Pearson, a leading learning company, is committed to helping people continue learning throughout their lifetime. The education company has around 18,000 employees across the globe, who create enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. It serves more than 160 million users in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications and data. Isil Berkan, Marketing Director, Middle East, Africa & Turkey for Pearson, discusses how data is making a huge difference in education.
What does today’s learning landscape look like?
Educational content creation has shifted from universities and publishers to be more democratised and easily available through apps, websites and online courses, leading to accessibility and affordability for all. The e-learning market is countering the rapid evolvement of information, with online publishers, rental apps and Spotify-like platforms, enabling personalised educational playlists tailored to individual interests. A raft of new educational technologies will continue emerging as the global market is set to reach around US$549.6 billion by 2033.
In education, each learner’s journey is becoming increasingly unique, reflecting the divergent paths of learners in a globalised world. Enhanced by data analytics, today’s learning landscape is increasingly tailored to the individual’s pace and style. This new landscape demands an unprecedented level of personalisation, as learning becomes more student-centred, catering to the diverse needs of global learners. Employers today regard human skills such as communication, collaboration, customer service and more as power skills according to the Pearson Skills Outlook 2023.
With a billion people estimated to need reskilling by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum, the impact of the insights gathered from these digital platforms stretches far beyond traditional metrics; they enable a responsive and adaptive educational experience that can pivot in real-time to meet the evolving demands of learners, leading to a more engaging, effective and efficient path to understanding.
How does data affect how people learn?
With the advent of e-learning, the integration of data analytics is like setting the coordinates in the navigational system of modern education. By collecting, analysing and interpreting the vast sets of data generated by learner interactions, employers unlock a trove of insights.
This era of educational exploration is defined by its reliance on data for decision-making. From content optimisation to instructional design, and course delivery methods, data is the compass that points to success. The dynamic nature of e-learning allows for a continuous loop of feedback and adjustment, ensuring that learning materials remain relevant and effective, resonating with the unique rhythm of each student’s learning process.
As Pearson’s Skills Outlook 2023 pointed out, the ability to learn cultural and social intelligence is becoming more important, especially in a country like the UAE, which has over 200 nationalities that reside across the Emirates. Learning analytics goes beyond the role of a passive observer, cultivating a deep understanding of learners, their preferences and how they navigate their educational journey. Personalised education ensures that each learner receives the right level of challenge and support, maximising their learning potential. Education service providers can fine-tune their offerings in real-time, driving user engagement and satisfaction. The core of successful learning experiences is this very engagement, powered by data that equips educators to create learning paths that are not just effective but also deeply satisfying.
Data analytics identifies those at risk and points to areas that require swift, supportive action. For example, Pearson’s English Language Learning solutions, such as Versant, is a blend of technology and tailored English education that offers organisations an affordable way to integrate language assessment into their HR workflows and set proficiency benchmarks for hiring, recruitment and training processes.
The tests are a valuable tool in education too, for assigning students to appropriate programmes, tracking their progress and assessing their readiness to advance. Results are available immediately after completion, enabling teachers and businesses to quickly understand the proficiency levels of their students or employees and they can make timely decisions for personalised guidance, enhancing both learning outcomes and operational efficiency.
In this dynamic environment, learners can thrive with insights that go beyond traditional education, leading them toward a promising future.
Tell me more about how immediate feedback improves engagement.
Immediate feedback bridges the gap between learning and understanding, acting as a catalyst for motivation. The speed of responsiveness not only garners their engagement but also weaves a safety net of support, encouraging continuous participation and fostering a culture of accountability. It also creates a learning experience where courses adapt to meet the ever-changing needs, ensuring that learning always aligns with their goals and capabilities. Feedback in the workplace inspires 85% of employees to take more initiative.
With a focus on continuous improvement, e-learning becomes a dynamic cycle of learning, feedback and advancement. For example, platforms like Mondly by Pearson for Business provide real-time feedback that resonates with the needs of a diverse workforce striving to master new languages. This will also allow organisations to track their employees’ progress and offer language learning as a valuable skill-up opportunity, helping to attract and retain top talent who are ready to face a global stage.
How do predictive analytics help students?
Predictive analytics enables educators to forecast performance trends and pre-emptively identify where learners might struggle. Through the analysis of historical data, patterns emerge, signalling the need for intervention before employees hit a roadblock. This ensures that a tailored roadmap with signposts for additional resources, assistance and feedback supports each learner’s journey. Predictive analytics not only guides educators in creating effective learning experiences but also empowers learners, placing them at the centre of their educational narrative, equipped to reach their highest potential. This helps organisations address areas that have the most impact on performance; in a world of tightened resources, predictive analytics can be used to improve this.
They harness real-time insights to consistently improve their offerings, with practice tests and materials catered to specifically help candidates excel in each section of the exam, crafting individualised support that is both timely and targeted.
What does the future hold for this sector?
The most exciting development in education in the last five years is the shift towards more personalised, flexible and technology-driven learning. This includes the increased integration of adaptive learning platforms for tailored experiences, the rise of blended learning models combining online and in-person instruction, a greater focus on lifelong learning and upskilling to meet evolving job market demands and an emphasis on developing in-demand soft skills alongside academic knowledge. In fact, PwC’s survey saw that ME respondents were more confident than the global average (47% vs. 40% globally) that their employers were prioritising upskilling.
It is clear that however the world progresses, the influence of technology and data on pedagogy is real and here to stay. Educators and employers must adopt the relevant tools to navigate the modern landscape effectively, ensuring that each learner’s unique needs are met and fostering engagement and success.
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