The exponential rise of virtual placements – An exceptional transformation

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November 9, 2022

The recruitment industry keeps evolving, and it has transformed exceptionally from traditional recruitment methods to modern hiring methods. Virtual placement is an advanced way of recruitment and is one step further than traditional placement. Technology is simplifying and aiding hiring agencies for a smooth hiring process. Delving deep into the discussion S Pasupathi, Chief Operating Officer, HirePro had an interaction with Kaanchi Chawla of Elets News Network (ENN). Edited excerpts:

What were some advancements in campus placements caused by the pandemic?

There has been a seismic shift in traditional hiring practices in the past two years. With increasing hiring targets, growing competition for talent, and process automation, a new benchmark for ideal hiring processes have been established. Following the pandemic, campus recruiters’ attention has shifted from doing the groundwork to managing a vast talent pool. The distinction between on-campus and off-campus hiring solutions is blurring as organisations take a more holistic approach. This evolution has resulted in the greater use of integrated tools from end to end to handle the hiring processes. Automation has altered businesses approach to campus hiring by removing the mundane. The digitalisation of campus hiring has:

• Enhanced organisation’s talent reach and shortened their hiring period

• Allowed for seamless hiring from diverse sources

• Helped facilitate specialised hiring by offering precise data about
universities and candidate performance.

What are the pros and cons of on-campus vs virtual campus placements?

Recruiters and hiring managers around the world now have a new tool that delivers a broader reach, a greater pool of exceptional candidates, and more efficient and cost-effective logistics during the recruitment process. With the introduction of the new virtual hiring approach, the net has been cast wide, even globally, for several jobs.

On-campus hiring is preferred by:

• Organisations that find it difficult to brand themselves and attract talent virtually. So, they are present on the ground and try to create awareness and build their employer brand.

• Organisations hiring for high paying-high stakes roles wherein the hiring is very competitive. For example, banks hire on campus in tier-one colleges as being on ground gives them better control to make quick decisions, collaborate with multiple interviewers, and also convince candidates to join them.

• Organisations hiring in tier-one colleges like IITs, where acquiring talent is extremely competitive. The hiring window is quite short and hence, organisations need to be very agile in the process.

How did virtual campus placements help students and to what extent?

Since the pandemic and its many ramifications made campus recruitment drives practically impossible for educational institutions, increased adoption of virtual education has helped reimagine and revolutionise campus recruitment, enhancing employment opportunities for students from all academic streams.

Virtual recruitment is not limited by geography, logistics, or time. It has enabled students to apply for their ideal companies and jobs from virtually any location. All students, regardless of gender, location, or other diversity differences, have equitable and accessible placement chances through virtual campus hiring.

Furthermore, employers prefer to hire from college and university campuses as it provides students with insights into their job roles and workplace culture, and helps employers hire fresh, innovative, enthusiastic, and loyal talent.

After the unprecedented occurrence of the pandemic, the education ecosystem has been molded into many forms for better and worse. What trends from the pandemic will carry forward in the long run regarding campus placement?

Hiring teams have carried through several current hiring strategies from the pandemic-induced remote hiring era to put their best foot forward and acquire a competitive edge in the war for talent. A noteworthy example is the continued use of remote and hybrid recruiting practices. During the shutdown, employers saw automation as a way to broaden their talent pools and hire in massive numbers without compromising quality talent. A few strategies that appear to be long-term trends are:

Automating the screening and early assessment processes
Outsourcing interviews
Employers practicing brand building through activities such as hackathons, placement activities, and campus relations.
Employers adopting distinct branding and marketing techniques for each target segment of candidates

Your brand has such an innovative concept. What inspired you to start this and how are you planning your future expansions?

In today’s brutally competitive recruitment environment, any firm that can hire top talent is guaranteed to succeed. HirePro was conceived to support businesses in managing their hiring operations through technology-driven solutions and services. Today, we see a growing number of recruitment departments throughout the world looking at solutions created in India since they can better accommodate volume and complexity. Given the intricacies and nuances of the Indian hiring scenario, such as the number of hires, rejects, dropouts, and candidates who cheat, there is a greater need for HirePro products.

It has been helping organisations manage college hiring since 2004. Having been in the industry for the past 18 years, the team understands the nuances of college hiring, assessments, process, and have been guiding organisations on how to make this change. Automation of our service offerings has helped us transform the business and also build speed and scale for our customers.

This is only the beginning of our expansion journey, as the adoption of technology for remote recruitment is at an all-time high. We are always evolving in terms of releasing smarter products in the industry, acquiring more clients, and expanding our geographical presence across India and globally.

“Education has to be comprehensive, meaningful & constructive”

Interviews

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 9, 2022

The disruption of the pandemic has transitioned teachers, students, and parents in India into a new learning landscape. The hybrid education model relieves the potential of online learning systems by offering optimum flexibility and freedom to both educators and students. Delving deep into the discussion Dr. E. Prasad Rao, Chairman, Paramita Educational Institutions had an interaction with Kaanchi Chawla of Elets News Network (ENN). Edited excerpts.

Paramita Educational Institutions was established in 1996. In the last 25 years, your institution has grown tremendously as an educational institution with passion and innovation. How has been your journey? Please shed some light on the hurdles in the path.

