The Benefits, Prospects and Challenges of Online Learning in India
In the last twenty years, technology has made its presence felt in various sectors of development in India. A few important sectors like defence and space, transportation, communication and information technology have also incorporated the use of modern technology for their development and functioning. And, the education sector is no exception.
It is a constantly evolving sector that comes with its own set of challenges. But, there’s always room for improvement and innovation here. In fact, education is one of the few sectors that has experienced a sea of changes over the years. But, this has helped it grow better and become more accessible to students around the world.
Today, with the help technology, we have noticed a shift in the learning paradigm. This has dissolved several blockades. Plus, it has given rise to one of the most popular forms of schooling: online education.
What is online education?
Online education is an electronically supported learning that relies on the internet. Here, the tutor interacts with the students and assists them in understanding the subject they’ve enrolled for. It offers an infinite number of ways to teach and learn outside of traditional classrooms or college campuses.
Typically, such classes include audios, videos, text, animation and more, which makes learning more interesting and exciting. Plus, it creates a rich learning environment that offers enough flexibility.
Benefits of online education
- Is cost-effective and saves time: Online courses do not demand students to be present in a classroom. Students can attend these classes from anywhere in the world. Provided, they have a stable internet connection. This cuts a lot of time and money spent on the commute and gives students a chance to learn better.
- Offers higher knowledge retention: To make education interesting and interactive, educators online employ methods like gamification, blended learning approach and more. This increases knowledge retention and the time spent on learning becomes productive.
- Allows you to track your progress: One of the best things about online education is that it allows you to track your course progress, easily and efficiently. This is possible as online learning includes an LMS or learning management system that opens a window for students to chart their growth.
- Besides this, online learning provides a step-by-step explanation procedure for students to understand. This makes room for everyone to manage their tasks, as and when they find it convenient. Moreover, online education business has become a tool to boost the economy as well. All of this and more has made online learning immensely successful in India.
Challenges faced by online education
Unfortunately, the internet is still a luxury in many parts of the country. A vast section of the Indians resides in the rural parts of the country. Here, there is a lack of infrastructure, which gives rises to connectivity and accessibility issues.
Moreover, it will take some time to shift from a traditional method of education that has enlightened generations for over decades. And, even if people saw the benefits and advantages of online learning, they will have to become tech-savvy first. Hence, while online education is ruling a large part of the country today, it will still take some years for the entire country to understand the importance of building online learning communities.
