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Using the power of data to improve learning outcomes for the students in rural India

Data analytics, when it comes to students especially, has the potential to enhance individual performance by leaps and bounds

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DQINDIA Online
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The world has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past few decades, and the coursework at schools has likewise gone through a lot of changes. Students are often targeted by different educational institutes, leaving them confused about their coursework selection. In such an evolving situation, students need an education system that is able to account for this and accomplishes to fulfill the requirements of the students. This makes it very crucial for the system to be built in a way that there is emphasis on the needs of every child. It will help provide each one of them with the education as per their competence. The same can be figured out today using learning data. 

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Data intelligence can help achieve a greater educational impact

Digital learning was introduced in India long before the pandemic, however, the COVID outbreak and subsequent lockdowns gave it a push that has led to it becoming a prevalent way for many to learn even in rural parts of the country. The vigorous deployment of technology in the learning process has created more opportunities for interaction, collaboration, and sharing of knowledge, which in turn has generated a tremendous amount of learning data, creating an opportunity to collect, interpret and analyze the learning evidence in the education system. Corresponding to education data mining technology, educators want to transform this big data of education into information, knowledge, and wisdom to educate students better.    

There exist diverse types of educational data because of various educational practices, such as learning, teaching, management, and research. It leads to more complicated data collection and analysis. From the perspective of data sources, educational data can be classified into assessment data, classroom observation data, survey data, human-computer interaction data, physiological data, and learning environment data. Formative assessment provides real time data and inputs such as a concept map for problem-solving and processing data letting teachers understand the effectiveness of classes and helping them improve teaching practices that will enhance the classroom experience. It also lets teachers know where learners are struggling and what adjustments need to be made to move forward. On the flip side, summative assessments are more efficient in providing system level information. This data is very useful to understand whether the curriculum or teaching practices follower were successful and if learners have reached a certain standard or benchmark. .

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Data analysis for the future of the education system in India

In a developing nation like India, cutting-edge tools in the education sector are the best way to fast-track development. Industries worldwide, from corporate services to businesses, the public sector, government agencies, etc., are leveraging data analytics to make processes smoother. Likewise, the Indian education sector can also leverage the power of data to tackle the challenges like lack of insights into attendance, student performance, strengths and weaknesses, and so on. Meanwhile, to see the benefits of data science, educators have to understand it better. A macro to micro level implementation and embedding analytics to everyone’s everyday’s life is essential for better data literacy and its usage.

Educators will be able to know more about students’ performance through analytics and use that knowledge for better learning outcomes. They can build a system using tools like multi-source knowledge mapping and predictive analysis to cater to individual students' learning needs. They can accumulate data through multiple channels like the overall participation in class, interaction with fellow students or teachers, social interaction, levels of zeal or sobriety, etc. Teachers can understand student behavior and performance by monitoring these activities. It will enable them to better strategize their teaching techniques and approach toward students. Additionally, such data will gather students’ overall growth – including both academic and extracurricular. 

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Help for parents

As schools use machine learning, predictive modeling, and data analytics to create customized curriculums for each student, parents can also reap benefits to better understand what their kids need. The digital curriculums allow parents to become more involved, for instance, by getting access to a portal specifically designed for them. They can use any device to keep track of their kids’ scores grades, ongoing projects, etc.

Concepts like online homework lets parents and children see in real-time whether they are answering the questions correctly or not. These new models make the homework reinforce concepts of learning. Their online grade books (that are secured and have restricted accessibility to selective individuals) enables parents to be more effective advocates.

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It can be difficult for parents to know how to get involved but having real insight into children’s learning, what they need, what teachers have assigned, use of big analytics on how and when to intervene makes parents more interested in school. And schools can benefit from the support of parents and the larger community in raising graduation levels and improving student outcomes.

How will it benefit students?

Data analytics has the potential to enhance individual performance by leaps and bounds. Schools can encourage students as per their interests and scores in cultural or sports-related activities, academics, etc. It can also help uplift the performance of average students or those below average. The overall improved performance of a student would bring down the dropout rates as well, especially in rural areas where parents make students leave school if they are not performing well. Immediate results (presented in a non-competitive way) and regular opportunities to participate in activities can potentially encourage students to work towards improving themselves. The analytics will further offer options of learning – whether physical or online, which is extremely important in the case of students in remote areas. Additionally, continuous data of students in the long run can help them evaluate their interests better and drive them towards activities that interest and motivate them. 

The article has been written by Sandeep Kavety, Head of Products, ConveGenius Insights

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