Paramita was not just a school, it was a movement to redefine quality and equity in education. Schools in the region and across the country were steeped in archaic and out-of-place learning. To dismantle lackluster schooling experiences, meaningless ritualistic and out-of-place, compelling learning, and changing the mindset of the stakeholders was a huge task. Industrial age education was at its peak. Students’ voices and choices never mattered. Schools were teaching, but teachers were never reaching the children. Students epitomised Robo. Learning was reduced to producing meaningless information with Xerox’s efficiency. It is the passion that has been set in motion to change the paradigm in Paramita. It was a tough task indeed, but going against the current and walking on the untrodden path was what we chose willfully and purposefully. We were considered mavericks, our approaches scoffed at, and bringing about change was a major challenge, a challenge we have overcome slowly but certainly. Today, after an eventful journey of 26 years, Paramita has shown to the world that if you have passion and drive it with a mission, breaking conventions is a possibility.

Indian education system follows multiple boards like CBSE, ICSE, or state in their schools. Which board does your school follow and why?

We have Telangana State Board, CBSE, and ICSE schools. The CBSE Board with the support of NCERT has brought about paradigmatic changes in curriculum design and delivery. CBSE Board has now taken up the task of implementing the National Education Policy, 2020, a major change maker in Indian education. We are convinced that the CBSE curriculum is comprehensive and relevant with a focus on 21st Century skills education, capacity building, and value education. Learning is fun, frolic, deeply engaging, and meaningful. Reskilling and Upskilling teachers are being done regularly.

What are your plans to equip your students with 21st-century skills and enhance the overall learning experience?

Paramita has been endeavouring to teach skills to children. Capacity building at the school level is extremely important. The employability and deployability of graduates have become untenable as employers find them less skilled. It has pioneered project-based learning in this region. Students explore diverse themes through projects such as model making, thematic, collection, and investigatory projects across the year. They select a theme – a social problem or a knowledge element and explore it. They hypothesise and go through the process and find solutions. The learning experience is highly rewarding indeed. We have Paramita TED x Club licensed by TED, New York. Also, we run Inter disciplinary learning from Pre-K to Grade Seven.

Hybrid Learning is somewhere reducing the role of teachers in students’ growth. Do you think the introduction of technology in the education landscape can completely erase the existence of teachers?

Blended and Hybrid models of learning are going to stay as technology is playing a major role in teaching and learning. The covid pandemic has tutored teachers to learn technology. Our take on hybrid learning is that it is interesting and promotes learning. Though hybrid learning does help but learning by discovery, teachers as a guide and mentors are always integral in ensuring assured and quality learning.

Your school is contributing immensely to India’s education sector. What are your expansion plans for this year and beyond?

With a student strength of five thousand plus, the Paramita Group of schools, with Iris World School and Explorica as sister concerns has set the benchmarks. We are a learning group, and grab what is good for students. For us, each child matters. We don’t believe in quantifying without subscribing to quality schooling experiences. However, we wish to reach out to as many numbers of children as possible.

Education has to be comprehensive, meaningful, and constructive. Students have to grow and evolve with the required skills and values. There should not be skill and value gaps. Education has to be holistic, much beyond skills and values.

Edtech Giant Unacademy to fire 10% of its workforce

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 8, 2022

Companies are facing massive layoffs and edtech sector is not behind. Unacademy, one of the leading edtech decided to go for another round of layoffs. 10 per cent of the workforce is predicted to get affected by this round of lay-offs.

According to a source, the message was conveyed through an internal email sent to employees, Unacademy CEO Gaurav Munjal cited harsh economic conditions, the need to build efficient systems for the “unprecedented times”, and the pivot on offline education as the reasons for the layoff exercise.

“I am deeply saddened to share that we will have to say goodbye to some of our extremely talented Unacademy employees”, said Munjal in the mail. He further mentions that these would be across the Unacademy Group from verticals where we have to take a difficult decision either to scale down or completely shut in some harsh situations. Detailed communication will be sent to affected employees within 48 hours from the HR team.

Earlier, the CEO promised its employees that there would be no firings at the company. Though he had to sadly inform the employees that market challenges forced the startup to reevaluate his decision.

“Even though we realised this much earlier and took some stringent measures such as reducing our monthly burns, controlling our operational spends, limiting our marketing budgets and identifying other redundancies within the organisation, it was not enough. We need to keep optimising and building efficient systems for leaner and unprecedented times,” Munjal said.

Taking flight to achieve dream careers abroad

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 8, 2022

According to the latest global survey by INTO University Partnerships, more than nine out of ten Indian recruitment agents (93 per cent) expect to send more students to the UK in the current academic year than last year, with nearly two-thirds expecting to send significantly more. Meanwhile, 92 per cent expect to send more students to the US, 87 per cent to Canada and 71 per cent to Australia. The study abroad demand and confidence among Indian education consultants remain higher than the global average.

The buoyant mood among recruitment agents is reflected in the mobility statistics for Indian students heading overseas for higher education. The US issued 82,000 student visas to Indians in 2022, higher than any previous year. According to UK visa data, visas to Indian students increased by 88 per cent in the 12 months to the end of Quarter II, 2022. This year-on-year increase in visa issuance is a testimony to the growing demand for studying abroad among Indian students.

There are many reasons that are encouraging Gen Z students to move abroad for further studies. Better quality of education, bright employment prospects and a chance to gain an international perspective are among the top motivating factors. A Gen Z survey conducted by INTO in India earlier this year, revealed computer science as the second most preferred subject for Indian students looking to study abroad. In total, 12 per cent of both millennial and Gen Z students said they were interested in computer science — second only to engineering (18 per cent ) and ahead of business studies (11 per cent ). Over 1,250 Indian students took part in the survey.

