There has always been an age long debate whether digitization of education is beneficial. Some say that it devalues the importance of human touch provided by one-on-one learning whereas others, including me, have always found technological advancements to be a blessing. Jenny Arledge rightfully said, “Technology can become the wings that will allow the educational world to fly farther and faster than ever before - if we will allow it”
In the 21st century, with technology covering every niche and corner of the globe there has been a significant inculcation of digital methods in the educational sector. The education system is seen to be evolving for the betterment, as the upcoming generation of students have vast curiosity which cannot be catered by the limits of the traditional approach towards learning. The use of facilities such as user interactive platforms to hold online lectures, availability of online courses, online exams and digital teaching methods has eliminated the need of a student to be physically present in a classroom to get access to the resources being taught, and enabled the teachers to carry out regular academics without interruption.
Digitization has also made it possible for individuals to learn at their own pace and customize lessons depending on their understanding, thus eliminating the notion of ‘one size fits all’ and allowing a more student-oriented approach to learning. By learning this way, the student is able to have a better understanding of his or her strengths and weaknesses and is able to identify areas of improvement by tracking and monitoring progress. This makes online learning more interesting and motivational for the students as it provides a bend to the traditional schooling methods that lack creativity.
The importance of furthering the motive of digitization could also be understood when Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the Digital India Campaign on July 2, 2015 which aimed to make India more technologically efficient and at par with the world by blending digital, machine and AI- supported learning in education. Digital India is a concept to make the education system of India more flexible and bridge the literacy slippage. Conditioning children to the usage of gadgets in learning helps to improve their decision making, visual learning and cultural awareness. It also helps in normalizing the use of technology in day-to-day life as a result of which children refrain from getting addicted to it. Keeping all of this in mind there have been changes in the National Educational Policy that makes it mandatory for the educational institutions to use digital methods for teaching the students.
Thus, we can rightly conclude that online learning is a necessary shift for development for the future generations and can prove to be successful in complimenting the traditional teaching methods as it combines the aspects of both classroom learning and digital learning. Schools can continue to act as the primary source of education but online modes of learning should also be used as they help the process become more enjoyable and insightful for students.
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