ReShaping Education in 2020

Three ways the COVID-19 pandemic could reshape education.

  • The coronavirus pandemic has changed how millions around the globe are educated.
  • New solutions for education could bring much-needed innovation.
  • Given the digital divide, new shifts in education approaches could widen equality gaps.

In a matter of weeks, coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed how students are educated around the world. Those changes give us a glimpse at how education could change for the better – and the worse – in the long term.

With the coronavirus spreading rapidly across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, countries have taken swift and decisive actions to mitigate the development of a full-blown pandemic. In the past two weeks, there have been multiple announcements suspending attendance at schools and universities. As of March 13, the OECD estimated that over 421 million children are affected due to school closures announced or implemented in 39 countries. Also, another 22 states have announced partial “localized” closures.

These risk-control decisions have led millions of students into temporary ‘home-schooling’ situations, especially in some of the most heavily impacted countries, like China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran. These changes have certainly caused a degree of inconvenience, but they have also prompted new examples of educational innovation. Although it is too early to judge how reactions to COVID-19 will affect education systems around the world, signs are suggesting that it could have a lasting impact on the trajectory of learning innovation and digitization. 

Below, we follow three trends that could hint at future transformations:

1. Education – nudged and pushed to change – could lead to surprising innovations

The slow pace of change in academic institutions globally is lamentable, with centuries-old, lecture-based approaches to teaching, entrenched institutional biases, and old classrooms. However, COVID-19 has become a catalyst for educational institutions worldwide to search for innovative solutions in a relatively short period.

To help slow the virus’ spread, students in Hong Kong started to learning at home, in February, via interactive apps. In China, 120 million Chinese got access to learning material through live television broadcasts.

Other more straightforward – yet no less creative – solutions have been implemented around the globe. In one Nigerian school, standard asynchronous online learning tools (such as reading material via Google Classroom), were augmented with synchronous face-to-face video instruction, to help preempt school closures.

Similarly, students at one school in Lebanon began leveraging online learning, even for subjects such as physical education. Students shot and sent over their videos of athletic training and sports to their teachers as “homework,” pushing students to learn new digital skills. One student’s parent remarked, “while the sports exercise took a few minutes, my son spent three hours shooting, editing, and sending the video in the right format to his teacher.”

With 5G technology becoming more prevalent in countries such as China, U.S., and Japan, we will see learners and solution providers genuinely embracing the ‘learning anywhere, anytime’ concept of digital education in a range of formats. Traditional in-person classroom learning will be complemented with new learning modalities – from live broadcasts to ‘educational influencers’ to virtual reality experiences. Education could become a habit that integrates into daily routines – an authentic lifestyle.

2. Public-private educational partnerships could grow in importance

In just the past few weeks, we have seen learning consortiums and coalitions taking shape, with diverse stakeholders – including governments, publishers, education professionals, technology providers, and telecom network operators – coming together to utilize digital platforms as a temporary solution to the crisis. In emerging countries where the government has predominantly provided education, this could become a prevalent and consequential trend to future learning.

In China, the Ministry of Education has assembled a group of diverse constituents to develop a new cloud-based, online learning and broadcasting platform as well as to upgrade a suite of education infrastructure, led by the Education Ministry and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Similarly, the Hong Kong-based readtogether.hk forum (China Daily video here) is a consortium of over 60 educational organizations, publishers, media, and entertainment industry professionals, providing more than 900 educational assets, including videos, book chapters, assessment tools, and counseling services for free. The consortium intends to continue using and maintaining the platform even after COVID-19 is contained.

Through examples like these, it is evident that educational innovation is receiving attention beyond the typical government-funded or non-profit-backed social project. In the past decade, we have already seen far greater interest and investment coming from the private sector in education solutions and innovation. From Microsoft and Google in the U.S. to Samsung in Korea to Tencent, Ping An, and Alibaba in China, corporations are awakening to the strategic imperative of an educated populace. While most initiatives to date have been limited in scope, and relatively isolated, the pandemic could pave the way for much larger-scale, cross-industry coalitions formed around a common educational goal.

3. The digital divide could widen

Most schools in affected areas are finding stop-gap solutions to continue teaching, but the quality of learning is heavily dependent on the level and quality of digital access. After all, only around 60% of the globe’s population is online. While virtual classes on personal tablets may be the norm in Hong Kong, for example, many students in less developed economies rely on lessons and assignments sent via WhatsApp or email.

Moreover, the less affluent and digitally savvy individual families are, the further their students are left behind. When classes transition online, these children lose out because of the cost of digital devices and data plans.

Unless access costs decrease and quality of access increase in all countries, the gap in education quality, and thus socioeconomic equality, will be further exacerbated. The digital divide could become more extreme if educational accessibility is dictated by access to the latest technologies.

The rapid spread of COVID-19 has demonstrated the importance of building resilience to face various threats, from pandemic disease to extremist violence to climate insecurity, and even, yes, rapid technological change. The pandemic is also an opportunity to remind ourselves of the skills students need in this unpredictable world, such as informed decision making, creative problem solving, and perhaps above all, adaptability. Resilience must be built into our educational system to ensure those skills remain a priority for all students.

