How can students make the best use of Edtech platforms and online study material?

The nature of education in India is fast evolving with the availability of the internet and the emergence of Edtech platforms. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of e-learning in India. Students who have adopted tech-enabled learning are experiencing a more engaging and immersive learning environment compared to the ones who have not.

A decade back, students in grade 1 had limited access to online learning materials. The concept of an Edtech platform was unheard of. Fast forward 10 years and grade one students started their school life through online classrooms.

Today, e-learning is an integral part of the educational ecosystem. Most students are either aware of or have access to digital tools. However, the question at hand is how can students make the most of these tools?

Students are bound to benefit if they get familiar with the best use of each of these categories.

1. Learning materials

Several Edtech platforms have developed learning resources in recorded video format, downloadable study material, concepts, and stories. These help students grasp fundamental concepts in an interactive and engaging manner. In addition, students benefit from the flexibility of such platforms as they can learn at their own pace and convenience.

Students should prefer using the learning material as it simplifies complex information through mind maps, cheat sheets, and infographics. Using Edtech platforms, students can also learn memorisation techniques, tips to solve numerical numbers, and access short notes for quick revision.

Best way to use Learning Materials: Students can upgrade their learning experience using learning materials. They can watch video lectures before a class in school to get a summary of the learning in advance. These video lectures are made engaging with the use of animation. This could help students get a better understanding of the concepts and allow them to visualise their learning.

2. Live classes

Live classes are in demand among students who strive for excellence in competitive exams. Students get a better grasp of concepts from the best teachers in the country. Live classes give students the opportunity to interact and engage with subject experts and students nationwide.

Live classes ensure that students get to learn with like-minded classmates from across the world rather than restricting themselves to the local-level competition.

Best ways to use Live Classes: The live class concept is an exemplary way to ensure that students follow a definite timetable and complete their tasks on time. Moreover, frequent interaction with their teachers helps them make their learning experience more engaging and interactive.

3. Doubt Resolution

In the traditional classroom setting, students generally refrain from asking questions for various reasons like hesitation or lack of confidence. Moreover, considering a large number of students in a classroom, teachers find it difficult to solve individual questions due to paucity of time.

Under such circumstances, students can make the best use of doubt-solving sessions that are provided by Edtech platforms. These sessions, conducted by subject experts, are generally available all round the clock.

Besides, the doubt feature denounces hesitancy, as students can get their queries answered by chatting with the experts. Students can also post their doubts through images. New features like the integration of voice search are also being rolled out for doubt resolution.

Best way to use Doubt Apps: Students can maximise their conceptual understanding with the frequent use of doubtful apps. Getting your queries solved instantly will avoid pile-ups, which will help them during the final revision phase.

4. Practice apps

Regular practice gives students a better grip on concepts. Students can practice thousands of questions on learning apps and analyse their performance in real-time. With the gamification of learning, practice is now a fun activity for students as they can learn through games and quizzes.

Students can form a community with their friends and classmates to compete with each other. This promotes healthy competition and keeps them motivated to learn more. Furthermore, students tend to get demotivated when they come across tough questions during their initial phase of learning. Through adaptive practice, learning apps help them solve questions based on their current skill level and build from there. This builds confidence through instant feedback on their performance.

Best way to use Practice Apps: Students should practice their learning immediately after completing a topic to ensure that they gain conceptual understanding. It also ensures that they can apply the knowledge that they have learned.

5. Mock tests

Mock tests play an important role in assessing a student’s preparedness for competitive exams, Olympiads as well as board exams. These tests are designed to assess a student’s level of preparedness in comparison with others.

Some Edtech platforms also allow students to take their own tests based on the syllabus that they have completed. Students get to understand their areas of strengths and work on their shortcomings if any. These tests help students get accustomed to the pressure of the actual examination. Based on their performance in mock tests, students can also strategise preparation plans well ahead.

Best way to make use of Mock Tests: These tests are one of the key metrics to measure a student’s understanding of the topic. Mock tests should be taken regularly right from the beginning and not during the final leg of the examination to avoid last-minute blunders.

Edtech platforms can be leveraged as a means to achieve academic excellence. The amalgamation of traditional schooling with tech-enabled learning definitely adds to an advantage over students who stick to old methods of learning.

By Joe Kochitty, Senior VP – Product, Toppr.

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