These highly sought-after programmes are widely available abroad and have a high demand in the job market. A number of foreign universities are also globally renowned for research-based courses, ready with post-doctoral research opportunities. Vibrant campus life and extracurricular activities also add to the joy of studying at foreign universities. Exposure to multiple cultures gives students a global perspective and helps acquire soft skills that enhance their personalities and contribute to their overall skillset. Apart from developing good communication and interpersonal skills, living abroad also helps students become more independent and confident, which goes a long way in working or settling in a new country.

Dishant, an Indian student, completed his Master’s in Computer Science at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in 2018. He began his career with LinkedIn in California and recently accepted a role with Google as a Senior Intelligence Investigator, Trust, and Safety.

Dishant’s career goal was clear from the very beginning about pursuing his chosen field of study at UAB. The UAB offered him a world-class learning experience, academic excellence, and research opportunities. He set off on his career path with a brilliant opportunity, proving how his degree played a key role in transforming his life.

Haneet and Dishant are great success stories for thousands of students who want to pursue their study abroad dreams. They represent India’s unrivaled pool of young talented people who are at the frontline of research, technology and emerging fields that are shaping our highly connected world today. They represent a new generation of global citizens who are eager to make a difference.

Views expressed by Diwakar Chandiok, Vice President for Recruitment (South Asia), INTO University Partnerships.

Gamification – The futuristic approach to online learning

Interviews

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 8, 2022

Technology intervention has increased rapidly into the education space. One of the most significant method that is gaining traction is ‘Gamification’ both in learning and teaching methods. Gamification can be easily and effectively incorporated into the e-learning practices also. The traditional role-method is impacting the curiosity of students to learn and enhance their knowledge base. With gamification, students are keen to learn and adapt to long hours of learning as it is more of ‘play as you learn’ instead of boring long hours of monotonous learning. It is also a significant way of improving student’s behaviour not just in learning journey but in their life also. Gamification also has the potential to inculcate higher education skillsets with easy gamified learning methods. To delve deeper into the topic, Sheeba Chauhan of Elets News Network interacted with Sharad Tiwari, Principal, Mayoor Chopsani School, Jodhpur. Edited excerpts:

With the erupting usage of technology in the education sector, which technology do you consider the best innovation for students at higher and school levels?

According to me, no technology can altogether replace a teacher or a facilitator. AI unquestioningly is part of the future but not quite there yet. It is rapidly becoming a topic of study for many schools and institutions whether or not to implement it at a higher level. It could be considered the best so far for information storing and sharing but would still be devoid of emotional connection with the students which is a must requirement at the higher level.

As the world is pacing fast toward technology-driven education, one such application of technology is the “gamification of learning”. What are your thoughts on using gamification as a way of teaching and learning?

Gamification is nothing really new in the world of learning. However, there is now increasing pressure to use these tools and techniques to a much greater extent, especially in learning that is provided digitally. It would be fine for me, encouraging gamification at schools until the ultimate goal of its implementation is not compromised which is the mastery of knowledge, skills and behaviours that are a requirement for student’s future.

Making maths and science more of a fun then a dull exchange of facts and figures certainly helps young learners, even breaking the cultural prejudices for certain subjects labelled as “Tough or Difficult.

Gamification may work well for junior learners, certainly not of much help to senior school students unless we are taking into consideration differently abled learners. Finishing years of school must prepare the young adult to take up challenges he/she would soon be dealing with in a working environment in his/her near future.

Do you have any plans in near future to implement technologies like gamification at your school?

As I had mentioned earlier, Gamification may work well for junior learners. We have gamified Maths learning for students in our school which have brought substantial difference and made maths learning winning. We constantly upgrade and update ourselves to cater the current needs of the children. We constantly do what is in the interest of the children. If gamification makes learning fun nothing would hinder me in implementing more of such tools to promote fun learning which will inspire the students to continue learning.

How is your school planning to implement technology-driven education? What can be the next big innovation that the education sector can get involved in for a better future?

Our school has made all possible updates when it comes to the usage of technology in order to keep Learning-On for students and teachers. Whether it was sudden coming on online platforms like zoom, google classroom, Microsoft team etc for teaching, creating the digital library, providing teachers with the latest software for AV creation, empowering teachers to be tech-savvy and many more.

Our teachers have not yet given in the weapons of technology which were responsibly handed to them. They make constant use of these in taking classes for those who could not attend classes because of one or the other reasons. Keeping in mind that each child learns at his/her own pace teachers invite slow-learner for the remedial session online and try to bridge the learning gap in such students.

Flip classroom is the need of the hour. To put it simply, this technique encourages students to use technology to learn at their own convenience at home and teachers assess their learning when the students attend classes. Why not teach new generation to be self and life-long learners?

Post covid, we have come across a new ecosystem of school education. What are current changes that are apt for the holistic development of students?

The school systems went through a threshing floor experience. It has given clear edge to those at the forefront of using cutting-edge technology but a death blow to many others who had just the basic infrastructure to impart education.

It is impossible for this generation to be away from technology and attempting to do so would be catastrophic. Education’s age-old three R’s – Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic – are being joined by a fourth: Rethink. School structures which largely stayed the same is posed with a challenge to meet that is from teaching culture to learning culture.

