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Using #EdTech for school transformation
Lalit Yagnik, EON Reality, emphasised on the need to adopt AR & VR technology in order to prepare our students as leaders of tomorrow.
Focusing on Using Technology For The Transformation of Education, Lalit Yagnik started by emphasising on the importance of perception in three dimensions (or 3D) by stating that since we dream in 3D and experience the world in 3D, our natural perception and capability of learning is in 3D. However, for the longest time, we have reduced our learning to texts and other mediums produced in mere 2D. Earlier we didn't have the technology to use 3D for learning but, now we do. Moreover, with collaboration between various institutions, we can connect two remote places using such technology. He further spoke about three aspects notably; the presence of the EON Reality, the company he represents, its area of operation and how the problems discussed during the various presentations of the conference could be solved.
EON Reality has been working in the knowledge, skill and education sectors for the past 20 years. It works on platforms like virtual reality or VR, augmented reality or AR for education while the majority of other VR companies work on entertainment. The company has a global presence with one office also located in Udaipur. They work with universities, vocational education institutes and more recently, with K-12 segment. Their technology is not only used for students but also for people who need training, re-training in various industries and also with national and state level governments. The government today wants to understand how citizens can be made aware of technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Cloud technology etc. It is important to understand how to train students so that they become more skilled in order to compete at a global level.
He explained that the biggest boon for India has been the telecom revolution in the recent years. However, some issues have come up regarding a shortage of teachers, low budgets for education, the complexity of what students, workers etc. have to know in order to perform.
Through a presentation of statistics, he elaborated that over the last 10 years, it has been observed that even though a lot of jobs have come up, sufficient number of skilled people are not available to perform them. The solution to that is the 'leverage' in terms of using technology and collaboration for their training.
Yagnik further elaborated on how to create content in minutes without the requirement of computer programming (since it is as easy as making a PowerPoint presentation). The reception of such lessons can be done on devices like mobile phones and head-mounted gears. Such teaching is done by virtual trainers in a group classroom using games in different educational institutions.
He stated that most of the content shown in the videos were created by students and teachers themselves. He further added that it is not an independent piece of technology. It requires to be used in tandem with various learning management systems, student record systems etc.
In conclusion, he emphasised on the need to adopt this technology in order to prepare our students as leaders of tomorrow.