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The landscape of modern online education is undergoing fundamental changes, largely driven by rapid advancements in technology.
Today, it's nearly impossible to imagine learning without elements of gamification, chatbots, and virtual reality. To keep you informed, Lectera has compiled a digest of the latest developments in the world of e-learning.
Online Education Platforms Face Challenges Amid AI Growth
Josh Bersin, a leading expert in talent management and founder of the research firm Bersin by Deloitte, believes that the biggest challenge for online learning providers in the coming year will be a decline in student enrollment. With AI-powered virtual assistants readily available, fewer people may seek traditional online courses.
In his column, "A Tumultuous Year Behind: A Challenging, Important 2025", Bersin points out that while technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, society is struggling to keep up. He highlights several critical concerns, including limited computing power, insufficient legal protections against data leaks from chatbots, and widespread job insecurity due to AI-driven automation. Bersin also announced a large-scale study by his team on AI adoption across various organizations.
American Schools Introduce Game Development and Robotics From the First Grade
Elementary school students in North Carolina will soon begin learning game development and computer-aided technology from an early age. A specialized primary school, Foust Gaming and Robotics, has been established to focus exclusively on modern technology and game design. The school, which serves students from the first to the fifth grade, aims to equip children with programming skills and the ability to develop their own games by the time they finish elementary school.
According to local reports, over 170 students are currently enrolled in the new program. The curriculum integrates technology and robotics into other subjects, including mathematics, while also incorporating creative disciplines such as scriptwriting and music composition through the Legends of Learning program. To facilitate this new approach, school administrators have partnered with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
School principal Dr. Kendrick Alston believes this innovative educational model will make learning more engaging, helping students develop essential skills while unlocking their creative potential. "This gives us a chance to tap into skills and areas of thinking that a student might not be able to demonstrate in the traditional academic world," Alston explained.
Artificial Intelligence Officially Integrated Into Israeli Schools
Israel's Ministry of Education has launched a nationwide initiative to modernize the school system by incorporating artificial intelligence into its curriculum. The program will impact students from the fourth to the twelfth grade.
To help students develop AI-related skills, the curriculum will introduce tools such as QBot for practicing neural networks, Binah (a chatbot and virtual assistant for mastering new topics based on Gemini AI), and Magic School - a platform for teachers to create lesson plans, track student progress, and assign grades. Additionally, younger students will use a customized version of Minecraft as a learning environment.
To support this initiative, the Israeli government has partnered with leading tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Nvidia. IT specialists will train mentors, who will then work directly with students to tailor AI tools to their learning needs. A series of webinars will also be held to train educators in AI integration. Key milestones in this educational reform are set to take place throughout 2025.
Top Online MBA Programs in the U.S. That Don't Require GMAT, GRE, and Other Tests
Aspiring MBA students in the U.S. will have more flexibility this year, as many top online programs no longer require GMAT, GRE, or other scores for admission. According to the latest U.S. News rankings, over 100 out of 342 online business programs have waived standardized test requirements, and another 112 universities have eliminated them entirely. However, some programs still require GMAT scores, with 81 schools mandating at least one of the two exams.
Applicants can bypass standardized testing if they have significant work experience or notable professional achievements in their chosen field of study. Additionally, candidates with high undergraduate GPAs may be exempt, though specific policies vary by institution.
The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a standardized exam designed to assess mathematical, verbal, and analytical reasoning skills, while the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) evaluates language proficiency, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking abilities. Both tests are traditionally used for admission to business schools, universities, and graduate programs.
The Main E-Learning Conferences in the New Year Have Been Announced
Online education is one of the fastest-growing fields and a major focus of research worldwide. Based on these studies, hundreds of conferences are held annually to address current issues and trends in e-learning. Recently, the largest upcoming events in Europe and America have been announced.
