Offline or Online? What is the way forward for learning?

It was somewhere around 5000 BC. This was the time when most civilizations that we see today had either just begun or were yet to be born.

It was round this period that the famous Gurukul system took root in India. Later as it became more evolved, famous universities like Taxila (Takshashila), Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi were born and attained a status that few could match even by today’s standards. These universities and Gurukuls were so advanced compared to the rest of the world that they even attracted scholars from across the world.

Later, by the time the British came to India as traders and eventually became rulers, the Gurukul system was still in existence. However, in 1835, when Lord Macaulay introduced the modern education system, the older Gurukul system had no choice but to go extinct. It was soon replaced by the modern education system as we know it today.

The offline form of education was the only known way of formal learning known across the world and irrespective of its strengths or weaknesses, things were going well till the end of the 20th century.

But with the beginning of the new millennium, technology went to the next level and a new pedagogy evolved. With their apps and other specialised methods, a host of Edutech companies emerged and unleashed the concept of online learning. Suddenly students had two options to pursue learning –Offline or Online.

While the offline format was still popular and going strong, online learning slowly started making inroads in certain pockets. But at no point of time did online learning threaten the existence of offline learning.

However, 22nd March 2020 changed the scales decisively in the favour of online learning, atleast for the next few years. This was the day when PM Modi announced the Janata curfew in response to the rising Covid19 numbers in the country.

Lockdowns forced most citizens to stay indoors. Schools along with most businesses downed their shutters to safeguard their human resources against the rising pandemic.

But, technology emerged as the White Knight and saved the day for most businesses. They soon moved online and allowed their employees to work from home (WFH). Not to be left behind, even schools moved online and started conducting online classes.

While there were hiccups initially, things soon smoothened out and learning was back on track.

Now it is projected that by FY25, the total education market in India will touch USD 225 Bn of which Edtech companies will corner close to USD10.4 bn, up from approx. USD 2.8 Bn in 2020. These are large numbers considering the fact that over 250 Mn School going children, which is larger than any other country in the world!

Does the rise of Edtech companies mean an end of offline learning? Has offline learning served its purpose well and finally calling it quits like the ancient Gurukul system?

The answer is both Yes & No!

Yes, because in certain cases online education will edge out the offline form, especially when it comes to education of grownups (not to be confused with adult education). Now you can attend classes of world-class faculties on highly specialised subjects by not moving away from your study table. Earlier, one had to move across continents and spend enormous resources just to attend a lecture series. But today, all one needs is a smart device and an internet connection!

However, when it comes to primary education, offline may still continue to be the preferred mode. Besides personalised learning and creating a sense of competition in the class, offline learning helps to inculcate discipline in young impressionable minds. These qualities prove very useful to them later in their lives.

So what is the way forward for learning?

I have been exposed to both systems in my long education career. I have seen the merits and demerits of both systems very closely. Personally, I believe that the way forward is hybrid!

It is like taking the best of both the worlds and combining it together to create the magic! Depending on the age of the student, complexity of the subject and the location of the teacher, students will opt for online, offline or a hybrid model of learning. While some subjects will continue with the offline model, some will become online only.

While I am no clairvoyant to see the future 10 years down the line, I know one thing for sure. Like the rest of the things in our lives, technology is changing learning like never before and Hybrid is going to be the only way forward!