The post-Covid era saw the biggest disruption to education in recent times with educational institutions being shut and all academic activities stalled. However, any crisis is the breeding ground for innovation – and the Ed-tech industry proved that once again. With classes conducted online, education staggered but was far from being discontinued. The best part about the new culture of webinars becoming the mainstay is that students and professionals could participate directly and indirectly in these knowledge-sharing symposiums.
The enduring impact of these times is perhaps the hybrid system of education, wherein even an offline class is increasingly being made available for people joining in through their smartphones and computers. Furthermore, AI is being integrated with the evaluation system that is largely being operated online. Thus, within significantly less time, a deeper insight can be gained on students’ performance. As a result, students can have immediate knowledge of their shortcomings that they can start working on right away. Let us now take a look at the impact of AI-led technology on education, the ethical boundaries to maintain, and the challenges that need to be resolved for better results.
The bright side of AI- and Ed-tech
There are several ways in which AI-driven learning modules trump the traditional classroom:
- Personalised approach: The best part about AI-led Edutech is that it does not believe in the one-size-fits-all approach to education. That is the fundamental departure of this new system from traditional chalk-and-blackboard learning. With more focus on individual attention, AI technology can now be harnessed to make personalised learning modules that can lead to more meaningful courses of action for an individual. Assessments based on test-result data can be used to grade the learning progression for more fruitful outcomes.
- Breaking barriers: The Ed-tech boom has broken through geographical barriers, enabling students to access quality education irrespective of where they live. AI-driven online education can engage students with professional experts worldwide, who can, in turn, guide them to resources and information unavailable otherwise.
- Empowering students with disabilities: Classroom methods can’t take care of students with disabilities in the way they deserve. Travelling to class remains a constant bother, which in some ways hinders the regularity of attendance. With online teaching platforms, these students can focus solely on learning and getting better at their studies rather than how to manage a trip to the college.
- Focus on teaching: With AI-led content management systems, teachers no longer have to be bogged down with paperwork. They can finally get rid of those tedious hours of grading papers that they can now invest in teaching. This approach is more scientific than the one it replaces, as AI-led evaluation can give more insights into learning outcomes and inform the next teaching module.
- Smart tutoring: Edtech powered by AI can make the teaching-learning process fun, with AI lending a human touch to student interactions. Thus, a more sympathetic environment can be fostered that can lead to better, stress-free learning.
The ethical responsibility
The usage of AI in Ed-tech comes with many responsibilities. Let us take a look:
- It must be understood that AI is a neutral tool, but it runs on information that might be compromised or corrupted by biased data. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the AI to ensure data safety so that the users feel safe during daily operations.
- While AI makes a great assistant, it must be ensured that it does not replace quality educators.
- The Ed-tech industry needs government support to bloom in its full glory. High-speed internet access is a must for all users if Ed-tech has to achieve what it has sought to do, and the government must take measures towards that end.
Challenges to resolve
Let us now take a look at the challenges that the AI-led Edu-tech faces and needs to resolve for better growth:
- Training: With the upscaling of technology, it is inevitable that the interface needs to be remodelled while keeping up with the dynamic requirements of modern academics. Thus, teachers and professors must be trained from time to time so that they can keep up with the updates, which can be a cumbersome task.
- Market research: Market research has to be conducted so that untapped markets can be utilised. Working in tandem with experts and financiers to realise projects based on such research can be taxing.
- Scaling: after a certain level, an Edu-tech enterprise will hit the saturation point and will need to upscale. Maintaining the same quality that it had delivered with a smaller client base is no mean feat. Therefore, it is an acid test to be so profitable with their enterprise to draw in investment from banks and NBFCs to further company growth.
Conclusion
Thus, it can well be understood that running an Ed-tech enterprise is rewarding for society but has to be renewed and updated to stay afloat in the online marketplace. To make things easier, seamless cooperation between businesses and the government is needed so that markets can be identified and services can be provided to hitherto disempowered students.
