EdTech Trends

As a kid, we used to wake up drowsily at the sound of an alarm clock for school, worrying about the homework that was left undone the night before. Later came a time when we began to carry our own smartphones and covered all the syllabus one night before the exams through online YouTube lectures. We all grew up too fast and along with us, the technology made progress too. The market for EdTech is growing rapidly and will experience a surge of more than 200 billion till the year 2027. This drastic increase in EdTech was mainly because of the Covid-19 pandemic but now this new system of education has become a norm. Let’s have a sneak peek into EdTech and see how it is impacting our education system. 

What is EdTech?

Recently, a number of schools, universities and educational institutes have started to incorporate and introduce computer hardware and software in order to help and facilitate learning. This shift from the conventional methods (i.e. black/white boards) to highly advanced technology (i.e. tablets and laptops) is known as e learning or EdTech. Some major examples are Google Classroom, Zoom or other mobile apps which are used to interact and learn remotely. In classrooms, EdTech is used in the form of projection screens and tablets (to take digital notes rather than pen and paper notes). Even lectures are recorded and uploaded for the ease of students. Remotely, various learning management systems (LMS) or course management systems (CMS) such as Edmodo, Nearpod, Moodle and Blackboard allow students to access course material, documents and other information. They can even submit their work online through these systems by simply uploading them.

Now let’s move on to the tech trends that are dominating in education sector and see how technology is reshaping the process of learning:

1. Adaptive Learning

Previously, the idea behind the traditional learning system was that all students should be exposed to the same information and should follow the same steps and pace for learning. This was a flop to much extent, since each student has different aptitude and comprehending abilities, so the education system must cling to individual student’s needs. With Artificial Intelligence and the introduction of data science such issues have been eliminated. Adaptive learning provides customized material and resources to the learner. This not only helps to improve their overall performance but also makes them aware of their skills and talents which they can better utilize in future.

2. Gamification

Gaming has become a part of the modernized approach in schools and educational institutes. Kids and even adults today are very much into gaming and entertainment. This promotes a healthy competition among students, since they get involved in highly interactive and engaging activities. Such activities enhance their performance and provide them with supportive and creative content or information which can be useful in real life situations. This also allows them to think beyond their usual limits, unlike the traditional rote learning system. Also, games provide them with quick feedback so that they can work on and improve their skills.

3. AR, VR and MR

The incorporation of Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality in various sectors such as marketing, healthcare, education and entertainment has positively influenced them. These budding technologies have the potential to improve students’ learning capabilities by providing them access to virtual information. They can later practice and implement what they have learned in a simulated environment. Students can apply their knowledge in the real world as well. Through this, the rift that existed in the process of learning (because of traditional textbooks) will be eliminated.

4. Remote learning and redesigning physical spaces

Students can virtually connect with their instructors, access online courses (YouTube, Coursera and Khan Academy) and attend virtual conferences without their physical presence in lecture rooms/classrooms. Even in classrooms and universities, smart devices such as smart desks, multimedia tools, and smart boards will open doors to new and boundless opportunities.

As more and more smart devices are pouring in, EdTech will continue to dominate. With these EdTech initiatives students will grow in intellectual terms.