The digitization of education is the evolution of education system which involves learning with digital methods. It refers to the use of desktop computers, laptops, smart phones, software applications and all types of digital technology to teach the students of all age groups from any corner of the world. There are teachers and facilitators to train the students with necessary suggestions, e-books, digital text books, etc. It boasts of the educational progress where unprecedented ideas are unfolded and given the scope of research. To serve the curiosity of a child and let him prosper with evaluation digitization of information can go a long way breaking the boundaries of learning.
How far digitization can help Indian education system?
In the words of Bill Gates, “The use of technology coupled with bold decisions can help India leapfrog into inclusive growth and improve the quality of health and education.” Innovation and technology have been indispensable in almost all the sectors of India promoting growth and offering various opportunities. It has also become a requisite for the education sector to adopt a dynamic mode to get placed among top countries of the world. The government has tried to make education accessible to all sections of children but when it comes to the question of quality education in schools, the figure is far below average. Digital education can enhance a child’s potential, strength and realize weakness by offering personalized learning where he can choose a tutor of his preference and create communication networks with other fellow students across the country/globe. Such a system also enables flexible learning with convenient time and place.
While archaic learning has a uniform approach digital learning can be more inclusive. There can be innovative methods and customizations based on a student’s capability and interest. Online teaching sessions offered by “BY JU’s”, “National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning” and other YouTube channels make learning a fun experience rather than a load. Another most important advantage of digital education is that it has a global outreach so if applied skillfully it can alleviate problems like illiteracy, drop outs, etc.
A digital infusion in educational institutes can make learning of the courses more vivid and interesting at the same time. The students can watch videos and look at the pictures of the same content which is being taught to them with textbooks. Sometimes it is seen that the teachers are skeptical of using such techniques because of the misconception that it would degrade the value of a teacher. But it needs to understand that digitized materials can simplify their duty of explaining. If they are teaching about the process of photosynthesis or life cycle of a butterfly they can easily show videos, detailed pictures with a projector explaining the processes along with their oral lectures.
Limitations of Digitized Learning
Undoubtedly digital learning is a boon but it cannot be denied that it has also diminished the traditional values of education because a professional virtual environment can never build personal contact. It cannot generate the disciplined learning of students like a classroom. Moreover, spending too much time in front of a computer screen can lead to poor vision.
