EdTech Trends Post COVID-19

Previously considered a secondary option, EdTech is now fast becoming an essential service and necessity as countries around the world have enforced lockdowns due to COVID-19, leaving millions of students restricted in their homes.

This scenario has led to educational technology companies and their services seeing a major increase in their usage. Numerous platforms have been launched, re-advertised, upgraded, and made even more accessible to the average consumer due to their growing demand in these unprecedented times.

Here are some EdTech trends that can be observed post-COVID-19:

Increase in online content consumption

The amount of education content that is being consumed through the use of EdTech is many times the learning that is happening on campus (obviously due to the lockdown), but this trend will only continue. After the pandemic, we could also see universities and colleges transition into launching their online programs by partnering up with EdTech companies to help them power their online learning delivery.

Experts said the lockdown has accelerated the adoption of EdTech which has been on a rise for the past few years, powered by smartphone and Internet penetration. It is predicted that the COVID-19 pandemic will accelerate the change in the EdTech sector, by doing what otherwise would have taken a decade or more, in a matter of a year or two.

The shift from offline teaching methods to online and blended education is likely to continue even beyond COVID-19 and become permanent. It will fundamentally transform the structure of the education system in India, for good.

Personalized Learning Approach

A major switch the EdTech companies will have to do is implement Big Data, machine learning & AI (artificial intelligence) technologies into their systems. Just like Netflix has taken over the entertainment industry by providing a more personalized experience to the user, the EdTech companies will have to do something similar. Teaching practices will have to be innovated & evolved to make sure that the traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach to education is not continued.

Making Use of New Technology

Big data analytics and artificial intelligence can be used to create a more personalized learning experience for students. With a personalized learning experience, every student would enjoy a completely unique educational approach that’s fully tailored to his or her individual abilities and needs. It could also offer professors a better understanding of each student’s learning process, which could enable them to teach more effectively. Technology will enrich teaching, but for that teachers and technologists, both will have to persevere and innovate.

The Demand

The demand will be for more work relevant courses or learning paths and learning experiences that prepare students for AI, AR, VR, ML, Blockchain, Big Data, Cloud, data analytics, voice deployment, digital marketing, and more.

Learners need programs that are well equipped to help them get job-ready. There is already a huge need and demand for such upskilling programmes in India, and they will continue to be in-demand through these tough times.

This article is written by Sumesh Nair, Co-Founder, Board Infinity.