Top education trends to watch out for in 2023

20th December 2022 by Anita Naik

From nano learning to gamification,2023 looks to bring new and exciting educational trends. Here are the top ones coming your way.

Gamification in the classroom.

Gamification in education is no surprise, as studies show that 80% of learners are more effective with gamified techniques. This trend aims to motivate students in classrooms by incorporating video game design and elements into their learning.

In many ways, gaming and learning have many similarities. Both involve fixed objectives, gratification through rewards, collaboration, competition, the ability to overcome obstacles/challenges, and time limits. The interactive nature of this type of learning also makes it exciting and drives productivity, especially for students who find traditional education uninspiring.

Nano learning

Nano learning is bite-sized learning, where complex topics are broken down into smaller digestible chunks. It is a targeted learning method where students are taught subject topics in short time frames.

Each nano-learning session is approximately 3 to 5 minutes (unlike micro-learning, which is 10 minutes) and focuses on teaching sizeable information in short time frames possible using a range of media. Learning objectives are set at the beginning of each lesson, and the topic and themes are broken down into small tasks.

Overall, nano learning has a myriad of benefits as it keeps attention levels high and increases information intake and retention. BBC Bitesize uses this method as a revision tool with excellent results reported by students.

STEAM Learning

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths. It's a much more hands-on approach that initiates student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. The main goal of introducing it into classrooms is to help students develop a wide range of future-ready skills — not just technical abilities but also life skills that can help them navigate challenging situations.

Skills such as critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, information literacy, technology literacy, and leadership.

Entrepreneurship skills learning

Entrepreneurship learning is another way to help students develop a range of skills and competencies that are valuable both in school and their future work life.

Studies show that an education that builds entrepreneurship skills can help students learn to be resilient and adaptable, as well as benefit society as a whole as it teaches students skills such as:

1. How to collaborate with team members and stakeholders.2. How to improve your public speaking and give good presentations.3. How to collect and analyse data.4. How to solve real, complex problems that don't have a definitive answer.5. How to find an innovative approach to solving complex problems.

Students also learn to understand the product development cycle, develop unique business proposals, and deliver multiple pitch presentations.

The continuing rise of online education

Online education has long been one of the fastest-growing areas in education. 2023 looks like it will see even more students opting for online in their post-secondary education, with the market predicted to be worth £260 billion by 2025.

From 2011 to 2021, the number of learners reached by open online courses increased from 300,000 to 220 million, and this will continue as students choose to manage other areas of their lives with higher education.

What's more, the share of people using online learning material outside of their main course will be even higher, with 21 per cent of UK students already saying that they had participated in this type of learning activity. And the use of online learning outside of a main course being the most common among 16 to 24-year-olds.