As schools adopt the National Education Policy (NEP), technology is often an overlooked area. However, with more blended and online learning models, it's crucial for schools to have the right technology in place.
This article will discuss the challenges the education system faced before the NEP, the guidelines given by the NEP for building digital infrastructure, and a tech checklist for schools to become NEP-ready.
What are the challenges faced by the Education System before NEP 2020 was introduced?
The following are some of the challenges faced by the education system before NEP 2020 was introduced:
1. Geographical inaccessibility
2. The threat of disrupted learning due to the pandemic
3. Internet availability in remote regions of India
4. Lack of digital academic content
5. Lack of learning systems and digital education tools
6. Affordability of devices such as smartphones and tabs by rural students
7. Assessments and examinations
What is the motivation behind NEP 2020?
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was created by the Union Cabinet to establish a unified education and training policy across the country.
This policy was designed to address challenges caused by the pandemic such as:
- Language barriers
- Digitalization of education
- The use of Artificial Intelligence in Learning management systems
- Educational administration
The NEP 2020 aims to modernize and improve the education system.
What are the guidelines given by NEP 2020 to build Digital Infrastructure?
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 places a strong emphasis on the integration of technology in education.
To achieve this, it calls for several actions to be taken, including:
- Investment in digital infrastructure
- Development of online teaching platforms and tools
- Virtual labs and digital libraries
- Access to technology-enabled learning tools and resources
- Strengthening the Digital India campaign
- Availability of affordable devices for students
- Use of Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) platform
What is the Tech Checklist that every school must follow to be NEP-ready?
The Tech Checklist that every school must follow to be NEP-ready is as follows:
- Remote Learning Capabilities
- Cybersecurity
- Digital Content and Learning Management Systems
- Flexible and Scalable IT infrastructure
- Professional Development
- Accessibility
- Device Management
Let us discuss each of them in detail to understand them better.
Remote Learning Capabilities
As the pandemic continued, more and more students were forced to learn from home. For schools to effectively support this remote learning, it was crucial that they had the necessary tools and technology in place.
This includes having a fast and dependable internet connection, as well as a high-quality video conferencing platform for online classes. Having these things in place allows for smoother and more efficient remote learning experiences for students.
Cybersecurity
As schools handle sensitive student information, the need for strong cybersecurity measures becomes even more vital. It is essential for schools to have robust security in place, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and anti-virus software to protect student data and maintain their privacy.
Having these measures in place helps ensure the safety and security of student data and prevents unauthorized access.
Digital Content and Learning Management Systems
With the National Education Policy (NEP) promoting a more student-centered approach, it's crucial that schools have access to a variety of digital resources and a learning management system (LMS).
The LMS helps schools to track and organize student progress and access to a variety of digital content ensures institutes have the resources they need to achieve their learning goals. This allows schools to give a better and more personalized learning experience to their students, which is the main goal of NEP.
Flexible and Scalable IT infrastructure
The National Education Policy (NEP) places a strong emphasis on lifelong and continuous learning. To support this, schools must have IT infrastructure that is flexible and able to adapt to changing needs and new technologies.
This includes utilizing cloud-based solutions and having the ability to quickly add or remove hardware and software as required. This type of infrastructure keeps pace with the ever-changing technological landscape, ensuring that students have access to the most up-to-date and relevant resources.
Professional Development
To effectively use technology in the classroom, teachers must have access to opportunities for professional development and training. These opportunities could include online resources, workshops, and in-service training.
These types of training help teachers to stay informed about new technologies and best practices, allowing them to use technology in the classroom in the most effective and efficient ways possible. Without access to these training opportunities, teachers may not be able to fully utilize technology in the classroom and provide students with the best learning experiences. Teachmint-OrangeSlates partnership enables educators to train and upskill themselves with relevant skills.
Accessibility
As per the NEP, providing equal opportunity for education is a major goal, and technology is an important tool to achieve it.
It's important for schools to ensure that their technology is accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. This includes having alternative input methods, such as keyboard shortcuts, and providing captioning and transcripts for videos and audio. Teachmint's Digital Content enables students to learn complex topics through interactive audio-video mediums.
Device Management
With more students having access to devices, it's important for schools to have a good device management strategy in place.
This includes maintaining an inventory of all devices, as well as setting policies for device use, such as internet filtering and theft prevention.
Conclusion
It's important for schools to have the right technology in place to support the changes brought about by the National Education Policy (NEP). By implementing the tech considerations outlined in this article, schools will be better prepared for NEP compliance and ready to support the changing educational landscape.
However, it's also important to remember that technology is constantly changing and schools should regularly review and update their technology-related strategies to keep up with the latest developments.
In a nutshell, the NEP is a significant shift in Indian education, and technology is a key component in making these changes happen. By keeping these important points in mind, schools can ensure that they are providing an environment that is beneficial for both teachers and students.
With Teachmint Integrated School Platform, schools can easily automate almost all the strenuous tasks that otherwise were laborious and time-taking. The LMS portal, performance management, attendance management system, and other valuable features make Teachmint one of the best solutions for educational institutions.
Suggested Read: Teachmint rolls out NEP 2020 aligned course to upskill school teachers across India
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