Technology as an Enabler in Higher Education

Context: The NEP emphasises on a vital linkage between education and technology for a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. 

Significance of technology-enabled education:

• Remote learning: The temporal and spatial restrictions on education tend to disappear in distant learning.
• Student-centric: The teacher does not determine the pace of learning in most cases. Students have the freedom to learn according to their convenience. 
• Provides greater support to marginalised learners and helps teachers to assume a new role of facilitator.

Concerns of technology-enabled education:

• Digital divide: Students from marginalised social groups face severe challenges due to social exclusion and academic non-integration. – A national-level study on ‘student diversity and social inclusion’ by the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration in 2016.

• The institutional mechanisms to bridge the gaps are also inadequate. 

• Lack of Inclusive learning: 

• The large share of students is from lower social strata such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and poor household where no one has undergone any post-secondary education. 

• They are likely to have the regional language as a medium of instruction in schools.
• The urban-rural disparity in the conduct of online classes is alarmingly high.

• Lack of academic outcome: Inclusion made in terms of access is not getting translated into the quality educational experience and equitable academic outcome.

• Academic integration continues to remain a significant challenge.

Way forward:

• Technology as an enabler: Technology needs to be seen as a means to provide additional learning inputs. 

• Investing in Information & Communication Tech. (ICT) infrastructure: Universities and colleges should invest in ICT infrastructure.

•  Requires institutions to imbibe and enact values of inclusion in higher education.

• Democratising technology: New technology can promote egalitarianism in higher education, if access to technology is democratised and values of inclusion are institutionalised.

• National Educational Technology Forum, an autonomous body with the task of advising institutions on use of technology is a step in the right direction.