Artificial Intelligence (AL), machine learning (ML), robotics, computation, and cybersecurity are some of the strategic technologies that have made a significant impact on various industries. With the advancements of various technologies, both artificial intelligence and machine learning have become an indispensable part of various industries, including the education industry. A statistic indicates that 91.5% of the world’s leading companies have already adopted AI, ML, and automation.
Adoption of AI makes customized learning possible
- In the education industry, every learner is different. For this purpose, personalized learning is essential.
- The schools, colleges, and universities that are a key part of the education industry face various challenges including high dropout rates, ineffectiveness of the traditional learning system, and passive learners.
- The adoption of AI and data analytics in the education industry can help to create personalized learning experiences for students.
- With a customized learning experience, students enjoy learning since everything is tailor-made and according to their individual abilities.
- For personalized learning to be successful, personal data of students is crucial.
- Adopting AI in the education industry makes it possible for AI algorithms to share and use personal data of students to design better learning outcomes, promote active learning, and overcome various challenges in education.
Ed-Tech industries – Playing a key role for increasing the demand of AI, ML, and other strategic technologies
- With the rise in demand of educational technology, the growth of Ed-Tech industries has increased the adoption of AI and ML technologies.
- Various Ed-Tech companies in India leverage strategic technologies such as AI, ML, and data analytics for improving their business.
- From assessing examination answer sheets to career counseling, and even online exam supervision (proctoring), adopting AI has made everything possible for the Ed-Tech industry.
- Strategic technologies are also being used by Ed-Tech companies to enhance productivity and efficiency.
- With the rapid pace at which artificial intelligence is being adopted, it has the potential to bring about a massive change in the education industry.
- More and more students are encouraged to take up courses in AI and ML because of the ample career opportunities in educational technology.
Task automation comes as a savior for teachers
- In addition to teaching students and managing the class, teachers also have other responsibilities such as creating lesson plans, checking answer papers, evaluating homework, project assignments, preparing materials for the next class, and many others.
- More than the core work of teaching, teachers spend a lot of time doing non-teaching and administrative tasks.
- Adopting AI will enable teachers to automate most of the tedious tasks, thus giving them enough time for their primary task of teaching.
Adopting AI in exam proctoring
- Who once thought that students in India would appear for exams from their homes? However, the COVID-19 pandemic made ‘exams from home’ a reality for students.
- In order to conduct fair examinations at home without any cheating, many institutes in the education industry took help of AI-powered proctor software.
- The proctor software made AI-based invigilation possible.
- Remote proctoring enabled students to appear for examinations from any location, thus eliminating the need for physical examination centers.
- The AI-powered proctor software is effectively trained in capturing and sensing any changes in voice, activities, body movements, interaction, shift of eyes, and even gazing movements of candidates.
- Mercer Mettl is a tech-based examination platform which offers a complete suite of technologies to users.
- AI-powered proctoring and candidate authentication are the two important features of the tech-based solutions offered by Mercer Mettl.
Challenges in adoption of AI, ML, and other strategic technologies in the education industry
- Although strategic technologies have deeply penetrated the education industry and helped to upskill students, embracing educational technologies has its own set of challenges and hurdles.
- A recent ministry report on school education 2020-21 indicates that there has been a sharp dropout rate increase (14.6%) of students at the secondary level (Class 9 – 10) in schools.
- The main reasons for the increase in dropout rate were closure of schools, irregular virtual classes, and lack of technologies and basic IT infrastructure for online classes.
- The COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted the entire education industry and the lives of millions of students.
- Speaking about the rural and remote areas in India, there is a lack of accessibility of online learning due to many reasons.
- This inequality has resulted in a huge digital divide and learning gap between various students.
- It is important to bridge this learning gap and divide that exists amongst students.
- Whenever there are strategic technologies adopted by the education industry, inequality will create a huge divide between students in metro cities and remote areas in India.
- Children studying in small schools and villages will suffer due to lack of connectivity, electronic devices, and IT infrastructure.
- In order to avoid this gap from increasing, the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should step in and take the right steps to resolve such serious issues.
