Indian government E-learning initiatives in response to COVID-19 crisis: A case study on online learning in Indian higher education system.

Madanjit Singh,Sulaimon Oyeniyi Adebayo,Jaswinder Singh,Munish Saini

doi:10.1007/s10639-021-10585-1

Madanjit Singh, Sulaimon Oyeniyi Adebayo + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10585-1

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Abstract

Recently, the whole world has faced the deadliest and dangerous consequences due to the transmission of infectious novel coronavirus (nCov). With the outbreak of COVID-19, the education learners, practitioners, and other stakeholders were at the sake of a loss, as it causes the suspension of physical classes and physical interaction of the learners. In these circumstances, Electronic learning (E-learning), Online learning, and the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools came in handy. It helped the learners in the dissemination of ideas, conducting online classes, making online discussion forums, and taking online examinations. Like the government of each country, the Indian government was also caught off-guard but the existing E-learning infrastructure was able to leverage on while devising plans to tailor them to new situations and launching new ones. The initiatives at the forefront of this noble battle launched by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) includes Diksha, Swayam Prabha Channel, Shiksha Van, E-Pathshala, and National Repository of Open Educational Resources (NROER). It worth noting that apart from the Indian central government efforts, each state has various online education initiatives that are tailored to their needs. This research evaluated each of these initiatives commenced by central and state governments and present a detailed analysis of most of the relevant initiatives. Additionally, a survey is conducted to get insights of learners in concern to online learning. Despite the issues raised in this learning, the outcomes come to be satisfactorily favoring online learning.

Highlights

Electronic Learning (E-learning) is the acquisition of knowledge with the help of electronic media or devices such as laptop computers, desktop computers, mobile phones, iPods, and iPads (Bakare & Orji, 2019)
E-learning meaning can be extended to the use of different applications of computers such as Artificial intelligence (Gams et al, 2019), Quantum Computing (Cox, 2013), and Machine learning in knowledge acquisition (Lykourentzou et al, 2009)
COVID-19 came all of a sudden and none of the countries were ready to tackle the situation created by this influenza

Summary

Introduction

Electronic Learning (E-learning) is the acquisition of knowledge with the help of electronic media or devices such as laptop computers, desktop computers, mobile phones, iPods, and iPads (Bakare & Orji, 2019). E-learning (online education) meaning can be extended to the use of different applications of computers such as Artificial intelligence (Gams et al, 2019), Quantum Computing (Cox, 2013), and Machine learning in knowledge acquisition (Lykourentzou et al, 2009). A noteworthy development in E-learning over the past decade has a great impact on educational and training practices in the information society (Khan, 2015). Educational institutes are investing huge capital in E-learning systems to align with the new developments (Levy, 2006). With the arrival of the internet and online learning methods and emerging technologies, E-learning has become more acceptable in the workspaces. (Khan, 2015)

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