Digital Learning in Knowledge Society: A Perspective for Asian Countries with India as an Example

Abstract

The 21st century is stated to be a knowledge century in which knowledge plays a primary role in the societal and economic development of a country. The development of storage, communication, media, and web technologies and the effects of their convergence are ushering in a new era wherein the creation, organization, and management of information and knowledge will be much faster and pervasive. Nations and people will be more dependent on the accessibility of information and knowledge. In light of this significance of information and knowledge, nations of the world and international agencies like UN are much concerned about the availability of technologies in various countries. The uneven infrastructures of some countries have resulted in knowledge gaps between and within nations. To reduce the gaps, an essential component of a knowledge society is worth considering, that is, the human capital, which constantly contributes to the creation and utilization of knowledge. To develop the human capital, it is necessary to develop a proper educational system with the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The method of distance learning evolved through this technological application may help bridge the knowledge gaps to a considerable extent. This paper highlights the scenario of digital learning in Asian developing countries, with particular reference to India. The initiatives taken by India for moving towards a knowledge society and its efforts made for developing digital learning for distance education will be included in this discussion. The methodology of developing a digital learning system will also be analyzed.