K12 Digest – July 2021 – India Edition – Digital Education Challenges and Opportunities in India by Connecta Innovation

DIGITAL EDUCATION

INDIAN EDITION

www.k12digest.com

FEATURING INSIDE

HOW ONLINE EDUCATION IS EMERGING IN INDIA Gaurav Perti Founder & CEO, PurpleTutor

ONLINE EDUCATION IN INDIA-IMPACTS CREATED BY THE EDTECH INDUSTRY Shiv Ram Choudhary CEO & Founder, Codevidhya

JULY 2021

FEATURING INSIDE

LEARNING WITHOUT LIMITS: INCREASING TECH ACCESSIBILITY IN THE K–12 CLASSROOM Yogesh Makkar Founder, Kapdec

TECH FOR BETTER LEARNING OUTCOMES

Charu Noheria Co-Founder & COO, Practically

July 2021

Vol - 2 Issue - 7

Digital Education in India Special Head of Advisory Board Dr. Varughese K.John, PhD

Managing Editor Sarath Shyam

Consultant Editors

Dr. Johny Andrews Navya Venkatesh Joseph Alex

Naomi Wilson Roshni Rajagopal Nikita Thakur

Enquiry: admin@k12digest.com

Art and Design

Ajay K Das Manjunath R Rohith Poojary

Sales & Marketing

Jennifer Anderson Rachel Roy Jyoti Kumari

Monica Davis Anna Elza Reshma A

Enquiry: adim@k12digest.com

Subscription

www.k12digest.com

International Representation

GET THE MOBILE ISSUE

London Connecta Global Ltd. 27, Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX, United Kingdom Bangalore Connecta Innovation Pvt. Ltd. Carlton Towers, Old Airport Road, Bangalore - 560008 India Dubai Focus Innovation Technollgies FZE P.O. Box 48299, Dubai Silicon Oasis Dubai, UAE

K12 Higher Digest Education Digest July May-June March 2021 2019 2020

K12 Digest is a digital magazine published by Connecta Innovation Private Limited. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed in the content and pictures provided are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Connecta Innovation Private Limited or any of its members and we do not assume any responsibility. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the advertisements, its content, pictures, and all representation of warranties made in such advertisements are those of the advertisers and not of the publisher. K12 Digest is a Free Subscription digital magazine strictly not for sale and has to be strictly for internal private use only. Publisher does not assume any responsibility arising out of anyone printing copy of this digital magazine in any format and in any country and all matters related to that.

MANAGING EDITOR’S NOTE

What Happens When the Futures Comes Early?

igital education was an active topic of discussion for our academicians and industry experts even before the pandemic. However, the topic hardly came out of the boardrooms to the classroom. Many took online education providers as glorified tuition teachers who can augment whatever students learn at schools. A couple of years ago, nobody had thought that online or digital education would become a primary medium of learning. Today, the ‘chalk and talk’ approach has taken the backseat, as digital classrooms are on the podium. Although we embrace the numerous advantages of online education, a big question stands tall in front of us - is India ready for digital education? According to UNICEF, over 320 million learners in India have been adversely affected and transitioned to the e-learning

industry, which comprises a network of 1.5 million schools. Annual Status of Education Report 2020 shows that only one-third of India’s schoolchildren are pursuing online education, and a smaller cohort of this 32.5% are doing live online classes. There is a digital divide in the Indian school education system. The gap is wider, and it needs immediate attention. It is an opportunity for the government and private institutions to come together and overcome the challenges. In this special issue, we bring insights and opinions of industry experts and academic leaders on Digital Education in India: Challenges and Opportunities. We hope that our efforts help people who follow online education trends in India to get a better idea of what is happening around us. Enjoy Reading.

Sarath Shyam

July 2021

INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD Chris Wright

Maarit Rossi

Former International School Principal, Former Group Project Director at a World Class Learning Group, Education Consultant - Wright Solutions, United Kingdom

Founder & CEO - Paths to Math Ltd, Former Mathematics Teacher and Principal, Global Teacher Prize Finalist, Finland

Dr. Stuart Grant Colesky Principal, Rundle College, South Africa

Zeljana Radojicic Lukic Exceptional Educator from Serbia, Founder of Association of the Best Teachers of the Former Yugoslavia, Founder of Magical Intercultural Friendship Network, Founder of Creative Magic - Children’s International Festival, Founder of Magic Village, Serbia

Asst. Prof. Dr. Poonsri Vate-U-Lan Assistant Professor in Education, Ph.D. Supervisor and Researcher, Thailand

Stephen Cox

Elena Shramkova

Chief Education Officer, New Nordic School, Finland

Liljana Luani

Senior Teacher ‘Pashko Vasa’ school Shkodra, Exceptional Volunteer, Albania

English and Literature teacher, Owner of “The Smart Teens Studio of English” in Belgorod, Russia

Ralph Valenzisi Chief of Digital Learning and Development, Norwalk Public Schools, Connecticut, United States

Hatem Slimane

Servatius (Servee) Palmans Former Director School Administration & Business Operations (Large Education Group), Chief Operating Officer - BBD Education, Dr. Lilian Bacich Netherlands & UAE Senior Educationist, Author, Keynote Speaker, Co-founder Tríade Educacional, Brazil

July 2021

Founder & National President - ATAST, General director of IFEST² the international projects competition in Tunisia, General secretary of MILSET Africa, BRISECC member, Tunisia

Juan Manuel Pico Education Soul Co-founder & HundrED Country Lead Colombia, Colombia

Hidekazu Shoto

Dr. Venus M. Alboruto

Angus Duthie

Master Teacher, Researcher, Innovator, Trainer, Philippines

Former Vice President Security (Large Education Group), Former British Army Officer (Airborne Forces), Senior Advisor – Resilience and Crisis Management (Emerald Solutions Group), United Kingdom & UAE

Innovative English and ICT Teacher, Author, Japan

Ian Deakin

Deputy Head and Dean of Faculty, Dalton Academy, Beijing, China

Shady Elkassas Rania Lampou

Global Teacher Prize Finalist 2019, 15 International Awards on STEM, STEM Instructor, Educator, Neuroscience Researcher, Trainer & Author, Greece

Director of Innovation Al Ittihad National Private School-Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Fethy Letaief Distinguished Senior EFL Teacher, ISA Coordinator with the British Council, Motivational Speaker, Tunisia

Herwin Hamid

Ha Nga

EdTech Specialist, Speaker and Teacher Trainer, Innovative ICT Educator, ICT learning multimedia developer, Indonesia

Revolutionary English Educator, Globally Connected English Studio - Hanoi, Vietnam

Dr. Leonilo Basas Capulso Master Teacher, Speaker and Researcher, Philippines

Kihyun Park Innovative Educator of Online Classroom, Pungsaeng Middle School, South Korea

Mr. Ngô Thành Nam

Technology Academy Manager, Microsoft Learning Consultant, Global Trainer, Vietnam

Dr. Varughese K.John, PhD Former Program Director, MS in Management Program, GSATM - AU, Thailand & India

July 2021

Contents ACADEMIC VIEWS

16 16

HOW THE ROLE OF DIGITAL CLASSROOMS TRANSFORMED THE WAY WE LEARN AND THE IMPACT OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY RADHIKA SINHA, PRINCIPAL, ADITYA BIRLA WORLD ACADEMY

66 66

IS THERE A NEED TO REVISE THE ADMISSION PROCESS IN THE REMOTE LEARNING ERA? ANSHU MITTAL, PRINCIPAL, MRG SCHOOL, ROHINI

136

VIRTUAL EDUCATION: PROS AND CONS IN ENGINEERING SANJAY GUPTA, FOUNDER & DIRECTOR, ENGINEER’S CIRCLE

136 BEST PRACTICES A DIGITAL LITERACY MASS MOVEMENT!

38 38

NIRVAAN BIRLA, FOUNDER, BIRLA BRAINIACS

THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL EDUCATION IN OUR COUNTRY FOR ART AND DESIGN SPACE HARSIMRAN JUNEJA, CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR, UNO LONA ACADEMY

104 104

ADMIN PERSPECTIVE

THE IMPORTANCE OF ONLINE SCHOOLING IN INDIA YESHWANTH RAJ PARASMAL, CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR, 21K SCHOOL

42 54

THE SYMBIOSIS OF REMOTE LEARNING: HOW VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION CAN BENEFIT ALL YASH MERCHANT, DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER FOR BRANDING & CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, GREAT LAKES INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, CHENNAI

MENTOR’S OPINION

20 20

PRAJODH RAJAN, CO-FOUNDER & GROUP CEO, LIGHTHOUSE LEARNING (FORMERLY EUROKIDS INTERNATIONAL)

78 78

THE EMERGENCE OF ONLINE EDUCATION IN INDIA SWATI GANGULY, CO-FOUNDER, EDUFIQ

124 124

EDUCATION 4.0 – ARE WE READY FOR A CHANGING EDUCATION SCENARIO?

EMERGENCE OF DIGITAL EDUCATION IN INDIA BIPIN DAMA, FOUNDER & CEO, SARAS INC (SARAS-3D)

Contents

62 74

108 86

116

EDTECH INSIGHTS

WILL ACCELERATION IN DEMAND FOR ONLINE LEARNING BE SUSTAINED IN 2021-2022?

128

GAURAV AGGARWAL, VP & GLOBAL LEAD EVERYTHING ON AZURE SOLUTION STRATEGY & GTM, AVANADE

LEARNING WITHOUT LIMITS: INCREASING TECH ACCESSIBILITY IN THE K–12 CLASSROOM

152

YOGESH MAKKAR, FOUNDER, KAPDEC

TECH FOR BETTER LEARNING OUTCOMES

108

GAURAV PERTI, FOUNDER & CEO, PURPLETUTOR

CHARU NOHERIA, CO-FOUNDER & COO, PRACTICALLY

THE FUTURE OF SCHOOL TECH IN INDIA

116

GAGAN JAIN, CO-FOUNDER & CEO, UNIFORM JUNCTION

THE EMERGENCE OF ONLINE EDUCATION IN INDIA

128

PIYUSH BHARTIYA, CO-FOUNDER & CEO, ADMITKARD

10 EDTECH TRENDS TO FOCUS IN 2021 NEENU THOMAS, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, PANWORLD EDUCATION, UAE

HOW ONLINE EDUCATION IS EMERGING IN INDIA

ONLINE EDUCATION SCENARIO IN INDIA DIMPLE VERMA, MANAGING DIRECTOR, WHIZROBO PRIVATE LIMITED DIGITAL DIVIDE IN INDIA AND HOW CAN EDTECH COMPANIES NARROW THE GAP PANKAJ AGARWAL, FOUNDER & CEO, TAGHIVE

152

ONLINE EDUCATION IN INDIA-IMPACTS CREATED BY THE EDTECH INDUSTRY SHIV RAM CHOUDHARY, CEO & FOUNDER, CODEVIDHYA

Contents INDUSTRY VIEWS

30 58

A TECH-ENABLED PEDAGOGY IS THE WAY FORWARD RAJESH BYSANI, CHIEF PRODUCT OFFICER, BRAINLY

IMPACT OF ONLINE EDUCATION ON INTERNATIONAL STUDENT MOBILITY ABHINAV MITAL, FOUNDER, THE WORLDGRAD

46 82

COVID-19 HAS TRANSFORMED HOW INDIA LEARNS: INSIGHTS FROM AN EDUPRENEUR AMIT BANSAL, FOUNDER & CEO, WIZKLUB

DIGITAL EDUCATION IN INDIA HIMANSHU PERIWAL, CO-FOUNDER, UNLUCLASS

ONLINE EDUCATION IN THE POST-COVID WORLD RISHI KULKARNI, CEO & CO-FOUNDER, REVV

THE EMERGENCE OF DIGITAL EDUCATION IN INDIA DEVVAKI AGGARWAL, CO-FOUNDER & CEO, INSTRUCKO

100

100 90

REIMAGINING DIGITAL EDUCATION IN INDIA IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD TRACY CARDOZ, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, SQUARE PANDA INDIA

ONLINE LEARNING: THE COMING OF A NEW ERA OF EDUCATION

112

VIVEK JAIN, CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER, SHIKSHA.COM & NAUKRI FASTFORWARD HERE IS HOW INDIA CAN BRIDGE THE SKILL GAP CHALLENGE WITH ONLINE EDUCATION

112 120

120

VIJAY PASUPULATI, CEO, ODINSCHOOL & GREYCAMPUS MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF VIRTUAL CLASSROOM ON OUR CHILDREN’S WELLBEING

132

DR REENA VALECHA, PRINCIPAL ERGONOMIST WORKPLACE & ERGONOMICS RESEARCH CELL, GODREJ INTERIO REMOTE EDUCATION IN INDIA

132 140

140

NAMAN MUKUND, CO-FOUNDER, TEKIE E-LEARNING IN INDIA: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

144

ROHIT MANGLIK, CEO, EDUGORILLA HOW INNOVATIVE PEDAGOGY AND DIGITAL FINANCING IS INFLUENCING FINANCING METHODS FOR A RAPIDLY TRANSFORMING EDUCATION SECTOR

144

148

VARUN CHOPRA, CEO & CO-FOUNDER, EDUVANZ DIGITAL EDUCATION IN INDIA – CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES SIDDHARTHA GUPTA, CEO, MERCER| METTL

156

148 156

July 2021

ACADEMIC VIEWS

How the Role of Digital Classrooms Transformed the Way We Learn and the Impact of Modern Technology Radhika Sinha, Principal, Aditya Birla World Academy

With A Masters’ Degree in English Literature and a career spanning 38 years, Radhika Sinha is a teacher at heart and continues to be an avid ‘learner.’ She has been with the school since inception and with the Aditya Birla Group for 16 years. She has been accredited by Cambridge International as a Master Trainer to conduct in-service training programmes for teachers. Radhika Sinha is on the Board of The Association of International Schools of India (TAISI). Having acquired the wealth of experience, it is her wish to give back to society by sharing and mentoring, guiding and leading by example.

July 2021

Teachers have begun to recognize the potential of using artificial intelligence and how its application can transform the entire education system

he pandemic caused an upheaval in the education system with an unexpected, sudden shift to online platforms which led to many changes in perspectives around learning. During the initial days, many schools tried to figure out the most reliable techniques to implement classes virtually. Globally, challenges imposed by the pandemic were looked upon as opportunities to upscale technology and to apply it in virtual classrooms. Integrating and blending technology with the teaching methods and practicing innovative techniques has become the need of the hour. Automating systems such as student attendance, project assessment, the evaluation process, etc. have also become easy with technology. Swift shift to online learning The virtual schooling scenario caused parents to offer mobile phones and gadgets to children, as it became impracticable to study without an

electronic device and internet connectivity. The internet became a central part of conducting virtual education and even if the circumstances do get better over time, this arrangement of teaching could stay for long. The whole system of teaching had to undergo a paradigm shift. In this context, digital platforms and learning tools played a major role in facilitating educators across sections to manage both synchronous and asynchronous classes in an attempt to share meaningful content, as well as keep students engaged. Accessing online learning has also matured as a seamless process owing to the convenience of having affordable internet facilities. Role of educators in facilitating e-classrooms Teachers have been welcoming fresh opportunities to learn, by discovering innovative ways to focus on the requirements of students. They have become well acquainted with digital devices and are using the right technologies to guarantee efficient and

July 2021

quality learning in virtual classrooms. From attending face-to-face classes, teachers have now got accustomed to management systems. Textbooks have been substituted with web resources and teachers have integrated LMS for everyday teaching. They have implemented digital formative evaluation tools, virtual instruction software, online and hybrid teaching to facilitate the learning process. Constant upskilling encourages teachers to stay relevant - particularly in the online classroom scenario. Imparting technology tools Technologies like AI have streamlined tasks of educators by automating activities like grading and passing feedback to students. Teachers have begun to recognize the potential of using artificial intelligence and how its application can transform the entire education system. Another technology adopted by educational institutes is cloud computing which has helped the route towards advanced-tech learning for everyone. The cloud servers of educational platforms have enabled students to access advanced information seamlessly. The new normal of the digital world has made utilizing technology a fundamental part of our lives.

July 2021

To make virtual learning more fun, engaging, and effective for teachers as well as students, there are multiple technology tools available in the market such as Quizizz, Google Classroom, Edmodo, Padlet, Microsoft Flipgrid, Flippity, Coggle, Peardeck, VoiceThread and Kahoot. Also, video conferencing platforms have helped engage students, staff, and teachers for learning and collaborating, providing the opportunity to connect synchronously. These tools combined with affordable data have provided remote learning opportunities accessible even in rural regions. Designing digital sources, presentations, and assignments collectively for online classes with other administrators and students is helping classroom exercises mirror the physical classroom experience. The pandemic has made adapting to the use of technology a fundamental part of our lives. Even for teachers, technology has evolved as the most important professional tool to impart education online. Empowering students to enhance their technical abilities will help them prepare for a better future in the real world. New tools and advancements in technology will continue to emerge, and the education sector needs to adapt to them!

July 2021

MENTOR’S OPINION

Education 4.0 – Are We Ready for a Changing Education Scenario? Prajodh Rajan, Co-Founder & Group CEO, Lighthouse Learning (formerly EuroKids International)

Prajodh Rajan is an education entrepreneur who enjoys an enviable reputation in the industry, for his pioneering efforts in early childhood education in the country, besides creating a fertile ecosystem for entrepreneurship in the education sector. He is responsible for guiding the strategic direction and growth of Lighthouse Learning (formerly EuroKids International Group). Under his leadership, EuroKids International Group grew from two Pre-Schools in 2001 to a network of 1,200+ Pre-Schools in over 360 cities. The Group also added over 38 K-12 schools across multiple brands in its journey till date.

K12 Digest July 2021

he education sector has perceived a far-reaching change in the way it is divulged. With this abrupt shift away from the classroom in many parts of the world, some are speculating whether the adoption of online learning will continue to persist post-pandemic, and how such a shift would influence the education sector. Responding to the education sector, there has been a significant shift for students in terms of aspects which include webinars in the auditorium to virtual webinars, sports day in ground to running alone with your smart watches on, holding offline classes to checking on active internet to exhibit your presence and so on – things changed. Who knew that one day physical textbooks would be replaced? One device can now store all your notes, presentations and white papers. Isn’t it easy to just wake up and switch your laptops on instead of waking up, getting ready, travelling and attending classes. The Covid-19 pandemic

has augmented the pace of adoption of technical tools in the education sector. Digitalization proved to be the only bridge between educational institutions and students amidst this pandemic. Thus, digitalization is the new normal in the education sector. With the Internet penetration rate to reach nearly 45% in 2021 from 4% in 2007, it is an indication that we are ready for the change in the education sector. It has changed the way of teaching as it enables to reach out to students more efficiently and effectively through chat groups, video meetings, voting and also document sharing, especially during this pandemic. I believe traditional offline learning and e-learning can go hand by hand. It is well said that every challenge is a new opportunity. Digitalization of education still holds itself as an important measure for the government. The acceleration in the number of enrollments in online courses proves to be a sign that learners have adopted to the new way of learning.

The acceleration in the number of enrollments in online courses proves to be a sign that learners have adopted to the new way of learning

K12 Digest July 2021

Though students as well as teachers are missing the in person experience, it is the combination of both physical classrooms and virtual classes that will hold the future of education sector

July 2021

The future of learning would be seamless blend of physical classroom sessions and virtual learning. LMS (Learning Management Systems), Video Conferencing Solutions, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality have made it possible to continue the learning process amidst the pandemic. In the long run though this would not only enhance the learning experience but also help individuals to learn at their own pace. The integration of information technology in education will be further accelerated and that online education will eventually become an integral component of school education. The restriction of not imparting more than 20% of the degree online has been lifted to continue the learning as well as open new doors of learning for learners to upgrade their skill sets. Through National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, an initiative was taken by the government to bring in digitalization in the education sector thus, shaping the sector in accordance to the evolving demands. Universities, colleges and schools are training their human resources to adopt the change in imparting education to their students. This shift has helped students to gather insights from experts and grab the opportunity to enhance their skills in the area of their interest. This technological innovation is not just limited to private players but also to government schools and colleges, which adopted this change to continue the learning. With online education being the last resort to keep the education ongoing, the students in rural areas are impacted the most. A large number of rural students do not have access to smart phones, laptops and desktop computers thus being dependent on the devices of their families. In long run the adoption of this model in rural areas would require support by the government in terms of internet, power supply, devices and trainings to teachers to impart quality education to students in rural areas. Education 4.0 would be a path for students to follow to be future ready. They would attain the 21st century skills and learn more for conceptual clarity than just being limited to learning for exams. Though students as well as teachers are missing the in person experience, it is the combination of both physical classrooms and virtual classes that will hold the future of education sector.

In the digital era, the focus need not be only IQ but also EQ (Emotional quotient) and CQ (Creative quotient). The Edtech platforms work to prepare the students for the future by equipping them with the required skill sets such as logical reasoning, communications, creativity, critical thinking and confidence driving innovative thinking skills amongst them. The Ed-tech platforms have made it easy for students to learn any skill and that to from experts in the respective domains. New skills are just a few clicks away and you can learn them at your own pace. It not only teaches you what you want to learn but also tests your skills from what you have learned. Certification courses by

top universities can now be attained in your comfort zone. The establishment of various Ed-tech startups has added to the digital needs – making the process of attaining new skills innovative and interesting. These skills have not only supported millennials but also senior working professionals to upskill and reskill themselves according to their dynamic needs. A door of learning for all has been a great achievement enabling kids, students and working professionals to change as the pandemic demands. One key focus for us will be to build models for creating a personalized learning experience which will create engaged, self-motivated and independent learners for life.

July 2021

EDTECH INSIGHTS

Will Acceleration in Demand for Online Learning Be Sustained in 2021-2022? Gaurav Aggarwal, VP & Global Lead - Everything on Azure Solution Strategy & GTM, Avanade

Gaurav Aggarwal is a thought leader and strategist in Cloud and Digital Transformation with 26 plus years of experience. He is known for innovative and disruptive approach in driving Digital Transformation, developing scalable practices for Cloud, Application Modernization, Intelligent Experience, and IT outsourcing domains. Gaurav is currently the Global Lead for Everything on Azure Solution Strategy & GTM at Avanade, where he continues to help businesses that exploit technical breakthroughs. He is the principal strategist and visionary for business growth. In current role he drives a portfolio of $1 Billion+ pipeline for Cloud and Application Modernization business. Earlier as Modern Application and Application outsourcing business lead for Asia and LATAM he has delivered 30%+ YOY growth for Cloud & Application business ($250M+).

