An eminent educationist, entrepreneur, institution-builder, and philanthropist, Mr. Pankaj Sharma started his journey early in his life with humble beginnings, and has seen an upward growth year after year with setting up 9 Pre-Schools, 3 High Schools affiliated to CBSE, a Post-Graduate Management Institute approved by AICTE, Lexicon Rainbow- centre for children with special needs and abilities and a Hotel Management Institute in collaboration with Marriott Hotels India, Davidoff – NV Lifestyles and Sarovar Hotels & Resorts. His zealous and ardent outlook led him to establish as well as acquire various entrepreneurial ventures and companies in sectors like Media, FMCG, Ed-tech, Law Aggregator, Fitness, etc.
Higher education in India has seen a major shift with the introduction of various digital trends in the system. Optimisation of learning platforms have altered learning with collaboration of technology as a new trend. Digital revolution in higher education has changed the structure and opened up various ways of digital technologies and business prototypes with the objective to progress an organisation’s functioning performance. Higher education organizations can achieve proposals of greater value by adjusting to the latest preferences in technology rapidly. It has led the organisations to acquire and certify the learners with an improved knowledge gaining experience.
Digital technology has given opportunities that led to merging of e-learning and online trends in higher education by proposing numerous of means to connect, absorb, relate, conjoin, and work in partnership for the smooth functioning of the system.
The four effective trends that will help Higher Education Sector sustain and grow its learning experience:
- The Internet of Things (IoT)
One of the trends which shifted the paradigm of the digital learning is the trends of the Internet of Things (IoT). With the help of software and electronics the concept of IoT is slowly being adapted by the educational sector. Since IoT does not require any human assistance, they are expected at switching and amassing any mode of data, such as detecting the face of the students and monitoring the actions of the students. IoT enables assisting safe and secure use of technology in campus for the higher education institutions. For instance, technologies like 3D locating to screen the existence of any student. The preference of emergency buttons are also given during the time of need. This tool also calculates the total time engaged by students for concluding a specific project.
- Data Analytic Tools
Data Analytics Tools for analysing the data of students have been massively valuable for tracking not just during examination but also the routine assessments in the higher education. Such tools can be used to retain the accurate facts of students saving time. Defined response of their behaviour, exams and attendance can also be provided on timely basis with the help of the data analytic tool.
- Audio-Visual Tools
The introduction of Podcasts in the field of digital learning for higher education has also been a boon to the sector, although it is not a new concept to the growing generation. Students tend to miss out on information during live lectures. In such cases, Podcast has been an advantage to the students where they are able to learn the concept at least with the help of audio recordings which are available on the podcast. They visit and revisit the concepts at their own convenience.
- Artificial Intelligence Tools
Many institutions have also turned towards the Artificial Intelligence to safeguard the learners and monitor their activities with tools like AI-assisting computerised proctors, chat boxes, capturing photographs of learners during exams.
Not just India, but many countries have witnessed this digital revolution in the Higher Education system in the last couple of years. Education was transformed completely with introduction of many EdTech platforms world-wide. Classrooms became more interactive with the use of augmented and virtual reality. Today’s generation is looking forward for the new immersive skills for learning with seamless result. Immersive learning is a flair that engrosses students’ wits.
In the year 2022 we have most likely observed a surge in the number of establishments that have made technology its holistic centre. It has enabled many organisations to stretch heights of hybrid patterns of education in an effort to charm a countless amount of learners. This has also helped institutions in keeping up with the development of budding digital tools.