Transformation of Education
System: Online Education is a demand for the time
The era we are having is an information era where the information is easily available
for all, and it is on your tip approach. Just a click away you have all the information
and answers from experts around the globe.
Not to go far away from the topic and remains concentrated
on describing the transformation of the education system from
Gurukul to
Pitkul,
(full-time
guru supervision to part-time
guru supervision)
distance education and online education.
In the ancient era, we were having education in Gurkul where
the pupils leave the Pitakull and spend time in gurukul. Guru
used to provide him gradual education which was required for a normal human
being to perform the day to activity including the rule. Why did I mention the rule
here because education was limited to some people not for everyone, now it
is other topics of discussion why? Maybe other people were not thinking to
have it because of their personal choice, necessity or was not allowed! This
kind of education was provided in a very constrained manner and it has been given
for centuries and centuries. It was mainly based on the heart-to-heart transfer of
knowledge.
Some of the people feel the need to maintain the record of Guru’s
lesson – The record was planted on bark, stone, leaves, rocks etc. It
has been modified as per the development of civilization and now we have paper
and soft copies on the internet, and you can say in bits and qubits.
Then the time came when
we have a lot of direct shiksha (lesson) records from famous Gurus of
their time in their original form in the record system. It brings humans to leave
the Gurukul slowly. So, the formation of books was begun, and the education
system observed a drastic change. It was the second milestone in the education
system after the first milestone of having a Guru for shiksha. The earlier system was having full-time supervision under a guru and heart-to-heart transfer
of knowledge along with the practical stuff now we were having part-time supervision
with books or written forms of things. The change was criticized as usual,
but it was a need of the hour. It went on its own way and was accepted in society.
It was always a race among humans to have the best and more
education and hence people were thirsty to take more than one guru. The possibility
of attending two, three, four or five Guru in a short span of life was not
viable. And then the book came into action to fill this gap, the thirst for having more and
more knowledge was fulfilled by the book or the record from different Guru’s.
The reason for having this thirst was to develop social and be a respected elite
people. Like we same have it today.
All the education is to develop society and upgrade the standard
of living with peace, harmony, and equal distribution of wealth. However, the
last word equal distribution seems to be a myth since the ancient era and still
has the co-status.
The combination of book and four-wall education under limited supervision from the full-time supervision of Guru went to different heights. The system did better for centuries and remains at its peak.
However, when our necessities and priority changed then we
feel to add something to the system. we brought distance education where
physical attendance was not required and students have to study the notes from the university and submit the assignment, however, they were still required to attend the
exam physically in the university or at a designated centre. It was a cheaper education
with respect to formal education because of less interaction with the university, the student was offered the degree courses at a very cheap price.
It was appreciated and criticized, it was said to have developed a society without teachers and so many things. However, distance education brought changes in human's life and acceptance was given in
stages.
Now in recent times, we are witnessing another change in the
forms of online education which is quite different from distance education
a bit close to physical education and a bit far from distance education. This
is something which is given through the internet under the virtual presence through a webcam. This can include a wide range of formats, such as video lectures,
interactive quizzes, readings, and discussions. Online education can be
self-paced or synchronous (real-time) and can take place in a variety of
settings, including traditional colleges and universities, MOOCs (Massive Open
Online Courses), boot camps, and professional development programs.
The certificate courses were accepted before too but the
degree in online education is also accepted now after approval from the
UGC (University Grant Commission).
People were not having a good feeling about online education,
however, in Coivid-19 period all education went online with no other choice,
and they observed the credibility and capability of online education by force.
Now they started seeing it as another option.
In my view, the developing trend for job-specific skills may rise online education where many IT companies have announced to take workforce based on certification from Courser
a, google and LinkedIn etc. In fact, Coursera
is offering degree programmes from many well-known universities.
Online education can offer dropouts or people who have not
finished their education a second chance to continue their studies and obtain a
degree or certificate.
Compared to traditional education, online learning can be
more affordable because there are frequently no housing or travel expenditures,
and certain online degree programs may charge reduced tuition.
online education can offer a way for people to learn and
develop skills who might not have access to traditional education. It can also
be a financially viable option for people who want to further their education.
