The rise of edtech has been driven by a need for innovative solutions to the challenges facing modern education. In its growth as an industry, edtech has encompassed a range of technologies- from virtual and augmented reality to artificial intelligence, speech recognition and many more.
All these technologies aim to support and enhance teaching and learning. They are doing so by creating a more engaging, personalised, and effective learning experience for students while also enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of teaching.
In this light, let us see how various technologies are marking the future for the edtech industry.
Technologies & their impact on edtechs
Metaverse
Metaverse is a technology that can take you to another environment virtually. This has immense potential to aid learning by bridging physical and virtual spaces and creating a new immersive environment for learners. For example, learners can visit sites and places from history and experience them virtually without being limited by space, time and location.
This technology has opened a new door for edtech. The sector can now use this technology to create innovative learning experiences like virtual field trips for learners and take experiential learning to the next level. Edtech platforms can offer learning programs on complex subjects like astrophysics, human cognition and other areas.
They can also leverage metaverse technology to create interactive simulations and scenarios that allow learners to practise and apply their knowledge in a safe and controlled environment. This can be particularly useful in fields such as medicine or engineering, where real-life scenarios may be risky.
Generative AI
Generative AI is a kind of artificial intelligence that can produce a wide variety of content in text, images, and audio. In learning, generative AI can allow edtech to form solutions to take interactive and engaging learning experiences to the next level. For example, generative AI can help teachers create personalised lesson plans for learners according to their current level of understanding. Such lesson plans can be modified according to each learner’s progress.
Edtech can also create appropriate generative AI solutions for students so that they get to learn the technology and use it appropriately. For example, with generative AI, students can work on the prompt engineering area.
They can provide prompts to the AI system and observe how it generates responses, allowing them to explore different possibilities and refine their prompts to achieve desired outcomes. This process fosters critical thinking, creativity, and an understanding of leveraging AI tools to accomplish specific goals. This way, edtech can assist in creating a future-ready workforce that can interact with AI not just as consumers but also as users.
Collaboration Tools
Collaboration tools in edtech are transforming how learners and educators work together, making it easier to collaborate and communicate in real time, regardless of physical location. These tools can create a more engaging and interactive learning environment where learners can work together to solve problems, share ideas, and build knowledge.
Examples of these tools include online whiteboards, learner management systems, online communities and platforms for real-time project collaboration. Such solutions can promote critical thinking, cooperation, team building, leadership and communication skills.
Collaboration tools can also greatly enhance communication and collaboration between teachers and parents, fostering a more productive and engaged educational environment. These tools provide dedicated communication channels where teachers and parents can easily connect.
They can exchange information, share updates, and address any issues or questions they may have in real time. This promotes transparency, allowing both parties to participate in their child’s learning journey actively.
Speech recognition technology
Speech recognition technology uses algorithms and machine learning to convert spoken language into written text or commands by interpreting human speech. Edtech can use speech recognition technology to offer innovative solutions to learning, especially in learning languages. In the context of language learning, this means that learners can practise speaking and listening skills with a computer or mobile device.
One of the benefits of speech recognition in language learning is that it allows learners to practise speaking in a low-pressure environment. By using speech recognition software, learners can practise speaking and listening skills without fear of judgement or embarrassment. They can receive instant feedback on their pronunciation and make corrections in real time, which can help them improve their skills more quickly.
Wrapping Up
As we move towards a heightened digital future, edtech is poised to play an increasingly important role in shaping education. In the next few years, we can expect to see even more innovations, such as adaptive learning algorithms, advanced data analytics, and machine learning, and their continued integration into the classroom.
In conclusion, the future of edtech looks promising, with emerging technologies offering new possibilities for teaching and learning. By embracing these technologies, we can create a more inclusive, personalised, and effective education system that readies learners for the demands of the 21st century.
(The article is authored by Mr. Rishabh Khanna, Founder, and CEO of Suraasa, and the views expressed in this article are his own)
