help
education that enables learning with the help of
electronic technologies. It requires just a us to ensure that every student finds their path to
success. Students are given the opportunity to
computer and the Internet. It may also be termed
distance education, distance learning, online make independent choices, to think and to face
challenges. Students will learn with study tools
learning, Internet learning, etc., but all these refer
that adapt to their capabilities. Students who
to the same thing. eLearning has transformed the
landscape of education due to its convenience for experience difficulties with a subject will get the
opportunity to practice more until they reach the
students and teachers. eLearning is here to stay.
required level. For students with disabilities, new
Organizations also are adapting to eLearning
courses to train their employees. eLearning is the technologies mean empowerment, putting them
future of education because it provides continuous on a more equal footing with their classmates.
learning, social learning, on-demand learning, FUTURE OF TEACHING
gamified learning, and personalized learning path. The traditional role of an educator is to be a
It has mitigated various problems associated with facilitator, or a guide, rather than a classroom
learning [6]. manager. With the rise of technology, the role of
mLearning: Mobile learning is the future of educators has undergone a permanent evolution. As
education because it is flexible; it allows students technology evolves, educators are supposed to be
to learn anywhere at any time. Brick-and-mortar updated about changes and introduce them to
classrooms do not allow mobility. Today’s students. As education changes to suit the future’s
students are juggling multiple jobs, and needs, the role of educators must adapt and grow.
employees are now becoming more comfortable Educators need to equip today’s young generation
with deskless and remote settings. As shown in with the skills to thrive in tomorrow’s world. Future
Figure 4, most digital natives have smartphones teachers will have to face the reality that students
and tablets [7]. Learners prefer navigating mobile prefer to learn in a flexible, personalized format, in a
learning apps and platforms to access their technology-focused classroom. They must adapt to
training materials. changes and change what they teach to meet the
needs of 21st-century learners. They must be prepared
Project-Based Learning: This is a teaching to be data collectors, as well as analysts, planners,
method designed to allow students to develop collaborators, curriculum experts, synthesizers,
knowledge and skills through engaging projects. problem-solvers, and researchers. An educator now
It involves active learning and a deeper embodies a multitude of new roles: learning manager,
engagement, better preparing students to be subject matter expert, instructional designer,
creative and innovative in a project-based world. technology architect, multimedia developer, e-
Creating immersive areas in schools promote learning developer, support specialist, learning
creativity and collaboration in an immersive facilitator, etc. [9]. Educators will be increasingly
learning environment. Students can immerse challenged to find new ways to engage learners. Good
themselves in whatever subject they are learning educators derive both extrinsic and intrinsic rewards
about with augmented reality (AR). Project-based from teaching.
learning helps learners understand how the ideas
Educational systems and education worldwide must
we teach work instead of just memorizing and
adapt and embrace digitization. The digital educator
repeating facts [8]. As careers are adapting to the
(or an online educator) is one who knows how to use
future freelance economy, students of today will
digital tools to help them simplify their work,
adapt to project-based learning.
improve classroom interaction, and make an
Industry-Based Learning: This is a learning assessment. Digital solutions can allow educators to
approach to education where subjects are taught better serve students and unlock their full potential.
in the context of industrial applications and Teachers use digital technologies to augment, not
experiences in a commercial environment. This replace, traditional face-to face-teaching. They should
may include field trips to industries, interviews be helped to figure out how to use the right
with industry experts, completing internships, etc. technologies at the right time to do the right job for
[8].

