Career prospects in Digital Employer Branding: Amandeep Kaur, Phoenix TalentX Branding

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April 20, 2023

Digital employer branding has emerged as a crucial component of recruitment and retention strategies for businesses worldwide. The use of digital platforms to build and promote an employer brand is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, where the majority of job seekers use the internet to search for and apply for jobs.

In India, the growth of digital employer branding has been particularly impressive, with businesses of all sizes investing heavily in their online presence to attract and retain top talent. The emergence of cutting-edge technologies, such as ChatGPT, metaverse, AR/VR games, video games, and mobile apps, as well as conversational marketing tools like Infobip, have enabled companies to create more engaging and interactive employer branding campaigns. These innovative tools not only help businesses showcase their culture and values but also provide a unique and immersive experience for job seekers, ultimately leading to a more successful recruitment process.

What is Digital Employer Branding?

Digital employer branding involves using online channels to promote a company’s brand image as an employer. It includes the creation and promotion of content that highlights the company’s culture, values, and work environment, as well as its employee benefits, career development opportunities, and other perks. By using digital platforms like social media, company websites, job portals, businesses can build a strong employer brand that attracts top talent and creates a positive reputation in the job market.

According to the Recruitment Outlook 2022 report by People Matters and data from Indeed, companies intend to allocate their budget across various platforms to convey their brand messaging. The report reveals that the majority of employers (80.1%) plan to prioritize marketing efforts on social media. Additionally, almost 3 in 5 (58%) stated that they will be investing more in job boards, career sites, and job aggregators such as Indeed.

Career Prospects in Digital Employer Branding

The demand for professionals with expertise in digital employer branding is on the rise in India, as businesses increasingly recognize the importance of building a strong employer brand.

Employer branding has taken precedence over how candidates prioritize their dream companies. Candidates now prefer Glassdoor reviews and social media sites over Amazon reviews to get the company’s gist. In fact, 86% of job seekers would not prefer to work for a company with bad reviews, irrespective of the paycheck.

Employer branding has emerged as a crucial factor in attracting and retaining top talent. LinkedIn reports that companies with strong employer brands can reduce their attrition rate by 28%. Furthermore, candidates who apply for a job with a company that has a positive employer brand are typically 50% more qualified. Moreover, talent acquisition for companies with a good employer brand can be 1-2 times faster, making it easier to recruit the best candidates. Also, 59% of employers see employer branding as a key component of their HR department strategy, while 55% of employers view it as an important investment area. In fact, 75% of job seekers consider the employer brand before even applying for a job, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong employer brand.

As a result, there is a growing need for professionals who can help businesses build and promote their employer brand online.

Some of the key roles in digital employer branding include:

Employer Branding Manager

An employer branding manager is responsible for developing and executing a company’s employer branding strategy. They work closely with HR teams and other stakeholders to identify the company’s unique value proposition as an employer and create compelling content to showcase this to potential candidates. They may also be responsible for managing social media accounts, creating job advertisements, and coordinating recruitment events.

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an employer branding manager in India is around ₹16 lakhs per year.

Social Media Manager

A social media manager plays a critical role in promoting a company’s employer brand on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. They create and curate content that showcases the company’s culture, values, and work environment, and engage with potential candidates to build a strong online presence for the company.

Based on the latest salary data from Ambition Box, the average annual salary for a Social Media Manager in India ranges from ₹1.2 Lakhs to ₹10 Lakhs for those with less than 1 year of experience to 8 years, with a median salary of ₹4 Lakhs across 3.9k reported salaries.

Content Creator

A content creator is responsible for developing content that promotes a company’s employer brand across various online channels. They may write blog posts, create videos, design graphics, and develop other types of content that showcase the company’s culture, values, and work environment. They work closely with the employer branding manager to ensure that all content is aligned with the company’s employer branding strategy.

Based on data from 479 reported salaries, Ambition Box indicates that the average annual salary for a Content Creator in India ranges from ₹1.0 Lakhs to ₹8.5 Lakhs, with a median salary of ₹3.6 Lakhs.

Employer branding technology leader

The role of an employer branding technology leader has become increasingly important in today’s market, with the advent of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and ChatGPT4. By leveraging these innovative tools, businesses can enhance their employer brand story and effectively attract and engage top talent. The EBTech leader can play a pivotal role in making the most effective use of these technologies, enabling businesses create an AI-driven careersite that retargets the right talent and fixes interviews automatically, or generate high-performing ad copy using Generative AI tools like Persado.