Unsurprisingly, the educational focus has to move toward the life skills, attitudes, and personal awareness the student will need in an increasingly complex world or what the great mind calls it the VUCA world. The all-inclusive approach to education develops a learner’s ability to adapt and accept life’s challenges, build their understanding, and learn from their errors. This is what is also the aims and objectives of NEP-2020.

The curriculum framework deepens the thought process and easy planning. Tell us about the innovative curriculum you have been following in your school.

We have an informal base of the NCERT curriculum, lavishly garnished with an assorted mix of international flavors from the IGCSE and IB approaches in our classrooms. Our long-standing collaboration with schools in Germany and UK helps our teachers to serve academic help in their classes in such a manner that the learners get the best of both worlds!

Our school tries to develop in students the ability to ‘create’ as against ‘copy’ by providing an experiential learning curriculum in the formative years. It not only enhances their learning potential but also brings them to the center stage of learning.

Our school’s curriculum is recognised for its strong emphasis on cultural and value education. Utmost importance is given to action based classrooms with a blend of co-cultural activities.

Great emphasis is laid on technology-intensive teaching. Audio visual aids like Avs, charts, models, and PowerPoint presentations are used regularly for effective teaching.

Classrooms are equipped with interactive digital whiteboards connected to a Smart Class Knowledge Centre in the school building. A team of trained professionals ensures technical support for teachers. Students are exposed to world-class teaching methods.

We firmly believe that in today’s close-knit world community, every child must grow in appreciation of different cultures. Therefore, we promote international viewpoint and global awareness in our students as well as teachers by sending them on regular exchange programmes to Germany and UK.

We encourage abundant access to the ‘global way of life’ and discoveries that unravel the common thread of humanity worldwide.

Do you think a learning-centric approach is the best way to reach students for teaching?

Learner centric approach has always been the best way. You consult the learner for his/her preferred style and pace of learning. You design or moderate the content as per the need of the learner in today’s world with a quick switching view to the next decade.

India has the second-largest market for online education. According to the recent National Achievement Survey, there is a decline in learning levels. Do you consider digital transformation as a catalyst for a decline in learning results?

The last NAS was conducted at a time the systems were just recovering from the blow of the pandemic. The mode of assessment has a limited scope when you resort only to the MCQs. I do not fully agree with the survey outcomes.

“COVID-led pandemic transformed the face of the education sector”

Interviews

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 8, 2022

Elaborating on the transformative role of technology in the education sector, Jonali Das, Principal, Modern English School, Kahilipara, Guwahati shares with Sheeba Chauhan of Elets News Network (ENN) how it enables students to explore new subjects and deepen their understanding of complex concepts. Edited excerpts:

The Indian education system follows multiple school boards like CBSE, ICSE, or state. Which board does your school follow and why?

Modern English School, Guwahati, follows the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). We follow the CBSE board because it is well-recognised, respected, and universally accepted throughout the country. Moreover, it has a thorough and dynamic curriculum imbibed with the latest trends in education. Further, the pattern of most of the competitive entrance examinations like IIT-JEE, PMT, Dental Courses, NDA, CDS, and other Defence and civil services follow CBSE, as its syllabus is nationally acclaimed.

How does exposure to a global perspective provide educational benefits to your students? Please elaborate on the same?

Exposure to a global perspective in education helps students develop global competencies and equips them with relevant 21st-century skills necessary for communication and collaboration. Besides, learning with authentic tasks drives the students’ engagement in class activities. Further, learning with a global perspective allows students to understand global citizenship politics while creating a fair understanding of world issues, current economic & political events, world history, culture, and geography

Students have recently been exposed to significant mental health issues at an early age. How do you cater to your students for a mentally healthy ambience that can foster learning?

To help students fight mental health issues, we have launched a Mental Health Counselling Division, raising awareness and teaching students to deal with various emotional and psychological concerns. The team of experts at the division will guide students in handling stress and making healthy choices. Further, the mental health issue programs launched by the school aim to help students deal with stress in their daily lives and how to strike a balance between academic and personal life. These counsellings are provided to the students of class 5 and onwards. Under the mental health counselling initiative, various individual and therapy sessions will be conducted. Additionally, counsellors will visit each class as a part of the class-observation activity.

What key features have your school inculcated to keep itself ahead in technology-driven education?

COVID-led pandemic transformed the face of the education sector. Changes witnessed during this time are expected to dominate the industry even in 2022 and beyond. Therefore, the need for education trends such as online, experiential, outcome-based, and skill-based learning will grow further. Technology provides students with easyto-access information, accelerated learning, and fun opportunities to practice their knowledge. It enables students to explore new subjects and deepen their understanding of complex concepts, particularly in STEM. We have introduced various tech-driven education platforms in our school. Usage of Smart Boards, TV, Google Classroom, and Google Meet are being introduced for effective learning, communication, and access to educational resources. Our school recently conducted Structured Assessment for Analyzing Learning (SAFAL), an online competency-based assessment (pilot project) by CBSE for Grades 3, 5, and 8, to assess the progress of foundational skills and basic learning outcomes/competencies among students.

