As the education system transitions from the classic blackboard classroom to the online classroom, thanks to the pandemic, teaching-and-learning tools must simultaneously evolve too. Digitization in the education sector has gone up exponentially in the last six months in order to keep pace with the sudden transition. However, equal access to online classes for all is still questionable, especially in semi-urban and rural India.
Educationists are continuously striving to make the teaching and learning cycle as effective as possible in the new paradigm. The New Education Policy is also striving to pave the way for reforms in the Indian education sector. New teaching technologies are being experimented on incessantly by educators and ed-tech startups alike. Amidst all of this work, one technology that stands out as the way forward is voice technology. The term “voice technology” usually brings to mind Alexa, Siri, or everyone’s favourite – Google Maps. But the potential of voice technology is not limited to these use cases alone.
Augmenting Learning with Voice Technology and Artificial Intelligence
Even though online learning is a viable option during this time of crisis, it is still not available to a major part of the nation due to accessibility and cost factors. The feasible solution to this problem would be adopting voice technology.
13 Reasons Why
When compared to visual learning, voice-assisted technology is not only economical and easily accessible but also comes with its own set of unique benefits.
- The devices used with voice-assisted technology are easily portable as they are very light on hardware.
Voice-enabled devices have very simple interfaces. This eliminates the fear of usage among non-tech savvy users. - Voice-enabled devices typically require a minimum of 512 Mbps to work efficiently. Compare this ask to the higher bandwidth required by visual learning platforms to function. A 3G connection is usually more than sufficient to run a voice-enabled device.
- Voice-enabled devices are now available with battery back-up thus eliminating the need for consistent electricity supply.
- Voice-assisted learning solutions utilize the most natural way in which human beings learn – through listening and speaking. Thus, using conversation-style learning, voice technology ensures learning that is natural and effective.
- Voice technology is not a passive interface. Well-designed, pedagogically-based solutions will not only tell learners that they are incorrect but will also explain why.
- There is no fear of fatigue with voice technology. It can repeat lessons, exercises, and assessments as many times as the learners’ requests.
Voice technology helps learners to make mistakes and learn in a non-judgemental environment. This is a critical aspect of learning confidently. - Learning in a non-judgemental environment is particularly important for adult learners. Voice-assisted learning takes care of this as well.
- Voice technology can support individualized learning as well as pair, small-group, and large-group learning.
- Voice technology is extendable to any academic subject and any use case.
- The ‘only audio’ medium of voice technology minimizes exposure to screen time.
- Voice technology is particularly beneficial for learning communicative English as it ensures that MTI (Mother Tongue Influence) is reduced while pronouncing English words. A classic challenge being faced by learners in semi-urban and rural areas is that they do not have access to good models of communicative English.
The Way Ahead
The education industry has already witnessed drastic changes due to the pandemic. Now with the focus on technology and an especial nod to artificial intelligence in the New Education Policy, technology is taking over the driver’s seat in the education sector. Increasing exposure to technology from a young age will go a long way in helping future generations lead the way to a new world of innovation and creativity.
While we take a leap ahead to transform teaching and learning for all, the main concern is to ensure that no one is left out of the loop. No learner should be deprived of learning due to accessibility to accessible and affordable technology. So, let’s make some noise for voice – the way forward.
About the Author
Saraswathy Ramamoorthy is co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Learning Matters Pvt. Ltd. (www.learningmatters.xyz). Recipient of the Innovative Digital Education Award from India Mobile Congress and the UK Government Tech-Hub partnership among other recognitions, Learning Matters designs technology-based educational solutions to enhance the quality of teachers and the quality of teaching in schools, thereby improving student learning outcomes. They focus on improving mainstream school education with a special focus on schools in rural and semi-urban India. By impacting students, they create measurable end-results.
Saraswathy may be contacted at https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraswathy-ramamoorthy-33923025/