Additionally, a conversational messaging bot such as Infobip can manage candidate experience from onboarding and beyond, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience. By making this a key performance indicator (KPI) for this high-tech, high-performing role, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and stand out in the competitive recruitment landscape.

Conclusion

The growth of digital employer branding in India has created a demand for professionals with expertise in this area. As businesses increasingly recognize the importance of building a strong employer brand, there is a growing need for employer branding managers, social media managers, and content creators who can help them achieve this goal. If you are interested in pursuing a career in digital employer branding, there are ample opportunities in the Indian job market, with competitive salaries and the potential for career growth.

Views expressed by Amandeep Kaur, Founder & CEO, Phoenix TalentX Branding

GrowthSchool launches ‘Project Rise Again’

Corporate Updates

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April 20, 2023

‘Project Rise Again,’ a $500,000 scholarship fund, has been established by GrowthSchool, a rapidly expanding ed-tech platform, to assist people who have recently lost their jobs in developing new skills and getting back on their feet. To assist impacted individuals in overcoming their difficulties, GrowthSchool will offer 100% scholarships on its top-rated upskilling programmes.

The scholarship is open to anyone who has recently been laid off, and the selection criteria include factors like CTC in the previous employer, the number of dependents and household income, and the amount of time since the layoff.

Working professionals are facing difficult times, according to Vaibhav Sisinty, CEO and Founder of GrowthSchool, who shared his idea for this effort. Even after making every effort, being laid off can be difficult. In my professional life, I have encountered this circumstance twice, so I am completely aware of the mental and financial strain such events can bring. We seek to empower the laid-off workforce by providing access to our rigorous courses, expert-led counselling, and job assistance, all with the kind assistance of our acclaimed mentors from leading brands. Our mission is to act as a lifeline for those affected by mass layoffs, assisting them in getting back on their feet in the workforce and relaunching their careers. Together, we can rise again and build a brighter future.”

The trend of mass layoffs, which has seen more than 3.15 lakh people lose their jobs globally in the last year alone as major tech companies and digital-first startups reduce their workforce, has severely affected many people’s financial stability, stress levels, and quality of life. As a ray of hope, Project Rise Again offers those affected the chance to learn new skills, improve their employability, and restart their careers. It’s an important step towards reducing the negative consequences of mass layoffs and ensuring a better future for individuals who are dealing with this difficulty.

Project Rise Again is a great endeavour by GrowthSchool, according to Arjun Vaidya, Co-Founder, V3 Ventures, one of the mentors involved with the project. Upskilling and reskilling are critical tactics for tech professionals to find jobs in the present environment of massive layoffs. GrowthSchool’s pledge reveals their unwavering commitment to supporting people during difficult circumstances. My goal as a mentor is to provide students with the most up-to-date knowledge applicable to their business, so I’m happy to be involved with this endeavour. I am certain that Project Rise Again will significantly improve the lives and careers of individuals impacted by mass layoffs, and I wish the best for everyone who is a part of it.

Over 150 professional mentors with extensive experience and a proven track record in a range of jobs will lead the courses under “Project Rise Again.”

Inclusive Education: An approach towards access, equal and quality education: A. Srikanth Reddy, Slate High School

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April 20, 2023

It is the need of the hour to provide inclusive education in our country as few countries like China are using AI enabled concentration level indicator head bands to monitor concentration levels of the students, make each and every student concentrate better and excel in academics.

To make inclusive education get implemented in a better way we would need Government to come up with initiation providing access to education and quality education to each and every child of the country. To make it happen a structural approach is to be designed where every school of the country irrespective of the management i.e if it is a Govt. aided or private and irrespective of location i.e if it is situated in a rural, urban or semi urban educational institutes should provide same quality/ standard education.

To provide quality / standard education in the country, teacher training is to be restructured and is also to be made with 4 plus years which along with what we have in B.Ed , D.Ed, professional training modules like Leadership Practices, Vision, Mission, Goal Statement, delegation are to be included. Refreshment courses are to be given to teachers at regular intervals treating all the teachers under which ever the management they work equally. As teachers are the nation builders, how better we transform the teachers, that better quality of education in the country would be.

