Technology is an indispensable part of our lives today. From the laptop I am using to type, to the digital network I am connected to, and how you are reading this article on the internet. It's tangible and intangible. It has permeated social, economic, and geographical boundaries at every front.
Similarly, technology has also swept the education sector, with many reforms, transforming the sector with new technologies such as AI, ML, AR, VR to name a few.All these innovations are helping transform what a traditional classroom can do, and is changing the way information is consumed by the students these days.
Modern Classrooms: Today everybody is moving towards self-paced learning,with students taking the onus of education on their own shoulders. With the option to use different formats of learning, education is becoming a fun process. Technology aids the process of innovation in education. There are many ways to teach the same content to students. The same textual content is now shown through videos in form for documentaries and motion pictures, which aids better information retention. Videos aid the process of learning even more as it helps in registering the information better. Many classrooms have also adopted the use of podcasts to supplement the textual learning process. Audio and visual modes of communication help in better retention of complex subjects.
Globalized Learning: With the help of the self-paced learning we can reach people beyond the walls of a traditional classroom. We can even compare our progress with global peers with the help of AI and ML. We can make learning an interactive process by connecting with peers from across countries and undertake projects for a more holistic learning. This process is especially helpful in learning newer languages, where one can interact with a person of different ethnicity or language, in just a moment.
Using AI: With the advent of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, learning has become even more precise. AI uses advanced analyticsto monitor the process of a student and suggest a SWOT report, so that the student is able to make the most out of their learning time. AI generates insights and further recommends more learning matter in the same contextto ensure that the student is able to master a subject well.
Remote Learning: Before, students used to migrate from Tier 1 or 2 cities to metro cities in order to realize their dreams of attending top universities in the country but thanks to the technological advancements of our time, there's no longer the need to travel for a traditional classroom, when learning can be done online. Many universities are now offering online-only courses for students, who either don't have the financial means to attend a proper college or are juggling jobs to get ahead in their path to success. Remote learning is today a booming sector, which can be corroborated with the rise in online-learning platforms that confer graduate, post-graduate degrees to students, who are now being widely accepted across many organizations.
Feedback: AI is also being utilized now to feature Chatbots on learning platforms that provide immediate feedback to standardized queries, especially in the process of admissions. Chatbots are also used to track the trajectory of a student and recommend additional courses to meet their unique needs.
Events and More: Many events also now take place in the virtual environment. Some educational ventures have taken it ahead by bringing Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality to the table,taking campus or school events to a new level. It doesn't stop there, AR and VR are also being used in Medical, Flying and Engineering institutes to support the process of learning by putting the student in a simulation. The students can interact in the Augmented Reality environment and test their learning to see how they apply classroom learnings into real life.
Reminders: Every time we go to a site, we are asked to create profiles or register using our e-mail addresses. Ever wondered why? It's because all registered email addresses are stored in a database, which is then used to send reminders for completing courses, turning in submissions, or to inform the recipients of new courses or features. All this has been made possible due to the technological leaps we have taken.
Learning Doesn't Stop: E-learning gives people anonymity, and sometimes it can be a good thing. Many people in the world couldn't continue studying due to many issues, they could be financial, social or personal reasons. Re-joining schools or colleges at a later age was generally seen with contempt in the society, but now things are changing. With the advent of the World Wide Web, people can go back to learning and complete their school honors or university degrees without having to face the social stigma. Not just that, many people in their free time are opting for short-courses online to gain competitive edge over their peers. We are in the age where learning never stops.
On-demand Learning: With the help of laptops, smartphones and wide-spread connectivity to information, accessing content anytime and anywhere isn't a hassle. People can learn on-the-go, simply by downloading the videos/podcasts/text in a suitable format and there you have it, education on-demand!
We've come quite far from traditional classroom learnings, with just textbooks and taking notes. With technological developments taking place every minute, there's more to come in the future that will change the way we learn things completely.
By Randhir Kumar, Founder & CEO, BasicFirst
Randhir Kumar is the Founder and Chief Mentor of BasicFirst. He plays a key role in implementing technology in education tutoring and test preparation. His experience in the industry has helped him to analyse the dominant qualities among students and understand the concepts of the curriculum which has in the process helped the students score good ranks in competitive exams and board examinations.
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