How Ed-tech Startups Are Shaping Your Child’s Education

The COVID-19 pandemic has left no stone unturned in changing the way we operate things. Education is one such sector that has been completely revolutionized and Edtech Startups have benefited the most out of the change. Startups like Blackboard, Byju’s, Chegg and Teachers Pay Teachers have covered a massive ground since 2020. And it seems like the success of ed-tech startups is only going uphill. While it has taken us a while to get used to the changed atmosphere of online learning, it is important to understand how ed-tech startups are shaping your child’s education today.

Live Learning

The primary feature that is promoted by ed-tech startups is that children can take their time to learn at their own pace. However, the accessibility of pre-recorded classes and do-it-yourself learning modules strips children from their daily social interaction. What parents must ensure is that children sufficiently engage with their fellow classmates as well as their teachers. Live learning has its fair share of pros and cons. Your job as a parent is to manoeuvre the complexities of ed-tech startups to give your child the best education possible.

Comprehensive and Accessible Modules

While we address the question of live learning, we must also address the provision of accessible learning modules. Edtech startups have made it easier to keep a track of your child’s education. Online learning has made your kid’s learning more comprehensive and trackable. Such readily available educational material makes it easy for you to help your child in his/her routine homework. Thus, your interaction with your child doubles up as your free space to act as their mentor. You can also ensure that you give adequate attention to specific modules that your child has difficulty grasping. This, however, would not have been possible if ed-tech startups had not paved the way for a different outlook in your child’s education.

Assessment and Evaluation

Edtech startups like Chegg are heavily reliant on assessment and evaluation-based learning. In fact, online learning has slowly culminated into an outcome-led system. Children generally go through a certain module and are immediately tested on it through pop quizzes and assignments. You may not have been as involved in your kid’s school activities as you had wanted in the pre-pandemic world. But now you are not left with much of an option either. Your involvement in your child’s assessment activities is crucial for his/her success going forward.

Tech-based Education

Online learning means that children have to spend a lot of time watching their computer screens. This has raised an alarm among many parents and your worries are absolutely justified. Tech-based education gives way to technological addiction and there must be ample offline interaction to combat that. Ensure that online learning forms the only part of your child’s screen time. Engage him/her in outdoor sports and fun activities to incorporate balance across his/her days.

How to take care of your child’s mental health?

The first and foremost concern for any parent towards the growing influence of ed-tech startups is the future of their child’s education. More importantly, you are rightly concerned about your child’s mental health. Edtech startups focus more on intrapersonal learning and communication. However, children need to take a step back and explore interpersonal communication as well. Hence, it is extremely important for you to establish clear communication with your children and help them ease through the difficult transition from offline to online learning. Try to be your child’s friend and make sure that children feel comfortable in discussing their problems with you. Lend a helping hand and watch your child grow in this new age of ed-tech startups.  

Manisha Ray

A connoisseur of all things wonderful in life, Manisha is a literature major at Delhi University. She is a keen observer and a quiet thinker.

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