APAAR: Technology Interventions in Education

Context:

• This article is based on the news “APAAR: All you need to know about this ‘One Nation, One ID’ to be rolled out for students” which was published in the Times of India. The Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR)– under the new ‘One Nation, One Student ID was recently launched by the government.

Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR)

• APAAR is part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. 
• The APAAR ID unique to each student, will track the educational progress, achievements, and other particulars about specific students. 
• It will be linked to the student’s Aadhaar ID but will not replace it.

What is Edtech, or education technology?

• EdTech (a combination of “education” and “technology”) is the practice of introducing information and communication technology tools into the classroom to create more engaging, inclusive, and individualized learning experiences.
• The Indian EdTech industry was valued at US$ 750 million in 2020 and is expected to reach US$ 4 billion by 2025 at a CAGR of 39.77%. 

What are the initiatives of the government for education technology (edtech)?

• National Educational Technology Forum (NETF): NEP, 2020 envisions creating an autonomous body, the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), which will be the vehicle for integrating technology into different aspects of school education and higher education.
• National Digital Education Architecture: It aims to energize and catalyze the digital education ecosystem. 
• DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) platform: It is envisaged as a ‘One Nation, One Digital Platform’ for school education.
• • This platform offers teachers, students, parents, and the community engaging learning activities/courses (with credentials) relevant to the prescribed school curriculum.
• SWAYAM Portal: SWAYAM seeks to bridge the digital divide for students who have hitherto remained untouched by the digital revolution and have not been able to join the mainstream of the knowledge economy.
• National Digital Library of India (NDLI):  It is sponsored and mentored by the Ministry of Education and acts as a virtual repository of learning resources by  providing user group-specific services such as Examination Preparatory for School and College students and job aspirants. 
• PM eVIDYA Programme: The government introduced the PM eVIDYA programme in May 2020 to make e-learning more accessible for Indian students and teachers and promote & strengthen digital education in India. 

How can disruptive technology such as AI and Machine learning help to address challenges in the education sector?

• Disruptive technologies have paved the way for innovative teaching and learning methods that challenge conventional norms.
  •  Among these advancements is the integration of cutting-edge digital learning platforms through a combined approach of flipped classrooms and blended learning.
• Scaling Geographic Boundaries: Academic materials, lesson blueprints, assessments, and performance metrics are readily accessible, enabling knowledge-sharing across international borders. 
  • The scalability granted by these groundbreaking technologies shatters conventional geographic confines, nurturing collaborative and interconnected learning ecosystems.
• Provide a self-learning platform:  AI can increase the engagement and interest of the student; in their studies and the learning process by acquainting them accurately with their learning parameters.
• Enhancing Education with Augmented Reality: Augmented Reality Services in education and training enables users to interact with virtual and real-time applications that explain and demonstrate concepts through multimedia, computer-based simulations, animations, and statistical software. 

Also read: Aligning Higher Education in India with the UN SDGs

What are the benefits of technology in education?

• Accessibility: Technology can provide educators with new ways to reach students who may not have access to traditional classroom settings. 
  • For example, online learning platforms can make education more accessible for students who live in rural or remote areas. 
• Engaging: Technology can help make learning more engaging and interactive. 
  • For example, games and simulations can immerse students in real-world scenarios, while social media platforms can facilitate student collaboration.
• Enhancing Personalized Education: Technology provides educators with new ways to tailor instruction to meet the needs of individual students. 
  • For example, adaptive learning software can adjust the difficulty of content based on a student’s progress, while data analytics tools can help identify students who may need extra support.
• Bridging the digital divide: Indian edtech firms are providing access to education to marginalized communities nationally with support from the public sector. 
• Fufilling Reskilling needs: According to a report by McKinsey, by 2030, around 40% of India’s workforce (approximately 370 million workers) will require reskilling to meet the demands of the changing economy.

What are the challenges of educational technology (edtech)?

• Digital Education Transition Challenges in India: In India,  switching over to digital modes of education is a humongous task, as well as full of challenges  in terms of availability of resources (ICT infrastructure, electricity, budget, skilled human resource)
  • In its poll, the National Family Health Survey found that 72.5 percent of urban males and 51.8 percent of urban females have used the internet at some time in their life; these criteria are met by only 48.7 percent of rural males and 24.6 percent of rural females.
• Student engagement: edtech may also pose challenges to student engagement. 
  • For example, confusing or hard-to-use programs can cause students to become overwhelmed and give up on assignments, especially without the normal social support from their peers.
• Lack of Legal Framework: There is no consolidated law for Ed-tech companies in India. These are fragmented into sections like the Patent Act, Copyright Act, Consumer Protection Act, and Data Protection Act, etc.  
• Parental bias toward traditional means: Despite a rise in modernization and the acceptance of educational technologies in Indian society, parents still prefer to provide their children with education through more conventional means, such as coaching sessions and books. 
• Widening Gender Inequality: Online education may lead to a wider gender gap.
  • For Example: In a recent survey of 733 students studying in government schools in Bihar, only 28% of the girls had smartphones in their homes, in contrast to 36% of the boys.
• Business Malpractice: With the growing market for digital education, Edtech companies often engage in various forms of business malpractice to attract consumers.

Way Forward

•  Sharing of best practices: States/UTs and Autonomous bodies of the center are urged to share their best practices in the implementation of ICT for education and school management, with each other at every opportunity of correspondence or interaction for continuously learning from one another.
  • In Uttar Pradesh, the Basic Education department is using its existing network of more than 1,000 WhatsApp groups with Basic Shiksha Adhikaris (BSAs), Block Education Officers (BEOs) and Head Teachers, and more than 9,000 groups with teachers to enable the reach of educational content to all teachers, who can then forward it to students’ groups. 
• Promote research, evaluation, and experimentation: Using ICT tools and ICT-enabled practices, research, evaluation, and experimentation will be promoted, in order to inform, guide, and utilize the potential of ICT in school and teacher education.
• Public-Private partnerships (PPPs): Forge public-private partnerships (PPPs) and collaboration with tertiary institutions to bring in additional technical and management expertise, as well as financial resources. 
• Capacity building, a necessity: Capacity building is crucial, involving training for both professors and students in using online education tools and resources effectively. 
• Hybrid mode of learning: It is super adaptive and useful for people from every class and background. It can be customized according to the students’ caliber without even hampering the whole classroom structure. Future plans should incorporate a mandatory one-third online syllabus to facilitate a seamless shift from traditional to online teaching models in colleges.

Conclusion:

In the digital age, technology has transformed education, but finding the right balance between its benefits and challenges while fostering critical thinking and addressing the digital divide is essential for a holistic learning experience.