Edtech (Listing 10 best Edtech's)

By S Adeeb Mujtaba Ali

 According to Top Hat, Educational technology is a term that represents a wide assemblage of hardware and software for teaching and learning to be used in college and university. It is also called Ed Tech, for enabling an environment for improved learning, to ultimately boost students' outcomes engagement, participation, and access to cutting-edge technology.

Ed Tech on a broader scale refers to the use of technology that helps in facilitating collaboration in an active learning environment. Ed Tech usage provide the educators digitalized tools that have automized the teaching-learning process. On one side where we see this as a great inventory another side, it's not. of course in the fast pace, world technology has helped us in finishing any task in less time in an organized way with the least errors. A major drawback however remains is Ed Tech has disturbed the original teaching-learning process. 

In spite of the cons, edtech market is blooming with several innovations. It has become very easy to set up an edtech startup. There are many government fundings for promising startups. This fusion of technology with education is headed towards a promising future. This jamming not only made the teaching-learning process fun but also prepared students to voice their opinion.

Presently, the market requirements for edtech are in high demand. Various edtech startups are emerging with innovative and personalized products and CRM (client relationship management) services resonating with their clients' demands.

Some of the celebrated Edtech which are leading the show are:

1. Blackboard:

 Since 1997

Based in Washington

Mission to disrupt online education

Valuation $70 Million

2. Byju’s

Since 2011 first name :Think and Learn Pvt Ltd

 Based in Bengaluru, India

Mission or Aims to provide students with best technology based Education main focus on Maths and Science.

Valuation $5.4 billion as of 2019

3. Teachers Pay Teachers

Since 2006

Based in New York City

Aim at connecting teachers with other teachers for sharing, buying and selling study material.

Valuation not known

4. Dreambox Learning

Since 2006

Based in Seattle

Subject focus Mathematics

Student-focused, intuitive, and calibrated program.

Valuation not known

5. Coursera

Since 2012

Based in Mountain View, California

E-learning platform connecting 150 universities. Offering many free and paid certificate courses

Valuation $313 Million.

6. Instructure

Since 2008

Based in Salt Lake City, Utah

Mission Connecting more than 3000 universities, combining LMS and MOOC for imparting education

Valuation not known

7. Knewton

Since 2008

Based in New York City

Focus on adaptive learning

Valuation $182.3 Million

8. Chegg

Since 2005

Based in Santa Clara, Cliff

Aim online tutoring, homework, and e-learning. In addition, students can buy, sell or rent books.

Valuation not known

9. DONORSCHOOSE

Since 2000

Based in New York City

Aim a non profit organisation, works on external funding by connecting students and funders. Focus practical learning through projects

10. Simplilearn

Since 2010

Based in Bengaluru

Mission providing certificate professional courses to open job oppurtunities

Valuation  $31 million in funding

Conclusion:

Irrespective of geographical location, it feels good to know people have been doing everything best in their capacity to make education easy for all.

Educational Counseling in US

 

By S Adeeb Mujtaba Ali

An important part of educational institutions in US is Educational or school counseling . It is considered as a gateway to resolve salient negative situations between students, parents and school faculty to direct it to positive outlook. Some of the fundamentals of Educational counseling are 

Basics of Educational (School) counseling:

A place where a child learns important lessons while growing is a School. It is here (elementary school) that they make most cherished memories and bad (first) experiences of life. They learn the skills like cooperation, interaction and socialization academic resolves etc. While in high school the above learn ed attributes evolve and finally stepping in college they experience many challenges. 

During each step of growth students are given access to professional counseling sessions that are arranged within every American schools. 

The students counselors proactively works from a central location and provides counseling assistance to all the students at different levels in the school. They try to address and resolve issues which students encounter during their (every step) growth phase.

This facility is mainly arranged by school authorities to develop a healthy environment in the school and produce good, independent, mentally strong and confident individuals. The counselors help students in meeting life challenges and emerge and have positive outlook for life. 

 Elements of educational counseling:

Hand's on sessions, maintenance of students case records, administrative activities etc. Among all this hand's on activity is pivotal. Where in counselors conduct face to face sessions, one to one talks, virtual meetings, telephonic conversation. In short discussion through different forms of media. 

