Classroom Technology Updates

The global education crisis is deepening - and so is the potential for bold, tech-powered solutions. A $400 billion EdTech revolution is underway. Over 600 million children worldwide lack basic reading and math skills. In low-income countries, nearly 90% of 10-year-olds can’t read a simple sentence. The pandemic pushed an additional 100 million learners into learning poverty, disrupting education for more than 1.6 billion students. This Top Tier Impact infographic maps 100+ startups transforming learning access, equity, and outcomes across four innovation categories: 🤝 Learner Access & Inclusion – Startups expanding education to underserved communities through offline-first tools, local-language content, and marginalized learner support. 📚 Instructional Content & Pedagogy – Companies building personalized, gamified, and digitally adaptive learning experiences that reimagine how students engage with knowledge. 👣 Career & Skills Pathways – Platforms equipping learners with real-world skills, vocational training, and pathways from education to employment. 🧑💻Teacher & School Enablement – Tools that support educators and school systems with planning software, resource platforms, and data-driven management solutions. Education is the foundation of opportunity. Scaling these solutions can close global learning gaps and unlock human potential at a planetary scale. 🚀 Which innovators are we missing? Submit additional startups here: https://lnkd.in/gqf7CSfW #EdTech #EducationInnovation #SocialImpact #LearningEquity

In 2020, global edtech funding hit $16.1 billion, a 318% jump from the year before. In India, the market ballooned from $700 million in 2019 to $3.5 billion by 2021. BYJU’S became a national obsession, crossing 100 million registered users, and raising over $3 billion in funding. It felt like we were witnessing the future of education which was accessible, scalable, data-driven. But five years later, the cracks are hard to ignore. The same sector that was once hailed as a revolution is now dealing with widespread regret. It first showed up in the data. Studies found that online learning during the pandemic led to 0.2 standard deviations worth of learning loss in math and reading. In India, ASER reported that basic reading levels in rural areas dropped by 6.2 percentage points during the edtech boom years. While user acquisition looked great on pitch decks, completion rates on major platforms hovered around 15-20%, compared to 60-70% in traditional classrooms. Even BYJU’S, with its massive user base, saw monthly active users drop to 5.5 million by 2022. And then came the financial shakeout. By 2023, global edtech funding had halved to $7.8 billion and continued to decline. In India, the market shrank to $2.1 billion by 2024, with over 15,000 jobs lost. BYJU’S valuation was slashed from $22 billion to under $5 billion. Unacademy and Vedantu laid off more than 1,600 employees combined. The fundamental promise, to democratize education, fell short because of realities that were easy to ignore in investor presentations but hard to overlook in real life. Only 31% of rural households in India had sufficient internet access. Online learning proved significantly less effective than in-person teaching, especially for young learners. Teachers burned out, parents struggled, and a 240% rise in pediatric eye strain cases made everyone question the costs of so much screen time. Further, Governments decided to step in. In 2023, India introduced tighter regulations under the Consumer Protection Act, fining edtech companies ₹17.5 crore for misleading ads and aggressive sales. Yet, not everything is broken. The dust is settling, and the industry is recalibrating. We’re seeing a shift towards hybrid models, which data shows deliver 16% better outcomes than purely online or offline ones. Platforms are prioritizing engagement over scale, with a renewed focus on teacher enablement rather than replacement. Tools that assist teachers are reporting 85% higher satisfaction rates. We often mistake short-term hype for long-term change. Edtech didn’t fail because technology can’t transform education. It failed because the expectations were untethered from the complexity of learning Now, we’re entering a more grounded phase, a realistic renaissance. Smaller, slower, more thoughtful. #edtech

