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ANALYSING ONLINE EDUCATION VIS-À-VIS TRADITIONAL PARADIGM OF LEARNING

THE CONTENTION VIA INTRODUCTION The mainstream scenario in educational institutions has always been classroom teachings conducted within the schools. The recent Indian education system has been seen to be changing, and age-old norms have been given a modern makeover, resulting in the introduction of a completely new model; of online classes. Furthermore, it is not […]

THE CONTENTION VIA INTRODUCTION

The mainstream scenario in educational institutions has always been classroom teachings conducted within the schools. The recent Indian education system has been seen to be changing, and age-old norms have been given a modern makeover, resulting in the introduction of a completely new model; of online classes. Furthermore, it is not just the schools that are seeing the modern mode of education, but also the colleges and universities. It has been noted that the Indian government has been putting in a significant amount of effort in this area in order to achieve the goal of inclusive growth as quickly and efficiently as possible. According to the All India Survey on Higher Education, the gross enrolment ratio in higher education increased from 35.8% in 2017-18 to 26.3 percent in 2018-19, while total enrolment increased from 3.66 crore to 4.74 crore students. As a result, in the current pandemic scenario, it is crucial to acknowledge that school students need the utmost attention to ensure that their education is not jeopardised. The current state of education is such that classes are held online, and even examinations are taken in the same way. According to one of the comprehensive reports prepared by KPMG, online education and the demand for it are expected to expand eight-fold by 2023. The educational sector has undergone tremendous change, and there have been further opportunities for those changes to be halted. Due to the current pandemic, a drastic shift has occurred with the introduction of online classes for children in schools. It is worth noting, that however, a decline in moral values and ethics, as well as a reduction in discipline and etiquette, has reached an all-time high. Both students and teachers have been struggling, and the rudimentary form of education has been suggested as a possible solution. The pedagogy has undergone a significant transformation.

MUDDLING UP THE CORE ISSUE

During the on-going COVID-19 crisis, the need for online classrooms has risen in order to handle the studies of the entire student body. However, it seems that not only the students, but also the teachers, are under a great deal of stress. There used to be a philosophy prohibiting the use of internet outlets for studies, and students were expected to avoid using online sites for studies at all costs, as textbooks were considered the only source to attain priesthood. Moving ahead there are numerous positives to the whole model of online education, as it seems to increase the accessibility and comfort of both students and teachers. It also relieves stress on students, allowing them to actively engage and study at their own pace. One of the most appealing aspects of online learning is the ability to tailor it because each student learns at his or her own speed, and as a result, many students fall behind their peers. Online learning can thus be seen to be highly fruitful and profitable by appealing to each and every student’s needs. Students have plenty of time for their interests and can accomplish their objectives with ease.

There have been some pitfalls to taking online classes. The main one is that, it has proved to be a curse for the underprivileged students, given their lack of access to even basic needs, it is extremely irrational and illogical to imagine them owning a smartphone or a laptop with a decent internet connection. It deprives children from deprived backgrounds of an education because not everyone has fair access to the Internet, and while kids are generally thought to be more tech-savvy than adults, there is often the exception, as an assessment on a digital platform differs greatly from a physical assessment.

MORAL DILEMMAS AND THE REALMS

During the lockdown, it has been noticed that institutions have started to raise their fees. Educational institutions are offering online classes during the pandemic, and the increase in the tuition fees is ludicrous, particularly given that the majority of parents have lost their jobs or are facing severe financial hardship. There have been mass demonstrations and petitions filed around the country in opposition to the fee increases. The legality of the fee demand can be seen in the fact that since students are just learning via online courses, there is no actual need for a surge in fee. Demanding the raised fee from students is not only illegal, but it is also unethical and inhumane on the part of private schools.

CURRENT TRENDS AND THE WAY FORWARD

In light of the current situation, it is important to note that the future of education in India appears to be revolutionary in comparison to the traditional scenario. If the situation further worsens, online teachings will eventually supplant conventional teaching methods in schools. If the pattern continues, education will undergo a significant transformation, and a new paradigm of education will emerge in regards to children’s education. Primary school children who have recently started attending school have experienced schooling in a completely different light from the start and are therefore totally unaware of the physical classes. If online education becomes the norm, it will completely be a different experience for both students and the teachers respectively. However, this prospect will be limited to a few years down the track and ‘may’ not become permanent considering the prevailing environment.

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