Sometimes educational counselor's interventional services are also required based on the students and issues. Therefore educational counselors are expected to have an eagle view and broad vision to address all. For example, issues like personal growth concerns (puberty related), bullying, abuse, aggression, neglect, day to day trivial issues etc.

According to market survey and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), educational counselors has a growth rate of 8%, with moderate per annum pay scale of $54,560. To get into this field an individual requires master's degree and certification to practice as a counselor.

Types of counseling and counsellors

By S Adeeb Mujtaba Ali

 Counselling is considered as a kind of therapy that assist  individuals in overcoming their issues/problems and the negative impact or ambiguity they have towards life. In addition it also helps them to carry themselves with confidence in different spheres of life. 

 An individual who is giving counselling is designated as counsellor or a therapist. These people have ample knowledge and information about their field and holds rich experience in the same. They are specialist of their field and it becomes easy to approach or select a counsellor based on our requirements. They are dedicated, intitutive, logical, sensitive, patient and good listeners. Based on the fields (Education, medical, business etc) counsellors or therapists are classified into different types and so is counselling. 

Let's see the different types of counselling....

1) Educational

2) Mental health

3) Marriage and Family 

4)Rehabilitation 

5)Substance Abuse

1) Educational Counselling

A fresher from school or college is always clueless about opting for subjects which can land him/ her into better careers. Or a fresh passout might be confused in choosing a career. However, it's quite normal for the age they are in to behave this way. Apparently it's observed that sometimes individuals with work experience are also found to feel pathless midst of their careers. Here, the educational counsellors play a significant role. They perform several activities like conducting seminars, face to face talks, discussions, testings like assessment tests, suitability test etc and helps a candidate by finding solution to their problems.

2) Mental Health Counselling

Many Mental illnesses have been identified like bipolar disorders, PTSD, depression etc. Mental health awareness programmes have been conducted since quite long. The mental health counsellors are individuals who help their patients in dealing with problems which are negatively effecting their well being. Therefore helps in having a healthy lifestyle. Live in present, take logical decisions and positive thinking.

3) Marriage and Family Counselling

Sometimes when their is a lack in compatibility between spouse or individuals of a family it leads to many misunderstandings and fights or quarrelsome atmosphere. Here is were marriage or family counsellors has a role to play. They conduct one to one sessions, try reason behind the problem and help save relationship. 

4) Rehabilitation Counselling

As it is well known what and when a rehabilitation center is called for. At this centres also counsellors have a crucial role to play. Most of the patients here are already fighting an emotional fight with themselves. The counsellors here guide people to relax themselves, lead an independent and fruitful life. They help them in realising their own potential, evaluation of their own strengths and weakness. Counsellors encourage the patients to take up life skills and maintain the hormony with themselves.

5) Substance Abuse Counselling

This kind of counselling is again similar to that observed in rehabilitation centres where patients of illegal substance (drugs, alcohol etc) are admitted. The counsellors here help patients in forgoing their addiction breakfree from a deteriotative habit which is destroying their health. Counsellors suggest engage patients in some constructive activities to deviate them from their addictions. Thereby helping them in their recovery process.

To conclude, counsellors are passionate, sensitive, friendly individuals who dive into a problem (ambiguity/ confusions that patients have) and sail their boats to the shore keeping everything confidential. The unintentional complimentary gift from a counsellor to their clients is boosted moral. 

Counseling psycology: History

 

By S Adeeb Mujtaba Ali

Since the dawn of society, counseling has been an important part. Right from grandparents to parents advising other family members followed by providing guidance to residents by community leaders, counseling has always been an important and organic part of the human experience. During the Industrial Revolution era when people and their mobility increased by migrating to other lands, the traditional essence of counselors was lost due to separation from their families and communities. Following which there was a communication gap, people started feeling isolated and led them to approach for psychiatric help or landing to asylums. 

