Role of Digital Platforms in the Education Sector_An essay by Becky Maria Biju

We are presenting the series of essays submitted for the 1st Annual Pharma Literati Essay contest. The opinions in the essay are by the authors and need to be endorsed by Pharma Literati team. 

Historically education was a very different experience when comparing it to the highly sophisticated digital learning of today. Bulky text books and stacks of photocopied handouts would be presented by your lecturer only to end up in a dark corner of your filing cabinet never to be seen again. Owing to the study growth of technology, education is no longer just a teacher talking to a bunch of students in a class room. Delivering education online at the user’s convenience offers significant benefits our traditional brick-and-mortar classrooms-enabling high-quality education to be distributed on a global scale. It has picked up pace and this growth is not set to slowdown anytime soon.

Digital platforms help people get access to a world-class learning experience Cohen traditional higher education is simply not possible due to financial or personal constrains some many also suffer from physical or mental disabilities that make learning in a class room impossible. For these students, online courses, specilisations and degree programs can offer an incredible opportunity to continue their education and build careers for themselves.

The most significant benefit of digital learning platforms is that they break down barriers to education, including geographical and time constraints. Delivering courses online enables people in different geographic areas to take the same course, the same time, even collaborating on projects together. Breaking down these barriers has not only improved convenience for students, it also grants the same high quality education to anyone, anywhere in the world, creating a new era of truly global education. A key benefit for professionals who cannot afford to take time off work to pursue education. Other benefits include allowing trainers, lecturers and leaner’s, unlimited access to vital learning materials at any time. Digital platforms make learning experience cost effective and provide a means to maximise precious educational resources with the ability the ability to share updated or new information with all students at the click of a button, instead of replacing printed books or typing up and distributing new course materials. One of the biggest benefits to training through digital resources is that trainers and lecturers can engage with their learners like never before hearing in essence, has been opened up from the constraints of hard copy pages.

In the past networking opportunities typically were associated with traditional universities and professional were faced with the choice of having the convenience of studying around their busy schedules or networking with others while being consisted to being in a set place at a set time. Delivering education online now extends beyond course work and is connecting students to individual and experiences that can play a first-hand role in professional development.

Speaking of the education sector in our country India, it has long awaited an overhaul to meet the growing demand for a contemporary education system that is accessible to all children and youth in India have in the last decade become increasingly technology-driven, reveling considerable potential and readiness to imbibe and learn using digital media. Digital India has been envisioned as an ambitious umbrella programme to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. We are glad to see that the prime minister has introduced initiatives such as e-education, e-hastakshar, Nand Ghar which will impart education using technologies including smart phones, mobile aaps and internet services in far- flung areas where it may not be possible for teachers to be present in person. If focuses on the creation of knowledge based society, improve the attendance in schools, and to bridge the education deficit.

Well it quite evident that the digital age is something which we need to embrace. Technology in education opens up a huge world of possibilities as to how we convey, share and engage with students presenting different ideas, fact and theories. With today’s generation of learners never baking known anything other than digital mediums, it is now up to trainers and lecturers to ensure that lessons incorporate current technology to enhance the learning experience and capture the minds of the learners. Education and training are sectors which have the potential to maximise on current technologies in-order to better engage learners of all ages. This comes in all forms, whether it is the sharing of course materials through computer and tablet devices, or the setting up of online forums where individuals and teachers can share their ideas on a particular subject or topic.

With this mind, the interaction with digital mediums in education and training should be seen as a way of preparing learners for the work place, where everyday tasks are performed regularly using digital platforms and IT skills. Hence, digital learning opens up the scope and possibilities for education and training and enhances the learning experience of all students. Undoubtedly, in the future all educational and training institutions will engage with their learners through these ever expanding digital mediums.