July 2021

The fallout from Covid-19, continuing advances in digital technology, and intensifying pent-up demand for student-centered learning have combined to present an unprecedented opportunity to transform education across whole systems

he Covid-19 pandemic has transformed school (K-12), higher education, and Professional Education. The change has been seen in their appearance, delivery medium, and internal operations. Lockdown of educational institutions has caused significant disruption to internal assessments, cancellation of public standardized tests, and the complete transfer from physical classes to digital learning spaces. The education industry wasn’t prepared for a change of this magnitude. Many schools didn’t have proper software solutions to brave the upheaval. Even before the pandemic, according to the World Economic Forum, there was high growth and adoption of technology in education, with Global EdTech investments reaching $18.66 billion in 2019 and the overall market for online education projected to reach $350 billion by 2025. As the pandemic intensified, higher education and the associated business network took a huge hit. The technological flux, the changing expectations

of parents and students, the fear of an impending economic downturn, and the rising demand for online education were just some of the challenges facing educational institutions. Subsequent waves pushed the timeline for return to classes into uncertainty. The outbreak has disrupted the plans for the class of 2020 to 2025 (academic years 2019 to 2025). Institutes are mulling over how to make the online model more result-oriented, ethical, and fair for students by deploying technology. EdTech: Current state and why transformation is necessary For decades, online education was perceived as only for the fringe: people who didn’t finish high school, stay-at-home parents looking to re-enter the workforce, workers looking to transition to a new industry. Today, some students are beginning to question the value of a college degree, and others can’t afford one. People are increasingly choosing to enter the workforce sooner or seeking alternative

July 2021

forms of education. The fallout from Covid-19, continuing advances in digital technology, and intensifying pent-up demand for studentcentered learning have combined to present an unprecedented opportunity to transform education across whole systems. Many institutions were already grappling with varying enrolment challenges. Only 4% of institutions were serving 55% of online students through scaled online programs before the pandemic. Increased competition, rising debt, and compliance costs have led to sustainability challenges. Stimulus funding isn’t enough to cover Covid costs. The other challenge is keeping students interested. Schools are struggling to find ways to engage and retain students digitally. Schools have to figure out tools that work and then implement them. And they have to do it now. Schools need more than just technology to tide over the crisis. Successful remote work takes

July 2021

more than technology. It requires a culture that empowers people to do their jobs remotely and to build the skills they need in this new world of work. The migration to a flexible workforce needs an elastic strategy. For the past decade, rising operating costs have fuelled conversations about rethinking higher ed business models. The pandemic has added urgency to the rethink. Institutions need business models that are scalable, cost-effective, and accessible enough to meet the needs of this decade and beyond. An Accenture study says 65% of children starting school today will hold jobs that don’t exist yet. With a shift to rapid reskilling and lifelong learning, education must adapt to meet the learner’s needs. Predictive analytics offers opportunities to anticipate needs to present personalized recommendations and customized offerings.

Post the pandemic, EdTech companies must be mindful of the existing digital divide. Educational technology (MOOC platforms like eDX, Coursera, Emeritus) and online tutoring firms (Khan Academy, BYJU’s) offer free access to their services. The response has been overwhelming. Since announcing free live classes, BYJU’s has seen a 200% increase in the number of new students using its Think and Learn app. Some believe that the sudden acceleration to online learning with no training and little preparation will result in a poor user experience and eventual return to in-person classes. Others think online education will eventually become an integral component of secondary and higher education through increased integration of IT, and a new hybrid model of education will emerge. Institutions are looking at hybrid models for students. They must learn lessons from models that had been in existence even before the pandemic. Though online/hybrid models have existed, they have never been truly integrated. Institutions have a few graduate programs, some certificate programs, and occasionally an executive education program. Each of these programs was ringfenced and therefore never really improved education delivery by optimizing the gains of each other. As institutions prepare for more virtual semesters, EdTech will help strengthen academic delivery. Challenges with online and hybrid education A survey by EdTech Evidence Exchange and the University of Virginia found that 86% of teachers believe the necessity for new technologies in schools will increase over the next three years to offset the

pandemic’s impact, improve learning outcomes, and reduce socioeconomic and racial disparities. According to OECD data, while 95% of students in Switzerland, Norway, and Austria have a computer to use for their schoolwork, only 34% in Indonesia have access. This digital divide is seen across countries and between income brackets within countries. But developing and implementing an effective IT compliance program and providing ongoing maintenance can be tricky. When building EdTech products, business owners must consider privacy. When your technology is designed for kids, it is essential to ensure consumer trust and mitigate risk by following privacy laws and best practices. Failure to comply can have legal implications. Leaders remain steadfast in their commitment to their core missions even in the face of these severe challenges. However, now is the time for higher education institutions to reconsider their value propositions and to operate models to successfully and sustainably deliver their mission in the years to come. The other problem staring online education backers is the threat posed by Cyberattacks and hackers. The overall number of Distributed Denial of Service attacks during the first three months of 2020 saw a significant spike in attacks on educational websites as millions joined online classes during the pandemic. These are areas where participation of government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, led by EdTech firms, assumes greater importance. These arms can come together to ensure an enabling environment for online education with deeper penetration and ease of availability for all eligible.

July 2021

Need for co-innovation Education leaders are increasingly on the lookout for how technology can optimize and modernize. Technology providers and EdTech need to seize this opportunity to provide a more integrated approach to hybrid education encompassing the use of immersive experiences (AR / VR / Extended Reality, Mixed Reality), AI and ML, Robotics, Public Cloud, Video Analytics, etc. Technology also needs to be developed to conduct exams fairly and ethically for the evaluation of

July 2021

learning objectives. Current approaches of lockdown browser/app, kiosk mode for desktop, proctored exams (with someone monitoring the student for patterns) are not scalable and economical options. According to an Accenture study, nearly 50% of college and university presidents anticipate making challenging but transformational changes in their institutions in the next 12 months. According to the same survey, faculty members are now more open to alternatives approaches and leveraging technology.

When your technology is designed for kids, it is essential to ensure consumer trust and mitigate risk by following privacy laws and best practices. Failure to comply can have legal implications

Two trends bear watching. First, the biggest technology companies have been able to throw resources at schools and make significant inroads. Google and Microsoft have won millions of new users by giving their tools away, working directly with governments, and repurposing existing products as needed (though they are not as easy to use as they should be). The transformation required here is more than people, processes, or technology. I see this journey to be a three steps process. The education sector needs to look beyond innovation and adopt transformation frameworks like Microsoft Education Transformation Framework provides practical advice to help develop a strategy for digital transformation with a holistic, long-term view implemented in discrete phases. Tech and teaching: Putting it all together Technology is disrupting education as it is in every other industry. But education is a little different than other industries because it uniquely creates our future capabilities. It’s, therefore, more important than ever that educational institutes and governments plan for the future of work and life. Lifelong learning is now essential. Lifelong learning is also implicit in our humanity—we are by nature explorers and creators—and the opportunity to learn should inspire

our lives. The future of work will see people having multiple careers over a much longer working life than they do today. As technology disrupts our society, we need to adapt to working with technology and shift to new careers as technology and automation augment traditionally human tasks. The Covid-19 pandemic and its unprecedented social and economic disruptions have intensified pressures on the education sector (K-12 and Higher Education), demanding an immediate response. Institutions have been consumed with operational triage and prioritizing safety, communication, and education continuity. Despite the ongoing challenges the pandemic presents, institutions would benefit from leaders carving out time to look beyond immediate demands and consider their institution’s longerterm prospects. The hybrid Education model must embrace digital to amplify, accelerate and connect learners and learning while intentionally focusing on global competencies and academic standards. It’s easy to be enthusiastic about bringing incredible new technology into the classroom, yet there are some critics. However, what’s most encouraging is how the Academic institute, EdTech, and technology are finally coming together in ways that promote a flexible, interdisciplinary approach that helps all learners succeed at home and in the classroom. This is ultimately the decade where we’ll see it all come together.

July 2021

INDUSTRY VIEWS

A Tech-Enabled Pedagogy is the Way Forward Rajesh Bysani, Chief Product Officer, Brainly

In his role as the CPO of Brainly, Rajesh Bysani is responsible for driving the team to build world-class products in line with the company’s vision of becoming a leading global educational platform. Prior to joining Brainly, Rajesh had a rich professional experience of over 15 years, working with both established and emerging companies across diverse profiles. He was the Mobile Transformation Lead at Google, CPO at Zoomcar, AVP (Product and Growth) at FreeCharge, and a core part of early product teams at redBus and BookMyShow. Throughout his prolific career, he has been tasked with ideating, executing, and growing some of the most innovative and path-breaking products that have simplified and enriched the lives of millions of people.

July 2021

A tech-led framework can help educators create learning modules that prioritize a student’s aptitude and interests while giving them the flexibility to explore possible career avenues both within and beyond their interest areas

What are the significant challenges in the school educational system today? How can the latest technologies solve them? In a traditional classroom, the average strength of students is about 50-60 students per teacher. This disproportionate ratio limits the scope when it comes to the delivery of personalized attention and learning. At best, a teacher can afford to personally attend to 15 or 20 students who stand out – and this is a liberal estimate – along with a few students who fall on the opposite end of the competency spectrum. This is not a reflection on the teacher’s will or sincerity nor on the student’s commitment to learning. The truth is, and every teacher recognizes this, that the needs, sensibilities, level of understanding, and pace of learning are different for every student. However, it is humanly impossible for one teacher to identify the competencies and weaknesses of each student in the classroom and teach in a manner that takes care of every student’s individual learning requirements. Consequently, the curriculum is conventionally designed keeping the average in mind, which overlooks the issues, interests, and challenges of individual learners. Teachers are required to bridge this gap on their own. Fortunately, technology is slowly changing this dynamic for the better.

A combination of cutting-edge technologies including AI, machine learning, and data analytics is optimizing education delivery at scale. The idea is not to replace the teacher – this is a misconception. The idea is to empower the teacher by shifting the onus of carrying out complicated analyses of each student’s individual learning needs to a tech-driven platform. Teachers can then leverage the data-mined insights to create personalized learning modules that allow for the delivery of individual attention that each student deserves. The same tech framework can help educators achieve this optimally in a remarkably short time, something that would not be possible if done manually. Another significant challenge in India’s education system stems from the set of objectives that guides everything from the creation of curricula at an administrative level to the delivery of knowledge inside the classroom. Currently, the system is grade-oriented, with the objectives of schooling defined by how well a student can retain and regurgitate information on tests. As a result, young learners are struggling in an intense, high-stress environment which, as is generally recognized, is not conducive to learning. By way of solution, a structural overhaul is popularly expressed as the remedy for this pain point. However, redefining the

July 2021

objectives and optimizing existing processes with technology can help educators and policymakers accomplish the same and much more. A tech-led framework can help educators create learning modules that prioritize a student’s aptitude and interests while giving them the flexibility to explore possible career avenues both within and beyond their interest areas. The flexibility of exploration and a wide exposure is necessary as it is natural for a student to have their interests and focus evolve with time, the more they learn about the world. Technology can help schools to not just encourage and support a student during their years of exploration, but also be the crucible where students can gain the necessary knowledge base and skills required to excel in their preferred domain. Finally, the pandemic-led shift to online learning has served to limit the access to knowledge for people without mobile devices and internet facilities. The divide between the haves and have-nots was already present; the viral outbreak has merely accentuated it. At the same time, the advent of the internet has shown the way forward when it comes to democratizing access to education for all. Going forward, the challenge will be to integrate advanced technologies into

K12 Digest July 2021

educational processes to optimize them while improving access to education across all regions and for all sections of society. The idea is to enable every Indian student to access holistic learning that makes them socially, culturally, and politically aware while teaching them important life skills besides and beyond the conventional curricula. No tech can replace social interactions and, therefore, traditional schooling. However, a tech-enabled pedagogy is the way forward. The pandemic has brought online learning providers into the spotlight. How is Brainly responding to it? Brainly is primarily a free-of-cost assistance tool that supports students and their parents in their learning journey by complementing what they learn in school. With this resource at their disposal, students can get clarity and guidance on difficult problems, research topics in and beyond their syllabus across subjects, practice for exams, and access a variety of engaging educational content including essays and videos. What sets Brainly apart is that besides providing step-by-

step guidance to complex problems with the help of subject experts, the platform also enables peer-to-peer discussions, knowledge-sharing, and feedback. Recently, we rolled out Brainly Math Solver to assist students with finding step-by-step guidance on complex mathematical problems. Sometimes, the absence of on-thespot help causes students to lose interest or become demotivated. With Brainly Math Solver, users simply need to scan the picture of the problem or manually type it on the device’s touchscreen to access instant, step-by-step explanation, often accompanied by graphical/visual representations for better comprehension. In the post-pandemic landscape, using online learning tools has become second nature for many students. Why? Because they are already using digital tools and mobile phones to attend their classes. All they need to do to satisfy their curiosity or seek assistance with their homework is to open another app or another tab on the browser. This instant access to learning aid was not possible in the pre-2020 era because, in a physical classroom setting, students were not allowed to carry personal digital devices with them. There is no denying that many more students than ever before have come online during and after the lockdowns to study than merely for recreational purposes. Not just students but also parents and teachers are now recognizing the benefits that online learning tools have to offer. Therefore, even after the schools reopen, students will continue to use the resources and tools they are using today for self-study outside of the classroom.

There is no denying that many more students than ever before have come online during and after the lockdowns to study than merely for recreational purposes

Do you think Indian parents and students still have certain misconceptions about online learning programs? What is your advice to them? It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that many Indian parents became aware of edtech offerings only after, and because of the pandemic-induced shift to online learning. The post-pandemic schooling experience has been new for students, true, but being digital natives, young learners were able to adapt to the disruption without psychological friction. Many parents, on the other hand, completed their schooling at a time when neither the internet nor digital tools had yet come into existence or were not integrated with the education system. For them, it is only natural to be skeptical and concerned about their wards’ learning journeys. The concerns that parents across the country have are not the same everywhere, although some concerns are more common than others. It depends on how well the parents are attuned to the growing digitization and how deeply they are engaged in their child’s schooling. Let’s say the parent is convinced and they have bought a software or a tool. The concern then becomes, “Hey, is my child actually using the product? How much are they progressing? What does their progress look like? Are children learning in a safe virtual environment?” Such questions come up regarding the adoption of edtech tools because while growing up, the internet or mobile phones were not seen as tools that could be used for accessing education. Conventionally, mobile phones have been the tools that children

K12 Digest July 2021

would borrow to play video games or to watch videos online. This notion leads parents who are not quite familiar with digital technology to wonder whether their child is actually learning or simply spending their time on the internet. It’s worth noting that, during the pandemic, parents have come to assume a triple role. Besides serving as caregivers and managing their professional responsibilities, they have had to also play the role of the teacher. Owing to their tight working schedules, parents may not always be able to make time to attend to their children’s questions. And when they do have the time, many parents themselves use the internet to offer adequate answers. This is how several parents have stumbled upon services like Brainly. A lot of them explored these new mediums of learning and their concerns were addressed. Their first-hand experience at parenting as well as using online tools makes such parents the perfect candidates to espouse the benefits of online learning tools. They are also better equipped to alleviate the concerns of the parents who are skeptical about or unfamiliar with digital technology. Beyond the hesitancy to adopt online learning tools, the second, more common, concern involves value delivery. Some of the questions that come up, in this case, include “Will this add value to my child’s learning journey?”, “Is it aligned with the educational goals I have for my children or the child has for themselves?”, “Is it worth the money I am spending?”, and so on. These are valid concerns and I believe it is crucial to address them so that parents have the necessary peace of mind when it comes to their wards’ education. My advice to parents, then, is simple. Engage with your wards and understand the individual requirements that they are addressing by using online tools. Different children have different objectives. Some may be preparing for entrance exams. Some may be looking to switch streams. Others may just be accessing these tools for self-development. Sometimes, a student may be using online resources for assistance in only one or two subjects in which they struggle. Maybe they have a doubt they want to be resolved or maybe they simply want to learn more about a subject, beyond what is prescribed in their syllabus. In all of these cases, parents can ask themselves whether online resources are helping their children to become better. What are some of the most innovative technologies in online learning right now? What are the key trends of e-learning to follow in 2021? Leading edtech companies the world over are leveraging AI and allied technologies to deliver innovative services. AI,

July 2021

My advice to parents, then, is simple. Engage with your wards and understand the individual requirements that they are addressing by using online tools

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

machine learning, and powerful analytics are unlocking swifter, more personalized, and accurate capabilities, enabling educators to drive optimization at every step of the education value chain. Data-mined insights, for instance, are informing the creation and structuring of curricula that best aligns with not just the students’ learning requirements but also with the latest developments in the industry and the larger jobs landscape. New technologies are also helping educators to identify the areas where a student may be struggling and then create a personalized journey flow-optimized by structured delivery of multimedia content and instruction to deliver optimal results. Studies show that multimedia instruction – a pedagogy that combines audio/visual content and kinesthetic instruction – delivers the most favorable learning outcomes. Therefore, the future of the educational ecosystem seems headed that way with scientific firm-footedness. Some edtech companies are also experimenting with interactive content enabled by AR/VR technology. This innovation will prove beneficial in the post-pandemic setting where remote learning will continue to be a mainstay even after schools and colleges re-open their physical spaces. Against this backdrop, edtech offerings will continue to support accelerated advances towards a future where not just school- and college-goers but

everybody has 24/7, on-demand access to online learning assistance and resources. Post-COVID-19, what are the opportunities Brainly sees in the Indian education market? The pandemic threw the existing fault lines in India’s education system into sharper relief. Technology’s role, as I see it, is to bridge these need-gaps to enable more efficient functioning of educational institutions. Tech-led learning platforms are not here to replace the traditional educational system but to complement it. Students have already been using the internet for assistance with their homework or to access explanatory content of difficult topics in their curriculum. However, not many resources are available that can assist them when they get stuck on a particular geometry problem or an SAT teaser. Students are aware of what they like about their school, which subjects they feel most comfortable with and which they struggle with, and what kind of help they need to accelerate their learning journey. Parents are also typically aware of the educational requirements of their wards. These are the opportunities and need-gaps that we are addressing in the market: offering a 24/7, free-ofcost self-help platform that connects students with likeminded individuals, senior peers, and subject experts. On Brainly, students can pick the brains of geniuses, receive guidance, satisfy their curiosity, and multiply their minds. Moving forward, we will continue to offer

July 2021

improved services and products that meet the specific requirements of the modern Indian student. What would be the future of the online learning market from now? What is some advice that you have for startups that are emerging in this space? While online learning has been going increasingly mainstream over the last decade or so, 2020 accelerated its adoption and established it as an essential component of the new-age learning experience. With schools, colleges, and universities shut down to halt the spread of the pandemic, digital learning tools stepped in to bridge the sudden and massive gap in students’ lives. More importantly, over the past 18-odd months, online learning has made a strong case for complementing and optimizing traditional pedagogical models. Look at what online learning brings to the table. As long as they have digital devices and adequate internet connectivity, students can access content, courses, and expert guidance, as well as conduct peerto-peer discussions, at any time, from anywhere. This level of remote enablement at a mass scale, until a few years ago, was only talked about in the hypothetical. Online learning platforms also have robust support systems in place for all stakeholders in the value chain, be it students, parents, or teachers, with multiple resources and tools that help them to participate more productively in the learning experience. It has facilitated a more seamless intersection across different spheres of learning – the home, the school, and peer-based interactions – for more optimal and engaged learning. It is little wonder that the global online learning ecosystem crossed a market valuation of $250 billion in 2020 and is expected to register a CAGR of 21% over the next six years. The growth reflects in the number of M&As and institutional investments within the sector, as well as the rapid globalization and expansion. Online learning start-ups in India alone have secured more than $4 billion in private equity funding in the last five years. However, tapping into the market opportunity, even as the competition in the space increases, will require emerging online learning companies to build products that cater to a specific niche. They must focus on addressing the concerns that have been overlooked by the more established players and build solutions for unique local problems. Doing so not can only help them carve out their distinctive space in the market but also unlock opportunities to undertake rapid expansion

July 2021

and globalization by adapting the product for different regional needs. The next wave of entrepreneurs in this space may also need to move beyond core education and focus on learning that adds unique value to the user. Take, for instance, financial literacy. Every adult is supposed to know how to manage their finances but, apart from a handful of people, most do not have the tools or knowledge needed to maximize the value of their capital. Why? Because it is not taught as a course in a school or a college. The same holds true for many other essential soft skills and life skills. This is a major needgap that will soon require solutions. And they need technology to solve these challenges. By streamlining and optimizing the course discovery and selection process for the end-user, technologies such as AI, machine learning, and data analytics have already become non-negotiable in the online learning landscape. Emerging technologies such as AR/VR are also finding application as live, instructor-led learning modules become more popular. The projected mass deployment of 5G technologies will also address several bandwidthrelated issues that currently hinder the seamless delivery of online learning. The future, in short, looks extremely promising for the sector. What is your advice to the students and their parents who are looking for an online learning platform? Before answering, I feel it is important to understand the true meaning of education – a word that derives from the Latin educatum, which means “to lead out”. In essence, education is all about a guided exploration of knowledge to draw out the inherent talent within an individual. However, choosing the right platform to discover and hone this talent can represent a major challenge for students and their parents. With a literal plethora of digital platforms and services available today, making a choice can, sometimes, be overwhelming. What further complicates the matter is that each individual’s learning journey is unique, so what worked well for someone else may not necessarily suit your specific learning needs in the most optimal manner. This is why, before choosing an online learning platform, it is essential to define the objectives of learning by adopting a First Principles approach. Start off by asking what you want to learn, why you want to learn it, and how you would ideally want this learning to take place. Answering these questions allows you to identify the where of learning by zeroing in on the platform that is most suited to your needs.

The whole sTudenT view Our assessments provide a deeper insight into your students’ capability, struggles, learning barriers, current and comparative performance and rate of progress. With this information you are better able to personalise learning according to each individual student’s need. our assessments provide robust, standardised external data for: • Supporting decision-making across teaching, learning and pastoral needs • Identifying areas for school improvement • Preparation for inspections and accreditations. • Benchmarking and value-added • Informing staff professional development requirements • Showing prospective parents what the school has to offer and he effectiveness of teaching

international@gl-education.com

July 2021 gl-education.com

BEST PRACTICES

A Digital Literacy Mass Movement! Nirvaan Birla, Founder, Birla Brainiacs

July 2021

Nirvaan has completed his Masters in Management from University of Westminster, London and graduated from Mumbai University where he studied Bachelor of Commerce (Management Studies) and scored a Grade A. His belief of being positive, humble and his enthusiasm to do something different will push everyone at Birla Edutech to go that extra mile and fulfil commitments. Nirvaan has been extensively involved in social work. With a keen interest in helping the under privileged, he has provided books and stationery to the ‘Akanksha Foundation’ to help with the education of the children.

