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As a result of the COVID-19 lockdowns, education institutions across the globe have faced a myriad of challenges, including the move to distance learning and finding new ways to support pupils. Students have also had to adapt with the support of an in-person learning environment

Now that some educational institutions are emerging from the pandemic, it will be important not just to address short term needs but also to identify innovations that can be adopted to improve student learning in the long run.

This piece explores three key challenges to address in the short term but also considers the long-term implications of what these new changes may bring. The 3 themes we’ll be looking at are:

  1. The role of a “classroom” and going beyond physical spaces
  2. Rethinking the way we share knowledge
  3. Addressing current inequalities and what educators can do to ensure the future success of students

Where is the classroom?

Short-term trends

As governments and educational institutions make decisions on when and how to reopen schools, health and safety is naturally front of mind. Some schools have opened with strict checking procedures in place. In Shanghai, for instance, students are required to enter the school building via a thermal scanner and there are multiple posters in place highlighting the measures in place to tackle coronavirus. In other schools, remote learning is still continuing as only limited numbers of pupils return. Schools in New South Wales, Australia, for example, have re-opened but are only allowing students to attend one day a week on a staggered basis. Whatever the approach, the priority continues to be safeguarding people’s wellbeing and schools will observe and learn from countries that are practicing safe re-opening procedures.

Long-term trends

However, the COVID crisis has also demonstrated that classrooms are not the only places where education can take place. The pandemic has highlighted that learning can take place at any time, anywhere and in any way. It’s clear that the opportunities offered by digital capabilities will go well beyond its temporarily use during the crisis.

Technology can enable teachers and students to access massive amounts of digital resources, most of which are free to use. Examples from other countries have also shown that the delivery of information through various means – TV, online, mobile – can work to help engage students. What’s more, AI and digital technology are now able to capture data to measure students’ progress so that learning can be adjusted based on ongoing assessments rather than through high stakes exams.

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Rethinking Knowledge Sharing

Short-term trends

Just as students are adjusting to distance learning, most teachers are also new to teaching online and have had to quickly adapt their lessons to an online format that keeps pupils engaged.

But teachers don’t just need the technological tools to facilitate online learning. They need resources to help enhance their teaching practice. A number of initiatives have sprung up around the world to facilitate this. In South Korea, the Education and Research Information Service offers an online platform to facilitate the sharing of materials created by teachers and in the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Education invited over 40,000 teachers to take part in a ‘Be an online tutor in 24 hours’ course. Global organizations such as the Khan Academy, TEDed, Google Arts & Culture are also continually providing relevant education resources for students and teachers.

Long-term trends

In the long-term, we may see a new form of teaching emerging. In a world where students can access to knowledge through a few clicks, educators will need to review and potentially redefine their role in the classroom.

The emphasis should be not only on the delivery of content but also on generating engagement. Educators need to learn to create a positive experience within a digital context – one that is more interactive and engaging. One organisation leading the way on this is Singapore’s SIT University, which has created training materials for lecturers to provide online learning. The topics covered how to create narrated slides, how to run effective live streaming classes, how to design alternative assessments, and the use of online proctoring tools for assessments.

Addressing current inequalities and what educators can do to ensure the future success of students

Short-term trends

While technology has helped many students continue their education at home, data from UNESCO has found that in other ways, it has exacerbated the digital divide. Half of all students do not have access to a computer and more than 40% have no internet access at home.

Students living in rural areas, low-income households, students with special needs and those living in less developed areas face issues with a lack of resources including not having the technology needed for remote learning.

Governments, private companies, and educational institutions need to be able to work in partnership to ensure that needs of all students are met. Success stories from around the world can provide inspiration. In France, the University of Strasbourg identified students whose lack of resources jeopardized their ability to continue their education, setting up an Emergency Fund and distributing more than a hundred computers to students in need. China offered mobile data packages, telecom subsidies and repurposed some of the state-run television channel to air lesson plans for K–12 education in remote regions. Italy put together an €85 million Euro package to support distance learning for 8.5 million students and improve connectivity in isolated areas.

Long-term trends

While COVID-19 has fast-tracked the need to acquire digital skills, we also cannot forget the education students will need to prepare them for the workplace of the future.  

As a result of the pandemic, the demand for certain jobs and specialties will decline, whilst other areas come to the fore. Educational institutions need to be flexible enough to adapt their curriculum and resources to meet students’ and workforces’ changing needs.

