This article has been written by Jaideep Das pursuing a Startup Generalist & Virtual Assistant Training Program from Skill Arbitrage.

This article has been edited and published by Shashwat Kaushik.

Introduction

The education landscape, especially in third-world developing countries, is marred by various challenges. According to estimates from the Global Monitoring Education Report and the UNESCO Institute of Statistics, around 250 million children are out of school worldwide. Various reports also suggest that, though around 90% of students enrol in primary education, their retention in school and learning outcomes are dismally low. Enrolment rates are low, with only 66% of students attending secondary education. The numbers are even lower in tertiary education, with only 44% of the global population experiencing some sort of tertiary education in their lives. The learning outcome and quality of education are major concerns that are bothering academics and governments. The knowledge and skills of fresh college graduates are also factors that affect employers and industry leaders alike. The Mercer Mettl’s India Graduate Skill Index for 2023 has consistently revealed that only 45% of the graduates are deemed employable by industry standards.

The traditional model of education has its limitations. Resource crunches in funding the school infrastructure (as it exists today) and the recurring cost of teachers have been cited by various governments. Moreover, the pedagogy and the curriculum have long been questioned. Educationists have recognised the limitations of conventional classroom approaches, where standardised curricula and uniform examination systems often promote rote learning over creative and innovative education tailored to individual needs. The idea that ‘one size fits all’ has proven inadequate, contributing to poor quality and skill deficits among students.  It led to a lack of retention and engagement in the education process by a large number of students.

The way forward

Personalised learning and addressing the needs of individual children are the needs of the hour. Benjamin Bloom, an educational psychologist at the University of Chicago, proposed the idea known as the “2 Sigma problem.” According to Bloom, individual attention to the student can potentially elevate the achievement level by two standard deviations, or two sigmas, statistically speaking. He highlighted that tutoring provides optimum learning conditions and advocated the tremendous power of personalised teaching and learning.

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) aims to achieve quality education for all by 2030. The SDG document asserts that by 2030, “all learners will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.” How could such a giant target be achieved? The experts are of the opinion that technology can help us in a big way in achieving this target. The World Bank, the largest financier of education in the developing world, is of the view that efficient and effective use of information and communication technology (ICT) and EdTech can strengthen learning and poverty alleviation in the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a sudden shift to remote learning. The teachers and students have to switch over to online teaching and evaluation. The sudden shift to remote learning has exacerbated disparities in access to technology and support, impacting engagement levels differently across student demographics. It has also shown how technology can support education outside of school. A joint UNESCO-UNICEF-World Bank survey found that all countries were able to deploy remote learning technologies using a combination of TV, radio, online, and mobile platforms.

Similarly, UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring report emphasises that a tertiary education system supported by technology, open educational resources, and distance education can increase access, equity, quality, and relevance. In this historical juncture, technological development and the AI revolution can actually bridge the education gap for millions of students who are looking for quality of life and progress. Unlike in the past, the education sector was the last to accept the new methods and technological advancement, and consequently, it lagged behind. However, in the present context, being the first to adopt the new technology can bring progressive changes for the betterment of millions of students across the globe.

Role of EdTech and AI in revolutionising education

The emergence of optical fibre technology and the availability of internet facilities have made this journey possible. The traditional chalk-and-talk method and face-to-face interaction have given way to virtual classes and simulations. The lack of teachers in remote locations or students’ demand for access to the best faculty, regardless of geographical barriers, has reshaped educational dynamics. According to a report by MarketstandsMarket, the global edtech market is projected to reach a staggering USD 1.3 trillion by 2027 reflecting the surge in demand for innovative learning solutions. This growth is driven by numerous factors, including:

• The increased penetration of internet facilities has actually paved the way for IT companies and the introduction of AI in the educational realm. Globally, internet users have surpassed the $5 billion figure, providing fertile ground for online learning platforms.
• Growing demand for flexibility and changing the way we think about education has further created an atmosphere in favour of AI and EdTech solutions. The busy schedule and different learning styles have further facilitated teachers and students alike to opt for technology solutions in education.
• The proliferation of smartphones, tablets, and desktops has made it easy for learners to begin their education at ease from the comfort of their homes, making it more accessible than ever before. 

Technology and AI: an ally to teachers and not a replacement

A traditional classroom and school setup is undergoing a transformative change. Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool not to replace the teacher but to support teachers as valuable allies in education. Imagine a classroom where a teacher can easily identify the strengths and weaknesses of a student both in a traditional and virtual setting. AI can make it a reality by analysing the data from assignments. AI can also provide a holistic picture of the students’ performance. The teachers can now have data-driven input and insights about the students and design instructional lesson plans accordingly, pinpointing the areas for improvement. AI can support teachers in automating administrative tasks like grading multiple-choice questions and scheduling them, freeing up valuable teacher’s time for more high-impact activities like personalised instruction, project-based learning, and fostering social and emotional development.

UNESCO emphasises a human-focused approach to AI, aiming to bridge inequalities in access to knowledge and cultural diversity. The organisation highlights the role of AI in reducing the widening global technological disparities. It has introduced a publication titled “Artificial Intelligence and Education: Guidance for Policymakers Under the Beijing Consensus framework.” The concept of “AI for All” underscores the goal that everyone can benefit equally from ongoing technological advancement, particularly innovation and knowledge.

Blended Learning Revolution: Merging online and offline

The integration of EdTech and AI has strengthened traditional classroom learning by blending the online and offline elements seamlessly to create a more holistic and effective learning experience. In flipped classrooms, students learn core concepts through prerecorded lectures or online modules outside the class. This approach frees up classroom time for personalised instructions, interactive sessions, and project work. It enables teachers to engage more fully with students to provide them with quality input on various topics of interest.

