Digitization or Digitalisation: The Unceasing Conflict of Digital Empowerment.

“Technology can become the wings that will allow the educational world to fly farther and faster than ever before; if we will allow it.” - Jenny Arledge

The nationwide lockdown was first imposed around 6 months ago due to the catastrophic pandemic when everyone was compelled to sit in their homes and rely heavily on digital media for communicating, working and studying. The situation still hasn't been altered for many industries. Even though education was one of the worst-hit sectors, yet, it was the digitalisation of education that not only assisted us to embrace the rampant change but also catalysed the revenues of several platforms. 

Schools are slowly looking at technology as an opportunity to develop teaching methods and resonate with students on a technological level. Regardless of age or background, almost everyone owns a smartphone in today's time and therefore, revamping our teaching methods by incorporating technology is the only way to bring light in the lives of novices.

Education is reaching not just young students but a much larger audience now, thus essentially democratising access to quality instructors at affordable prices, irrespective of any geographical constraints. The use of various techniques like online courses and virtual textbooks are improving the quality of education. 

Online higher education in India has got a push from changes in regulations, and players in the segment can see a growth of 25-35% in the years ahead, according to RedSeer Management Consulting. The structural changes laid out in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 such as establishing a credit bank, have allowed multiple entry-exit points and online degrees which have opened the higher education market to edutech players like UnAcademy, Byju’s and more.

However, it is not all rosy. Some sections of our country are not well-developed to support digitization given the inadequacy of awareness and infrastructure. A vehement lack of digital aid is one of the many challenges plaguing our education system specifically in the under-privileged sections due to factors as varied as gender, caste and social status. Not every student in such communities has an internet connection and not every teacher has the digital equipment proficiency so required. But innovation and adaptation to such changes due to the various efforts put in by social entrepreneurs and investors are changing India’s education system for the better. 

One such success story is that of ‘Project Pragya’ that aims to bridge the gap between urban and rural learning methodologies and strives to build infrastructure to promote equal academic experience. It thrives to improve the literacy rates in backward and socially deprived communities. 

The project propagates virtual learning thereby catalysing the Digital India Mission introduced by the Government of India. The social inclusion of communities like the Dalits and transgenders who have been barred from education through E-camps is one of the primary endeavours under the project. 

Safe to say that this change was long overdue. Digitalisation doesn't necessarily imply virtual learning in the lockdown only. When combined with classroom learning in the future, it will not only give a stronghold to the students to face their tomorrow but will also render our educational system with the capability to adapt to the dynamic educational transformations.