To have equal access of education by every child of the country, Government should also bring reforms in the budget allotment to education and ensure that every child is given with free education or given with fee reimbursement such that child can study in any institution, whichever he likes. If Government can think of giving quality education spending maximum, in brining reforms in education, infrastructure for a minimum of 15 years. After 15 years all the people will become independent and may not require any support from the Government there after.

So by bringing reforms and giving priority to education, we can make every child access education. To provide equal education to even physically impaired curriculum is to be restructured and teachers are to be trained in every perspective. Quality improves only when standards of teachers get enhanced. So teachers are to be provided with opportunities to get trained in regular intervals.

Views expressed by A. Srikanth Reddy, Chairman, Slate High School, Jannaram, Telangana.

IIT Patna in collaboration with TeamLease edtech launches online master’s degree programmes

Higher Education

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 19, 2023

In collaboration with TeamLease EdTech, the Indian Institute of Technology Patna (IIT-P) introduced online master’s degree and certification programmes for working professionals. Professionals in the chosen fields will receive the necessary skills and information from the programmes, which will also assist them in upskilling and advancing their careers.

The MTech in Big Data & Blockchain, MTech in Cloud Computing, Executive MBA in Finance, PG Certification in Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking, PG Certification in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, PG Certification in Financial Planning & Investment Management, and PG Certification in Business Data Analytics were among the online programmes the institute announced would begin in the first phase.

For PG Degree Programmes, a minimum of two years of work experience is required, and for Certification Programmes, a minimum of one year is required. The programmes have been launched for working professionals. You can find more information about the programmes at iitpatna.digivarsity.com.

According to TeamLease, the courses have been created using a hybrid pedagogy, whereby some of the programmes will be taught using an online learning platform, the students will communicate with the faculty of the institute through weekly virtual meetings, and some portions of the programmes will be covered during semester-long campus immersion sessions.

A number of other short-term certification programmes in technical and non-technical fields, geared towards working professionals and recent graduates, will soon be introduced by the institute.

Improving gross enrollment ratios not enough to enhance quality of education: Dr. Amrita Vohra, Elpro International School

Interviews

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April 19, 2023

India is known for its multicultural and diverse culture. Exposure of the youth to different facets and cultures of India would help the country prosper and flourish. Nowadays, education or learning is not confined but is spread wide open to encompass the entire world, shared Dr. Amrita Vohra, Director Principal, Elpro International School, Pune with Sheeba Chauhan of Elets News Network (ENN). Edited excerpts:

Union Budget 2023 focused on revamping teacher training. How do you support the move and what are your plans for implementing training at your school?

The times are changing and so are the educational needs of learners. The teachers are the ones who execute the policies and plans at the grass root level. So, if we strengthen the competencies and capacities of our teachers, then we would mould our students into capable future nation builders with all the necessary skills. Hence, I completely support the idea of strengthening and incorporating teacher training programs at all levels in the school.

We have conducted training at regular intervals for the teachers to basically refresh and revamp their skills & knowledge and update them with the latest changes and requirements in skills and teaching methodologies. In the future, we plan to keep relevant training at regular intervals to ensure the teachers are apprised of all the updates in the field of education. For conducting training, we have a ‘Chief Head of Academic Excellence’ who continually conducts observations of teachers, and ensures the right techniques are adopted and followed, and also conducts training to keep the teachers updated with all the necessary tools. We ensure that the teachers attend all the training conducted by CBSE. Constructive engagement of teachers in the training program would be in the plan of action for the new session for the professional development of the teachers and to ensure that learning is progressive and aligned with the changing needs.

Recently, the Education Minister launched the Yuva Sangam portal which will concentrate on organising youth exposure tours for students from North Eastern States to other states and vice versa. How do you think such initiatives are going to develop multicultural education in Indian students?

India is known for its multicultural and diverse culture. Exposure of the youth to different facets and cultures of India would help the country prosper and flourish. Nowadays, education or learning is not confined but is spread wide open to encompass the entire world. If there is strong backing from the government through such progressive programs then it would pave the right path for the youth to imbibe the necessary 21st-century skills. Yuva Sangam is one such avenue that would widen the horizon of our youth, sensitise them towards different cultures and expand their learnings and experiences. When children travel to different countries, they experience the first-hand culture of that country. Interaction with the people enhances their knowledge bank, and they inculcate the necessary skills for building a stronger personality, thinking, and decision-making. A stronger and empowered youth ultimately leads to a stronger and more empowered nation.

