Education
PRESCHOOL TRENDS
IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
LEARNING
Early childhood learning has been
studied by educators, lawmakers
and researchers for years to
identify the importance of
learning at a young age. Research has
confirmed that when educators provide a
valuable education to early learners, the
benefits last a lifetime. According to Educa,
preschool stakeholders across the U.S. are
addressing the need for a standard in
consistency and quality in early education.
States are taking a look at child care centers,
daycares and preschoo ls to develop an
accreditation program that ensures quality in a
number of areas including learning
environment, increased parent engagement,
teacher experience and quality center
management.
Along with quality standardization, there
are other trends to keep an eye on for early
learners:
• Student Assessment – The achievement
gap is often used to assess the output of
students in different socioeconomic groups,
measuring grade point averages, test scores
and dropout rates. Since preschoolers
aren’t likely dropping out of school, early
learning centers focus on the importance
of providing ongoing education and
supporting students from a young age. This
includes reading to children, engaging them
in everyday conversations, establishing
routines and using positive reinforcement.
• Classroom Technology – Although use of
technology in early learning is still heavily
debated, it is proving to be a valuable
resource to students who may not as easily
have access to learning materials. According
to the Pew Research Center, 73 percent of
households have a computer with internet
accessibility, providing a platform for early
learners to participate in effective online
education from their homes.
• ECSEL Skills – Teachers are encouraged to
incorporate Emotional Cognitive Social
Early Learning (ECSEL) into lesson plans
for preschoolers. At a young age, emotions
are the tool of choice for children to express
themselves. Encouraging early learners to be
confident and understanding at a young age
provides an important platform for growth
into adolescence.
5 ONLINE EDUCATION TRENDS FOR COLLEGE
Online education allows non-traditional students the opportunity to earn a degree
without leaving the comfort of their own home. This educational approach has
opened doors for individuals with circumstances prohibiting them from
participating in on-campus education. Whether they are working full time, raising
families, or they live in a different state, online education provides the opportunity to earn a
degree remotely. According to U.S. News and World Report, the number of online students is
continuing to grow and experts are predicting a number of trends within the next year for online
learning.
1. Adoption of “Microcredentials” – As non-traditional students are on the rise, universities
are developing multiple program levels since not everyone is looking to complete a four-year
degree. Microcredentials offer certificate programs, digital “badges” of completion, and other
types of credentials to prove successful completion of continued education coursework.
2. Tailored Curriculums from Data Insights – Since students complete all of their work
online, universities are receiving data that is not typically available in a traditional classroom
setting. Analytics teams are using this data to predict student success, and in turn, teachers are
enhancing their curriculum to meet the needs of their students.
3. Artificial Intelligence – Universities are investing in artificial intelligence, such as virtual
assistants, to provide an additional layer of support on top of that which students receive from
their professors.
4. Nonprofit Programs – Experts are continuing to see a drop in for-profit programs as more
nonprofits are ramping up their online education offerings. Nonprofit institutions are working
to keep up with the demand for more online programs.
5. Ranging Disciplines – As online programs continue to grow, they are offering an increasing
number of focus areas that may not have been thought of until recent years. Some students
who already have degrees are looking for specialized programs to learn new technology in their
field and to increase their knowledge and credibility. ■
Pine-Richland | Fall 2017 | icmags.com 27