The emergence of new technologies and widespread internet connection has resulted in the adoption of online learning in a vast manner. It has now become a global phenomenon intensifying the demand for digital literacy. It’s surprising how the proliferation of online learning is changing the overall appearance of the education system. This new pedagogical system is evolving in a very swift manner in the following factors:
- The statistic says the number of young population all over the world taking online education in the past is increasing very fast. 43% of students of US colleges agreed that digital learning as a new process is immensely helpful. They are pursuing self-learning platforms like MOOCS (Massive open online course) from top universities like Delft University of Technology, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, and many more. This is easily accessible via the web and held unlimited participation. Thus the young population across the world is upgrading their qualifications and skills through these online platforms without traveling to those particular institutions.
- Many educational apps are being launched for the enhancement of the online educational process. Applications like EdX, Google Play Book, Byjus, Quizlet, etc are providing video lectures, presentations, handouts, textbooks guide books, and various other tutorials on courses like programming, engineering, psychology, statistics, maths and hundreds of other. You have also apps that let you upload your questions and then give the answers. There are also apps specifically made for the kids which include basic learning methods. Social media apps are also being used as a process of e-learning. Teachers are conducting live classes on Facebook, sharing their thoughts, uploading study materials. It has become an integral part of the whole online education system for both the teachers and students.
- According to the reports the e-learning market size is projected to be worth $325 billion in 2025 which was $165.36 billion in 2014. Thus the increasing demand for online learning will make the market size doubled in a decade. 77% of the corporations of the US used e-learning in 2017. In 2020 98% is planned to be integrated into their program. Thus online learning is being accepted throughout the world and being modified day by day.
- Since students are pursuing online courses and many of this includes a certification that adds some sheen in their CVs which boosts their chances for career advancement in many ways. As far as the career is concerned e-learning is a growing industry and provides employment as well. Anyone having a graduate, postgraduate, or any other degree, deep knowledge in a particular subject, and having interaction and communication skills can make a good career in this field. Thus online learning is not only beneficial for a student to gain knowledge but also a career for the teacher.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has forced to close schools, colleges, universities around the world. Globally approximately 1.2 billion students are out of the institutions. This outbreak has led to the wide adoption of online learning at all education levels. Online classes are being taken in several videos calling apps like Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, etc. Webinars are also being conducted on various subjects where people are participating across the globe. And no doubt it has made a significant change in the market of e-learning. This sudden total shift of education from the classroom to the internet has aroused a thought that whether this new technique of taking classes will continue to persist even after the pandemic.
E-learning in India
India’s rapid growth in the field of online learning owes to the following factors:
- The enhancement of internet connection especially the 4G connectivity all over the country has led to wide usage of the internet. And with this, the usage of smartphones has also gained momentum. As a result of these two factors, online education is not any more troublesome in our country.
- In order to build the digital infrastructure, the present ruling government has undertaken several plans such as “Digital India” and “Skill India“. Projects like “eBasta” (digital books), “e-education” ( providing free broadband and wifi to all schools), “Swayam” ( MOOCs based syllabus taught from 9th class to postgraduate) have also been launched. The government is also taking action in case of internet connectivity in rural areas. Thus these government policies have helped very much in spreading digital literacy all across the country.
- Online tutoring platforms like Byjus, Unacademy, Khan academy, Google classroom are gradually increasing. Vedantu, which is usually paid for all its courses now during this Covid-19 pandemic giving free live classes. Thus these e-platforms are enhancing their way of providing education. The Indian HRD ministry is also planning to launch e-classes on its Swayam Prabha DTH channels.
- The current unemployment rate in India continuous to hover above 24% and India’s working-age population is expected to reach 64% by 2021. In this dire need of jobs, people seek to improve their communication skills through career advancement courses. They feel that such courses may add some extra luster to their degree and increase the chances of getting jobs. Hence owing to all these factors many Indians are taking various online courses from spoken English to IELTS. Even many of them are making their career on e-learning itself by creating YouTube educational channels and giving lectures or making educational websites.
- In 2016 the market size of e-learning in India was $247 million, consisting of 1.6 million users which are predicted to reach 1.96$ billion by 2021. In fact, India has become the second-largest e-learning market after the US which is forecasted to receive a boost growing into 15.64% by 2020.
Conclusion
Thus with this advent of new digital technologies, the mode of giving and receiving an education is changing and improving day by day. Every day it’s providing new ways and opportunities to fashion education in a more developed manner. Although online learning has some obstacles in its way no doubt it will overcome all. Thus it can be concluded that the future of online learning seems promising and is taking education to a more open and larger ground than ever before.
Guest post by Rakhi Roy.
