We all know that India stands second in the world when it comes to population. It may give you an idea of how many learners are currently aspiring or pursuing one degree or the other in the country. Given the Government’s Digital India initiative, there has been a tremendous shift toward online learning, especially during the Covid-19 lockdown.

A digital self-report survey was organized to evaluate students’ latest perception of online education in India’s changing digital landscape compared to traditional classroom learning. The research analyzed several variables in students’ perception of online education, such as affordability, accessibility, flexibility, and so on.

The study revealed multiple interesting aspects of students’ perceptions. The self-understanding and acceptance of online learning degrees were prominently higher for learners from urban areas when compared to rural areas. In this article, you’ll find what the students currently think of online learning degrees, along with some statistics to support their reasons or statements.

The Beneficial Factors

Although students believe that online education has some challenges, it has several benefits. After the impact of the global pandemic, online education has become a part of the most primary levels - schools and colleges.

Learners who travel a long way to go to school or college feel that learning online has made it easier and more flexible to get an education. The precise reason is that education reaches them, not the other way around.

Every working professional who aspires to continue learning considers online colleges in India as their go-to option. They feel it is more flexible, reliable, and adjustable for their existing busy life schedules. They are happy to pursue online learning degrees as they won’t have to compromise hours at their jobs or essential household responsibilities to complete assignments.

When compared to the expenses of on-campus colleges, online education stands out to be more affordable. Learners who couldn’t pursue higher studies due to financial problems can get the most out of online education. They can earn and support their family while pursuing an online learning degree of their preference.

Now that you know some excellent fundamental aspects of the online learning system, check these statistics to understand why it’s becoming so popular among millennials and Gen Z every day.

Informative Statistics About Online Education System In India

• The Indian online education sector is expected to hit the $2 billion mark by 2022.
• In 2016, about 1.6 million learners enrolled in multiple online learning degrees in India.
• The cost of classroom education in India increased by 175%, meaning online education is more cost-effective.
• The ideal target audience for online education in India is the 48% of its population aged between 15-40 years and have low income but high learning aspirations.
• The acceptance of online learning channels is high among the youth of India.

These statistics resemble the incredible future potential of online education in this country. Now, let’s move to the benefits and challenges learners perceive about online education over traditional education in India.

Key Advantages of Online Education In India

• Saves Extra Expenses: By implementing online education, you’ll get the benefit of saving expenditures on lodging, travel, and boarding. The reduction in these expenses means you’ll have to pay less money for the online classes.
• No Restrictions: When compared to traditional education with physical classrooms, online education gives you the benefit of no restrictions. With access to digital classrooms, you can choose to learn anytime, anywhere.
• Flexibility: In traditional classrooms, there’s a limit to the number of learners that can sit and attend the classes. However, with digital classrooms, teachers can get the chance to address not only a group of local learners but a considerable number of the global population. Also, when it comes to faculty, learners can get education from international expert professionals.
• Nature-Friendly: Digital education contributes to environmental protection. Trees are cut down and used to make paper, which is in turn used in manufacturing textbooks, notebooks, and all. With online textbooks and notes, there would be less need for paper. It will decrease the rate at which trees are getting cut down and save the environment.
• Time-Saving: Traditional education system involves years of learning and months waiting for the final test results. However, with online classes, you get the notes and content right there on your smart device. You can give exams in the comfort of your home while getting the results on your smart device. It is a more time-saving and stress-relieving way.

Major Challenges of Online Education In India

• Adding online education into the primary education system isn’t that easy. The new set of rules and regulations can bring many challenges on the path.
• When considering rural India, about 30% of them don’t know how to use a computer proficiently, and many don’t know how to start the device. The basic knowledge of using a computer is essential to make online education a mainstream mode of learning in India.
• One of the significant challenges of online education is unaffordability. Learners from low-income communities like the maids, sweepers, farmers, and household staff, won’t be able to afford a computer or laptop. So, online learning can become a real challenge for them.
• Online education is a challenge for the teaching faculty too. A teacher who’s good in a traditional classroom doesn’t necessarily have to be good at teaching in digital classroom sessions.

Final Words

The pandemic has amplified the importance and needs for high-quality online education in India. With schools and colleges reopening, learners hesitate to come back to reality.

Most learners who got habituated to the online mode of learning for the last two years are now reluctant to return to the traditional learning style.

This signifies that the youth is ready to accept online education in total pledge, but that’s not possible for the government as it’s still working on the challenges that are faced by the online education system.

By overcoming these challenges and enhancing the digital education system with better technologies, the nation can make online education a go-to solution shortly.