With a population of over 1.3 billion and the availability of high-speed internet and smartphones, India has a massive base of technologically-driven consumers as the educational landscape shifts in response to the need of the hour

hange is the only constant and this reality has never been more evident than today, when we are fighting a global emergency brought about by the pandemic, necessitating change at all levels and areas of our lives. Every sector has witnessed a drastic change in the way they manage their day to day operations and the Education sector is no exception. The pandemic has pushed everything online at a dizzying rate and in the effort to provide continued education while social distancing, schools, colleges and every educational institution has transformed the old chalk-talk teaching model into one driven by technology. While e-learning had been growing rapidly in recent years, India is now witnessing an e-learning boom since the pandemic emerged. According to Google (as drawn from the Google’s EdTech Summit 2020), in India education is an over $100 billion market today. While online education is just about $2 billion, this is said to be growing

at a rapid CAGR of 50%. The report further said about 300 million students, 1.4 million schools, and 51,000 colleges in India are now dependent on the online education. This is nothing less than a digital literacy mass movement that we are witnessing in the Indian scenario. E-learning has shown tremendous potential towards transforming the education industry in the country. Since the New Education Policy (NEP) came in 2020, many changes have been made in the education system that included online education as well. Policymakers are now looking to drive engagement at scale while ensuring inclusive eLearning solutions. As a result of its exponentially developing technology, Substantial advancements are being made in online education in India. With a population of over 1.3 billion and the availability of high-speed internet and smartphones, India has a massive base of technologically-driven consumers as the educational

July 2021

landscape shifts in response to the need of the hour. However, with the advent of advanced e-learning platforms we may see better content, better tools, and better teaching strategies being rolled out for the masses. However, India has tremendous amount of diversities with regard to cultures and beliefs. There exists a huge socioeconomic class divide in India, which is impenetrable. This ensures that not even one-third of the population receives online education. This leads to the challenge for the e-learning industry in India is the lack of technological penetration in rural areas. Given that most of our population (65.53%) resides in rural areas, this is a serious issue that needs to be tackled. Government as well as private NGO and other organisations should come together and take initiatives to bridge the gap between urban and rural education in the near future. Over and above this, as our traditional schools moved to virtual learning overnight, the partial preparation from most traditional schools has led to a widespread belief that online learning is not as effective as faceto-face learning. Most teachers are not trained in online teaching so their classes can seem sub-standard and ill-planned. Student engagement, planning and execution of online classes with limited resources was a problem which teachers faced. Despite all of the challenges and initial glitches, many Indian stakeholders have accepted this visionary medium as a credible alternative and are working towards improving the structure or online learning and have achieved considerable success to the extent that a large section of the educational sector is transitioning to the blended learning model and are planning on continuing with it even after the pandemic subsides. Ed-tech in India is a vast market that is growing every day and this brings about a need for them to not just prepare for the demands of the present, but also to gear

July 2021

Government as well as private NGO and other organisations should come together and take initiatives to bridge the gap between urban and rural education in the near future

up aggressively for that of the future by bringing learning alive. The Ed- tech giants in the Indian market are striving to bridge the gap and create a more conducive teaching – learning environment. It has been our vision at The Birla Group to bring about revolutionary changes in this sector by introducing various alternatives for different audiences and consumers in the education sector. Right from online schooling embodying a blended learning system and courses targeting skill development such as coding, to home-schooling - we have left no stone unturned. We strongly believe that modern technologies like machine learning, virtual reality, artificial intelligence among others, can be involved in bridging the vital gaps. Building a future ready generation across the social strata has always been our vision and Birla group of schools and our tech driven version ‘Birla Brainiacs’ has been consistently striving at achieving this dream of a country that has the privilege of uniform education to one and all. Now that people in India have realised the benefits of online education and as e-learning makes further inroads into the education system, they will most likely continue with it in some way or form in the future as well. Virtual learning platforms must try to come as close as they can to the real-life experience of attending school to ensure the continuity of students’ overall development. It must be taken for granted that the future mode of teaching will further develop with more and more scope with online learning. But the most important thing we should keep in mind is that the usefulness of online teaching always depends on live interaction rather than silent participation. Our effort is to take out the best of the school environment and improve upon it using the power of technology without losing the human touch.

July 2021

ADMIN PERSPECTIVE

The Importance of Online Schooling in India Yeshwanth Raj Parasmal, Co-Founder & Director, 21k School

he Indian education sector is under paradigm shift; in the midst of such rapid change, the first step towards the progression is – schooling. The advent of novel Coronavirus put the world to a pause. The pause slowly started turning into evolution, learning and adaptability – Evolution of new thoughts, learning new processes and adapting to new normal. As a consequence, to this, a lot of changes are being seen in the last few months and the most significant being a shift from traditional, on ground schooling to online/ digital education which includes use of virtual platforms, new technologies, updated software and laptops, Smartphone or tablets as the prime tool to facilitate education. Apart from eliminating all the stumbling blocks, online schooling and digital learning has shown an increase in retention rate, reduced human efforts through automated devices for checking assignments and keeping a track of attendance, introduction to technology at a young age and increased knowledge prospects. What is Online Schooling? A virtual school which aids education completely online or virtually, an online school uses technology at its best without any geographical barrier and the hassle of travelling to the school. Over 1.2 billion students, globally, were stopped from attending school owing to the COVID – 19 pandemic. Even before the onset of the pandemic, the

July 2021

Online schooling offers a personalized and wellstructured curriculum and a highly affordable fee structure

A seasoned education management professional, Mr. Yeshwanth Raj Parasmal is the Co-Founder and Director of 21K School – India’s first online school. He holds an experience of over two decades in designing and executing innovative curriculums and learning techniques that are directed at creating an ecosystem of application-based learning for students. Based out of Bangalore, Yeshwanth has spearheaded various entrepreneurial ventures including Strategum Eduserve and Vyaasa Learning Solutions aimed at benefiting students, teachers, and the education sector at large. Over the course of his enterprising career, he has contributed to the establishment of 75 educational institutions and managing investments of over INR 1100 crore.

July 2021

education industry both nationally and globally was undergoing changes; the pandemic accelerated the process. Online schooling offers a personalized and well-structured curriculum and a highly affordable fee structure. It allows students to learn at their own pace along with the flexibility of learning hours. According to various studies, e-learning takes 40-60% less time than traditional learning since students may choose between activities, pause, re-learn, skip, and even fast-forward through the topics they wish to learn. A rise in number of online courses and enrollment to these courses have been seen during pandemic as it has become easier to avail courses irrespective of one’s location and available time.

The younger generation’s interest in gadgets like smartphones, laptops, tablets have helped them adopting to online education

Why is the shift from traditional learning effective? As they say, “Change should be the only Constant” and it is the change which leads to the NEW. Seamless online/ digital Education is a result of technological advancements and is also leading to emergence of newer technologies. The younger generation’s interest in gadgets like smartphones, laptops, tablets have helped them adopting to online education. Online schooling has already started gaining popularity because of the results it has delivered in the last few months. Online education effectively boosts learning process for a number of reasons: ● Career Choices In a country like India, students sometimes feel they are a part of herd race and career choices are often enforced upon them. The digitization of education widens their horizons and gives them exposure to various career choices which traditional form of learning might not provide. ● Flexibility of time and location Students can enroll themselves for multiple extracurricular activities as they save time and energy which would otherwise be invested in travelling. It also gives them the liberty of learning from mentors across the globe. ● Economical Online education is much more economical and budget friendly which can help students and their parents save money and enroll for other specialized/ professional courses. ● Access to information: The use of internet and online learning platforms give access to various tools and software which can enhance the learning experience and give more exposure to information as compared to on-ground learning. Conclusion Online schooling in India is progressing and providing brighter prospects to the education sector hence enabling the youth to make the most out of it. Online learning includes variety of courses and provides un-matched learning experience including multiple languages, recorded lectures, virtual learning tools, video conferencing, better learning platform and focused skill development which the traditional education system lacks. Also, the pandemic has made this platform ideal for both the students and the educators.

July 2021

INDUSTRY VIEWS

Impact of Online Education on International Student Mobility Abhinav Mital, Founder, The WorldGrad

Abhinav Mital is the Founder of The WorldGrad – which enables access to students for a global education from the comfort of their homes. Abhinav comes with more than 15 years of experience in traditional and online education domain. He has been a founding member of Parthenon-EY’s international education practice. He serves on the operations advisory board of The Education Fund, Australia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi) and an MBA from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.

July 2021

The cut-offs in Indian universities are sometimes unrealistic, setting the bar too high for even the deserving candidates who then start looking for better avenues abroad

nternational student mobility to and from India has come a long way, surviving major global situations threatening its essence. Global recession, 9/11, Brexit, and now COVID -19, all have failed to deter students from studying abroad. Even in the face of the Corona, towards the first quarter of 2021, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), recorded the number of students moving abroad for studies at 71,769. This data does not account for multitudes of students across India, even from tier 2, tier 3 cities, who have never imagined studying abroad, enrolled in their respective overseas programs. This is made possible by marrying traditional education with new technology. These students will join their international counterparts when the border, travel/visa restrictions are lifted. The same can be said about the international students coming to India. According to the Ministry of Education, till 2019, 164 countries sent their students to India, and that number was rising towards the beginning of 2020. If the acceptance of online education is the same across the globe, the predictive numbers that will come out towards 2022 of international student mobility across the globe will be way beyond our imagination. Technology has undoubtedly changed the landscape of education, much before 2020; however,

it took us a pandemic to realize its full potential. Millions of students across various levels of educational institutions are now using online medium of learning. As per many industry surveys conducted in 2020 and now in 2021 by platforms like Shikhsa, UNESCO, and several study abroad platforms, the interest of students to study abroad has not faded, it may have been delayed but certainly not something that has been shelved for good. So, why the interest? India stands only next to China in population. With competitive education at the school level, more students are coming out with top grades, where do they go from here? The cut-offs in Indian universities are sometimes unrealistic, setting the bar too high for even the deserving candidates who then start looking for better avenues abroad. Plus, the benefits offered by a foreign culture, and country, are too exciting for a young mind to solidify this decision. Data from MEA suggests nearly 85% students from India choose US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand to study abroad. However, the same data also suggest that Germany, China, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia are also emerging as destinations for students to study abroad. A further drill down will also show preference of countries like Romania, Ukraine and Netherlands. The pattern may look random but is well

July 2021

thought over with more awareness in place. For example, students choose a country not only for its glamour anymore but the value it can bring them. Is it economically viable? Does it provide post-study, post-work extension in Visa? Is the quality better without compromising on the living conditions? Probably a particular course is better than a country while the name of the University is bigger for another. Pandemic has made this data more accessible to students at school level. Students have more time to research and upskill. Going by the success of online coaching, upskilling and hobby platforms in India, we can comfortably say, students have more access to data. Considering the fact that almost all surveys suggested that around 80-90% students across India are still keen on pursuing education abroad, what happened to the class of 2021? A large number of universities across the globe and in India shifted their model online; however, for higher educational institutes this was not easy to do without the help of Edtech enablers. This is where a platform like The WorldGrad fits in. Technology played an important role in supporting not only tangible but intangible aspects of the study abroad model. EdTech not only solved the immediate dilemma of Universities and Colleges to onboard international students remotely; but also answered a myriad of long-standing issueslike Financing, admission process simplification and a need for personalised support for students to assess and improve progress. In a survey conducted by us (The WorldGrad) around financial preparedness of the students aspiring to study abroad, more than 65% were found to be not prepared, but still interested. Each year ~350-400K students from India aspire to go overseas and take standardised exams to prove their candidature, and only less than 30% enrol. One of the biggest issues is

financial inadequacy. Studying abroad can cost families anywhere from INR 50L to 1.5Cr. However, study abroad platforms have partnered with universities to create hybrid programs that bring down the cost to as low as 35L without compromising with the quality and experience of an overseas education. These platforms have converted a part of a year, or a full year of the university online which students can do from home. This component is more economical in fee and saves living expenses. Another headache for students and families is the complicated overseas admissions processes and the use of consultants and agents. EdTech players provide a single window application system interaction for aspiring students. The admissions are conducted through a transparent process of academic and English scores. The fact that students complete a part of their year 1 online is considered sufficient for the partner institutions to admit the student on their campus. Additionally, students have access to alter/change their university, location, program and degree of choice. These flexibilities were never possible in the traditional study abroad application process. Technology has unified this into a single standing solution, scalable and relevant in the times to come. If we were to take a guess as an average of the students who decided to enroll online for studying abroad via various online education platforms- also supported by the fact that since a year or semester is online- it becomes 1/5th of the actual cost, the numbers would easily be more than what it was in 2019-20. With a calculated guess, the impact of online education on international student mobility remains positive, and we predict it will fall back to 201819 numbers.

Each year ~350400K students from India aspire to go overseas and take standardised exams to prove their candidature, and only less than 30% enrol. One of the biggest issues is financial inadequacy

July 2021

Find your future job in school Connecting Candidates and Schools

www.schooljobfinder.com July 2021

EDTECH INSIGHTS

Learning Without Limits: Increasing Tech Accessibility in the K–12 Classroom Yogesh Makkar, Founder, Kapdec

Yogesh Makkar founded Kapdec with a mission of making education possible for everyone. Yogesh, an engineer and an innovator holds an honors degree in Mechanical Engineering from NIT-Kurukshetra, a Master’s in Engineering from the UNL & an MBA from Kelley School of Business. Yogesh is committed to making a difference in a student’s life by providing unique methods, with a global team’s help, to help students learn more and be comfortable with the learning process for lifelong learning. What keeps Yogesh awake at night is only his passion, that is, to deliver a “unique” platform – that, indeed every student anywhere on the “globe” should be able to use.

July 2021

Learning in the 21st century must support mobility, as learning is no longer limited to the four walls or just watching a video lesson

great advice given by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam regarding adverse situations and the bright prospects that follow was, “Adversity always presents opportunities for introspection.” As we look back in 2020 and prior, any major or minor transformation for the betterment of human kind, has resulted only after a big problem. Likewise, the outbreak of Covid-19 ended resulted in a significant shift in the education world, and that was – finding ways to ensure learning does not stop. As we move past that juncture, a responsibility on education leaders is to find ways to eliminate the learning loss and simultaneously present opportunities for the student to go beyond their limits and help them exceed their learning goals. Learning without limits requires two essential yet critical ingredients. The first is a desire to learn, and the second is finding resources to meet that desire. Finding resources is a factor that has challenged educators and administrators in finding a balanced mix of technology, educational content, talented educators, and the cost. Finding quality

resources to nurture the desire to learn beyond the limits is not a one-time process. It is a journey that requires continuous brainstorming, evaluation, and fine-tuning. In the forthcoming sections, we discuss the process steps and critical milestones to build a framework supporting and encouraging students to apply themselves and learn beyond their limits. Developing a Framework for Tech Accessibility: (1) Establish a Technology Roadmap: The growth of remote learning in the last year compared to the growth in the previous decade presented a mixed set of reactions from the student and teacher community. As educators found ways for the students and teachers to connect and collaborate, each came with its challenges of engagement and support. Teachers realize that a real classroom is much more than just a video meeting and real engagement depends on many other factors. Education leaders must map out the specific needs of students and teachers concerning instructional delivery, access, and after-school support. Understanding the

July 2021

user’s needs, their challenges, and the strategic growth that an institute requires will eventually determine the relevant technological framework. A critical component that must be considered is that teachers, admin staff, students, and their parents must receive the necessary training and support system to ease the change process in implementing the new technological framework. (2) Curriculum Roadmap: The K-12 education system has been lagging in innovation compared to most other educational programs. There has been substantial growth in the higher education, engineering programs, medical programs, yet the early formative years of students, where they establish and strengthen their base, that is, K-12 has been behind the curve. It is time for educators to rethink the standardized curriculum beyond the state-mandated minimum requirements. Establishing optional but offering above and beyond programs or gifted programs will push the desire amongst the students to go beyond their limits. Some examples of enhanced education could be, encouraging creativity via writing essays and articles, producing media and videos, making field visits and working with professionals, and understanding what specific profession creates curiosity. Such models of highly engaged and well-rounded learning experiences will fuel creativity and spark the fire to learn more. Break the Barriers – Integrate Technology with Education. A good roadmap will lead to the next obvious yet most crucial part: to identify, select, and establish a set of technological equipment and essential hardware/ software that can support collaboration, engagement, and mobility, which is scalable yet cost-effective. Some of the components that must be considered in selecting the assistive technology should be: Identify the hardware, related peripherals and accessories. Learning in the 21st century must support mobility, as learning is no longer limited to the four walls or just watching a video lesson. As we deploy a wide variety of devices and other resources that students can use to gain access to all of the concepts and content on the go. The selected technological framework must support the instructional media access 24X7 and a peerto-peer communication framework, student to teacher communication. Engagement remains at the forefront of which a user selects a platform to use.

July 2021

Learning Management and Communication Platform. An LMS connects stakeholders, hardware, and technology to enable communication channels. Among all of the tech administrators’ options, one must think of the ease of access and scalability for future growth. Additionally, the selected learning management platform must be easy to access without losing features irrespective of the platform, whether mobile devices or desktop-based windows or MAC system. Mobility helps expand communication with peers, mentors, and colleagues via social media channels. Digital tools also modify the content possible as required, such as

increasing or lowering the complexity levels of reading material or changing the presentation rate.

An emerging issue, at the outset, is that students with disabilities and those without financial aid are often not considered when new technologies are designed to enhance course curriculums and learning

Foster Learning Through Experiential learning And last but not least, learning without limits depends on the “desire” to learn. So we discuss few ways to fuel up the desire to learn. Experiential learning is one such method. The objective is to mobilizing student learning around real-life challenges and encourage project-based learning. Accessible advanced technologies can make it possible for K-12 schools to eliminate any form of barriers and deliver learning to young students without limits and restrictions. However, technology itself is only one part of the entire equation of ensuring supportive success for students. While the first critical step is choosing the right technology to be used, implementing these solutions considering the whole child will yield the best outcomes. Meeting The Needs of Students with Disabilities: An emerging issue, at the outset, is that students with disabilities and those without financial aid are often not considered when new technologies are designed to enhance course curriculums and learning. This ends up widening the opportunity gaps and creates more significant inequalities for the most vulnerable learners. Hence, in such a scenario, teachers, CTOs, and administrators need to work to bridge the gap between the availability and accessibility of technology. And for achieving success in doing so, schools must adopt a twofold solution. In conclusion, we can say that using digital tools and advanced technologies can help students prepare for the digitized future. At a higher engagement level, tools like games, digital books, websites, and videos can be structured to meet different learners’ needs, from novice to expert. Learning principles can transcend specific technologies. When designed carefully and thoughtfully implemented, technology can potentially accelerate, transform, amplify and expand the effects of powerful learning principles. Since the process of learning isn’t observable directly, the whole study of learning very often produces such models and conclusions that gradually evolve. Thus, increasing tech accessibility in classrooms can genuinely revolutionize how students learn. And for this, it’s essential that schools adjust their classroom styles to align them with new technologies.

July 2021

ADMIN PERSPECTIVE

The Symbiosis of Remote Learning: How Virtual Instruction Can Benefit All Yash Merchant, Deputy General Manager for Branding and Corporate Communications, Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

Yash Merchant grew up in Mumbai and pursued the ICSE at St. Mary’s - a school ranked 3rd across India in top ICSE schools. He holds a BBA from FLAME University, an MBA from Woxsen School of Business and a Post Graduate Certificate in Strategic Marketing from the prestigious Nanyang Business School (Singapore). In his role of the Deputy General Manager for Branding and Corporate Communications at Great Lakes Institute of Management – Chennai, Yash is the chief architect of the brand’s digital strategy and marketing communications. Before joining Great Lakes, Yash held managerial positions at Woxsen University and Citibank where he was responsible for digital transformation and brand partnerships. In addition to his professional experience, Yash has also been a successful entrepreneur in the food & beverage and luxury goods space.

July 2021

The curriculum must be restructured for the virtual medium, more multimedia content should be incorporated and a shift away from rote learning and towards unstructured assignments is the need of the hour

choic memory is a part of our sensory memory register that is specific to auditory information, i.e.: memories triggered by sound. Some experiences are universal, and nothing stirs a pang of nostalgia quite like the ringing of a bell. Tension eases as you shuffle out of classrooms, engrossed in conversation, eager to get on with your day. Sadly, school corridors the world over are now a shadow of their former selves, desolate and noiseless. According to UNESCO data the pandemic is estimated to have affected 1.6 billion young people, accounting for 91% of the world’s student population. However, in midst of every crisis lies opportunity. These remarkable circumstances have led to some truly novel innovations and cemented the rise of the edtech sector in India. Edtech in India has seen over $5 bn in private equity investments over the last 5 years. There are over 4,500 startups in the space including homebred unicorns like Byju’s and Unacademy, who have achieved the elusive billion-dollar valuations. Key factors for the successful adoption of edtech across the country are the lockdowns due to the pandemic, increased internet penetration and easy access to smartphones. Also, with more free time at home

July 2021

and the increased need for reskilling, the young employed are eager for training and certifications. But it is not just supplemental education and voluntary training, as schools and universities remain shut the onus of delivering the same quality of education to students through a virtual medium fall on the shoulders of these institutions. Most have opted to stream lessons live to their students via collaborative video platforms like MS Teams and Zoom. These platforms also have additional features like live polling, breakout rooms, scheduling assignments and dedicated groups/channels for communication. But is the quality of education being sustained? What are the challenges they face and how do they justify the same expense for a virtual experience? There are undeniable benefits to face-to-face teaching. Teachers get a better sense of whether students are able to follow along with the material. Peer interaction fosters healthy competition, dialogue, and easier collaboration. Lab exercises and physical demonstrations are far more effective. At technical and research institutes, this could mean access to expensive equipment to conduct research or experiments. Personalized learning, infrastructure and institutional prestige are the key selling points for any educational institute. But with the pandemic, most of these perks are inaccessible to students calling into question whether it justifies the price tag. The pandemic has also amplified the digital divide. Students with access to faster broadband speeds and better equipment have a marked advantage. The same applies to institutions, private institutions with larger budgets and better IT infrastructure can provide easier access to content. Institutions will also require adequate support staff to troubleshoot issues quickly, which is critical for time-sensitive undertakings like examinations. Also, faculty retraining is critical. The curriculum must be restructured for the virtual medium, more multimedia content should be incorporated and a shift away from rote learning and towards unstructured assignments is the need of the hour. Virtual learning also has its pitfalls. If proper ergonomics is not followed learners can develop posture and back problems. Extensive exposure

July 2021

to screens can also lead to eye strain, headaches, dry eyes, disruption of sleep patterns and a host of other issues. Institutions must be cognizant of this when they devise schedules, allowing for enough time to recuperate. Also, as it is an online medium, most students will inevitably multitask in class, checking mail or social media, chatting online, or surfing the web. Apart from lectures, many companies are also offering solutions to facilitate proctored examinations (powered by AI/ML tech), scheduling and notification systems for teachers and students, track attendance, admission and fee collection management and much more. The most popular online proctored exam solutions include Test Invite, Mercer Mettl, Exam Online and many more that use your device’s screen share, camera and microphone along with AI technology to invigilate exams. So, what happens when things go back to normal? Should we revert to the old ways? Institutions have already cleared the first hurdle; they have set up the infrastructure needed to facilitate remote learning. The future could see a hybrid model of learning, lessons that require minimal interaction can be recorded and watched at the learner’s convenience freeing up more time on campus for faculty interaction, group projects, lab exercises and peer learning. Institutions can also offer these services online for distance learners. Already many internationally recognized universities have tied up platforms like EdX, UpGrad and Great Learning to provide diplomas and certifications at affordable costs. A study by the World Bank established that the average rate of return in terms of earnings for every additional year of schooling is 10% a year. There is a large supply-demand gap in the education sector in India. There is an estimated shortfall of 200,000 schools, 35,000 colleges, 700 universities and 40 million seats in the vocational training centers. Online instruction is the best way to combat this issue and democratize learning for all without compromising on the quality of education. The same technology can also be used to enhance an on-campus experience by providing students with more flexibility, choice and personalization helping them truly make the most of their scholastic pursuits.

Higher Education Digest July 2020

July 2021

INDUSTRY VIEWS

COVID-19 has Transformed how India Learns: Insights from an Edupreneur Amit Bansal, Founder & CEO, WizKlub

Amit Bansal is the CEO & Founder of WizKlub. He is a serial entrepreneur with over a decade in start-up experience across three edtech ventures; and 10 years of corporate experience across strategy, business development, technology, product management, and marketing for consumer and enterprise technology products across India and North America. His earlier ventures include Xcelerator and PurpleLeap. Amit holds an MBA in Marketing from XLRI, Jamshedpur.

