Platforms and Learning
Reinventing Education in Crisis
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Happy Mother’s Day. And it is no coincidence that we would be discussing about Education and Learning.
नास्ति मातृ समो गुरु !
There is no greater teacher than mother.
DTW
During the week, I read a tweet offering a lifetime opportunity for many graduating students in USA to be part of an Online Graduation and Commencement Ceremony joined by no other than President Barack Obama.
This also brought out the stark reality that our education ecosystem would be jolted to a “New Normal”. And of course, the platforms are going to play an extraordinary role in this transformation. Platform Businesses’ role in this once-in-multi-generation-shift plays out in two ways- First, as learning platforms; and Two, as enabling the learning ecosystem.
Learning Platforms- They have seen a resurgence ever since the #LockDown was announced and seem to be broadly divided into two categories. One set of platforms make content available and are mostly an aggregator of content providers with some amount of their own content. Most of them have relied on gamification and elaborate visuals to keep the audience engaged and the subscription flowing. Some of them like Byju’s have had difficulties during the Covid-19 as most of their aggressive sales efforts were personal meetings with parents and children in their homes. Their sales efforts over phone and video chats have so far produced sub-optimal results. It is ironical that the online learning platforms have not picked up majorly during the #lockdown owing to an offline sales strategy. It definitely tells us that the consumer behaviour is still a mystery and far away from unveiling itself. Second set of platforms in this space are aggregators of tutors or trainers. They have had a decent run because tutors are badly affected during the #Lockdown and were looking for technology solutions. Similarly, they solve the discovery and transaction problems for parents and make the entire process frictionless. Tuition centres run by recent graduates and housewives may eventually migrate to such platforms for both customer acquisition and technology support.
Learning Enabling Platforms- We have also seen an uptick in usage of platforms like Zoom, Google Meet etc for teaching students during #LockDown and going forward more schools and universities may continue to use them for non-class hours of engagement. What is striking is the usage of business video conferencing platforms like Webex & Microsoft Teams and the agility of these platforms in pivoting to education sector. With their superior interfaces and security features , they have started nibbling into the EduTech space and eroding the value proposition of ‘Superior Content’ proposed by learning platforms with their superior delivery/interactive user experience. This development also gives an edge to good content producers to move away from content providers like Udemy and others. With the help of tech platforms , the content creator may be able to manage their own distribution at fraction of cost and also acquire tons of customer data for customer retention.
University as Learning and Learning Enabling Platform- Universities are uniquely positioned in Covid-19 and could end up either building the rails for transformed education or be derailed. Though there have been sporadic attempts towards Technology enabled education but Covid -19 has forced everybody’s hand. With current #Lockdown disrupting the ongoing academic year, there is a possibility that we might face many more such disruptions to class room based academic activities going forward. Universities are special because they are both content creators as well as distribution channels for quality content. All of us are now more than ever acutely aware of the value of bringing top quality students and teachers with latest technology together. Going forward, universities could follow a sequential four stage action plan-
One, continue the engagement with current students and demonstrate resolve to deal with the crisis.
Two, develop new mental modes for tackling the crisis
Three, create and communicate a recovery plan with all the stakeholders including students, parents and teachers
Four, visualise the New Normal to emerge successful out of this crisis.
Whenever I am discussing essential life skills, I always talk about the famous Flying Dutchman Robin van Persie’s goal in World Cup opener which is an extraordinary example of awareness and visualisation.
Now as always is that moment ! Covid-19 is an accelerant to whatever was happening with us and things are going to change fast. That’s the awareness that the manager needs and that’s the awareness that the learners of today have to inculcate. We can not wait for the ball standing where we are but have to move to where it is going to be.
OTW
Over the Weekend, I watched Kaamyaab on Netflix anchored by an exemplary performance by Sanjai Mishra. What struck me was the ease with which Sanjay Mishra could play himself. His relationships with people around him- his family, younger & older neighbours and of course from his film fraternity colleagues - define him for some parts but then he tries to shakes them off and forges/stumbles ahead.
Of course, the larger question that he and all of us are striving to answer and of course beautifully articulated by Clayton M. Christensen in his book of the same title-How Will You Measure Your Life? Let me leave you with you with one of my favourite lines from his huge body of work.
“Choose the Right Yardstick - I have a pretty clear idea of how my ideas have generated enormous revenue for companies that have used my research; I know I’ve had a substantial impact. But as I’ve confronted this disease, it’s been interesting to see how unimportant that impact is to me now. I’ve concluded that the metric by which God will assess my life isn’t dollars but the individual people whose lives I’ve touched.
I think that’s the way it will work for us all. Don’t worry about the level of individual prominence you have achieved; worry about the individuals you have helped become better people. This is my final recommendation: Think about the metric by which your life will be judged, and make a resolution to live every day so that in the end, your life will be judged a success.”
Wishing You a Worthy Joyful Life.
I Love You.
Shailendra
This write up is close to the heart as I myself going through the transition. I would like to bring up two points from my experience so far. As an academician, regular conversations with students, colleagues and other staff members is an important part of our day to day learning. The physical presence of an individual plays an important role when it comes to these unplanned discussions. However, when it comes to online platforms, these interactions do not happen because for the online world a pre-assigned motive is important. We need to think about this aspect as well. But at the same time, these platforms have opened a lot of opportunities for more participation of experts in the classroom teaching which was not possible due to geographical distances before. Now when I am planning my lectures I am trying to include experts from different fields to be part of the learning experience.
An informative, insightful and heartwarming read as ever!
The idea of a crisis like COVID-19 as an accelerator opens up a new vistas for thinking in many other areas besides learning.
Recently I cam to know about the Commonwealth Of Learning's effort to facilitate learning during these difficult time. (https://www.col.org/resources/keeping-doors-learning-open-covid-19). It may be helpful for them in teaching fraternity who are looking at relevant platforms to share with their students .