NCERT issues guidelines for ‘Early identification and intervention for mental health problems in school-going children and adolescents. How are you planning to work on the same at your school?

Early identification and intervention help in giving the right support at the right time so that these individuals can live their lives independently and in a better way. We plan to strengthen and train our teachers with the necessary knowledge to identify such students. Individualised study plans help such children a lot. Balance in mainstream and individual classes will be taken care of. Extension of timelines in regular schoolwork will also be considered. We will try our best to maintain home–school connect on a regular basis. The assignments and papers are structured, keeping in mind the individual needs of these special children.

Above all, we would ensure the child is always motivated and the classroom environment helps the special children grow to the best of their potential. A positive classroom environment and proper guidance from the school counselor are imperative and would be taken care of.

According to the economic survey 2022- 23, enrollment at the pre-primary level decreased from 1.1 crores [11 million] in 2021 to 1.0 crores [10 million] in 2022. Your comments on the same.

If we consider a school, it is majorly the leadership, staff, and environment that are deciding factors in terms of enrollment. Effectiveness in all is necessary to maintain the optimum level of entrees.

One major reason for the drop could be the pandemic. Parents preferred home tutoring due to several reasons. But children who complete their early learning years, are seen to have stronger foundational skills. We need to make sure we are welcoming our kids back to safe and nurturing environments and building relationships with them.

Schools at all levels showed an improvement in their gross enrollment ratios (GER) for the fiscal year 2021– 22. Do you think the mere improvement in GER will enhance the quality of education?

Enrollment of students in schools indicates that the population is somewhere realising the importance of education in one’s life. But if we just consider the numbers and do not pay heed to the quality of education then we are somewhere ignoring the purpose of education altogether. Quality of education is important considering the hike in enrollment numbers due to increased awareness. Improvement in GER does not ensure quality at all.

The NEP has come into place to restructure the curriculum, pedagogy and reform assessments. While it sounds impressive on paper, the execution on the ground will need drastic measures. While the policy is timely and its objective is noble, it calls for transformational leadership to execute plans to bring about the far-reaching changes visualized to galvanize the Indian education system to attain global standards.

Although increasing GER is the first step toward improving the quality of education because if children step into schools therein begins the roles and responsibilities of the school to give quality education.

Design Education – Bridging the Gap between Art and Science: David Kusuma, World Design Organization

Interviews

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April 18, 2023

As the use of design has progressed from physical products to more technology enabled services including experiences and systems, there has also been a larger need for multi- disciplinary collaboration and open innovation to develop solutions which can maximize the human benefit, shares David Kusuma, President, World Design Organization in an exclusive interview with Abhineet Kumar of Elets News Network (ENN). Edited excerpts:

1. What do you think are the most important design trends that are shaping the world today? How do you see these trends evolving in the years ahead?

There are a number of important trends which are impacting the design profession. Design has become a popular global profession to the point where more universities are offering higher education studies in design. Industry representatives and corporations have learned that good design can increase sales because it focuses on what is important to the user and provides solutions which are simple, elegant, cost effective, and aesthetically pleasing. Because of this, business schools and other disciplines have also incorporated design thinking and HCD – human centered design methodology into their teaching curricula.

In recent years there has been a greater emphasis on sustainability and planet-friendly design solutions. The circular economy with an objective of keeping materials in continuous use has demanded that the profession balance the desire for DFMA (design for manufacturing and assembly) with the need for DFD (design for disassembly). Only by designing products in a manner which allows for materials to be separated at their end of life, can the materials be responsibly recycled and reused.

As the use of design has progressed from physical products to more technology enabled services including experiences and systems, there has also been a larger need for multi- disciplinary collaboration and open innovation to develop solutions which can maximize the human benefit. Design has a responsibility to ensure that technologies selected for use in our daily lives are developed and implemented in a way that maximizes their positive impact on society.

Moving into the future, we will see more design-led solutions incorporated towards more complex and unusual challenges, including design for social improvement. This means using and showing the power of design as a fundamental tool to make communities and human settlements more inclusive, more safe, more resilient, and of course, more sustainable.

2. As President of the World Design Organization, what do you think are the key challenges facing the design industry today, and how is your organization working to address them?

