Digital Transformations Required in Schools Towards NEP
NEP system guidelines are guaranteed to bring excellent reforms to the entire education niche in the country. With the prospect of universal access looming across academic institutions, schools have to be prepared to the fullest extent possible. This is where the concept of digital transformation matters.
Take a look at the details and features governing digital transformation in the education industry. This post covers the necessity and scope of the digital transformation process simultaneously.
Digital Transformation in The Education System
Before getting into the details of the sector, let us have a quick overview of what constitutes digital transformation and how it fits into the grand scheme of things in the education domain.
The primary objective behind digital transformation is to adopt digital technology within an organization to implement innovation experience and service efficiency. In digital transformation, non-digital products, services, operations and other factors are digitised.
What is Digital Transformation in Education?
As part of the New Education Policy, digital transformation in education plays a key role. The use of digital technology is bound to effectively enable the NEP system and accelerate the adoption of the new system within all schooling premises/bodies.
By applying digital transformation education, every individual student will be subjected to online mode from admission to the final exam journey. For dealing with teachers, school heads and individual campus management, the digital route offers a much more feasible and clarified process than the existing conditions.
Aim of Digital Transformation in Education
The primary aim or objective of digital transformation in education is to enhance the overall student experience within the school/college environment. This would be done with the help of all digital resources possible and applies to online and non-digital factors.
Importance of Digital Transformation in Education
There is no understating the significance that digital transformation offers to the education sector, considering how it is useful in recognizing the role it plays in improving the learning ability, productivity and efficiency of a student. The ability of online resources to make a difference reflects on each student in their career-level and personal lives.
Main Areas of Digital Transformation in Education
The crucial areas of digital transformation are highlighted in the campus environment, teaching and learning methods. Let’s have a look at this below.
» Digital Transformation in The Campus Environment
The optimum method of empowering your campus environment through digital transformation is to include factors of technology in all aspects. This would range from the screening process at the campus entry gates to maintaining contactless attendance on the school premises.
Necessary measures like social distancing, use of safe digital devices and exposure to innovations in classrooms/labs are all covered in this module.
» Digital Transformation in Learning Methods
If you are wondering how to bring in digital solutions to boost learning methods, look no further than the fresh digital transformation measures.
These are video conferencing solutions, augmented reality and virtual reality techniques, overseas learning experiences, adaptive learning techniques, usage of learning apps and platforms and inclusion of chatbots and artificial intelligence.
» Digital Transformation in Teaching Methods
When it comes to teaching methods, the most vital digital transformation technique is the use of the smart class. Teachers can also make use of artificial intelligence-driven assessment models and online analysis of students.
Remote proctoring is an option where the students won’t be able to engage in any unfair means during online tests. Apart from the above three, other areas in the education sector will boost by the inclusion of digital transformation measures.
Steps to Take Forward to Apply Digital Transformation in The Education
The application and impact of digital transformation in education are vital points. It can be achieved with the help of the steps listed below.
The primary step is to digitally enable the existing non-digital resources within the educational organization in question. The next step is to move to an even better digital experience by enhancing the available resources. This should be followed by building a portal or platform within the school technology to create the best business model that suits its academic goals.
The impact of the above steps should be feasibly converted to the organization of a business ecosystem that contributes in immense quantity to the education sector in general. As part of the digital transformation process, you may use an agile process and focus on wise technology implementation backed up by a unique expert voice.
Digital Transformation of Higher Education
Each stage of education has its proposed measures to deal with digital transformation programs. The higher education sector is no different.
New Changes Under The NEP 2020
NEP 2020 envisions delivering a high-quality program for the higher education sector built on the core values of a flexible research approach and supporting digital technology.
For a goal as ambitious as increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio to above fifty per cent in the coming years, the role of digital technology and the innovative quotient is going to be ground-breaking.
How does The 5+3+3+4 Education Structure Perform?
As per the NEP pedagogy approach, the platform uses a 5+3+3+4 structure instead of the traditional 10+2 model. This opens up a whole host of opportunities as the students will be subjected to digital exposure in all four stages of their school journey.
Each stage corresponds to the provision of a fair share of digital resources, with the final aim being that a learner who has completed the secondary (final) stage must be digitally compatible to proceed with their career goals.
NEP and Higher Education
With a focus on digital transformation strategies, we can say that realizing the core values of access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability in NEP 2020’s higher education segment seems achievable.
Also, for demanding and supporting the principles of economic growth, NEP follows a strategic route in its higher education segment. The adequate use of digital measures can easily contribute to the same.
Initiatives by The Government for Digital Education in India
The Government of India lays down numerous initiatives to promote the digital education sector. These initiatives don’t just share their ideals for boosting digital transformation, but it serves as a platform where learning environments can grow and lead the new age complete with digital possibilities.
PM e-Vidya
This program is launched with the concept of creating a digital platform for the whole country that syncs with the trending educational policies. Intending to impart quality and innovative education to students, the ‘One Nation One Digital Platform’ scheme facilitates access to digital learning initiatives to even the remote sectors of India.
