Sandeep Jain is an IIT Roorkee alumnus and the founder of the world’s biggest Computer Science encyclopedia, GeeksforGeeks. He is an avid promoter of programming, imbibing and sharing his love of coding with others. Apart from GeeksforGeeks, he has also worked with DE Shaw and Co. as a software developer and JIIT Noida as an assistant professor.
Technology has transformed the education system in all possible ways. Classrooms are no more restricted to the four-walls; instead, they’ve become more student-centric while breaking geographical barriers by integrating technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and more. From schools to colleges, the Education Technology (EdTech) platforms are in high demand. Statistically speaking, the global market of the EdTech industry is all set to reach around $250 billion by the year 2022, especially since the advent of pandemic and respective lockdowns.
Many educators agree that students find learning processes more engaging and exciting when integrated with technologies due to personalized educational experiences. However, despite this, Ed-Tech platforms are reshaping the future of learning – let’s learn how:
Why EdTech over the traditional education system?
- Learning flexibility: Students are no longer required to commute to the classes as they can learn any skill or pursue a degree at their own pace and from the comfort of their home.
- Video-based learning + Collaborative learning: Prominent features such as these make the learning process even more personalized for students.
- Ample Choices: Allows students/learners to select a relevant program or course as per his/her requirements and interests.
- Offers engaging learning experience: The current generation of students are fascinated with technologies; hence, it becomes easier to create a more dynamic learning environment in comparison with the conventional education system.
Is EdTech a substitute for Teachers and Mentors?
It is one of the biggest misconceptions that EdTech is a substitute for teachers or educators when the actual scenario is entirely different. Here’s how:
EdTech concerns with the systemic implementation of technologies and tools in the education domain to make the learning process more effective and worthwhile for the students. It simply means that teachers get more resources to develop better learning practices to engage students. EdTech plays a supportive role for the teachers as it makes the teacher’s work easier with various features such as classroom management tools, personalized assessment of students, etc.
How is EdTech leveraging the latest technologies?
There are various trending technologies such as Cloud Computing, AR and VR, AI, etc. that are currently being utilized in EdTech systems:
- Augmented and Virtual Reality is used by almost every EdTech platform to create a virtual environment for students to provide an enhanced and interactive learning experience.
- Big Data is being used in EdTech to deliver personalized user experiences by adapting to every learner’s needs and requirements.
- AI and Chatbots are being used to provide the utmost support and assistance systems for the students.
Several other prominent technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, etc. are also used in EdTech to develop the most worthwhile learning practices and solutions.
EdTech vs. Traditional Education Systems: Which is more cost-effective?
Though there can’t be a pin-point or one-sided answer to this question as the cost factor is dependent on various other aspects and it varies from platform to platform. For example – a course based on the same topic or skill can be available at Rs. 2000/- on one platform and at Rs. 10,000/- on another platform. And there may be various reasons behind such mismatched prices like content quality, additional resources, etc.
However, if we overall compare the EdTech with traditional education systems, students will generally find the former one more cost-effective due to the reduced cost of additional expenditures like commutation expenses, infrastructure fees, etc.
Is EdTech the Future of the Education World?
Firstly, we must acknowledge that the current generation can interact with technologies from a very young age; a 4-year-old kid can use smartphones or tablets. Hence, when the technology is introduced in their education world, they’re more likely to engage or incline towards the learning process.
Secondly, with EdTech platforms, learning is not just limited to a physical classroom but the students can explore things at a worldwide level. And when they’re exposed to such a comprehensive learning environment, it allows them to understand things in a more comprehensive and effective way.
Furthermore, adaptive learning, gamification, and increased collaboration enhanced learning experiences, etc. enable the EdTech platforms to offer interactive avenues to connect with the student while engaging them in learning the lesson; which makes it very clear that EdTech is reshaping the education world, and, hence, the future of learning. Thus, every learner is strongly recommended to get familiar with the EdTech environment to make the most out of it.