Online resources served as reinforcement for offline classroom learning. Educational games, simulations, and interactive platforms offered by the EdTech platform can significantly enhance understanding and retention of the concepts learnt in the classroom. Virtual collaboration tools allow students to work on projects and assignments together, regardless of their geographical location. This fosters teamwork skills and prepares the student for a globalised workforce. The concept of global citizenship becomes a reality. The ability to interact on the Internet and digital platforms is an essential qualification for students to face the challenges of the digital age with confidence and competence.

Success stories from different parts of the world

Real-life examples and best practices from around the world underscore the transformative impact of the AI revolution and the EdTech boom in education. In the Indian context, Alakh Pandey (popularly known as Physics Wallah), Diya Kirtiti for UPSC aspirants, and Khan sir from remote villages in Bihar (just a few names) become accessible for students through EdTech platforms, overcoming the remoteness of location and physical barriers.

Platforms such as Khan Academy stand as the bacon in the realm of education, leveraging advanced technology like the Large Language Model (LLM) and artificial intelligence to revolutionise the learning experience globally. Founded by Salman Khan in the US in 2008 Khan Academy has refined traditional education by offering free, accessible, and high-quality educational resources across various subjects across the globe. The Kakuma Project Innovation Lab Schools of Kenya is an inspirational journey in the field of education that provides a ray of hope to Kakuma refugees. Amidst political conflict, Koen Trimmers initiated a ground-breaking project connecting volunteer teachers from around the world with refugee children. The effort provided free distance learning courses in English, science, and math. Initially involving 350 teachers from six continents, the success of the Kakuma project led to the establishment of Innovation Lab Schools in multiple countries, including Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Malawi, Morocco, South Africa, Brazil, and Australia. Innovation Lab Schools have developed a curriculum that integrates the 17 Sustainable Development Goals with STEAM (Science, Technology , Engineering, Arts, and Math). The approach fosters empathy and global citizenship among students.

Similarly, TEKY, in Vietnam, has established a pioneering STEAM academy for children aged 6-18. It operates 16 labs across the five cities nationwide and offers technology courses lasting 9-11 months. TAKEY also conducts coding camps during holidays and has developed an e-learning platform to extend its educational reach to remote provinces. TEKY’s student-driven approach allows learners to explore various pilot classes before selecting their preferred technology course. Collaboration with technology leaders such as Sigong Media, MIT for Scratch, Tynker, and LEGO Education. TEKY developed tailored programming to equip students with crucial technology skills. 

These two are success stories from third-world countries that show the power of technology integration and progressive curriculum to significantly improve learning outcomes, student engagement, and retention rates.

Developing Countries

It is equally important to learn from success stories in developed countries, such as those from Spain and the United Kingdom. In comparative analysis, learning from developed countries is equally important because we can adapt and implement successful strategies in our own context. The argument that developed countries are different and have nothing to offer is misguided. Therefore, two distinct programs from developed countries that have gained success are highlighted here.

Spain played the leading role in implementing a global education programme, the International Education and Resource Network (iEARN). Established in 1988 as a non-profit organisation, iEARN collaborated with over 30000 schools and organisations spanning across 140 countries. Its mission is to foster a global community of learners engaged in cross-cultural exchange and collaborative service learning projects via robust online networks, involving over 2 million students. iEARN offers a diverse selection of more than 150 projects designed for educators to integrate into their curriculum. These projects address real-life challenges and contribute to service learning projects worldwide. Numerous independent studies have consistently evaluated the impact of iEARN on learners, consistently highlighting its positive influence on motivation, self-esteem, interpersonal skills, and intercultural awareness.

In the United Kingdom, the ‘Skills Builder Partnership Programme’ has been implemented with a global partnership that works with schools, teachers, employers, and other organisations to build essential skills in children and young people. Its network includes 514 schools and colleges, over 200,000 students, and over 700 organisations. The Skills Builder Partnership connects learning to real-world applications by linking schools with employers. Partnering companies, such as JLL, BP, and Bank of America, host students in their offices for site visits, meet-the-CEO events, and workplace-relevant workshops. The program is designed to cater to the individual student’s needs. It has its own digital platform with resources for implementation. It includes a bank of skill-specific activities and videos to support learning at each step of skill mastery. Students participating in Skill Builder programs showed 62% more progress towards mastery of essential skills than non-participating peers. Teachers from 12 countries now use the Skill Builder Framework Programme.

Conclusion

The integration of AI and EdTech in education represents a transformative leap forward, particularly in addressing the persistent challenges faced by the global education system. As highlighted in the article, traditional models have struggled with issues such as accessibility, quality of learning outcomes, and engagement, especially in developing countries. The need for personalised learning and adaptive teaching methods has become increasingly urgent, as evident by global reports and educational indices. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals set an ambitious target for achieving quality education for all by 2030. Central to this goal is the role of technology, which has already demonstrated its potential during the COVID-19 pandemic by enabling remote learning and mitigating the disparities in educational access.

Artificial intelligence stands out not as a replacement for teachers but as a critical ally in enhancing educational outcomes. AI power systems can analyse vast amounts of data to provide personalised feedback, optimise learning pathways, and free up teachers’ time for more interactive and impactful teaching practices. This shift towards a blended learning model combining online resources with offline classroom experience has further enriched the educational landscape by fostering collaboration, creativity, and global citizenship among the students. Looking forward, the continued advancement and integration of AI and EdTech promise to democratise access to quality education globally. By learning from both the success stories and innovation in developed and developing countries alike, stakeholders can collaborate to ensure that every student, regardless of background or location, has access to the tools and resources needed to succeed in the modern world.

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