In present times people started opting for modern psychiatry, which is nothing but professional counseling, a current trend taking rounds to keep a check on mental health. However, the presence of inefficient mental health institutes led to, a mental hygiene movement —headed by a cohort of psychiatrists, social workers, and psychologists. The importance of counseling was realized when president John F. Kennedy signed Community Mental Health Act in 1963. The act implementation finally changed the delivery of mental health services and several mental health centers across the country were established. Simultaneously, this led to the shutting down of many psychiatric hospitals since community-based services started enhancing.

To be continued......,

Woman CEO

By S Adeeb Mujtaba Ali

   

According to Investopedia, A startup is a young company founded by one or more entrepreneurs to develop a unique product or service and bring it to market. By its nature, the typical startup tends to be a shoestring operation, with initial funding from the founders or their friends and families. 

 After reading and going through many blogs on start-ups and woman entrepreneurs I landed on a guest post of Kate Endress. She is CEO and cofounder of DITTO.com, which is an eCommerce site dealing in customized designer eyewear including the contemporary prescription sunglasses. She graduated from Stanford Business School, worked as a private equity investor, and embarked on her journey as an entrepreneur. In her guest blog post, she describes that there is an increasing number of great female role models who serve as inspirations. She states that women lead just 8% of venture-backed companies. Also, that decision of hiring Marissa Mayer by Yahoo while she was pregnant was not only exciting but also inspiring. Kate Endress shares that how fruitful was the strategy discussed by Marissa Mayer in her talk at Stanford Business School about How a woman CEO can achieve a work-life balance? Based on her personal experience Kate Endress has shared four pieces of advice:

  1. Connections Count: Build Your Network It is important to have genuine connections for the long run. All it starts with sharing your business ideas confidently, a strong and warm handshake followed by friendly eye contact. As business owners we all are busy, but meeting a new business owner every month (at least) is highly motivational. 

  2. Let Others Help: Tap The Resources There are several resources and organizations which are supporting woman entrepreneurs, utilize the facilities. It's always good to work in team or group. Its advisable to utilize the available resources and encash opportunities to grow. All this helps in networking, mentoring, generating and investing.

  3. Don't Forego Funding: VCs Are Becoming More Balanced Small venture community or woman startups are more successful for example Women make up 60% of Zynga's customers, 77% of Groupon's customers, 82% of Pinterest's users, and 70% of all eCommerce buyers. Kate Endress quotes," If your target market is women, you can leverage your experiences and build a better story of how your company will reach other females.". There are many government grants available for woman entrepreneurs. 

  4. Learn To Lead: We Need More Movers, Shakers, and Mentors Have a voice, speak out confidently, realize your weaknesses and work on them. Build your own team of strong women mentors another young woman who wants to be a businesswoman in the future. Set an example for other females and run the show while building your own network. Many of us dream to have our own startups at some point in life. Theirs no expiry date. You can start your venture at any age, what counts is the zeal, go-getter attitude despite all the odds? Buckle up. All the best.

   WE NEED MORE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS! Please leave comments and share your thoughts on the same.

Aatma nirbhar bharat 2

By S Adeeb Mujtaba Ali

Main focus of aatma nirbhar bharat was to make a self-reliant nation focusing on local businesses (manufacturers and service providers). This was a vision to strengthen economic status of the company. Through this route, it was estimated that there would be less dependency on imports ( help in reduction of trade deficit) and boostup exports (help in trade surplus) which would help country to handle any crisis in future like covid-19

The PM's Aatma nirbhar bharat abhiyan youjna package focuses on 

Land, 

Labour,

 Liquidity and laws.

Package Breakup:

Source: elearnmarkets

The sectors to be benefited are

However, the drawbacks or shortcomings of this abhiyan are

1) Package focuses on indirect benefits.

2) No cash support but loans based

3) Loans are announced for Micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)

4) Bad loans issue faced by banking sector might affect the assets quality.

5) Increase in default rates might increase burden of government.

6) The abhiyan package would lead to only 1% growth of India's GDP which would not be sufficient to countries economy.

Inspite of this, the hopes are high and people are trying to encash fruits from this abhiyaan.

Aatma Nirbhar Bharat(ANB)

 By

S Adeeb Mujtaba Ali

 ANB (self-reliance India) 

Glimpse

Aatmanirbharbharat (mygov.in)

To be continued