Data analytics opens numerous doors for instructors to connect and facilitate education in better and newer ways, says Dr Pratima Sheorey

Big data is the keyword for the future. And its unprecedented relevance even today is the very reason for its prominence. Organisations today are gathering digital impressions of customers to observe their interpretation through machine learning and distributed computing. Data analytics in the education segment opens numerous doors for instructors to connect and facilitate education in new ways. It will give them a more profound comprehension of the student’s learning experience, and therefore manage the process appropriately.

Here are a few ways data analysis has already started influencing the Indian educational system:

Improved test results

The general thought of utilising data inside the instructive framework is to improve the results of the students. Right now, the only estimation of the learner’s performance is their response to assignments and tests. While this holds true, every learner produces a remarkable data trail. Dissecting this information trail continuously will help increase a superior comprehension of the individual student journey, and in devising the ideal learning conditions for them.

Customisable programmes

With the assistance of data analysis, customised programmes for every individual learner can be made. Regardless of whether schools and colleges have lakhs of students, tailor-made programmes can be made for every one of them. This is conceivable with the assistance of ‘blended learning’ — a blend of online and offline pedagogies. This offers the chance to pursue classes that the learners are keen on and furthermore work at their very own pace, and also connecting with educators/facilitators/mentors.

Analysing educators

Instructors can receive the greatest number of rewards from data analytics, because of the handling of information-driven frameworks that can enable educators to make learning experiences as indicated by a learner’s learning capacity, and inclination. Different projects can be cultivated that will urge every person to pick what they want to realise. Through this, numerous reports can be produced about the life of a student and what they might want to do or want to pursue in the future. Instructors can also understand what will and what will not work with a certain set of students, thereby improving their efficacy.

Reduce the number of dropouts

As data analytics in the training part would help improve students’ results, dropout rates at schools and universities would likewise decrease. Instructive organisations can utilise prescient examination on every one of the information that is gathered to give them fragments of knowledge on future understudy results. Such expectations can help investigate a course program before it is brought into the educational plan; limiting the scope for experimentation. Truth be told, enormous amounts of information can likewise be utilised to screen how students are performing in the real world after moving on from school. This would help the future students in picking the correct school and course, reducing the number of dropouts.

Gateway for cross-country exchange programmes

With huge information in the training area, establishments can all the more precisely foresee candidates and furthermore break down the potential factors that influence the application procedure. Such information will enable organisations to manage their enrollment procedures to get better results. Such an influx of information will also enable understudies to investigate data about schools internationally, accelerating the quest and application process for global students as well.

Career prediction

Closely analysing a student’s presentation report will assist the facilitator to understand his/her advancement and their qualities and shortcomings. The reports will propose the areas in which the student is interested, and they can seek a vocation in a similar field. If a student is enthusiastic about learning a specific subject, at that point, the decision ought to be valued and the student ought to be urged to pursue what they wish to pursue. With big data, educational institutions can look at the progress of a student and through their behaviours and insights, predict appropriate career alternatives.

Data analytics is bound to revolutionise the education sector, by allowing students to have a more positive impact on society and the future of the country. And embracing this very field will open up numerous possibilities in the Indian pedagogy system. 

The writer is Director, Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development, Pune