Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Education
Major edtech trends of 2021 you should keep an eye on
Excerpts from article by Beas Dev Ralhan, published in India Today
Pathbreaking technological innovations like online classes, learning management systems, etc., are now becoming a part and parcel of our education system. Thus, what was considered until recently as the future of education is now becoming the norm.
The education system is no longer synonymous with the traditional classroom set-up and students are now leveraging edtech platforms and tools to learn at their desired pace.
1. Virtual and augmented reality
Artificial intelligence has transformed the education industry by empowering the system through the automation of learning resources like online classes, assessments, homework tracking, and more. Both students and teachers can benefit from this innovation.
Virtual reality and augmented reality not only enables teachers to capture students’ attention but also helps them to teach in a more engaging and productive way, which simplifies the concept explanation process. This, in turn, makes the teaching-learning process more interactive and immersive.
2. Virtual classrooms
Virtual classroom-enabled online lectures are gaining popularity by empowering students to learn from any part of the world and choose the educational institution of their choice. Not only does it create a real classroom-like learning environment at home but it also empowers teachers to control and manage academic operations from the comfort of their homes. Artificial intelligence-enabled student monitoring, attendance tracking and examination proctoring have made virtual learning transparent for all stakeholders.
3. Personalised and adaptive learning
Personalised learning platforms offer a flexible learning environment by empowering students to learn at their own pace and also help educators to make learning more engaging and collaborative by leveraging digital tools.
Adaptive learning provides study material based on the student’s proficiency and their knowledge level. With the help of adaptive tests, teachers can figure out the challenges that each student faces and can work on those to iron out the difficult areas.
4. Robotics
Developing and coding robots help students to fine-tune their understanding of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts, alongside developing 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, decision-making, and creativity.
5. Cloud-based edtech platforms
Owing to the rapid technological advancements, integration of cloud technology with education is gaining popularity. Be it academic content or school management, everything can be managed via cloud technology.
Smart cloud-based edtech platforms provide a wide range of academic services such as online assessments, online classes, and homework solutions along with real-time tracking, instant reports, and more. They have also made administrative tasks such as online fee management, parent-teacher communication, online admissions, creation of report cards, managing staff, etc much easier.
6. Digital masterclasses
Digital masterclasses provide students the opportunity to be taught by top-line experts from different fields. This encourages students to take an active interest in learning.
7. Blended learning
Blended learning approach is one of the best choices to ensure uninterrupted teaching and learning. By leveraging the best of both online educational resources and traditional classroom learning methods, educational institutions can focus on imparting 21st-century education.
For instance, the flipped classroom model gives students the flexibility to explore and learn on their own. Moreover, by leveraging offline and online learning tools, teachers can foster collaborative learning, thereby creating a more dynamic classroom.
8. Block-based coding systems
Coding, a block-based programming language, is easier for students to understand because the instructions are presented as blocks which makes it easier for students to create various multimedia projects.
It enables students to make not only animated stories but also science projects, interactive artwork, and more. Such coding programs can be used to enhance the creativity of students.
Edtech tools and platforms are thus providing a great opportunity for educational institutions to rise to the occasion and make a smooth transition from offline to online education. In the coming years, online education will be the new normal, truly embracing the idea of anywhere, anytime learning.
Career
5 emerging career options for students to consider in 2021
Excerpts from article by Sarita Digumarti, published in India Today
In India, choosing the right career path has always been critical for students who are passing out of school. With several industries being impacted by the pandemic, it has become doubly imperative for students to consider a profession that is not only recession-resilient but will continue to be in high demand in the future. Long before Covid-19, digitalisation and emerging technologies were changing the global work landscape.
While it’s impossible to predict the future of every job role in the workplace, there are certain professions that can help safeguard your career.
1. Data Analyst
Data is being generated faster than ever before. In 2020, around 1.7 MB of data is generated every second by an individual. Everything we do online generates data. Whether it is shopping online, looking up things and places on Google or any activity on social media, every online action generates user data.
Organisations collect these data sets as it helps them understand users’ behavioural patterns and trends and make informed business decisions.
2. Cyber security expert
With the increased dependency on the internet and digitally driven applications, and easy access to data, there has been a huge spike in the number of cyberattacks. Companies are more focused on securing their network and information and are constantly looking for Cyber Security Experts to join their teams. Even amidst the recession, the Cyber Security domain has seen steady growth and demand.
3. Cloud Engineer
Like Cyber Security Experts, Cloud Engineers are also very much in-demand. To facilitate working remotely, many organisations have moved from on-premise infrastructure to Cloud servers, increasing the demand for SaaS-based collaborative apps to ensure all-time access to information and zero-disruption to business functions. According to IDC, by 2021, 70 per cent of new enterprise applications will be developed on the Cloud.
This will increase the need for expert Cloud Computing professionals, including Cloud Engineers, in the coming years.
4. Product Manager
A Product Manager is a professional who identifies consumer needs. They define the objective that a product or a feature will satisfy and encourage the team to transform that vision into a reality based on consumer needs.
They play a key role in any organisation as they are responsible for describing the product vision, strategy, and roadmap.
5. Artificial Intelligence Specialist
Artificial Intelligence has become more than just a buzzword in today’s digitally driven world. Applications we use in our daily lives, like Google Voice Assistant, Amazon’s Alexa, and Apple’s Siri, etc., all use AI algorithms.
Today, there are more than one lakh active AI Specialist jobs available on job portals and this demand will only continue to grow.
Pursuing any of these trending professions will allow students to build a promising and recession-resilient career in the future. Jigsaw Academy, recognised as the leading institute for Data Science training, and a recipient of the prestigious ‘Partner of Excellence Award 2019’ by NASSCOM, offers upskilling opportunities to professionals and fresh graduates in emerging technologies, like Data Science, People Analytics & Digital HR, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, and Business Analytics, to name a few.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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