| |9 February 2020HIGHERReviewwill rule the roost going forward. This is made possible by blockchain technologies in the backend that make content delivery smooth, intuitive and glitch-free. Concept-based DIY LearningShifting the locus of learning from teacher-centric to student-centric is, probably, the biggest disruption that EduTech has ushered. Digital transformation is encouraging concept-based learning among students, enabling them to build core skills and be job-ready. The rapid increase in digitization in urban and rural areas is pushing the concept of anytime-anywhere learning, making it more convenient and effective. Plus, technology has now brought Do-It-Yourself (DIY) learning to the forefront, giving students the flexibility to apply what they learn in a more focused manner. Increased Access to Online EducationAccording to McKinsey, India is one of the fastest-growing and largest markets with 560 million internet subscribers in 2018. It also reported that Indians have 1.2 billion mobile phone subscriptions and downloaded around 12.3 billion apps in 2018. With such deep internet penetration, teachers and students no longer need to be in a common vicinity to impart learning. Longer commute distances, inflexible teaching hours, complex concepts shown in 2-D, and expensive fees have led students to opt for online education. According to a KPMG report, the current online education market in India stands at USD 247 Million and is estimated to witness an 8x growth over the next 5 years. There are six major categories of online education that are majorly opted by individuals, including primary and secondary supplemental education, reskilling and online certifications, test preparation, soft skills, and language and casual learning.Perpetual Learning21st-century jobs are pretty demanding, and one needs to constantly keep learning to stay updated and relevant. People now understand that constantly upskilling themselves is what keeps them competitive in the job market. Moreover, AI, ML and data science will continue to dominate the conversation in the workplace. As such, employees are becoming increasingly focused on improving their soft skills as they play an important role in their holistic development.AI and GamificationThe incorporation of gamification into video-based learning modules will be another major trend in 2020. According to the Global Learner Survey released by Pearson, 74-79 percent of Indians think that YouTube will become a primary learning tool in the near future. Capitalizing on this trend, EduTech companies are incorporating gamification elements such as points, timers and level-enhancement badges into video lessons to drive student engagement and improve knowledge acquisition. In addition, gamification helps students analyze their performance through various data analytics algorithms. It also provides actionable insights for students to keep track of areas of improvement. Learning through games not only aid students in leveling-up their knowledge but also makes the whole process of learning fun and efficient.Making Education Accessible to AllWith advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning being adopted by corporations, it is predicted that automation will soon replace many traditional jobs. Gone are the days when a simple commerce or engineering degree was enough to establish yourself in the corporate world. To survive in this dynamic job market, it becomes important for students as well as employees to equip and upskill themselves with industry-relevant skills. This trend is the primary driver of the rapid growth in the adoption of EduTech. It has long evolved from being a niche market and now caters to a wide spectrum of people across requirements and education levels, thereby making education accessible to all, irrespective of socio-political and cultural divides. 21st-century jobs are pretty demanding, and one needs to constantly keep learning to stay updated and relevant
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