The ed-tech industry is growing significantly and bringing about a change in the way education is imparted to students today. They are able to learn, understand and grasp information with the use of digital tools. Students are able to analyze their strengths and weaknesses and have conversations with faculty members at the click of a button. Virtual classrooms, podcasts and apps, web conferencing, state-of-the-art downloads have all led to the growth of education online.
The number of Internet users in India has skyrocketed and is expected to cross 450 million by June’17, as per a report from the Internet and Mobile Association of India and market research firm IMRB International. With the rise in mobile penetration, an immense potential to educate the masses in a digital manner can be witnessed in India. Our country has always faced a challenge to fill the literacy gap and going digital can help to combat illiteracy. Start-ups are leveraging digital tools such as cloud computing, augmented reality, virtual reality, whiteboard, etc, to bring about a change in the existing education landscape of the country. Chat-based interactions, video presentations and personalization are some forms of training that are gaining traction in this space. Start-ups are also utilising data, graphics and videos to explain concepts, thus making learning easy, contextual and visual.
Fast and smart: Irrespective of the geographical location and time, students are now able to access their lessons with the help of digital devices and tools. They are able to control pace and prioritize their subjects as per their strengths and weaknesses. Students are able to choose from a range of careers options with flexible options. If a full-time employee is keen to pursue higher studies and cannot be present on campus then online education offers a great opportunity to build on his/her career and qualifications.
Convenient and flexible: Students no longer need to worry about missing out on important lessons anymore. With recorded lectures, students are easily able to listen to their lecturers and learn lessons as per their convenience. These recorded lectures help to boost student efficiency and improve comprehension, as students can revise and go through tough concepts multiple times. Further, these recorded lectures help students learn from distant places, as it gives them more flexibility to view content anytime and anywhere, thus saving money and time spent on travelling.
learning is for life: lack of time and convenience will no longer prove barriers for students willing to pursue higher studies along with employment in India. With virtual classroom options, learning can now be considered a lifelong habit. Students can pursue an individualized learning path that encourages them to set and manage their personal academic goals.
In this ever evolving digital age, there is a soaring demand for quality education through digital platforms around the globe. Considering infrastructural inequities, lack of connectivity and unavailability of teachers in rural areas of India, ed-tech has the potential to solve the problems and pave the way to fulfill the criteria of a digitally educated, intrinsically empowered India.
The writer is Aakash Chaudhry, Director, Aakash Educational Services Pvt ltd