Building technology-driven education: The road ahead

Interviews

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 8, 2022

Education has the most proliferating impact on the growth of a nation as well as on the evolution of society and the values it upholds. The spectrum of education is facing an era of digital transformation with rapid changes happening at a great pace. As a part of education, along with leadership and vision as well as building the capacity of teachers and the millennials, creating the right learning infrastructure is equally important. Access to technology can facilitate and empower educators to build 21st-century skills, that will build critical thinking, problem-solving, attention to detail, collaboration and teamwork among each other. With regards to the same, Sheeba Chauhan of Elets News Network had an exclusive conversation with DR. R. Balaji, Secretary & Correspondent, SBOA School and Junior College. Edited excerpts:

Technology is driving the education sector to great success. What is the action plan in your state to equip students with technology-driven education?

“Education helps people become better citizens, get a better-paid job, and shows the difference between good and bad”. We aim to inculcate a C&C action plan, spanning the twin objectives of digital competency – Cyber ethics and Curriculum development. We would begin by providing holistic and extensive orientation programmes, topped with effective seminars and projects that induce tech creativity as well as teamwork. Furthermore, we would approach the prevalent problem of tech-based barriers and equip students with technological proficiency. The following methods of teaching have been adopted in the action plan to equip students with technology-driven education; the four components of technology, ie. Personalisation, evidence-based learning, increasing school efficiency and bringing out continuous innovation are incorporated to bring out the desired results in learning. There are several technological activities for children like developing digital literacy, increasing visual literacy skills through songs and stories, and developing Learning Speaking Reading Writing (LSRW) skills. Each lesson, whatever the subject are further taught through gamification and a blended learning environment. These are better engagements through which immersive learning is attainable. Integrating mechanisms such as Kalvi TV, Dhiksha App, TwT (Teach with Technology) would drastically improve technological-driven education ubiquitously.

Hybrid learning is somewhere reducing the role of teachers in students’ growth. Do you think the introduction of technology in the education landscape can completely erase the existence of teachers?

As rightly said by Frank Bruni “The health of our democracy and the perpetuation of our prosperity depends on teachers no less than they do on Silicon Valley’s innovations. Let’s make the classroom destination as sensible, exciting and fulfilling as any other.” It would be inaccurate to assume that teachers would be rendered obsolete with the advent of technological education. In fact, teachers would transform into more effective mentors and tutors. One-to-one interaction between the teacher and the pupil helps in gauging the depth of understanding of a topic by the student. Human interaction kindles motivation and inspiration in the learner. Monitoring of students’ activity is not effective in online classes. Attention span in an online class is drastically reduced. In today’s age, the old-school method alone will not work. The generation today loves technology. To connect with students and help them understand better, the teacher has to come out of their comfort zone and explore new ways to engage them. This means even in a technology-infused learning environment, the role of a teacher will remain ever-important. Our teachers and supervisors are inherent to the system and their use case with the rise of technology will only lead to higher efficiency and effectiveness. Under hybrid learning, teamwork would facilitate more in-depth and nifty schooling.

Your school has been awarded in the category of “Innovative Practices for Academic Excellence” recently at the Elets World Education Summit. What are the next innovation practices you are bringing in to make the education space better?

SBOA School and Junior College with its motto of “Educate and Illuminate” has not just evolved, developed and adapted itself to be in tune with the current changes in education but also envisioned keeping pace with the futuristic education system. Traditional classrooms have been relatively isolated and collaboration has been limited to other students in the same classroom. In the future, we expect students to share and learn with students from other states /countries. They will collaborate on group projects, learning cultures and exchange ideas using technology-based tools such as WIKI’s, Google Docs etc. Students take more responsibility for their own learning by gathering relevant information. The teacher’s role will shift to being a “Guide on the side” rather than “a sage on the stage”. In our institution, we will be integrating financial education into our curriculum which, we feel, is prime to the holistic development of our students. Working with Finance4Future, an organisation that spreads knowledge on personal finance as well as entrepreneurship, will empower us all. Secondly, to hone the extracurricular skills which we believe are just as vital for thriving in a competitive environment, we are constantly developing and expanding our Model United Nations Society as well as the Debating Society – which work to foster logical reasoning and critical thinking.

Your school is contributing immensely to India’s education sector. What are your expansion plans for this year and beyond?

“The great aim of education is not just knowledge, but action.” This academic year-

We aim to bring in education with Virtual Reality – this would enable us to transverse many barriers and exponentially increase the engagement and liveliness of the classrooms.
Identifying the unique talent in each individual and honing them to perfection.
To provide high-quality sports infrastructure with multiple sporting facilities on the terrace.
Bringing in redesigned furniture and latest state-of-the-art devices.
More outreach programmes for better social integration in our society.
Incorporate energy efficiency into our present architecture and to plan in campus waste management to make our school selfsustainable, zero waste zone.

Furthermore, we aim to bring in the student-centric discussion, collaborative reading and writing complimented with brain-developing infrastructures such as the Mind Box (Creative Tech Centre) and the Atal Tinkering Lab. The challenge of creating a positive atmosphere is about making school a place where children feel challenged but competent, where they work hard but enjoy it, and where achievement is the product but not the sole objective.

Online learning swaying the education industry worldwide

Interviews

By

digitalLEARNING Network

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November 8, 2022

In the last decade, online learning has literally swept the education industry worldwide off its feet. Shortterm courses, and e-degrees help students enhance their skills while pursuing their regular full-time courses simultaneously. To know how technology has given the digital shape to education, Sheeba Chauhan of Elets News Network (ENN), interacted with Sultana Khan, Founder and CEO, UnTechEd. Edited excerpts:

You have faculty exchange programs and guest faculty programs. How do you see the faculty exchange programs across the nation as beneficial for the holistic development of students?

