By Roshini Kumar

The pandemic has disturbed all sectors of society and revealed its fault lines—especially in our education systems. The reaction to the crisis has generated some impressive responses on the part of individuals and small groups as educators have stepped up to serve their communities. In some cases, public and private partnerships have filled the gaps. Some systems have been able to rapidly deliver remote learning experiences, but most have struggled with meeting the needs of all. Equity, access and capacity left wanting. Prior to the pandemic, many education systems were stalled, the pandemic exposed the case that fundamental changes are needed.

Through this disruption, there has been a recognition that schools play a vital role beyond learning. Their custodial and community roles are central to a healthy society. As we grapple with the issues of reopening schools in this uncertain time, we must seize the opportunity to reflect on what has been learned, and what matters most.

How will we choose to respond? Will we patch together a reaction, or use this opportunity to transform the system itself? The question becomes, what will be more appealing – reverting to the status quo or using the opportunity to help students become knowledgeable and skilled change makers through deeper learning? We argue that the solutions lie before us. We have the opportunity to creatively manage the immediate issues while building a bridge to a reimagined education system.

Future focused Deep Learning

Even before the pandemic there was readiness building for a new system of learning. The current system had stalled, and the pandemic vividly exposed our systemic inability to optimize the use of technology, and truly ensure equity, well-being and quality of learning. Education reform has been high on the agenda for many systems, but has focused narrowly on literacy, numeracy, and high school graduation without addressing the holistic needs of students in an increasingly unpredictable global society. Quality learning must be built on the interests of students along the following dimensions:

• Connecting to purpose and meaning
• Challenging students to have high expectations
• Positioning learning goals that focus beyond the basics
• Using engaging pedagogies
• Building relationships and belongingness
• Providing opportunities to contribute to the world

We see glimpses of this potentially powerful reform across the globe and indeed some strong examples in our global network: New Pedagogies for Deep Learning (NPDL). This combination of readiness for change and urgency arising from the current crisis has the potential to shift the education system from one of outdated “schooling” to future focused ‘learning” and take learning out of the classroom and into the world.

The Future of Learning

This pandemic has magnified the question of what kind of learning is required in 2020 and beyond. To reimagine learning we need to reflect on what we know about learning, our students, the new role of technology and the complexity of an unknown future. Six key questions can foster deep reflection and be used to engage all who need to be part of the solution- students, parents and families, educators, and community partners. What is crucial is to take this opportunity to ask the tough questions of your system, discuss possibilities and take action for a new and better future.

1. What knowledge, skills and attributes do our students need to thrive in this complex world?

2. What kind of learning is needed for this current and future complexity?

3. How do we ensure equity?

4. How do we attend to well-being?

5. What have we learned from remote learning?

6. How can technology be best leveraged for learning in the future?

The prevailing model of schooling was built on two organizing (and confining) constructs: time (when kids learned) and space (where they learned). These two constructs were useful in the 1800 and 1900’s but the COVID disruption has rendered them redundant. Students can learn and demonstrate this learning without bricks and mortar or bell times. With digital and deep learning, students can learn where they are. Students can learn when they are ready.

The Future of Learning

Deep Learning provides the foundation for a new hybrid learning environment. This new hybrid model fosters the best of remote and in-school learning and facilitates the shift to a learner centered model. Studies suggest that combining face-to-face and remote learning, may be as effective as classroom learning when important design factors include engaging content, opportunities for interaction with teachers and peers, and support for learners. We know that peer interaction is important for learning and have seen the power of collaborative platforms to connect students across time and space. Connectedness and belonging can be supported through emotional check-ins built into digital learning environments. Engagement is a key determinant of learning and can be amplified through Virtual Real-Life experiences; museum and gallery tours, simulations and sandbox environments where students explore and create across time and space with experts and partners. Artificial Intelligence can offer translation, transcription, presentation, feedback and peer and self-assessment tools.

These new skills and attributes, together with a learning process that integrates the best of remote and in school learning with digital engagement drives deep learning and puts equity and learning for ALL front and center.

