Digital transformation in education has enabled students from all over India to pursue education at minimal cost and convenience. It has helped develop new pedagogies and even improve the existing ones. Institutions are showing alacrity to improve the learning experience through adoption of new technological advancements. However, the challenge for India is that its higher education system is large and complex, with more than 1000 universities and 45,000 colleges. There is considerable diversity in the types of students who are seeking higher education, and the needs of each type of student can be quite different. As a result, it can be difficult to develop a one-size-fits-all digital transformation strategy in higher education.
Educational institutions face a wide range of challenges while they seek to take advantage of digital transformation. These challenges include the need to develop new technical skills, the adoption of new processes, and the availability of resources which are necessary for successful implementation. Furthermore, there is a risk that digital transformation may require changes to existing systems and structures, which can often be difficult to achieve given budgetary constraints or organizational inertia.
Technology Infrastructure for Digital Transformation
The digital divide in terms of access and equity remains a major challenge for India and requires immediate attention from the department of higher education to formulate a comprehensive strategy with immediate and decisive action to meet the growing demand for digital networks. “The Covid pandemic has accelerated the process of digital transformation. Although technology or internet-based education has been around for over two decades, we did not use it as effectively as we do today. Not only are classes online, but exams and internships are also virtual. The blended model of education is here to stay. New technologies and applications in education play an important role,” said Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE).
There are several challenges that need to be addressed in order to build a strong digital infrastructure for higher education in India. These include inadequate access to high-speed internet, lack of investment in digital technologies, and limited resources for training and development. It is essential for educational institutions to invest in modern technology tools and platforms that can facilitate digital transformation. This will help them keep up with the changing demands of students and faculty members while also providing them with better access to learning materials, resources, and tools.
Faculty Training to Leverage Digital Technology
It is imperative to map the curriculum and technology as there is a lack of knowledge on how to integrate technology to improve curriculum. The integration of educational technology is not a priority for many institutions. From the design of the curriculum to its execution, technology penetration is abysmally low. Classroom time is mostly spent on lecturing, with educators explaining topics and learners passively copying explanations from a blackboard. This setup leaves little time for practice in the classroom. As a result, learners who did not understand the material explained in class struggle when they have to solve assignments on their own. Technology can potentially solve this problem by allowing learners to review topics at their own pace.
Incorporating technology into the classroom has benefits which are widespread for both teachers and students. Integrating computer technology into the classroom can help teachers support and enhance learning, create opportunities to connect with students, and encourage students to engage with information in new and exciting ways. Through supportive instruction, clearly defined goals, and careful instruction on how to use technology effectively and responsibly, students will be equipped with new skills as digital learners that are linked to improved academic performance and increased personal and professional success.
Meeting Student Expectations
As universities are trying to keep up with the changing demands of students, they are facing the challenge of meeting student expectations while digitally transforming higher education. Students today expect more from their university experience than ever before. They want access to digital resources, personalized learning experiences, and a more engaging learning environment. To meet these expectations, universities must embrace digital transformation and use technology to create innovative solutions that can help them improve the quality of their educational offerings.
By leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and virtual reality (VR), universities can create a more engaging and interactive learning environment for students. However, this requires careful planning and execution in order to ensure that student expectations are met while still providing an effective digital transformation process for higher education institutions.
Digitally Transformed Education
Moving forward, digital transformation is going to enable educational institutions to provide more personalized learning experiences to their students. It will also help them reduce costs, increase efficiency and improve the quality of their teaching and research activities. It is expected to revolutionize the way universities operate, helping them become more agile, responsive, and cost-effective while providing better educational experiences for their students. By leveraging technology such as AI, machine learning, and analytics, universities can provide personalized learning experiences tailored to each student's needs. Additionally, digital transformation will enable universities to scale up their operations quickly and efficiently while maintaining high standards of quality in teaching and research.