July 2021

We foresee that the adoption of more scientific and tech-driven assessments would continue to accelerate and over the next 5 years, most schools will shift completely to digital assessment systems

ovid-19 has shattered life as we knew it. In every sphere, it has created a huge adverse impact in livelihoods, mobility and management of business activities at an unprecedented global scale. India still reels from the tragic impact of a ruthless second wave, more than a year after the disease first made its impact known to the world. But there is another effect looming at us, waiting to cripple our future even more and it is education. What is the current scenario? Students have been out of classrooms for more than a year already. While higher education has revitalised itself with completely online modules of learning to aid students at the cusp of entering college, it is the younger kids who are missing out the most. Over 260 million school students in India have been impacted according to UNESCO and NCERT. Understanding the need gaps in the current online learning environment starts from the class size. India follows a 30:1 ratio for students to teachers as per the Right to Education Act, but considering the lack of experience in working with digital tools, school classes have been stripped to an ‘I speak, you listen’ model. This is not a conducive environment to foster

discussions and debates when students are put on mute and maintaining order is difficult. This method only imparts knowledge, it does not encourage or promote any Higher Order Thinking Skills such as critical thinking, analysis, problem solving or decision making. The teachers are also used to picking visual cues from the students to figure out the understanding level of the kids and in an online environment are not geared to figure out whether the kids are really comprehending or not. Another big gap that online classes are failing to bridge is the peer interactions that often help develop social skills as well as analytical, evaluation and decision making skills. In a physical environment, just because of the sheer number of interactions, these skills would get developed to an extent without any structured interventions. With both these handicaps, we need to ensure that the kids are developing well on higher cognitive functions. Key shifts in the learning methods and efficacy Behavioral shift to virtual learning: Due to an extended period of pandemic led lockdowns across the nation, students have had to move to regular, online classes. Smartphones have enabled students in

July 2021

even remote villages to attend school via phones. However, lack of resources is a great challenge and citizen-led initiatives have brought used smartphones back to life in order to help underprivileged students attend classes online. A key outcome of all of this is a permanent behavioural shift in the average school learner who is equally comfortable learning online as s/he was learning through face-to-face interactions. In a lot of use cases, where it is more convenient or more efficient to learn online, the learner would continue to learn online compared to the traditional classroom. We foresee this change more so in categories that require specialized instruction such as tech areas like robotics or cognitive acceleration programs in logical and analytical thinking. Tech based assessments: A rapid need to shift online has made schools adapt to technology and yet virtual classrooms only are not enough to do the job right. Teachers are getting insights from technology enabled teaching and assessment tools which helps identify strengths and weaknesses in the learning path of individual students. Interestingly, AI enabled assessments have shorter, aptitudinal formats and generate reports with analysis of cognitive development of a learner. We foresee that the adoption of more scientific and tech-driven assessments would continue to accelerate and over the next 5 years, most schools will shift completely to digital assessment systems. Supplementary learning: Extensive efforts have been made by each parent to manage individual responsibilities and their kid’s learning. Edtech solutions have made it possible for urban parents to engage their children in not just curriculum based learning but explore creative interests in different things. Be it learning through structured programs in technology, social skills or cognitive excellence or substituting toys with more engaging kits, edtech is expanding its offerings in making learning fun, effective and accessible.

July 2021

The sheer creativity in putting a subject of learning across through digital, interactive content has far reaching effects on the minds of the learners and retention of concepts

Important skills where edtech can bridge the gap The most critical situation is for the younger students in the 5-14 age group. They belong to the last two stages of cognitive development where social setups form the grounds for important skills like problem solving, critical thinking and creativity. Group activities have moved to online classes and overwhelmed parents are grappling between work from home and watching over their child’s classes. This is where India has taken a fundamental leap towards app based, interactive learning for young kids. Even tier 3-4 towns have significant smartphone penetration today, leading to more and more parents looking for solutions to help kids learn, in a structured, effective manner. India’s burgeoning edtech businesses are proof to the fact that the right solutions will eventually reach the right audience and encourage adoption of digital tools among wary parents. How does the future of learning look like? Curriculum based learning is now supplemented with interactive skill building tools, coding, robotics and more. Younger kids are missing out on critical phases of cognitive skill development (5-14) and the edtech industry has been constantly finding new ways of developing effective learning tools for such learners. Classrooms will return post pandemic, but what is interesting about edtech adoption is that it will continue to be a preferred choice for students and parents alike for supplemental education. The sheer creativity in putting a subject of learning across through digital, interactive content has far reaching effects on the minds of the learners and retention of concepts. I strongly believe education is a concerted effort by teachers, parents and silent educators, who are working behind the scenes in developing the most effective ways to empower a child with skills required for a successful and happy future.

July 2021

EDTECH INSIGHTS

Tech for Better

Learning Outcomes Charu Noheria, Co-Founder & COO, Practically

In 2018, Charu Noheria co-founded Practically, an experiential learning app for STEM and has been working to revolutionize the education landscape for the last seven years. Practically’s constant innovation to improve the rate of retention of concepts among students has helped the platform raise $9M so far. Charu has a bachelor’s degree in engineering (Computer Science) from R.V. College of Engineering, Bangalore, and an MBA from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. She has over 12 years of corporate experience in operations, technology, strategy and managing global teams.

July 2021

Immersive and interactive teaching tools such as apps, fun pop quizzes and assignments, game-like interface and recorded sessions enable significant increase in retention of concepts of up to 90%

he days when learning was synonymous with schools and when a desk, a chair and a blackboard were sufficient to call it a classroom, are gone. If the Covid pandemic has taught us anything, it is that technology is all-pervasive. It has enabled us to survive and even thrive in a confined environment without any disruption. From virtual classrooms to online assignments, tech tools have been the saviour of continuous education and ensured that learning is not disrupted even during a global pandemic. School-from-home made easier We have seen many new learning tools available to make school-from-home a better experience for both parents and children. These tools also aid teachers in managing the curriculum and classes. Did you know that they are also extremely effective in enhancing learning outcomes? Today, a child with access to a smartphone and the internet can learn from

anywhere. Virtual classroom management systems allow teachers to manage multiple classes and curricula with ease. Immersive learning modules help engage students better and thereby generate interest in studying among students. The use of automated progress reports, analytics and charts has enabled easy monitoring of children’s progress at the click of a button. Teachers and students can now have access to exhaustive content libraries providing them with in-depth learning material from various course curricula. Moreover, the availability of e-textbooks is another valuable addition to the array of tools the students and teachers have at their disposal. Better outcomes through experiential learning Experiential learning is a new way of learning that has emerged with the advancements in technology. Immersive and interactive teaching tools such as apps, fun pop quizzes and assignments, game-like interface and recorded sessions enable significant

July 2021

increase in retention of concepts of up to 90%. The use of virtual reality and augmented reality helps to visualize complex concepts such as human anatomy right on your desk. Animation plays a key role in making studies engaging. For example, students can retain the outcomes of scientific experiments much better through a simulated environment instead of theoretically learning equations and its results. Parents can also monitor their child’s progress with tools like test reports with detailed analysis. Newage courses like AI, machine learning, robotics, chess, game development and many more are available online to learn. These courses go beyond the classrooms and provide holistic development. They ensure that students in the K-12 segment build a robust foundation for higher studies and pick up skills to become industry-ready. Blended learning is here to stay Technology advancements in education have accelerated during the pandemic. Even post Covid, teachers, parents, students and educational institutes must be prepared to use and apply such tools to ensure better learning outcomes for all. While physical schools may resume this year, online learning has become a part of children’s lives. In this competitive age, students can now equip themselves with additional learning methods from the convenience of their homes. Whether it is learning new disciplines like robotics or solving complex problems through mock testprep tools, students can supplement their learning at affordable costs and gain a competitive advantage over their peers. It also levels the playing field as it breaks the one-size-fits-all system and caters to students with varied learning styles. Blended learning also offers parents a chance to study with their children and be more involved in the learning process. Parents no longer have to wade through complicated textbooks to revisit a concept they studied in their younger days. This healthy learning process also makes the parent-child bond stronger! Education for all - now possible Technology has changed the way education is imparted. The rural-urban divide will slowly but surely blur as anyone can learn with a smartphone and internet access. The reduction in data subscription costs has

July 2021

The rural-urban divide will slowly but surely blur as anyone can learn with a smartphone and internet access

further fueled this wave of learning. Education is now making inroads into rural areas aided with tools that redefine a classroom. A school is no longer a building with four walls but rather a touch-screen device that brings educational concepts alive. Teachers teach in a classroom that can be recorded and streamed anywhere in the world. It has changed the way we fundamentally view education. Before we marvel at the progress technology has made in bringing quality education to a wider audience, we must remember that this is the tip of the iceberg. We have not even scratched the surface of what technology can do to reshape the way the world learns. The world is moving at warp speed and we must be ready for and accept the changes that come with it.

TAILOR-MADE EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS www.edusoul.com.co

VIRTUAL FACTORY As digital content creators for schools and corporations, we are focused on adding value to your brand through a learning process concept. Whether you are looking for Lifelong Learning Digital Skills or Tailor-Made Educational Projects, Education Soul brings you its capability to design, structure and operate your Virtual Learning Factory

SERVICES Online Tailor-Made Platforms Digital Skills as part of your reskilling/upskilling process Women Entrepreneurship Programs

IMPACT During our journey 2016 – 2021 in Latin America, we have reached: +24,000 students +1,500 teachers +1,000 women +20 corporations +59 schools +15 cities More info: juanmanuelpico@edusoul.com.co

All our initiatives are in Spanish

July 2021

ACADEMIC VIEWS

Is There a Need to Revise the Admission Process in the Remote Learning Era? Anshu Mittal, Principal, MRG School, Rohini

Anshu Mittal is well-known in the education fraternity for being an inspiring leader and an innovative educator. Ms Anshu has a B.Ed. and an M.A. in English Literature and her rich experience of over 25 years includes teaching students, training teachers CBSE workshops, as well as managing school administration. Before joining MRG School, Ms Anshu worked at leadership positions with reputed schools such as DPSG, Gurgaon, Salwan Public School, Gurgaon and Amity International School, New Delhi. Under her visionary leadership these schools witnessed remarkable growth. Gifted with inborn leadership qualities, she has held positions demanding immense command, control and organization skills.

July 2021

This changing dynamic of limited physical meetings and interactions among teachers, children, and parents has made some parents consider homeschooling and self-based learning as alternate options

he Indian education system is currently exploring a variety of tried and tested methods, as schools and educational institutions continue to experiment their classroom sessions in the online learning mode. The schools have been shut physically for over a period of almost 15 months, relying on technology for disseminating education. Could anyone has imagined this, Pre Covid? This is close to a complete academic session, wherein students have learned, been evaluated, and also promoted to a higher standard, transforming our teaching and learning. Parents have always perceived schools as more than just a learning institution; the sheer diligence and attention that go into selecting the ideal enriching and growth environment for their young wards are indicative of their dependence and trust in the school and its faculty members. With more and more nuclear families where both parents are working professionals and rely on schools for

the social, ethical, and all-around development of their child and a disciplined demeanor. To secure admission in the best schools, the new-age parents continue to explore and research exhaustively for the final selection of school environment for their young ones for early years education. School Searches in the COVID era These school-searching sessions now have received a huge blow due to the limitations of physical meetings. Parents stand at crossroads as the young ones are being subjected to face screens from a very young age. They also cannot let go of their early years without any peer-to-peer interaction. In these formative years, the child’s brain development about basic life skills also begins to take shape. The more exposure, the better the scale of development is. This changing dynamic of limited physical meetings and interactions among teachers, children, and parents has made some parents consider

July 2021

With digitalization hitting all the domains, the admission process can now be switched to digital formats keeping in mind the safety norms of the pandemic

homeschooling and self-based learning as alternate options. Heutagogy as an educational practice has started gaining acceptance due to the flexibility and ease offered. Here, learning is not linear and planned, but depends upon the situations and experiences. Now, this practice has the potential to come across as fluid to many Indian parents and might not prove well for the students who have been accustomed to a directional course of evolution and learning. This makes the need for revision of the admission process extremely crucial as we aim to make our students globally competent and yet equipped with a strong sense of their own heritage and culture. New Education Policy There is one very important fact that there is ‘no one size fits all in any classroom. Each student takes away different learnings from the same classroom transaction by the facilitator. NEP comes with a vision of a learnercentric education system and curriculum structure. It prepares the facilitators to be well-equipped with new tools and

July 2021

best practices that are more than just simple discourse but are based on oneon-one immersive and experiential learning. We can lead by example to avoid the rote learning methodology prevalent till now and enable learners with a curriculum that promotes inquisitiveness, zeal to learn, problemsolving and out-of-the-box thinking. With increased dependence on digital tools and increased exposure, our admission process is inevitably revised too. With digitalization hitting all the domains, the admission process can now be switched to digital formats keeping in mind the safety norms of the pandemic. As things stand, the admission criteria and the point system need to be designed carefully to provide equal opportunities to all the applicants seeking admission in this era of remote learning. Emphasis on moving online with equity in mind would reduce the applicant’s anxiety. It is time we drop our limitations and inhibitions related to learning and proceed towards the new academic year with an openness of thoughts and concise.

July 2021

INDUSTRY VIEWS

Digital Education in India Himanshu Periwal, Co-Founder, Unluclass

Himanshu Periwal is a graduate from IIM Calcutta and comes with an experience of over 10 years having worked with big names like Amazon, Bain & Company and Ixigo. He was the VP Growth at Ixigo, helping their transactions grow by a massive 23x in just over 3 years. At Amazon, he was part of the team that launched it in India and was their first Product Marketing Manager. Prior to that, he worked with Bain & Company on various Private Equity, Fin-tech, Retail sector mandates. Himanshu is also a Product Management Faculty at UpGrad and is a Start-up Advisor/ Mentor at NASSCOM, GSV Labs and TechStars.

July 2021

It is noteworthy that the central and various state governments are allocating substantial budgets for the advancements of digital education

he importance of education in a person’s life cannot be overstated. As something that is experienced by everyone in one way or another, the field of education is constantly changing and developing to suit individual needs. Over the last decade, the world has undergone a rapid digital transformation, and the education sector is no exception to that. It was common for private (CBSE and ICSE) schools to have “Smart Boards” from as early as 2013. These smart boards had interactive tools and audio-visual lesson plans for even practical subjects like science. This positive adoption of digital learning directly led to a phenomenon called “Digital Education”. This has progressed over the years and embedded itself into the lives of teachers and students as an indispensable tool. India’s embrace of digital education Since 2020’s Covid-19 pandemic, schools have equipped themselves and their students with

laptops, phones and tabs to enable regular classes. This has also happened in rural areas of the country thanks to the digital revolution of education. It is estimated that the internet penetration rate will reach above 55 per cent by the end of 2025. A high percentage of this is proposed as initiatives by the government to provide high speed internet and fibernet connectivity to a number of schools and gram panchayats in India. Apart from this, the Vidya Daan initiative also provides rural parts of India with content developed by teachers and educators from metro and tier- II cities. It is noteworthy that the central and various state governments are allocating substantial budgets for the advancements of digital education. From a Student Perspective Today’s students, irrespective of their social situation, are extremely comfortable with all aspects of technology. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for this, but this level of comfort makes it incredibly easy for them to quickly take

July 2021

up devices as tools of learning. Moreover, new trends in digital education emerge everyday. For example, social media has now stepped into the educational field as a means of learning. Youtube channels, and pages on various platforms are dedicated to teaching subjects like English, Math and sometimes even other languages. The concept of “Master Classes” has been introduced and seen a spike. Many platforms, such as Unluclass, are offering the opportunity for learners to attend a class taught by an expert in their field. As they are mostly taught by celebrities like actors, sportspersons, writers etc., these classes are not limited to the basic subjects taught at school. Aspirants are able to get first hand information about the ins and outs of their specialised field. E- learning platforms have also had a positive reception in the country. These

July 2021

platforms are available in regional languages, explain concepts using easy to understand methods and have self learning aids. Features like these make them a popular choice for parents to purchase for their children. This is also used by learners outside of schools and colleges for picking up extra-curricular activities like writing, acting, sports, etc. Furthermore, methods like game based learning open courses provide an opportunity for learners of all ages to have a taste of a subject before deciding if they want to pursue them further. The Good and the Bad To a casual observer, digital learning is the best thing to happen to students and teachers. They are not wrong. Digital learning breaks down language barriers, enables personalised lesson modules and is better for the environment due to paper

Digital learning breaks down language barriers, enables personalised lesson modules and is better for the environment due to paper being used less

being used less. But most importantly, as lessons are accessible from anywhere and on any device with a stable internet connection, it gives a lot of room for mobility and flexibility of the students and teachers - a feature greatly appreciated during covid times. But as with any new phenomenon, digital education also has a flip side. As mentioned above, lessons are available online readily, but this is of no use when students or teachers do not have a stable internet connection. As commendable as the efforts of the government and the schools are to make students and teachers more digitally accessible and literate, there is still a long way to go before a full switch can be made from the black board to a smartboard. The older generation of teachers who are more comfortable with traditional means of teaching are facing technical issues, for example, while trying to operate a top of the line tab or present on a video call. All of this is not withstanding the issues faced by students themselves. Being in school, students were able to see/ interact with other students in real life. Attending online classes and e-classes all day causes social isolation. A shortened attention span, lack of concentration and distraction are also on the list of blocks of digital education. Looking at digital learning for higher levels, such as college and university, subjects that need practical knowledge are facing major challenges. Practical learning is essential for especially medical and scientific streams. The discourse today is about how students graduated from “online classes” would hold up to other generations who have had a more “hands on” approach to learning. Digitally Enabled Future An increasing number of positive reviews and reception to trends in the field of digital education has made way for quick adoption and improvement. There is no doubt that this will mould a generation that is comfortable with everything digital as everything they learnt was digital. Digital education is here to stay, and the digitally savvy population that will emerge as a by-product of this will place India on a whole new sphere in the coming years.

July 2021

EDTECH INSIGHTS

The Future of School Tech in India Gagan Jain, Co-Founder & CEO, Uniform Junction

Spending three years at Mafatlal Industries as Head of E-commerce and Modern Trade, Gagan was closely watching the online learning space as more and more players flocked the field. It didn’t take much time for both of them to zero-in that the market for online learning was burgeoning. The onset of COVID-19 pandemic infused a fresh lease of life to Gagan’s entrepreneurial dream which he had been slowly nurturing. With a strong experience in retail, E-commerce and technology, fueled by a strong demand uptick for online learning, thanks to the pandemic, Gagan gave wings to his entrepreneurial dream in December 2020 by co-founding Uniform Junction along with Priyavrata, a one-stop shop for all education related products and services. Both of them share a common vision – create the best way to serve schools, parents and children in the K-12 segment. Apart from his stints with global brands like Landmark group, The Times of India, Globus and Mafatlal group, Gagan has played a key role in setting up operations for couple of startups like Moneysaver (Now Snapdeal) and Mad (e) In India.

July 2021

School closures caused by COVID-19 are estimated to have affected up to over 84% of the world’s student population and still continue to impact many locations worldwide

chools have to bring up citizens that have the required skills to act in our changing world, which means schools are the first to adopt and drive changes and innovation. Schools have always been providers of basic foundation of knowledge. But today when world is changing so drastically, schools have to shoulder the responsibility to foster a generation that has the skills to adapt and survive in the changing world. So now schools have to become drivers of change and innovation.

relationships in an interactive way. Covid-19 had accelerated the digitalization of schools across the world. The digitalisation of school took accelerated path due to covid world over. Though initially online teaching was adopted to manage things under Covid crisis, very soon schools like many other sectors started seeing the benefits of technology in workflow. As its said, humans tend to turn crisis into opportunity and that is what happens in School-Tech space.

School Tech: Need of hour School tech is the term used to describe the new industry that combines education and technological advances that allow schools to serve a larger and more diverse audience and to enable teachers and student to foster

Tiding educational crisis Over the past year, the global K12 education system has largely moved online, which has influenced student learning performance and wellbeing. Indeed, school closures caused by COVID-19 are estimated to have

July 2021

affected up to over 84% of the world’s student population and still continue to impact many locations worldwide. As a stopgap measure, many schools started using digital education tools to offer online teaching while students stay at home. Zoom became a household name and best friend to teachers in times of crisis. Making of global Citizen The online education broke the barriers of learning. Now a student in Manawer (small town in Madhya Pradesh) can learn AI course by best

July 2021

of the teachers based out of Israel. All you need is an internet connection, basic smart phone & willingness to be globally competitive. Schools can now empower their students & teachers with best of interactive learning and assessment tools, while giving parents a real time update on the progress of their children. Schools were always very local in their approach till date. But now they can access and communicate with global learning companies, data scientists and behaviouralist to impart universal learnings in science and technology. The most important point is the opportunity is not limited to curriculum-based courses. Now it

is possible for any one to have grand master as chess teacher or Oscar winning actor to conduct Master classes in acting. The real democracy is when everybody has equal chance of learning. Through School Tech, every school can broaden horizons for their children.

The fast inflow of new online courses and digital education in the market in a way is also a cause of concern when we look at it from point of view of learning effectiveness and cyber security

Challenges ahead There have been concerns about introducing new forms of digital education so abruptly, especially in terms of learning effectiveness and cybersecurity. The fast inflow of new online courses and digital education in the market in a way is also a cause of concern when we look at it from point of view of learning effectiveness and cyber security. Such challenges will likely be addressed over time as schools, teachers, and students become more familiar with the digital learning environment and online teaching approaches are refined. However, immediate concern is, online learning has also deepened the exposure of students to cyber-risks and affected social skills. Online classes are leading students to grow accustomed to spending more time online, blurring the distinction between physical and digital spaces. There are cases where technology adoption has become technology addiction. Lack of interaction and socialization also has negative impact on mental health. That is where school tech will play an important role. Unlike exclusive online learning platforms, schools can adopt a hybrid approach and enjoy the benefits of both the worlds. Schools are the only place which can ensure 360 degree grooming of the children by creating a tech enable space suitable for offline interaction and online learning at the same time. Conclusions and outlook The widespread digitalization of the educational sector is happening now, and schools need to ensure that this transformation occurs inclusively. Such outcomes would go a long way towards ensuring sustainable development of the digital economy and its potential to transform the lives of countless individuals through digital skills education. I believe that online learning will play an increasingly important role in the K12 education system. The digitalization of the education sector is part of broader trends in the global economy as a whole. Online and offline options are no longer dichotomies; the digital world is becoming increasingly fused into our daily lives and schools must make a concerted effort to ensure that all students are supported with digital education and training to thrive in this digital age.

July 2021

MENTOR’S OPINION

The Emergence of Online Education in India Swati Ganguly, Co-founder, Edufiq

An educator by profession, Swati is a firm believer in constant advancements in the field. A flagbearer of academics, she is a resourceful educationist with 25 years of rich scholarly and administrative experience. With a post-graduation in Comprehensive Management of Children with learning disorders, from the Spastic Society of Karnataka, Bangalore; Swati has served as a Special Educator for 13+ years. She also, holds a diploma in Counselling Skills, from Banjara Academy besides being a Certified Auditor from National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET).

