The Edutech Segment: Opportunities And Growth
The education sector has undergone massive transformation and development recently. Technology has played a pivotal role in changing the landscape of the education sector. The ongoing pandemic has compelled many schools to seek out technology-based innovative solutions to create a relevant learning ecosystem for all students.
Although online education and Edtech platforms were used before the outbreak of COVID-19, , the demand for edtech products has since multiplied. COVID-19 had resulted in schools being shut worldwide. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), globally, over 1.2 billion children were out of their classrooms due to COVID-19. As a result, the education arena had pivoted to online learning/hybrid learning. research points out that these changes have led to an increased retention of information, and enabled self-learning and self-regulation in students.
Notable post-pandemic Edtech innovations
The most notable EdTech innovations in recent years have been app-based learning and supporting learning through the creation of online classrooms and AI-enabled classrooms. With the significant increase in the adoption of online/hybrid learning, many online platforms have begun offering free access to their services. Through such offers, they witnessed an increase in the number of students using their services/app.
Educators are using technology to connect with students from across the country with minimum effort and expense. The new role of the teacher in the context of technology is no longer to 'teach' but to nurture skills.
Technology has enabled teachers to use a multi-model learning approach that combines audio-visual, textbooks, and experimental kits.Through these methods, , the emphasis has been on honing critical thinking and adaptability skills of the child. Hybrid learning aims at the holistic development of the child and at fostering the critical-thinking ability of the child. With schools reopening recently, technology and app-based learning services are being used more than ever.
Challenges in incorporating technology in the field of education
The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, emphasises the online certification of courses and programmes by the universities. The NEP 2020 advocates for a novel and cost-efficient method of running educational programmes and the consumption of content.
Though there has been a mass adoption of hybrid learning tools and methods in India, students without reliable Internet access and/or technology struggle to participate in digital learning. It widens the social gap that existed among people belonging to different income brackets. Also, according to a survey conducted by the government around 76 per cent of students have experienced learning loss. Due to inadequate infrastructure and insufficient training given to educators, some students lack foundational skills. It can be mitigated through the proper implementation of technology in the curricula. The combination of AI with AR/VR/MR can bolster the education industry and give every individual a chance to learn. The focus of this learning would be on providing practical knowledge and improving problem-solving skills. The use of AI can improve virtual training by including more data, facts, comparison of various techniques and personalisation of the virtual environment. Students will get to ask questions, receive answers and experience an interactive module that books cannot deliver. Students are able to learn better through the proper use of technology.
(The given article is attributed to Chitra Ravi, Founder and CEO, Chrysalis and has been exclusively created for BW Disrupt)
