How Big Data can make Big changes in the field of Education
Big data and education go hand-in-hand, making a beautiful match. These two entities have a lot more in common than what we're able to see. Companies and industries use this tool to gain an insight on a division's development, and collect, store and analyze the information they receive on its daily operations. This development in technology about data, has changed the way companies handle data and information, improving industries and transforming education.
Big Data, and Why it's Big.
Well, big data helps serve a lot of purposes. Other than the fore-mentioned points, it helps organizations in various industries perform better with the insight it receives. This technology helps an individual understand in which areas a certain division requires improvement, and why those areas lag behind the rest in the first place. Pinpoint descriptions of the problems, the possible solutions, and the path to the solutions are provided with the help of Big Data. Through its name, you would understand that the data generated by a company or an industry would be that big, that you would have to call such obtained data "Big Data". But how big do you think it would be? Here's a brief:
Between the years 2015-2017, the data that had been generated by both consumers and enterprises was more than the sum of all data created by the two, prior to that period. Technology experts predict that the sum of all data will expand from 130 to 40,000 exabytes in a decade and a half before the year 2020. How much data would be produced daily by then? That's predicted to reach 1.7 megabytes of data, thereby expanding the digital universe by ten-fold. This number would be generated on a daily basis. Daily. By every individual on the planet. Now, let that sink in.
Clearly, the role of specialists that manage such data is rendered vital by such technology. Data analysts help an organization and its management in choosing the right path to proceed forward. In education, some futurists envision classrooms fitted with continuous video feed that capture a student's facial expressions and physical gestures. Also, biometric signals can be used in the form of a wearable, that find what drives a student to study, or positively motivates them in the same. Big data holds a bright future for technology and learning. Without waiting further, here are 4 ways Big data technology is changing today's learning environment.
Custom Curricula for Better Learning Outcomes
Big data technology supports the emergence of new educational models, such as digital learning and customized curriculum. In a digital classroom, educators use big data technology to collect data about students and develop customized learning plans. This serves as a beneficial resource for educators and students alike, as the collected data, after analyzing, can be used to steer the learning paths of classes that are growing in size. Using big data, schools have started to use blended learning programs, which merge the traditional classroom with online learning. This allows a student to achieve targeted learning outcomes, while learning lessons at an optimal pace.
Big Data to improve student performance
This technology can be used to discover a student's weak areas, rather than relying on a standardized test to reveal their issues. Teachers adopting these modern technologies can spend the extra time obtained on revamping that student's study plan, or can reschedule their student's time tables to fit in extra classes. Adaptive learning technology can be used by educators to allow students to spend extra time working through challenging subject matter, while continuing to keep pace with the rest of the class. Big data systems help educators to assess students accurately, while keeping a track of their progress in a subject.
Newer paths to learning
Traditional learning paths require students to advance only through age. Using big data systems, educators can assess student performance continuously and advance students accordingly. Big data systems help students learn on a higher level and improve educational models in countries. This technology has allowed education to cater to students according to their performance during tests and assignments.
Technology is turning humanity into a race that craves progress and constant analysis. Soon, the extensive adoption of big data systems in the classroom will make it increasingly important for educators to understand how to work with technology to create a learning environment that will help both the educator and learner to build a better future.
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