UnTechEd is a professional education Marketing Services company with 15+ years of experience. Through our unique faculty exchange programs, we provide an opportunity for the national and international faculties to become part of mutually beneficial programs. This helps students studying in India have the best of both worlds in their home country itself.

We acknowledge that its premier domestic partner institutions have quality faculty. However, as they say, ‘Many minds, many thoughts’. Faculty exchange allows students to benefit from a global faculty who have spent their time teaching at institutes of international repute. Such a learning experience would help students develop a global perspective on their subjects beyond books. We foster interaction between a domestic institution and the best institutions globally to help both exchange faculty and maximise the benefits of their respective students. With 130+ international institutions already present on our partners’ list, domestic institutions can literally ‘find their right match’ from a plethora of choices.

Employability is a big issue that should be addressed. As you organise many employability workshops, what can be the 21st-century dynamic skills that can help students at the workplace?

In today’s time, a dynamic enterprise environment, ever-evolving work models, and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning challenge fresh graduates in an era where digital transformation is constantly disrupting industries worldwide. Therefore, it is essential for students to prepare themselves beforehand for such a rendezvous. This is the reason that 21st-century skills are mandatory for all students.

Higher education must contribute to the development of a skill set that is recognised as useful by recruitment personnel across a variety of industries. For instance, skills like critical thinking and creativity are two of the most sought-after skills globally. 21st century skills are a set of dynamic, competitive skills that help employees respond proactively to the ever-changing requirements in today’s work environment. Such skills can vary from learning skills like communication and collaboration to literacy skills such as media and technology literacy. Even life skills like flexibility, initiative-taking, leadership, teamwork and productivity are no less important.

Long story short, since the workforce has evolved a lot in recent times, higher education should also take steps accordingly.

Technology has given the digital shape to education and we are bombarded with many new models during the pandemic. What are the present education models that will stay in the long run be it hybrid or online?

The technology in the learning space has been overcrowded much before the pandemic, since the era of the introduction of MOOCs. There was a time when there were debates over the need for face-to-face education and it’s sustenance. Technology is a great enabler in education and its delivery but not the standalone model. The physical delivery models are beyond the subject specific learning and we should be looking forward to technological advancements for better learning outcomes for the learners.

Conventional courses or offline degrees were ruling the higher education segments. With the coming up of short-term courses and e-degrees, how do you think it will give an edge to the education paradigm?

In the last decade, online learning has literally swept the education industry worldwide off its feet, and like how. Short-term courses, e-degrees help students enhance their skills while pursuing their regular full-time courses simultaneously. Online courses and e-degrees offer flexibility and a new learning environment, and also help students manage their time better while developing new critical and technical skills.

In this manner, students can also broaden their perspective to find new learning avenues beyond the regular classroom teaching. Employability, which is always a top priority for students pursuing their higher education, is often rightly addressed by such short term courses and e-degrees in today’s times. Therefore, students can take a leap of faith and opt for a few such courses along with regular studies to give a boost to their future career.

We, at UnTechEd, understand the significance of such educational enhancements. Therefore, we consistently encourage our partner institutes and their students to focus on building their professional profile by adding value through certifications and skill advancement courses.

What are the robust tools and assessment frameworks that help students identify their areas of interest?

It is a question that cannot be responded to with a short response as I must address several aspects from pedagogical structures, national policy frameworks and comparison of several models that work in different parts of the world. But a simple response here would be to allow educational institutions to have the freedom on choosing flexible frameworks and expose their learners to different subjects and experiences. As UntechEd we are already working on one such programme that will enable students in India to identify their areas of interest and become environmentally conscious to become an effective future leader.

How is UnTechEd helping the domestic and international institutes in the growth strategy?

UnTechEd aspires to blur the boundaries between domestic and international institutes through its unique growth model. While we provide exclusive student recruitment services to international institutes through our UTE hubs present in domestic institutes, we also help domestic institutes foster tie-ups with international institutes and utilise the same to their benefit.

Through a UTE hub present in-campus of a domestic institute, international institutes can help themselves with activities like Direct Student Recruitment, engage in an exclusive partnership with the domestic institute and also explore the scope to organise international events on the campus of the domestic institute. Indirectly, this also helps an international institute increase its student recruitment numbers exceptionally through awareness creation. Simultaneously, its domestic partner can explore tie-ups of various types, such as student and faculty exchange and summer programs with international institutes and leverage an opportunity to participate in international events.

UnTechEd is also coming up with a subsidiary named the International Academic Quality Consortium (IAQC) that helps maintain the quality of education standards and accredits universities.

NEP helping students to come out as tech-enabled learners

Interviews

By

digitalLEARNING Network

-

November 8, 2022

Technology is altering student preferences for learning subjects, the way students learn, the way students need to be assessed, and the need to connect them with business processes right from their first day in college. To know more about the technological advancements in the education sector, Prof Parimal Mandke, Vice-President, NIIT University, shares her thought with Sheeba Chauhan of Elets News Network (ENN).

What are the new-age courses according to the evolving scenario in education? What all NIIT University offers in the same domain?

