EdTech Predictions For 2021

As the pandemic hit this year, it exposed a major gap in school education that was not able to meet the needs and expectations of the students. As a result, children and their parents increasingly turned to online programs in search of more learning tools and the edtech sector struck gold.

The year 2021 also promises to bring exponential growth for edtech, mainly fuelled by the desire for upskilling and reskilling. Students are eager for tools that help them learn in more engaging and contextual ways and they are also looking to put their learnings to practical use. Edtech startups will move towards these 5 major pedagogical trends next year:

1. Gamification of learning

2020 was a big shift in the way kids learn. Since all schools suddenly transitioned to online mode, teachers are still finding their feet on how to make the learning inclusive and interesting for students. Right now the focus is more on imparting information rather than helping develop deeper knowledge.

The future of EdTech will revolve around making learning experiential and wholesome. We will see gamification of concepts to appeal to children, and more focus on play-based methods to keep students engaged and buzzing with curiosity. 

2. Cohort learning

A student learns as much from his peers as he does from his teachers. Sadly, this is a crucial element that is missing in the online learning platforms today. EdTech spaces need to catch up to peer-based learning pedagogy. The year 2021 will see a shift towards smaller, peer group interactions where young learners can inspire and get inspired by others.

3. Real-world skill development

While a lot of hobby-based EdTechs have stepped in to fill the gap of extracurricular activities in 2020, the focus on building real-world skills that will be valuable outside the classroom is still lacking. As schools’ main focus is only on information and subjects, EdTechs have an opportunity to take up the space of skill development and application of knowledge. 

Currently, we see coding courses overshadowing this field, but there is scope for much more - teaching students about entrepreneurship, storytelling, performing arts, designing, and so much more.

4. Innovation labs for students (project-based learning)

As India’s National Education Policy emphasizes a push towards driving innovations, it is the right time to get a headstart on this. The future belongs to those who can harness the immense creative potential of each child and work with them on innovative projects to find solutions to complex problems. 

In 2021, we will see a shift towards project-based learning, where children will be encouraged to push their boundaries of imagination, and develop a problem-solving attitude.

5. Bringing Creativity to the Classrooms

Imagine the young learners who will be stepping into the world of online schooling next year, either at play or primary levels. It is unrealistic to expect that they can sit in front of the screens as long as their elder peers. Bringing in creativity inside their classrooms is even more important now so they don’t fall behind. Ed Techs who can fill this gap with creative Montessori learning methods will thrive.

Saurabh Saxena.

Guest Author The author is Founder & CEO, Uable - a social app for teens