🔍 𝗦𝗶𝘅 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰: 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁! 🚀 Here's a mental map outlining six opportunities and the associated risks to be addressed: 𝟭. 𝗔𝗜-𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: AI can customize learning experiences for each student, adjusting content, pace, and difficulty level. 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸: Privacy concerns arise as AI collects and analyzes student data. Mitigating risk requires leveraging only relevant personal data and ensuring its security. 𝟮. 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: AI-generated content can produce quizzes, study materials, and interactive lessons. 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸: Ensuring accuracy and avoiding bias in the content creation process is a major challenge. 3. 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁-𝗚𝗲𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 – 𝗔𝗜 𝗔𝗣𝗜𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: Developing AI APIs for EdTech startups can simplify content creation for teachers through secure channels. 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸: Overuse of these APIs may diminish human interaction, impacting student guidance. 4. 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: Proactive analysis of student performance data can offer insights and personalized interventions. 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸: Ethical use and transparency of data pose significant challenges in this space. 𝟱. 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗯𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: Virtual tutors available 24/7 for student guidance are a popular use case. 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸: Accuracy of responses, bias, and misinformation are concerns associated with this use case. 𝟲. 𝗔𝗜-𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: AI can create and grade assessments faster, saving time for educators. 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸: Ensuring fairness, lack of bias, and adaptability in the AI platform creating assessments are critical considerations With the right guidelines and human interventions, these use cases can greatly benefit students lacking access to quality institutions and faculties. The opportunities outweigh the risks, indicating rapid progress in this area. Which ones have you seen? #AIinEducation #EdTech #StudentAnalytics #VirtualTutors #AIAssessment #Personalization #EducationTrends 📚

The Role of Virtual Reality (VR) in Education: A Game-Changer ✓ Explore Ancient Civilizations: Experience history without leaving the classroom—VR brings immersive learning to life! ✓ Medical Training Revolutionised: At Stanford, medical students simulate surgeries in a risk-free environment, enhancing their skills. ✓ Virtual Field Trips: Google Expeditions allows students to visit historical sites and geographical wonders, making learning more engaging. ✓ Interactive Learning with Labster: Virtual labs enable hands-on STEM experiments, boosting understanding and retention of complex concepts. ✓ Transformative Statistics: According to PwC, VR learners train four times faster and are 275% more confident in applying their skills.

𝗕𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟴, 𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝘆 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟰𝟱%.  Imagine a classroom where AI handles paperwork, freeing teachers to inspire; AI ensures personalized learning for every child, bridging skill gaps. 2 years back, I met Ms. Meera, a passionate educator at a CBSE-IB school. She was an exceptional biology teacher, deeply committed to her students. Yet, during a quiet coffee break at a Bangalore conference, she shared a challenge that many educators face: I want to give my best to my students, but the endless paperwork, grading, and administrative tasks are exhausting. That moment sparked a powerful conversation. 1. What if AI could handle the mundane tasks, enabling teachers to focus on what they do best—inspiring, engaging, and transforming young minds? 2. How can schools leverage this power to bridge the education-skill gap and prepare students for the future? 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆— 𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟯𝟬+ 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗦𝗔, 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗔𝗘 𝗯𝘆: ✅ 𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 ✅ 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘴 ✅ 𝘙𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴' 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥𝘴 ✅ 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭-𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 ✅ 𝘌𝘯𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵  ✅ 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥- 𝘈𝘐 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 And Ms. Meera? AI has become her silent classroom assistant, ensuring no child is left behind. But this isn't just her story—it’s the reality for thousands of educators ready to embrace innovation. 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳: 1. 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘎𝘗𝘛 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴’ 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘵𝘺. 2. 𝘞𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘳/𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵/𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳-𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘺. 3. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘵-𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦. 🚀 If you're a school leader, principal, or educator looking to leverage AI for impactful teaching, join our waiting list today. Let’s transform education together. 🔗 [𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮]: https://lnkd.in/gkd8zvZn 📺 Must-watch: Prof. Bharat Anand latest insights on AI in education (a must watch for all educators) → https://lnkd.in/gKV7H5qE #EducationInnovation #AIinEdTech #FutureOfLearning #EdTech #Schools

