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EdTech: The new future of educational institutions to reintroduce learning and engage students

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The emphasis should be to produce students who are industry-ready

EdTech is the new necessity
Technology was implemented in the education sector long back but we could not understand its importance until the outbreak of the pandemic. Educational Technology or EdTech is the acknowledgement of implementing technology in education and not merely its implementation. In the year 2020 when the pandemic hit us, we understood the significance of technology in various sectors, especially in education. Globalisation has given rise to various brand-new prospects which have even introduced changes in the education sector alongside new challenges that need to be addressed. A wrong perception that has been prevalent is that EdTech only employs digitalisation in terms of technology, but there is so much more to it, which needs exploration. It is usually mistaken to be a form of learning, which eliminates classrooms but all EdTech has provided is a modern transformation to our age-old classrooms.

Transformation of EdTech
The pandemic has helped us understand the importance of technology in a harder way. EdTech platforms have been prevalent in the pre-pandemic era but neither students nor mentors acknowledged their value. If the pandemic has shown us anything then it has to be the transformation of digital learning being just a mere choice to an absolute necessity. Thus, EdTech has developed prospects during the Covid-19 outbreak for establishing itself as an industry in the post-pandemic era. Traditional classrooms have been a part and parcel of our lives since time immemorial when we could not even think of a system of remote learning. This is because for us physical presence and resorting to physical study materials like notebooks, books, and blackboards were the correct and only modes of learning. The primary motive for implementing technology in education is to ensure that students indulge in interactive and collaborative learning.

Another aspect that needs to be highlighted here is that the pandemic is the sole reason for the increase in EdTech. Earlier, customised learning was a distant thought but with the blend of technology, teachers started employing learning methods catering to individuals’ needs and perceptions. The approach of educational institutions has changed paramount today when compared to the pre-pandemic period as now technology has even been implemented in primary schools. However, education has not entirely shifted its base to digital technology and thus, a blended form of education has become prevalent, where the best of both physical and digital classrooms are merged to provide an innovative experience for future leaders. Skill-based learning has also taken the limelight with the introduction of EdTech. Institutions are focusing on providing their students with a holistic form of education with knowledge as well as the scope to garner skills so as to ensure that they can respond to new opportunities that might come their way in the future.

How EdTech can bring about a change
Modern education has become all about exploring various genres and choosing the best. Therefore, to provide the experience of various aspects, various tools need to be implemented, which can yield great results:

● Multiple learning models: The pandemic has seen a dramatic shift from physical to virtual classrooms but now an amalgamation of learning models is implemented in schools to come up with innovative techniques. It is now a phase of trial and error, where various technological tools like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are employed. Flexibility has become one of the primary necessities in today’s education system. Moreover, customization has seeped into various sectors, be it food, experiences, or gadgets. Today’s education is no different, where customization and flexibility have become two sides of a coin. Learning is incomplete without these two factors prevalent.

● Beyond boundaries: Remote learning provides the flexibility of time and provides more opportunities to interact with people across borders. Students can thus learn anywhere and everywhere, where they can access study materials from mentors around the world. Students can indulge in learning and give their full attention during their allotted time, which further increases the efficiency of learning. Teachers can also monitor their student's progress or engagement through online discussions, videos, and online group projects.

● Bridging learning gaps: Learning gaps usually happen due to differences in the perceptions and opinions of individuals. Competency-based learning has become the need of the hour, where technological tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI) map individuals’ learning capacities and simplify learning materials to ensure efficient learning. Thus, learners can progress at their own pace, using personalised learning material. The motto has been to initiate learning that is not conventional but cogent.

EdTech: The future industry to develop business-ready individuals
Change is prevalent in every field, be it in the industrial sector or education sector, especially after the outbreak of the pandemic. However, the changes that have made their way into our lives are sure to stay, out of which technological intervention is one and the most important of them. Students have been expecting an integrated approach to education from the initial stage so that they are ready for the industry as soon as they step out of their institutes. Thus, we can say that EdTech has prospects to develop into a fully-functional industry and grow a brand-new revenue model in the coming years, enhancing the economy. Furthermore, the emphasis should not just be restricted to memorising but to instigate comprehending concepts apart from working on developing skills. We should resort to this approach, especially in this era of globalisation to keep up with the fast-forwarding world for a better and brighter future.