K12 Digest July 2021

here was a time when computer classes were the only form of online education. The Internet and World Wide Web evolved rapidly and bridged the gap between knowledge and the seeker. While WWW was the storehouse for information, faster internet speed enabled the users to send large PDF and other files quickly. Eventually, users could send multiple page notes and even entire books by e-mail or through online messaging apps.This led to the birth and growth of online education somewhere in mid-1990s. The improvement in internet speed and quality fueled the concept of home-schooling, distance learning and certified online courses. There are many examples that portray the benefits of online education and how it has changed the path of attaining knowledge. Today, students from all over the worlds can attain specialized degrees in MBA, Digital Marketing, Fashion Designing via online education. Since the onset of the Pandemic, online education has helped students continue with

their education seamlessly. Although it has forced the children to change their routines and significantly increased their screentime, the quality of their education remained intact, and in many ways, became better than before. Even the parents have understood the increasing importance of online education.I believe, online education beneficial to both, the students, schools and teachers . Benefits of Online Education for Schools ● It saves cost on infrastructure and, in turn, also protects the environment ● It opens up windows of opportunities for schools to adapt to advanced coursewares and curriculums conducive for online education ● It makes the school technologically advanced ● It helps the teachers to improve their technological skills ● It empowers teachers to adopt advanced teaching methods The teachers who taught students using conventional methods of teaching, for years

Online education has become specifically beneficial for school teachers who began careers in a conventional set-up and are now experiencing the evolution towards virtual set-ups

K12 Digest July 2021

have now become proficient in smartboards, platforms such as Microsoft which offer the schools with the best tech support and other applications which enable online education..Online education has become specifically beneficial for school teachers who began careers in a conventional set-up and are now experiencing the evolution towards virtual setups. This change is enhancing the communication skills of the teachers, helping them upgrade their pedagogical approach and hone advanced skills in technology.also It is safe to say that the development of teachers is, in fact, the development of the students and the entire educational institution. Benefits of Online Education for students ● It makes students more disciplined and routine-oriented ● It integrates their skills in advanced technology, in turn, prepares them for the future ● It keeps their physical energy intact to help them hone new talents to remain ahead of their times ● It increases their time for self-growth

July 2021

● It gives the student the choice of picking their

safe environments ● It improves communication and collaboration skills in a virtual environment ● It refines their critical-thinking skills and challenges students to think differently ● Online learning programs are cost-effective The use of technology changes the dynamics of the classroom. Students become more engaged, they understand concepts better, and their performance improves drastically. The whole process of education becomes more student-centric. The future of online education is very bright in India. This can be understood from the fact that there were 1.6 million users who enrolled for online education in 2016 in the country. As per the new figures available, 6-times more users will have opted for this new form of education by the end of 2021. CBSE’s recognition of AI as a skill subject has also been a page turner and a clear indicator that the education industry is going through a digital revolution.

Continue Learning with A Secure Virtual Classroom for K-12 JOIN SESSION Easy login, no downloading or installation

Share and record video and audio

Create personalized profiles

Share files and applications

Poll students

Interact with breakout groups

Chat with fellow participants

The raise hand feature ensures every student has a voice

Use in the classroom and beyond

July 2021

INDUSTRY VIEWS

Online Education in the Post-COVID World Rishi Kulkarni, CEO & CO-Founder, Revv

Rishi Kulkarni is the CEO and Co-founder at Revv. Rishi started his entrepreneurial journey 10 years ago when he founded 1Click, which was acquired by Freshworks. He spent the next few years building and selling products at Freshworks. Besides managing the product and mentoring the young fledgling startups, he has a ‘green thumb’ and is a health and fitness enthusiast.

July 2021

The transition to online education has pushed the institutions aggressively to ramp-up their online platforms

nline education is no small feat. It is not merely about the teachers and the students donning headphones and communicating over the internet. It is where digital technology blends with pedagogical practices. It is about creating a smarter, faster, and better virtual education infrastructure that enhances the learning experience. Covid-19 has made the educational institutions suspend physical classrooms. It pushed the institutions to undergo a revolution and adapt to this emerging teaching method of online learning. This flash transition has left many institutions trapped in the vortex of document management and paperwork challenges. The pandemic has emphasized the importance of a smart online document management system to digitize and distribute documents in a secure environment. How can the online document management system overcome the challenges of online education/learning?

Online document management is about drafting, sharing, and tracking the digitized documents in a secure environment. It frees up the administrative staff, teaching staff, and the students from the chaos and back-and-forth of hefty paper documents, and enables them to focus on their primary work. This “new normal” is predicted to be the “new future” even in the post-pandemic world. Online education has become an integral part of institutional resilience and pedagogical progress. This implies, moving forward there will be an integrated approach to leverage physical classrooms and online learning. It demands a seamless online collaboration tool to connect the academic institutions with students, parents, and teachers. “If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.” – John Dewey While teachers are plodding along with this “new normal” shift, it has thrown some deeper challenges.

July 2021

Here’s a list of all such problems and the best solution that enables digital document management in classroom learnings: Online payment collection The transition to online education has pushed the institutions aggressively to ramp-up their online platforms. Student registrations, fee payments, subscription-based online classes, additional paid resources, etc. – all possible tasks have moved online. Seamless payment experience has become an essential part of daily operations. Most document management systems allow smooth integration with the institution’s software, and enable the institution to generate automated invoices to the customers.

Working together with peers fosters a greater sense of community in a digital environment

Curriculum alignment With no physical classrooms, teachers find it hard to comprehend whether the students have understood their curriculum objectives. This misalignment and lack of awareness can become a stumbling block in a student’s academic progress. When sharing the course guidelines, curriculum break-up, timetable, etc., it is vital to track whether it is received and reviewed. A document management system makes such communications transparent through its “accept/ reject” feature. For example, without robust electronic document management for schools, the curriculum documents are shared directly via email. Sometimes these land in junk folders, and sometimes these are missed, and eventually stay unopened. Such documents, when distributed with the right document management software with the “accept/reject” button, make the record management easier. Hitting on the accept button signifies that the students have gone through the entire document and are profoundly aware of how to proceed with online learning. Connection Virtual classrooms hinder peer-to-peer connection. In a physical classroom setting, students frequently share their doubts and problems with their peers and seniors. With no such channel available online,

July 2021

it blocks students’ learning and growth. This can shoot up the anxiety in students. Working together with peers fosters a greater sense of community in a digital environment. A smart document digitizing software and a great collaboration tool must have chat and tagging features. It empowers students to bring back those fruitful conversations. Such collaboration ● Enables them to collaborate with their peers, tag them, post questions, receive direct feedback, and support one another. ● Helps to collaborate with other students on projects/papers. Assignments and projects Assignments facilitate gaining more knowledge on a subject. Sharing feedback on such assignments and answering any queries related to the topic is equally important for a teacher. But doing it through email or video chats for each student becomes a herculean task. Imagine how a teacher will cope in situations where she runs multiple assignments in multiple classes for several students. A collaborative document management tool empowers teachers to: ● Share assignment guidelines with an “accept/reject” button to ensure the students have acknowledged the prerequisites of the assignment. ● Readily organize student assignments in folders and categorize them; this makes the navigation easy. ● Collaborate with students and share feedback through tags and chats. Content sharing During a class, teachers often need to provide their students with supporting resources/ handouts to aid their learning. With online classes, the challenge is how to: ● Deliver such content and course materials? ● Make it accessible to all the students The right document management tool will allow teachers to: ● Share the curriculum content online.

● Tag each student to make sure they get notified and receive it. ● Track who has opened it and how many times. And, allows students to: ● Have easy access to all course materials, slides, documents, notes, etc. ● Receive weekly / monthly updates that quickly summarize the learnings, assignments, and course material plan for each week. ● Easily organize their documents in folders. Sharing exam results/report cards The report card is a testimony of a student’s academic and personal progress over the year. But, creating numerous report cards online, distributing, and tracking them becomes an uphill battle. With the right document management system, you can ● Design and produce report cards with customizable templates, where you can easily edit and format it based on your need. ● Notify students and/or parents to view report cards. ● eSignature of parents and students to track who has viewed the report cards. ● Organized folders for easy navigation and time-saving searches. Conclusion Online education can be very challenging. It is a prime responsibility of institutions to bring back that spark of learning, and levelup the learning experience. A robust document management system can help institutions and equip them with the right resources. ● It seamlessly connects students and teachers with the institution. ● Promotes a stimulating learning environment. ● Makes access to learning and resources a breezy task. ● Creates a remarkable online learning experience. Drop the inhibitions and commence your online learning the right way.

July 2021

EDTECH INSIGHTS

The Emergence of Online Education in India Piyush Bhartiya, Co-Founder & CEO, AdmitKard

Piyush Bhartiya is the Co-Founder and CEO of AdmitKard Edtech that simplifies application process for higher education opportunities. He takes care of the overall growth strategy at the brand and also manages the operations. He ensures that the brand is firmly marching towards the larger aim of providing quality guidance to the students and helping them achieve their career goals.

July 2021

Online education is the best form of delivering education because it gives one the attribute of flexibility in learning

he concept of online education in India dates back to 2004-05 when efforts were being made by some government organisations such as ISROU, MHRD and IGNOU to start two-way video communication, but the efforts did not yield the expected results due to the insufficient technological advancements. At the same time, the Indian EdTech journey also started with the evolution of smart classrooms and satellite-based education, though the concept was not attracting many people. Gradually, with the passage of time and the advent of technology, India saw substantial growth in the field of online education. Last year, the pandemic acted as a catalyst in the development of online education. Today, e-learning is the need of the hour and has become more than a choice. The last decade has witnessed tremendous growth in online learning, and technology and Covid-19 are two major factors behind its growth and development. Now the questions arise regarding the scope,

challenges and future of online education in India. So, let us do the needful discussion below. Early years of online education in India Around 15 years back, it was a big challenge to develop a proper mode of imparting online education. In 2008, the education industry witnessed the entry of some private players in the domain of e-learning. Till now, the technology of smart classrooms was being used in some educational institutes. Even after that, people were not showing much inclination towards the concept of e-learning because it was difficult to initiate substituting traditional face-to-face learning with online education. It was only in 2015 when the country saw the emergence of various EdTech platforms, and that year proved to be gamechanging for the EdTech Industry. Till this time, many people had realised that online education could be the biggest and best innovation in the domain of education. With the Covid-19 pandemic,

July 2021

Online education took a new turn in India and the game changed completely. Emerging scope of online education in India In the last five years, online learning has grown rapidly. Before the arrival of Covid-19, students were using online education to enhance their skills by opting for online certification courses. Moreover, they were using EdTech platforms to deepen their subjects’ concepts. According to reports, the number of students pursuing online education increased six-fold between 2015 and 2018. Around 70% of these students opted for online education to upskill and increase their employment opportunities. Moreover, even the working employees were turning to online education as it was possible to enhance the skills without punctuating the work schedules. In 2018, University Grants Commission (UGC) began supporting online education models. They allowed some reputed and qualified institutes to offer a small

July 2021

percentage of their courses online. Over time in 2019, this support actively increased. This backing ultimately helped in ensuring the quality of online programs hosted by those institutes and reducing the scepticism regarding their effectiveness. But with the covid induced lockdown and persistent closure of educational institutions, the country testified to a boom in online education. Online learning healed the wound which pandemic gave to educational institutes. For maintaining the smooth flow of education while social distancing and making people realise the importance of online learning in this pandemic era, the government and institutions are massively supporting the online mode of education. Talking about the perspective of students and their families, even they are considering online education as the most viable substitute to traditional learning concerning various aspects. Online education is the best form of delivering education because it gives one the attribute of

Online education is gaining prominence in the country, but the moment it moves from an option to the only choice in the long term, it starts facing challenges

flexibility in learning. Both teachers and students can teach and learn at their own pace respectively. As a result, it helps students to build a good workstudy balance. Apart from flexibility, e-learning is easily accessible because online learning gives students the facility of learning from anywhere. That means there is no need to shuttle between the institute and home. Besides saving up on time, it proves to be cost-efficient too as one can save up on travelling expenses. India is a congested and densely populated country. Therefore, people here are more vulnerable to catching the infection. Campus learning will not be free from the risk of Covid-19 even if all the students and teachers are vaccinated. Hence, online education in India would be a feasible option, at least for the time being. Therefore, it can be said that the scope of online education is high in India considering the inclination of people towards it and its benefits.

Challenges to online learning Online education is gaining prominence in the country, but the moment it moves from an option to the only choice in the long term, it starts facing challenges. The biggest and foremost challenge in imparting education through online mode is its reach and the resultant socio-economic divide because only a small portion of the population has access to online education right now. Unaffordability to buy necessary devices, defective power supply, interrupted or weak internet connectivity, and computer illiteracy are some major concerns of the rural people of India. For teachers also, adapting to online teaching is difficult who have spent their entire life teaching traditionally. Teachers may not be good at creating digital content and communicating it effectively online. Moreover, with online education, practical learning is not possible. Even if theoretical aspects are conveyed properly, students still need practical training to understand the true meaning of concepts. Concluding the future of Online education Online education is emerging as the future trend of learning in India and has a positive outlook. Online education has successfully created new dimensions in the field of education both within and beyond the curriculum. Unlike other sectors, online education has got an exponential push from the pandemic because every dark cloud has a silver lining. With the growth of e-learning, the withering away of the traditional education system has begun. Just like every sector, online education too is not free from challenges, but with the help of new technology and government initiatives, these challenges can be overcome. According to market research analysis, it has been predicted that the online education market will grow at a CAGR of over 20% by the end of 2021. It is also predicted that the number of users registering for online education may touch 9.6 million users by 2021, which was 1.6 million in 2016. With the lapse of time, digital ways of education will be the new normal. The growth of EdTech platforms in the last two years signifies the value of online education in the eyes of people. If planned and imparted correctly and equally to all students, it has the potential to unlock innumerable opportunities for learners.

July 2021

INDUSTRY VIEWS

The Emergence of Digital Education in India Devvaki Aggarwal, Co-Founder & CEO, instrucko

Ms. Aggarwal has worked in New York for a leading EdTech company, and worked with publishers in USA, UK, and Asia Pacific. With over half a decade experience in the EdTech space, Ms. Aggarwal decided to move back to India to set up instrucko. As passionate as she is for education, growing up Ms. Aggarwal realised how little importance is given to communication. In her words, “People always know what to communicate, but they don’t know how to communicate it. With instrucko, her objective is to emphasise on language learning and focus on Emotional Intelligence as it plays a key role in our daily lives.

July 2021

Online learning has led to students getting access to courses of their choice and teachers from around the world

e have all heard about the woes of conventional learning. A teacher steps into the classroom, delivers a lecture, assigns homework, and at the end of the term the students are assessed based on their performance in an exam that primarily tests out how much of their lesson they remembered. And for the most part, the conventional method of learning has its framework based on the age-old formula of learning: understand, practice, and test yourself. I have experienced this first-hand, and it wasn’t fun. But it isn’t the early 2000s, we’re living in 2021, and the education space is being disrupted by Ed-Tech companies that seek to revolutionize learning and field of education as we know it. The last decade has seen a tectonic shift to digital and more kids have access to their very own tablets. This has created a new era of learning called ‘edtech’. This new era has been ushered by instrucko offering personalized lessons, which are feedback driven and focus on fast-tracking learning by incorporating games

into lessons and vice-versa. Learning should be an experience and instrucko is based on the ethos of learning through storytelling. Online learning has led to students getting access to courses of their choice and teachers from around the world. This has allowed more learners to upskill themselves and choose what they want to learn, when they want to learn, and who they want to learn from. This has multiple advantages as one no longer needs to physically be present, which results in making learning accessible and easy. It allows students to consume better content, which is digitised and gamified. It also results in ensuring learning objectives are being made. Online classes have led to measurable progress. Another advantage of course is we can leverage technology to essentially bring the best teachers to your doorstep. Want to learn Spanish from a teacher in Spain? Done! You’re booked for 4PM. Want to learn creative writing from a novelist? Done! Join the link to your meeting. Not only is it convenient, it given global exposure to these children.

July 2021

Advantage of gamified? The average attention span of a school going child is anywhere in the range of 10-30 minutes. Add to this, distractions such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, TV etc. And you have a recipe for misfortune. And that is we have disrupted the education space as we know it. By incorporating games into lessons, they keep the students engaged all the while delivering knowledge through the superior mode of one-toone coaching. Clearly, the road to high calibre learning is in embracing technology and leveraging it to elevate the existing modes of education to upper echelon of learning. Advantages of online and personalised coaching It has been plenty decades since Bloom’s discovery and it has been well established that one-to-one coaching, and in general tutoring smaller groups of learners is more effective than conventional classrooms and lecture halls. But that’s only one part of the story. You see, the advantage of one-to-one coaching is that a teacher is dedicated to the cause of working on the learner’s short comings and key areas. With constant feedback and back-corrective measures the efficacy of coaching and classes can be vastly improved. The advantagesare innumerable: 1. The more intimate nature of classes is conducive to more detailed learning. 2. Quality interactions with the student where paint points and weaknesses of the students are heard and improved upon. 3. Removal of peer driven performance pressure and fear of failure. 4. Allows room for the teacher to gauge the performance of the student. 5. Classes go at the pace of the learner and not at the pace of the lecturer.

July 2021

Higher Education Digest July 2021 December October January 2019 2020

EDTECH INSIGHTS

10 EdTech Trends to Focus in 2021 Neenu Thomas, Business Development Manager, Panworld Education, UAE

Neenu Thomas, is associated as the Business Development Manager with Panworld Education UAE, one of the leading Content & Technology Integrator for Education. Her expertise and experiences lie in Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships, Business planning & Execution, Product and Vendor Management. An avid networker, she highly focusses on understanding the latest trends and the buying patterns of the industry. She brings her in-depth knowledge to provide appropriate & realistic solutions to address the industry’s requirements. Brought up in the UAE and a dance fanatic, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration.

July 2021

An innovative educator follows the latest trend in educational technology, nonetheless, it is up to the teacher to decide which “trendy” aid they need for teaching and learning

“T

echnology will never replace great Teachers, but in the hands of great teachers, it’s transformational” mentioned George Couros, the Author of “The Innovator’s mindset”. Technology has always had an impact on the human life, right from its outset. With the evolution and advancement of technology, general sectors are transmuting expeditiously, with no exception in the education sector. Life, as we know it, has evolved, and technology has emerged as a life saviour amid all this. The impossible has been made possible, and yet, while we mostly embrace it, the question of the hour is: concretely, are we having mixed reactions to this change, which basically is quite consequential. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the education of children across the world. However, teaching hand in hand with technology has certainly helped to minimise the disruption of education dissemination even to the most needed. Whether it is language apps, virtual tutoring, video conferencing tools or online

learning software, there has been a significant surge of technology from the past year. Technology is an innovation of humans, so the application of technology in education is also innovative; enabling the educator to engender a differentiated space for each student’s own personalised learning. Educational Technology assists how educators impart education, both online and offline. Students now have access to information anywhere, anytime, and not only if physically present with the instructor. It transmutes the students’ approach to learning, making it much appealing, interactive, and captivating their attention – thus engaging them: making them learn better, recollect better, and apply it better. This does not mean that teachers must now become experts in IT: rather it signifies they have fascinating opportunities to work with. An innovative educator follows the latest trend in educational technology, nonetheless, it is up to the teacher to decide which “trendy” aid they need for teaching and learning. Some of these would be:

July 2021

1. Video Assisted Learning & Gamification Studies have shown that videos effect to much retention and this mode of learning is now booming especially in distance learning situations. Video assisted learning has proven to be beneficial to enrich lessons and make content comprehensible – thus improving student outcome and reducing teacher workload. Gamification helps create a fun, relaxed and positive learning environment for learners, thus making it the most popular in the K12 segment.

July 2021

2. Big Data Big Data has been part of EdTech back from 2019 itself, and it is just getting bigger. The cognition experience needs to be personalized to cater to the learner’s needs. With online learning now booming, data tends to be more crucial than ever. Relevant information helps to customize and present the learning in a suitable format for the user. A large volume of data is produced in the educational realm through online courses, teaching and cognition activities. With the advent of Big Data, now teachers can access

student’s academic performance, learning patterns and provide instant feedback. 3. Artificial Intelligence No technology cognate information goes ahead without the mention of AI in it now. AI helps to automate basic activities in education, like grading; making it possible for teachers to automate grading of multiple choices or close questions. This benefits the learners too, in getting support and helpful feedback. Hence some schools are utilizing this to monitor student progress and notify issues in performance.

AI helps to automate basic activities in education, like grading; making it possible for teachers to automate grading of multiple choices or close questions

4. Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality Immersive Learning From the time VR, AR and MR has come into the education sector, there has been a humongous change. VR provides a constructed reality whereas AR gives an enhanced view of the real image. Thus, it helps to simplify complex concepts that plain images or a lab experiment cannot portray. This help students visualize what they are learning and make them feel like they are experiencing it as they learn. MR- a mixture of AR and VR, creates an environment where physical and virtual objects can exist and interact in real time. 5. Coding Quoting Berkman Klein Center, 2014, “Coding is a new literacy. To thrive in tomorrow’s society, young people must learn to design, create, and express themselves with digital technologies”. Coding involves problem-solving, perseverance, collaboration, mathematical logic, and reasoning skills – all skills required for students in this era. 6. Block Chain Technology A system of recording information in a way that makes it difficult or impossible to change, hack or cheat the system. This ledger technology could better manage transparency, accountability through smart contracts for deploying student payments and to incentivize the overall educational experience so that students are awarded cryptocurrency to those who perform highly. 7. Use of Television The best way of utilizing Television for Education is in the form of study through informative videos, TV

July 2021

Educational Robotics allows students to learn in various ways, thus developing their own personal learning experience, accessing information and educational contents through a tailor-made path all in an entertaining manner

shows and documentaries that teachers can show during a lecture. This especially, in areas with poor Internet connectivity. Thus, it can reinforce school learning and act as a supplement to edify topics. 8. Social Media Creating a Facebook page to broadcast updates and streaming live sessions, Twitter as a class message board, Instagram for photo essays, Pinterest boards to save pins relevant to lessons – there are many different uses of social media in the classroom, and it is time to embrace this so that students participate directly in their own learning rather than just passive information absorption. 9. Robotics Robotics prepare students for the competitive workforce of tomorrow, instigating the skills required for the future job market including programming and science engineering. Educational Robotics allows students to learn in various ways, thus developing their own personal learning experience, accessing information and educational contents through a tailor-made path all in an entertaining manner. 10. 3D Printing Educators can have digital 3D worlds come into life with this concept, encouraging sharing,

July 2021

teamwork, design through complex ideas. It sanctions them to design rich learning experiences for deep theoretical constructs that bring learning from the computer into the hands of the learner. In essence, they are learning valuable lessons about design, theory, and the manipulation of objects. As explained above, these 10 trends are currently being utilized for the betterment of education. However, these are not the only ones out there. Many more are being adopted by different Education Boards, School Groups, Ministries of Education of sundry countries, depending upon the desideratum and the requisite in their local circumstances. UNESCO has come up with “Sustainable Development Goals” for many sectors. For the Education sector, they have come up with SDG4 as part of their 2030 vision. Many countries are aligning themselves to the 2030 vision of UNESCO and adopting the SDG4 goals in Education. The United Arab Emirates is a member of the International Steering Committee on UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), UNESCO’s 2030 Education. This is part of the UAE’s efforts to promote its presence in international arenas appertaining to education, innovation, culture, and human development.

MAKING VR & AR A REALITY IN YOUR CLASSROOM EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO IMPLEMENT AR & VR IN YOUR CLASSROOM

Classroom Headset Management

Standalone VR Headsets

Secure Storage & Charging

Curriculum Aligned Content

Installation & Training

THE MOST AWARDED VR SYSTEM FOR SCHOOLS

www.classvr.com

@ClassVR

@ClassVR July 2021

INDUSTRY VIEWS

Reimagining Digital Education in India in a PostPandemic World Tracy Cardoz, Director of Education, Square Panda India

Tracy Cardoz is a passionate educationist with over 18 years of experience in varied facets of school education. She is dedicated to delivering high quality educational programmes through expertly crafted curriculum and innovative technology solutions. She has been instrumental in designing a host of learning solutions, including digital K-12 curriculum for private schools, teacher training and performance assessment systems, educational solutions for government-run schools, Anganwadis and Balwadis, and digital learning content for government schools in Africa.