The SXSW EDU 2025 conference will take place in March. The event will feature over 300 sessions - including open seminars, lectures, and panel discussions - covering the most pressing topics in modern education. Over several days, attendees can explore themed exhibitions, watch documentaries, and network with their peers. SXSW EDU serves as an excellent platform for both personal and professional growth, and this year marks its 15th edition, celebrating its evolution into a leading forum for educational research and innovation.
The theme of this year's ASU+GSV Summit will be "Learning at the Speed of Light." Now in its 16th year, the summit is widely regarded as one of the most influential events in the industry. It will gather over 7,000 education leaders, with prominent speakers such as Bill Gates, Sam Altman, Dan Roseweig, and Richard Branson. The publication The Ken has even dubbed the summit the "Coachella of educational conferences."
In early July, the Polytechnic Institute of Paris will host the edX 2025 open conference. This event is dedicated to harnessing the power of open-source technologies to democratize education and drive progress. Educators, developers, and leading SEO tech giants from around the world will come together to discuss how open-source systems are expanding access to education, making it more accessible and effective.
At the end of July, the Learning @ Scale conference will take place in Palermo, Italy. This large-scale event features several days of intense discussions, master classes, sessions, and active networking, all set against the rich historical and cultural backdrop of Sicily. The invitation promises an immersive experience: "Get ready to be immersed in lively discussions about the future of learning, make new connections, and be inspired at Learning @ Scale 2025," whether you attend as a listener or a speaker.
In October, the Interactive Collaborative Learning and Engineering Pedagogy 2025 conference will be held at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. This interdisciplinary event aims to share current knowledge, skills, research findings, forecasts, and insights on future trends in interactive learning. It will bring together global leaders, researchers, and practitioners to exchange views on the latest innovations and their impact on the education sector.
Beyond the conferences listed above, many other discussions, summits, and events will focus on democratizing and enhancing the education sector. For those who cannot attend in person, numerous virtual events and broadcasts of offline sessions will also be available.
Adani Group and Singapore-Based ITEES Launch an Online School to Help University Graduates Find Jobs and Upgrade Their Skills
Indian conglomerate Adani Group has partnered with the ITE Education Service (ITEES) to open the world's largest school in Mundra, Gujarat. Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani shared the news on social media.
The school will accommodate over 25,000 students, with the primary goal of democratizing education and ensuring equal opportunities for skill development and employment. The initiative aims to help young people in India build their professional skills and support economic growth by offering retraining programs across various industries.
In addition to traditional face-to-face classes, students will also learn relevant skills through immersive technologies and other cutting-edge innovations. ITEES is renowned for successfully integrating advanced IT solutions into everyday learning.
British Universities Face Growing Issue With "Fake" Applicants
Many universities in the UK are turning to automated interviews for foreign applicants to save resources. The Enroly platform is one such tool used for this purpose. Unfortunately, numerous fake applicants - created using deepfake technology - have been discovered. Deepfake technology, which synthesizes images and overlays video content on original footage, is used to create fake faces, voices, and other characteristics. During online interviews, deepfakes can alter accents, hide cheat sheets, and even remove people in the same room who may be providing answers.
Representatives of the Enroly platform revealed that approximately 30 cases of deepfakes were detected out of 20,000 interviews this year. However, the technology continues to spread, presenting new challenges for interviewers. "Deepfakes are a nightmare for evaluators: fake faces with facial expressions and movements that match real ones," said Enroly spokesperson Phoebe O'Donnell. "They're incredibly difficult to detect. But difficult doesn't mean impossible. We are actively working to address this."
Scientists Confirm: Memes Enhance Learning
A study at Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines explored the use of memes in education. After conducting an experiment with 243 eleventh-grade students, researchers found that even complex topics were much easier and faster to learn when key information was presented as memes. The visual and often humorous nature of memes, which are popular online, helps students engage with and retain information more effectively.
The study suggests that the format of memes - bright, visual images commonly used on the Internet - can be a powerful tool for teaching. This approach not only improves learning outcomes but also boosts students' overall performance and self-confidence.