If our overarching objective is to “design for a better world,” today as in the past, the design industry lacks recognition and understanding from governmental institutions and policy makers. Most of the authorities we reach out to, do not understand what Design is, why it is good policy to invest in design, and how design can contribute to more sustainable solutions, social progress, and higher quality of life. This is the reason why the World Design Organization is highly focused today on strengthening our interactions with major world bodies and local governments in driving for better understanding of the design profession and the launching of major projects around the world to show that Design can provide a major impact to communities and urban areas:

• The World Design Index is a project to determine the true social impact through investment in Design. Everyone is asking for the numbers; when we talk with city and regional governments about investing in design, they all want to understand the payback and the return on investment in terms of social benefits and in terms of dollars. The WDO has set out to identify the metrics and international indicators needed to define the dimension of design capacity and capability, or the “design power” of a city, region, or country, and clarifying how such capability can directly affect the outcome and other indirect impacts.

• The World Design Capital (WDC) designation awarded every two years by WDO to a new design-forward city, is the perfect case study to test the data model for the world design index. City planning and design policies require analysis of huge amounts of data to make decisions and deliver proper visualization about design impact on land use, transportation, population growth, revitalization, and so on. Citizens have higher expectations on cities to provide better services, experiences, and transparency on plans for improvement. WDO has developed prototype visualization maps of past World Design Capital cities, highlighting all of the design installations from their activities, and tying those investments into quality of life as described in the UN SDGs.

• The World Design Policy Framework is being developed by WDO to promote design as a catalyst for growth and innovation. Design policy represents an increasingly critical tool in shaping the wellbeing of a city and its citizens. Through the integration of different branches of design expertise, policy has the power to create more meaningful experiences across the public sphere. While many countries recognize the power of design to strengthen economic and social development, very few have actually implemented design-led policies as part of their national agenda. And as the world’s cities continue to grapple with complex challenges, such as rapid urbanization and climate change, WDO decided to dedicate more focus on implementation. All of us have the same ambition and objectives to use Design to improve the human condition. However, design policy has limited value unless we can work together with governments at every level to understand design and to embrace it, because only when global organizations are able to understand the value of design, will they be able to leverage its power. The WDO believes the subject of Design Policy is one of the most important subjects for the future of our profession.

This is all work in progress and there’s still a lot of information to process. The WDO plans to publish our first work on these projects at the next World Design Assembly in Tokyo in October 2023.

3. How do you believe design can contribute to solving some of the world’s most pressing problems, such as climate change or social inequality?

Design can play a critical role in shaping and influencing how we find new solutions to some of the world’s most complex challenges, as defined nicely through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). WDO’s member organizations have discussed many ways on how design can be highly relevant to solving global issues:

• Through the use of human-centered design, the needs and preferences of users are placed at the forefront of design decisions, ensuring that solutions are implemented in ways that are always beneficial to people.

• By focusing on usability and accessibility, designers can ensure that new innovations are usable and accessible to a wide range of users, including those with disabilities or those with limited technical knowledge.

• Utilizing interaction design can guide how users interact and accept new solutions through the design of interfaces, such as surfaces and other elements that improve and enhance the user experience.

• Incorporating effective visual and information design can simplify to make complex ideas more understandable and approachable.

• By building interdisciplinary collaboration and engaging with multi-disciplinary experts from other fields, design leaders can create real-world solutions which address technical and societal implications of new ideas and concepts.

• Through systems design that integrate different technologies and services, designers can help to create more seamless, efficient, and effective experiences and outcomes.

• With co-creation and partnering with users in the design process, unique solutions can be designed that meet the needs and preferences of the people who will benefit from them.

• Highlighting service design can create important solutions for higher quality of life which are beyond physical products.

• A focus on design for scalability results in design solutions which can grow and adapt as both technology and human needs change over time, allowing for long-term investment in technology and design solutions, and ensuring they remain relevant and effective.

Many of the world’s most challenging problems, including climate change and social inequality, are created due to human behavioral issues. By considering these design factors, the design profession can play a critical role in driving human settlements towards more positive behavior and outcomes.

4. How do you see the role of technology evolving in design, and what opportunities and challenges does this pose for designers?

In today’s world it is rather impossible to develop design solutions without also considering the incorporation of new technologies which can be used to bring greater human benefits.

Technology is all around us and the speed of communication continues to become faster and faster everyday. Design can play a critical role in shaping and influencing how new technologies are developed, implemented, and adopted.