Six Global Competencies

The first step in making this new paradigm a reality is to identify the skills, knowledge and attributes needed by learners so we can be intentional in fostering them. The Six Global Competencies (6Cs) describe in detail the skills and attributes needed for learners to flourish as citizens of the world. In our definition, Deep Learning is the process of acquiring these six Competencies: Character, Citizenship, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity and Critical Thinking. When learners are immersed in the 6Cs, they learn more than content, and this learning contributes to their own futures and often to the betterment of their communities and beyond. Learning Progressions for each of the competencies provide a clarity that then allows teachers to design learning experiences explicitly focused on developing those competencies.

Use a Deep Learning Design Process

Changing classroom practice can be difficult so we identified four elements that work in concert to create the most powerful deep learning experiences to support the development of the 6 Global Competencies. The four elements are:

• Learning Partnerships
• Learning Environments
• Leveraging Digital
• Pedagogical Practices

Dramatically new learning relationships that shift voice, control, and interactions are emerging and are at the heart of Deep Learning. Students and teachers are partnering with one another and finding creative ways to partner with others across classes, schools, and countries, and with parents, experts, and the community. The new relationships have the potential to reframe learning by connecting learners to authentic opportunities locally, nationally, and globally.

Elevate the impact of technology

During the pandemic, the rapid shift to online learning revealed that old content on a new platform is still old content, and that using old pedagogies with new technologies did not necessarily enable powerful learning. Many of our global network partners used the Four Elements of Learning Design and the 6Cs as a framework to design remote learning. The disruption also forced us to reconsider how we nurtured partnerships and relationships in a digital environment so that students felt safe, connected and purposeful. Digital assumed a critical role, but it is the integration of the four learning design elements that enables a deeper learning process in both remote and face to face situations. Only when allied with learning partnerships, learning environments and powerful pedagogies, can digital move from having an elevated role to an indispensable impact on learning.

Today, we are at the cross roads, no one certain about in which format the schools will reopening and the teaching methodology. Some may prefer physical classes, others may prefer online or Hybrid Learning. The education system is going to be stressed once again. For heads of schools’ this is an alien situation they may require expert support to handle this situation.

Microsoft Education and Tech Avant-Garde Global Training Partner of Microsoft as part of their outreach program have trained 915 schools on how to manage these uncertain times by training teachers on “Hybrid Learning” from 30 August 2021 to 3 September 2021. Two free passes were given to each school nearly 1800 teachers attended the workshop. The participating schools were affiliated CISCE, CBSE, IB, and State Boards from India and there were few school form Singapore, Nepal, Bhutan, Sharjah, Kuwait, and Uganda.
The teachers were well reward with Membership to the “Connected Learning Community”,  L’avenir ID, One year subscription for O365 with – 1 TB of OneDrive, mailbox, membership to educator groups on Kaizala and Teams. Hybrid Learning certifications and badges.

The curtain raiser for “Hybrid Learning Education 3.0” was conducted on TAG TALK L’avenir platfrom on 28 August 2021. Stellar Speakers from NCERT, Microsoft USA and India, Tech Avant-Garde and schools spoke in this event.

Ali Sait, CEO, Tech Avant-Garde hosted the show he started by quoting “We are the first generation of global citizen the choices we make will establish an overall thrust to living, with which humanity will live for generations”. Then he when on to say, “The education system which was prevalent for 2500 years the 4 Wall of the class room is giving way to the Hybrid Learning System – Education 3.0. Now we need to develop new generation of teacher who will handle the learning requirement of the Knowledge Age and develop skills to become a Connected learning Community Educator”.

While speaking, Dr. Sridhar Srivastav, Director, NCERT said, “While making polices we have to keep a trajectory of one or two decades. India has a target to train 360 Million students, our training should focus on making students global citizens, the assessment system should on 360 degree evaluation and we must focus Vocational Education.“

Dr. Amarendra P. Behera, Joint Director CIET, NCERT was of the opinion that the ‘Use of Integrated Technology’ is what shall take the Digital transformation forward. Education and Technology together is a bio-directional process. The constant professional development and preparedness of Teachers is crucial to enhancing educational access for each child, including the special needs children. Our Prime Minister has enunciated in NEP202. that Skill, Scale and Speed need to be attended to simultaneously.”

Major Harsh Kumar, Secretary NCERT opined “The Pandemic has taught us ‘Vasudev Kutumbakam’, the world is a family. We are one. New Teamwork and Partnership is the need of the hour. Now the world is a global village. If the child is not getting the right environment then the eco-system has to correct itself. Technology has to empower us not to overpower us hence we have to keep a check on it as a parent, teacher and Management.”