100

July 2021

With the digital landscape already in place, the transition to online learning, working, and communicating took place rather seamlessly, albeit with some struggle to get acquainted with the digital dimensions of different portals

he past year has been a watershed moment in all our lives, with industries and societies interrupted and disrupted; and the education sector is no different. According to UNICEF, approximately 825 million children across the globe are not learning essential skills they need, of which 320 million students are in India, where only half the population has steady Internet access. As schools, universities, and institutions ponder upon ‘what next’, interest in digital learning solutions has only risen, with research suggesting that online learning can increase retention of information in less time, indicating that the changes we have seen take root over the last year are here to stay. Digital India – A Move Towards Equitable Access With a vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy, India made headway with the launch of the Digital India

Campaign in 2015. On the education front, the emergence of initiatives such as the open-source learning platform for students and teachers - Digital Infrastructure for School Education (DIKSHA), Swayaam, the more recent NISHTHA for online teacher education and the school management and information platform UDISE+ has provided impetus to achieve the three cardinal principles of Education Policy- access, equity, and quality. The year 2020 saw the pandemic enforce closure of all physical places of education, employment, businesses, and livelihoods. With the digital landscape already in place, the transition to online learning, working, and communicating took place rather seamlessly, albeit with some struggle to get acquainted with the digital dimensions of different portals. The largest adoption of digital channels was witnessed in the field of education as students and teachers migrated towards online learning almost overnight. While the trend was faster adopted in urban areas, it gradually spread to the hinterland,

July 2021

101

where learning continues through the use of digital messaging services between teachers and students, and supplemented by education content available on websites such as DIKSHA in addition to streaming content on television and radio. Digital Education- Opportunities and Challenges Whether it is language apps, virtual tutoring, video conferencing tools, or online learning solutions, there has been a significant surge in usage since the onset of the pandemic. It

The high cost for implementing technology coupled with the lack of infrastructural enablement across regions further deepens the urbanrural-tribal divide in terms of access

102

July 2021

is estimated that by 2022, the K-12 ed-tech market in India will be worth USD 1.7 billion, and the post K-12 ed-tech market will be worth USD 1.8 billion. The edtech industry too is poised to grow to $30 billion in the next 10 years, and there are numerous start-ups that are implementing grassroot innovation to provide cost effective digital learning interventions to the masses, and this is where the next growth frontier lies. Digital education in India is at a crossroads, laden with myriad opportunities that promise to achieve the country’s long cherished dream of

universal access to quality education. The path, however, is strewn with challenges that need to be addressed effectively. This involves reimagining the current system of education that largely relies on the brickand-mortar model of imparting education. Another challenge that needs to be addressed is the upskilling of teachers to use technology to drive learning outcomes. Teachers have for long viewed technology with skepticism. seeing it as a ‘teacher replacement’ rather than a ‘teaching enabler’. The other important challenge that needs addressing is the cost of technology that limits access to quality learning interventions in rural and tribal areas. Opportunities lie in devising solutions to address these challenges. While we have realised digitising education is the future and have been making significant strides in that direction even before the pandemic, there is a precedent for introducing new education tools – such as digital whiteboards or computers – in the hope of radically improving teaching effectiveness, only to end up with incremental change achieved at higher cost and greater complexity. Furthermore, the high cost for implementing technology coupled with the lack of infrastructural enablement across regions further deepens the urban-rural-tribal divide in terms of access. This highlights the need for a more intentional ‘whole of society’ approach, where innovative learning solutions are viable and sustainable, thus paving the way for a more level playing field for adoption of technology in schools across social strata. The other important aspect is availability of a wide array of e-content in the local languages, that will increase usability and adoption of online learning solutions. Technology as the EnablerPedagogical Innovation as the Driver There has been so much emphasis on technology as an outreach solution during

the pandemic that we have failed to recognise that technology is only an enabler, and that we need pedagogical innovations driven by technology to create real impact. This calls for establishing an innovationfriendly climate in schools and creating an entrepreneurial culture in education by incentivising educators who engage in progressive research and revamping existing teacher education programmes to make it research and innovation based. Thus, investing in capacity development and change-management skills is critical. It is vital that teachers become active agents for change, not just in implementing technological innovations, but in designing them too. Only then can the blended learning model of education that is being envisaged for post-Covid classrooms be truly achieved. Cultivating Student Autonomy Along with approaches to using technology to support teacher professional development, innovation, and collaboration, there must be significant efforts to cultivate student autonomy and independent learning. If selflearning practices have to be strengthened in a post-Covid world, the education digital knowledge ecosystem requires a facelift in terms of resource richness & presentation. The academic delivery module must adopt a modular learning programme structure, where students can engage with the content at their own pace, and this should further be enriched through opportunities to connect digitally with subject experts and peer collaboration. The plans to return to school should therefore focus on intentional efforts to cultivate essential self-learning skills amongst students. What has been made clear through this pandemic is the importance of disseminating knowledge across society and industries, electronically. Digital learning has a key role to play in this, and it is our responsibility to explore its full potential to create a better tomorrow for the younger generation.

July 2021

103

BEST PRACTICES

The Future of Digital Education in Our Country for Art and Design Space Harsimran Juneja, Co-founder & Director, Uno Lona Academy

104

July 2021

He who views a canvas as an open opportunity to erect life the way one wants whilst rendering an imperfect stroke as a way to explore ones creative freedom, resonates strongly with the Co-founder and director of the UNOLONA academy, Harsimran Juneja. Having seen a huge gap in the quality of art and design education offered to students in our country, Harsimran identified the need for a more holistic developmental course and wanted to create an ecosystem of art and design education that prepares students for the practical world with their desired specialisations. With this initiative, UNOLONA was born in 2016 and hence caught onto a momentum where there is no looking back.

Gamification makes learning more effective and serves as a huge motivating factor for children to complete courses

igital education has been around since the early 2000s. But back then, much attention wasn’t given to the quality of education offered. Instead, more than quality, people looked at providing access to as many people and pockets of the country, especially those that lacked infrastructure. That purpose hasn’t changed. Digital education is still aiming at making education more accessible. But the purpose has also evolved where the quality of digital education has become more concrete and is now democratizing the educational space. Even in the K-12 sector, one is no longer restricted to learning only in a physical environment. If there are gaps in learning from a physical environment, digital education can help you cover them. Students may require some facilitation and guidance to do so, but in today’s day and age, information is easily available. Via this, students can now take ownership of their learning and play an active part in the digital world, which is the future of education.

The current landscape of digital education is led by what can be standardized. But, it isn’t surprising as standardization enables scale. A big challenge with online courses however is course completion. It is easier to get candidates to sign up than it is to keep them motivated to complete the course. And that is an area where top players of the online education space have worked hard by bringing in Gamification. Gamification makes learning more effective and serves as a huge motivating factor for children to complete courses. Therefore, one is going to see a lot more gamification of education in the future, to keep the candidates engaged. In the art and design space, early on, there were a lot of digital platforms that offered quality art and design courses, conducted by art and design professionals. However, these were a lot more hobby-based or skillsbased. Teaching skills or hobby-based fields is always easier, especially in the digital space. But that is good for the short term. If one looks at it from a long-term point of view where we aim to sustain creativity, these

July 2021

105

types of courses may not always serve the purpose. Moreover, many reputed universities and colleges started offering certification programs on digital platforms that did serve that purpose to a great extent, but the awareness of such programs is very low. Bringing one back to the original query, that digital education does require some facilitation and guidance from an educator. Taking longer-format classes in a digital space is only beneficial for starters, who require a little hand-holding till the time they get adjusted to a way of thinking and build a few basic skills. But this is a step closer to making them, independent learners. Once they do mature a little in their skills as well as thinking processes, short format classes that are more studentcentered, focused on dialogue are way more beneficial and fruitful. Another thing that is crucial for online learning is the student-teacher ratio in a class. It reduces sizably in a digital space, to a level that it might not even be viable for academies. Hence, a balance between live sessions as well as pre-recorded sessions is the way to move forward. In addition, bringing in peer-peer learning as well as evaluation might aid digital learning even more. As Sir Ken Robinson rightly said, that as a teacher, one should think like a gardener. One cannot force a plant to grow, but one can feed its natural desire to do so. Similarly, one can’t force learning upon a child, but one can facilitate it by understanding what makes them curious. As an educator myself, I believe that some core challenges in the digital learning space are common to a physical environment. One can address some of these challenges in the digital space better than the physical because it is almost like a fresh start, with no traditions looming over us. We can try to find a balance between building competencies and building skills and aim at preparing students for a world where the only constant is change.

106

July 2021

Want to Sell or find Investor for your Business?

July 2021

107

EDTECH INSIGHTS

How Online Education is Emerging in India Gaurav Perti, Founder & CEO, PurpleTutor

Gaurav Perti is the Founder & CEO of PurpleTutor. With more than 16 years of industry experience, including 5 years as an entrepreneur, he is passionate about entrepreneurship and making a meaningful change. His experience spans consumer businesses including, banking, fintech, & edtech companies. He specializes in general management given his experience across sales, product management, marketing, human resources, and operations. Gaurav has an experience in delivering business growth across multiple roles in banking and financial services including managing large teams.

108

July 2021

Shifting to online mode is not just about buying a zoom license but changing the delivery methods to ensure both engagement & learning

nline education in India has gained momentum over the last 2 years, especially with the Covid-19 situation. This phenomenon has been the similar world over. If one sees the impact of Covid-19 globally, at its peak 95%+ learners were affected with over 1 billion learners affected in absolute terms (as per UNESCO). Over the years many factors have changed which have brought online education to the forefront. Earlier India had coaching institutes in large numbers for every topic from K12 to test preparation to professional upskilling, while they exist today too, online education has taken a front seat. Penetration of electronic devices such as computers/smartphones has increased tremendously over the years. In terms of internet bandwidth, 20 years ago, dialup lines were the thing. And, about 10 years

ago, 3G networks were the order with bandwidth for streaming, and now live classes are possible. Thus, with increasing bandwidth, modes of delivery can change. Technology advancement overall has made a huge impact on the emergence of “online” education. Specifically, since 2020, learners around the world have been forced to sit at home, and this has pushed the boundaries of evolution in education even further. Institutions along with learners have been forced to move online. Most schools have adopted this method by buying licences of video conferencing tools/zoom. However, one question that is worth considering is-have they really moved online? Shifting to online mode is not just about buying a zoom license but changing the delivery methods to ensure both engagement & learning. There are various issues that come in when moving

July 2021

109

offline to online learning. Examples may be cited of how does one provide informal social interactions, how to ensure student attention, or even how to ensure active participation? Most schools or other institutions struggle with these since neither their teaching material addresses this nor have they received prior formal training on this. There are various delivery methods in edtech, one can just buy content and learn, more so-called “E-learning”. This is essentially content in the form of text, audio, and video, it may have access to discussion forums and some assessments. This type of quality content can be accessed by smartphones/computers, and

110

July 2021

downloaded. Learners can go back and forth, be flexible with time, & costs are reasonable too. There are many companies in India doing this in K12, test preparation, and even professional upskilling. Research does show that learners can retain 25-50% more and even learn in 40-60% less time compared to classrooms. Given all this, there are drawbacks too. Engagement and completion rates are a challenge since it requires a fairly motivated and self-driven learner. In addition, there is pre-recorded content or streaming of video lectures. This is now a popular method of online learning. Due to bandwidth availability, one can stream lectures via smartphones over mobile networks. YouTube today has a plethora of videos on any given topic. Sitting in the comfort of home one can take this. Coupled with assessments one can learn, go back and forth, accelerate when required, and be flexible on timings too. The drawback of pre-recorded content is again maintaining engagement levels and ensuring users are motivated enough to complete. Another delivery method that has gained traction over the last 3-4 years is live learning. This is where students and teachers interact with one another over a video conference. Classes can be one-on-one or in groups. This is becoming very popular because of human-to-human interaction & high engagement levels. Challenges here are finding the right set of teachers to be able to impart the knowledge to students and curriculum standardization. Also, keeping learners engaged in group classes does become a challenge. While there are various delivery methods, there are many companies even solving problems for schools and other educational institutions. Whether it’s providing content, technology tools for effective learning, edtech companies are doing this. From managing attendance to VC tools, to dashboards where students can login, keep track of lessons, content and take tests, these are the kinds of problems being addressed. Schools are getting better at managing the situation, though there is a long way to go. The pandemic has changed the education sector; while it has pushed adoption & optimization

Given India’s income distribution in the population, many learners do not even have access to electronic devices to be able to learn online, in fact 56% of students don’t have access to smartphones according to a 2020 study

in delivery methods, challenges remain. For example, what is the right age to teach online? While cognitive development starts as early as 2 years, it is very difficult to teach children below the age of 5 years. They need to have the attention span and ability to follow instructions to be able to learn. In India, there are still challenges around internet penetration in rural areas and similar places. A survey recently stated nearly 50% of students in India don’t have access to appropriate internet bandwidth. Given India’s income distribution in the population, many learners do not even have access to electronic devices to be able to learn online, in fact 56% of students don’t have access to smartphones according to a 2020 study. Household infrastructure (internet/ smartphone) problems will continue to be a challenge, but one hopes this will change rapidly in the near future. Another issue is that schools and educational institutions have been forced to move online, however, their learning methods have not changed. Buying a zoom license does not move one online, teaching methods, delivery etc, need to change. An

offline environment is such where a teacher is able to see students together, in an online multistudent class one has its own set of challenges. A teacher simply can’t pay attention to 40 students (for example) at one go. A flipped classroom is used by colleges for this purpose, where pre-recorded content is handed out and teachers are there for doubt clearing in special sessions in a live format. Maintaining the right teacher-student ratio is very important in this environment to maintain class control. Another issue is of “social learning”, while group classes do address this to a certain extent, real face-to-face interaction can’t be compared. Screen time fatigue in young learners has been another issue with parents complaining about the time their children are spending in front of devices. Over the last year and a half, a new normal has been created and it is learning online. Users have built a habit around using video conferencing tools (zoom etc), even buying courses or streaming content sitting at the comfort of their home. There has been a paradigm shift that has taken place and it is here to stay.

July 2021

111

INDUSTRY VIEWS

Online Learning: The Coming of a New Era of Education Vivek Jain, Chief Business Officer, Shiksha.com and Naukri FastForward

Vivek Jain, Chief Business Officer, Shiksha.com and Naukri FastForward is an MBA in Finance & Marketing from IIM, Bangalore and a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT, Delhi. Proven leader in the online space, Vivek is spearheading Team Shiksha towards the next phase of growth and profitability, with an aim to make it the default platform for prospective students to research and decide about careers and colleges related to higher education in India or abroad. Vivek is a part of Info Edge family from past 10 years and have been involved in building businesses from scratch. Vivek brings with him strong product and consulting experience with leading firms like Naukri. com, Adobe Systems and IBM Research.

112

July 2021

With the continuation of online education in the country, education can be made available to the students living in such remote regions, provided that they are ensured proper internet connectivity

he spread of Covid-19 across the globe in 2020 led to lockdown worldwide. To avoid the spread of this perilous virus, India also declared a nationwide lockdown on March 24, 2020. This led to the closing of all the educational institutions for physical classes. To ensure that there is no loss of the educational year, educational institutions of all levels, relied on online classes to impart knowledge and continue with the academic year. The educators and students encountered a lot of hurdles in their new endeavour of online teaching. Issues related to access to the internet, network connectivity, and digital illiteracy, among others, cropped up and posed a threat to this new ‘normal’ way of education. However, with time the country adapted to online education and even realised the scope of growth it brought along. For many reasons, it is speculated that even after this pandemic ends, the continuation of online teachingwill bear fruitful results for the education sector of India, especially for higher education. Increased Access To go to work or go to classes? Online education has widened and increased access to higher education in India. Owing to financial issues, students who had to enter the job market instead of pursuing higher educationnow have the opportunity to study online and pursue higher education while working. If online education continues, this percentage of

enrolment will likely increase to incorporate students who cannot afford to spend their time being full-time students. An online degree will undoubtedly hold more value than diploma or distance education courses and in turn, improve the human resource of the country. Equity in terms of gender Among the plethora of reasons due to which youngergirls in small cities and ruralregions are forbidden from going to schools and colleges, is the lack of educational institutions in the vicinity. But with proper measures, through online education, the ratio of enrolment of girlsversusboysin schools and colleges can be improved. This can be achieved without any fear of distance which usually acts as a hindrance in the family’s decision to educate their girl child in rural India. Reaching remote areas The geographical distribution of schools and colleges is not equal in India. While some urban areas are filled to the brim with educational institutions, most of the remote areas are left barren with one or no educational institutions. With the continuation of online education in the country, education can be made available to the students living in such remote regions, provided that they are ensured proper internet connectivity. Stronger Internet penetration As a part of the Digital Indiaprogram, internet penetration in smaller and rural areasis on the rise. With the access of mobile friendly applications and

July 2021

113

mobile internet, online teaching platforms are easily supported without demanding much internet bandwidth.Thus, low-cost android smartphones and cost-effective internet plans of different mobile service providers have further increased the percentage of students willing to opt for online learning. A recent survey by Shiksha.com revealed that easy accessibility and costeffectiveness are the two most important reasons for 57% and 25% of students, respectively, which influence their decision to pursue online degree courses. Increased Quality Blended Learning Model The norm of online learning in India has also brought to the limelight the concept of blended learning. The Blended Learning Model posits a combination of both offline and online classes to increase the quality of education imparted and accommodate more students. This theory postulates the teaching of theoretical knowledge through online classes while practical classes can be conducted physically on the campuses. Such a model of learning, where offline classes accompany and complement online classes, will increase the reach of education in the country. AR and AI Newer technologies such as Augmented Reality or Artificial Intelligence, when used to their optimum level to facilitate the process of online education will invite more students to join the colleges and universities of the country. AI can be used to complete tedious tasks such as grading, which will reduce the risk of human error and help the students have personalised learning modules. AR can make an online classroom more interesting and engaging. For instance, using virtual 3D images to

114

July 2021

explain concepts help the students grasp and understand the concept better. Shiksha.com’s Recent Survey on Indian Students Preferences on Online Degree Courses In a recent survey report released by Shiksha.com on Indian students’ preferences on online degree courses, the esteemed online platform for education after careful considerations and substantial research has revealed certain suggestions which can help further the cause of online learning in higher educational institutions. ● Offer campus visits to reduce student’s fear of missing out on college/university life and thereby, encouraging more students to enrol in online learning. ● Provide online course degrees at an affordable price. ● Set stringent selection process to ensure credibility. ● Offer networking opportunities to students to help build relationships with teachers, fellow classmates, seniors, and other important personalities. ● Employ enhanced tracking mechanism to scrutinize the students’ performance. ● Being accredited by recognized agencies to increase the credibility of the college/university. The report also highlights that a cumulative 40% of students are interested in online degree courses and if the aforementioned recommendations are applied, it would lead to an increase in the percentage of students enrolled in the colleges and universities. Though online learning has its own challenges, with proper steps these can be overcome and more efficient online learning can sweep across the country. Thus, the continuation of online learning, even after the pandemic will increase the reach of the Indian Education Sector multi-folds.

K12 Digest Sept-Oct 2020

July 2021

115

EDTECH INSIGHTS

Online Education Scenario in India Dimple Verma, Managing Director, WhizRobo Private Limited

Dimple Verma is an Innovative Leader and is Managing Director for WhizRobo Private Limited, a leading EdTech company of India. She’s Tech Savvy, a thoughtful leader, an innovator and an educationist by profession. She’s done masters in Computer Applications and has received Technical Engineering qualification by World’s best Educational Robotics Company.She has not only empowered thousands of students on STEM & Robotics but also she is inventor of Whizrobo Robotics Kits which is the propriteory product of Whizrobo. She has been consulting India’s leading educational Institutions in the field of Robotics and bought detrimental impact on working of those educational institutions. She has dedicated her life for students and is passionate about giving world class robotics education to the students across globe.

116

July 2021

Online schooling marketplace in India turned into worth $247 million in 2016, that’s predicted to develop approximately $1.96 billion by way of 2021

nline education in India has come an extended manner with the improvement of technology. India is one of the nations this is growing at an exponential rate in terms of era. With the population of more than 1.3 billion, the supply of high-pace net and smartphones, India has the most quantity of technologically pushed men and women. The upward push of the net has modified the manner of existence in India. People love to do the whole lot online, they shop online, do enterprise online, make payments online, analyze, surf etc. While ecommerce being the maximum sizeable online industry, online training and learning stand proper next to it. With the ever-increasing statistics to be had on the net and the endless range of online guides many human beings in India opt to study online. Currently, quite a few modifications are being delivered into the education and it’s been more than 1 year, the students have relied on online education that puts the light on question, how might be the

destiny of online classes in India. The COVID-19 pandemic and consecutive lockdowns have affected the schooling mechanism of India. Since all of us were caught inside their homes for months, there has been no way for kids to keep their studies. What they assumed to be vacations and were glad about, became to be a disastrous mess. They have been deprived of the knowledge, so the authorities had to locate an opportunity, and that opportunity became online schooling. Online education is the developing face of the education drive in India. Since the New Education Policy (NEP) came in 2020, many changes have been made inside the training machine that included online schooling as perfect but with a brand new set of guidelines comes many drawbacks. According to UNESCO, because the outbreak of COVID-19 started out, 1.37 billion students in 138 international locations all around the globe were suffering from the closure of schools and universities. Nearly 60.2 million school classes

July 2021

117

and college academics are now not held within the physical classroom. Online schooling expects us to learn something past the norm. A learner can get entry to limitless topics and international specialists in niche subjects – something in any other case does not seem to be imaginable for lots. Online packages permit human beings of an extensive age group to analyze at their own pace, without inhibitions, and without compromising on their other obligations. With the emergence and spread of COVID-19 in India, online schooling has trickled all the way down to the maximum fundamental level. Probably, students are locating it a welcoming change from strict schedules and lengthy-distance commutes to wait training. For some others, this will be a less

118

July 2021

demanding option. Many instructors are making the best of this situation by exploring new techniques of coaching and assessment. This is encouraging. But the instant online training moves from an optional to the most effective form of learning, and that too long term, the horrific and the unpleasant slowly grow to be evident. India is starting to get a taste of this now. Online schooling marketplace in India turned into worth $247 million in 2016, that’s predicted to develop approximately $1.96 billion by way of 2021. That is a compound annual boom price of 52%. The variety of customers enrolled for numerous online learning courses is predicted to be 1.6 million in 2016, Which is expected to grow about 9.6 million by the end of 2021. It is expected that there may be a 175% growth within the price of classroom education, this offers online schooling extra preferred due to the fact it is cost powerful. Nearly 48% population in India between 15–40 age groups with excessive aspirations but lower earnings is a great goal market for online schooling and the acceptability of online channel is high in the more youthful demographic. These elements genuinely display the involvement and capacity of online schooling in India. In contrary, online teaching-learning also comes with some limitations. Students can without difficulty lose tune in their studies in online training considering the fact that there are not any face-to-face lectures and classmates to remind you approximately of assignments. Until you maintain yourself encouragement, it takes a long term to complete your path or abandon your entire route. There are many web sites that provide online courses without the accreditation of any instructional authority or within the call of faux authorities. Such courses will no longer help you to get any activity. So it is very critical to select an accepted on line/distance program earlier than you put money into it. One cannot do an engineering route or any other path that requires labs or hands-on workshops online. Also in guides like MBA you omit the chances of professional networking, overseas enjoy and many others which is taken into consideration a vital part of the direction. Though India remains in a sort of a beta degree in relation to online schooling, the system is now in most of all likelihood right here to live for a long term. With non-stop innovation and technological help, we could soon have a look at adapting to a more competent style of digital instructions, where students and teachers are each able to supply more effective results.

K12 Digest Sept-Oct 2020

July 2021

119

INDUSTRY VIEWS

Here is How India can Bridge the Skill Gap Challenge with Online Education Vijay Pasupulati, CEO, OdinSchool and GreyCampus

Vijay Pasupulati is an edupreneur and a votary of technology who serves as the CEO of GreyCampus and OdinSchool. Former CEO of Winzest Edutech Private Ltd. and the former Vice President at Goldman Sachs, Pasupulati discovered his love for edupreneurship during the 2008 global economic crisis. GreyCampus, his first brainchild, is a global player in the edtech industry that powers people’s careers in technology and business areas. With over 7 years of experience in the market, his organization has now trained more than 100,000 professionals across 50 countries. An alumnus of New York University Stern School of Business, Vijay Pasupulati holds an MBA in Finance, Information Systems from NYU and BTech from NIT, Warangal.

