To check the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, most governments around the world temporarily closed educational institutions. Such national closures are affecting the huge student population of India. Indian Government has been putting lot of efforts to reduce the immediate impact of school closures, and to facilitate continuity of education through remote learning for all.
During the last few months of the lockdown, the K-12 education markets has undergone an overhaul. While technology has made inroads into the sector with the promise of active participation of students in the learning process, thereby enhancing learning outcomes and reducing repetitive tasks for teachers, its enormous potential has not yet been fully realized.
Students need more involvement in the learning process. Teachers tend to be largely the only disseminators of information. But this technology intervention could make a huge transformation in education sector and the teacher would become more of a facilitator in the entire teaching learning gamut.
The Increasing Role of Technology
a. Online learning
There is already a rise in the number of e-learning firms offering classroom supplement solutions and competitive examination solutions. And a further increase will be witnessed in the coming years.
Anytime, Anywhere Learning
The movement encourages students to learn from anywhere at any time , meaning that learning is no longer confined to the four walls of a classroom. Students can learn from their homes' comforts, or while strolling through the park. This allows learners to more fully explore their interests. For example, in the conventional scenario, a learner can only approach the teacher to clarify any doubts during school hours. However, many online learning platforms do have doubts about clarification sessions that allow students to instantly clarify their doubts.
“One of the reasons why technological intervention is successful in the K-12 sector is because of its great potential to make educational content interesting and engaging”
Peer Learning
Online learning opens the door to collaboration amongst students. In a classroom setting, teachers limits the students to discover their learning through their classmates. Online learning platforms do, however, have a dedicated learning community in which students can help each other learn. They can collaborate on projects, clarify the doubts of one another or discuss projects. This helps them to get a fresh perspective on subjects and to relearn concepts.
b. Making Learning More Engaging
One of the reasons why technological intervention is successful in the K-12 sector is because of its great potential to make educational content interesting and engaging. Digital content has become a valuable tool for both the students and teachers thanks to 2D and 3D technology. Theory in itself is not sufficient to get students to understand concepts. Digital content is easy to grasp, due to its interactive nature. Students can better understand and retain concepts. 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).
c. Artificial Intelligence
Compared to other sectors such as health and infrastructure, technology has been a late entrant in the education sector due to which it is also bound to delay the impact of artificial intelligence. But it has tremendous potential to enhance learning outcomes in the education sector. Adaptive learning-This is a revolutionary learning approach driven by artificial intelligence, where the learning route for each learner is customized based on experiences with learners. It recommends a series of tests and study materials, to reduce each learner 's learning differences and achieve their individual learning goals. This customized way of learning allows learners to study at their own pace and according to their own abilities. A customized learning experience thus effectively involves the students in their own learning.
To add to the introduction of technology, over the last decade the education sector has also undergone a revolution in the approach to teaching and learning.
Alleviating the Burden on Teachers
Technology also can be a great ally for teaching. The digital content that already exists helps teachers effectively engage the classroom. We'll see an improvement in the introduction of the Learning Management System (LMS) into the K-12 field in the coming years. LMS assists in the preparation and implementation of training courses and in the control of their implementation. An LMS will help a teacher plan the curriculum in-depth and track progress in learning as well.
There was an increase in content on e-learning. Nonetheless, a large portion of the material available is unsuccessful in engaging students and enhancing learning outcomes. Therefore, parameters will have to be set to determine content. The role of government institutions in promoting these initiatives is paramount.
Thus it can be assumed that in the next few years, the k-12 sector will witness improved learning outcomes. It will enable an environment conducive to increased student engagement and improved teacher performance.
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