I believe technology can be harnessed for good. But horrors! Recent news headlines remind us of the urgent need for stronger online safety and digital ethics education. - Some boys at Singapore Sports School have been alleged to create and share deepfake nude photos of female students. Police are investigating.  - Scam victims in Singapore are on track to lose over S$770 million by year-end. - Singapore police may be given the authority to prevent repeat scam victims from making online banking transactions to protect them from further financial loss. Alarmingly, some victims continue to transfer money to scammers even when being informed of the fraud – a scenario that once seemed unimaginable!  These troubling incidents highlight persistent challenges surrounding online behaviour, ethics, and safety—issues that have existed since the dawn of the Internet. Singapore has been proactive about these issues from the early days of the internet. In the early 2000s, I was part of  PAGI (Parents Advisory Group for the Internet) which was set up to support parents guide their children on safe online practices, and the Media Literacy Council to help Singaporeans evaluate media and create and share content  safely and responsibly. However, technology especially Generative AI is evolving rapidly. Our digital-native generation, born into a world of bright shiny digital screens and AI, needs a deep understanding of online safety and digital ethics. What can we do to build a strong foundation in online safety hygiene and digital ethics? 1.Integrate Online Safety into Education: Digital safety and awareness must start early—as soon as children enter kindergarten and continue throughout their school years. Kids today are adept at using smartphones and tablets as young as five, so online safety must be part of their foundational learning. 2. Teach Ethics and Responsible Technology Use: Responsible use of digital devices and platforms should be an integral part of schools’ digital safety and awareness curriculum. This is necessary to instil ethical guidelines and a clear understanding of consequences. 3. Pair Technology Access with Safety Training: Digital devices are essential tools for modern learning. However, it’s equally crucial that teachers guide students on online safety and responsible device use. Teaching safe, mindful use of technology isn’t just nice to have, it is essential, not optional. 4. Engage Parents in Digital Safety Education: Parents are vital to fostering online safety and digital ethics. As primary role models, the onues lies with them to guide their children’s digital habits. To do this effectively, parents need to be equipped with the knowledge and resources to promote safe and responsible device use. Creating a digitally responsible society requires a multi-faceted approach that begins with education and active involvement from all stakeholders. It’s time we double down on these efforts. #onlinesafety #digitalethics

Virtual Reality to Improve Language Teaching and Learning Experiences 🤖 Over the past week, I engaged with our dedicated CAC educators during some training sessions on Virtual Reality (VR) as part of our ongoing commitment to innovation at CAC - Eurocentres Colombia. This session was about introducing a new technology and exploring its potential to transform the English learning experience in our classrooms and community. We covered the best practices for integrating VR into our English programs, it was inspiring to see the enthusiasm and curiosity of our teachers. We discussed how VR can make abstract concepts tangible, bring distant cultures closer, and create immersive environments that deepen understanding. The discussions were rich, and filled with ideas on how to align these experiences with our curriculum and how to best support our CAC students’ language learning journeys. Training educators with new methodologies and tools, like VR, is essential in the education field where students usually look for new ways to learn and improve their skills. As educators, we have a great responsibility to keep up with technological advancements and resources that support and make us excel in our roles. When we are confident in using new tools and methodologies, we can create more engaging, effective, and inclusive learning experiences for our students. In terms of the benefits of integrating VR into the classroom, I highlight three of them: 🗣 Immersive Language Practice: VR allows learners to engage in realistic simulations of real-world environments, where they can practice English in context. 🌎 Cultural Exposure: VR can transport learners to different countries and cultural settings, allowing them to experience and understand the cultural nuances of English-speaking regions. 🔝 Engagement and Motivation: The interactive and visually engaging nature of VR makes language learning more enjoyable and motivating. All these sessions with the teachers were friendly reminders of the power of collaboration and continuous learning. As we get more motivated to explore and integrate innovative approaches, I am confident that our team will lead the way in setting new standards for language education.  This is beyond teaching and learning English, this is about creating a better future for our students and increasing the quality of education. #vr #innovation #learnenglish #virtualeducation #caceurocentres

