Beas Dev Ralhan, Co-Founder and CEO, Next Education India

Beas Dev Ralhan is the Chief Executive Officer of Next Education India Private Limited, a technology-driven education enterprise, headquartered in Hyderabad. Beas co-founded this educational organisation in 2007 along with Raveendranath Kamath, an IIT Kharagpur alumnus.

 

The last decade has brought significant changes in the way we teach and learn. Edtech has revolutionised pedagogy which has evolved from handwritten manuscripts to online learning tools and app-based learning. Students are now able to leverage edtech platforms and tools to learn from wherever they are comfortable and at their own pace. According to the consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, the edtech market is expected to grow to USD 40.9 billion in the next two years at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.3%.

Let’s take a look at some of the major edtech trends that will enhance the teaching-learning experience and reshape the education system in the coming year.

Virtual classrooms

Live lectures create a real classroom-like learning environment, thereby providing a comfortable learning experience. Technological advancements, like the integration of artificial intelligence in live lectures enables educators to monitor students’ activities, track their attendance and even proctor the assessments. This, in turn, makes the teaching-learning process more engaging and transparent.

Virtual and augmented reality

Augmented and virtual reality makes learning interesting for students by providing them with experiential learning opportunities. AR- and VR-enabled learning tools enable teachers to teach in a more engaging and productive way by clarifying various concepts and their applications through visually appealing means. This, in turn, makes the teaching-learning process more interactive.

For instance, virtual lab simulations help students perform experiments in digital labs.

Cloud-based edtech platforms

 Integration of cloud technology with education is gaining popularity in India owing to the data security  and ease of accessibility it provides. Not only does cloud-based edtech platforms streamline academic operations but they also facilitate smooth management of administrative tasks such as admissions, creation of report cards, fee management, student and staff management, parent-teacher communication and much more.

Personalised and adaptive learning

Personalised learning is the key to 21st century education. When students are provided with personalised learning paths and resources, they tend to excel in academics. By leveraging AI-ML-based tools, educators can understand the learning progress of each student and focus on their learning needs in a better way. In addition to this, educators can assign study material and assignments and even track the submissions and content usage of each student.

Phygital learning

Phygital learning or blended learning environment paves the way for educational institutions to impart new-age online education as a supplement to on-campus learning. Blended learning not only ensures uninterrupted teaching and learning but it also empowers students and educators to connect beyond the classrooms and make the best use of resources.

Digital masterclasses

Grounded on the fact that students have more exposure to the Internet and different digital devices today, digital masterclasses are gaining popularity. It encourages students to take an active interest in learning as they get the opportunity to be taught by top-line experts from different fields.

 Block-based coding systems

One of the best ways to provide practical learning is through block-based coding. Coding, a block-based programming language, exposes students to practical learning as it includes instructions in the form of blocks. It enables students to not only make multimedia projects and animated stories but also science projects, interactive artwork and more.

Robotics

Since children are always intrigued by robots and their mechanisms, robotics as a subject is gaining popularity in K–12 education. Robotics helps students fine-tune their understanding of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts and develop 21st century skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making. Moreover, it helps stimulate their creativity and satisfy their curiosity.

Gamification

Integrating gamification in an edtech platform makes the teaching-learning process fun and engaging. This approach creates a stimulating learning environment and encourages students to involve themselves comprehensively.

Introducing elements such as narratives, characters, challenges and rewards not only motivate students but also help to keep them engaged. When students take interest in learning, they tend to become lifelong learners and develop a love for learning.

STEAM

In addition to science, technology, engineering, and math, STEAM-based programmes include art subjects (humanities, language arts, dance, drama, music, visual arts, design, etc) as well.

One of the major advantages of integrating STEAM-based programmes in edtech platforms is that it empowers learners to learn in a connected learning environment and gain better conceptual clarity through hands-on learning activities and creative designs. This, in turn, develops collaboration skills, critical thinking and creativity in students.

By leveraging edtech platforms, schools and educational institutions can make a smooth transition from offline to online education which, in turn, will lead to an era where education is easily accessible to all students. By continuously evolving and integrating new technologies, edtech platforms can help schools and educational institutions provide a quality teaching-learning experience even in unprecedented situations by fostering the idea of ‘anywhere, anytime learning’.

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