The 4G boom in India, growing internet penetration and acceptance and the drastic impact left by Covid-19 have all contributed to the rapid rise of digital media in the country and has changed consumer behavioral patterns across entertainment, education, shopping and various other sectors. “COVID-19 had the biggest impact on education because unlike other industries education had not experimented with switching to a fully online mode.
Edtech, which was still finding its footing in the country, suddenly became the hottest industry overnight and within days, the way the world consumed education changed”, expressed Vineet Gupta Ashoka University Founder. With life limping and adjusting towards what is termed as the new-normal, conventional education has resumed across the globe, causing a correction in the edtech industry, taking with it several players who over leveraged themselves on the online hype. Stakeholders in education however recognize the fact that edtech and online solutions are here to stay and the key will be in finding a non-intrusive balance between the two.
How does digital media enhance edtech?
Digital media is growing rapidly for a multitude of reasons and has enhanced edtech to a large extent.
- Accessibility – 15 years ago, e-learning was limited to schools and classrooms or for students who could afford their own computers. Today, smartphones have become so powerful that digital media can be accessed and consumed anywhere provided you have an internet connection.
- Immersive – Digital media brings to the fore many immersive technologies such as metaverse, virtual reality, gaming, 3D Audio Visuals etc. which completely changes the way education is consumed and makes it a completely new experience for today’s generations. “Teachers today have highly powerful digital tools at their disposal, which helps them design and deliver extremely engaging and immersive lectures, which was not possible a few years ago”, said Vineet Gupta Ashoka University Founder
- Ease of use and management – Edtech tools are not only easy to use but also allows you to store all your data, lectures and progress in your personal computer, smartphone or cloud. As long as you have your login credentials, this data is available for use at any time throughout the day helping students consume lectures they have missed/skipped.
- Collaboration possibilities – Students do not have to go to the same institution or even be in the same continent to work together on projects. “With the advent of the metaverse and VR, it is now possible for students across the globe to work together on common problems and brainstorm solutions from the comfort of their homes. This technology when fully refined will facilitate a huge number of modern day inventions and discoveries”, adds Vineet Gupta.
Edtech has made a strong case for itself over the last couple of years but with conventional educational returning, many have questioned its role in the current education setup. Many are of the opinion that digital media can be a distraction and divert students away from their studies, while some believe that the guidance and assessment of a teacher who is physically present to a ward cannot be replaced by someone on screen. “However, given how rapidly these technologies are evolving and improving, they cannot be ignored and I believe a hybrid model of education that incorporates the best of both worlds will take center stage in the future,” concluded Vineet Gupta Ashoka University Founder.
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