Bipul Sahay ,Vice-President,
Technology, Medvarsity
Edtech has become a buzzword after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, as students began to enrol on platforms that offered various forms of online coaching. Digital learning is unfolding new ways of learning, teaching and communicating, slowly transforming the system. Advocating this edtech growth are key technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), predictive analysis, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Industry leaders from the education space share their views on key technology trends shaping the sector, opportunities and challenges brought forth post Covid and the way forward….
How is technology transforming the education sector? What are some of the key ICT trends shaping the sector?
Unlike fintech and other sectors, edtech has been at the forefront of embracing technological change over the past eight to ten years. The edtech sector welcomed the use of AR/VR for immersive content, AI/ML for learning behaviour, big data analysis, cloud and new generation technologies with open arms as soon as they appeared on the scene. Social media and online gaming have also had a significant impact on edtech and learning-focused content companies. There has been a visible shift in user learning behaviour due to the direct impact of social media platforms or gamified content.
What are some of the use cases of new age technologies such as AR/VR, IoT and AI/ML in the education sector? How has been their uptake in India so far?
India is increasingly embracing online education. With future technologies such as IoT, AR, AI, VR, block chain, cloud, data sciences and concepts such as digital marketing and online MBA gaining traction, online learning will be critical in scaling up education by challenging old methods. These advanced technologies have the ability to bring considerable commercial value, while also making daily lives more convenient and enriching. The country also saw a boom in edtech start-ups as well as a targeted government strategy that encouraged technology developments during the pandemic. Learners and teachers can now learn and train in a more personalised way and use these modern technologies to expand their imagination, innovate, connect and improve
How are you using new age technologies? What are some of the challenges that you face?
Professional education and upskilling for healthcare workers are the focus of edtech for healthcare. We offer courses that are designed for doctors, nurses, healthcare management and related professionals who need continuous professional education or upskilling. Edtech firms in the healthcare industry have been constantly redefining their platforms over the past five years, incorporating emerging technologies to enable seamless learning. For healthcare workers, they use Healthcare Natural Language Processing, simulation-based learning and ML-based solutions. These include need analysis, user behaviour data analytics, a slew of python-based AI libraries and IoT-based learning, all of which have been integrated into Google’s advanced Flutter app platform for cross-platform delivery of cloud-based learning platforms that aid end users in their upskilling journey.
What are some of the opportunities that have surfaced in the edtech sector in recent years?
Access to the internet and technology should be considered a necessity rather than a luxury. We must comprehend all possibilities of technology in order to give high-quality education with better outcomes. The digital medium’s potential, as well as the requisite infrastructure and connectivity, must reach the country’s most rural areas. The Covid-19 pandemic has induced an intriguing setting for educators to investigate various methods of teaching that have been made possible by technological breakthroughs. Edtech companies are also capitalising on the circumstances by receiving an excellent volume and acceptability response.
Going forward, how do you see the education space transforming in India? What will be the key drivers?
The next generation of learners, inventors and global citizens will be shaped by rapidly evolving digital technology. As a communication medium between teachers and students, the NEP 2020 emphasises digital learning as an alternative to the previously accepted classroom format. The concept aims to restructure school education by emphasising topic flexibility and removing barriers between different educational streams. There are numerous benefits of digital education, which has been viewed as a viable solution for India to close the existing gaps in education delivery. Teachers will be able to embrace powerful technologies to accelerate and enhance their students’ learning with a strong technological foundation and correct assistance.