120

July 2021

Though the Indian curriculum may seem comprehensive, it does not make learners job-ready; nor does it give them industry-aligned education

hould India be alarmed about its current skill gap? Experts say it should be. With the economy looking shaky and uncertain, India’s skill shortage is a severe threat that needs to be addressed immediately. 53 percent of Indian organizations could not fulfil their hiring needs in 2019, due to the shortfall of skills. Though the majority of India’s population is youth, the country has not been able to leverage the potential of its demographics. What the Indian industry is in dire need of is a skilled workforce that has received industry-relevant training. This is where job-aligned online education comes in. Read on to find out how online education can bridge the skill gap in India. Skill Gap in India A skill gap refers to the discrepancy in the demand and supply areas of the employment market. It is the mismatch between what the employers require and what the workforce brings to the table. Where did India go wrong? According to experts, the

dearth of skills in India stems from its inadequate education system. “The current skill gap in India is huge. While the industry continues to grow at a breakneck speed, the education sector struggles to update and cope with the ever-evolving requirements of a new-age work environment. In fact, there is no dearth of opportunities for professionals who upskill themselves in the right way and put in the required effort. ”, says Vijay Pasupulati, the CEO of OdinSchool, an online upskilling platform. Though the Indian curriculum may seem comprehensive, it does not make learners job-ready; nor does it give them industry-aligned education. Jobs in the technology domain are on the cusp. The service sector relies on new-age business and technical skills. With digital transformation taking the country by storm, this sector spawns a number of future skills-oriented jobs. Unfortunately, most of these roles need consistent reskilling and upskilling, owing to the dynamic nature of technology.

July 2021

121

How does the present skill gap affect the country? As the rift continues to grow, there will be a pronounced increase in the unemployment and underemployment rate. The low employability rate will lead to a decrease in productivity and an increase in the disparity in pay scales. The dearth of future skills will also discourage Indian organizations from adopting innovative technologies; in consequence, they will generate products of substandard quality. Does the unskilled population become a financial burden? Yes, it does. The government will have to provide for the unemployed working-age population through various social security schemes. This will eat away the fund meant for important developmental activities, including social and civic amenities. Why Conventional Education Won’t Fill the Gap Thanks to the pandemic, online education has become the norm even in the second and third-tier cities and towns in India. In fact, the pandemic has fast-tracked technology adoption at the grass-root level, which in turn has opened up huge opportunities for upskilling. This is a good thing because traditional ways of learning are not as effective as online education for a host of reasons. Here are some of them: ● The dearth of high-quality instructors The traditional education system restricts the reach of instructors. Add to that the fact that India currently faces a shortage of quality teachers. In such a situation, it is a huge challenge for good instructors to reach the large youth population in the country. This means that good quality education becomes highly concentrated in the small areas where good teachers are available. ● Inadequate emphasis on practical learning Practical exposure is extremely crucial to help students learn contextually. Unfortunately, In traditional learning, little to no importance is assigned to practical skills; it is sadly all about clearing tests and scoring marks. Unless students get to apply their methods in real-life scenarios, they will not acquire a foundational understanding of concepts. ● Absence of skill-based education An industry-aligned learning experience should focus on innovation, creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking. But traditional education favors theoretical knowledge over skill-based education and gives insufficient importance to in-demand skills.

122

July 2021

Online education is one of the best solutions for learners looking to reskill or upskill

● Obsolete learning techniques Traditional learning methods, in a large majority of educational institutions in India, are predominantly textbook-based. They do not cater to the needs and demands of a generation that are inseparable from technology. New-age job training requires new-age learning techniques and aids. ● Minimal customization Learning is a personalized journey. Different learners have different learning speeds, styles and sensibilities. In traditional education, there is very limited scope for customization. Students are expected to proceed at the same speed as the rest. This could be a major hurdle for students who need more time to understand and learn. Online Education - The Panacea India’s path to getting skilled is hurdled by financial constraints, poor reach, absence of adaptability and flexibility. Online education, unlike traditional forms of education, is more accessible, economical, easy to implement, and customizable. This newage training paves the way for immersive learning experiences and can easily help learners keep track of their progress. Online education is one of the best solutions for learners looking to reskill or upskill. There are several affordable online avenues in the country that aim to empower their students with carefully curated digital learning materials, hands-on learning, and mentorship. Here is why online education can close the skill gap in India: 1. Online Education is Highly Effective Online education utilizes multi-sensory learning aids, thus delivering better outcomes. Simulations, gamified learning, 3D classrooms, discussion forums, engaging visuals and the like are all enhancing the overall quality of learning experience. The course structures are simple, the navigation is easy, and the learners have a better focus on the subject matter. 2. Online Education is Flexible This is perhaps the most remarkable feature of online education. It fits the convenience of both young professionals and graduates; learners can choose both synchronous and asynchronous learning options.

3. Online Education is Affordable Employers can provide specific training to their workforce at a reasonable price using online platforms. Unlike academic courses that demand a hefty fee from you, you can acquire the specific skills you need at a very reasonable price using online education. Moreover, several online learning platforms give the flexibility to enrol for free and pay the tuition fee after placement. Several online courses offer content for free and charge only for certification. 4. Online Education Increases the Retention of Information With due emphasis on practical applicability, online education seems to increase the retention of information. By integrating technologies like AI, virtual reality, augmented reality, and simulations, learners get to apply the methods in real-life settings. 5. Online Education is Agile and Adaptive Thanks to the digital revolution, the shelf life of technologies has reduced drastically. In the online medium, lessons and learning content are updated at a much faster pace when compared to traditional education, hence giving the online learners an added advantage. 6. Online Education Offers Customized Learning Experience Online lessons can either be accessed individually or in small learning cohorts, allowing the instructor to give due attention to every student. Not only can learners set their own pace, they can also access the guidance of their instructors at their will from the comforts of their home. 7. Online Education Fosters Global Mindset Being job-ready in the digital age also means being able to deal with diversity. With geographical borders blurring every day, success also depends on how well a person is able to adapt to different cultures. Online education exposes you to people from different parts of the world, thus instilling a global mindset in you. The skill gap in India cannot be eradicated in the blink of an eye. But the clever use of online education can certainly bring about changes in the status quo. Not only can online avenues work in tandem with organizations to cultivate new-age skills in the workforce, but they can also democratize the opportunities for upskilling and reskilling in India.

July 2021

123

MENTOR’S OPINION

Emergence of Digital Education in India Bipin Dama, Founder & CEO, Saras Inc (Saras-3D)

Bipin Dama is the Founder & CEO, Saras-3D, Inc. (Saras-3D) India’s first stereoscopic 3D learning solution for science and mathematics that brings international learnings and best practices to India. The company operates in India through its wholly owned subsidiary 3D EdTech Pvt Ltd. An industry veteran with over 33 years of experience in the technology industry, Bipin has a proven track record of successful product delivery from concept to deployment with substantial revenue generation and shareholder returns. He holds 37 granted US patents. Bipin holds a B.E. (Electrical Engineering) from Marathwada University, Aurangabad and Master of Science Degree (MS – Electrical and Computer Engineering) from Rutgers University, New Jersey.

124

K12 Digest July 2021

ollectively, we’ve all had front row seats to watch education rapidly change all over the world in the last year and a half. It has been a shock. For the last 150 years or so, the Indian education system has remained more or less the same. And yet, the pandemic forced our education system to rethink itself and embrace digital learning virtually overnight. While we have already witnessed so many changes in the ways students learn, this is just the beginning of an emerging digital revolution in education. As more Indians obtain digital devices and reliable internet access, digital education will become mainstream in India, creating more opportunities for students to succeed across the country. Even before the Covid-19 outbreak, digital education was already gaining traction in urban areas, with students using digital learning platforms as supplemental tools to study from home while preparing for competitive exams. Then, as we saw during the lockdown, in-person classroom sessions were no longer feasible and educational institutions had to find innovative ways to reach students at home. This push accelerated the transition to digital learning. Most private schools in urban India started to offer online classes that mimicked in-classroom learning. While this

is important progress for digital education, the solution has created a disparity with government-aided schools, especially those in rural locations. They have limited resources and could not offer the same quality of digital learning, if at all. While supplemental digital learning platforms have been available for individuals, most students from the lower strata and rural areas didn’t receive a proper digital education during lockdown because they do not have regular access to a digital device, nor do they all have reliable internet access. As the smartphone user base continues to increase throughout the country, digital education will proliferate. In the coming years, a majority of Indian students will be able to access educational content through internetpowered smartphones. This is great news because a digital education has the potential to level the playing field for all students. It has the power to give everyone equal access to the best learning resources, expanding academic opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Students who study from home with these tools can learn at their own pace and receive personalized assistance without commuting to school. Likewise, teachers can use digital learning platforms in their classrooms to offer an engaging

As the smartphone user base continues to increase throughout the country, digital education will proliferate

K12 Digest July 2021

125

As digital education becomes more ubiquitous and some students begin fulltime digital learning, there is a potential danger of losing the socialization and collaboration between students at school

hands-on experience instead of only relying on passive lectures. We are already seeing a boost in performance among students who proactively use digital learning tools to supplement their studies at home. When these dedicated students perform better on competitive exams, the possibilities for their future dramatically increase. Schools are now shifting to this new type of learning by blending traditional techniques like lectures with the personalized experience of digital methods. This way, every student’s strengths, weaknesses, and learning pace is catered to, making it more likely for students to reach their academic potential. As schools adopt blended learning methods, teachers will need to be supported through training to ensure they have the new skills required to teach in the classroom through technology alongside their traditional curriculum. This training can give teachers confidence as they adjust to the new ways of teaching and learning. As digital education becomes more ubiquitous and some students begin full-time digital learning, there is a potential danger of losing the socialization and collaboration between students at school. To overcome this problem, social learning methodologies and collaboration tools can be assimilated/

126

July 2021

incorporated into digital learning platforms. These integrations could expand a students’ access to peers and connect them with fellow students across the country. While the transition might seem inevitable, a country-wide shift to digital learning will require focused efforts to unlock the key elements that can lead to success. The main driver of digital education’s expansion will of course be investing in infrastructure. This entails making reliable internet access widely available and finding ways to make digital devices like smartphones and laptops more affordable. This transformation will likely take several years to achieve. In the meantime, parents and schools can choose digital learning platforms that don’t require an internet connection to access the content and include all of the necessary equipment students will need. Digital education has the potential to increase the opportunities available to students throughout India. According to research by KPMG, digital formats are effective because they can help achieve the three vital aspects of education: reach, equity, and quality. By granting everyone access to a high-quality education, kids can choose their paths and flourish in their careers as adults. It is the expanded possibilities that digital learning can provide that makes the technology exciting.

July 2021

127

EDTECH INSIGHTS

Digital Divide in India and How can Edtech Companies Narrow the Gap Pankaj Agarwal, Founder & CEO, TagHive

Agarwal is the Founder & CEO at TagHive, a Samsung Ventures funded company based in South Korea and with operations in India. His mission is to transform classroom learning with Class Saathi - an affordable clicker solution to drive engagement and participation in classrooms. Mr. Agarwal is an inventor on over 50 international patents and was selected as one of the Top 10 Innovators in India in 2017 by MIT Technology Review and Mint.

128

July 2021

The one good thing that came out of all the many lockdowns is that it pushed the public education system to focus on large scale tech investment in education

ndia’s internet penetration rate is 45%. At any other point of time, this number would have been simpler to accept - one that showed the regular struggles of a country still grappling with developmental issues. Since the pandemic, this number is not just a dismaying figure but also one that depicts a reality where 55% of the country’s population has to live on the fringes of society while the others continue to progress with technology despite lockdowns and other safety restrictions. In today’s world this phenomenon is popularly called “Digital Divide” a term that rightfully explains the gap of access to technology and internet which has life altering effects on the underprivileged. For a student in this present ecosystem, the implications are a lot worse. This phenomenon is dangerous and discriminatory since it widens the opportunity gap and deprives students from accessing resources that are crucial for their development and revenue generation in the future. A lot has already been said about the implications of digital divide and at this stage, it

really needs no more conversation. What it needs is action. That is where companies like TagHive come in as a leveller. It is no secret to anybody that it is the underprivileged who suffer from the consequences of digital divide. However, the one good thing that came out of all the many lockdowns is that it pushed the public education system to focus on large scale tech investment in education. By that, we don’t necessarily mean wifi enabled classrooms and fancy projectors. Governments across the country have banded together to research and invest in tech capabilities that go beyond the run of the mill infrastructures. They are looking for ideas and impact projects that will fulfill the requirements of the National Education Policy that can also be cost effective. Companies like ours work to offer solutions to a demographic of students who are more or less left out of the conversation in the ed tech space. This is a huge source of untapped talent that has all the potential to go to waste given how the pandemic is

July 2021

129

Ed tech has creatively catalysed a movement in the education space where it is impossible to drive academics without leveraging technology

130

July 2021

reinforcing some of these disadvantages. Companies that are innovating must solve these crucial issues. It is also a very interesting space as it helps us get creative with our offerings. That is the magic of technology, it can solve any issue through creativity. Ed tech has creatively catalysed a movement in the education space where it is impossible to drive academics without leveraging technology. Learning needs to be made more fun, engaging and information should be accessible and quick. We set those precedents in the education system. Having said that, it is the unfortunate reality that only those students with the means and access can enjoy whatever ed-tech has to offer. So, there needs to be an internal mindset shift and tech companies need to amplify their reach to the deserving underprivileged through their various creative ways. This is the only way we can solve the digital divide crisis in today’s India. Using our company’s offerings as an example, let us examine how best forprofit social enterprises can dismiss digital divide. Firstly, our offerings do not require any major shift in infrastructure. This comes as a relief to administrators since they need not invest additionally to support our product. Our offerings work in areas that struggle with issues like low connectivity and lack of technical infrastructure. This is powerful since it opens up our audience with 55% of Indians who struggle with issues pertaining to connectivity. Secondly, technology needs to have a low cost of maintenance. Our products only need a one time investment and do not require any additional resource allocation. Lastly, it needs to be flexible. There will be a time when government schools in India will all develop and improve their infrastructure. However, now is not when they will. That means that ed-tech companies need to create solutions that can trespass temporary needs and also build for the future. What the pandemic has shown us is a loud cry for help echoing from the education sector. What we have seen is that bigger schools, private schools and those government schools that have better CSR reach have managed to comply with all the tech driven academic needs. To bring the rest of the demographic on the same level, ed tech companies must focus on the social development aspect when innovating. To close, technology is truly beneficial only if it helps create a socially inclusive society, especially in the field of education.

July 2021

131

INDUSTRY VIEWS

Mitigating the Impact of Virtual Classroom on Our Children’s Wellbeing Dr Reena Valecha, Principal Ergonomist - Workplace & Ergonomics Research Cell, Godrej Interio

Dr Reena Valecha is presently associated with the Workplace & Ergonomics Research Cell of Godrej Interio as a Principal Ergonomic Consultant. She advices in the design of Work for Productivity and User Well-being. In a decade of her work experience, she has interacted and worked closely with various private and government organizations to identify challenges faced by users (employees, students, teachers, nurses, workers) in the workplace & find solutions for the same with the product designers, architects and decision makers. She enjoys educating and motivating employees/users toward better occupational health each and every day. She believes Happy Employees, make Healthy Workplaces. She is part of Ergonomics Sectional Committee, PGD-15 GOI & faculty in various national forums in area of Occupational health.

132

July 2021

Health experts warn the resultant poor posture, lack of physical activity and prolonged screen time could lead to severe long-term consequences putting children at risk of developing spinal problems and musculoskeletal disorders

rom getting worried about the excessive exposure to digital screens to a world of online classrooms, parents today must be worried about posture, excessive screen-time, and the inclusion of physical activities to ensure the health and wellness of the next generation. Twelve-year-old Lavanya is now perfectly at home with virtual learning. She’s going into class seven, her second year of virtual school amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Where last year was spent getting to grips with learning in an online classroom, this year she, her classmates, her teachers, and even her parents are far more at ease learning and interacting off a computer screen. The first year was all about adapting to a new way of life and learning for parents, teachers, and students across the country amid uncertainties about the effectiveness of virtual learning. This year, with those concerns laid to rest and with online learning increasingly looking like it, is here to stay amid the still-raging pandemic, the focus is shifting to the ergonomics of the ‘study from home’ classroom mode. As classrooms moved to the virtual world last year, it soon became apparent that students were logging in sitting on the floor, on the sofa, or even on their beds.

Apart from maybe a study table, used primarily in pre-pandemic days for a short duration, post-school studies, or homework, households naturally didn’t have “classroom” infrastructure. But students are now spending as many as six hours attending classes at home on a laptop – and sometimes on handheld mobile devices with much smaller screens. As a result, 41% of children complained of eye strain issues. Health experts warn the resultant poor posture, lack of physical activity and prolonged screen time could lead to severe long-term consequences putting children at risk of developing spinal problems and musculoskeletal disorders. Poor posture is bad for everyone. But it can take an exacting toll on children as their bones aren’t yet properly fused. This puts them at increased risk of incorrect spinal alignment, causing the spine to form an ’S’ or ‘C’ shape in a condition known as Scoliosis, which in turn can lead to slouching or Kyphosis. As a result, parents must ensure their children are seated correctly, have plenty of breaks, and are engaged in physical activity that keeps them moving from time to time and while homes will never fully mimic classrooms or the school environment, there are plenty of simple ways parents can do this.

July 2021

133

To begin with, parents need to explain the 90-90-90 rule to children. The back and the thighs should form a 90-degree angle while sitting; knees should also be at a 90-degree angle, and the feet and the ankle should be at a 90-degree angle as well. Parents should invest in an ergonomic desk, an adjustable chair of the right size, laptop stands that can be adjusted to make sure they are at the right height, a separate keyboard, and a mouse. At the same time, the study area should be properly illuminated to reduce the strain on the children’s eyes. Children should be seated with their neck and back straight, elbows relaxed, with adequate support. Feet should also firmly rest on the ground or on a footrest to avoid awkward knee and foot postures. If a child has to sit on a sofa or the floor or the bed, parents should again ensure they adopt the right posture and use a portable table that will ensure their laptop screens are at eye level so they don’t have to look down. Parents should create a task-appropriate environment that is equally sensory soothing for children. Ensure the room is properly ventilated, lighting is adequate, and non-distracting during learning time. If possible, leave the windows & doors open, and add some indoor plants to their study area for some freshness. Another key to mitigating any long-term consequences of the virtual classroom is the scheduling of activity breaks. In school, children are active in between classes,

134

July 2021

or in their lunch breaks, or even simply walking up the stairs to their classrooms at the start of the day. Parents need to make sure their children remain just as active in between lessons. Parents need to carefully include micro-breaks in the children’s routine which do not affect their concentration & school routine and equally ensure adequate physical movement. It can be taking a short walk or motor activities like coloring or physical writing with a pen or pencil so the child doesn’t miss out on developing those muscles or those skills in a digital world. Equally, after sessions, parents can engage their children in fun physical activities to build or maintain their aerobic fitness. Before the pandemic, children would go out, cycle, play cricket or football, or play playground games with their friends. That’s not possible amid the pandemic, so parents need to be equally creative to get children involved in fun physical activities like animal movements, treasure hunt games where children involve core exercise postures while playing. Being indoors and forced to live our lives virtually is not ideal for anyone, not least our children. But there are steps we can take to mitigate the consequences of being locked down. They may not replicate the physical and ergonomic features of a full-fledged school environment. But they will go a long way towards ensuring the health and wellbeing of our children.

July 2021

135

ACADEMIC VIEWS

Virtual Education: Pros and Cons in Engineering Sanjay Gupta, Founder & Director, Engineer’s Circle

Sanjay Gupta is the Founder & Director of Engineer’s Circle, India’s largest and leading engineering education institute. Hailing from an engineering background himself, Sanjay moved away from rewarding jobs with a mission to spread his vast experience and astounding knowledge to transform engineering graduates into efficient officers and valuable resources for India. With over 20 years of experience, Sanjay holds a distinction of qualifying the GATE examination and securing AIR-36. An electronics engineering graduate, Sanjay doubles as a faculty of national repute in the Electronics and Electrical branch.

136

July 2021

Although online education has not been a new concept for educators in general, it has now proven to be the primary mode for educating and connecting students with institutes in a safe yet convenient manner

he sudden closure of all the institutions in March 2020 led to abrupt conversion of conventional face-to-face instructions to full virtual mode of education. With over billions of students, India has the highest number of educational populace and the largest education systems worldwide. The nationwide lockdown posed an emergency for all the schools, colleges, universities and coaching institutes to switch to E-learning in order to ensure smooth completion of the academic year and continued flow of learning. Although online education has not been a new concept for educators in general, it has now proven to be the primary mode for educating and connecting students with institutes in a safe yet convenient manner. Unlike management education, engineering education felt a more significant challenge than students being on the machines to work. However, with a proper digital set-up, online education is more acknowledged in engineering subfields like AI, IT,

computer science, data science etc. Below are a few points highlighting on different pros and cons of virtual studies in engineering education: 1. Easy access to top level faculties: Today, the new-age tools have enabled experts and top-level faculties to take guest lectures sitting in any part of the world allowing a global perspective and a robust learning. Elearning is much more than just live classes; it offers an interactive learning experience, and has evolved from the format of a virtual lecture. Physical learning made it difficult for lecturers to be present and take classes in multiple institutions, but the virtual mode has come to the rescue bringing the world closer. 2. Safe yet convenient mode of learning: With a growing acceptance of online learning, we all have come to terms with the digital world taking over reality and if used in the correct manner, there are benefits of online education. With zero

July 2021

137

in-person interaction, this method is the safest and most convenient way of communicating amidst the pandemic situation with the teachers. 3. Interactive and engaging content: It is vital for any virtual platforms to keep a close eye on student’s attention span and ensure that the content presented should be engaging and is in a simplified manner; not only it will motivate the students to open up but will also push them to participate in the classes; with the use of fun visual aid, diagrams, themes, quizzes aiding conceptual learning as opposed to content study.

It is vital for any virtual platforms to keep a close eye on student’s attention span and ensure that the content presented should be engaging and is in a simplified manner

4. 24x7 access to the study material: Online education being highly interactive poses multiple ways wherein a student can be taught without the time barrier. This has been broadly extended to attending webinars and online conferences where experts from different verticals discuss relevant topics for a deeper and better understanding on the subject rather than just a lecture. Due to tech advancements, students can have 24x7 access to the study material whenever and wherever they want.

138

July 2021

5. Cost reduction element: Apart from the enrollment fee, the expense for online education is bare minimal, eliminating the commute and books cost. In comparison to traditional learning, the hard copies and other factors add up to the cost making it quite expensive. E-learning allows self-pace with students running their own learning adaptations. Following are a few cons associated with E-learning: 1. Technical issues: The biggest shortcoming that online learning faces in India is technological infrastructure. Without a well-planned digital structure, this is quite a challenge for both students and teachers which has been witnessed for past years. Electricity being the core aspect for virtual classrooms both for powering the devices and internet connectivity, many of us do not have required access for the power, especially in the remote areas. 2. Screen time: It’s been more than a year now where the students turn on their computers to attend classes online. Online classes can lead to increased exposure to screens for students, which can adversely affect. This can be reduced if the laptops or computer screens are placed at an arm’s distance. 3. Difficulty in adapting: Few students find it difficult to adapt to the online learning environment and face issues to open-up and interact with their fellow students and teachers during the class. Students who have been always studying in the traditional method mindset are unable to focus on online platforms. It is important for them to accept this new learning with an open mind. 4. Faculty shift: The key driver for the virtual world is the adoption of technology. The new normal became a challenge for teachers who had to shift their approach overnight from classroom teaching to virtual teaching, having to adapt to the complex digital world and imbibing technical expertise. Every form of technology comes with its advantages and disadvantages; it depends on us, the way we use it that much it can influence us. In this case of online learning, if used properly it can be a blessing. We used to consider e-learning to be a supplementary tool but now it has shifted to as a primary source of learning. Maintaining a healthy balance between classes and personal lives is imperative for any individual.

