Embrace Learning Platforms to Gain Technological Edge in Education
Today’s youth can be rightly referred to as a generation of digital natives. Right from signing up for an email address to writing blogs and participating in online discussion forums, the youth of today are extensively dependent on information technology and it has become an intrinsic part of their lives. However, technology interactions are still largely limited to technology consumption and do not extend to technology creation. This means that although the children of today have gained digital literacy, the attainment of digital fluency is still a long way off.
In a scenario where the education system does not provide enough opportunities to empower the youth technologically, they explore non-academic means to quench their technological inquisitiveness and this does not bode well in the long run. For instance, children of today are quite active on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Reddit which is not exactly a positive trend, and the dearth of digital learning platforms in the country only makes the situation more challenging.
A student sticking to conventional academics is clearly missing out on the chance to acquire the latest technological skills and therefore might end up using dubious ways to gain access to it. Needless to say, such a situation is uncalled for. Educators, policymakers and parents of today thus have a crucial role to play in addressing this issue. It is absolutely imperative that we acknowledge the diverse needs of the future and envision learning interactions, devise learning materials and design pedagogies accordingly. A run-of-the-mill technology exposure is not what this generation needs. An online learning platform is, therefore, the solution to deal with the intricacies of the K—12 sector.
The learning experience of a student depends on parental support and involvement and expertise on the part of the teachers. In today’s times, it is absolutely essential for teachers to use technology to make learning a more engaging and meaningful experience for the students. Besides, digital platforms also ease teachers’ workload and give them an opportunity to gauge students’ interests and behaviour outside the classroom. The platforms also enable constant communication between schools and parents, thereby addressing the concerns of parents.
As always, it has been our endeavour to effect changes in the education sector in tune with the needs of the 21st-century learners. In this issue of the magazine, we have tried to explore various facets of a digital platform for the K—12 sectors to bring about student engagement and teacher empowerment. Another aspect worth considering is the integration of the online learning platform with ERP software that could usher in collaboration among all stakeholders, and ensure improved learning outcomes and transparency in administration.
