Global Study Reveals Key Global Learning Trends Caused by the Pandemic

The pandemic has changed nearly every element of our daily lives in the past year, but with the obvious exception of healthcare, few areas have been affected quite as dramatically as education. 

In light of this impact, online education platform Future Learn have produced a global study with research firm YouGov, aimed at making some predictions about the future of learning. The findings of this study, which surveyed thousands of adults in the UK, United States and Australia, are complimented with commentary from leading experts in culture, education and technology, as well as a unique scrolling interactive piece that takes users through the global history of education.

The report highlights ten global trends in learning, split across four key themes for learning development. These are women and learning, generational difference, access and inclusion and personal and professional development. 

Some of the key findings within these four themes include: 

• Over a third of women believe education will empower people to solve the world’s biggest issues in the future.

• Younger generations are driving a shift towards online learning, with over one fifth of millennials suggesting it can provide the same benefits as more traditional forms of education.

• Almost half of those surveyed believe education will be more inclusive in the future, with better access for those with disabilities. 

• Over one fifth of millennials are turning social media platforms, notably YouTube and Facebook, to self-educate on social and political issues. 

• Almost half of respondents believe online learning is better for introverts.

• Just over 40% of those surveyed feel online learning allows people to feel more confident to learn about subjects they may not otherwise feel comfortable taking. 

• Almost a quarter of people globally would like to see more education features on social media

The report also suggested that Brits may be falling behind their Australian and American counterparts when it comes to self-motivated online learning. It predicted that, in the next five years, Australian (43%) and American (40%) adults are more likely than those from Britain (33%) to take an online course to expand their knowledge for personal development. 

Time will tell how accurate these predictions turn out to be, but there is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on education systems around the world, and many of the changes we have seen in recent months are sure to affect the way we learn for years to come.