Digital Push in Classrooms

Syllabus: GS2/Education; GS3/Role of IT

Context

• Technological advancements, such as the complete switchover to digital systems, reveal the unintended consequences of over-reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools.

India’s Digital Push 

• India’s ambitious digital transformation in education — accelerated by the pandemic and sustained by policy — has undeniably reshaped classrooms.
• India’s digital push democratizes learning from smartboards and tablets to online assessments and virtual learning platforms.

Vision and Policy Framework

• The digital education drive is anchored in the Digital India initiative and reinforced by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes:
  • Equitable access to technology;
  • Multilingual digital content;
  • Teacher empowerment through ICT;
  • Integration of AI and emerging tech in pedagogy;
• Role of AI and EdTech: AI is reshaping classrooms by:
  • Assisting teachers with lesson planning and assessments;
  • Offering personalized learning paths based on student performance;
  • Supporting regional language content for inclusivity.
  • In Bengaluru, AI-enabled voice tools like Tara are helping first-generation learners improve English skills, showing how tech can complement traditional teaching.

Key Efforts: Digital Push in Education

• Union Budget (2025): It reinforced India’s commitment to emerging technologies:
  • ₹500 crore allocated for AI in education;
  • 10,000 fellowships for deep-tech research;
  • Expansion of Atal Tinkering Labs and Centres of Excellence.
  • Additionally, over 56,000 smart classrooms and 2,600+ computer labs have been set up in government schools to strengthen digital infrastructure.
• Digital India: It is aimed to bridge the digital divide and make technology a tool for inclusive development, from rural villages to urban metros. It was conceived with three core objectives:
  • Digital Infrastructure as a Utility to Every Citizen;
  • Governance and Services on Demand;
  • Digital Empowerment of Citizens;
• Other efforts like PM e-Vidya Programme, DIKSHA, SWAYAM, ePathshala, NISHTHA, and Atal Tinkering Labs fuel the digital push for education in India.

Challenges and Gaps

• Digital & Access Divide: Only 32.4% of schools have functional computers; rural areas lag behind.
  • Millions of students still lack access to smartphones, laptops, or reliable internet.
  • ASER Survey (2021) found that nearly 30% of students in rural India had no access to a smartphone at home.
• Infrastructural Deficits: Many schools lack basic amenities like safe classrooms and toilets.
  • Erratic power supply and poor network coverage make digital learning inconsistent, even when devices are available.
• Language and Literacy Barriers: Many platforms are English-centric, leaving non-English speakers and first-generation learners struggling to engage.
• Teacher Training: Limited ICT training hampers effective tech integration.
• Data Privacy: Concerns over student data collection and AI surveillance remain

Empathy Deficit: When Tech Overshadows Human Connection

• Education is about connection, care, and understanding, along with content delivery.
  • Empathy, once the cornerstone of good teaching, risks being sidelined in the race for digital efficiency.
• Teacher-Student Disconnect: Virtual platforms limit spontaneous interactions, making it harder for teachers to gauge emotional cues or offer personalized support.
• Mental Health Strain: Isolation, screen fatigue, and pressure to perform digitally have taken a toll on students’ mental well-being.
• One-Size-Fits-All Approach: Algorithms and standardized modules often ignore individual learning styles, cultural contexts, and emotional needs.

Case Study: Hidden Cost of Digital-First Approach

• Maharashtra Anganwadi Case: An Anganwadi in Maharashtra recently introduced AI-powered equipment and digital devices to aid early learning. A three years old child confidently used an interactive smart board, while another explored a virtual jungle via an AI headset
  • However, such initiatives risk detaching young children from real-world experiences vital for cognitive and emotional growth.
  • Early childhood education already suffers from low priority; replacing relational, sensory-based learning with virtual tools could erode developmental foundations.
• Impact on Teachers: From pre-school to university, digital solutions are reshaping education, often diminishing teachers’ professional autonomy.
  • Limited training and systemic neglect mean that teachers are increasingly sidelined in favor of automated systems, further weakening the education ecosystem.

Way Forward: Rethinking the Digital Push

• Hybrid Models: Blending digital tools with traditional teaching can ensure inclusivity and preserve human connection.
• Localized Content: Platforms must offer multilingual, culturally relevant material to engage diverse learners.
• Teacher Training in Empathy: Digital literacy should go hand-in-hand with emotional intelligence training for educators.
• Community-Based Access: Shared digital hubs in villages and urban slums can democratize access where personal devices are scarce.

Source: IE