Smartphone Impact on Education in India- How smartphones can make education inclusive

Source: The post Smartphone Impact on Education in India has been created, based on the article “How smartphones can make education inclusive” published in “Indian express” on 18th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 – Governance – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education.

News: This article talks about how the availability of smartphones is making ‘education anytime, anywhere’ possible in India. It shows that many young people use phones for both study and fun, and emphasizes the need for flexible, tech-based learning, especially for subjects like agriculture.

What opportunities does smartphones bring to Education?

Widespread Smartphone Access: The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023 shows that 89% of Indian youth aged 14-18 have a smartphone at home, and 92% can use one. About two-thirds of those who know how to use smartphones have used them for their studies, indicating a significant shift in learning methods.

Opportunity for Flexible Learning: Smartphones offer a chance for flexible, anytime-anywhere education, especially beneficial for working students or those requiring non-traditional education paths.

What challenges does smartphones bring to Education?

Overemphasis on Entertainment: Despite high smartphone availability, they are used more for entertainment than education, possibly distracting students.

Exam-Centric Focus: Current technology solutions in education are mainly geared towards exam preparation, not comprehensive learning or skill development.

Challenge in Knowledge Transfer and Certification: Despite the easy access to information, the process of knowledge transfer and certification remains a restricted and challenging area.

Misinformation Risks: The widespread availability of smartphones and cheap data presents challenges in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of educational content.

What should be done?

Develop Flexible Learning Models: Adapt open schooling and digital technology to support students who work, as noted in the need for underprivileged students to study while earning.

Focus on Practical and Environmental Education: Incorporate subjects like agriculture and environmental studies, reflecting the real-life applications and workforce needs, as highlighted by the low study rates in agriculture (0.7%) despite its workforce importance.

Enhance Open Schooling Systems: Leverage digital technology to strengthen open schooling, providing flexible learning opportunities for working students.

Question for practice:

Discuss the opportunities and challenges that smartphones bring to education in India.