#Transformation in #Education Over the next decade Here’s how this transformation might unfold: 1. #Personalized #Learning: Adaptive Learning Platforms: Education will increasingly leverage AI-driven platforms that tailor lessons, assessments, and feedback to individual student needs, learning styles, and paces. This will allow for more customized learning experiences, where students can progress at their own speed. Data-Driven Insights: Schools will use data analytics to track student progress more effectively and identify areas where each student needs more support or challenge. 2. #Blended and #Hybrid #LearningModels: Flexibility in Learning Environments: The pandemic accelerated the adoption of online and hybrid learning models, and this trend is likely to continue. Students will have more options to learn in a combination of in-person and virtual settings, allowing for greater flexibility and accessibility. Global Classrooms: Technology will enable more cross-cultural and international collaboration, with students participating in global classrooms and working on projects with peers from different parts of the world. 3. Focus on #Skills Over #Content: Shift to Competency-Based Education: There will be a stronger emphasis on developing critical skills like problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and emotional intelligence rather than merely memorizing content. This shift will prepare students better for the demands of the modern workforce. Lifelong Learning: Education systems will place more emphasis on lifelong learning, encouraging continuous skill development throughout an individual’s career, rather than focusing solely on formal education during the early years. 4. Enhanced Role of #Teachers: Facilitators and Coaches: Teachers' roles will evolve from being content deliverers to facilitators of learning, guiding students in their personalized learning journeys and helping them develop the skills needed to succeed. Professional Development: Continuous professional development for educators will become more critical, with a focus on integrating new technologies and methodologies into their teaching practices. 5. #Equity and #Inclusion: Closing the Digital Divide: Efforts to ensure all students have access to the necessary technology and resources will be a priority, reducing disparities in educational opportunities. Inclusive Curricula: There will be a push for curricula that are more inclusive of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures, promoting a more equitable and holistic education for all students. 6. Alternative #Credentialing: Micro-Credentials and Badges: Traditional degrees may be supplemented or even replaced by micro-credentials, certificates, and digital badges that recognize specific skills or competencies. Recognition of Informal Learning: More value will be placed on informal and experiential learning, with students able to gain recognition for skills acquired outside of traditional educational settings.

How to get kids to actually care about being safe online? Well as a “Zillennial,” who grew up with the first wave of smartphones….it took me a while to listen to online safety advice as a teen. Looking back, I realize kids (yes, teens too) are just like us: they focus on what really matters to them. Think about it: losing game progress, missing out on group chats, or being locked out of favorite apps actually matters to them. So when we connect security tips to what they love most, they pay more attention. Ask them what they would hate to lose if someone hacked their account. Then show them how a strong password or tighter privacy settings helps protect what they care about. You can even share how you have been doing (or trying) the same for yourself. It shows them that online safety is a lifelong habit, not just a rule for “paranoid parents” or “little kids.” 👀 When children see online safety as a way to stay connected and protect the things they love, they take it more seriously. It’s not about fear, it is about giving them a real reason to care. How do you frame online safety so your child truly listens? Any strategies or mindsets that worked well for you?

Neha wants to learn AI. She’s ambitious. Watches a few YouTube tutorials. Buys a top-rated course. Bookmarks 10 blog posts. Downloads ChatGPT and Midjourney to “explore on her own.” Fast forward 3 weeks— Zero progress. Just a bunch of half-finished modules and rising self-doubt. And she’s not the exception. A study published in Heliyon (2023) found that over 90% of learners drop out of MOOCs before completion. And most never return. Why? Too much content. Too little clarity. We thought making learning accessible meant flooding the internet with tutorials, certifications, and micro-courses. But in this sea of abundance, people are drowning in indecision. Everyone's a creator. Every platform's a catalog. But very few are curators. That’s the shift we’re headed toward. From aggregation to personalisation. From volume to velocity. From watch more to learn better. Imagine this: You start a course. Within minutes, the platform knows you prefer visuals over text. It adapts the pace to your attention span. Realizes you’re great at theory but struggling with real-world AI applications. Re-routes your learning path. Reinforces your weak points. And speaks to you like a mentor, not a menu. Because learning shouldn’t feel like finding a needle in a haystack. It should feel like the needle finds you. This isn’t some future vision. The tools already exist — from fine-tuned LLMs to adaptive learning engines. But the real question is: Who will use them to make learning feel truly personal again? In an age of infinite options, clarity is the competitive edge. And the next generation of education products will win not by offering more, But by offering exactly what matters. Curated. Contextual. Conversational. --- What would it take for your learning journey to feel like it was built just for you?