Looking Beyond The Smart Classrooms

The future of education sector seems to be entirely different from what it is today in India. While one gets enamored with technology when it comes to futuristic things but there may be other pertinent factors too which may impact the future of education. Whereas it is difficult to predic the future but a few of the possible predictions in the education industry could be based upon the following: 

Rankings 

The system of ranking the academic institutions is very new to Indian education ecosystem. The idea came from western academic bodies who rate colleges/ universities depending upon various factors like teaching (the learning environment), Research (volume, income, and reputation), Citations (research influence) & International outlook (total number of international students and faculty members). Nowadays, all academic institutions are being evaluated on the basis of these issues and this will definitely be the driver of change. 

Research and Innovation 

Indian academic institutions are trying hard to focus on the activities related to Research and Innovations. Though not great in terms of quality and reputation but gradually India is making its position in the world’s space where the path-breaking ideas will originate from our country. Research turned into innovations will verify a university’s potential to do well in future. 

Global Faculty and Students Exchange Programmes 

The ability of a university to attract undergraduates, postgraduates and faculty from all over the globe will be key to its success on the world stage. A few academic institutions in India, in fact rapidly attracting the global faculty and students under various international collaborations and exchange programmes. Global educators are also turning to India because it is monetarily rewarding. 

Skill-Based Courses

To train the youth in basic management skills, spoken English skills, personality development, computer and other soft skills are not adequate to counter the cutthroat competition some specialized skills will need to be integrated into the pupil’s curriculum. It will address the acquisition of knowledge, practical competencies, know-how and attitudes necessary to perform a certain trade or occupation in the employment sector. It will also be crucial in enhancing competitiveness and contributing to social inclusion, decent employment and poverty reduction. By instilling skills into the student’s syllabi, one could expect them to be more employable in life. 

Robots may replace our Teachers 

A study by the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship predicts that 40 percent of jobs will be replaced by machines in just 10 to 20 years. The same research also suggested that autonomous systems will replace the teaching jobs. The unique demands placed on primary and secondary school teachers make this position different from many other jobs. Creating robotic teachers that can meet all demands of the students and parents that might be challenging for humans.

Governing Bodies may cease to shut

To eliminate all overlaps in the jurisdiction and also do away with regulatory provisions, all coveted regulatory bodies may cease to exist. Niti Ayog is already on the job to replace UGC & AICTE with a new body called HEERA (Higher Education Empowerment Regulation Agency) The idea of replacing multiple regulatory authorities will end the oligopolies of various regulators which suffocates Indian education circuits.  

Focus on Students’ Choice and Preferences

Every student is different and the same course of study for everyone may not be feasible in future. Students will get a lot to choose from a various different subject. 10 years down the line, students are expected to study Economics and Physics in the same year defining them beyond the binaries of Science and Commerce streams. 

Edutainment & Simulation Techniques 

An amalgamation of education and entertainment is opening the doors to thinking ahead. It can mean the use of technology to concentrate on online audios and videos. Grabbing the attention of students, the latest technological innovations in the sphere of Augmented Reality have already replaced the pens and chalk pieces needed to learn and teach. With the use of simulation-based techniques in teaching, students in future will be able to relate more to the societal issues. 

Transitioning from the traditional to the modern style of imparting education did take a long time. And now that this change is wide-spread, students across the globe will be at the receiving end of multiple benefits that will not only strengthen their knowledge base but will also pave way for lucrative and high-paying careers they are dreaming of.

Social and Emotional skills 

To thrive in the workplace of the future, skills such as creativity, collaboration, communication and problem-solving will become must-have competencies for future specialists as the market will see a huge increase in jobs requiring a mentioned set of skills.

In the classroom, students are taught through discussions, cooperative group work, problem-solving and group reflection but that are not enough, Students may need to learn skills which are emotional and social in nature. Although extracurricular activities such as sports and music performances as accelerators for such skills more and more of emotive skills will help to nurture the pupil into great human beings!