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Discussion mobile signal issues. Therefore, if this
is the situation for the students residing
Meaningful Online education model
in India in the capital city of India, then what
can be said about net accessibility for
The unforeseen Corona pandemic those residing in the remote villages of
forced every educational institute to the country. This is probably the reason
shut down and pivot from "brick and for India's slow progress in embracing
mortar" classes to online classrooms to online education and technological
maintain continuity in learning as well as advances. However, distance learning
the cognitive and affective development is the only logical option available for
of students. Conventional methods continuing education for millions in
of education with projectors, smart the uncertain pandemic situation we
boards, whiteboards, etc. were swiftly are in today. Authors feel that under
replaced with the digital communication the lockdown circumstances, when
tools and learning platforms. In fact, the paramount interest lies in keeping
surprisingly in a country like India, where students safe, these concerns can be
higher education has not yet embraced taken care of with an asynchronous
technological innovations, the initial teaching style (Algahtani, 2011),
shift from the formal classroom to involving minimal internet usage for
online classroom did not pose too much downloading and uploading purposes.
of a problem, at least in the capital Further, as per the latest report from
city. Barring the connectivity hiccups the Ministry of Electronics & Information
and infrastructure unavailability, both Technology (MeitY), the torchbearer of
students and teachers managed to the Digital India Programme, there are
ease into the online format. But having ~2.9 lakh functional Common Service
reached this level is this the right way Centres (CSCs) with ICT infrastructure
forward? The intent of the current study resources located at almost all Gram
was to investigate if exposure to online Panchayats across the country (MeitY,
learning has influenced the mindset 2019; 2020). Students can make use of
of students in Delhi-NCR. The study these facilities for downloading learning
assumed that in a metropolitan city, content and uploading assignments,
the internet fluctuations and technical probably free of cost or at a nominal
knowhow may not be deterrents, and cost.
therefore, students may opt for this
pedagogy of e-learning because of The survey reinforces some commonly
flexibility or convenience. held beliefs about virtual learning such
as the need of more self-discipline,
This survey, despite being small and time and motivation, low level of
restricted to a particular region, class participation, communication
provides interesting insights. Although gap with teachers (Fig.-2), lack of
unanticipated, it is clear that the biggest practical hands-on-training (Fig.-3) as
hurdles encountered by respondents well as extracurricular opportunities
during the delivery of online classes and additional factors such as unfair
have been internet connectivity and assessments (Table 1) and failing to take

Indian Journal of Educational Technology 159
Volume 3, Issue 2, July 2021