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Digital Learning: Can it Solve the Access to Education Problem for Indian Students?
- India is home to the largest youth population in the world.
- As per recent government statistics, we have an estimated 430 million people under the age of 18.
Author: DQINDIA Online
Digital learning can help tackle existing problems in the education sector such as shortage of skilled teachers, lack of adequate teaching materials and so on.
India is home to the largest youth population in the world. As per recent government statistics, we have an estimated 430 million people under the age of 18. These young minds hold immense potential to build a strong future for themselves and the country. A potential that is often held to ransom by an education system marred by outmoded methods of teaching, disproportionate student to teacher ratio, a shortage of skilled teachers and lack of adequate teaching materials.
At a time when technology is transforming every other aspect of our existence, it is only natural that we turn to tech tools to disrupt the way we learn. A lack of access and resources emerges as a constant stumbling block in our youth’s pursuit of education – a problem that can be tackled by modernising the education system through digital learning. Here’s how:
Education beyond Boundaries
Digital content and e-learning can bring entire teaching modules to your doorstep through smart devices, making it possible for students to continue working toward completing their education even if they jump off the path of traditional learning. With a boom in cheaper data and devices, this mode of learning proves especially effective in pursuit of higher education or career-oriented skills. Access to online learning opportunities through remote classes, webinars and online academies can accord equal learning opportunities to students in Tier II and III cities as well as rural areas where skilled educators in one’s desired field of study may not be available.
Personalised Learning
The advent of deep data analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, personalised learning has become a tangible reality. These tech tools allow enable an identification of student goals – whether it is securing merit, landing jobs or simply amassing knowledge – and create educational content to suit these goals. This promotes a truly personalised approach toward learning. With the inclusion of edtech networks and multimedia in education, learning and teaching methods have evolved greatly in their methodology, style and content.
Learning on the Go
Gadgets are an integral part of the youth’s lifestyle today. From shopping to entertainment and social interactions, they seek everything on their finger tips and on the go. Their approach toward education and learning is no exception to this tendency. Digital learning allows them to consume educational content in a format they’re more comfortable in and at a place and setting of their choosing.
Affordability
The cost of higher education in India is steep. By comparison, specialised online course are far more affordable. If you factor in the costs of moving to and living in a big city for students from Tier II and III cities, small towns and rural areas, professional online courses don’t cost a fraction of brick-and-mortar set ups. It is for this reason that India is fast emerging as the second biggest market for MOOCs or open online courses, after the US. This new educational revolution presents great opportunity to help the youth access high-quality education and training, at affordable price points, from the comfort of their homes.
Job Readiness
The higher education in India essentially revolves around securing a stable – ideally, well-paying – job. With easy access to e-learning platforms and digital content, students can access the right kind of content in a format fit for their preferred mode of consumption and be better equipped to meet this goal. For instance, the same curriculum can be easily tweaked to suit academic and competitive purposes in a cost-effective manner in the e-book format.
Future-Ready Education
The world around us is changing at a lightning fast pace, thanks to the constant eruptions of the technology front. Sadly, most of the traditional forums of learning – be it schools, colleges or universities – find themselves lagging behind when it comes to tailoring the course content as per the changing demands of the times we live in. Besides, overhauling entire course curriculums can often a slow, time-consuming process. In such a scenario, professionally tailored online courses can be a bankable alternative in amassing skills training that contributes to employability and is in line with the learners’ interests.
It is undisputable that the future of education will be defined by digital content and learning. Students in India can ride this wave to tide over the inherent flaws in our education system and set themselves up for success in their chosen profession.
Source: https://www.dqindia.com/digital-learning-can-solve-access-education-problem-indian-students/
