Technology is rapidly changing the world. Technology has made us completely dependent, from ordering food to scheduling appointments at the doctor’s offices. MentalUP estimates that over 90% of teenagers are dependent upon technology. Technology is driving global dynamics and changing them. Since the COVID was introduced in 2019, this transition to technological dependence only has intensified. Thanks to COVID-19, nearly 1.5 billion people now use the internet. Technology is used in all aspects of life, from healthcare to global commerce and business to technology. Technology absorption is highest in the education sector.
The education sector was the worst affected by the pandemic. Technology was the rescuer and EdTech (Education Technology), has made remarkable records. The EdTech market has seen a remarkable 20% growth rate over the past two years and is now worth $255 billion.
EdTech is changing the way education works by incorporating technology advances into traditional delivery methods. There are still many things to do and much more work ahead. Because of a lack of awareness and understanding, EdTech is not fully utilized by education systems. This article will provide insight into the potential benefits as well as drawbacks of EdTech today’s education sector.
Touch of Analytics for Education
Education is dynamic. Education encompasses all aspects of human life. It should not limit learning. It was unable to provide the necessary analytical insight for a while. However, it gained popularity after the COVID pandemic. It now includes 2020 Data Analytics and Beyond.
Education is now more aware of the importance and value of analytical skills. The major shift was in curriculum design. Analytics – especially data analytics – is largely technology-dependent. It is nearly impossible to offer students the best training in analytical skills without proper technology support. Advanced computer programs, online platforms, and analytics systems can help young learners to adapt. All of this is possible because of the growing interest in data.
However, there are some limitations. There has been no trickle down effect in teaching analytical skills in education. Given the current level of practical analytical skills, there is not much scope to teach analytical skills in the first classes.
Student Engagement
Young minds are constantly looking for new things and seeking out new attractions. To maintain student engagement, traditional teaching methods won’t be updated. The technology has enabled remote student-teacher interaction, which has saved the education sector from the COVID pandemic. Collaboration between technology and education has led to new opportunities for innovative innovations that will improve student engagement.
Augmented Reality, Artificial Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR) are just a few examples of the technology being used in education. This technology has been used by educators to create whole courses. A VR headset allows students to experience next-level engagement from their couch. A survey by Getting Smart revealed that 97% of students would prefer a class or course that uses VR/AI to teach.
This sounds revolutionary and exciting, but it is not widely available in the education sector. These tools are too expensive for all educational institutions.
Personalization in Learning
Nearly every industry is now attracted to personalization. Customer preferences are influenced by personalization, regardless of whether they are for FMCG or business.
Any sector that allows customization can attract and retain long-term stakeholders. Education is a sector that has many stakeholders. Today’s students value flexibility and customisation when it comes time to learn and the education they receive. Online education is increasingly popular because it allows students to customize their learning experience. Technology makes all of this possible. Technology is crucial for ensuring education delivery has a consistent outcome. It would be almost impossible to keep track and maintain consistency without technology. High-tech learning management systems can also be used to optimize learning.
Some limitations prevent personalized education from being widely used. It is not possible to change the existing education system in areas that are less tech-savvy. This is the biggest obstacle. These systems can be detrimental to both learners and educators.
Accessibility
According to research, almost 7 million students would prefer to study online in the USA. Global online education has seen a positive CAGR (CAGR) of 15%, reaching $100+ billion. Millions of students can learn from top educators around the globe while sitting at their desks. A simple click can bring a huge international education collection to your desk in no matter how short it is. Technology has made distance learning possible with maximum student-teacher interaction.
Technology has made education more accessible. An individual living in Asia can enroll in top-of-the-line courses at the most prestigious universities in West. Udemy, Udacity, EdX and Coursera are just some of the online learning platforms that have helped increase education access worldwide. Technology is crucial in spreading education worldwide and fighting illiteracy.
Another problem is the resistance of some circles to technology acceptance. It is essential to make distance learning more accessible by creating user-friendly interfaces. It is crucial to shift market dynamics and recognize online education as just as valuable as in-person learning. These options will be more appealing to people and will lead to greater accessibility.
Final Thoughts
Technology is affecting every sector and every domain. Technology’s wonders have benefited every field from finance to law, supply chain management, and healthcare. Technology’s impact on education is greater than in any other sector. During the pandemic, EdTech was recognized by education institutions around the globe. There are many benefits to EdTech. However, there are also some limitations.
Technology will always be challenged and it will be necessary for it to overcome it.
