Digital knowledge should begin at school level

Post Demonetisation all the sectors are moving towards digitalisation. Every transaction has become digital. Technology is growing and people are getting handicapped due to complications of new ways and methods of dealing with basic activities in daily life. Like how telecom companies are trying their best to give India a digital growth, there should be a focus on getting people digitally literate where they can be well versed with a wide range of digital skills.  To support this digital initiative and to continue the smooth functioning of paperless transactions the government needs to help and initiate new ways to facilitate people. Technology is driving consumers to make purchases using many different types of point of sale (POS) experiences. They use multiple devices, and they want an intuitive and seamless user experience across all applications. There should be some clause through which credit and debit cards can function across all experiences in multiple locations. A digital payments strategy must take an integrated approach to the various POS channels available to consumers. There should be facility through which banks and cards can partner with merchants to enhance wallet functionality to include storing loyalty cards or allow customers to pay with reward points. Issuers need to focus on a mobile-first, user-centric design strategy in order to drive consumer preference for their payment products. They can make it systematic by using channel-agnostic payment credentials that work in a fast, safe and convenient way across any channels the customer chooses to use. There should be technology training institutes that offer onsite customized training and support service in using Computer, iPad and Smartphones to people of all age groups - kids, women, and senior citizens at their residence or workplace.

Secondly the need for implementing digital knowledge should be started with the school level itself. The education sector is also ruled by mobile phones, internet etc and have played the most vital role in revolutionizing the education system as never before. There should be a drive where educators should use the digital device as an important educating tool.  Unavailability of quality education facility is not an issue. At school level, there must be options available for skill development courses and they must be provided in the secondary stage of schooling. Integration of skill development and education is essential so that there are no barriers faced by children when it comes to implementing technology. Skill development will remain a dream if carried out in isolation through centres alone. It has to be imparted in schools alongside academics as a part of their current curriculum.

Thirdly, technology has changed our traditional education system in many ways. To reach the digital aim perceived by our government, the budget should include awareness drives or create some boom for start-ups and Ed-tech companies which facilitate the consumers with online classes, Communication evolution, interactive textbooks, expanding audience, disappearance of the chalk board, rise of web-based research, and gamification. Real-time book updates, online tutoring, edutainment and online test preparation are some of the methods through which education start-ups are trying to cater to a larger audience. Many schools are also trying their best to implement the same as a part of their curriculum. There should be backup and funding which should be provided for the same for schools especially. The balance of bookish education and digital learning should be created so that the young generation is ready to face any situation for a competitive tomorrow.
In order to achieve the aim of digitalisation there are few elements to be put in place: While several improvements have come about in the connectivity space, without the right infrastructure it would not be possible to employ connectivity any better. If our government and educational institutions can come together and put in place a strong leadership, it will go a long way in improving education using digital connectivity.

Digital literacy is here to stay and if we are serious about taking advantage of the potential benefits of digital learning then we need to appropriately resource our schools and teachers for the same.

Article by Ms. Vidushi Daga , Entrepreneur and the founder of Clone Futura Education