For additional information on our E-Learning platform and Online Courses, call us today at 385-799-4101. 

We would love to have you join our community! Please feel free to complete this contact form and we will keep you in formed of upcoming courses, online events, webinars, live performance coaching streams, and much more as we progress and create a powerful 2020.

Why Dental Assisting is a Top Job!

Here’s a fun fact, did you know dental assisting ranked #25 in Best Health Care Support?

That’s right, according to the U.S. and World Report News, dental assisting ranks 25 for health care support and # 98 in the 100 Best Jobs. But why is dental assisting top job? There’s many factors which make this a top job and we’ve broken it down for you.

Flexibility

Yes, dental assisting offers more flexibility than you would think. How? You can be trained on the job! Most dental clinics will hire you as you train to become a dental assistant, but make sure you know your state’s requirements for training, certification and licensing before beginning. Or you can have the option of entering a program that merges the classroom and training together. Dental assisting allows you work within the profession to gain the skills and knowledge needed to become an assistant.

In addition to the flexibility given of becoming a dental assistant, you have flexibility with your work schedule. You can easily work as a full-time or part-time dental assistant, where you can set your schedule to where it will work for you. This will allow you to have the life and work balance you can enjoy.

Professional Growth & Development

Due to the ever-changing dental industry, the duties and responsibilities of a dental assisting will keep expanding. As an assistant you would be required to do more than care for patients as you take the roles of sterilizing equipment and some office work. There will always be room for growth as you develop more skills to keep up with the industry.

You can grow in a career where there is opportunities to become a leading dental assistant; not to mention, dental assisting is a stepping stone to becoming a dental hygienist or dentist. You’ll have the experience to make the transition to another dental career more smooth.

Average Stress Levels and Rewarding

If you are worried about stress; not to worry, stress levels for dental assisting are average. Meaning the stress levels aren’t too high where you are ripping your hair out or too low where there isn’t much to do. It’s a profession that gives you balance so you’re not leaving work overworked or frustrated. Who doesn’t want that?

Dental assisting is a very rewarding job. You’re in a healthcare profession specifically where you care for others. For those of you who enjoy working with others and help patients feel at ease, it can be very rewarding to be the person who brings that ease to patients. Essentially, you’re building long-lasting relationships with these patients every time they come. You get to know about their needs and meet new people which is not only rewarding for you but the patient as well.

If you’re interested in joining the dental industry as a dental assistant, you can begin by enrolling in our 12-week Dental Assisting Program.

What Does Our Dental Assisting Program Offer?

  • 12-week program
  • Both schooling and hands-on training
  • Intern in one of our two dental clinics in Salt Lake City
  • It’s fun, fast and affordable
  • AND it’s now offered online!

We offer students hands-on training within our dental clinics so they have a better understanding of what it is to be a dental assistant and to better prepare for the working environment they will be in.

If you’re interested in joining our program, feel free to contact Kathy Mitchell at [email protected].

We Are Now Offering An Orthodontics Assistant Training Course

Looking for a change of pace in your dental assisting career? Orthodontic assisting might be the next step to take. Consider the window of possibilities that will open up for you if you were to sign up for our Orthodontic 3-day course!

As an orthodontic assistant, you’ll no longer be dependent on a dental hygienist or dentist. Sitting next to your dentist passing instruments and assisting in the procedures they conduct will be a thing of the past.

Why? Becoming an orthodontic assistant grant you much more independence in your work and tasks you do even if you are assisting an orthodontist. The freedom of the job can be rewarding if you’re interested in working more independently and looking for more challenges requiring less supervision.  

Not only will you be gaining independence but you will be adding value to yourself. Enrolling in our orthodontic course, you’ll enhance your skills as a dental assistant making yourself viable and gain job qualifications to work in a multi-specialty office. Opening the possibilities of making more money, access to temp jobs, job security, and more knowledge of the dental industry. Adding value by investing in new skill sets will make you more hirable to an office and employer without the stress of intense training to learn the specialty.

So, what does an orthodontic assistant do?

All your work and tasks revolve around clinical practice and patient care. You’ll be responsible for communicating with patients on a daily basis, sterilize equipment and instruments for the patient safety, and prepare the patient in advance before the orthodontist sees them. You’ll learn and know how to set-up procedures to be done, take x-rays and photos for patient’s records along with documenting all processes for future reference, and lab work such as pouring or shaping molds for impressions taken earlier. In some cases, orthodontic assistants may help orthodontists apply braces, remove them, and change wires and place ligatures to promote the movement of teeth.

If you’re looking for a change of pace in your dental career, consider enrolling in our orthodontic course. In an orthodontic assistant working environment, you are looking at working fast-pace, seeing patients every 15 to 30 minutes around the ages of 8 to 19 with some adults. Your patients will be the same for the next 2 to 3 years and maintain contact with them every 6 to 8 weeks as they go through the process of completion.

Enroll in our 3-day Orthodontic Course today to get started in your new dental career! For more information on our course contact Kathy Mitchell at [email protected].  

