The recent National Education Policy (NEP), with its futuristic approach to transforming education, especially at the school level, has been commended by many industry stakeholders, policy makers, parents, and students alike. One of its key differentiating feature is the focus on digitisation of teaching techniques, which are complementary and integral to the conventional form of classroom teaching. Through focus on creating a system that supports holistic development of children, with blurred boundaries between curricular, extracurricular, and co-curricular activities, the NEP has created a definitive structure that leverages technology for easy, uniform, and affordable access to quality education across the country.
The modifications in the NEP with the thrust on Ed-tech innovations, is a part of the larger scheme of digital India that is preparing its youth for a smarter and technology lead future.
With features like replacing the 10+2 school structure with a 5+3+3+4, focus on minimising core syllabus to offer students flexibility to learn any subject irrespective of a stream of learning, and liberalisation of access to content across platforms, both vocational and academic, are some key pointers that, with the aid of effective ed-tech support, have the potential to transform education for the future generations. Listed here are some key futuristic education trends that can realised through effective use of ed-tech, making the vision of NEP 2020 a reality:
- Integrated learning platforms: As conventional education systems join hands with Ed-tech player, Integrated, learning platforms, that offer multiple learning tools, will be the norm of future education. From virtual classrooms and study groups that connect students from across the world, breaking language barriers, to AI and robotics powered assisted learning projects, digital learning is going to be powered by innovative content delivery, and driven by student participation, vs. the passive chalk-and-talk formats of physical classrooms.
- Flexible and remote learning: With digitisation of education, remote learning, just like remote working, will be made possible, liberating students from the pressing compulsion of classroom attendance. Further, with virtual classrooms and live classroom teaching, students can log on to their ‘class’ from anywhere, and be a part of the interactive learning experience.
- On-Demand Education: One of the key features of the NEP is the liberalisation of knowledge, where students can now have access to learning a subject of their choice, and not be bound by a specific stream of learning. Similar to the disruption caused by OOT platforms for the television industry, students can now access knowledge across any subject, without being limited to a particular stream of learning. Much like on demand entertainment, education on these new platforms will also allow students to access subject/ topic oriented learning so that you can deep dive into a subject matter rather that sticking to a fixed subject structure. For example, someone can just study algebra for years and master it while pursuing its applications across subjects, like physics or statistics, etc., rather than learning all topics in piecemeal.
- Content will be the differentiator: Modern educational institutes will no longer be admired for the rigidity or expertise of education in a particular field. Instead, they will be pursued by students for the diversity, reach, and exposure they provide their students, through collaborations with institutes/ subject experts from across the globe, making them true heaven of knowledge. The content and the depth of the subject offered by these platforms, along with flexibility to access these through remote and physical classrooms, will become the success rating formula.
India is already among the leading consumers of internet and smart devices, and is gearing up for massive digitisation across sectors, building robust 5G network broadband infrastructure, enabling better internet penetration with stable and faster connections, and is also taken up manufacturing of innovative smart devices, including smartphones, tablets and interactive screens, as part of digital India and Make in India initiatives. The modifications in the NEP with the thrust on Ed-tech innovations, is a part of the larger scheme of digital India that is preparing its youth for a smarter and technology lead future.