DIKSHA
DIKSHA stands for Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing. It is an initiative of the NCERT and is equipped with quality digital technology measures for empowering teaching and training solutions. In teacher education, DIKSHA can act as a milestone with its set of advanced digital strategies and accelerated solutions.
Swayam Prabha TV
Swayam Prabha includes a systematic group of 34 different channels available in DTH format. The primary purpose of these channels is to telecast educational programs 24*7. GSAT-15 satellite takes care of the TV services and is under the control of the Ministry of Human Resources Development.
E-Pathshala
NCERT developed e-Pathshala with the sole intention of creating a resource pool of educational materials. These resources could be textbooks, audio and video materials, and different print and non-print media. It is available in the website and mobile app formats. This free app helps students with their study and research goals.
VidhyaDaan
VidhyaDaan is an e-learning and study resource platform that helps a learner in organizing their learning and exam goals. One can enrol as a volunteer teacher on this platform and can offer lessons to underprivileged students. The online foundation helps both teachers and students grow in their respective roles.
Benefits of Digital Transformation on The NEP
The top benefits of digital transformation to the National Education Policy (NEP) are as follows:
Drives Data-based Insights
Gone are the days of predicting what the future generation needs. It is time to perform data tasks and provide actionable insights to the education sector using all digital means available.
Enables Software Monetisation
Sufficient utilization of technology innovations can enable school environments and education sectors in general with software monetisation support.
Encourage Collaboration and Improve Communication
With the ongoing digital revolution, join a wave of communication and collaboration efforts to bring out the best in the education sector. This would directly impact all the elements of a learning environment.
Limits Human Error
Digital efforts play a supportive role in limiting human error and work as a guarantee in building automation blocks that the modern education sector could use and leverage.
Increases Agility
The integration of digital techniques will ensure the possibility of an agile process happening within the system. It will help academies and institutions build an extraordinary network of resource provisions and learning capacities with agility at its centre.
Impact of Digital Transformation in The Education Sector
The impact of digital transformation in the education domain is irreplaceable. It brings its unique set of merits to any schooling environment and expands the possibilities in the ongoing education category.
Needs for Digital Transformation in Education
The need for digital transformation is at its peak point, considering how the recent pandemic changed the world and brought about a new world order in every potential niche. In education, the demand is high for equality and quality to combine and deliver solutions with the factor of universal access.
Top Trends in Digital Transformation
The use and application of industry 4.0 techniques are growing at a rapid pace. When it comes to the education niche, digital transformation will drive the categories of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality and the like.
The agile process has become more integrated with the other digital segments, now making it possible for new visions to develop in the learning domain. Machine learning technology is on the rise and will pave way for innovations in classroom methods and online modules.
Intelligent resources and smart technology will be added to the education domain. It will transform the entire business model of how schools and academies work.
Impact of Digital Media on The New Education System
The main impact of digital media and resources on the New Education System is regarding the access factor. All students can easily access digital learning materials from any part of the world.
There is also the possibility of domain transformation, cultural transformation and process transformation as subcategories of the digital transformation process.
Drawbacks of Digital Transformation
If there is no digitization strategy in place before proceeding with the digital transformation process, you will end up in trouble. For a sector like education, expert and pre-planned initiatives are needed to maintain an organizational structure and hierarchy for the whole process.
Budget constraints could become a limitation while trying to achieve your full digital potential. Another drawback for schools could be a mismatch between the key quality objectives and target deadline settings to realize them.
Challenges of Digital Transformation
Some of the major challenges that affect the digital transformation ambitions in education are related to cyber threats. Other potential issues could involve a lack of dedicated skills in the digital domain, misunderstanding the changing needs in the education sector and insufficient measures to ensure universal access.
Certain learning environments would break under the complexity of the process and might face issues in adapting to digital changes. Challenges could occur at any phase of a digital transformation – strategic, management, execution, application, etc.
Digital Transformation Required in School
Digital transformation is the need of the hour, and schools must implement it at all costs to proceed to ride the wave of the changing times.
Components of Digital Transformation in Education
The main components that comprise digital transformation in the education sector are data collection, data reporting and data management.
» Data Collection
Many methods of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods are possible for educational research. The general data types (observational, experimental, simulation and derived) apply here as well.
» Data Reporting
The gathered data regarding the education domain can be easily drafted into statistics mode and reported across mediums. This would lead to scientific data analysis and helps the authorities and respective bodies arrive at suitable data reporting solutions.
» Data Management
This is the ultimate step in ensuring the security of all data regarding schools and related aspects. It helps keep the domain safe and opens information access with responsible outlines. All performance levels and personal student details will be kept confidential with no chance of leaking within the organized data management system.
How Can We Use Technology to Enhance Teaching and Learning in School?
It is a direct route if you use technology and innovation for teaching and learning in schools.
» Introduce New Methods of Instruction, Assessment and Communication
With digital resources at your disposal, new mediums and methods of instruction, assessment, and communication will pop up, paving the way for a holistic educational process. Teachers and students will mutually benefit from this process.
» Use Software Programs that Test Students’ Understanding of Study Materials
Students will have access to software programs which help in self-evaluation and academic review of their understanding of study resources and materials. This is a balanced step to bring out the best in a learner and address their weak points.
