Right technology in the hands of great teachers can be a life-changing experience for students. The experience and learning of students purely depend on two factors: Great educators and right technology. Hence, educators and education institutions need to ensure adoption of best education delivery platforms. Given the time and circumstances, it is evident that online learning is the way forward post-Covid as well. But parents are now facing the dilemma of how to choose the best ed-tech platform for their kid. What parents seek from ed-tech is information on how their children are faring in their learning process. Here are some key points that can be kept in mind while exploring the myriad options:
Must be compatible
It is very important for edtech platforms to be compatible with the systems that the kids are going to use. While choosing a platform, one should keep in mind that it should be comprehensive enough and should entitle one to completely integrate the best visual, audio and data streaming services. In addition to this, one should be mindful of creating a high-quality learning experience among teachers and students. To achieve this, one needs to adopt a platform which has a high resolution video quality and which will not require the installation of new plugins.
Uniform theme is a necessity
No matter the electronic device, the theme of appearance and look of the online education platform must be even. The students will perceive better if they will be able to acquire more than just pages of the text. The learning will become even more dynamic when homework assignments, study guides, concept summaries, reading quizzes, video tutorials, etc. are on hand within the opted platform.
Format of the classroom
There is an abundance of new classroom formats that are different from traditional formats. One of them is known as ‘flipped classroom’. In this classroom format, in place of going over a lesson in class and doing homework at home, it enables the child to watch a lecture before class begins and complete homework or exercise assignments during the time with the professor. However, this format works the best only if there is a superior video system integrated into the education technology. If the students can smoothly watch the lecture beforehand in high quality, then only a platform could favourably replicate a traditional classroom in a virtual world.
Customisation
There is a vital need for technology to have the scope of being customised according to the preference or needs of the user or the instructor. Given the condition, this way the professor could utilize the online education platform to maximum potential and fulfil the requirements of the students provided the specifics of their own classes are well taken care of. Instructors need to have the freedom to execute decision making. There are certain specific demands of each different class or section which needs to be addressed by the teacher. For example, which chapters of the textbook are needed to be covered in detail and which amongst them necessitate a quick run through? What shall be the punishment for late comers? Should points be deducted across the board for the submission of overdue assignments? Therefore, being able to customise according to the demands of the classroom and students is highly required. Easy-to-use
Whilst exploring an edtech platform for a child, one must choose a platform which is easy to handle or use. Once the student has logged in, the dashboard of the ed-tech platform should appear innate to them. The child must seamlessly be able to move between text books, available courses, assignments and also tests or exercises. If the student finds the dashboard of the online platform cluttered or difficult to surf, chances are that he/she will become discouraged, get frustrated, and log off. In order to develop students’ interest in an online platform there are some things that need to be determined. They need to be informative, and less complicated assignment details should appear wherever a homework, quiz, or reading assignment is provided to students.
Should offer data feedback
Feedback of data admits us to adjust in real time. If you want a successful learning experience for the students then it’s essential to keep the feedback loop open whether inside or outside of the classroom. This can be attained through a proper course management platform. The instructor is competent to manipulate settings such as multiple attempts on problems, hints, links to the text, and right/wrong etc. In addition to this, the amount of time spent by the student on homework the number of tries attempted, and access or due date for the assignment are all valuable measures. A teacher needs to pay attention to these metrics for their students and especially the struggling ones, in order to attain arbitration and remediation.
The author is the business head, Unthinkable Solutions LLP.