EdTech’s positive impact on skilling and linguistic diversity

As we witness the evolution of education, the fusion of technology and learning has led to unprecedented advancements, particularly in skilling and addressing linguistic diversity.  EdTech platforms have emerged as catalysts, harnessing the power of digital innovation to equip learners with essential competencies while navigating India’s rich linguistic diversity.

Minu Sirsalewala, Executive Editor – Special Projects, in a candid conversation with Iti Rawat, Director of Thinkhall Training and Consultancy LLP; discusses the deep influence of EdTech on redefining the educational sphere. One of the key areas where EdTech  has made significant strides is in skilling, where digital platforms have become instrumental in equipping learners with the necessary competencies for success in the rapidly evolving job market. Moreover, India’s linguistic diversity poses both a challenge and an opportunity for EdTech companies to tailor their offerings to cater to learners from various linguistic backgrounds, thereby fostering inclusivity and ensuring that no student is left behind.

How has your organization aligned its efforts with government initiatives such as Skill India and Digital India to contribute to the skilling ecosystem in India?

We have our online academy, which helps skill retail professionals for the basic skills needed in retail. The key courses include selling skills, retail professional skills, retail tech and maths etc. As the retail expanse is growing, we need more and more skilled professionals in the industry. Online intervention does support this, but how Thinkhall has been unique in its services is that it also provides retail trainers spread across 800+ cities of India. This means hybrid training is possible even in tier 3 or 4 cities.

In what ways do you envision EdTech platforms playing a role in supporting government-led initiatives aimed at enhancing digital literacy and vocational training across the country?

EdTech is the future. India is a diverse country with the highest population in the world. We have to also understand that the majority of the population is still in the villages and small towns. Hence, we can say reach has to be the primary focus when it comes to skilling initiatives. EdTech with vernacular language support and also support for jobs would be the right way to go ahead. Vocational training opportunities should be provided by the industry directly where the rubber meets the road. Collaboration of EdTech firms, government entities and industry key recruiters is the right way to create a win-win situation for all.

Can you share examples of how your platform has been instrumental in upskilling or reskilling learners to meet the demands of the contemporary job market?

Thinkhall Academy has various industry-relevant courses. We continue to update our courses based on the industry’s demand and requirements. This helps us to gain new and relevant learners and they also enhance the right skills. Industry Connect and job applications are available online. For example, if you take up the merchandising course, the merchandising jobs available will automatically be shared with you after the course completion. Some of the key retail employers have partnered with Thinkhall in this initiative to provide the right and relevant updated courses here.

How does your organization assess and address the skill gaps prevalent among learners, particularly in emerging domains such as Artificial Intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity?

Ever changing skill landscape demands the skills to be accessed and optimised properly. Hence skill gap analysis differs for each industry and each role. We have an online test available at elementary, intermediate and advanced levels to access the skills of every individual. It also provides a complete report and chart at the end for each along with the certification to help you understand where the skills are lacking.

Given India’s linguistic diversity, how does your platform accommodate learners from different linguistic backgrounds and ensure that language is not a barrier to accessing education? What strategies have you implemented?

Thinkhall works on vernacular content. We can create animated video films and actual shot video films on interactive slides in any language possible. Mostly the courses are developed in English or Hindi, but we have seen the adaption rates going ahead when vernacular facility is provided with regional language selection.

Our courses are currently available on the website in Hindi and English. With the selection of the language tool, the whole website will convert into the language not just the course curriculum. This benefits the learners to navigate through the website as well.

We create courses in other regional languages as well based on the client’s requirements.

How does your platform personalize learning experiences to cater to the individual learning needs and preferences of users, especially in the context of skill development?

Thinkhall is built for personalised learning experience. As already discussed, we have a skill gap analysis test that the learner can take before they begin the courses. We then based on the test suggest the right courses to be done Once the courses are done, we provide individual certificates from the academy and also preferred jobs available for the skills added by you.

This is the most personalised 360-degree experience a website can offer – from skill gap assessment to jobs.

Can you provide insights into the role of adaptive learning technologies and data-driven insights in optimizing skill development outcomes for learners?

Every learner is different and they need personalised skilling. This is the future. ALT (Adaptive learning tech) tracks a learner’s performance, usage, courses done, interest levels etc and then designs a personalised course for them. Technology-wise it’s either expensive or still at a preliminary stage of adaption. Thinkhall Academy provides a book a trainer/coach online session for adaptive learning. You can hire a coach for your personal learning experience. You can clear doubts, ask questions and mentor on the other side would be adept at giving you sound advice on your career and growth as well.

What are the key challenges you foresee in leveraging EdTech for skilling and promoting linguistic diversity in the Indian education landscape, and how do you plan to address them?

The post-Covid industry saw a spike of online courses and in the EdTech industry. With the clutter in the market, it was very hard for learners to choose the right courses for themselves. What happened eventually was the well-funded, aggressive startups started spending more on advertising and customer acquisition rather than on data and research or making their courses and content right.

Learners did get disappointed and left with a bad review and feedback. We foresee the challenges of not advertising enough to promote our courses, but at the same time we believe the product and content are good, and it will sell sooner or later. The customers are happy with our work and there is no better channel to promote than word of mouth.

Looking ahead, what opportunities do you see for EdTech to further contribute to digital learning initiatives in India, particularly in the realm of skilling and linguistic inclusivity?

Edtech is the future and contributing in a big way in skilling. Also, there is no doubt about it that it has expanded the reach and opened doors for new learners and market. Within the current work we are doing as well, there is immense work and opportunities that can be tapped. Firstly, the use of latest tech like AI, blockchain etc is still not explored to its full potential.

Secondly, I also believe the future of skilling is into going hybrid. While we are all gung-ho about online learning the offline one to one education plays a key role in shaping the learner’s mind.

Thirdly, the focus needs to be on learners and educators more than the advertising. I believe quality education can only come with quality teachers and quality content to read and learn.

How are EdTech platforms leveraging government initiatives to democratize access to education, especially in underserved rural areas?

EdTech is more accessible, more affordable and has a good reach across if supported by the right infrastructure like, bandwidth and Internet. Unfortunately, India is still undergoing development of infrastructure in villages and small towns. Mobile learning apps if it can deliver on a smaller bandwidth become more popular among the preferred learning tool. There is a strong trend in the adaptation of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) as well.

The real success in reach and adaptability although is highly still dependent on vernacular language adaptation, available affordable smartphones with bandwidth and reach of internet in villages as well. 

Iti Rawat

Director, Thinkhall Training and Consultancy LLP

By Minu Sirsalewala

minus@cybermedia.co.in