Author: NVH Krishnan
The digital age has provided a plethora of opportunities to modern-day students, wherein they can spend ample time at their convenience learning from online lectures, researching through the internet for assignments, and earning certificates without knowing the real-world application of their learnings. This is a key hurdle that is evident in digital education. While learning material is easily accessible, understanding it in depth and its practical application in workplaces are two different things.
Making education accessible, but less isolated
Online education provides students with convenience in terms of where and when they can learn. Tier-II and Tier-III students can learn from online courses offered by reputed institutions without requiring them to visit the institute in person. These are first-of-their-kind changes that the education sector has witnessed. However, the experience can be an isolated one, given the scarce interaction with teachers and consulting industry experts.
Each student has their own way of understanding concepts and applying them practically. For instance, one may understand a concept sooner but struggle with understanding its real-world application. On the contrary, there may be another student who takes time to understand the basics but, once they do, strongly understands their practical application. Another may take longer to grasp the basics but perform well when given a practical task. Their difficulties are different, and so is the personalised support that they need.
Why personalised learning and mentorship matter
Customised learning, hence, becomes crucial in the age of digital learning. It is not about making education complicated for every student but paying closer attention to how a student is progressing individually. At times, a student needs another explanation. At other instances, they may lack the confidence to complete a tough assignment without fearing the possibility of getting it wrong.
Technology can help identify areas where students are falling behind. However, a performance report cannot always explain the reason. A teacher who has interacted with the student may recognise that the problem is a lack of clarity, limited practice, or even hesitation in asking questions.
Mentorship adds another dimension to this process. Students often have questions that go beyond their syllabus. Students usually take a shot in the dark when pursuing a degree, while thinking about how it may help them reach their dream workplace or pursue something they desire as a career. A seasoned professional with real-world experience can help them assess these questions more clearly.
Bridging the gap between learning and employment
This matters when students move towards employment. Companies do not hire people simply because they have completed a course. They expect them to communicate, work with others, solve problems and take responsibility for their decisions. A pre-recorded session is only one-way communication, and hence, development in silos continues.
Assignments requiring group contribution, discussions of real-world case studies, and real-time feedback can enable students to understand the professional work environment better while they are still learning. A mentor can also point out mistakes that a student may not recognise independently. Such feedback is often more useful than another certificate added to a CV.
Artificial intelligence and digital learning tools will continue to change how education is delivered. While AI and new-age tools have simplified learning for students, they cannot be treated as replacements for teachers
and mentors. As more information becomes available, it becomes more important to know how to assess it, question it, and use it responsibly. Students need guidance in developing that judgement.
Digital education has solved an important part of the learning problem: access. The next challenge is ensuring that students do not have to figure everything out on their own. What they learn matters, but so does the guidance they receive while learning it.
Advisor at JAIN Online and Member, Chancellor’s Advisory Board at JAIN (Deemed-to-be) University