Driven by the combined effects of technology innovation and the unparalleled difficulties posed by the global pandemic, India’s educational industry is undergoing a dramatic transition towards online learning.
The Covid-19 influence on education increased the importance of Edtech’s future, leading to a substantial budgetary allocation of Rs 1.12 lakh crore in the fiscal year 2023–24—a remarkable 8.26% increase over the previous years.
This crucial shift is not only changing the way education is delivered—from traditional classroom environments to digital platforms—but it’s also greatly broadening the scope and accessibility of education. This change has the potential to democratize education by increasing accessibility and inclusivity for learners from all backgrounds.
The variables Driving Digital Adoption: A number of significant variables are propelling online learning’s quick uptake in India.
The Revolution in Digital Connectivity During the Pandemic: Internet penetration in India has increased dramatically due to the combination of government-led digital infrastructure initiatives and affordable data plans. The India Internet Report 2023 confirms this, stating that even rural India now has about 425 million internet users, surpassing their urban counterparts and indicating a robust 30% growth. This important invention made it easier to quickly switch to online learning for educational continuity, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic’s pressing needs. This coordinated revolution sped up the smooth transition of digital platforms into education while also bridging socioeconomic and geographic divides.
Technological Transformations: The development of digital technology is driving the growth of online education in India. Innovations in mobile applications, interactive platforms, and learning management systems have completely changed how engaging and accessible online learning can be, allowing for a wide range of learning experiences. India wants to become a globally recognized academic force by 2024, in line with the ambitious goals of the NEP. The NEP 2020 keeps technology as its primary priority and commits to achieving a 50% GSR by 2035. Beyond immersive realities, innovative technologies like blockchain are protecting student data and personalizing curriculum based on each student’s strengths and limitations on adaptive learning platforms. All of these factors are making online education more popular in India and improving the quality of education overall. The Edtech industry is growing rapidly and is expected to reach USD 4 billion by 2025, well suited to the demands of the digital age.
Characteristics of Online Learning: The learner-centric approach of online education sets it apart from traditional classrooms by offering flexibility and customization that the latter often cannot. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur reported that 83 percent of Indian students favor online learning environments because of their ease and flexibility. AI and ML in particular are critical to the development of personalized learning experiences that are tailored to the individual needs of every learner. For example, AI-powered platforms are able to evaluate a student’s performance and learning preferences in order to provide customized study plans, materials, and revision techniques—a crucial tool given the changes in education brought about by the digital era. According to a poll, 62% of Indian workers believe that in the next five years, there will be a major shift in the abilities needed for their jobs due to technology. Virtual and augmented reality are two examples of immersive and interactive technologies that are further improving online learning. With the help of these resources, students may gain practical skills and a deeper comprehension of difficult subjects through interactive encounters and real-world simulations. Students studying history or medicine, for instance, may use immersive virtual tours to study ancient civilizations or practice virtual surgery.
Creating the Future: There are many chances and difficulties on India’s path towards a technologically advanced, inclusive educational system. Ensuring equitable and uniform access to technology and internet connectivity becomes more difficult as the number of courses offered online increases. To fully realize the promise of online learning, these obstacles must be overcome. Notably, the NEP 2020 promotes a variety of teaching methods; yet, the existing 18% or 28% tax on technology and educational apparatus makes it unaffordable. By improving accessibility and transforming education into a high-quality, reasonably priced option, GST relief on educational solutions may lessen obstacles and move society forward.
The future looks bright thanks to the combined efforts of leaders in the educational field, government officials, and business sector. The goal is to create a cheap, flexible, and accessible educational system that can accommodate the many demands of students in the 21st century—especially given that we are living in a digital age.
India is leading the way in digital education and envisions an endless learning environment where all students have the skills and information necessary to prosper in a world that is changing quickly.
Source : Morung Express