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD52270 | Volume – 6 | Issue – 7 | November-December 2022 Page 167
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
students. Then they will be able effectively to prepare Studying online is affordable for many people
students for the future. Technology can be used to All age groups benefit from online learning
provide dynamic tools for monitoring student More students can be enrolled
achievement. For example, integrating short videos There’s a vast amount of online learning
into a lesson plan makes it easier to engage students. resources
So, teachers will need to prepare kids to work Web-based learning will grow in popularity
collaboratively with machines. In western countries, the launching of online course
Future educators should have the following priorities provider platforms such as EdX, Coursera, and
[9]: Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) has brought
Embrace a growth mindset the concept of distance learning closer to learners
Be able to adapt fast to emerging technologies across the world. MOOC is an open online course that
and teaching strategies allows anyone to register without time limitations,
Thrive in collaborative and dynamic geographic restrictions, or prerequisites. The
environments proliferation of MOOCs and other forms of e-learning
Be student-centric, not system-centric will replace traditional distance education. With
Be a mentor who guides students through thousands of enrolled students, MOOCs will radically
practical skills change the way education is taking place. MOOCs
Be a coach who inspires students to reach their will change the landscape and make this a global
full potential market [11]. It is needless to say that not everything
Be able to design and carry out meaningful and can be taught online.
deeply engaging learning experiences
At the heart of lifelong learning is the notion that
FUTURE OF ONLINE EDUCATION students deserve a personalized experience that can
The education industry was taken by surprise by its weave into their daily life and help them achieve their
forced transition to digital education, also known as long-term goals. Online education has a major
online education, distance education, or remote problem; there is no physical activity.
education. Remote education is already a big thing,
CHALLENGES
with millions signing up for online courses. The
Education is a controversial issue because it is either
popularity of online courses has increased over the
a unifying social force or a divisive one. Parents
past decade, and the global online learning market is
quarrel about the quality of education for their
rapidly growing. Online education has expanded
children, the society is divided about what to teach
drastically over the last year due to school closures
children, and the government is concerned about the
from COVID-19. By 2050, the majority of students
increasing cost of education. Rising costs are no
worldwide may not need to physically go to school in
longer easy for governments and students to pay for
order to get education. From the convenience of their
them. Who should provide laptops for students? The
home, they will join students from all around the
government or parents? If a parent is still struggling
globe and engage in various virtual activities. Online
to pay rent, Internet access is not a major concern. We
degree programs can provide an added layer of
live in a competitive world, where kids experience a
personal perspective for how students and teachers
lot of pressure to perform. When they fall short, they
can leverage technology in education. Distance
feel deflated. Lack of high-speed Internet services in
education already plays a crucial role in providing
remote areas is a challenge.
access to education for millions of people in the
developing world. It offers extensive resources Technology is challenging traditional teaching and
ranging from videos and tutorials to seminars, learning techniques. Educators need to think critically
webinars, online libraries, educational websites, and about how to deploy technology strategically.
more. Although educators want the best for their students,
the behaviors and knowledge required for students to
The appeal of online education continues to increase succeed are rapidly changing. Can our future
due to its comfort and accessibility. Its flexibility education system produce leaders who are able to
enables students to obtain the education they need in cope with the complexities of tomorrow? [12].
affordable and convenient manner. Online education
is more cost-effective than brick and mortar schools. After two years of virtual learning, many students are
Other advantages of online education include the still playing catch up. For example, in California, the
following [10]: budget situation today is nothing short of disastrous.
Teachers in elementary/middle and high schools are
Online learning offers convenience and flexibility
overwhelmed and overworked. Good teachers are
High-quality student-tutor interactions

