Education is a core characteristic that defines modern civilizations. Its importance has shaped formal schooling dating back to the 18th century.  Over the years, education has continued to evolve, adapting to changing times and societal needs.

A central element of this ever-evolving educational landscape is the art of teaching. The process by which individuals acquire knowledge and skills has been continuously studied, defined, and redesigned to align with the expectations of society and its learners.  

A vital component of education is pedagogy–a comprehensive term embracing the philosophy and values of teaching. It includes a range of elements, from understanding the most effective methods of student learning to creating engaging and equitable learning experiences and environments beneficial to all.

Over the last 30 years, our world has witnessed significant advancements in technology and its application in the classroom. Let’s take a closer look at some developing and emerging trends in education.

Gamification

It’s no secret that students sometimes struggle with self-motivation, prompting teachers to continually seek ways to keep students engaged and focused throughout the school day. Gamification can be an effective method to capture students’ attention, making them more motivated to learn and engage with new topics. The term gamification is defined as “the use of game design elements in non-game contexts” by Deterding, Dixon, Khaled, and Nacke (2011). 

Students can reap many benefits from this form of healthy competition, boosting intrinsic motivation and reducing reliance on external rewards. This educational approach, which incorporates elements of gaming, has occupied classrooms for decades. It ranges from simple flashcard games like “Around the World” to team competitions designed to help review for a test. For years, teachers have incorporated gaming elements into their lessons, recognizing the many advantages they offer for students and educators.

Rooted in its efforts to stimulate engagement and encourage active participation, gamification not only improves students’ academic performance but also aids in limiting inappropriate or disruptive behavior. In our constantly changing tech-driven world, approaches and strategies like gamification continue to offer enjoyable and effective support for student learning.

Personalized Learning 

Even though this trending teaching method may seem straightforward and simplistic, it has only recently been implemented in mainstream classrooms. Personalized learning, once reserved only for students requiring a little extra assistance, is becoming the new norm.

Educators have noticed that no two students learn or think alike, which makes the traditional method of teaching to the middle both ineffective and counterproductive. EdTech has revolutionized classroom instruction, allowing students to receive more tailored lessons and instructions, even tutoring services, based on analytical data.

Adaptive learning programs and powerful AI tools help simplify and ease the burden on teachers. Now they can offer personalized instruction to all of their students, not just those previously identified as needing such services. 

Social-Emotional Learning

Social-emotional learning (SEL) focuses on developing skills to recognize and manage emotions, building healthy relationships, and enabling students to make responsible and thoughtful choices. Many educators embrace the idea of a growth mindset that aligns with concepts of SEL to foster inclusive classrooms, making sure every student can tap into their hidden potential. 

Although it is considered a trending pedagogy, it’s really a mindset—a way of appreciating the world and your own learning journey. Students develop tenacity and start to understand that dedication and hardwork can create opportunities for endless possibilities. Teaching students how to manage their emotions can greatly impact their learning experience, improving attendance and offering a more positive approach to learning. 

Daily check-ins with students, teaching them how to disagree appropriately, and allocating time for role-playing different situations are crucial for both a student's emotional health and their academic success.

How News-O-Matic Supports Trending Teaching Methods

News-O-Matic provides students with access to a plethora of nonfiction news articles, which are designed to be engaging and informative, even for the most reluctant readers. Educators can personalize instruction for each student by assigning articles based on a student’s interest. With topics ranging from archaeology to zoology, students will never run out of engaging stories.

As more and more schools and districts embrace social-emotional learning, teachers will be delighted to discover articles that encourage students to develop empathy, resilience, and strong interpersonal skills. These articles can be easily integrated into any lesson plan and provide students with examples of human interactions in real-world situations.

The News-O-Matic platform is designed to captivate students through interactive quizzes that offer immediate feedback on multiple-choice questions. Additionally, we feature topics that allow students to engage in role-playing scenarios and craft narratives related to article topics, fostering creativity and deeper understanding. 

Teachers also have access to valuable student data, such as the number of articles read and reading time, allowing them to create leaderboards to encourage students’ independent reading. Furthermore, with articles available at different reading levels and supplemented with relevant images and videos to activate prior knowledge, students experience reduced frustration levels, leading to increased engagement and student learning.

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