Accelerating the impact of digital learning in India
We have to develop an overarching regulatory mechanism to facilitate the growth of digital learning. The industry also needs to play an active role—it should have a say in curriculum, evaluations, accreditation
Has technology made a significant impact in
the way our students learn? No.
Does it have the potential to change the
learning landscape completely in the future? Yes.
Then why is it taking so much time? A number
of possible reasons can be listed, including the cost, willingness, acceptance,
fear of the unknown and regulatory challenges, among others.
Ironically, this is happening in a country
like India which has, over the last two decades, received the unique
distinction of being the information technology capital of the world.
Why
digital learning?
Digital learning is defined as the effective
use of technology to improve and strengthen a student’s learning experience.
The use of best-in-class content, real-time
learning and feedback methods, and personalised instructions to propel academic
success form the basis of this form of learning.
The resources, knowledge, tools and even
access to the most celebrated teachers can now be shared with anyone rather
than being a privilege of a selected few.
The key
benefits
The benefits of technology adoption will be
accrued to all the stakeholders.
Beginning with the student, numerous
researches have confirmed that experiential learning—in which one gets to touch
and feel concepts/theories—has a far-reaching learning impact than normal
classroom training.
The recall and grasping power of a human
being goes up significantly if one gets an opportunity to learn a concept
through experiencing it even digitally.
Even the great Aristotle had observed: “For
the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.”
Such type of learning increases engagement through personalisation of content.
Second, gamification of academic content has
already started to make its presence felt across the globe.
We feel this tool can have a substantial
impact on the mode of delivery of educational and vocational training.
Teachers can use technology to optimise their
delivery, improve student retention, keep a channel of communication open with
students, parents and the institution at all times, relearn and unlearn
concepts, and strengthen peer network.
It is imperative that teachers adapt to
digital learning or else it will remain elusive in the modern day world.
Institutions, regulators and parents can benefit through improved academic
results, better literacy rates and optimal learning results.
The
progress so far
According to the 2015 report of UK-India
Business Council, India’s e-learning market is the second largest market in the
world, after the US.
It is expected to grow at a compounded annual
growth rate of 17.4% till 2018.
The report adds that the sector is expected
to receive a boost through the Rs 1.13 trillion Digital India initiative.
Similarly, e-Basta is an initiative to make school books available in
electronic form across the country.
A number of other initiatives such as virtual
labs, talk to teacher, virtual classrooms have also been initiated. The real
success of such programmes is yet to be ascertained.
Challenges ahead
One of the key challenges for the adoption of
digital learning initiatives has been the lack of impetus and recognition
accorded by the regulators and industry.
Even though a number of programmes have been
announced by the government, there is no separate agency to monitor and
evaluate their success.
Further, there is no mechanism for students
to compare various offerings available in the market and analyse their fitment
with their current requirements.
Therefore, given the potential of such
offerings, the need of the hour is to develop an overarching regulatory
mechanism to facilitate their growth and evolution.
A forward-looking and flexible regulator who
works hand-in-hand with key stakeholders would be ideal.
The industry also needs to play an active
role in their own interest as they would be the final consumers of the skilled
and educated workforce.
They should have a say in the curriculum,
evaluations, accreditation, etc. The important role played by technology
providers and content developers can’t be overlooked and needs to be adequately
addressed.
The
new ecosystem
Digital learning can open doors to tremendous
opportunities for everyone. Teachers, peers, parents, experts, technology
providers and employers can join hands effectively to provide a holistic
learning experience.
The interests and passions of the student are
of prime importance; all other stakeholders act as facilitators.
The physical classrooms can expand their
horizon to join hands with real-life experts aligned with student’s interests,
with corporates through internships and innovation and training centres such as
business incubators and accelerators.
Social learning platforms provide another
avenue for students to expand their horizon beyond the boundaries of academic
institutions.
Even a smartphone, which an average student
touches over 2,000 times in a day, can become a mentor or coach.
One can improve her understanding of
concepts, search for a professional tutor in her locality, study in a virtual
classroom, conduct experiments, and undertake mock tests all through the touch
of a button. Further, a student can up-skill herself by enrolling in various
online courses.
We sincerely hope that all roadblocks are
effectively tackled to ensure smooth transition into the new ecosystem. A
number of challenges (quality, access and inclusive growth) which our current
education system faces will be automatically addressed through such an
evolution.
The author is director, Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu India LLP
Source | Financial Express | 29 August 2016
Regards
Pralhad Jadhav
Senior Manager @ Library
Khaitan & Co
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