How are Digitalization and Technology Shaping Education in India? 

April 24, 2024

Technology



Technology had wormed its way into classrooms as smart boards, way before Covid 19 pandemic kept students away from schools and colleges.  The pandemic resulted in a tectonic shift in the education sector when it had just started warming up to technology and digitization.  Learning was forced to go online, and technology was harnessed to ensure continuity in education. The availability of tech platforms has enabled the transition to online delivery mode frictionless. 

Disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, augmented reality (AR), the Internet of Things, and blockchain technologies are quietly fuelling the shifting of learning moves away from the traditional classroom-teacher pedagogy. As technology continues to play a predominant role in our lives, its impact has been much more in the field of education.  

So how will Technology and Digitization shape the way we learn and teach?

E-learning and Digitization 

E-learning is taking the center stage as it offers more flexibility and support than the traditional format and has encouraged mushrooming of e-learning portals and ed-tech companies. These are offering learning management resources, such as blended learning, learning kits, and AI-based experiential and interactive learning that inspire creativity and innovation.  

As the new education policy that emphasizes digitization and the use of technology in education is being drafted, it is seen as a means of furthering primary education, particularly in the rural areas and in Tier-2 and 3 cities and villages. 

Enhanced accessibility 

The government is focusing on strengthening digital infrastructure, including internet availability in the country. The proliferation of smartphones has provided access to a plethora of learning material through ed-tech platforms that are revolutionizing remote learning. It has blurred the geographic boundaries, enabling schools in far-flung areas with the latest teaching tools and methodologies that are now redefining how students are taught even in the country’s remotest corners. In addition, teachers in these remote areas are leveraging technology to upgrade their skills to the adoption of digital methods of teaching. 

Tech Tools and Methodologies 

Schools are rife with problems such as shortage of teachers, inadequate teacher-student ratio, and insufficient and outdated teaching resources.  Digitization is enabling schools with the latest teaching tools and methodologies such as visual aids – videos, graphics, AR/VR-based learning, and gamification that is revolutionizing learning. These tools motivate learners and improve retention rates by making learning more dynamic, resulting in better learning outcomes. 

Enhanced Industry-Academy Collaboration 

Higher education aims to make students Industry-ready and improve their employability, by assessing competencies and imparting skills with what is needed by the industry. Tech companies are involved in devising learning tools and resources aligned with the industry needs and bringing research and innovation into the ambit of education making them affordable and relevant.  With more and more tech companies jumping into the fray, education is likely to witness a sea change in the forthcoming years. 

In spite of all the developments, online education comes with its share of challenges.  

  • Conducting remotely proctored exams continues to be a major hurdle.  Viable alternatives are yet to emerge. 
  • Conducting laboratory classes and hands-on exercises remotely is a limitation in imparting practical knowledge. 
  • Absence of in-person interaction and the experience of school/college will be a major drawback. 
  • Need to impart knowledge in the regional language can be challenging in a multi-lingual country like India. 

We (Narayan Solutions “NS”) are a premier technology products and solutions company and are pioneers in providing end-to-end ERP solutions for the education sector. To support the drive that is accelerating digital learning, we have designed solutions, especially for educational institutions. Our Scool360 for Schools and Campus360plus for higher educational institutions have been implemented in many schools and colleges across the country.  Our education and learning solution NS Edu bridge the gap between the current educational reality and the business needs. 

As we move towards digitization of all spheres of education with newer nuanced solutions and products, Learning and Teaching as we know it is poised for irreversible change.