The pandemic has brought an evolution in every field. With the development of information and communication technology the world has witnessed increasing acceptance of digital education over a period of time.
Even before the covid-19 pandemic, individuals were involved in several e-learning platforms to enhance their skills and employability. However, this schooling was limited to the classroom. But due to the sudden outbreak of covid-19, people had to adapt to digital schooling in a very short period of time.
Online schooling has now become a normal situation for the students as well as the teachers. It seems more convenient but less interactive.
The current situation makes it clear that online schooling is the future of education. Along with the health sector, the education sector is the most affected area. Reports says that about 1.2 billion students worldwide are adapting to the new online mode of education.
Scope of digital schooling in India
Based upon the analysis, India has nearly 1.5 million schools teaching around 260 million students daily. The school system of India is the second largest in the world. It is expected that the online schooling in India will grow magnificently within the next three years.
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This will create a conducive conditions for online schooling and also provide a boost to the other factors such as:
- With the increasing internet availability online mode of education is certainly going to get a boost. With the Bharat net program every panchayat will get high speed internet soon.
- Government is aiming to improve the role of online education in India. Along with the announcement of new education policy 2020 the government aims to create a separate unit in the ministry of human resources and development. These departments will take care and focus upon the quality of both school and higher education. Beside this various other programs such as National digital library, SWAYAM, E-yantra, etc. are improving digital education in India. The purpose of these programs is to provide good quality content to the students in the digital mode to keep them engaged and increase their interest in education.
- The new age of education is not limited to the four walls of the classroom. Children are not only dependent on the schools for learning. Now students can enhance their knowledge with the use of new tools and techniques that are easily available online.
- Online schooling also has some economical or financial advantages. The cost of education is going rocket high in the past few years. A particular setup with some specific device can enable the people to avail the facility of education. It also helps the students who were earlier not able to go to school due to the distance differences and financial incapability.
- Online schooling is more flexible as compared to the classroom classes which have a fixed time of teaching. It provides the liberty to the students to plan their day accordingly and as per themselves. There is enough scope to engage practice and learn at their own pace. Students have not to face any peer pressure and are able to study in a comfortable environment.
Limitations of digital schooling
Below are some limitations that prevents the successful implementation of online schooling:
Lack of internet connectivity: The internet is now a fundamental right for the individual. But yet coronavirus of children in India are unable to avail the internet facilities. The backward areas lack fast internet service. Slow internet or absence of such services becomes a hindrance in application of online schooling.
Lack of digital devices: Online schooling requires some devices such as laptops, computers , tablets or mobile Phones. Many people in the country are unable to afford these devices or do not have the knowledge to operate them. This is a setback for the nation.
Lack of personal interaction: Online education reduces face to face as well as social interaction between the students and teachers. It also hinders the development of interpersonal communication and social skills among the students. This can affect on the mental health of young children.
No practical knowledge: Online schooling deprives students from enjoying the physical infrastructural facilities. The students are unable to attend, as they are unable to do that at their homes. Practical is the basic requirements of education because it teaches the application of knowledge.
Conclusion
It is clear that the pandemic period has disrupted the education system. However, under the current circumstances it has also acted as a bridge to encourage the digitalization of education. Institutions need better digital equipment as well as students need to learn digital skills. This will help in the betterment and improving quality of the learning.
The application of online education needs some changes in the curriculum, test books, teacher training examinations etc. There is a need to evaluate both the pros and cons of digital schooling and prepare for the challenges as per.