Education technology, or 'EdTech', has gained momentum worldwide since the pandemic prompted schools to switch to e-learning, and Vietnam is one of the most flourishing markets for it in Asia.
| Two Vietnamese students do research for their assignment. |
In 2022 alone, more than 100 EdTech startups were founded in the country, and existing firms invested in and expanded their services to accommodate the rising demand. Although schools are now open for face-to-face education, EdTech and technology, in general, are still proving to be a valuable asset for learners and educators alike. Vietnam is looking to integrate more digital technologies into school learning and training activities.
Encouraging collaboration
Vietnam's education system is highly competitive, with many students vying to get into top schools for higher education. However, competition is often stressful for students trying to live up to academic expectations while balancing their personal lives. As a result, students often focus on individual efforts rather than supporting each other. EdTech is helping to change this culture in Vietnam and schools around the world.
Technology platforms allow students to connect and collaborate, making it easier to share information and resources that can help each other. The global note-sharing platform Studocu shows how students can upload and browse study notes from institutions in Vietnam and around the world. Currently, the number of institutions worldwide is over 21,000. This allows Vietnamese students to gain a global perspective on their subjects while helping others succeed in school. Rather than fostering competition, it can promote a culture of mutual support and success.
Broadening learning resources
Through EdTech, Vietnam's education system benefits from a broader range of learning materials from sources other than the classroom. Some online platforms serve as libraries, hosting thousands of videos, documents, books, and more for students to access on their devices. Other platforms provide a learning experience aligned with the national curriculum via the Internet.
Vuihoc, a local EdTech company, provides students with more than 500,000 learning resources, including videos, live streams, and one-on-one tutoring, aligned with the country's educational standards. The company was founded in 2019 but became more popular with the rise of e-learning. Vuihoc is also exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize learning experiences tailored to each student. Having access to different learning resources tailored to specific needs makes it easier to learn and manage their education outside of the classroom, improving academic performance and personal growth.
Assisting teachers
Not just students in Vietnam benefit from technology; platforms and programs can also help educators. Teachers are often faced with many menial and time-consuming tasks that they often do on their own, which can affect their performance at school and in their personal lives. EdTech and technology, in general, can support their efforts to improve the classroom experience.
AI-based programs like ChatGPT aren’t necessarily EdTech, but they can provide much value to the education sector if used appropriately. Teachers can use the program to help improve teaching material or evaluate its advice and opinions to make decisions. It can help consolidate information and data in a short amount of time, cutting out extra labor for teachers who are already busy. While there have been concerns that ChatGPT and other AI programs may affect educational outcomes, having the proper framework for training teachers and students to use it properly can allow for more help in teaching and learning. If Vietnam can look into utilizing the program as a means to give educators a digital assistant rather than making them do all the work on their own, teachers may find work to be much easier and more efficient.