Higher Education Digest July 2021 October 2020

139

INDUSTRY VIEWS

Remote Education in India Naman Mukund, Co-founder, Tekie

Naman Mukund is the co-founder of Tekie and leads Tech along with overseeing product development. Naman graduated from IIT Delhi before diving headfirst into startups, leading tech and scaling products for ed-tech startups. He is a firm believer in the power of education and its ability to create a significant impact in building a better future.

140

July 2021

Virtual classrooms are now fully equipped with virtual whiteboards, visual aids, and even interactive exercises which students can partake in at the click of a button

nline learning tools have become a necessity for institutions to carry out uninterrupted operations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially thought to be a stop-gap solution for what most imagined would be short-lived lockdowns, virtual classrooms have saved the day for students and teachers alike. With lockdowns continuing for months at a time over the past two years, “hybrid learning” has garnered importance as a viable method of instruction and is here to stay even after schools and colleges reopen. Hybrid learning is the integration of technology with traditional learning methods. The overarching success of the same has brought its many benefits to the forefront and will make its way into the fixed curriculum of educational institutions the world over. The evolution of online learning platforms: While online learning platforms have been in play for quite some time, the pandemic has

accelerated our dependency on technology as a means of executing any learning activities and brought it into the mainstream. The demand for physical isolation without missing a beat in one’s learning journey has changed the entire mode of operation resulting in remote learning. Online learning platforms have truly stepped up to the plate by offering a spate of learning tools and resources such as webinars, unlimited resource materials, and engaging content to name a few. Virtual classrooms are now fully equipped with virtual whiteboards, visual aids, and even interactive exercises which students can partake in at the click of a button. Such innovative technology, of course, needs to be handled with expertise. This has led to a significant rise in teacher-training initiatives to make educators more proficient in the number of online educational tools available at their disposal. Institutions are arming their teachers with state-of-the-art infrastructural support in terms of digital learning tools and

July 2021

141

Online learning has turned into an efficient way of making sure that no learner gets left behind

142

July 2021

spending a significant amount of resources in developing teachers’ digital skills. This widespread upskilling is making teachers take note of the many advantages of integrating technology into their previously relied upon methods of traditional teaching, reiterating the fact that hybrid learning is here to stay. In addition to the gamut of highly beneficial resources available, technology is proving to improve students’ test-taking ability, making them feel better prepared for online exams. With userfriendly, interactive tutorials on how best to take a test on a particular platform, student’s feel more in control and can perform better. Similarly, teachers can conduct as well as grade tests better via integrated software that works to assess and identify gaps in students’ learning and academic progress, allowing them to focus on the areas most important to the individual learner’s development. Online learning has turned into an efficient way of making sure that no learner gets left behind. With the pandemic finally showing signs of slowing down and lockdowns being lifted, the online learning space is making great strides. Students, teachers, parents, and educational institutions alike are prime to implement more technological and online learning innovations into their daily learning routines.

How do you prepare your students for assessments?

Automatic,

Targeted gap

Translate NWEA

Visualization of

adaptable

analysis to identify

MAP results

learners’ next

results-driven

intervention

into actionable

steps for the whole

learning pathways

opportunities

outcomes

academic year

Edmentum can make assessment preparation easier, enabling more time for informed decision-making and intervention. Join the many schools across the Middle East that trust Edmentum to support them with their assessment acceleration.

Exact Path allows us to give the students time to catch up to their grade level and what’s going on in their classrooms at the same time. It gives the teachers data that supports them with differentiation and helps them translate the grade-level curriculum into lessons every day. That was the advantage for us of Exact Path. Lee Dabagia, Principal, Summit International School, Abu Dhabi

+44 (0)1572 492576

international@edmentum.com

www.edmentuminternational.com

@Edmentum_INT

July 2021

143

INDUSTRY VIEWS

E-learning in India: Challenges and Prospects Rohit Manglik, CEO, EduGorilla

Rohit Manglik is an Indian Educationist, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, who has experience of the corporate world firsthand through his tenure with various Fortune 500 companies such as Oracle, Morgan Stanley and DE Shaw. Education has always intrigued Rohit, its ability to influence the society, and its role in transforming an individual into his best self. Unfortunately, the Indian educational framework suffers from many discrepancies, the lack of accessibility being the foremost. Hailing from a middle-class background, Rohit gained an in-depth understanding of the youth following which he laid the foundation of EduGorilla, which currently caters to 1,300+ Exams and 41,000+ Mock Tests for competitive exams.

144

July 2021

Bolstered by a conducive policy landscape, India is witnessing the boom of ed-tech startups that have plugged the gaps of classroom teaching

he penetration of the Internet, the proliferation of mobile phones and smart devices and the advent of nascent technologies have provided a fillip to e-learning in the past few years. Until the pre-COVID era, e-learning was primarily used for remedial lessons or acquiring new skills by corporate professionals. The COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be an inflexion point for e-learning. The suspension of the classroom model led educational institutions to rely on e-learning to maintain continuity. Never had e-learning been used on such a scale as during COVID-19. The most significant advantage of e-learning is its ‘anytime, anywhere access irrespective of geographical barriers. It is also a convenient and cost-effective model since it enables students to get access to modules at the click of the mouse. The use of additional features such as one-to-one video call feedback, remedial lessons, recorded lectures as part of the Learning Management

System promptly address students’ queries and grievances besides enhancing his experience. Not only that, e-learning is a boon for teachers as well by automating certain tasks such as recording attendance, facilitating assignment submission and serving as a one-stop repository of all students’ academic performance. Fortunately, the recent policies of the government take cognisance of the immense potential that e-learning offers. The initiatives such as DIKSHA, SWAYAM, and SWAYAMPRABHA have provided a fillip to e-learning. Moreover, the New Education Policy announced in 2020 envisages the virtual labs to supplement classroom lessons and experiential learning through immersive technologies. Bolstered by a conducive policy landscape, India is witnessing the boom of ed-tech startups that have plugged the gaps of classroom teaching. But there is still a long way to go until e-learning becomes a ubiquitous reality for almost

July 2021

145

every educational institution in India. E-learning relies on uninterrupted connectivity, which is a key obstacle in Tier 3 and remote hinterlands of the country. A survey conducted by Azim Premji Foundation titled “Myths of Online Education” of over 1500 public schools in five states revealed that almost 60% of children were unable to access e-learning, and 70% of the parents found it ineffective for learning. Compared to the brickand-mortar model, e-learning has certain inherent drawbacks such as low attention span of students and subsequently high dropout rate, lack of personalisation and concerns of increased screen time and stress among children. Moreover, not all instructors are accustomed to teaching via online mode and thus lack the training to ensure that the online resources are being used effectively for instruction. According to UDISE (Unified District Information System for Education) 2019-20 study, only one out of four Indian teachers were trained to use a computer for teaching. As per the findings of the Annual State Education Report (ASER) 2019 survey, 2[1] [2] /3rds of children in the rural parts of the country reported that they didn’t receive any learning materials or activities during the pandemic period. Additionally, 1/3rd of the children reported no learning at all. The democratisation of e-learning warrants heavy investment in digital infrastructure. However, it would be unfair to expect the government to shoulder this responsibility alone. Corporates can play an instrumental role in scaling up infrastructure and fostering academia-industry collaborations to boost e-learning. Emerging technologies such as Artificial learning and Virtual Reality can aid in making lessons interactive, personalised and customised according to the learning pace of each student. There is also a need to revamp the existing pedagogy to integrate e-learning with traditional methods of teaching. Simultaneously, e-learning must consider concerns of differently-abled by ensuring the provision of special amenities for them to foster inclusivity. The COVID-19 pandemic has opened a Pandora of opportunities for e-learning in India. Much will, however, hinge on how we utilise this opportunity to unlock the tremendous potential of e-learning and reap the advantage of the demographic dividend to become the global knowledge superpower.

146

July 2021

147

INDUSTRY VIEWS

How Innovative Pedagogy and Digital Financing is Influencing Financing Methods for a Rapidly Transforming Education Sector Varun Chopra, CEO & Co-founder, Eduvanz

Varun Chopra has over 15 years of experience in debt and change initiatives across Investment banking, consulting and outsourcing industries. Varun’s extensive experience and network has been gained from handling key roles in areas such as portfolio management, program management, testing, business process re-engineering, transitions, target operating model design and strategy consulting. Prior to co-founding Eduvanz, Varun worked in the leadership team for Nomura as a Vice President. In this strategic role, his key task was business growth, client management, project deliveries and overall program management.

148

July 2021

Innovation within the financing domain can be a game changer in the sector where millions of loans originate every year

ver the past decade education has evolved and moved beyond the walls of traditional classrooms. A new-age student today has more to learn – be it an extra coding class or an upskilling course or an new-age AI or ML module that goes above and beyond the curriculum. The pandemic, which has disrupted every other aspect of our lives, also delivered new and easier modes of education in the form of e-learning. Unfortunately, all this is also coming in times of stressed household budgets, a tough job market and thinning wallets. The types of education have expanded and so have classes of learners – children to professionals and other knowledge seekers. Yet, traditional financing methods have not evolved as quickly to cater to the extra spending. The non-conventional avenues of learning including the increased costs of school and coaching fees are also barely considered. Also, there is little chance that banks would consider them anytime soon since they are already saddled with an education loan book that

is going rancid rapidly. The non-performing assets (NPAs) data indicate that almost 9.5% of all the education loans are going bad due to a frozen job market, slashed salaries and more such pandemicrelated pain. The good news however is that this makes room for focused fintechs with a good understanding of the sector, and a good risk assessment mechanism. Added to that, innovation within the financing domain can be a game changer in the sector where millions of loans originate every year. Widening the Base Currently, education loans are sought out mostly for studying abroad, and the rest are usual suspects like high-priced MBA courses, engineering and medical courses. Yet, these are not the only ones that need financing. Internationally, 80% of college courses are supported by financing. It is slightly lower in South Asian countries – at around 30%. But, in India, it is as low as 7% - hence there is a large potential for growth.

July 2021

149

The popularity of e-learning has added another dimension. More and more professionals are looking to add new skills be it AI, ML or data analysis which cost anywhere between Rs 1.5 – 15 lakhs. Graduates too are looking to acquire employable skills to add to their CVs, beyond their college courses. Digital MIP for School Financing Since the onset of the pandemic, parents of many young children are finding it tough to pay school fees which averages to Rs 1 lakh per annum for a first grader, in most urban schools. Coaching class fees is another pain point which also averages to over and above Rs 1 lakh for pre-engineering and pre-medical entrance exams. In the past parents had to rely on traditional financing options such as friends, families or money lenders, where the interest rates were really high. Digital MIPs (Monthly Installment Plans) such as the one Eduvanz provides are zero-cost, paperless, branch less, friction-less and straight through financing facility for parents.

150

July 2021

Assessing and underwriting parents beyond the conventional methods of bureau checks by considering not just parent’s payment history and digital footprints but also the student’s grades , school’s ranking etc, has led to evolution of innovation in school lending. There are varied needs within the sector that have to be serviced with a niche understanding of borrower needs --- which fintechs are able to with the help of technology. At Eduvanz, we also help parents who require an extra gadget to support the new normal of online learning. We have tied-up with Apple to provide loans for devices, and recently forged a partnership with Flipkart to extend easy EMI loans to purchase all e-learning tools. Technology Embedded Financing The next problem is the ticket size of loans, which is around and above Rs 10 lakhs as most banks tend to lend to professional courses. More such loans are preferred; and not just because they make for better credit than a graduate course. Banks prefer

Technology makes it easy for fintechs to integrate their database with that of a university, which means a large part of the admission process data of the student can be used for background checks

to disburse one large loan than a bunch of smaller loans – due to lack of enough manpower to service them all. The solution for this lies with digital lending which fintechs have adopted. Technology makes it easy for fintechs to integrate their database with that of a university, which means a large part of the admission process data of the student can be used for background checks. The entire loan process can be approved within a matter of days if not minutes without the need for excessive documentation that can be done right on the campus. At Eduvanz, 70% of our loans are no-cost loans where interest rate is borne by the institutions and students can just pay the course fees. Data Versus Risk Yet another problem is the way traditional methods assess risk of education loans. Since the odds are stacked up against the sector, banks would reduce the number of loans and increase interest rates to match the heightened risks. New modes of underwriting requires data that can be collected from schools, universities and institutions – like fee payment behaviour, the course, its relevance to the industry, course dropouts, placement history and much more. This can tell the story of the repayment ability and due to a changed perception interest rates could be adjusted accordingly. At Eduvanz, our NPAs are at 0.7% which is starkly different from the industry average. Changing Lending Landscape through Innovative Financing Apart from innovative financing, fintechs in the education sector can also reach to the unbanked and the underbanked. Around 500 million of India’s population is under the age of 25 which means they are engaged in some form of learning. A large chunk of these bright and ambitious learners reside in tier2 and tier-3 cities. Without financing, they would not be able to reach their potential. Now, more than ever, financing is important as UGC and National Education Policy is now expanding digital learning where students residing anywhere can access quality education. This makes them quality students and quality earners – the fintech target market – who can add to their books and ours.

July 2021

151

EDTECH INSIGHTS

Online Education in India: Impacts Created by the EdTech Industry Shiv Ram Choudhary, CEO & Founder, Codevidhya

An educationist and visionary in true sense, 40 years old Mr. Shiv Ram Choudhary derives his joy and energy from service to humanity. Deeply passionate about innovations in education, he firmly believes that school education is the foundation of nation building and if we really want to bring about a positive change, it should happen at this crucial stage. A learner and seeker at heart, he has widely travelled to different countries around the world for several times to attend seminars, conferences and learning visits and bought back the best of practices and integrated them into the school system.

152

July 2021

Digital literacy is important for kids today as it prepares them for the tech-infused world that we are living in

ducation has changed to a great extent in the past decade. And with the advancements in the field of technology, the education sector has gained influence from it. Technology has assisted this sector with many tools that made knowledge more accessible to the world. Many schools are adopting new ways of teaching by including technology. The digital classroom was set up, attendance monitoring systems were introduced, and much more changes were made to make education more convenient. The pandemic opened up many opportunities for the Edtech companies. After schools were shut due to the lockdown, these companies provided tools that helped schools conduct uninterrupted classes. Remote learning was something that schools had to adapt anyways. Edtech is not just about reformatting books and introducing technology. It is about enabling digital technology to change the overall learning structure. Virtual classrooms and pre-recorded classes helped the K12 students continue their education

in tough times. It enabled students to learn at their own pace. Also, access to the internet and smartphones made the students digitally literate. Digital literacy is important for kids today as it prepares them for the tech-infused world that we are living in. Availability of the internet made education accessible to most parts of the world. In a survey, 72% of the students said that their school provided digital resources via online learning platforms. While 28% said that schools provided real-time interactive online learning and 5% of the schools provided smart devices for learning. As remote learning became prominent with the help of technology, the Edtech companies kept on creating more and more impact in this sector. Edutainment applications were introduced such as AI-powered games, puzzles, and apps that focused on learning a new skill helped to foster digital learning amongst students of different age groups. Edtech companies are helping students seeking to learn new skills. E-learning platforms that provide students with online courses are

July 2021

153

making an impeccable impact. Students can learn whichever skills they are interested in. Thus, allowing students to explore beyond what they already know. The onset of computers in education has made it easier for teachers to share knowledge. One of the key decisions made by the government that marked the beginning of an Edtech revolution was the National Education Policy (NEP), 2019. The NEP made coding for kids mandatory from 6th grade. This helped students to learn technology way before entering college. Kids learning coding at such an early age change their personality to a great extent. They learn many life skills such as communication, teamwork, decision-making, and problemsolving. Creating computer programs and games on their own makes them creative and innovative. Rather than just being consumers of technology, they become the very creators of it. These impacts are promising as students get access to personalized learning, saves time for teachers, and prepares students for realworld problems. Personalized learning is costeffective, reaches a larger audience, and allows students to learn whatever they want. Virtual

154

July 2021

learning promotes collaboration through case studies and group-based exercises. As these Edtech curriculums build countless skills inside kids, literacy rates go high in the country. As of now, most college graduates lack the skills required to get a job after college. If students learn these skills at a young age, it will become easier for them to pursue the career of their choice. With the current education ecosystem, digital learning is in its initial phase and is here to stay. Edtech companies need to keep innovating newer products that will help the industry grow further. Along with helping the economy, It will also spark entrepreneurship, computational thinking, and creativity in the classroom. Innovations like virtual reality are already in place, and there’s so much more to come soon. User experience matters a lot when it comes to consuming a product. When kids use a digital product for the first time, they must be able to understand the basic aim of the product. And online education has done it very well. Learning has become easy for these kids. With interactive softwares and learning interfaces, kids are acquiring knowledge in a gamified way. They don’t feel like they are studying. Ultimately, these measures are minimizing the chances of students getting bored while learning. Learning is becoming more interactive and interesting at the same time. Digital education is so important for skill and personality building. It opens up your mind, is good for your mental health, and always keeps you updated with the technology in the world we are living in. All we can hope is that more schools, institutes, and universities understand the value of online learning and opt for digital learning solutions. This will help the Edtech companies get the motivation to innovate new products so that students from every part of the world can benefit from them. And ultimately, make the education sector a much better place for knowledge sharing.

July 2021

155

INDUSTRY VIEWS

Digital Education in India – Challenges and Opportunities Siddhartha Gupta, CEO, Mercer| Mettl

Siddhartha envisions to elevate Mercer I Mettl to realize its vision of becoming the next unicorn to emerge from the Indian startup ecosystem & establish itself as the largest assessment entity globally. A feat, he believes, made accessible because of joining hands with Mercer, a global leader in HR Consulting and a wholly-owned subsidiary of highly credible Marsh & McLennan Companies. Before Mercer I Mettl, in a career spanning two decades, he has held key leadership positions at global IT companies such as HP and SAP. He has been instrumental in building several business verticals from scratch and scaling them. Siddhartha holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from Xavier Institute of Management.

156

July 2021

The lack of tech-savviness among underprivileged students and their parents adds to the inefficiencies and challenges in adopting tech solutions

he demand for digital education was gaining steady momentum until the present COVID19-induced crisis altered the education paradigm like never before. All stakeholders had to immediately adapt to this new reality, irrespective of their digital exposure and abilities. The transition to the online mode of education offers opportunities and challenges and then more opportunities to solve for them. Detailing below a few that are worth a mention: Challenge: Access to digital infrastructure Shutting down schools was the most rational decision to contain the spread of COVID-19. However, it exacerbated the chasm of educational disparities between digitally-savvy and urban and rural and underprivileged populace. According to a National Statistics Office (NSO) survey report titled ‘Household Social Consumption on Education,’ only 4% of the rural population has access to digital devices, such as computers, against 23% of the urban population above five years of age. According to another survey by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, only 47% of households in India receive more than 12 hours of electricity, and 36% of schools don’t have access to electricity. This glaring digital divide, deepened further by the ongoing crisis,

disproportionately impacts socially disadvantaged learners’ accessibility to education. Furthermore, the lack of tech-savviness among underprivileged students and their parents adds to the inefficiencies and challenges in adopting tech solutions. Opportunity: Online education as an equalizer The lack of digital infrastructure disrupts online education, which, otherwise, is a highly effective means of delivering education to the last mile. Government policies, push for digitization of education, and better infrastructure would address these needs, making education more accessible, equitable and equal. Ample training sessions that equip teachers at the grassroots to learn new technologies will further smoothen this transition. The government skilling bodies can actively partner with private, non-profit, and non-government organizations that offer training and learning and assessments to test and train teachers in digital readiness, helping them transition to online education processes. They can also leverage these means to provide skilling and vocational programs to students, enhancing their livelihood opportunities. Challenge: a reluctant education fraternity Education fraternity, including students, parents, government and educational stakeholders, professors,

July 2021

157

and the entire education ecosystem, perceives challenges in taking the digital route. Therefore, it is reluctant to move to the online space. These could be because of the lack of trust in the convenience of classroom learning or examinations using digital tools compared to the offline approach. They are also concerned whether they can replicate these experiences and comforts in the online mode.

could be reasons for academia’s tepid adoption of modern technology. Setting up question papers for multiple subjects and question types such as multiple-choice questions, mathematical and chemical questions, audio questions, or codes, and the availability of mock tests/dry runs could be other concerns of students as well as exam administrators.

Opportunity: end-to-end planning and education The undergoing shift to virtual education is being shaped by behavioral modifications, wider acceptance, and experimentation in what was earlier thought to be impossible, owing to myriad reasons, such as the availability of internet bandwidth and digital infrastructure. Indeed, digital resources were already present, but the drastic attitude and behavioral shift, prompted by shutdowns, nudged academia to accept online education with open arms, catalyzing the adoption of virtual tools and tech-savvy interfaces. Online learning solutions available on the market efficiently cater to the long-felt demands concerning admissions, classroom learning, campus placements and examinations. While factors like physical experiences and face-to-face interactions still outrank the virtual education mode, comprehensive and integrated education platforms have successfully captured all other processes. Also, they are continuously making the platforms more engaging, intuitive, and interactive to suit the learners’ and educators’ needs.

Opportunity: establishing the credibility of examinations The advancements in AI-and-ML-based solutions, remote proctoring, and facial recognition technologies help efficiently detect various instances of malpractices, such as impersonation, usage of mobile phones, the opening of additional tabs, the presence of additional persons in the room, and others. These technologies are trained over millions of such examination audio and video feeds and are more than 98% accurate in flagging cheating instances and detecting all kinds of digressions. The system, then, generates a ‘credibility score’ for each candidate for a particular exam. Additionally, these intelligent platforms are well-equipped to cater to coordination needs between stakeholders. They provide timely reminders and notifications through emails, besides enabling easy customization of question papers and types in multiple subjects and languages. All such features make online exams highly scalable, credible and easy-to-use alternative. Online education has made every smartphone owner a learner, increasing the accessibility of education, teachers, and educational institutions to students from the country’s farthest corners. As we assimilate the processes and steadily progress into the future, we all know the level of comfort, convenience, and ease these virtual platforms would offer –besides their key role in ensuring sustainability and continuity in established education and examination schedules. Digitization of education can equally be a challenge and an opportunity now, depending on how we move forward. Addressing the issues of inadequate infrastructure and designing our policy frameworks based on the newly drafted National Education Policy (NEP) will be critical in defining the future of education in India.

Challenge: ease of use of examinations platforms and their cheating prevention abilities Education administrators are naturally apprehensive about the cheating prevention prowess of the online examination platforms. Students try ingenious means to outwit cheating prevention mechanisms of online examination tools. These unique approaches involve screen sharing/ mirroring, using hi-tech devices, such as microphones, purposefully logging off from tests, and disconnecting from the internet repeatedly to restart their tests. Concerns about coordination between stakeholders such as setting up the examination process, ease of use of the platforms for students, and mobile compatibility

158

July 2021

159

160

Higher Education Digest July 2021 2020 October