Many people who might not have otherwise had the chance to
seek education now have greater access to it thanks to online learning. Here
are some ways that online education might help close knowledge gaps:
Access to education for rural or underserved locations:
Where traditional brick-and-mortar institutions may not be available, online
education can offer access to educational possibilities for persons living in
remote or underserved areas.
Flexibility for non-traditional students: Online education can offer
flexibility to non-traditional students who may not be able to attend traditional
classes, such as working adults or those with family responsibilities.
Alternative for people with disabilities: For people with impairments
who might find it challenging to attend typical classes in person, online
education provides an option.
The sector has changed in several ways thanks to online
education, including:
Access has increased: People who might not be able to
attend conventional brick-and-mortar institutions, like those who live in
remote areas, have impairments, or have employment or family commitments, are
now more likely to be able to pursue an education.
Flexibility: Online learning gives students the
freedom to study when and how they want, which is particularly advantageous for
non-traditional students and adults who are working.
Cost Savings: Since there are frequently no housing
or travel fees associated with online education, it can be more affordable than
traditional schooling.
Variety of course offerings: Compared to traditional
educational institutions, online educational platforms provide a broader range
of courses and programs, which can be advantageous for students who want to
pursue specialized or specialized fields of study.
Technology advancements: The growth of online
education has sparked the creation of new tools and technologies that improve
the educational process, including virtual reality, AI, and adaptive learning.
Blended learning: By promoting blended learning,
which combines traditional and online education, online education has also
revolutionized the sector. This approach can be advantageous for both students
and teachers, resulting in the best possible learning environment.
Globalization: Online learning has made it possible
for both students and teachers to access audiences throughout the world.
There are several universities in India that offer online bachelor and master
courses, some of the popular universities that offer such courses are:
·
Lovely Professional University: One of
the best universities in India that provides a wide range of online and distance education
including bachelor's and master's degrees such as B.A, B.Com, M.A, M.Com, MBA, MCA and
many more.
·
Birla Institute of Technology and Science
(BITS): BITS offers a variety of online degree programs in fields such as
Engineering, Management, and Sciences: B Tech, M Tech, MBA and many more
·
Amity Global Business School: Amity
Global Business School offers a wide range of online master courses such as
MBA, M.Tech, and M.Sc.
·
Sikkim Manipal University: Sikkim Manipal
University offers a wide range of online bachelor and master courses such as
BBA, BCA, MBA, MCA, M.Sc, and many more.
·
Bharathiar University: Bharathiar
University offers a wide range of online master courses such as MBA, MCA, M.Sc,
M.A and many more.
·
Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research
Institute: Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute offers a wide
range of online master courses such as MBA, MCA, M.Sc, M.A and many more.
·
Alagappa University: Alagappa University
offers a wide range of online bachelor and master courses such as B.A, B.Com,
B.Sc, M.A, M.Com, M.Sc, MBA, MCA and many more.
·
Indira Gandhi National Open University
(IGNOU): IGNOU offers a wide range of online bachelor and master courses
such as B. A, B.Com, B.Sc, M.A, M.Com, M.Sc, MBA, MCA and many more.
·
Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning
(SCDL): SCDL offers a wide range of online bachelor and master courses such
as BBA, BCA, MBA, MCA, and PGDBA.
·
Annamalai University: Annamalai
University offers a wide range of online bachelor and master courses such as
B.A, B.Com, B.Sc, M.A, M.Com, M.Sc, MBA, MCA, and many more.
It should be noted that, there are many universities and
institutes in India offering online bachelor and master courses, the
above-mentioned are some of the most popular and well-known in the industry
with a good reputation.
Disclaimer: To take an online degree course in India
that is recognized by the UGC, you must ensure that the program is offered by a
university that is accredited by the UGC or by another recognized accreditation
body. You can check the list of recognized universities on the UGC website.
Additionally, you should also verify that the program you are interested in has
been approved by the UGC.
Please note that the regulations and rules of UGC are
subject to change and it's always better to check the official website for updated information.
