People and Management March 2019 | Page 32

PERSPECTIVE IS EDUCATION DISRUPTED BY DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY Rakesh Seth Chief HR Mentor, Corporate Trainer, Author, and Visiting Faculty W e fir mly believe that the Indian education system has already been disrupted by the digital revolution and further growth requires requisite capabilities to reach to the remotest location through technology. In this article, a brief perspective has been presented about the shift in the delivery of education, from face to face mode to virtual space, through the use of digital technology, which provides a better reach in the remotest areas that internet has reached. The biggest change is that innovative methods of teaching are taking over class rooms, lectures and textbooks. At the outset, we need to understand the changes impacting the workplace. The nature of work is changing, people are working from anywhere and everywhere! Therefore, education must prepare young and old people to a radically new future workplace. The biggest disruptions are: 1. Physical classrooms are no longer relevant 2. The content and learning processes are more personalized and accessible 3. There is a great choice of courses available across universities, which are not limited to one particular university. It has been pointed out by the experts, that admissions to various universities in future will rely upon the universities’ digital capabilities. In an interesting conclusion, the Accenture’s 32 | Vol. 10 Issue 3 • MARCH 2019, Delhi NCR Students can also get career advice from people who work in the industry, they want to fi nd out more about. Students can pursue courses at their own pace and space. Global Value of Higher Education study has found that: • • • 80% of the university students surveyed said that digital capabilities were important when deciding which university to attend. 70% want their institution to use more digital tools, both inside and outside the classroom. 81% want more integration of technology into the classroom experience, online access to materials and online availability of classes. The challenge for universities is to embrace the digital culture and create a readiness in students, faculty and staff; to meaningfully embrace new agile technologies while making the transition less disruptive. Indian education system has already embraced advanced digital capabilities and some of them are: