Digital transformation isn’t just about learning and teaching. Let’s talk about the most important aspects of digitization within the education sector, future trends, and strategies that will help improve the student and teacher experience.
What is digital transformation?
Digital transformation is the use of IT to streamline business processes. Digital transformation in education can improve the learning experience for students, mentors, and alumni and aid institution management. It can help:
- Students enjoy seamless enrollment
- Interactive and engaging learning experiences
- Better learning outcomes
- Flexible learning and teaching options from remote locations
- Flexible course structure allows students to learn on any device at any time.
- Student performance administration
- Seamless school/college/university administration
Key areas for digital transformation in education:
While Covid-19 made it necessary for institutions to adopt a digital approach, they now recognize the advantages of the digital education system. Innovative technologies are available to different education sectors. These are some of the areas where digital technology can make an impact.
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Use technology to facilitate classroom coaching.
Schools, colleges, and traditional brick-and-mortar institutions have had to close classroom coaching since the pandemic. Nearly every institution has adapted to digital ways of teaching education. However, they are still uncertain about the learning outcomes. In addition, parents are still hesitant about sending their children to college, even though the Covid pandemic seems under control. As a result, Institutions have been forced to think about a digital transformation of education. Here’s how brick-and-mortar institutions can use technology to maintain the situation.
- Students need to be screened and sanitized: Their learning abilities will improve if they can promptly attend to their health concerns.
- Contactless attendance: Students may scan their id cards to register for attendance. Contactless biometric attendance is soon to be possible.
- Social Distance Monitoring System: In some countries, AI-based technology was used to monitor public gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus. Educational institutions can use these technologies to enforce social distancing and maintain sanitary norms.
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Use Technology in the Admissions Process
In general, the enrollment or admission process can be very slow. Students must wait in line to apply for admission or submit documents. Students must also visit the institution regularly to verify the status of their applications. The admission team must review documents, verify eligibility, shortlist applicants, and keep them updated with the status of their applications.
The system was effective up until the pandemic. However, online admissions are required to simplify the process for parents, students, teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders. Institutions will benefit from an end-to-end application procedure in these ways:
- Institutions can skip the paperwork involved in the admission process.
- Technology can automatically select qualified candidates.
- A computerized response system can help you to offload routine questions from counselors.
- Institutions can receive real-time updates about students, faculties, and courses.
- Students don’t have to wait in long lines and spend time checking their status.
- Students can apply to multiple institutions simultaneously without ever visiting campus.
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Transforming EdTech Models
EdTech, or Education Technology, has been on the rise recently. As a result, educators have used technology to enhance learning and improve student learning outcomes.
EdTechs have experienced a 5X increase in course subscription rates in the past year. This was due to the temporary suspension of classroom education caused by the pandemic. As a result, there was an unexpected influx of inquiries about online courses. EdTech companies needed to be prepared to handle student onboarding and coaching. CRM software, which is used in many B2C businesses, was adopted by EdTechs.
Online learning with video integration:
These tools can be integrated with the websites of institutions and organizations to create a seamless digital classroom experience.
AR/VR-based Learning:
Education is rapidly advancing with Augmented and Virtual Reality. These technologies bring subjects such as Biology, Geography, and History to life. For example, Cleveland Clinic at Case Western Reserve University trains humans in anatomy and surgery using AR-based 3D human models.
Gamification:
Gamified learning is a well-known concept in K12 education and is slowly becoming more popular in professional courses and test-prep segments.
AI/Predictive Learning:
This makes classes more interesting as students can now delve deeper into the courses that interest them. For years, EduTech has seen many advances. However, the pandemic just sparked innovation.
Interactive Video and Media
Google Digital is a joint initiative of Google, the Indian School of Business, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to promote digital awareness. It asks for prompt responses and takes action throughout the learning process. It allows them to stay focused throughout the course.
Smart Exam Portals
Institutions can embed webcams into their online examination portals. This allows them to track suspicious activity such as tab opening, chatbox in the background, image swap, and other activities while taking the exam.
The bottom line
The traditional learning system has had to overcome many challenges. Brick-and-mortar schools, colleges, and training institutions have adopted digital learning modules. The digitalization of education has greatly helped both learners and teachers. However, there are still challenges in online education and teaching. Online education has not allowed educators to measure learning outcomes accurately. A lot of learners are still denied an education because they don’t have internet access or lack laptops/smartphones. A hybrid combination of traditional and digital learning is the best way to ensure that digital education is accessible to everyone.
