Much has been said and written about the tectonic shifts in the global education system. As India battled with devastating pandemic waves, the country’s educational institutions embraced remote learning with noteworthy speed and commitment. Of course, the transition had its initial hiccups, but it was, nevertheless, accomplished. Non-tech savvy teachers slowly but surely upgraded their tech skills, and curricula were tweaked. Students from international schools in Chennai like International Village School for instance, are geared up for an indefinite period of online learning.
With the advent of 2022, what can we expect from India’s education sector? Online education is no longer the “new kid on the block”. So, what are the trends that India’s education system will face this year? Read on to find the answers.
Education In India: What Will Happen In 2022?
- Increase in immersive learning experiences
Let’s first share the good news. One of the few good things about the pandemic is that it accelerated the adoption of advanced tech solutions such as Artificial Intelligence and Augmented & Virtual Reality. As students assembled in digital classrooms, the need to deliver engaging, visually appealing classes became a priority.
The trend for 2022: AR/VR and AI will play an instrumental role in providing an immersive learning experience. Students will have access to online sessions to explore and understand new concepts.
- Prioritising mental wellness through curricula
Many mental issues reared their ugly heads as the pandemic blurred the boundaries between our offline and online worlds. The importance of taking a break and exercising “pause” is more relevant in 2022. With mental wellness at the forefront, there is an increased emphasis to adopt educational solutions that encourage the same.
The trend for 2022: An accelerated adoption of ed-tech solutions and curriculum that prioritise mindful living and mental wellness for all age groups.
- Widening learning gaps
The ebb and flow of the pandemic waves brought in a hybrid education system. Institutions reopened when the situation was safer and resorted to online classes during the ferocious second wave in 2021. This shift emphasised the elephant in the room: The yawning gap created by online learning. Yes, there has been a quantum leap with the reach of digital education. But access to digital content remains a question for many students with financial limitations.
The trend in 2022: Digital competency remains a significant challenge in our country. It will continue to be a bad trend and a barrier to effective learning in this volatile situation.
- Adoption of new exam models and learning techniques
With the third wave hitting us in the first week of the year, hybrid learning has proved to be the only solution for learning continuity. However, we need new techniques to complement our digital-heavy syllabi to close the learning gaps.
The trend for 2022: Adoption of personalised assessment and learning models to improve education across private and public education systems.
- Improved training programmes for teachers
Many private schools in Chennai, like Babaji Vidhyashram , have already integrated their curriculum with advanced technologies like AR/VR and AI. While schools across the nation adopt new teaching methodologies, one cannot ignore the need to train the teachers for the same.
Teachers have shown tremendous resilience in adopting technological solutions overnight. Therefore, it is only fair to provide them with well-curated training programmes to help them adapt better.
2022 will witness the emergence of new learning platforms to equip teachers with high-tech skills. It will help them impart learning by leveraging these tools seamlessly and effectively.
Other Possible Trends: A Quick Look
We have an entire calendar year ahead of us. In a few months, the exams will begin, and the academic year will end for many schools. The fresh academic year will commence a few months later, and education will continue. However, what we do not know is what this year has in store. We can expect some other trends like:
- Increased demand for highly-qualified teachers
- Increased access to online mentorship programmes
- Lucrative pay for teachers with upgraded skills
- Adoption of automatic grading to assess academic performance
- AI-based individual student analysis
Future Prospects In Education
2020 initiated online learning, and 2021 marked a paradigm shift with hybrid learning. It remains to be seen what 2022 will be like. Thanks to the large-scale technology adoption, the education sector may witness drastic changes. Let’s hope these changes will enhance education standards and improve India’s education system.