There will continue to be a need to train people in emerging digital skills but learners will also need “non-automatable” skills. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Survey, “a wide range of occupations will require a higher degree of cognitive abilities — such as creativity, logical reasoning and problem sensitivity — as part of their core skill set.” Institutions who more readily recognize and adapt their curriculum and resources to meet these needs are more likely to thrive moving forwards.

The automotive industry has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. Cars have lain dormant in driveways for months as a result of lockdowns across the world, and economic shutdowns hit supply chains, with reports of some manufacturers even resorting to flying parts across the world in suitcases.

But as consumers emerge into a ‘new normal’, what does this mean for the automotive industry? What are the trends to watch – both in the short and the long-term? 

In this article, our auto experts across the UK, Thailand and Indonesia, Bianca Abulafia, Digo Alanda and Kajornkiat Kiatsunthorn explore 3 key areas:

  1. Changing purchase patterns
  2. The future of electric
  3. The digital path to purchase

Changing purchase patterns

Short term

In the short-term, we expect to see growth in the second hand and luxury end of the market especially.

The pandemic has resulted in a renewed focus on the car as hygiene concerns have come to the fore. This has resulted in those that have previously shunned car ownership such as urbanites and young people re-evaluating their stance. In the US, a cars.com study showed that 20% of people who don’t own a car are thinking of buying one, and this figure rises when we hone in on young people. A recent global Capgemini survey of under 35s shows that 45% are considering buying a car and this is highest in countries that have been hardest hit by the pandemic.

Source: COVID-19 and the automotive consumer, Capgeminia landscape

We have talked about the emergence of “revenge buying” in other sectors, and we expect this to manifest in the automotive industry within the second-hand market as a more affordable option for younger buyers. “Revenge buying” is also relevant at the luxury end of the market. As a result of being able to save, the budget of some affluent buyers has increased, meaning that they’re now able to trade up. Volvo’s Chief Executive notes this has happened in China, where the company has seen a 20% increase in sales compared to 2019. “People are really tired of sitting at home locked and they really want to go out and buy.” Outside of this, we expect sales to suffer, with existing car owners putting off purchases in the midst of economic instability.

Long-term

Looking at the long-term impact, it will take some time until car sales return to pre-COVID levels.  An ING report, looks back to the 2008 financial crisis for indicators, highlighting that it took 11 months for vehicle sales to recover in this instance. But if we consider that this pandemic has brought lifestyle and behavioral changes, in addition to economic instability, it’s much harder to predict.

In the long-term, will we see a permanent shift towards home working that encourages people to move out of urban centers, necessitating the need for a car? Will increased domestic tourism result in a desire to have access to a car for longer trips – ushering in an opportunity for shared ownership of vehicles? The automotive industry doesn’t exist in a vacuum and it will be vital for auto manufacturers to observe the broad trends to understand where they can play a role.

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The digital path to purchase

Short-term

Car manufacturers have had to rapidly adapt to a new sales environment, as they seek to comply with social distancing measures and meet the needs of the more cautious shopper. Capgemini’s COVID-19 and The Automotive Consumer report indicates that 46% of consumers want to minimize visits to dealerships to compare offers, instead preferring to do this online. We’ve seen lots of innovative responses to this. In China, for instance, Volkswagen has trained 70,000 employees to communicate with customers online, even livestreaming from dealerships via TikTok and Kuaishou.

Long-term

In the long-term, we only expect this to continue. The impact of coronavirus has acted as a catalyst for the digital transformation of many industries, sparking changes in consumer behavior that were thought to take years. Automotive will be no exception as people seek the convenience that they’re experiencing in their interactions with other brands and industries. This will be particularly important in the research phase but we believe it will also extend to online purchase and home delivery, with a recent Think with Google survey finding that 18% of people would buy a vehicle sooner if there was an online purchase option. The desire for convenience could also impact the after sales experience with servicing being carried out at home. 

The future of electric

Short-term

In the immediate term, economic instability, plus the appeal of lower oil prices, could dissuade car buyers from making the move to electric. However, we don’t expect this to last long, with any savings from oil prices likely to be temporary, and not significant enough in the long-term to fundamentally influence decisions. 

