• Online Education in India: 2021’, a comprehensive report prepared by KPMG in India and Google points out that the online education market in India is slated to witness an eight-fold growth by 2021
• There is already a rise in the number of e-learning companies offering classroom supplement solutions and solutions for competitive examinations
• Coming years will witness a further rise

14July, 2018

by Beas Dev Ralhan

The K—12 education sector has undergone an overhaul in the last decade. Although, technology has made inroads into the sector with the promise of actively engaging students in the learning process, thereby, improving learning outcomes and reducing teachers’ repetitive tasks, its huge potential has not been fully realised yet.

Students need to have more agency in their learning process. Teachers are still largely the sole disseminators of knowledge. But with technology intervention, the scenario could undergo a huge transformation and the teacher would become more of a facilitator in the entire teaching-learning gamut.

The increasing role of technology 

Online learning

Online Education in India: 2021’, a comprehensive report prepared by KPMG in India and Google points out that the online education market in India is slated to witness an eight-fold growth by 2021. There is already a rise in the number of e-learning companies offering classroom supplement solutions and solutions for competitive examinations.  And the coming years will witness a further rise.

• Anytime, anywhere learning

This trend allows students to learn anytime from anywhere ensuring learning is no longer limited to the four walls of a classroom. Students can learn from the comforts of their home or while strolling in the park. This allows learners to explore their interests more. For instance, in the conventional scenario, a learner can approach the teacher only during school hours to clarify any doubts. However, many online learning platforms have doubt clarification sessions that allow students to clarify their doubts instantly.

• Peer learning

Online learning opens the door for student collaboration. In a classroom, teachers are often pressed for time and there are not many opportunities for students to learn from one another. However, online learning platforms have a dedicated learning community where students can help each other learn. They can collaborate on projects, clarify each other’s doubts or discuss projects. This helps them gain a fresh perspective on topics and learn concepts anew.

Making learning more engaging

One of the reasons technological intervention in the K-12 sector is successful is because of its great potential to make educational content engaging and interesting. Thanks to 2D and 3D technology, digital content has made itself a useful resource for both students and teachers. Theory in itself is not enough to make students understand concepts. Digital content due to its interactive nature is easy to grasp. Students are able to understand and retain concepts better. In the near future, we would see a proliferation of content using technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR).

Artificial Intelligence

Compared to other sectors like health and infrastructure, technology has been a late entrant in the education sector due to which the impact of artificial intelligence is also be bound to be delayed. But it has immense potential to improve the learning outcomes in the education sector.

Adaptive learning – This is a unique learning solution powered by artificial intelligence, where the learning path is personalised for each learner based on interactions with learners.  It suggests a series of assessments and study materials, to each learner to mitigate his/her learning gaps and meet their individual learning objectives.  This personalised way of learning enables learners to study at their own pace and as per their own ability. Thus, a personalised learning experience engages students effectively in their own learning.

Besides the advent of technology, the education sector has also witnessed a change in the approach towards teaching and learning in the last decade.

Focus away rote learning to building 21st century skills

Not everything is bad about rote learning, but it should not be an end in itself. Learning should focus on preparing students for their professional life. In the coming years, we will see the emergence of a curriculum that will emphasize on hands-on activities, experiential learning and more. The emphasis will not just be on acquiring skills and knowledge but also on the process of learning which will be more student-centric.

Importance of coding 

Coding involves writing programs for the creation of computer software, websites and apps. Realizing the indispensable nature of coding in today’s tech-savvy world, the concept is introduced right at the kindergarten level in many countries. . Although, the children are not taught traditional programming languages, they are introduced to fundamental programming concepts, such as sequencing, loops and conditionals, through exciting activities. Besides developing programming skills, coding also helps students develop 21st century skills – creativity, collaboration, communication and critical-thinking.

Alleviating the burden on teachers 

Technology can be a great teaching ally too. The existing digital content helps teachers engage the classroom effectively. In the coming years, we will see a rise in the incorporation of Learning Management System (LMS) into the K-12 sector. LMS aids in planning and delivering education course and also tracking its delivery. An LMS will help a teacher plan the curriculum in-depth and also track the learning progress. The detailed reports will inform teachers about the deviations encountered in the well-defined learning path so that action can be taken to mitigate these deviations.

