Why Digitalization Is Essential for the Education Industry Post-Pandemic

Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) has been around since the 1990s, but the education sector has been slow to adapt and embrace digital tools. It took a global pandemic to fast-track changes in this conservative sector, and bring innovation and digitization to the forefront. Schools, teachers, and pupils were forced to go digital, and unfortunately many were unprepared for this switch. As 2021 comes to a close, we’re still not out of the woods yet, and hybrid education models are still being applied all over the world. 

Digital education is challenging the status quo 

Unfortunately, the education sector still has a lot of catching up to do. A recent UNICEF report revealed that more than 200 million school children live in countries that are still unprepared to implement remote learning in case of emergency school closures. Due to this lack of preparation, nearly half of these schools stayed closed for at least half of the Covid19 pandemic. 

However, one thing is clear: there is no going back to the way things were before. Consequently, adapting to this new, digital-focused environment is crucial for any type of business, including those related to education. We can’t rely on the fact that someday, the coronavirus will go away and everyone will head back into the classroom. The traditional way of doing things has been permanently disrupted, and it’s time for education to step up its game. 

Digitization vs digitalization

Before we dive deeper into the benefits and challenges of digitalization in the education sector, let’s go over what this concept means. Often used interchangeably, digitization and digitalization need to be clearly distinguished in the context of digital education:

• Digitization relates to the process of converting physical aspects of education into digital formats (e.g. developing courses in an electronic format, taking notes in an app instead of a whiteboard or piece of paper, teaching classes via Zoom instead of in the classroom, and so on);

• Digitalization refers to the conversion of current education and training processes with the help of digital technologies. The key purpose of digitalization is not to just ‘go digital,’ but to add value and increase effectiveness through modern technology, so it’s the next step over digitization. 

Benefits of education digitalization

Over the past two years, we’ve worked with various clients in the education sector, helping them digitize and digitalize their products and services. During this time, we’ve discovered firsthand the many benefits of going digital in this industry, and here are just a few of them:

• Information sharing and accessibility 

The most important benefit of digital education is undoubtedly accessibility. Anyone can further their education and learn new skills with just a few clicks on a device of their choice. Digitizing educational materials unlocks opportunities for people all over the world, and makes it easier for students to access materials, without having to buy, borrow, or xerocopy books. 

• 24-hour availability

How many people living outside the U.S. can dream of attending classes at Harvard or Stanford? With online education, that dream can come true. Most major universities around the world offer online courses and training programs that you can attend from the comfort of your home. An added benefit is asynchronous learning, which allows you to study when you are most comfortable and productive, whether that’s late at night or the crack of dawn. 

That’s just one of the benefits of 24/7 availability; there is evidence that online learning can be more effective than in-person learning, in several ways. Data from The Research Institute of Americas shows that, on average, students retain 25% to 60% more information when studying online, compared to just 8-10% in a classroom. Why? Because students can learn at their own pace, going back and re-reading, or going through the material as they choose. 

• Cultural diversity

We are living in a globalized world, and it’s becoming clear that to operate and be successful in any field, you need to understand cultural differences. But in traditional education systems, we don’t often get a chance to interact with colleagues from all over the world. With online learning, you can connect to and interact with people from all over the world, people who have different backgrounds and ideas, and learn from each other. That, in itself, is a unique way of expanding your education and being more open-minded and knowledgeable about other cultures. 

• A global market for teachers

Online learning doesn’t only bring benefits for students - it also helps teachers. There is no physical limit to how many students you can teach online, while you have limited space in a classroom. Teachers and tutors also have easy access to tools and courses to further their education, earn CE credits, learn new skills, and advance in their careers. This, in turn, will make them better at teaching and help them embrace new teaching methods. 

• Digitalization perks

By using modern technology, it becomes much easier for schools to perform administrative tasks. There was a time when teachers and superintendents would spend countless hours doing reports and paperwork. With the help of digitalization, these tasks can be simplified, integrated, and even automated, saving schools and teachers a lot of time and effort. 

Another perk of digitalization is the opportunity for gamification. This is a proven strategy to motivate students and pique their curiosity; gamification also ensures students remain engaged and interested in what teachers have to say. 

Last but not least, digitalization can improve your bottom line. Overall cost reduction is real, and sometimes it can be significant because online learning means reducing commuting costs and school utility bills. It also means going paperless, which is not only more cost-effective but also environmentally friendly. 

• Feedback loops and adaptation

With digitalization, making informed decisions becomes so much easier. You can identify and track performance KPIs very easily when learning online, because you have all the necessary data at your disposal, just a few clicks away. Digitalization also helps you adapt and implement feedback at a much quicker rate than in the conventional education system. 

Challenges of digitalization in the education sector

While digital education brings many benefits to teachers and students alike, right now, it also brings challenges. 

• Technologization and internet access

Access to education for all is easier said than done. Digitalization is easier to implement in developed and developing countries, but there are many places around the world where children don’t have access to mobile devices, and might not even have internet access. According to Eurostat research in 2019, many low-income homes across the European Union have no access to computers, and more than 1 in 5 young people don’t even have a basic level of digital skills. 

Although digitalization might be the key for the less developed countries to provide access to education for their population, building a global infrastructure for global internet access and providing devices will still require massive investments.

• Distractions 

An often overlooked, but crucial challenge is keeping pupils and students focused and interested while learning online. This challenge does exist in conventional education, as well, but with digital education, exposure to distractions increases. It’s very easy for a child to turn down the volume during an online Zoom class, and there are hardly any means of preventing it. However, there are ways to mitigate distractions, by using headphones, blocking social media during online classes, gamification, tracking progress, and so on. 

• Lack of standard protocols 

As we’ve mentioned before, the education system has had to adapt pretty quickly to the ‘new digital normal,’ and as a result, there is no global standard for digital education just yet. While some institutions are thriving in this new environment, others are struggling. A global standard on digital education quality and curricula will become a crucial need in the years to come. 

• Security and privacy issues

By going digital, the education sector is exposed to the risks that everyone on the internet has to face. Cybersecurity, data protection and confidentiality, and privacy are real issues, and every business and individual on the internet has to deal with them. When designing an education-related product, these issues must be at the forefront, especially if the target audience includes children under the age of 18. 

• Mental and physical health issues

Online education is meant to help students continue to learn, even in times of crisis, but it can also lead to mental health issues, if not approached correctly. A good mix of online and offline interactions is crucial for children and young adults, and it can contribute to their overall wellbeing and mental health. In-person social interaction at school or after school will have positive outcomes and will help prevent sedentarism and other health issues that might arise from spending too much time in front of a computer screen. 

Conclusion

The conventional education system that relies on in-classroom interactions only is no longer able to meet the needs of this increasingly digital-savvy society. But online education is more than just Zoom calls, sharing materials in Google Docs, or using chat platforms. These things are just the starting point. The next step in the digitalization process is to add new concepts into the mix, including personalized learning experiences, gamification, and across-the-globe access. 

What’s more, taking into account the fact that there were roughly 6 billion smartphones in use across the globe at the end of 2020 (three times the number of desktop computers), any new education product will have to be built with a mobile-first strategy in mind. There is no escaping it: the smartphone-using population is expected to grow 4% each year and hit 7.69 billion people by 2026. 

If you’re looking to bring your education business to the digital world or are thinking of creating an innovative new education app and don’t know where to start, reach out to our team at X2 Mobile. We’ve got plenty of experience working with businesses and entrepreneurs in this sector, and we’re always looking for a challenge to ensure everyone has access to quality education. 

Ready to get started on your new digital education product? Let’s work together!