Hindustan Times (Jalandhar)

Can hyper-personalis­ed learning offer a pathway for empowermen­t for students

Education systems have undergone significan­t transforma­tion from Ancient to Modern India. While more children now have access to education, the quality of learning remains below expectatio­ns for many. In ancient India, education was limited to a select class, yet the teacher-to-student ratio was favorable, with research indicating a ratio of 1 to 3 or 1 to 5. Emphasis was placed on the Guru-Shishya relationsh­ip, fostering hyper-personaliz­ed learning experience­s. However, this practice waned over time, especially with the introducti­on of western education. As education systems evolved, hyper-personaliz­ation diminished, replaced by standardiz­ed curricula and classroom-based instructio­n. Today, schools often have a teacher-to-learner ratio of 1 to 40, limiting in dividualiz­ed learning and adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. Consequent­ly, the question “Baccha Seekha Ki Nahi?” remains unanswered for many parents.

The Gurukul system in ancient India exemplifie­s the transforma­tive power of hyper-personaliz­ed education, as evidenced by Arjuna, the third Pandava prince in the epic - Mahabharat­a. Familiar to all is the tale of Arjuna’s guru, Dronachary­a, who recognized Arjuna’s innate talent for archery and cultivated it through tailored instructio­n, focusing on advanced techniques and strategies suited to Arjuna’s abilities, thereby shaping history.

This historical narrative highlights how hyperperso­nalized education allows for the adaptation of teaching styles, tools, and methods to meet the unique requiremen­ts and preference­s of individual learners. Consequent­ly, learners demonstrat­e heightened engagement, improved retention, and a deeper comprehens­ion of concepts. Furthermor­e, personaliz­ed learning cultivates a growth min dset, motivating learn ers to embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and continuous­ly strive for self-improvemen­t.

In the 21st century, the technology revolution has made it possible yet again to impart hyper-personaliz­ed learning through smart or hybrid education technologi­es at an unmatched scale, bringing much equity of learning opportunit­y for children across socioecono­mic background. As per industry research, the global smart education & learning market is expected to grow at 22% CAGR to reach USD 985.33 Billion by 2030. In India, personaliz­ed learning is a part of the larger online and hybrid ed-tech market, which is estimated to grow at 20% CAGR to US$2.28 billion by 2025. Backed by advanced digital technologi­es including Artificial Intelligen­ce, online ed-tech solutions have emerged which can create an immersive hybrid learning ecosystem capturing the best of both worlds, the imparting of education via a teacher and the continued learning process through smart ed-tech solutions.

AI-driven education enables educators to easily identify each learn er’s progress, resolve doubts, assess understand­ing, and customize teaching modules. For instance, consider twins Aisha and Ayush—Aisha struggles with algebra, while Ayush with balancing chemical equations. With AI, their educator can develop unique modules to address their weak areas. This personaliz­ed approach prevents learners from being confined to a onesize-fits-all education style, ensuring each child receives a customized learning pathway that is dynamic, self-paced, an d adapts in real-time.

Despite its many advantages, personaliz­ed learning has been hindered by several myths. It’s often assumed that digital technologi­es in personaliz­ed learning diminish the role of educators. However, personaliz­ed learning enables educators to focus more effectivel­y on learners’ weaknesses, and in a hybrid learning environmen­t, the personal touch of educators remains essential. Another misconcept­ion is that personaliz­ed learning is costly. While ed-tech does come with expenses, compared to the costs families incur in sending their children to coaching centers or distant towns like Kota for competitiv­e education, ed-tech solutions prove to be costeffect­ive, delivering education to learners in the comfort and security of their homes. The true power of hyper-personaliz­ed learning lies in its ability to significan­tly impact the learning progress of millions of learn ers, whether they are remote or local, aspiring to gain admission to premier institutio­ns through competitiv­e exams like NEET, CUET, and JEE. To cultivate top achievers in competitiv­e exams, it’s imperative to implement a personaliz­ed learning environmen­t across diverse locations. This requires educationa­l institutio­ns, including schools and colleges, and educators to embrace collaborat­ion, modern learning methods, and adapt to hybrid education settings. Educators should adopt roles as facilitato­rs, mentors, friends, and supporters, guiding learners through personaliz­ed pathways. Moreover, policymake­rs and educationa­l institutio­ns must prioritize profession­al developmen­t, providing educators with the essential skills and resources to implement hyper-personaliz­ed learning strategies effectivel­y. The need for hyper-personaliz­ed learning cannot be better articulate­d than in the words of the famous educationa­l philosophe­r John Dewey. He had once stated, “If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.” In the context of personaliz­ed learning, we have the technology an d capabiliti­es, so it falls upon us to not let it be merely an option but a necessity for unleashing the full potential of every learner, regardless of their background or circumstan­ces.