The COVID crisis that gripped us in 2020 has accelerated digital transformation. Organisations and businesses across sectors are seeking professionals proficient in digital skills. However, according to a recent report by Nasscom-Zinnov, India is projected to face a shortage of 14-19 lakh tech professionals by 2026. A huge requirement is projected in Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, AI/ ML, IoT domains among others. To help the industry address the skill gap while offering challenging careers to students in today’s hi-tech and ever-changing work environment, NIIT University offers a range of programmes – BTech in Data Science, BTech in Cyber Security, BTech in Computer Science & Engineering, BTech in Electronics & Communication Engineering, BTech in Biotechnology, 5-year Integrated MTech programme, 3-year BBA and 4-year Integrated Masters in Business Administration.

How does the digital revolution begin at universities? What role can universities play in bridging the industry-academia skill gap?

The pandemic has changed the rules of the game. Faced with issues like social distancing, universities and educational institutions across the country were compelled to adopt an online mode of teaching and learning. Hence, it accelerated the adoption of technology in the education sector to create more opportunities and enhance their digital operations. It enabled students to learn and grasp at their own pace and time. Going forward, educational institutions will adopt a blended learning model, which includes a vast range of digital activities that collectively deliver effective learning.

This crisis offered an opportunity to re-evaluate assessment methods in education and introduce ways to evaluate the students’ overall development. This would be consistent with the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and will certainly help students come out successfully as independent, self-driven, and tech enabled learners.

It is imperative that learners today acquire new-age digital skills. Jobs in software and IT, data and financial analysis, and digital marketing will be in demand in the future. Universities should focus on providing courses that are relevant in tomorrow’s world. Industry-linked programmes and courses that offer the required skill sets should be included. This will train the students and help them to be future-ready. The industry should be brought to participate in university courses while students are studying on campus.

What is making students recession-proof for the new future of work?

Being in a world that is dynamic and ever-changing, it is important to train students to adapt to the latest technological changes around us so that they can overcome the challenges they may encounter. The new-age courses offered at NIIT University teach students to be self-learners and survive in any work environment. Even though an economic recession could affect the student’s field of choice, helping them identify their interests and aligning those with the skills in demand can teach them to stand out and find a way to survive. It is significant to be technologically updated and well-informed. Even though a rise in inflation can lead to job cuts, there is a huge demand for well-skilled employees across the world.

How is technology changing the face of education? What are the major goals that NU has set to adapt to the technological changes in the education space?

Technology is changing everything in education. Student preferences for learning subjects, the way students learn, the way students need to be assessed and the need to connect them with business processes right from their first day in College. They need to have a breadth of knowledge and at the same time, depth in some specific subject. Since the knowledge content is profusely available because of the Internet, what students need to master is the learning process itself.

NIIT University is quick to adapt the new technology and tools in the curriculum. NIIT University has designed an integrated digital learning platform called Nugget that enables learning almost the same way as the student would learn in person on Campus. Nugget and in-person learning in the classroom are combined optimally to have the best learning experience for students.

At NIIT University, a significant part of a blended learning model has been implemented, based on extensive work done over the last 10 years, with 40 years of research and experience from the sponsoring organisation, NIIT Limited. This model incorporates innovative pedagogies, technology-based teacher-student engagement and end-to-end processing of student administration. Though the conventional mode of learning will never be obsolete, a more holistic hybrid model of blended learning will be the new norm going forward.

Placements are a very crucial part of students’ college accomplishments. How is NU taking the lead to make it a 100 percent placement institution?

The curriculum at NU is created to offer students successful career opportunities. The university has a track record of 100 per cent placements for students who have opted for the same and have been previously placed in leading organisations like Coca-Cola, Cognizant, Infosys, and TCS (Tata Consultancy Services), to name a few.

NIIT University includes experiential learning in academics to ensure that students are well-trained for the future. The Career Development Council (CDC) and Centre for Industrial Collaboration (CIC) are in charge of placements at NU and they work with over 400 active industry partners, including some of the leading organisations like Morgan Stanley, IBM, Ernst & Young, and so on. The ‘Design My Future’ initiative at NU helps them understand their strengths, identify their career choices, and articulate their life purpose, values and vision. The University also provides summer internships and industry practice which gives students exposure and understanding of the real world they will face in the future. .

What can be the skillsets that students must acquire to make themselves industry ready?

Technology has become an essential part of our lives. It has changed the way we live and work. With Work from Home (WHF) and hybrid working models, most organisations today need employees who are digitally savvy. Being updated with the latest technology trends is of utmost importance in order to advance in your career. Additionally, with most operations and business processes moving online, organisations need professionals who are well-versed in new-age technologies like cyber security, data science, AI and ML. Universities should therefore understand the tech talent requirement of the industry and offer courses that prepare students for the world of work.

Gamification- A Bandwagon to learner-centric approach

Article

By

digitalLEARNING Network

-

November 8, 2022

The growth of innovative online learning platforms in recent years has altered the face of education in India’s ed-tech business, which is expected to reach $3.5 billion by the end of the year 2022 (Omidyar Netowrk India study, 2020).

Over the projected period, the worldwide gamification industry is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 26.5 per cent (2022-2027). The exponential proliferation of smartphones and mobile devices has immediately produced a massive base for the gamification sector. Gamification systems are gaining popularity as a way to structure human behaviour in order to induce innovation, productivity, or engagement.

Institutions are also effectively utilising gamification in performance management, learning and development initiatives, as well as training and compliance. The most significant benefit of implementing gamification in the industry is that it inspires students and assists organisations in achieving their targeted objectives from a given action.