» Adopting Digital Transformation Plans includes Cyber Incident Response Plans (CIRP)
As part of digital transformation in the education sector, school management can plan to deal with the adoption of anti-cyber threat norms.
CIRP covers this role, and the organization has to just support its implementation. A CIRP should be strategically developed and formulated before the onset of the digital transformation process.
Digital Measures in Line with The NEP
One thing of note is that when you subject a school or learning environment to the digital transformation process, it should be in sync with the NEP system. This will enable you to keep up with well-defined guidelines and set standards concerning the education sector.
How does The NEP Ensure The Digitalisation of Education?
NEP specifically defines pointers that correspond to the introduction and implementation of digital techniques and online innovation processes. Schools can form their committees to take care of the digital management system and help build a phase-by-phase campaign for the school tasks to go online with full impact.
It will also include a proper analysis at frequent intervals. This will help the management entity identify the existing limitations and take corrective actions.
Assistive Technology in NEP 2020
Assistive technology is available in the educational sector, be it any device, equipment, technique or process. As part of digital transformation, these could be in the form of software, communication devices, functional equipment and supporting techniques.
Typical Applications for Assistive Technology
The applications and use cases of assistive technology are listed below.
» Stairlifts – These are platform lifts that will help carry people with limited mobility and run on electricity.
» Video Conferencing Tools – Technologies like built-in microphones, USB devices, webcams, speakers, WiFi and VoIP options come under this category.
» Virtual Office Hours – There is a facility for sections of the school environment to log in virtual hours with the help of remote access.
» Mobility and Sensory Impairment Computer Software – NEP showcases choices for building and using mobility and sensory impairment computer software as part of digital transformation.
» Therapeutic and Intervention – Therapeutic and intervention come under the healthcare category, which is available as intelligent techniques in schooling support systems.
» Automatic Page-Turners – For assisting your access to digital resources and materials, automatic page-turners will work.
» Smart Hearing Aid – This will work as part of wireless accessories and will aid in your digital hearing/listening of the learning environment.
Role of Assistive Education in Disabled Students
The importance of assistive education techniques is at its peak for students with disabilities and learning handicaps. With the rate of personnel needing such support, the rate of innovation and creativity in the category is justified.
The top benefits of employing assistive education are as follows:
» Making Room for Diverse Learning Needs
Assistive learning helps all types of students get equal, quality access to digital resources and study materials. Inclusivity is practised with the diverse learning needs of students addressed in the study environment.
» Differentiation of Instruction through Accommodation Input and Output Mediums
Accommodation operations and arrangements in learning environments can be managed with the help of assistive technology. Both input and output mediums for the hospitality sector are presented under the digital transformation guidelines in association with the NEP system.
» Assistive Technologies for Students with All Disabilities
All types of student disabilities are addressed with the help of assistive technologies in the education sector. Digital transformation paves way for support in speech, hearing, mobility, etc., and helps candidates achieve their complete potential in the learning domain.
Progression of The Ecosystem when The NEP Launched
The launch of the NEP system directly influenced the progression of the education ecosystem. Combined with digital transformation guidelines and terms, this has so far proved to be fruitful in offering delightful career development and personal growth options for students.
Significant Changes Occurred in The NEP 2020
The crucial changes in the education sector, according to the NEP 2020, are mainly in school education and higher studies. We can summarize this regarding digital transformation techniques.
» In School Education
The pedagogy and curricula have drastically altered, giving rise to a 5+3+3+4 system. This means there is more room for growth in the digital domain, with learning slots allocated to each stage.
» In Higher Education
Higher studies and education programs will have a better and more thorough base with the inflow of digital technology. Plus, there is always a changing educational scenario that can be easily leveraged with access to digital learning.
» Financial Help for Students
As part of the digital drive and transformation procedures, the NEP system is ready to allocate financial funds and cash inflow instruments to help the student’s education dreams. This will be available in the form of scholarships, merit programs, etc.
Powerful Governance and Leadership
The school management, especially heads and principals, are promoted with exclusive skill sets as part of their training. The NEP system ensures learning ecosystem governance and leadership at the highest level. No compromises are made in this regard as it affects the overall schooling system.
Regulation
Regulatory affairs and procedures are also part of the NEP system and help determine the best-case scenarios that match the specific school environment. Digital transformation helps implement such regulations and control measures with ease.
Online Education and Digital Education
Both online and digital education is the same, where one refers to a mode of learning, whereas the other is inclusive of all the digital tools and resources that you use to satisfy educational enlightenment. NEP 2020 covers clear and particular guidelines on how to proceed in the digital education domain and includes digital transformation in detail.
Strengthening The Online Education Ecosystem
It will be a challenge in the beginning to promote an online education ecosystem that stays connected to modern times and adapts according to the changing landscape of education.
But once you arrive at an optimum route for leveraging the best of the digital world, mastering the curriculum becomes a pleasant task to follow. It will help the overall school environment and individual academic progress equally.
Conclusion
The parting thought here is to engage yourselves with a digital education platform that will help you succeed in the schooling domain. To wrap up, implement each factor in a progressive route and apply them one by one to get the best potential results of digital transformation.