The recent onset of AI is a good example of a disruptor technology in many professional disciplines, including design. It is said that AI has the ability to create multiple concepts in a very short amount of time, potentially replacing the designer or at the very least enhancing the number of concepts which designers can use in their work. It does this by looking through millions of designs which had been created earlier by human designers, and re-assembling components into new combinations of ideas, concepts, and opportunities.

This new capability has thrown the design profession into areas we have never been, and here is where we must strongly employ design ethics and social responsibility. While technology can provide amazing modern benefits, the temptation for misuse becomes even greater.

Designers must anticipate the potential social and ethical implications of new technologies such as AI, and continue to design solutions which promote fairness, maintain human centric considerations, maximize social and environmental sustainability, and align with principles such as privacy, security, and autonomy.

5. Can you share any examples of design projects or initiatives that you are particularly proud of, and that have had a significant impact on the communities they serve?

It is not clear if this question is asking about pride in personal work or pride in the work of WDO to impact communities.

During the time I was head of product at Tupperware, my team worked on sustainable product categories for food storage which I am very proud of. Both from the application of bio and renewable materials, and secondly from the incorporation of post-harvest science which allows consumers to keep their foods (vegetables and fruits) fresher for several weeks longer. This product line was calculated to have a negative carbon footprint because it kept food out of the waste stream, reducing greenhouse gases, while also saving the consumer money. It became the top selling product line around the world for at least three years running.

For design projects in concert with WDO members there are several recent initiatives the WDO can be proud of. We completed the first phase of a project with the United Nations Women (UN Women) on using Design to find solutions to gender based violence, particularly violence against women and girls. The UN Women had never worked with designers in the past and were so delighted and appreciative with the outcomes that they requested WDO to work with them on a phase 2 program to build the best concepts (mostly architectural installations designed to change mindsets and drive positive behaviors) and place them into the public to bring true benefit to victims and communities.

The WDO global community has also engaged with the International Space Station (ISS) on a project titled “Design in Space for Life on Earth,” looking to make space-based research and circular learnings more beneficial to human settlements on Earth. There was also a joint project with the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) to develop a roadmap for eliminating packaging waste while maximizing safety for sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry. Finally, every two years the WDO designates a new city as World Design Capital (WDC) with dedicated urban programs for the effective use of design to drive economic, social, cultural, and environmental development and improve the overall quality of life in those cities.

6. Finally, what do you see as the future of the World Design Organization, and what are your priorities for the organization in the years ahead?

The World Design Organization is the global body and international voice for Industrial Design. It has been promoting “Design for a Better World,” using the UN SDG’s – the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a guideline – to partner and work towards solving some of humanity’s biggest challenges. The WDO is proud to be partnering with WDO members from around the world to drive our mission forward; to advocate, promote, and share knowledge of design driven innovation that has the power to create a better world.

However we must realize that the UN SDGs are a 2030 initiative which expires in 7 years. They were not created with input from the design community and most of the current objectives are not achievable within this timeframe. Therefore it is imperative the next set of SDGs get created with design-led initiatives which are practical and which can actually be achieved. Over the past two years WDO has been able to connect and work with other global organizations and world bodies such as UNIDO, UN Women, and the World Packaging Organization. We worked on projects to teach them about design and show how our profession can help to meet their objectives, and we wish to create the next set of SDGs in partnership with our United Nations and global partners.

We also wish to explore the future direction of design education, and establishing Design’s role in shaping future society through discernment. Meaning, having both the ability to determine what is the most important for human civilization, and then utilizing our design capability to achieve new solutions and objectives! We know that Designers will need to adapt into a more complex world of technological convergence, shifting design expertise into dynamic new specializations, and allowing the expansion into new possibilities and new opportunities to create solutions for both the physical and virtual worlds. Whether we are designing new spaces for public use, improving infrastructure and technology for better accessibility and mobility, or creating products and services to provide solutions for housing, food and healthcare, Design can provide the leadership to ensure new technologies and solutions are more useful and more beneficial for people. There is a renewed focus on returning to what matters most. Being “rich” in life does not necessarily mean having more money or more possessions. It’s more about living a simpler, healthier life and having meaningful connections with people, our communities and our planet.

