The importance of Online Education in India and its scope.
All in all, we can say that no doubt the importance of the regular mode of classes can’t be underestimated but there is no denying the fact that the world is changing and is drifting towards the online mode of education. The current situations and the convenience factor have added to the pull that this mode of learning has. Working professionals especially find this mode apt for them and this has aided in the growth of online education in India. With almost all the premier universities offering their top courses via the online mode now, the future of online education in India is secure and is the way that will shape the future of the country.
Have you too been thinking about educating yourself further but are still dicey about the scope of Online education in India? Well, fret not as you are not alone. Every year millions of students register themselves for regular courses across colleges in India. They choose between multiple streams of study and aim to make a career for themselves after completion of their studies. On the other hand, there are those aspiring students who face issues while applying for these regular centers of study. These issues could range from lack of financial ability to pay the fees, an already packed work schedule, physical inability to go to college/university or some other personal reasons which deny them the right and the opportunity to attend regular classes. Also in a developing country such as ours, there are some interior regions that are still opening up to the idea of girls attending regular colleges. All of these issues though not necessarily interconnected, are factors that influence the education future of countless aspiring students. On top of all this, the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent shutdown of physical classes across the nation have also made the physical regular mode of classes obsolete and a thing of the past. As an alternative to this regular mode of imparting and receiving education, the online mode of classes has emerged as a viable option for students who were or are facing these obstructions.
There are two ends of the spectrum of study. One is the traditional aspect that includes the physical mode of teaching i.e classroom learning. The other end is the new-age digital or online education. Some years back it would have caused amazement and disbelief to the listener when told that there is no need to attend physical classes for getting educated. But the digitalization of the world and the technological advancements over the past few years have made this seemingly impossible thing possible. Plus after the onset of the pandemic almost all the institutions have shifted to an online mode of imparting knowledge and this has been welcomed by parents and students alike as this ensures a certain degree of safety for the students. Online education is not bound by any physical limitations and there is an endless scope of learning for the students opting for this mode of education. An important thing to be noted here is that online education in India does not mean that the student does not have to study much. Coping up with the syllabus seems easier because the student has the option of learning at their own convenience and that makes it a lot easier. The tough
The use of the internet and technology-enabled tools makes learning as easy if not easier than the physical modes of teaching. All in all, we can say that online education is the giving and receiving of education that takes place in a virtual environment. All the interactions that take place between the teachers and the students happen with the help of the internet, technology and digital modes of learning. This includes any level of education that takes place in the above-mentioned digital environment.
Online Education in India has become really important considering it is really important to educate the upcoming generations so that the nation progresses fast.
Let’s touch upon certain points that emphasize the importance and the advantage that online education has over its traditional counterpart:
Accessibility/Convenience: The online mode of education has placed the students at an advantageous position as they can now study at their own comfort and convenience. Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, students, especially those who were enrolled for graduate and PG courses had started enrolling for these online courses. Not all the universities had started this mode of education but wherever it was, students enrolled in huge numbers. The advantage of learning from anywhere with the help of the internet made it an advantageous option. With the advent of tools such as Zoom, the imparting and receiving of knowledge became more accessible and easier. All of this has made online education in India a more convenient mode of learning.
Save Money: The offline, physical mode of education involves attending regular physical classes at universities and colleges. The student has to travel for the classes and this causes them to spend money which is not feasible for all the students. Not only travel but there are other expenditures too that are associated with the regular mode of education. Food and supplies comprise a significant part which can be avoided with the online mode of education.
Time Management: As mentioned above, the best part about online education is that the student can study from the place of their choosing. This could be their home or some other place. This saves them the time it takes to travel to the physical colleges/universities. The time saved can be utilized by them for other purposes like upgrading their skills or in the case of working people it allows them to attend their regular office and study without compromising on their income. The self-paced schedule of learning means that the student can learn at their own pace and this leads to a better managed and independent student.
Flexibility of Learning: Flexibility of learning is one of the biggest advantages that the students have. In physical classes, the tasks are time-bound and adhere to strict guidelines. These time constraints and boundations are not possible to be adhered to by all the students, especially the working ones. Online Education in India has become more in demand and more successful since it allows the students to study at their own schedule and submit their assignments and other projects at their own pace. Although the time given and schedule is at par with offline classes, still Online mode offers more flexibility in the manner and pace with which the students can complete and pace up with the academic schedule. Most of the universities offer the students recorded classes and doubt clearance sessions that the students can partake in at their own convenience.
Personality Development: Although the physical classes offer a more holistic and social development of the student, not all students are made for this mode of education. Some students are shy and not confident enough to openly ask their doubts in a physical class. For these students, the online classes are an opportunity that is great as they can now be at par with the rest of the students. Plus the time management skills learnt in absence of a physical classroom-bound learning schedule is invaluable. In the online mode of education, the students are constantly prodded by their teachers for timely submission of the assignments and exam papers. On the other hand in the absence of these in the online mode, the students learn to be independent and learn life lessons like time scheduling, pushing oneself, self-motivation and how to adhere to timelines and guidelines without someone authoritative constantly supervising them.