There has been a rise in e-learning content. However, a major part of the available content is ineffective in engaging students and improving learning outcomes. Thus, parameters to evaluate content will have to be set. The role of government bodies is paramount in promoting such initiatives.

Thus it can be inferred that in the next few years, the k-12 sector will witness improved learning outcomes. It will be able to provide an environment conducive to increased student engagement and improved teacher performance.

• Multiple issues ranging from obsolete syllabus, lack of practical learning, shortage of quality educators, and other issues formed the crux of the problem.
• e-learning has been able to permeate many layer of the Indian society, and the platform is fast-becoming an essential tool in transforming the educational system for good

by Bhola Meena

There was a time when the state of the Indian education system was significantly dismal and bleak. Multiple issues ranging from obsolete syllabus, lack of practical learning, shortage of quality educators, and other issues formed the crux of the problem. However, in the past couple of years, one could undoubtedly observe educational efficacy evolve with the support of digital means.

E-learning has played the role of a catalyst for bringing about an equitable approach to high-quality education. It has done so by providing unlimited teaching and learning opportunities, while also improving student’s learning outcomes, participation and pedagogical innovation tremendously.

The proliferation of digital tools like apps, tablets, and laptops has introduced a sense of unbridled, real-time interaction into the learning process. A simple chalk & talk lesson has matured into engagement, collaboration and feedback. This reflects in the number of eager learners who sign up for online courses. In 2016 alone, 5.8 million students enrolled in online courses. This is a 263% increase over the last twelve years, making India the third-largest online learning market behind only the US and China.

E-learning has reached deep and wide

Breaking barriers is one thing, and the ability to consolidate education and training across geographical constraints is another. E-learning has penetrated into the Indian hinterland owing to increasing affordability of high-speed Internet as well as access to smart-phones. Students are being empowered to get quality resource and education, anytime, anywhere. Improved connectivity and digital payment access have further bolstered the concept of education for all.

It is proving to be value for money, and flexible with time

There was a 175% increase in the cost of education from 2008 to 2014. This made the online space the most cost-effective place for learners to hone new skills, supplement for school learning, prepare for competitive exams or even take up non-academic subjects. Courses online are 53% cheaper than offline alternatives. Along with that ardent learners are also able to save on time otherwise lost while travelling from one place to another. They can simply log on to their devices and leverage the benefits of e-learning on the go.

Quality has not been lost despite its reach

Online learning is a great platform to present a world-class learning experience to the ever-expanding student community and workforce. There is no denying that each year a limited number of seats are available at leading universities. Many lose out on them, and along with it, on the chance of getting a quality education. However, online education has changed this. Many online websites have opened up access to live and interactive learning in collaboration with premier schools and universities from around the globe. The faculty is best in class and the students have the opportunity to learn directly from industry stalwarts. Simple-to-use interface, virtual field trips, email, virtual labs, electronic textbooks, and free online resources are students them excellent global educational experiences.

It is customizable to personal needs and goals

Personalized e-learning enables learners to customize a variety of the elements involved in their education process. From modified schedules, personalized lesson plans and activities, customized goal-setting, everything is as per the individual’s needs.  This unique learning approach has helped provide individualized and differentiated instruction to each learner. This makes the learning experience richer and with improved learning results.

The online-to-offline strategy is removing the barricade of owning gadgets

Many e-learning centers have adopted an O2O strategy; that is an Online-to-Offline strategy. In this approach, they rope in local coaching institutes, independent tutors, and publishers, to offer students a simulated learning experience. This is a big leap in terms of providing digital access to a wider learning audience. It ensures that quality study materials and preparation guides are available to those who live beyond metro cities.

Evidently, e-learning is creating a better learning environment for learners and teachers alike. It is now expanding into areas like test preparation for government and bank jobs, re-skilling initiatives and professional certification for entrepreneurs and professionals looking to upgrade their skillset, higher education through distance-learning, and casual learning.

Product offerings are set to increase with the advent of artificial intelligence and Big Data analytics. While the former will make discovery of learning more accessible and intuitive; the latter will contextualize learning options and drive purchase behaviour based on past choices of learning modules.

To summarize, e-learning has been able to permeate many layer of the Indian society, and the platform is fast-becoming an essential tool in transforming the educational system for good.

Source: https://qrius.com/online-based-learning-is-transforming-the-indian-education-system/