Education Ministry to join hands with Singapore to integrate skill development in school curriculum

Government News

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 18, 2023

The Third G20 Education Working Group Meeting in Bhubaneswar will be preceded by discussions on integrating skill development into the curriculum by the Ministry of Education and Skill Development (MoESD) and the Singaporean government on April 25. The Future of Work will be discussed at the meeting. “We plan to introduce vocational education and skill development at grade six onwards under which hands-on experience of sampling the importance of vocational craft will be taught in a joyful way,” Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, stated in a press conference on Monday.

The Ministry also intends to establish Skill-Ups, in which one school serves as the hub and other schools adhere to the league. This module is currently being introduced by the Ministry. The Fourth Education Working Group Meeting, which is slated to take place in Pune, will also draw on the third round of G20 discussions and will be centred on the issue of Foundational Numeracy and Literacy. “Introducing FNL in the most informed way possible is crucial for operationalizing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This will act as the cornerstone for the development of lifelong skills, said Kumar.

By 2025, NEP 2020 seeks to upskill at least 50% of students in K–12 and higher education programmes. The Ministry stated that discussing how to accomplish this goal at the upcoming G20 summit in Bhubaneswar is a step in the right direction. According to Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MoESD, the goal is to draw lessons from both nations’ experiences in order to create a national strategy fit for India.

The Singapore government has already integrated vocational training and education into its educational system. Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 in India today get vocational education through Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. Vocational education is optional for students in grades 9 and 10, but it is required for students in grades 11 and 12.

5 learning activities for kindergartners: Juna Dutta, Orchids The International School

Authored article

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 18, 2023

Young children’s minds and bodies need proper stimulation for healthy growth and development, so it’s essential to keep them engaged in activities. Exercise keeps the body fit and promotes brain development. Creative activities boost your imagination, make you feel better, boost your self-confidence, and foster a sense of independence.

According to multiple kinds of research, a kid’s brain develops from 4 to 6 years which means kindergarten is the most critical stage for early learning. The kids start grasping things very fast, and it’s the best age to instill some good habits. Here are five learning activities that parents can undertake for their kindergarten kids.

Learning about shapes and building 3D shapes- Activities including geometric shape games will encourage children from ages 4 to 6 to see, recognize and name a circle, square, triangle, and rectangle. Using humble materials to build a 3-D shape, kids can begin to understand the things around them—from soccer balls to supermarkets and many more, helping them relate the shapes to real-life objects and identify them.

Importance of understanding shapes- Learning about shapes helps children identify and organise information visually, recognise signs and symbols and develop an awareness of the relationship between people, objects and the space around them.

DIY activities- Make them do some DIY activities such as making paper boats, and paper planes, mixing colours to get secondary colours, gift wrapping, and making cards to help unleash their creativity in them and gain endurance in the process of learning and discovery. Not only creativity and endurance, but DIY also helps in strategic thinking and optimizing resources to best fit difficult situations.

Importance of DIY activities for young kids- DIY encourages children to use many everyday skills to problem solve and think about tasks carefully and analytically, exploring potential outcomes. It exercises the mind, encouraging lateral and logical thinking, and choosing from a range of solutions. It also taps into children’s creativity enabling them to use their imaginations and put their artistic skills into practice.

Memory Game – Play Kim’s game. Place things on the tray (crayons, apples, building blocks, toy cars, etc.). Then watch, cover, remember, and check! Try talking, taking pictures, or writing about “events” that you’ve done together. Does your child remember the correct order? This can boost their memory power and can be an engaging activity for the kids.

Importance of Memory Games – Playing memory games can improve other brain functions, such as attention, concentration, and focus. Memory games give space to critical thinking and that helps children nurture their attention to detail. Memory games can improve visual recognition. With many memory games based on spotting differences, or linking two related images, children improve their visual discrimination. This will lead to an acceleration in distinguishing images from one and another.

Playful Mathematical Games & Puzzles – What can be better if a child can learn Math through play? You can play mathematics with an abacus, toys, and fruits. Through this game, children will learn to apply the mathematical operations of multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction.

Importance of Mathematical games & Puzzle- Math games provide a structure and process for children to engage in problem-solving in order to reach a particular goal or objective. Reaching that goal might be challenging, but the challenge is also what makes game-playing fun. Engaging in mathematical games can also encourage students to explore number combinations, place value, patterns, and other important mathematical concepts. Further, they afford opportunities for students to deepen their mathematical understanding and reasoning.

