How do we move on from COVID?

EdTech in a Post-pandemic World

What is EdTech?

COVID changed things. To say that would be an understatement. The coronavirus pandemic changed the way we work, the way we interact, and the way we teach. In 2020, millions of students had to suddenly switch over from in-person classes to listening to lectures over Zoom or Microsoft Teams. The sudden change was jarring and put children with unreliable internet access in a tough spot. The College Board’s titan, the SAT, was another casualty of the pandemic, as many colleges chose to go test-optional, or abandon standardized testing as a whole. Now governments and schools across the planet face the aftermath of it all. And education technology ( EdTech ) might be the solution.

EdTech is the use of technology in the classroom. It ranges from using projectors to smart whiteboards. We can implement EdTech as software that augment learning in the classroom, and take over menial tasks from teachers so that they’re freer to engage with students. In 2020, EdTech came into the public eye as school went online.

EdTech plays a big part in our future

As someone who was doing their A-Levels during that time, I’m conflicted about online learning. While I’m grateful for an alternative in case of emergencies, I find taking classes over the internet to be clunky, less engaging and sometimes frustrating. However, I also know people who prefer face-to-face classes. Massive Open Online Courses(MOOCs) take it a step up, as they offer classes and certifications completely virtually. Udemy, edX and Coursera are some MOOCs.

Pros and Cons

EdTech has many benefits. We can use it to create customised curriculums. EdTech also greatly aids special-needs kids, providing parents with several tools designed for their children. Learning Management Systems(LMS) are software that help teachers in documenting, reporting and administrating education progress.

Many mobile applications have also popped up in recent years. Labster, a Denmark based start-up provides virtual laboratory simulations. Remind is a messaging app meant to bridge the gap between teachers and parents. LearnOBots, based in Islamabad, is another EdTech solutions company. We offer DIY robotics kits, summer camps, and online courses. We aim to prepare today’s children for the uncertainties of the future by teaching them STEAM–Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths.

Nonetheless, EdTech also has its fair share of critics. Many parents and teachers are sceptical of new technologies and prefer traditional teaching methods. Many argue that online or specialized learning is too impersonal, and isolates children from teachers and other students. After all, the process of making friends cannot be simulated, and neither can co-curricular activities. Furthermore, it’s impossible to replace the human element in teaching subjects like Arts or Creative Writing.

Perhaps the most damming criticism of EdTech is that it is unavailable to most children. 3 billion people worldwide lack internet access. Most children in Pakistan would be unable to afford laptops or tablets. However, it is up to the government to expand internet and communication infrastructure and make sure each child’s education needs are met. Countries like Costa Rica have even gone so far as to declare the internet a basic human right.

LearnOBots is bringing the future to kids

EdTech and LearnOBots

The COVID-19 Pandemic, some argue, proves that all countries should follow suit with Costa Rica. Nonetheless, what’s certain is that EdTech is here to stay. It has both pros and cons, but in the end, its success depends on how it is implemented by educators and governments. Moreover, I do not believe that EdTech will replace traditional learning, but rather, coexist with it.

We live in uncertain times. Just last week, as of May 2022, classes at the National University of Science and Technology had to move online due to political unrest. EdTech provides much-needed solutions and is so much more than just a response to the pandemic.

LearnOBots is an EdTech solutions company that offers a variety of products and services. Our STEAM Camps offer many courses and an immersive learning environment. Children at the camps can also interact with robots and 3D printing to get hands-on experience. Register now for our 2022 Summer Camp!

We also provide stay-at-home and distance learning solutions. Our 18 different kits DIY Kits are unique and developed by STEAM experts. LearnOSteam is also a service provided by LearnOBots. It’s an online, all-in-one STEAM learning platform for kids which offers a comprehensive, activity-based curriculum so that kids never get bored. It teaches kids to create code and then experiment with their creations.

MIT Hackaday featured LearnOBots and we won the EdTech Company Award in 2020. We offer the most cutting edge services in STEAM education, and if you are interested in us, explore the rest of our website. You can also contact us through email or WhatsApp.