Over the last decade, technology’s progression and expansion has moved at a faster pace than other sectors can keep up with. One of the most obvious distinctions is between EdTech companies and larger established educational institutions. Traditional education is still hyper-focused on exams and lectures whilst the world of EdTech provides a wealth of opportunities to approach education in a more creative, innovative way. But to bring true value to students, both parties must learn to collaborate and offer the best of both worlds.

We are entering the age of collaboration where technology and skills are becoming so advanced that companies should be looking to collaborate with others who can offer specialty services, rather than trying to replicate in-house. Businesses and people should play to their strengths and allow their genius to shine through and this is relevant to educational institutions too. Why build the tech in-house to host remote learning when EdTech companies have already spent years refining the applications and processes?

EdTech can provide the practical skills that traditional school leavers lack

In a recent IBM Institute for Business Value survey, 51% of respondents believe that the current higher education system fails to meet the needs of students, and nearly 60% believe it fails to meet the needs of the industry. Whilst more traditional education can teach soft skills such as meeting deadlines and working in groups along with more specialised knowledge, it fails to provide more practical skills that are valuable within a workplace setting. These might be skills related to diffusing conflict, managing a team and playing to their strengths, effective communication, and emotional awareness, which many EdTech programmes have focused on fostering through providing tasks that encourage collaboration and practical learning initiatives.

With uncertainty around economies and centralised fiat monetary systems around the world becoming unstable, now is the time that we need to be teaching children, teenagers, and adults new skills such as entrepreneurship and business skills such as marketing, investment, and leadership skills. The world is changing fast, and our future generations need to be equipped to forge new pathways in a system that no longer plays by the same rules. The jobs market is being impacted by rising inflation and automation means that no longer will it be enough to rely on getting a job, we need our education systems to be teaching our future generations how to get a job.

EdTech can democratize the learning process

Even before the pandemic, the technology for students to learn remotely was available, but the slow adoption by traditional education institutions meant this wasn’t an option for many, leaving students to miss out on lectures if for some reason they couldn’t attend in-person. This also meant that students who had location-based disadvantages were excluded. Whilst many traditional institutions have reverted back to in-person teaching, EdTech has instead focussed on continuing to democratize the learning process and ensuring education is accessible to an array of students by continuing to provide courses remotely. This isn’t just better for students but better for society too. It means better attendance, less disruption caused by geographic or transport restrictions, and greater course options for students.

Many EdTech organisations embrace collaboration from thought leaders

EdTech has often looked to industry thought leaders in order to provide teachings for its students, as opposed to established theories and models that many traditional institutions reference from. And whilst there is a place for theorising across subjects, students benefit from learning from real people who have the relevant experience and expertise to teach beyond what the textbooks tell them. By combining more traditional ways of learning with in-person teachings from real experts, EdTech companies and traditional education institutions can provide the best of both worlds when it comes to the learning experience.

EdTech can help educational institutions to better engage students

A recent paper by McKinsey reported that 2020 saw record enrollment for universities, so much so that many have launched remote-only programmes to meet increased demands. This study alone proves the need for education to be more remote, and that student engagement can be better than just offering in-person courses alone.

If this same approach was taken across an array of courses, using EdTech to enhance the remote learning process, universities wouldn’t just see more students enroll, but a much higher level of participation, as it would enable students to fit education into their lifestyle rather than having to work around their courses. If students can’t attend lessons, EdTech provides ways for them to catch up remotely, see the questions asked, and get access to the textbooks they need so that the learning experience isn’t hindered.

Earning and Learning

As we embark on this new age of uncertainty and a potential global recession, it will be important for students to leave university without significant debt. For many years there has been much talk about how it is unfair for a professional to start their working lives encumbered by huge debts that have to be paid off. A new era is around the corner for education where students will be able to ‘earn while they learn’. Collaboration between traditional learning and EdTech will enable this with digitised courses being offered at much lower fees and also opportunities for students to monetise their own skill set and offer their expertise to others, allowing them to earn while they learn.

With the advances of EdTech we will see degrees become free and many more marginalised and minority groups able to access life-changing education that will enhance societies, communities, and economies globally. This is why collaboration is so important and EdTech really is the future of education.