Modern technologies make it possible to obtain practical solutions based on intelligent information. Technologies include ways of carrying out activities and features of human participation in them. Every activity is either technology or art.

At the same time, if technologies are based on scientific achievements, then intuition is the basis of art. The beginning of everything is art, and the end is technology, but the process does not stop there, but repeats again and again.

Modern educational technologies are a tool for the implementation of new theories in the field of education. The direction of their development is closely related to the ideas of humanization, which provide conditions for personal self-realization. It should be noted that the concept of “educational technologies” looks much broader in comparison with the term “learning technologies”, as it also includes the factor of education, which is aimed at developing the personality traits of students.

In accordance with the documents of the UNESCO organization, educational technologies are considered as methods for the formation, implementation and definition of the overall learning process and the acquisition of new knowledge based on the interaction of technical resources and human capabilities.

Characteristics and types of educational technologies

The most important properties of modern educational technologies include:

  • conceptuality : the basis for the development is a certain scientific idea;
  • integrity : all elements that ensure the quality of educational technology are interconnected;
  • manageability : there are opportunities for research, analysis and improvement of the educational process;
  • reproducibility : modern educational technologies can be reproduced by a large number of teachers;
  • efficiency : problem solving is provided in accordance with educational standards while reducing financial, material and time costs.

Consider the classification of modern educational technologies, taking into account their goals, content, methods and means.

  • Depending on the level at which they are used, educational technologies can be : general pedagogical, subject (particularly methodological) and local (modular).
  • According to the basic concept : theocentric, naturecentric, sociocentric, anthropocentric, etc.
  • Depending on the main method and the means used : reproductive, training, dialogic, developing, creative, gaming, computer, as well as software, problem-based, communicative and remote learning.
  • By forms of organization : lectures with practical exercises, personal, group, differentiated.
  • Depending on the teacher’s interaction model : authoritarian, student-oriented, personal-activity-oriented, cooperation-oriented.

Education Technology Trends

Lifelong Learning is a continuous learning process

It is no coincidence that the Lifelong Learning trend is in the top position in the ranking of trends in modern educational technologies. In the current environment, this has already become a necessity. We live in a time of rapid change. Technologies are changing, robotization is being introduced into many areas of human activity, new information is constantly appearing, and the demand for unusual specialties is growing. To provide the necessary level of competencies, a modern person must constantly learn.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

This trend is inextricably linked with the previous one. Massive open online courses successfully solve two problems:

  • Provide access to up-to-date knowledge for a wide range of people.
  • Create conditions for open and interactive education.

adaptive education

Today, this direction of development of educational technologies is gaining popularity in all countries of the world. Even in ancient times, teachers said that the learning process should adapt to the student. The effective implementation of this idea became possible with the development of artificial intelligence technologies.

Using adaptive systems, it is possible to create personal training programs, taking into account the cognitive capabilities of the student, his perception characteristics and the existing level of training. Modern adaptive educational technologies still have some limitations. For example, they do not work in the field of humanitarian knowledge and in those areas of science where regular changes occur.

ntegral approach

An integral approach in the educational process is associated with learning at the intersection of various disciplines. For clarity, let’s consider an example with classical medicine, which considers the disease as physical abnormalities, for the treatment of which medicinal methods and surgical intervention are used.

With an integral approach, diseases are considered not only in the context of physical ailments, but also from the standpoint of the psychological state of the patient, relationships in the family and society, as well as alternative methods of treatment. In order to form a sought-after specialist in the learning process, it is necessary to develop interdisciplinary knowledge among students, allowing them to study objects from all sides.

Correction of the teacher’s role and chatbots

This is a very important trend in the application of modern educational technologies. In the near future, the role of the teacher may change dramatically. The teacher will turn from the only source of knowledge into the curator of the educational process and the director who creates it. The range of tasks of the teacher will be expanded in the following areas:

  • Involving students in the learning process.
  • Support for student motivation.
  • Creation of interactive educational projects.
  • Formation of the ability to think and critical perception of information.

Modern student-centered educational technologies

Already from the name itself it becomes clear that a person is at the center of student-centered educational technologies. Their goal is not to form the initially inherent cognitive abilities of the student, but to develop them to the greatest extent possible on the basis of the child’s life experience. The high efficiency of modern educational technologies of this type has already been proven. This is confirmed by their widespread use.

There are several methods of modern educational technologies.

  • Problem-based learning, in which the teacher presents new material not in a complete, prepared format, but only in its most essential part . For further study, the teacher gives tasks of a research educational nature that allow students to independently acquire the necessary amount of knowledge. Thus, students also gain practical experience in solving problems. In the process of acquiring knowledge and skills, students also develop creative thinking.
  • Multi-level education involves such a variant of the organization of the learning process so that the teacher, paying more attention to “weak” students, does not slow down the progress of stronger students . As a result, those to whom knowledge is not easy receive the necessary support from the teacher, and successful students are affirmed in their abilities.
  • Project methods enable students to consciously approach the choice of their future specialty , develop their creative abilities and satisfy the need for obtaining new knowledge.
  • Research methods are focused on creating conditions under which students can independently increase the volume of their knowledge, find cognitive information in a format convenient for themselves and look for opportunities to solve creative tasks . In other words, the research methods of modern educational technologies expand the horizons of students and allow them to independently choose the speed and direction of their development.
  • Collaborative learning technology involves an educational process in which children and older people take part together . This technique is based on the fact that the teacher approaches teaching according to the scheme “from the student to the subject”, and not vice versa. Thus, the teaching process is built on the basis of the child’s capabilities and his needs.
  • Information and communication methods are distinguished by the voluminous content of education , which is provided through the use of integrated programs and access to the Internet.
  • Methods of saving health assume an even distribution of the load on students . A reasonable alternation of tasks is used here, mental activity is combined with minutes of physical education. The teacher determines the optimal time for mastering complex material, independent work of students, and also uses technical means that increase the effectiveness of learning.