Cybersecurity in ed-tech 2024; safeguarding student data with crucial tech solutions

Written by Guest

February 11, 2024 13:30 IST

Dynatrace is a observability and security company

By Siddhant Jain

The education technology (ed-tech) landscape has seen immense innovation and growth over the past decade. The anticipated growth rate for the global education technology market is 13.6% annually from 2023 to 2030. As we enter 2024, a range of groundbreaking technological innovations promise to further evolve and sustain ed-tech across educational institutions, corporates, government agencies and private coaching centres. From artificial intelligence (AI) to augmented reality (AR), these advancing technologies are helping educators enhance pedagogical quality, improving learning outcomes, whilst expanding access and inclusion.

Immersive Technologies Taking Centre Stage

Emerging immersive technologies like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality are enhancing faculty training programmes, making learning interactive and boosting student motivation levels. AR overlays digital information onto the physical environment, VR creates a simulated environment, whilst mixed reality seamlessly blends both physical and virtual worlds. In 2024, we will see exponential growth in AR/VR-based teaching solutions, 3D content creation platforms, and Mixed Reality (MR) applied to remote student collaboration.

Artificial Intelligence Mainstreaming Student-Centric Personalisation

AI in education has risen significantly in the last few years. By mimicking human intelligence, AI systems are assisting with administrative processes, offering adaptive and personalised learning, enabling free-flow conversations through chatbots and recommending resources to support educators. AI algorithms leverage big data, machine learning and natural language processing to gauge student learning patterns, strengths, weaknesses and emotional states to offer tailored feedback and content customisation.

In 2024, such AI capabilities will become further sophisticated powering Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) to serve as virtual study buddies for students. ITS provides round-the-clock access to AI-based customised instructions, practice sessions and assessments. Its contribution within the online and blended education realm will be pronounced in 2024. Prominent ed-tech firms will harness generative AI models like GPT-4 for conversational chat-based learning allowing students to grasp complex concepts easily through QandA sessions.

Blockchain and Cloud Computing Redefining Digital Security in Education

Rising instances of cyberattacks and data breaches have made digital security a top priority for educational institutions. Fortunately, blockchain and cloud computing integration offer a robust solution for credentialing, identity management and data protection. Blockchain provides decentralised, distributed ledger systems to record transactions transparently across multiple nodes in a secure, verifiable and permanent manner. By storing academic credentials and certificates on the blockchain, institutes can enable students to digitally share authenticated records with ease. Moreover, securely transferring student attendance records, transcripts, fee payments etc via blockchain reduces academic fraud. However, the use of cloud-based AI for real-time monitoring, threat detection and prevention will witness traction in 2024. Also, global ed-tech leaders are likely to adopt zero-trust network access and data-centric security delivered through the cloud next year.

Digital Pedagogy and Game-Based Learning

The academia has shifted focus from traditional content-driven teaching to facilitating enjoyable, student-led learning experiences. Hence, digital game-based learning (DGBL) tools are gaining prominence within classrooms. Research suggests gaming environments keep learners engaged via fun quizzes, 3D simulations, role-playing and adventurous discovery-based formats. For teachers, it balances entertainment with desired learning outcomes like sharpening skills in problem-identification, critical thinking, decision making and collaborating. By 2024, cloud-based services will enable educators to seamlessly integrate game-based learning apps, software and content into their curriculum.

Schools are also commencing teacher training programmes around digital pedagogy – techniques to effectively incorporate educational technologies for instructional support. Digital pedagogy focuses on designing teacher-student interactions, peer collaboration and exploring real-world problems rather than merely presenting information. Institutes are rethinking learning experiences in terms of digital pedagogy adoption with technology acting as an enabler.

Integrating Technology and Pedagogy to Prevent Content Piracy

As ed-tech solutions transform courseware delivery, content creators grapple with copyright violations through illegal file-sharing platforms and insecure websites. However, emerging education technologies allow institutes to reduce such risks by integrating security protocols within digital content alongside instructor-led pedagogy. For instance, blockchain integration enables content creators to track document access while restricting unauthorised distributions outside online learning platforms. Digital Rights Management (DRM) tools embedded within slides, notes, and audio-video resources sent to student devices limit external sharing via social media or messaging apps through license expiration. This allows secure content consumption without affecting learning continuity.

Alongside security protocols, the pedagogical approach must focus on values-based learning relationships over penalisation. Teachers can involve learners in open discussions around copyright issues, co-creating academic integrity policies and consequences surrounding content piracy. Blending technology with pedagogy centred on ethics and experiential learning helps gain student consensus to mitigate risks of copyright violations across online and blended models.