New Career Possibilities Beyond Call Centers

Discover new career opportunities beyond being a call representative at a call center. We can offer you the chance to experience a new career in 12 short weeks through our Dental Administration course.

Worried about entering into a career of Dental Administration? Don’t be! You have the skill sets to be a successful dental administrator. As a call representative, you have a professional and friendly demeanor which is necessary when helping patients and working with others as a team. You’ll be able to do more than just answer calls from customers and research a solution to their concerns or complaints. You have the opportunity to do other tasks within an office environment and learn marketing and branding, the business aspect of a dental office.

You’ll still be in the business of catering to the needs and wants of people and the ability to interact with a variety of people. Entering into the career of a dental administration will open your career options to more than just one position. With our dental administration training, you’ll be able to apply to be a scheduling coordinator, dental office manager, account manager, financial treatment coordinator, human resource manager, and marketing specialist. Options to explore and to discover the career you want to be part of!

No more sitting at a desk long hours with a headset attached to your ears. Experience the freedom you have of taking on new tasks, sitting in your office or standing to alleviate your back or release some stress. If you’re looking to do more and get more from your career, consider the opportunities you can get from training in dental administration, in just short 12-weeks.

Just think in a couple of months you can start a new career in dental administration. A job that opens you to a new profession, flexible schedule, and will allow you to apply skills sets you already have to the field of dentistry. Get more from your career by training in dental administration. Apply the skills you already have while gaining new ones to expand your career horizons. Reduce the time you spend sitting, attached to a headset by becoming a dental administrator today.    

Contact Kathy at [email protected] today!

Key to Success, How to Take Calculated Risks

How can we continue to succeed without potentially risking everything? Tony Robbins mentioned an interview before that successful people have two things common: not losing money and asymmetrical reward. Asymmetrical reward is another way of how wealthy people weigh their options of risks and rewards which we can apply to succeed. The key to success is taking calculated risks with minimal risks and maximum positive outcomes, in others words rewards!

Wealthy, successful people do not get lucky overnight. There is more to taking a risk than just plunging yourself into an opportunity. It involves a lot of research and diligence to know and understand the chances of success are higher than failure. Three obstacles we might face when trying to calculate the risks involved the presence of fear, no fear, and emotions.

Sometimes we can confuse our level of fear with the level of risk we might face. The fear we might be feeling can cloud our judgment and overestimate the risk of an opportunity. However, when there is no fear present we can quickly be taken by the excitement and underestimate the risk because we overestimate our abilities and chances of success. There needs to be a balance in our fear and being able to distinguish whether our fear is getting in the way of making logic judgments. Our emotions can be a problem when calculating risks. It’s important to assess the level of risks by looking at the facts which consist of the pro and cons and potential risks and benefits that can come from taking the opportunity. Yes, it’s essential to have our emotions invested but do so keeping a level head. But how can we make calculated risks? Here are few tips to help you calculate potential risks to find success.

Understand the details: knowing and understanding the little details about your decision. This requires research, lots and lots of research to identify potential outcomes of the opportunity you are to take. What the benefits of taking the opportunity? How long will you have to wait to see results? What or how much might you risk and at what ratio? This the time to ask questions you have and to find answers. It’s about assessing the situation before you can make the final decision.

Anticipate Mistakes: a crucial part of making a decision is anticipating the pitfalls and accounting for them. Recognize where there can be mistakes and focus on those to help you weigh out whether you should make the decision or not.

Set Short-term Goals: not all opportunities will have results right away which is crucial to set checkpoints to keep you on track and to follow up. Initially, you want to make sure you have set short-term goals in place before deciding to be able to pinpoint where the highest level of risk is and if you can tolerate it.

Be Ready to Pivot and Willing: when comes to taking risks, you have to be prepared or handle what happens. Being able to know in advance the potential downsides can help you develop and cope when it goes sour. You have to be willing to make adjustments if something doesn’t go as according to plan; it’s like rolling with the punches by acting quickly with precision to keep yourself afloat.

Learning When to Say No: the word “no” is your friend! You can be a great idea thinker, but you can’t always jump on every idea you have. You have to learn when to say yes and when to say no. It’s a vital skill to gain from both a personal and professional aspect. If you say yes to everything, you might miss the chance of saying yes to better opportunities or ideas. Saying yes means you have to assess the opportunity and thought you plan on pursuing which is why you need to know as much as you can.

Taking the Leap: learning to leap when it feels right is the last significant step you have to do. If you have done your diligence and intensive research and you feel good about the opportunity or idea then take the leap. Take the risk after you have calculated the potential loss and rewards. You want to make sure you have the facts before jumping, but you also want to ensure you agree with your decision.

Always assess your opportunity and calculate the potential downsides before making a final decision. Remember you can’t be afraid to fail, how else can you learn to improve and to succeed if fear dedicates the risks you take. You want to find a balance between your emotions and logic as you evaluate every detail to understand everything before making your final decision. Step out of your comfort zone and take calculated risks to find the success you want.