Online higher education a mixed method study of delhi ncr India

Abstract

The education system in the new era displays extensive adaptability, as proven by presentday realities. In ancient India, the Gurukul system prevailed during the Vedic period, where Gurus guided students in an ashram or hermitage. This is quite different from the contemporary education system we have today. The modern education system involves structured classrooms, where teachers guide students in an institutional setting. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in the contemporary education system worldwide. This and the emergence of Digital India and the internet led to a structural change in the modern education system, from physical classrooms to online and remote classrooms. That means a paradigm shift happened in the educational system where Gurus are replaced by e-gadgets, books are being replaced by eBooks and traditional classrooms are being replaced by smart classrooms and online classes. The shift to remote learning has brought forth several challenges to the educational system which includes lack of meaningful teacher-student interaction, lack of motivation and engagement and its impact on mental health. This opens the scope for understanding the pros and cons of different modes of educational practices followed in the Indian online higher education system. Therefore, newlinethe present research captured experiences of teachers and students from Delhi NCR region newlineabout online higher education and the learning environment to understand the effectiveness of online learning. This research also focuses on social and psychological behavior along with the perceptions of teachers and students about online learning. The study explored the newlinechallenges and problems faced by them in online learning. A mixed method approach was newlineused for understanding the changing structure of the digital classroom. Along with the newlinedigital participatory approach, structured interviewing was used to have a better and in-depth understanding of online learning.