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Technologies and innovations from offline sources are changing the Edtech sector

By Kiran Dham

Since ancient times, education has been a vital part of the growth and development of society. The students now possess far more knowledge, abilities, and critical thinking skills thanks to it. The three most important things that education has done to complete humanity are fostering empathy, tolerance, and respect for others. Nevertheless, the introduction of technology has fundamentally altered how teachers and students used to teach. This change has expedited the education technology sector’s rapid expansion.

While learning is now relatively simple through modern technologies, it can still be done at any time and from any location. On the other hand, the shift to online education has sparked some worries about uneven access to technology. To address these issues, several ed-tech platforms have adopted offline innovations such as interactive whiteboards, projectors, smart podiums, and digital boards. With today’s offline solutions, students can access educational resources without relying on availability or continuous internet connections.

Ed-tech industry reshaping through offline innovation

Digital boards: The necessity for digital educational solutions is growing along with the growing number of technology-savvy students of today. It was at this point that the digital board became an offline tool and changed the nature of classroom instruction. These days, the most common tool used by teachers to engage students in activities and turn them into participants in the learning process is a digital board. These whiteboards are being used to display movies featuring interactive lessons and real-time demonstrations that include students in the educational process. Furthermore, by giving students the chance to participate in the material being presented, digital boards enable them to co-produce knowledge, promoting group learning and higher-order thinking.

Smart podium: With the advancement of technology, classrooms in the modern era are now more active and productive. In the classroom, learning has become more productive and efficient with the introduction of technology-enabled devices. High-end equipment includes a multimedia controller, wireless keyboard and mouse set, audio system, wireless microphones, smart podium with interactive panel, and multimedia controller. With the use of this equipment, teachers can create a stimulating learning environment that improves productivity and teamwork while giving them greater control over the classroom.

Digital Language Labs: The goal of these language-learning facilities is to improve students’ command and proficiency in a language. These days, academic education alone is insufficient to meet the requirements of modern careers. For this reason, digital language labs assist students in developing language proficiency by providing a self-directed, structured, and progressive learning structure that combines an ILT and CBT approach to help students learn as a skill. The integrated learning strategy that addresses the four abilities of speaking, listening, reading, and writing while addressing the more subtle nuances of language acquisition is the main focus of this solution. An integrated classroom solution gives students new career possibilities.

Digital projectors: Traditional methods of instruction had not been able to hold students’ attention or concentration over an extended length of time. Digital projectors have helped to alleviate this problem by allowing teachers to deliver engaging classes and engage with the students. The sessions are very dynamic and engaging since teachers may share their information and learning resources with students with ease.

Creating a path for the future!

It is indisputable that the development of technology has changed education, which was once limited to enclosed spaces and is now a part of the vast universe of information. While there are many benefits to switching from traditional to online schooling, there are also concerns about equality and equitable access to new technologies. At this point, technological advancements and offline developments became crucial in reducing the digital divide. Digital boards, BYOD labs, smart projectors, and smart podiums are some examples of these offline technologies. In summary, it is safe to say that offline innovations help students learn in productive ways and provide them with the skills they need to stay present in the modern technological environment.

 

(The author is Kiran Dham, CEO, Globus infocom Ltd., and the views expressed in this article are her own)