Learning is a never-ending process. Leadership and managerial skills in this data age are measured on the proficiency of a professional in understanding technology and deploying for business results, hence digital learning is becoming an essential part of the educational process. Identification of right technology to be deployed is key to improve student-teacher interaction and enhance their connectivity for mutual benefit to both.
Over the years classroom learnings have moved from Blackboards to technology driven devices like projectors, large monitor screens and interactive media. Technology driven education involves use of IT tools for engaging and ensuring personalised learning experiences leading to high quality content and understanding. With technology changing rapidly not only equipment used for teaching but all dimensions of education sector have gone through radical changes. Covid times have redefined the way education is imparted in universities and colleges. A look at some of them will help us understand the new era of Learning through Education.
1.Internet of Things (IoT’s) in Education
IoT devices enhance educational learning. Internet provides a wealth of information from open textbook to online courses. Students can explore diverse subject and access research papers and learn from experts globally. Wearable technology like smartwatches and VR headsets facilitates voice notes, audio lectures, and receiving class notifications. Wearable technology provides carrying comfort and can radically change the learning environment for students.
2. Immersive Learning
Students now engage with interactive simulations and virtual words using Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). This enhances comprehension as students can pay better attention. Advantage of AR over VR is that it can be used on a variety of devices like smartphones in EdTech to create interactive learning for everyone.
3. Online Learning and Remote Education
E learning resources, video lectures, and webinars allow students to learn at their own pace, anytime and anywhere. This has also nullified geographical boundaries. Business schools are adopting blended learning approaches that integrate online and offline teaching methods. Few days of Campus Immersion helps Institute commercially in a greater way. Teachers can provide more in-depth information of their course modules and can access webinar, workshops and online resources to stay updated with the latest teaching methodologies.
4. Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI)
In the educational industry many of manual jobs like activity monitoring and attendance tracking have been replaced by AI/Apps. Generative AI is the name of the game now. Introduction of ChatGPT and other chatbots produce responses within seconds to raised queries and round the clock thus freeing up educators’ time for more meaningful interactions. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can also provide 24/7 support to students, making education more accessible. AI and Machine Learning (ML) can be used to improve the efficiency of educational processes, tracking student progress, personalised approach for study and can provide real-time feedback and assessment. AI algorithms help analyse student data, learning gaps and suggest intervention. Virtual assistants help answer student queries in seconds.
5. Game Enabled Learning
Gamification of learning activities incorporates dynamic videos with interactive elements to engage and hold attention of participants. This is integration of game mechanics with conventional learning approaches. This enables teachers to incorporate more fun and interaction into the curriculum. In this both students’ motivation and competency are increased.
6. Rise of Learning Platforms in Vernacular Languages
Audiences for vernacular learning channels on social and streaming media is growing day by day leading to subscription-based model of learning. You tube has been the major facilitator in this. Many educators are running their own channels and after a free demo of certain period they are charging as little as few rupees for monthly subscription enrolment. Explosive growth in internet technologies is leading to increased demand from the middle class and emerging middle-class families in non-metro cities.
7. Enhanced Teacher student Communication.
Lifelong learning is essential in today fast changing environment. Technology promotes better communication between Teacher students and its stakeholders. Real time communication tools ensure timely updates and feedback are available to all stakeholders.
8. Adoptions of Technology in Business Course.
Data analytics to artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are revolutionizing how businesses operate. Employers prefer candidates proficient in AI and machine learning. As a result, schools must ensure that students not only possess technical skills but also know how to use them strategically. Technology has been deployed in many business courses. Business schools are creating collaborative spaces where students gain hands-on experience and work on real-world projects to enhance their digital competency and problem-solving skills.
9. ERP/CRM in Educational Institutions
ERP helps streamline many processes in education institutions and is serving as backbone for their successful operations. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software’s help manage relationships with students and other stakeholders effectively. It can track student inquiries, streamline the enrolment process, handle complaints, provide support and improve communication with existing and prospective students.
10. Data Management Technologies.
In the current Digital Age businesses are investing heavily in securing, analysing, and understanding the data for growth and the education sector is no laggard. Since digital technologies made education more accessible, blurring the lines between formal and informal learning. Digitalisation is helping navigate the difficult path of managing data and securing resources in educational Institutions.
11. Cost Effectiveness
Digital devices are reducing the cost associated with physical resources. Online medium learning has made learning financially viable for many. It has also helped in reduced usage of papers and make it environmentally sustainable also.
In a nutshell technology is penetrating harder and deeper into educational businesses. Both Traditional education system and EdTech’s are competing with each other with their own set of challenges but advantages to students. To remain relevant to students’ community and educators, Institutions need to embrace technology even faster, automate processes including recruitment and admission processes, connect different platforms so as to build synergies and explore new learning techniques.
