Over the last decade, the education industry has significantly transformed from schools to online learning and physical books to masterclasses. From widening the curricula to the use of psychological tools in making education student-specific, the change has primarily been in a positive direction especially after the pandemic. One of the products of ed-enhancements is the inception of education technology, more popularly known as Edu-tech or Ed-tech. Simply put, it refers to the employment of internet service technology and computer systems to support education theories and facilitate learning.
What does ed-tech miss out on?
Despite ed-tech being effective in making the education process quite convenient, the results have not really been in sync with the expectations. Kids who are introverts cannot connect in an online learning environment. Teachers who are not technologically up-to-date find it hard to adapt to new teaching methodologies. A number of factors like these have contributed to ed-tech still not being a viable option for all students and teachers. Some of the most striking challenges that the ed-tech industry faces are:
Access to the internet is not equal
The first requirement to study with digital means is, quite obviously, the Internet. As per a report published by Learning Spiral, more than 50% of Indian students do not have access to the internet.
To learn online is expensive
A student who studies using technology needs a laptop or a tab or a smartphone, to begin with. Add to that a high-speed data plan. Not to mention, they may also need an additional tutor to bring home the concepts taught in the online classroom. The problem is not every learner can afford to check all those things on the list.
There’s no personal touch in ed-tech
During and after the pandemic, online learning grew rapidly. But no matter how hard teachers try, the process of teaching online cannot be tailored to fit every learner’s need. The teacher does not know how their students are on a personal level. As a result, education becomes a one-size-fits-all thing and pursuit for better marks at the cost of learning what’s valuable in the real world. In the post pandemic era, online learning is further isolating students from deeply connecting with one another.
Online learning doesn’t focus on soft skills
One of the core purposes of the education system is to equip students to learn soft skills. With ed-tech it’s hard to inculcate soft skills such as effective communication, empathetic listening and present moment awareness.
With that said, what can we do to improve ed-tech?
- Roll it out for those who are 100% ready
Ed-tech is no doubt an impressive way to educate but there are always going to be teachers and students who will not be comfortable with this. Imposing the ed-tech system will only serve to deteriorate the teaching and learning experience for both teachers and learners respectively. An organized attempt must be made to check the expansion of ed-tech so that no institution is forced to make the change whilst unprepared.
The future hinges on the present day. It is only when we try to turn things right in the present, we can realize the dream of an ideal future - for education and for everything else. Ed-tech is definitely a great method to support 21st-century learning and prepare students for the future of work. However, a broader and more inclusive perspective is what we need to make it reach its full potential.
What do you think can make ed-tech work better for our children? Write to us at contact@beyond8.in and let us know. Stay tuned to the Beyond8 blog for more such insights on education for the future!