How the pandemic is revolutionising online learning across the world

Change is already upon us, with several industries moving online. The transition to online education was happening, but the current circumstances have sped up the process

The adoption of online classes is truly one of the watershed moments for education.

This shift, like other transitions, has brought manifold advantages. In addition to democratising and enabling widespread digitisation in the classroom, it has created a new user experience in education, which has limitless potential. Higher education primarily rests on the foundation of access to research, quality of faculty, and a robust industry interface. Universities will need to equip their students with adequate industry exposure, build a strong alumni network and offer them opportunities to upskill to help them stay ahead of the curve.

They would require teaching students about ways to cope in the VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) world and be armed with multi-disciplinary knowledge for emerging digital trends such as Big Data, Analytics and Internet of Things. Many colleges additionally would need to prepare students for a start-up environment and assist them in getting started on their entrepreneurial journey.

Several surveys and reports have amply evidenced that when institutions of higher learning do not train their students to stay abreast of a dynamic business environment, they invariably witness a placement shortfall. Students walking out of university campuses who possess the growth mindset, agility, right attitude and skillset to handle the contemporary business challenges will remain largely unaffected by any market volatility.

A report by the World Economic Forum states that “Even before Covid-19, there was already high growth and adoption in education technology, with global edtech investments reaching US$18.66 billion in 2019 and the overall market for online education projected to reach $350 Billion by 2025. Whether it is language apps, virtual tutoring, video conferencing tools, or online learning software, there has been a significant surge in usage since Covid-19.”

Covid-19 and the ensuing havoc caused by this worldwide pandemic has disrupted the world of academics, forcing educational institutions to come up with new ways to ensure continued learning. University of Petroleum and Energy Studies [UPES] has managed to ride the tide due to its technology-led pedagogy, digitized curriculum, online examination system, and well-trained faculty adept at teaching in virtual classrooms.

The university has remained at the forefront of online learning. Through initiatives such as Webinars, Master-classes and Pre-Semester Learning, UPES has efficiently adapted to the changing times and brought a tectonic shift in conventional education. The online interactions with faculty and industry luminaries give students the confidence and skills to communicate with eminent personalities and bright delegates from a wide range of backgrounds, such as politics, media, law, technology, and humanitarianism, who inspire the students to push their boundaries of intellect in their respective fields.

Virtual Learning has become an inseparable part of education. A large part of professional life in the 21^st century will be upskilling, reskilling, and the ability to skill oneself. By inculcating these habits at an early stage in the academic process, educational institutions must build a strong foundation for a generation that is truly industry-ready and future-proof.

About the author

Ekta Kashyap is a former journalist whose work history includes stints with media houses such as India Today, Bureaucracy Today and The Times of Africa. In her current position as Senior Executive - Content, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies [UPES], she writes extensively about education, life skills, and emerging industry trends.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha