COVID-19 crisis has compelled schools and other educational institutions to rapidly adopt digital solutions and run online classes. This also offers schools and colleges an opportunity to digitally transform their operations leveraging technologies and build a digital infrastructure that helps them in the long term.
The COVID-19 global pandemic has massively impacted education with schools shut across the world. Globally, over 1.2 billion children in 186 countries are affected by the closure of educational institutions due to the pandemic. However, we’re witnessing a transformative change in education with the distinctive rise of virtual education or e-learning and many experts believe that this trend will continue even after the pandemic is over.
Studies have shown that online learning is very effective with increased information retention among students, the ability to impart education to remote areas, and address the shortage of qualified teaching professionals in several countries.
Educational technologies were already on a high growth path even before the COVID-19 pandemic with investments reaching USD $18.66 billion in 2019 and the overall market expected to reach $350 Billion by 2025.
We are witnessing a surge in the usage of virtual education tools like AI-powered LMS, video conferencing tools, mobile learning apps, learning-based games, conversational bots etc., because of the ongoing pandemic.
If you run a school/college or are an administrator, there are plenty of choices for you to run your schools virtually and conduct classes remotely. These tools are not only effective in teaching but will also help you save costs in the long term.
Solutions for Online Education
To run your schools online, you would need digital solutions and tools for your students and teachers. Here are 5 solutions that you would surely need for online schooling.
- AI-Based Learning Management Systems
A Learning Management System (LMS) is a solution that helps you create, manage and deliver courses, authenticate users and has many other useful functionalities. An AI-powered LMS takes teaching and learning to the next level by enhancing the functionalities of the software. It allows you to recommend content to students based on their interests, personalizes learning, automates many routine tasks like class scheduling, reminders and notification to students and most importantly provides you with data and insights on the effectiveness of the courses/classes etc. If you build a custom designed LMS that is based on AI, you can add many features as per your needs and budgets.
- Mobile Apps
Mobile devices are the new classrooms. Your virtual education strategy must take the mobile-first approach. It offers flexibility, convenience and ease of use to both teachers, students and parents. Build a mobile app for your school. This will not only help you during the pandemic time but forever. If you already have a mobile app, enhance its features with a facility for teachers to conduct classes and students to attend classes from smartphones and tablets.
- Digital Whiteboards
Also called online whiteboards, smartboards and interactive whiteboards, digital whiteboards can make virtual learning real. A digital whiteboard allows teachers to write, draw and wipe on the screen using digital pens, colors etc. A teacher can use the whiteboard as the physical whiteboard and explain various concepts and topics to students by writing and drawing.
- Video Conferencing
You would need video conferencing tools to conduct live classes and interact with students. Digital whiteboards can be a part of these classes. You can host video meetings the way you conduct classes with a teacher hosting the meeting with students. Students can join these meetings from their homes. You can also enable sharing functionality in the conference app to help teachers and students to share documents, images etc., from the platform. You can also record the video meetings and later share them with students for reference. The video conferencing solution can also be used by students to conduct discussions, debates and other extracurricular programs.
- Digital Content Authoring Tools
As you move from physical classrooms to virtual classrooms, your teachers would need to create digital content like notes, home assignments, tasks etc., to be used during classes or share them with students. Digital content authoring tools include word processors, graphics creators, and video creators etc. While the market offers hundreds of standalone tools including MS Office and Google Docs, it is better to build a custom digital authoring tool to secure your intellectual properties and convenience for your teachers.
Online Schooling: Think Long Term
To be a long-term player in virtual education, you need to build custom platforms specific to your needs. Gemini Consulting & Services can be your technology partner in your digital transformation journey. Click here to know how we can help you develop customized learning solutions.
It is natural to look for quick solutions amidst this pandemic. Many institutions have started online classes using free tools or subscription-based platforms. That’s short-term. But your investments in virtual education can not only help you tide over the current crisis but can also deliver results in the future. It will help you expand your reach crossing cities and countries. You would be able to offer courses at lower costs as virtual education can help you scale with minimum costs.
