The characteristics of education after the 20th century are lifelong education, popularization of education, democratization of education, diversification of education and modernization of educational technology.

1. Lifelong education

Lifelong education is an educational thought and system gradually formed to meet the requirements of accelerated growth of scientific knowledge and sustainable development of mankind. Its essence is that the life of modern people should be a life of lifelong learning and lifelong development.

2. Popularization of education

Education for all means that education must be geared to all people, that is, everyone has the right to receive education and must receive a certain degree of education.

3. Education democratization

On the one hand, the democratization of education seeks to make everyone receive the same education, including equal opportunities at the starting point of education, equal opportunities to enjoy educational resources in the process of education, and even equal educational results, that is, to give special care to disadvantaged students in society.

On the other hand, the democratization of education pursues the liberalization of education, including the expansion of educational autonomy, the flexibility of setting courses and compiling textbooks according to social requirements, and the diversity of values.

4. Diversification of education

The diversity of education is the reflection of the diversity of the world's material life and spiritual life in education. It is reflected in the diversification of training objectives, school-running forms, management models, teaching contents and evaluation standards.

5. Modernization of educational technology

Modernization of educational technology refers to the application of modern science and technology (including technology, equipment, procedures, means, etc.). ) in education, it causes changes in educational ideas and concepts.

The development trend of modern education

1. Strengthen preschool education and attach importance to the connection with primary education.

2. Strengthen the popularization of compulsory education and extend the period of compulsory education.

3. General education and vocational education are developing in the direction of mutual penetration.

4. The types of higher education are increasingly diversified.

5. The boundary between academic education and non-academic education is gradually weakening.