Change being the only constant, it has always been crucial in defining growth; and 2020 will forever be remembered as the year that brought a lot of changes within the global education system. In an aftermath of the World Health Organization’s designation of coronavirus as a pandemic on March 11^th 2020, most colleges and universities across the world have been shut down in an attempt to curb its spread. A UNESCO report estimates that the coronavirus pandemic will adversely impact over 290 million students across 22 countries.

There is no denying the fact that this pandemic has shifted the age-old, chalk–talk teaching method to the one driven by technology. With this shift away from the classroom, remote learning has become the new catchphrase. The world of learners has welcomed e-learning as a source of staying connected with their tutors online. Before the COVID-19 spread, there was already high growth and adoption of online education with the number of users enrolled for various e-learning courses being estimated to be 1.6 Million in 2016, which is expected to grow by about 9.6 Million by the end of 2021. This kind of acceptance towards e-learning platforms has led some to wonder whether the adoption of online learning will continue post-pandemic, and how this transition is bound to impact the education sector worldwide.

In 2020, when conventional learning is still practised across  majority of schools and colleges in India, personalized online learning is emphasizing on a different approach – one that places the growth of students above marks and grades.

With technology being ubiquitous, students from the era of personal computers and mobile phones can no longer adjust to the conventional methods of learning. Rabindranath Tagore - a true visionary, said, ‘Don’t limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time’. Today, the world is very different from what our parents or grandparents grew up and lived in. In the current era when higher importance is given to skills rather than grades, ‘Standardization’ and ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ education can no longer be promoted. In a classroom, when all students are together, following the lessons and understanding it at the same time may be a challenge for few.

Personalized Learning over Conventional Learning, Why?

• Supported with high quality digitized content and constantly revised concepts available just a click away, Customized Learning makes learning attractive and engaging for the learners.
• While Personalized Learning thrives in a technology rich environment, teachers also play a crucial role in ensuring quality learning of a student. With active learning experience, the students and teacher interactions have also seen a rise.
• Classroom learning is limited to textbook knowledge and the information provided by the teachers. With personalized learning, students have access to more sources, experts and typically internet to refer to. Learning is tailored and optimized for each learner and is solely driven by the interest of the learner.
• Online learning platforms are constantly bridging the accessibility gap, and eventually, technology has made it easier for learning to be consumed at the pace of the learner.
• While conventional learning was structured around homeworks, sessionals and mid-term exams, Customized Learning emphasizes on simultaneous assessments and the growth is accessed based on personal learning goals.

Undoubtedly, in 2020, when conventional learning is still practiced across majority of schools and colleges in India, personalized online learning is emphasizing on a different approach – one that places the growth of students above marks and grades.

Adding his inputs about the increasing e-learning adoption amid Covid19 pandemic, Nikhil Barshikar, Co-founder, Imarticus Learning says, “Our world today is undeniably digital. With new disruptive technologies replacing old archaic systems, people realise the significance of online learning and quite a significant number of people are opting for online courses. Those who have a desire to learn, to excel find their way to the top, for them barriers cease to exists. COVID-19 is an eye opener and has educated people about switching to online learning. This sudden, but smooth shift has raised awareness on the benefits of online learning and pursuing courses online.”

Lastly, like Benjamin Franklin said, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” With personalized learning being continuously adopted, it is essential to understand that personalized learning is a vision; it is an approach to learning and not a set of programs to be learnt in itself. When learners have more choices to pick from, they tend to take more ownership of their learning strategies and impart self-regulated learning behaviour which is necessary for lifelong learning. Unlike conventional methods of learning, personalized learning ensures that every learner is provided with what they need to be successful, regardless of their culture, race, socio-economic background, mental or physical abilities, or geography. Personalized learning gives them all, the ability to learn at their own pace, and in a way this is the best for them!