While innovation is emerging at the forefront in this digital-driven era, technology is transforming the teaching processes as well as the face of classrooms in rural areas and amongst marginalised populations, says AWAL MADAAN
As the world is transforming, digital resources are evolving with time. This revolution is significant in the rural communities and marginalised sectors as the population is increasing enormously as well as their preferences are undergoing a major shift. Despite this, the resources are unevenly distributed. Due to this factor, there is a substantial difference between the lifestyles of individuals who reside in developed or the urban areas as compared to those in rural areas and remote locations. There is also a huge disparity in the educational experiences. However, with the digital revolution picking up pace, rural areas are bracing up for quality education.
Growing prominence of digital resources in rural areas
The education industry is a constantly evolving market. Ever since the pandemic outbreak, digital adoption witnessed a surge in this segment. As a result, digital resources are used all the more to consume educational content. This concept encompasses learning resources such as apps, software, programs, or websites that ensure students are engaged while learning and help them achieve their learning goals.
The fact of the matter is that rural dwellers do not have access to educational experiences by the advanced institutions as well as channels. While innovation is emerging at the forefront in this digital-driven era, technology is transforming the teaching processes as well as the face of classrooms in rural areas and amongst marginalised populations.
In terms of digital resources, villages are not only catching up with more urbanised areas but are also embarking on a journey of transformation. They are now becoming all the more dynamic and are gaining prominence as powerful tools to enhance the learning experiences.
Digital resources upscaling rural education
In recent years, Indian children and youth have become increasingly technology-driven. They are willing to learn and imbibe learning through social media and online channels. Online portals and smart platforms would be of tremendous benefit to school dropouts and adults who have opted out of formal education to support their families. Since education has become an anytime anywhere concept due to rising internet penetration and easy availability of smartphones; the digital content is easily visible on devices and can be accessed as per their convenience. The digital resources can be downloaded and used at a later stage by the learners as per their requirement.
Although people are using affordable devices like smartphones that are changing the lives of millions of people; they are also upscaling the landscape of rural education in India. Additionally, the Government of India is offering help to the underprivileged areas by embracing them with ‘old’ technologies (like radio and television) as well as new-age technologies such as smartphones, apps, and internet services along with digital content.
These can be powerful media of knowledge, cultural exchange, and a broader worldview in far-flung areas where the quality of education needs enhancement, there is a lack of resources especially financial and skilled teachers.
As we are bracing towards growth and development, digitization is picking up pace across sectors. As a result, digital transformation in the rural and remote areas is upscaling the educational experiences. The easily available and accessible educational content on digital resources including social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, etc. help reach even the remotest of locations. They seamlessly bridge the teaching-learning gap and ensure the provision of digital content in regional languages as well thereby enabling engaged, interactive and high-end learning experiences.
The Writer is Awal Madaan CEO and Founder at AwalEnglish.com