While I Graduated on the Couch in the Lockdown – Our Education System Witnessed a Digital Disruption

The Future of Learning post 2020: From Traditional Classrooms to Online Courses?

College graduation is undoubtedly a milestone in a student's academic journey. But the last two years have been a complete 360 degrees change for the fresh graduates of colleges across India. They have literally 'graduated on the couch. This article reviews the impact of this digital disruption, how it has changed how we learn and how it has helped to change some of the traditional practices in our educational system.?

The Unusual Experience?

COVID-19 hit the world like a tornado and left us with many changes. Students had to change their habits and routines, and most importantly, it also changed how they would continue their formal education system. We are still learning how this pandemic will impact our future, but we can be sure the changes are already here.???

One thing that will certainly change is the way we learn. Many students will graduate from school at some point soon during these uncertain times. And while this may seem like a scary thought, it's time to embrace the fact that we live in a different world now.?

The Unanticipated Agony?

The pandemic caused massive disruption to the educational system across the globe. Universities now offer online courses, but these are usually not as effective as face-to-face learning. There is also a lack of qualified tutors to help those who need extra assistance.??

Around 85 lakh graduates will be entering the newest workforce in 2020. More than their elation of graduating, these fresh graduates face their greatest fears and anxieties about the new world.?

Many experts are also questioning the education standard in the current scenario. They fear that students will become lazy and less motivated to learn.?

The examination patterns have also changed overnight, adding to the stress of already disturbed students. There is a sense of loss among students with online classes and a feeling of disconnect, missing the graduation rituals, and even the opportunities for overseas study. All this has had a long-term impact on their curriculum vitae.?

The last two years have been especially tough for students about to start their professional life since the recruitments have gone to an all-time low. Most Indian families look at these graduates as potential bread earners. But the pandemic has changed the situation in these households. The 2021 data shows that unemployment increased to 7.91% in December from 7% in November. Many companies opted to hire these young graduates as interns rather than full-time employees to keep up the momentum.?

The Uniqueness?

While there are two sides to the coin, some people believe that the current situation will help improve education by giving students more time to focus on their studies. In the past, students would spend years studying to get their degrees. They would learn, work, and even sacrifice other parts of their life to achieve their goal.???

But not anymore. ?

Nowadays, students don't need to worry about getting a job after graduation. They can go online and pursue further studies from the comfort of their home. There are plenty of free resources that offer excellent courses; all they need to do is get hold of such classes by researching them well. Digital Self learning has become the favoured path for professionals upskilling themselves for their career path.?

Another massive difference is that the students no longer have to attend lectures and sit through long hours of boring classes. Instead, they can watch videos online and read books, so the learning happens at their own pace. Thanks to the digital disruption, students now enrol for their new courses with a click.??

When studying, they no longer have to worry about missing deadlines. They can always use a virtual classroom to catch up on what they missed out or even get onto an online meeting with their professor to compensate for the lost time.?

Another unique factor is the graduation ceremony that every student awaits. Gone are the days of celebrating the big graduation day by throwing their cap into the air in the presence of friends and family, just like in the movies. Today it's all gone online, with graduation ceremonies happening in the virtual arena. ?

Winding Down ?

Online education allows you to study at your own pace, sitting in your pyjamas. You can learn whenever you want, wherever you want. The world of education adopted this idea after the pandemic. It has allowed many people to earn degrees without having to attend classes. Students choose to pursue online degrees due to time constraints, lack of interest in traditional schooling and other factors. They would be taking the reigns of tomorrow with their graduate degrees earned on the couch.??

This digital disruption is here to stay, coming from all directions. The traditional schooling system is facing troubling times as more and more people opt for lectures/classes online or at home. Soon, there will be an estimated 9 billion people on the planet. Effective learning environments are required to meet the global demand for education worldwide. The traditional classroom is already under pressure to keep up with technology. When it comes to creativity and thinking outside the?box, we need to push for innovative technologies that can go beyond improving outcomes in teaching language and math.?