Rapidly changing technologies are changing how things work in many industries but one segment that is often not given much attention is education. Unsurprisingly, technology is also expected to have a significant influence on higher education. But how exactly will technology bring about transformation in higher education?

The truth is that the possibilities are endless as far as the impact of technology on higher education in the future is concerned. For example, research, especially in scientific subjects, will become more advanced due to the use of more advanced research tools in labs. But let’s look at specific technologies for a moment. 3-D printing technology has so far advanced enough that even hospitals use it to map out patient conditions before they operate on the patient.

Similarly, the use of 3D technology is expected to help improve the learning experience in higher education especially in situations where students need to understand how things work. It would be particularly useful in medicine and engineering courses. Artificial intelligence will also contribute to improving the learning process. AI can be used to develop teaching assistants in the style of avatars which students can interact with for example when learning a new language.

The AI-powered avatars can also be used as teaching assistants to help students understand their area of study at a deeper level. Virtual technology is another technology that has made significant strides in the past few years and it is expected to develop even further in the future. Higher education is one of the areas that might benefit significantly from this technology.

Holographic technology will likely also have a place in higher education in the future. This technology is usually showcased in the movies but in the future, it will likely be used in the classroom setting to demonstrate learning items in 3-dimensional space. For example, architecture, engineering, and surgical medicine lecturers may use the technology to demonstrate concepts to their students.

Blockchain is another technology that will make its way into the education sector in the future. South Korea has already demonstrated the application of blockchain technology in a platform for issuing certificates. Such a platform will be used by employers to validate the authenticity of a graduate’s degree or diploma. This is only the beginning and we will likely see the integration of modern technology in amazing new ways in higher education.