Label Mapping- This is the best way to teach the kids about Geography and the world. Seek out a wall map that clearly shows the borders of countries. Have your child place the labels from clothing, toys, and produce on their countries of origin.

Give them some space, have patience, and allow them to adapt to new things. Make sure that whatever you are teaching, your kid can teach you the same thing after a few days, and this is the best way to analyze their development.

Importance of Label Mapping- Labeling helps to create an environment that puts children at ease and contributes to self-directed learning. Labeling also helps children understand geographical demographics.

Views expressed by Juna Dutta, Pre-primary coordinator, Orchids The International School (Acharya Tulsi Academy)

Edtech Zamit introduces an AI-driven tool TERM to empower teachers for future

Corporate Updates

By

digitalLEARNING Network

-

April 17, 2023

Zamit, a leading AI-enabled one-stop school provider for the school ecosystem, has introduced an innovative solution for teachers committed to instructing kids of the 21st century in a ground-breaking project to improve the quality of teaching in India. A groundbreaking research-based AI-driven analytical tool called Teaching Excellence and Relevance Management, or TERM Analysis, aids teachers in analysing their current teaching abilities and projecting their future potential. The TERM Analysis satisfies the New Education Policy’s or NEP 2020’s standards while also taking the International Baccalaureate’s teaching methods into account, which is especially important from an Indian perspective.

TERM is a thorough analytical tool that identifies a specified, individualised path forward for a specific teacher’s professional development by combining over 85 teaching, coaching, and mentoring skill characteristics that are all grouped under Zamit’s Nine Dimensions for Teachers. Using this management tool, along with a detailed personalised report that serves as a benchmark analysis and a Zamit Quotient (ZQ) score for each of the nine dimensions, a teacher can map out his entire professional development journey and stay aware of the requirements and best practises crucial to 21st-century teaching.

“TERM Analysis is without a doubt the best tool for teachers of the twenty-first century. It is an AI-driven analytical tool that accounts for a comprehensive set of competency and skill metrics essential for a successful instructor. What really distinguishes Zamit’s TERM offering is that, in addition to enabling a nearly flawless and nuanced self-assessment, Zamit member teachers also have access to Continuous Professional Development programmes and premium and curated content that can help them raise their ZQ scores. Access to top-notch webinars and workshops is also made available through Zamit. These are enlightening and engaging. What’s more, Zamit provides a space to create and maintain a dynamic professional profile for the teacher that can be employed for periodic appraisals and for monitoring their commitment to CPD, a prerequisite recommended by the NEP 2020,” said Aarul Malaviya, Founder and Director of Zamit.

AICTE signs MoU with UNESCO MGIEP to enhance quality education

Higher Education

By

digitalLEARNING Network

-

April 15, 2023

In order to give high-quality, all-encompassing education, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) of UNESCO have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The UN Sustainable Development Goal is to achieve education for the development of peaceful and sustainable societies throughout the world. MGIEP is a category 1 UNESCO research institute in education that focuses on accomplishing this goal.

The Chairman of the AICTE, Prof. (Dr.) T.G. Sitharam, stated that “Under this MoU, AICTE and MGIEP will collaborate to develop programmes that promote social-emotional learning, innovative digital pedagogies, build capacities of teachers and learners, and inform education policy through scientific research.”

According to Prof. Rajive Kumar, Member Secretary, AICTE, “The goal of this collaboration is to equip the youth with social, emotional, and critical thinking skills to tackle challenging situations and guide educators on how to help young people become resilient future leaders.”

Professor Dr. Anantha Duraiappah, Director, MGIEP, during the MoU signing, said, “The collaboration between AICTE and MGIEP is a significant step towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal towards education for building peaceful and sustainable societies across the world. The training and learning modules will also include climate change enrichment and Biodiversity-‘Understand Reflect Empathize and Act.”

“This MoU will ensure that learners have an understanding of the challenges facing our environment and are equipped with the skills to tackle these challenges,” stated Dr. Richa Bansal, National Project Officer. Additionally, faculty members’ expertise with digital pedagogical tools, digital course design, and digital assessment design will improve as a result of digital teacher learning courses that are tailored to the current needs of the field. As a result, faculty members will be well-prepared to provide high-quality instruction using the most recent digital tools and methodologies. It is anticipated to be advantageous for students, teachers, and the education industry as a whole.

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