Pioneering the Digital Revolution, One Classroom at a Time

EHL Group is a Business Reporter client.

Preparing young professionals for the digital revolution should start in the classroom.

There’s no denying it: The future is digital, and disruptive technologies are arriving at an unprecedented speed. The digital revolution has given rise to new business models that are reshaping entire industries and transforming the way we communicate, do business and learn.

If we want to prepare the young professionals of tomorrow for this digital era, there’s no better place to start than with education. After all, today’s students are already primed for digital learning as they scroll, click and swipe their way through the day, acquiring and processing information faster than ever before, and it’s about time that universities keep pace.

If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that the need for digital engagement is undeniable, and the pandemic has created an extraordinary opportunity to accelerate digitalization and create a new learning environment that is a better fit for today’s students.

The benefits of digitalization in education are endless

For students, digitalization delivers a more realistic, engaging and interactive learning environment that promotes higher levels of communication, teamwork, critical thinking and real-world involvement.

Virtual education allows teachers to stay connected with their students at all times, opening learning opportunities for those who might have trouble attending school. It also improves information accessibility, and helps teachers offer a more tailored learning experience that reflects the needs of each student, including those with learning disabilities.

Technology in the classroom plays a critical role in priming future generations to thrive in a digital economy, and allows them to learn, hands-on, how technology works and how it can be leveraged in their future business. Technology also opens a world of new learning opportunities that would be otherwise difficult or impossible to replicate in the classroom, including virtual tours, virtual reality simulations and demonstrations of abstract concepts.

For education institutions, investing in digitalization is invaluable if done correctly. Digitalization is shaking up every industry, and education is no exception. Those who want to retain their position as education leaders will need to rethink the entire learning experience in order to meet students’ ever-evolving education needs. Those that do will see improvements in overall education quality and staff and student engagement, and will reap the financial rewards of delivering a more agile and streamlined way of working.

But digital education calls for more than simply making key resources and videos available online; it’s about innovating and transforming the way we teach students by using digital environments to enhance and complement learning. This doesn’t mean we have to start from scratch; the techniques that have worked for over a century are still relevant—they simply need to be complemented with hi-tech capabilities. The best of the old education world combined with the best of the new digital world is a powerful pairing.

Case study: EHL’s digitalization journey

The Swiss education system continues to lead internationally in digital education, and Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) is at the forefront of this education revolution. EHL has capitalized on the tremendous impact that technology can have for students through its adoption of remote and digital education. EHL also continually seeks to create innovative new learning experiences through the adoption of new technologies (such as gamification and virtual reality) in the classroom, and to push the boundaries of learning as we know it.

Although its digital transformation journey has only just begun, EHL has already seen the benefits in enhanced student engagement, increased faculty motivation and greater operational efficiencies. By scaling these digital initiatives even further, EHL aims to further capitalize on its investments, and deliver motivated, curious and entrepreneurial young professionals to the workforce of tomorrow.

EHL is proud to maintain its heritage as a pioneer, innovator and leader in education.

Need help with your digital transformation? Our experts can help you with the key stages, resources and people required to succeed.

— Maxime Medina, COO and Deputy CEO, EHL Group

^{This article originally appeared on Business Reporter. Image credit: iStock 1298351072}