How Digital Learning & Technology is Pacing in Today’s Market

Digital learning and technology have revolutionized not only the way we live but also the way we upgrade our skills. There is a constant need for education and technology to collaborate in order to adapt to the evolving needs of the job market.

The Indian online education market is expected to touch USD 1.96 billion by 2021 as per a KPMG report, which would make it one of the largest education markets in the world. Reskilling and online certification being the largest categories.

Classroom-based learning gave way to digital learning, which evolved in the previous decade itself. This made life easier for both tutors and tutored. The Elearning industry in India has been witnessing a prolific growth rate fuelled by the phenomenal increase in the paid user base for online education which is expected to grow to 9.5 million users in 2021 at a CAGR of 44%.

This exponential growth is largely due to demand, supply and macroeconomic drivers. Reduced cost of online education, increase in disposable income, internet penetration, the rapidly increasing smartphone user base, the government’s digital initiatives have all contributed significantly to the increasing popularity of online education.

There is a distinct shift towards tech-based jobs which call for proficiency in Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Computing. As per PWC, there are approx. 2.9M analytics-based jobs and with an average salary of $97K. The demand and supply gap is increasing and so does the need for skill upgrade. To align the workforce with this market shift, a progressive approach towards education that is focused on training and skilling is the ideal way forward.

Even employers in today’s job market prefer to upskill their existing workforce rather than hiring new employees. For a person who wants to upgrade his/her skills, e-learning courses are the best option. Online certifications in the key areas enhance job opportunities and knowledge. Advanced qualification in one’s domain will help climb a step or two up the career ladder.

It may also qualify an individual for new job openings. MOOC/MOOV (Massive Open Online Courses/Varsity) offer free courses in various fields. For topical learning, webinars, podcasts and live online events are available. Social media is the best way to track industry thought leaders and the latest advancements.

Where reskilling and online certifications are concerned, technical certifications are the most popular. The reskilling and upskilling requirements of the working population in India are driving this category. Online MBAs, Data Analytics, Project Management, Marketing, Strategic Planning are some of the most sought softer online courses.

Another reason for the merging of technology and education is the change in the attitude of the learner. A motivated, self-driven learner seeking an engaging, authentic and experiential process has evolved from a hitherto passive one.

Traditional learning platforms are limited in their efficacy in this regard. The focus has shifted from textbooks to real-life learning, from sequential learning to learning continuum. We live in times of instant gratification and real-time feedback.

Elearning assisted with Artificial Intelligence enables personalised content curation & creation based on the interests and requirements. Tracking progress, adapting to different student learning speeds and providing insights to instructors is now possible with AI-based tutoring. The need of the hour is a workforce that has digital fluency, can think out of the box and can solve problems.

Educational institutions in India are adopting new-age technology platforms which help in assessing the performance of teachers, students and institutions. ICT (Information & Communication Technology) classrooms, the latest developments in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are being integrated into the field of education. High on the popularity charts are cloud-based platforms that help classrooms go paperless.

The ICT solutions, innovatively deployed, have been instrumental in providing access to education in the country. Quality education has transcended physical barriers and reached remote corners of the country. ICT solutions will play an even more enhanced role in promoting education and driving digital literacy as government initiatives like “Digital India” pick up momentum.

Huge entrepreneurship opportunities have been generated, owing to the launch of several IT related platforms. Many educational startups have come into existence with new and improved versions of e-learning modules in line with the demands of the students.

Since the last decade, MBD (Model-Based Definition) has been instrumental in taking e-learning to schools and students. Today, more than a million learners across the country are being provided with digital content and support.

Technology is an enabler. It needs to be handled with the responsibility to draw on its advantages. In the coming decade, it is foreseen that India will see the far-reaching transformation which will be driven by digital learning and technology-based education.

By Vivek Bathla, Vice President, Marketing, Amity University Online