(GIST OF YOJANA) Leveraging technology For Accessible Quality Education

(August-2023)

Leveraging technology For Accessible Quality Education

Introduction:

Modern technologies like Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Extended Reality (ER), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) have revolutionised education enhancing learning experiences. The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) also envisions sweeping reforms in the education sector through technology to create accessible, equitable, and high-quality education for all.

The sudden push for online education was driven by the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The availability of online classes, internet through fibre connectivity and DTH content delivery through satellites helped to ensure high-quality education delivered at home during this period.

Limitations in Online Education:

Government initiatives to promote education through technologies:

National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL): NPTEL, started in 2005, provided high-quality recorded engineering lectures delivered by IIT professors. Subsequently, in 2008, Virtual labs were started to provide simulation-based experiments for all students.

Teacher training platforms:

The Amrita Virtual Interactive E-Learning World (A-VIEW), a collaboration between AMRITA University and the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), was established with the purpose of providing online training to educators.
AICTE Training And Learning (ATAL) Academy was instituted to facilitate the dissemination of high-quality technical education across the nation.

SWAYAM platform:

SWAYAM platform stands as the world’s largest online free e-learning portal, meticulously designed to realise the goals of accessibility, equity, and quality education across all educational tiers.
National Internship Portal was established to foster connections between students and industries, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The National Educational Alliance for Technologies (NEAT) scheme, implemented by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), aims to act as a bridge between ed-tech companies, academic institutions and students.
Anuvadhani, an artificial intelligence-based translation tool developed by AICTE, is developed to bridge the language gap and provide equal learning opportunities to students across the country. It can translate text files, and enable speech-to-text typing, and editing.
National Digital Library Project by IIT Kharagpur provides free access to digital books and documents.
Academic Bank of Credit (ABC): Initiated by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, students can store their academic credits and credentials earned in Digilocker. It serves as a credit bank for students that allows them to accumulate, verify, transfer, and redeem their credit which ensures flexibility and enhances learning opportunities for students.

Conclusion:

The NEP 2020 aims to achieve a Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of 100% in school education and 50% in higher education. Technology plays a pivotal role in achieving this goal by bridging the gap and ensuring access, upholding equity, maintaining quality, increasing affordability, and fostering accountability across the education sector.