In January this year, IIT Gandhinagar's Curiosity Lab opened its do for an exploration of cognitive science, replete with a lab tour. By going online, the institute effectively removed location barriers, inviting participation from across India, while leveraging a medium that pre-college students are now comfortable with. After the massive adoption of online learning through the pandemic, Indian institutions have the digital tools and experience to rethink learning approaches-whether face-to-face, online or blended. This is a crucial building block to realise National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision. As potential applications and use grow, blended learning 2.0 could be the game changer India needs to overhaul learning experience and outcomes.
NEP 2020 aims to help the students study any subject combinations, or even their own degrees. Blended learning models will be pivotal in creating multiple entry and exit points in this 'student-centric' learning jour ney, where learners could seamlessly steer the 'what', 'when' and 'where' of learning. The classroom experience with blended learning 2.0, is just as promising. Technology tools would al low educators to personalise every student's learning journey. Virtual en vironments with Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) would open breakthrough applications in the study of Medicine and Engineering, helping students build expertise without risking costly real-world errors. Faculty would have new aids to break down complex concepts in STEM and hone students' skills like problem-solving, core to the vision of NEP.
With new models of virtual, hands-on learning, universities can increasingly deliver labs and practical sessions that help students build job-relevant skills and master in-demand industry tools, boosting employability. Blended models could be the bridge to improve career outcomes, allowing universities to upgrade and supplement campus offerings with online courses.
Made for India
India needs to increase Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education to 50% -an NEP goal. Online learning can create this path to skill millions of Indians and serve diverse, geographi cally scattered student populations, democratising access to a high-quality education.
Blended learning can also make Indians career ready. Working with governments globally, we are seeing how this can upgrade entire national higher education systems. There is an opportunity to catalyse the internationalisation of education envisioned in the NEP, paving the way for India's lea ding higher education institutions to build strong 'Made in India' brands. Blended learning 2.0 has the potential to unlock new opportunities and solve long-standing challenges, to catalyse the transformation of India's higher education system.
(The author is managing director, India and APAC, Coursera)
Published on Times of India
Date :- 14 03 2022
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