Shaping the Future through Tech-driven Education
H John Ang, CTO, Etonhouse International Education Group
H John Ang, CTO, Etonhouse International Education Group
John Ang is the Chief Technology Officer at EtonHouse International Education Group, headquartered in Singapore, which operates more than 100 schools in 11 countries. His unwavering dedication and profound knowledge of cutting edge technologies orchestrated a transformative journey, uplifting the organization’s position to unseen heights.
In an interview with APAC CIOoutlook, Ang illustrates the prevailing challenges in the education sector and how the emergence of new technologies is transforming traditional education by redesigning the teaching methodologies.
What, according to you, are the significant challenges faced by the education sector in the ever evolving world of technology today?
Like any other field, the education sector is not spared from hurdles. The current educational landscape demands a balance between cost optimization and investment in cutting-edge technologies. Economic uncertainties and diverse geographic needs necessitate keen attention to cost efficiency while ensuring technological advancements align with our educational goals. Another tenacious obstacle that tops the list of challenges within the sector is the extensive profit-seeking competition between organizations. It limits the effectiveness of the alliance, hindering all the benefits of working together.
There is also a requirement for the right talents who not only have the technical expertise but also have the ability to cohesively collaborate as a core team. The inability of crew members to work with each other persists as a drawback in tech space in the education sector.
The scarcity of suitable EdTech solutions, especially for preschool education, also adds up to the troubles of the education sector. Most often, off-the-shelf solutions are not always tailored to unique needs as far as a for-profit entity is concerned. So complexity in building unique end-to-end solutions tailored to a particular need becomes a limitation.
Can you elucidate the strategies you adopt to mitigate the challenges in the EdTech space?
The mitigation of challenges is accomplished through a holistic approach. Commencing small-scale projects and gradually expanding them is an efficient way to cut expenditures. Engaging in outsourcing and developing Minimum Viable Products (MVP) helps provide increase feasibility and provide better solutions to our projects. Cooperation and assistance from the government aid us in availing subsidies and overcoming financial barriers. Developing an ecosystem through partnerships with various research centers, universities, and the government promotes knowledge-sharing and innovations and improves the quality of education solutions.
To address resource challenges, hiring staff can be done by following a cast-on-net strategy to acquire local and global talents. Conducting internships and providing training to the talents can help develop a robust technical team capable of serving the industry.
I Am Very Enthusiastic About The Emerging Generative Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Technologies, Particularly Chatgpt, Which Significantly Redefine Existing Teaching Methodologies By Igniting Meaningful Discussions Among Pedagogies And Educators To Redesign Their Work
We establish a centralized analytic system using all the available data to ensure long-term results for the service, product, or solutions we offer. We work in association with each other to meet all the educational needs and make sure that we take maximum advantage of this interfacing.
How are the emerging trends and technologies shaping the future of the education sector from your perspective?
I am very enthusiastic about the emerging generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, particularly ChatGPT, which significantly redefine existing teaching methodologies by igniting meaningful discussions among pedagogies and educators to redesign their work. AI technology overthrows traditional education by producing new lesson plans and inventing new education techniques. Interfacing of these AI applications enables teachers to choose tools according to their preference to meet their teaching requirements. The development of these technologies has further made it easier for students to profit from customized answers and results for their queries and educational needs. But this also holds a negative impact. Educators find it challenging to assess a student’s knowledge as everyone relays on ChatGPT for solutions to the work assigned to them, forcing us to rethink existing teaching strategies to resolve this problem.
What advice would you give to budding professionals or entrepreneurs in your sector to help them cope with the changes and advancements?
There are a few of pieces of advice I can offer to budding professionals and entrepreneurs. Always embrace the willingness to learn new things. Adaptability, agility, and curiosity are vital qualities one must uphold.
Another important aspect is communication. Cultivate the importance of communicating and collaborating with your peers and customers. Always exchange information to mitigate confusion and build an end product that matches your customers' needs. Tech space is an ever-evolving arena, so staying updated and specializing in new technologies are mandatory to prevail in the field.
Allow yourselves to take breaks and cherish your personal time and family commitments alongside professional achievements for your holistic well being.
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