Will the Role of Infrastructure in Higher Education Become Redundant?-A Critical Study of the Expectation of Students

Abstract

During the countrywide lockdown due to the pandemic, students attended online classes and it appeared that physical classes may not be necessary or lose their relevance in future as students could easily get access to online learning materials. Students sitting in the comfort of their homes could access the best learning materials available anywhere in the world and excel in their respective fields of study. One of the astounding questions that came for debate those days was whether we need huge college buildings and enormous infrastructure facilities when laptop, a mobile phone or any device serves the purpose. But interestingly, students slowly but steadily showed signs of boredom and ennui with the online classes and were eager to join the physical classes. Many of them went to the extent of demanding physical classes. This phenomenon has led to some of the significant questions that we, as educationists and policy makers need to seriously address with immediate priority.First and foremost, why is that students prefer physical classes in spite of the fact that best of the resource material is available on their finger tips? What are the expectations of students in the changed contemporary scenario? Will the words of Bill Gates on the complete irrelevance of physical campuses, classrooms and physical infrastructure prove to be prophetic?This paper will delve deep into these research questions by conducting an systematic empirical study of the phenomenon. The research partners wouldbe the managers of education, students, staff, parents and other stakeholders.It is envisaged that the outcome of the study will be of immense use in the context of most of the higher education institutions adopting virtual, blended or hybridized pedagogies. They will have tremendous implications to the higher education scenario of the future. Key words: Pandemic, Physical classes, Virtual classrooms, Blended mode, Higher Education DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-30-03 Publication date: October 31 st 2022