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD52270 | Volume – 6 | Issue – 7 | November-December 2022 Page 168
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
leaving because they are not well paid. This gives [3] “Future education technology: How digital
concern and worries about the future of public trends are shaping teaching,”
education in California. The community, parents, and https://online.maryville.edu/blog/future-ed-
students are increasingly pessimistic and they tech/
question the value of public education. Inequities are [4] D. Karambelkar, “The classroom of the future,”
getting worse [13]. Lawmakers and schools need to March 2020,
replace the traditional business model in a way that https://gulfnews.com/uae/education/the-
can subsidize costs and save students and parent loan classroom-of-the-future-1.1583329158534
debt. Figure 5 shows some activists protesting that
education is not for sale [14]. [5] “The future of learning and teaching: Big
changes ahead for education,”
Many countries chose to change the way students https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-
learn after covid 19. Instead of traditional education, us/education/discover-education/the-future-of-
many students and instructors join virtual spaces with learning-and-teaching-big-changes-ahead-for-
online meeting platforms such as Zoom, Google education
meets, Microsoft team, etc. Education policy has for
too long been restricted by short-term thinking. [6] D. Brain, “The future of elearning: Why online
learning is the future of education,” December
These challenges look daunting, but many education 2020, Unknown Source.
systems are now well on their way toward finding
innovative responses to them. [7] J. Avelino, “The top 10 reasons why mobile
learning is the future of education,” September
CONCLUSION 2022, https://www.edapp.com/blog/mobile-
Education is essential to any modern society and can education/
influence its future. Today’s education trends are
shaping tomorrow’s workforce, which will require [8] “What does the future of education look like?”
youths to be competent in a broad range of https://www.tomorrowsworldtoday.com/2022/0
transferable skills such as problem-solving, critical 8/08/what-does-the-future-of-education-look-
thinking, creativity, and communication. Technology like/
can be a powerful tool for transforming learning and [9] “7 skills future teachers should have according
teaching. The practice of a teacher standing in front of to edtech founders,” https://therecursive.com/7-
a room full of students is increasingly becoming a skills-future-teachers-should-have-according-
thing of the past. The introduction of e-books, digital to-edtech-founders/
textbooks, online learning, and electronic/mobile
devices is rapidly changing the education sector. [10] C. Goldberg, “Seven reasons why online
courses are the future of education,” December
The evolution of education brings with it future trends 2019,
in education, which should be closely linked to https://blogs.onlineeducation.touro.edu/seven-
education for sustainable development. Although the reasons-why-online-courses-are-the-future-of-
future is uncertain and hard to predict, we need to be education/
ready for it. There are often multiple versions of the
future; some are assumptions, and others are hopes [11] M. N. O. Sadiku, Emerging Internet-Based
and fears. In the future, education will become more Technologies. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press,
intelligent, safer and more secure, more relevant, and 2019, pp. 109-123.
intertwined with jobs of the future. The future of [12] A. Sheng, “Is education fit for the future?” May
education will much more flexible, modular, and 2022,
online. More information about the future of https://www.thestatesman.com/opinion/educati
education can be found in the books in [15-24] and on-fit-future-1503069423.html
the following related journal: Frontiers in Education
[13] “Teachers reflect on the future of education,
REFERENCES find silver linings and offer recommendations,”
[1] N. C. Burbules, G. Fan, and P. Repp, “Five https://edsource.org/2022/leading-teachers-
trends of education and technology in a reflect-on-the-future-of-education-find-silver-
sustainable future,” Geography and linings-and-offer-recommendations/672650
Sustainability, vol. 1, no. 2, June 2020, pp. 93-
97. [14] “Future education,”
https://unsplash.com/s/photos/future-education
[2] E. Polyák and Z. Vajda, “The future of
education,” October 2017, Unknown Source.

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD52270 | Volume – 6 | Issue – 7 | November-December 2022 Page 169
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
[15] K. Egan, The Future of Education: [20] E. Morin, Seven Complex Lessons in Education
Reimagining Our Schools From the Ground for the Future. UNESCO, 2002.
Up. Yale University Press, 2008. [21] B. H. Banathy, Systems Design of Education: A
[16] R. Pring et al. Education for All: The Future of Journey to Create the Future. Educational
Education and Training For 14-19 Year-Olds. Technology, 1991.
Routledge, 2012.
[22] C. O. Taiwo, The Nigerian Education System,
[17] G. Wells and G. E. Claxton (eds.), Learning Past, Present and Future. Thomas Nelson
For Life in the 21st Century: Sociocultural (Nigeria) Limited, 1980.
Perspectives On the Future of Education.
[23] I. Jukes and R. L. Schaaf, A Brief History of the
Blackwell Publishing, 2002.
Future of Education: Learning in the Age of
[18] J. W. Cook, Sustainability, Human Well-Being, Disruption. Corwin, 2019.
and the Future of Education. Springer Nature, [24] Bauer Media Group (ed.), Time Special Edition
2019.
the Future of Education. Bauer Media SIPS,
[19] W. G. Howell (ed.), Besieged: School Boards 2021.
and the Future of Education Politics.
Brookings Institution Press, 2005.

Figure 1 Wearing an AR headset [3].

Figure 2 A robot is used as a teaching assistant [4].

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD52270 | Volume – 6 | Issue – 7 | November-December 2022 Page 170
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470

Figure 3 The formal classroom is replaced by learning areas that allow small groups to collaborate
face-to-face [5].

Figure 4 Most digital natives have smartphones and tablets [7].

Figure 5 Some activists protesting that education is not for sale [14]

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD52270 | Volume – 6 | Issue – 7 | November-December 2022 Page 171