BRYCE, was in the second term of his masters in agriculture major in agronomy at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños when he dropped out. The pandemic forced him to take a job at an international agribusiness franchise and his agriculture background moved him up from lowly analyst to a below C-suite position earning him $11 per hour, working on an ERP platform from home. As an agronomist working for a local biotechnology firm in Calauan, Laguna, he earned P25,000 a month. His work from home job now earns him P96,000 a month.
To get to his current position, all he had to do was augment his knowledge through a series of certifications from NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics. Moreover, he took online classes in agriculture that gave him a series of certificates which he can systematically convert into a master’s degree.
The traditional “one-size-fits-all” model of education is giving way to a more fluid and dynamic system driven by the ever-evolving needs of the gig economy and rapid technological advancements. In this scenario, skills reign supreme.
The new landscape of education
The landscape of education is undergoing a profound metamorphosis, initiated mostly by the pandemic but driven by the explosive forces of the digital age, the burgeoning certificate economy, and a collective reimagining of what it means to learn.
“Hybrid learning represents the future of education,” Dr. Yong Zhao, said in his book “The Global Educator in the 21st Century.” He highlights the benefits of combining the best of in-person and online learning to personalize learning and empower students to take ownership of their education.
Technological advancements have woven themselves into the very fabric of education. Online platforms and resources have shattered geographical barriers, democratizing access to knowledge and creating a globally interconnected learning ecosystem. Interactive multimedia, gamified learning experiences, and even immersive VR/AR technologies are captivating students’ imaginations and boosting engagement.
The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) is a pioneer in both distance education and hybrid learning. It recognizes the benefits of hybrid learning in providing students with more flexibility in their learning pace and schedule, allowing them to balance studies with other. commitments.
However, concerns about the digital divide, ensuring the quality and rigor of online education, and equipping educators with the necessary digital literacy and pedagogical skills remain critical hurdles to overcome.
Skills, not diplomas
The traditional “one-size-fits-all” model of education is giving way to a more fluid and dynamic system driven by the ever-evolving needs of the gig economy and rapid technological advancements. In this scenario, skills reign supreme.
Micro-credentials and certificates are replacing degrees as testaments to specific competencies, offering learners the flexibility to acquire in-demand skills quickly and adapt to changing industry landscapes. There are a lot of programs available online even from prestigious universities such as Harvard and the New York University that follow this certification path.
The Christensen Institute, a leading education think tank, emphasizes the blended learning and skills certification as “revolutions in education” and advocating for hybrid models that leverage the strengths of both physical and digital spaces.
This shift, however, necessitates ensuring quality and standardization of micro-credentials, addressing cost and accessibility barriers, and forging a seamless integration with formal education systems.
The future of education will continue with hybrid model according to a study by AT&T on the connectivity in education and hybrid learning. The AT&T “Future of School” report said that 94 percent of teachers believe hybrid learning, when properly implemented, will be a permanent fixture.
Lifelong learning
As the hybrid classroom seamlessly blends online and offline components, personalized learning pathways, tailored to individual skills, interests, and career aspirations, will take center stage.
Lifelong learning will become the norm, with individuals continuously updating their skillsets to remain relevant and thrive in a dynamic world. Teachers transform from instructors to facilitators, guiding and supporting learners on their personalized journeys. Yet, amidst the technological revolution, prioritizing human connection, fostering critical thinking and ethical reasoning, and addressing issues like data privacy and AI bias remain paramount.
The digital age, the certificate economy are not isolated entities in the future of education. Digital tools have the potential to create and assess micro-credentials, enabling a more skills-based education system.
The endgame in this education revolution is ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities, providing skills needed in a more tech dependent world at the same time, prioritizing the holistic development of learners.