Christina Thoresen, Director, Worldwide Education Industry Strategy at Microsoft said India has set a gold standard to the commitment to pursue the potential of Education and it is striving for great engagement for all learners. We are thrilled with the engagement with India. It is a role model for other countries. We have to ensure that the Educator is well equipped with the training and the resources and the support to do their best work.”

Sonja Delafosse, Business Strategy Leader Educator Engagement Program, Microsoft says “Our Learning Model Journey was In-person pre-pandemic, Remote in Lockdown, Hybrid in Emerging from Pandemic and shall be Blended post Pandemic. Schools, Students and teachers are resilient and the goal of resilience is to overcome the unexpected and survive and then eventually thrive.”

Vinnie Jauhari, Director Education Advocacy Microsoft, India vehemently reiterated “The elements of Skilling, exposure to Technology using Digital Platforms are going to define the key contours of Education as we move forward. What seemed impossible 1.5 years ago is today a reality. Microsoft partners with Schools, Think Tanks, Policy Makers, CBSE, and NCERT. to offer opportunity to bring about a systematic change in schools, in Pedagogy through a holistic transformation of the Teachers through the M.I.E. Expert Program.”

Roshini Kumar, President, Lycee Corp In her welcome address said “We are in the process of welcoming Education 3.0, the third genre of Learning. First came the Gurukul of the Philosophical System, then the Brick and Mortar set up and now the Hybrid Learning. Microsoft and Tech Avant-Garde are trying to establish a system for the Knowledge Age, the Connected Learning Community.”
Eddna Samuel CEO Motif expressed “We are in a tight spot, the new genre of learning Hybrid Learning is a wonderful initiative, but it require fresh funding. The school are not in a position make the commitment, we as a community should chip in to save our future intellectual capital from eroding. I suggest that this is the right time corporates and social organization such as Rotary should donate their CSR towards rebuilding education in the new format”.

R. Chandrashekar, Chairman, Litera Valley Zee School, Hosur, & M S Dhoni Global School, Bangalore presented his school case study on how they were equipped by training their teachers, parents and teachers and students much before the pandemic, on the day one of the lockdown they started virtual learning and now they are prepared for Hybrid Learning.

M.K. Sherwani, Managing Trustee, The Blossoms School Aligarh while presenting his case study said “We have the right hardware and software to combat any adversities of the pandemic we are well trained by Tech Avant-Garde to handle the Hybrid Learning which I think is the right way forward, which is flexible, equitable and democratizes education”.

Priya Anand, Head of School, Whitefield, Bangalore said, “The world changed in the blink of an eye. We adopted the Microsoft platfrom with the help of Tech Avant-Garde which helped us to manage the shock of the pandemic well and learning continued.

Krishank Mallik, IT Director AryaGlobal Group of Schools said “We were well prepared before the Pandemic. Our 250 teachers were already M.I.E. certified, 10,000 Parents and 5,000 Students were trained, across all our Schools. We were one of the first Schools to conduct Online Exams during the lockdown. In fact our smooth transition got us International recognition.

The host Ali Sait engaged some of the eminent Panelists in a discussion on Education, asking pertinent questions relevant to the subject and the way forward. It was a three hour event of very high standard the audience were mesmerize with possibilities. Education was Reimagined.

The Hybrid Learning Graduation for the participants will take place on 8 September 2021. Graduates will be give certificate and a kit to train their colleagues.

From 5 September, 2021 to 5 October 2021 Educator Empowerment festival will be conducted. Hybrid Learning Graduates will train minimum of 50 teachers each. The aim is to train at least One Lakh teachers in this one month on Hybrid Learning fest.

Across the globe, there is a growing recognition at the policy level, of the need to revamp national systems relative to goals, curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and the roles of teachers, students, and just about everyone who works with students. Put another way, there is a radical convergence that something is fundamentally wrong with education. Covid-19 ironically has upended the entire system in a way that opens up radical possibilities for transforming education—an opportunity of the century we would say!
It is crucial that we act now.

ROSHINI KUMAR
Thought Leader –
Digital Transformation
roshinik@lyceecorp.com

You can access previous columns by Roshini Kumar here:

You can read the first column here

You can read the second column here

You can read her third column here

You can read her fourth column here

You can read her fifth column here

You can read her sixth column here

You can read her seventh column here

You can read her eighth column here