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Technology continues to change our way of life along rapidly even as there is a massive continuing increase in the student population and this makes it imperative for our higher education system to adapt.

A National Center for Education Statistics study shows that in the fall of 2010, a record 19.1 million students opted for four and two year universities and colleges. As compared to 2000 fall, this is a significant increase of 3.8 million.

Based on statistics and current scenario, experts have forecasted the top education trends for the year 2011.

Accelerated degree programs are all set to gain more preference among students which in fact has been happening since its introduction in the year 1997. “Non-traditional” students are targeted by these programs which mean students with more responsibilities at home with kids and a full time job and those who are older prefer these programs as compared to the average students.

According to University of South Florida’s professor Dr. Kathleen P. King, these programs along with online programs are offered by colleges to enable these students to complete their education studying during weekends.

Large lectures are increasingly being replaced by online classes. The economic meltdown has resulted in a situation where colleges are facing severe budget shortfalls. Even professors who were hitherto opposed to technology are forced to consider online classes now.

According to King, it is highly competitive and challenging today to keep a faculty position in an educational institution as the budget crisis only ensures cutting faculty and no fresh hiring. It is imperative to change what we do to keep jobs rather than losing students, she says. Mass lecture style classes are all set to be phased out on a large scale with the onset of online classes.

Changes in methods of teaching will be gradual but eventually we will know the response from students and faculty to online learning. According to Teaching That Makes Sense, Inc. founder Steve Peha, online courses are very effective for some though it definitely cannot replace the experience of learning in a social, energetic group.

The power of social media such as Twitter and Facebook are also increasingly being harnessed by professors. In keeping with the latest technologies, higher education marketers realize the value of social media that are frequented predominantly by college students.

Through the medium of Twitter, professor may post a question to students thus making a connection outside the traditional classroom. Most professors feel the need today to reach out to students in any way that can effectively permeate into the classroom.

According to King, many professors are still working out how to best take advantage of mediums such as the social media it will certainly be highly innovative creating a strong teacher-student communication through increased interaction outside the classroom setting.

Of course, no change can take place overnight but classrooms and lecture halls are definitely set to incorporate more advanced technologies. For both faculty and students, figuring out how best to use technology to their advantage is the key to success.