Social Distancing & Education: the Virtual Campus to the Rescue of Universities

The Coronavirus is changing the way we work. Indeed, with containment, companies are forced to enter the 21st century and adopt the practices of telework and remote collaboration solutions. But they are not the only ones in this case. Education is also experiencing a revolution!

(This article is a direct translation from the April, 22nd 2020 Forbes France article: https://www.forbes.fr/technologie/confinement-le-campus-virtuel-a-la-rescousse-des-universites/)

Since the announcement of containment, many universities and higher education institutions have rushed on online platforms such as the CNED site, or on the famous American sites Coursera and Udemy. If the latter are undeniably self-training solutions complementary to traditional education, it seems that they are not the most suitable to replace physical education.

Why ? Because they are not the most playful and engaging “At school, we talk between students, we go to the drink machine, we will see the teacher at the end of the lesson to ask questions… Since the confinement, we can no longer do that, ”laments Ma?lle, a business school student in Nice. Many students were initially delighted to be able to study from their bed or sofa. But as Ma?lle says, “Watching videos of lessons all day is as boring as lessons!”. Who would have expected it?

In these conditions of legal physical constraint, how can universities and colleges offer quality education while meeting the needs for social interaction and constant stimulation that Millennials so badly need?

The Tech-Adaptika startup thinks it has part of the solution to the problem. “Traditional online teaching methods tend to isolate students. Conversely, we believe that social interactions and play are necessary to create a successful learning experience, ”said Carrie Purcell, Head of Strategy for Tech-Adaptika . 

Social media and video games, what could be more entertaining for young students? The interest of serious games is no longer to be proven. Many studies have suggested the correlation between gambling and information retention, and mainstream media such as the New York Times have been studying the subject since 2006 . The presence of gaming in education is therefore not new, but Tech-AdaptiKa goes further by positioning itself as an alternative to everyday teaching . For several months, the startup has been attacking the higher education market. After 15 months of research and development in neuroscience and studying the behavior of online students, Tech-AdaptiKa has developed a LiVe Virtual Campus . 

With its design and 3D environment, it feels like the new version of SIMS. And yet, we are well in an education platform. Playful, immersive, social ... the virtual campus would increase the time for connection and participation in courses.

In concrete terms, how does that work ?

Learners have exclusive access to real-time courses, written and video resources, online events, etc., for the duration of their learning and up to six months after. The virtual campus is accessible for life and therefore makes it possible to join other courses, not provided for in the initial training.

But first of all, to start the experience well, students can have fun creating their avatar. They can thus give it their name, change their physical appearance and their clothes. T-shirt jeans, tie suit, or shorts and tank top ... students are free to dress as they please, whatever the politics or the politics of their school. There is in fact no sanction provided for in the regulations for this.

For their part, teachers can organize and hold events in real time at a given location where students must travel and arrive on time. This allows interaction with a complete class. On the other hand, meeting rooms, with a more limited number of places, are available for group work which requires confidentiality. Professors and students can communicate by audio, chat or file exchange. The experience of reality is thus reproduced to the maximum.

Beyond the virtual campus, Tech-AdaptiKa integrates into its solution a learning portal that can be administered by creating homework or a work calendar synchronized with a Google Calendar.

Artificial intelligence as a driver of innovation

AI is an eminently topical subject but also a highly controversial one. Many experts compare it to the invention of electricity in the early 19th century because of its propensity to disrupt our societies. AI will drive millions of low-skilled workers into unemployment in the decades to come. Hosni Zaouali , EdTech entrepreneur, sees this upheaval as an opportunity for educational institutions and businesses. “Millions of workers will have to unlearn and then relearn new skills. Some of which do not yet exist, ”he said before continuing,“ educational bodies will have to be more flexible and more innovative in order to absorb this unprecedented mass of people looking for short and qualifying courses. ”

Indeed, more and more large companies play an educational role and train in themselves their present and future employees thanks to internal universities .

Playful online learning solutions are likely to play an increasing role in helping schools and businesses complete their digital transition.

Curiosity of yesterday, the integration of gaming into a long-term learning course risks very quickly becoming a standard for those who wish to offer an engaging, social and accomplished educational offer.