Roots of transformation
Portable devices can help bring in elements of physical mobility into
education which do not exist as much in classroom settings, according to
Jon Mason, Senior Lecturer, College of Education, Charles Darwin
University. Wireless sensors, cloud computing, digital publishing and
educational interactivity offer new pedagogic models of mobile learning
via online reference tools, curriculum material, external research and
strategic learning.
Following, in the wake of the social media revolution, are the dual trends
of cloud computing and the modularisation of computer software (as
standalone apps). Other transformative forces are advances in electronic
publishing and the latest generation of e-book readers. But challenges
arise in rural school inclusion, and guarding against attention deficit,
cheating and cyber-bullying, Mason cautions.
Digital media has deeply impacted youth and the 4Ls of Learning:
Lecture, Library, Laboratory and Life, according to Prof. S. Sadagopan,
Dean, IIIT Bangalore. The availability of laptops and Wi-Fi on campuses
have improved the student’s learning experience considerably. INDEST
(Indian Digital Library in Engineering Science & Technology) has levelled
the field for Indian researchers.
Edtech startups
Open Door has created a platform that helps children learn math and
science content with a focus on concepts and scientific thinking. Its
‘Mastery Program’ helps teachers ensure mastery of one concept before
moving on to the next. The program is integrated within the school
curriculum and becomes a part of classroom teaching.
There have also been recent moves by the Indian government in this
space. At the announcement of the Union Budget 2018-19, Finance
Minister Arun Jaitley highlighted the government's push towards
integrating technology into education: “The government is set to increase
digital intensity in education. Technology will be the biggest driver in
improving quality of education.” Plans include investment in upgradation
of education, and Diksha Digital for teacher education,
Funding
The funding outlook is regarded as upbeat for startups that can develop
sustainable and defendable businesses in domains such as test
preparation, language learning, differentiated training, and tutoring.
Some of the investors and deals in the edtech sector have been already
identified in this article.
In early 2018, backed by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, the
education-focused VC fund CBA Capital launched a Rs-100-crore fund
to empower companies focused on education and skilling solutions.
The founding team should have estimates for TAM (Total Addressable
Market), SAM (Segmented Addressable Market), and SOM (Serviceable
Obtainable Market). There should be clarity on pricing and financing
models, direct and indirect revenue streams, and viability of unit
economics in scale stage.
“The more ways you teach, the more children you reach,” says Anjum
Babakhan, Director of Education, Glendale Academy. In Howard
Gardner’s theories of multiple intelligence categories (musical, visual,
verbal, logical, kinaesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic,
existential), each leads to different types of professions and each can be
enhanced in different ways by digital media.