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Last week we saw what "New Normal" is in Business sphere. Let us try to explore how fast and possibly how irreversibly the education field is evolving. And what is going to be "New Normal" for education field, at least in higher education field.

While the situation is going to be pretty tough in education field in short term perspective, it appears that the "New normal" situation in future is going towards much needed and deserved transformation in the field.

Not all changes foreseen below are driven by COVID 19. Some of these changes were rumbling like a volcano for some time now and it has erupted now. And not all the views narrated below may translate into practical use immediately, due to digital divide, resource constraints etc. But one can surely say, the churn has started!

With social distancing norms to be followed by educational institutions whenever they reopen, it may imperative that some of these changes must be adopted by many institutions. Corona has pushed and nudged education sphere to face / create surprising innovations, indeed.

Let us look into few of the changes one can expect to face in near future:

1. Perception of Online Education: Till few years back, online education and certificates obtained by students by attending on line courses, were seen through colored glasses. Qualifications obtained by attending physical classes and certificate received ONLY in that process, was accepted with respect.

But now, qualifications obtained through online classes or courses are becoming more acceptable (Ex: Google online courses). Traditional in-person classroom learning will be complemented with new modes of learning.

2.New skill sets for teaching staff: Most of our teaching staff (in schools, colleges and institutions) were trained and blessed with a skill set, which was adequate for the past requirement. But now, they also need to learn a new skill set, of teaching without seeing face of the student. It is time for Professors and lecturers to pick up the difficult skill of accessing mood of the students in an online class! One need to up skill themselves in asking right questions, using tools such as polls etc on the online platform to keep the students engaged. Till now we have seen admirable adaptation to these changes by teaching staff!!

3. Memory or knowledge? : Traditionally most of the educational institutions and universities were testing memory of a student (Ex: To write a lengthy formula) more rather than testing students on application of knowledge. With the advent and support of technology, it is more important for students to understand the fundamentals rather than rote learning a formula which could be two lines long!! The modern digital and AI technologies are, thankfully, making students (who are future leaders / technologists) to develop their cognitive and analytical skills rather than by hearting skills.

4.Mode of exams: The advent of technology is also enabling many universities mulling the thought of having "Open book" exam. This system requires students to answer in more critical and analytical ways thus encouraging high-order thinking skills with the students. It is gladdening to see few educationalists are open to this idea

The need of the hour is to make students to enjoy learning through projects, hands on learning, learn through visit to industries or practical work in industries, rather than just "examining" his knowledge (memory?) once a year or semester. But in "Open book" exam, the challenge lies in teachers' up skilling to think and develop exam questions that require students to apply their knowledge through analysis and critical thinking

5.Online exams: With classes going online, can exams be far behind? Technology is bringing ways and means of conducting online exams. Just image time, effort and money such system can save for both students and for institutions? And there is great chance of exponential reductions in malpractices, if any, in the system.

Invisible barriers are being broken. Few days back, there was post in LinkedIn, where it was shared that IIM, Sambalpur, conducted entrance exams for applicants, online. Artificial intelligence was applied in monitoring student movement, computer pointer movement, and even movement of the eyes of the candidates! It was said, tests were conducted in even more secured way, than physical exams! This may become new normal soon

6.Education content and technology: Traditionally students learnt and were taught through books. And recently we had seen advent of Electronic screens, projectors in the class rooms. But boundaries are being redrawn again!

Now with advent of technology, teachers are adopting (or will have to adopt soon) even more functionally useful tools such as Virtual reality, Video examples, Tools which pull out practical examples of application of subject being taught, in blink of an eye. If any lecturer or teacher is coaching by taking out same / similar examples from text book, it may not be so welcome in future!

7.Gap between Industry and Academia: We are all aware that there is a big gap that exists between the skill and knowledge requirements of Industry and the students being churned out from our existing system. It could be because the speed at which syllabus is modified is slower than the rate at which technology is changing outside educational institutions, pedagogy etc.

Now, with above technologies, it is time, industries extend their helping hand to Educational institutions. There is big scope for industries, who are knowledge drivers, to contribute to society by investing in few hours a week in sharing knowledge, tools and systems with both teaching staff and with students. There can be very close interaction, online, between Educational institutions and Industry leaders, resulting drastic reduction of the Industry-Academia gap.

8.Rise of Entrepreneurship: Every year, close to 5.0 million students graduate out of colleges, in India. Out of this around 1.5 million are Engineers. Are there enough number of organizations in India to absorb such a humongous number of graduates? No! Fortunately Students, Parents and Educational institutions are realizing this fact that, it is impossible to find employment to every student graduating out of college.

I have come across Directors of leading educational institutions with positive and innovative mindset, who take pride in announcing that they are focused & happy in creating entrepreneurs rather than just placing students as an employee in an organization. This is a very welcome change. World and India in particular, is offering exciting possibilities, for youngsters to stand on their own legs, as successful Entrepreneurs.

We hope more and more educational institutions start guiding, supporting and encouraging students to become job givers rather than just job seekers! Time is ripe for this transformation. The digital world and Government policies are certainly supporting youngsters in this journey.

The future looks bright but the road is tough! It is not easy for a traditional educational set up and system to change overnight. But it is better to start the journey with small steps rather than resisting changes.

The biggest challenge would be for students who are in rural areas who may not be blessed with high speed network or laptops or tablets. Fortunately in India many states are leading this transformation, including trying to make sure that high speed internet and tablets are within reach of even rural students.

It needs power of technology and intelligence of human beings to work together to make sure that advances in education system, reach nook and corner of the country. Who knows, thanks to e-learning, even rural student may be able to avail same quality educational content that is available to city bred student! That is a very positive silver lining.