Digital connectivity: How technology is shaping the future of education

Technology has made learning from anywhere a reality. Courses, coaching, and assessments are now being delivered to every corner of the planet -- serving millions of students simultaneously. And while the desire for quality education and reputable qualifications has not changed, the business landscape has.

Research by the World Economic Forum earlier this year forecasted a future for education that looks very different from the world of traditional lecture halls and formal end-of-year exams. 

The reach of digital connectivity has helped colleges and universities embrace more flexibility, and increasingly offer online classes. 

Studies have also found that traditional lectures alone can be ineffective and inefficient ways of teaching, compared with digital experiences that allow more interaction and problem-solving practice.

Many universities are starting to ditch standardised tests, due to concerns that the ‘big final exam’ isn’t an accurate reflection of a student's true competence.

Opting for a more practical, hands-on approach to learning, Northwestern University in Qatar is kitted out with the latest communications technology and first-class facilities, such as 'The Forum', where staff and students from 60 different countries can connect and congregate. 

The campus is also equipped with a state-of-the-art newsroom, making it hard to believe that you’re in a university and not the newsroom of a major media organisation.

Euronews spoke to the Dean of Northwestern University in Qatar, Marwan Kraidy, about this trend towards real-life learning.

"I think it’s very important to the media sector. We are part of a very established United States tradition, the liberal arts tradition", he said. 

"So, the way it works is we have a