Many innovative learning management systems, as well as numerous creative technological frameworks, have lately emerged, causing a paradigm change in educational institutions. There is a new awakening in digital learning as a result of increased usage of audio-visual as well as video-game based curriculum powered by AI, IoT, and other technologies. Technology and mobile communications have played a significant part in this development.

Education has advanced to the point that classroom-based learning, textbooks, and teachers — which were formerly the main modes of instruction — are no longer adequate. Gamification seems to be the best method for providing learners of this generation with the more individualised, entertaining, and engaging material they require.

The foundation of gamification is the notion that enjoyment and learning go hand in hand. By utilising, game-based feedback like points, badges, leader boards, advancement, etc,. promotes and increases the motivation of the student with engaging content.

Using gaming mechanics could boost learning capacity by 40 per cent. Gaming techniques increase users’ commitment and motivation to the activities and processes in which they participate. Consumers are familiar with game mechanics because most of them have played or are currently playing various games. This conclusion applies to businesses and their employees, according to Gabe Zichermann.

Gamification’s impact on higher education:

Here are some ways in which gamification improves classroom learning:

1. Boosted learner motivation: Gamification employs a variety of motivating strategies, such as challenges and incentives, to keep students engaged in the learning process.

2. Increased student engagement: Game-based learning methodologies make learning crucial topics more enjoyable and entertaining for pupils.

3. Adds to the overall experience: Using gaming features aids in the collaborative resolution of classroom difficulties and radically transforms the standard evaluation technique based on a reward system.

4. Extended attention span: Gamifying learning topics in an engaging way (getting a badge, providing feedback) increases students’ attention to what is being taught to them.

Gamification proposes replacing grades with points granted at each stage of learning in a specific topic. Students can receive badges as visual evidence of progress in addition to their scores once they have accumulated enough points. It encourages students to learn and grow quicker by providing a sense of accomplishment when they hit key milestones such as learning a new topic or finishing an assignment or test.

One of the most significant benefits of gamification-based learning is that games may be localised depending on language, locality, and age group, providing each learner with an equal opportunity to learn without obstacles. Aside from that, students may learn and develop a variety of abilities by demonstrating their learning results.

Learning Management System (LMS) and Gamification:

LMSs are used by educational institutions to manage the learning process and to provide a variety of electronic courses with learning resources and activities. LMS allow for the incorporation of Web 2.0 tools, which increases their usefulness and reacts to new educational paradigms, as well as the need for collaboration and cooperation among all learning participants

LMSs are ideal for gamification since they include capabilities for automatically tracking students’ performance and development.

It is feasible to obtain information about the amount of time students spend seeing and interacting with content.

Gamification software tools:

There are numerous gamification tools available. Some are web-based (cloud services), requiring no additional software installation and allowing access at any time and from any location. Socrative, Kahoot!, FlipQuiz, Duolingo, Ribbon Hero, ClassDojo, and Goalbook are some of the most popular gamification tools.

BadgeOSTM and its add-on BadgeStack are free WordPress plugins that automatically build the many achievement types and pages required to set up a badging system. The Mozilla Open Badges Project aims to enable the identification and acknowledgement of students’ acquired knowledge and abilities outside of the classroom – the results of informal learning. Anyone can issue wins and display badges using Mozilla’s Open Badges project’s common technical infrastructure (Mozilla Open Badges).

Industry perspective

While talking about the gamification of learning, Sharad Tiwari, Principal, Mayoor Chopsani School, Jodhpur said, “Gamification is nothing really new in the world of learning. However, there is now increasing pressure to use these tools and techniques to a much greater extent, especially in learning that is provided digitally. It would be fine for me, encouraging gamification at schools until the ultimate goal of its implementation is not compromised which is the mastery of knowledge, skills and behaviours that are a requirement for student’s future.Making maths and science more of a fun then a dull exchange of facts and figures certainly helps young learners, even breaking the cultural prejudices for certain subjects labelled as “Tough or Difficult”.

“Gamification may work well for junior learners, certainly not of much help to senior school students unless we are taking into consideration differently abled learners. Finishing years of school must prepare the young adult to take up challenges he/she would soon be dealing with in a working environment in his/her near future”, he further added.

Ritu Pandey, IT Head, MIEE, Seth Anandram Jaipuria School Lucknow, talked about gamification and its assimilation into education with the thought that “if we impart gamification into normal teaching, it could become very easy for children to understand and assimilate.” She said that through graphic and virtual video, teaching is going to have a lasting impression on children’s psyches. She emphasised that organisation like Microsoft is helping in this regard.

Connecting the dots

Gamification might be easily and effectively integrated into e-learning. Game approaches and processes can be used as activities in the learning process to achieve specific learning objectives, enhance learners’ motivation to complete them, and engage students in a friendly competitive atmosphere with other learners.

Gamification is an effective method for changing students’ behaviour and attitudes toward learning in order to increase motivation and engagement. The effects of the alteration are bidirectional in that they might affect students’ outcomes and knowledge of educational content while also creating circumstances for an optimal learning process.

Succesful gamification in education is intentionally incorporating game mechanics and aspects into lesson design to help influence the structure of the classroom. Gamification, when used wisely, has the potential to assist higher education students learn the skills they need, stay interested and engaged in their courses, and achieve their long term goals.

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