One area to watch is other electric transportation options beyond the car – such as scooters and bikes. As people avoid public transport and seek other routes around the city, governments are having to radically rethink how they can support this. The UK has announced that improvements in cycling infrastructure and trials to allow rented e-scooters on the streets have been fast-tracked, which could encourage people to start exploring electric bikes and scooters as alternative options for commuting.  Increased familiarity with electric powered means of transportation could result in a greater adoption of motorbikes or cars.

Long-term

When we look at the long-term view, we don’t expect the shift towards electric to be significantly impacted. From the canals in Venice being clear enough to see the fish to Nasa satellite images showing the dramatic drop into pollution levels in China, the upsides of the lockdown on the environment have been well documented – with many consumers acknowledging benefits of this on their quality of life. 

This could influence purchase behaviors in the longer term, with consumers wanting to do their bit for the environment at the point at which economic conditions become more favorable for them to do so. But more significantly, changing consumer sentiment towards the environment is also likely to increase pressure on governments to bolster schemes to incentivize electric car ownership, making them a more financially attractive proposition to car buyers. In fact, this is something that has already happened in China in the wake of the pandemic, with some cities announcing subsidies for new electric vehicles, and others upping their investment in the associated infrastructure.

We also shouldn’t forget the status symbol factor, particularly in the luxury segment. Our research has shown that owning an electric car represents a new way to demonstrate wealth and status, and we don’t see this diminishing any time soon.

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Nowadays people have very hectic and busy lifestyles – trying to balance work, home and a social life is increasingly challenging. However, companies are becoming more attuned to this and starting to adapt their products to suit.

Lack of time is typically the main reason for lack of participation in sport or gym attendance. However, it remains hugely popular, with the number of people taking part every week reaching around 16 million and the number of fitness center members in the UK being the highest ever.

Maybe this is because gyms are increasing the number of classes or reducing their length to be more flexible. For example, some gyms are now promoting 30 minute classes, which are easier to squeeze into your lunch break. Some offices even have gyms that you can pop to whenever in the working day to help cater for busy lifestyles. Also having exercise studios entirely dedicated to one activity (such as yoga) means there are more classes for people to choose from.

Participation in high-intensity exercise classes and activities, like spin and boxercise, continue to attract large numbers of people, potentially rivalling more traditional sports such as football, netball and hockey. Outdoor activities such as bootcamp and Parkrun are also increasing in popularity which are seen as a highly sociable way to exercise. Maybe this is people’s way of ticking both the ‘exercise’ and ‘socialize’ boxes on their to-do lists?

More established activities like yoga and pilates are still gaining in popularity as well. These classes are expected to provide both physical and mental benefits – such as increased muscle strength and tone, improved athletic performance, stress relief and encouraging relaxation. People can therefore achieve a healthier lifestyle in a more compact way, which saves time relative to completing several separate activities to achieve the same benefits.

As well as exercise companies, nutrition companies are also adapting to people’s hectic lifestyles. Nutrition is becoming more of a focus and healthy eating is a main element of having a healthy lifestyle. We have therefore seen the rise in trends such as The Body Coach, Joe Wicks, who promises that you’ll be able to lose weight, despite eating more food and spending less time at the gym. He also has a 15 minute meals cookbook that caters for those lacking time in the evenings and suggests quick exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home.

Adapting to hectic lifestyles has also paved the way for food companies such as HelloFresh or Gousto. Their USP is that they deliver fresh ingredients and healthy recipes straight to your doorstep. This means you can get back from a busy day at work and have your dinner all bought and planned out for you – all you have to do is follow the recipe. The next step on from this is Deliveroo that actually delivers healthy food options straight to the doorstep of either your home or office ready for consumption! So now when you get home from work late and cooking is the last thing on your mind, instead of the traditional Chinese or Indian takeaways you can now get Pho or Sushi delivered to your door!

So having a healthy lifestyle doesn’t appear to be a fad or a trend, it’s the way things are nowadays. We have already seen intersections between health and exercise but this also begs the question – where will this go? What’s next for healthy lifestyles?

Maybe exercise and retail companies will start partnering up. For example, introducing grocery stores at the gym to save having to do a food shop later that evening. Or they could pair up in a totally different way. It may be counter-intuitive but BeerYoga is something that I stumbled upon recently where attendees can drink beer whilst doing yoga. Now this ticks all the boxes – social, mental and physical. Will that mean that WinePilates or SushiSpin emerge as trends as well? It’s fair to say some of these may seem slightly odd now but many fads do before they become accepted into society.