Brainfeed is proud to present a series of exclusive articles from leading educators, going into the multifaceted topic of ‘Contemporary Educational Opportunities and Challenges.’ This collection of insights explores the evolving landscape of education, shedding light on the unique opportunities and obstacles faced by the diverse educational system in India. India’s educational system is characterized by its complexity and diversity, with a wide array of education boards and institutions catering to varying needs and standards. This dynamic environment presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges.
In this context, we present below an article by Ajit Kumar Singh, Founder & Director, KIDZ aura, Ballia (UP), Behavioral Trainer & Parenting Coach.
In post Covid-19 times, the face of contemporary education has changed rapidly. The advent of technology and smart gadgets has changed the way the entire education system works. Online class, technology based module, AI assisted assessment has turned around the face of contemporary education. Like other changes this course of transformation has also presented some opportunities and challenges.
Increased accessibility: By advent of technology the accessibility of education geared up. The challenge of geographical boundary, natural calamities and diverse set of audience is mitigated. Education service providers are reaching deep down the ecosystem by means of technology.
Digital content: The curriculum is widely available in form of digital content. Animated, 3D design and multilingual contents have made the learning pathway smooth. Such content is also provided with parental support so that they can track and follow up the development of their child. Digital content is made to suit all kinds of learning abilities irrespective of whether visual, auditory and kinesthetic. So the learning outcome has become more progressive.
Virtual guide: The technology like DMIT has been helping students in career selection. AI based tools are helping them for interview preparation. Such tools are being equally effective for students and teachers as well. This way the gap between learners and learned is being bridged up.
Learning & Development: To excel in any field continuous learning is an important tool. Freely available digital resource material and its presentation have become convenient for facilitator and trainees as well. Challenge of learning is managed by multilingual resource which can be easily customized and reproduced as per the need of varied set of audience.
As opportunity never comes alone rather in association of different challenges. In contemporary education also interference of technology has thrown some set of challenges.
Dependency on technology: As the technology has become the kingpin in contemporary education, learner’s dependency on that is compromising creativity somehow. AI based apps and websites are taking over the creative thinking process of learners which is not a good sign. Although the technical advancement has ease our work but at the same time it has refrained the learners to think and explore on most of the occasion because AI based companion is with them to do it. Even the preschoolers are exposed to smart devices along with their entry in education system which increases their threat to enhanced screen time.
Affordability: Undoubtedly, technology has increased accessibility but due to vast and diverse landscape of population the technology is not always affordable to all set of students. As was the case during Covid-19 time when most of the schools adopted online classes while many of the students were unable to procure smart phone for online classes.
Technical update: All technical advancement needs proper training and updating. Many AI ML tools are available but which is suitable and how to make optimum utilization requires training. Many of the times, such training and updating raises affordability problem for some set of users.
Imbalance between human and machine: For a healthy society and developing nation there must be a balance between machine and human being. More exposure to smart devices is making us less empathic and sensitive to family and society. So the sole purpose of quality education is not served. There must be a balance between technology and humanity.
In a nutshell, the contemporary education issues can be resolved by proper balance between machine and human touch. The human must be empathic and sensitive to our value system along with harnessing the advantage of technology.
