Re-imagining classrooms: The rise of tech-driven learning

Hans India

23-05-2025

The Indian K-12 education system in recent times has begun to hop on to more tech-powered teaching approaches. National Education Policy 2020 recommends leveraging digital platforms like online classes and e-learning resources to enhance education delivery. AI and automation are being used to engage students, offer real-time feedback, personalised content and even predict support to identify learning gaps early. With adaptive assessments and virtual tutors, school education in India, particularly, is becoming more responsive and student-centric than ever before.
How the Pandemic Sparked a Digital Learning Revolution
The sudden shift to digital learning during the pandemic was transformative, as it not only maintained educational continuity during school closures but also unlocked new possibilities. Online platforms and virtual classrooms quickly emerged as essential tools, encouraging educators to explore interactive and blended learning models. This rapid adaptation ensured that students continued to learn during a crisis and paved the way for innovative, more inclusive teaching methods that integrate digital tools with conventional approaches. A powerful mix of future-focused learning, technology, and entrepreneurial thinking has pushed us to rethink education.
Digital integration has transformed the learning experience, with innovative learning management systems and tools enabling students to progress at their own pace and explore diverse resources tailored to their interests. As the global landscape demands critical thinking, communication and teamwork, schools have shifted towards collaborative learning environments to nurture these essential skills. Complementing these advances, hands-on learning initiatives, such as STEM labs, coding boot camps, and entrepreneurship workshops, allow students to apply theoretical concepts to practical challenges, sharpening both their technical expertise and creative problem-solving abilities.
Transition comes with challenges
Many schools still struggle with inadequate digital infrastructure, making it difficult to implement modern learning methods at scale. Teachers, too, need continuous training and support to adapt to new approaches and deliver them effectively in real classrooms. Although, across India, educators are incorporating DIY STEM kits to create engaging, interactive lessons without relying solely on high-tech resources. These practical tools allow students to experiment with robotics and mechanics, making abstract concepts tangible. Initiatives like Digital India, along with affordable and customised EdTech solutions, are steadily transforming traditional textbook-based instruction into modern, interactive learning experiences. A notable example is e-Basta, which provides digital study materials and schoolbooks in the form of e-books, accessible via tablets and mobile phones.
Making our classrooms stronger, smarter, and more student-focused
Artificial Intelligence is transforming classrooms by providing real-time feedback and customising learning experiences based on individual student needs. The rise of hybrid learning models, further accelerated during the pandemic, and has made education more flexible and accessible, allowing students to engage from anywhere. Adding to this evolution is gamification, where interactive tools and apps turn lessons into engaging experiences, boosting motivation, participation, and long-term retention.
This approach enables personalised learning, allowing students to progress at their own pace using interactive lessons, animations, and adaptive software that target specific learning gaps. For example, if a student struggles with quadratic equations but excels at linear algebra, the AI will adjust future lessons to provide more support where it's needed and accelerate topics that have already been mastered. Data-driven assessments provide real-time feedback, helping educators refine their teaching strategies. Modern pedagogical methods such as blended and project-based learning further enrich the educational experience by making lessons both practical and enjoyable.
Looking ahead
Skill-based education in India is breaking away from the one-size-fits-all approach. Teachers now use interactive digital displays and regional content in local languages to support diverse learners, while data from assessments enables personalised remediation. Hands-on STEM learning is gaining traction through modular robotics and coding kits, encouraging practical exploration. To bridge connectivity gaps, preloaded tablets with adaptive software ensure continuity in learning, and structured peer collaboration via video conferencing fosters problem-solving and cultural exchange. While challenges like teacher training, infrastructure, and mindset shifts remain, many progressive schools are paving the way for a new era of holistic education. The goal is to move beyond rote memorisation towards nurturing confident, autonomous learners ready to thrive in an ever-evolving world, where learning is driven by purpose, curiosity and real-world application.
(The author is Principal at Orchids The International School, Hyderabad)