Debunking myths about the power of online education in India
Significant advancement has changed the online education system in India. The Pandemic has disrupted traditional education settings and training sessions are suspended to the implementation of social distancing rules.
With over 1.33 billion population, the country is projected as the prime market for international investors like Sequoia and General Atlantic. According to research, the online education market in India was worth USD 247 million in 2016 and is expected to reach approximately USD 1.96 billion by 2021.
During the 1940s, Learners learned under the tree like the Shantiniketan, then soon, traditional training came into existence with different styles like schools, mobile vans and Anganwadis. The country has tremendously developed and transformed from traditional settings to Digital India.
Disruptive technology has a profound impact on the education industry but with advancement and upliftment, there are still certain myths attached to this space. Here, we will be debunking 4 common myths about the power of online education in India.
MYTH: LMS is only for Corporate
Many learners and trainers conjecture that Learning Management System software application is only meant for corporates and also it is expensive. LMS market size is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 23%, with a revenue of $12.48 billion. The first LMS program was started in 1924. Professor Sidney Pressey who invented the first electronic teaching device aimed that this application will allow trainers and teachers to focus on inspiring and stimulating activities for learners to keep them engaged. Since the invention, LMS has been popularly used by trainers and educators to access educational resources in different formats. Trainers who are involved in corporate training, online education, webinars, universities training, online courses use LMS to make online learning easier and simpler.
MYTH: Online learning platforms make transactions in dollars with extra taxes.
The popular online training platforms in India accept the finances for enrollment in the form of dollars and not rupees. Accepting the payment in dollars makes the course expensive. Crashing this predominant notion, not every online learning platform accepts dollars and extra taxes. Global Trainers Academy accepts the finances in rupees with GST and the enrolling process is simple. In many learning platforms, there are certain hidden amounts that trainers have to pay. In Global Trainers Academy, Trainers do not pay a single amount and make a profit easily. The payment process in GTA is transparent.
MYTH: Education technology is not the solution to online training.
Education Technology is a powerful factor in shaping the education sector. Many universities, training companies, online learning platforms are acknowledging and showing support for advanced technology solutions. The research revealed that educational software programs designed to help students develop particular skills have shown enormous promise in improving learning outcomes, particularly in math. Education technology is a combination of hardware, software, media, and education theories in different formats that facilitates and enhances learning. Of all 30 studies of computer-assisted learning programs, 20 reported statistically significant positive effects. Educational technologies have overcome traditional sessions’ limitations by customizing each module and concepts according to the learner’s ability. Educational technology enables learners to acquire personalized tutoring, and keeps them engaged by providing varied tools like goal setting tools, reminders, visuals, podcasts, and many more.
MYTH: Online education creating inequality among different classes.
Many people think online education is riddled with inequality. The Internet and digitization offer endless opportunities but the lack of digital skills and availability to socio-economic class creates inequality. Smashing this myth, research revealed that rural India had 227 million active internet users, 10% more than urban India’s about 205 million, as of November 2019. Massive Open Online Courses have reduced income inequality highlighting online education. MOOCs are the free courses available for anyone and everyone to enroll and learn. MOOCs are enrolled to develop skills for their present jobs or upcoming ones which fills education gaps between the different societal classes. Many NGOs, prominent personalities, and leaders have helped learners with tool kits, internet accessibility, mobile phones, and laptops to have access to digitalization. According to research, nearly 48% of the population in India is between the 15–40 age group with high aspirations but lower income is a good target market for online education. In online training sessions, people are not treated according to their economic conditions, appearances, or personality, each one is served equally compared to their traditional counterparts.
In India, Govt. has tremendously assisted people to transform from traditional learning to online learning. The ministry of Human Resource Development launched the ‘Bharat Padhe’ Online Campaign to gather different ideas to improve online education. They also launched various campaigns like ‘Yukt Portal’ which aims to record and research on academics and assist student well-being, ‘SWAYAM Prabha’ under this project govt provide 32 high-quality educational channels via DTH. In ‘Pradhan Mantri e-VIDYA’ top 100 universities are allowed to provide online courses.
The pandemic has adversely affected many sectors and the economy as a whole but the education industry is shining and thriving. According to research, the EdTech industry is projected to create 3,000 fresh jobs. International investors are striving to invest in the educational industry of India for its potential growth. The research revealed that EdTech companies in India raised around USD 1.09 billion in investments, approximately six percent of global investments. Based on the present trends, Online education and its market has a constructive overview and are expected to have positive growth in the future.
