IGCSE Global Perspective session of March 2024

Main Topic: Digital World

Focus question: How can India use digitalization to create a better
platform for its educational sector?
Centre name: IA081
Candidate name: Bins Babu John
Candidate number: 1007
Word count: 1938

Introduction
Digitalization is the process in which we use digital tools and media to develop and build stronger
foundations for business models, solve worldwide problems or even help improve safety productivity
and accessibility in real-time or in the near future. It helps in economic and relationship growth,
further speeds up development in many other aspects and enables betterment in the usage of
resources.

The idea of digitalization has statistically shown to be effective and enduring in a certain period of
time (in terms of years) and can impact small corporations by helping them to communicate and be
more efficient and productive with their company. The uncontrollable and rapid change in the
industry has been also popping up with policymakers, business executives and stakeholders to face
new challenges caused by this outrage.

Causes and Consequences:

Digitalization does not happen automatically or naturally, but it is done through individuals in major
groups. These groups use technology to their significant advantage to improve how they can create,
deliver and capture valuable information through many contexts such as economic, cultural and so on
and so forth. This in turn can increase company profits, resource management, agility and productivity
- helping them achieve significant goals as a whole.

Another popular advantage of digitalization is Enhanced Data Collection. This tool is so useful as it
collects consumer data with the help of algorithms, programming, Artificial Intelligence decision-
making, and blockchain technology - which helps in the betterment of a company (Taherdoost)❑1.
Similarly, business-related information can be stored, making it accessible and easier to analyse.
Using the same methods mentioned before, it can also automatically predict and create business plans
which can help in the ultimate success and overall betterment of the company. 1

As we look into educational sectors - we can convert analogue data into digital data. For example,
instead of depending on printers to write information on paper, we can use digital means of data such
as spreadsheets as they can save a lot of time and are more accurate due to the tools dedicated to
those.

1
 IGCSE Global Perspective session of March 2024

However, the coronavirus disease (also known as COVID-19) caused the shutting down of physical
education resulting in an estimated 1.6 billion children and youth from attending school and affecting
85% of kids worldwide. This reduces the potential to provide quality instruction to children. Although
the majority of nations are attempting to reopen schools, there are still sporadic closures and the usage
of hybrid learning (United Nations)❑2 .

Global Perspectives:
To truly achieve our expectations, we must learn to harness what we have now and what we can build.
We need to assist future youths and students in locating, analysing, and evaluating worldwide digital
sources that are accessible in both their native tongues and in English translation. Investigate further
to promote understanding of how and why various occasions, individuals, groups, and cultures are
portrayed in the global mass media, as well as how this affects intercultural communication.

For instance, the American Recovery Reinvestment Act (also known as the ARRA), assigns funding
for educational-purpose technology and professional development (Obama) ❑3. Taking advantage of
this, we can combine digital information and the latest gear with global learning in the 21st century, to
truly improve our educational methods once and for all.

Unlike any other invention in human history, it happened faster. Nearly 50% of people in emerging
nations today have used digital technology, which has revolutionised entire civilizations. By
enhancing connectedness, financial inclusion, access to trade, and governmental services, technology
may be a significant equaliser. Nearly 50% of people in emerging nations today use digital
technology, which has revolutionised entire civilizations. By enhancing connectedness, financial
inclusion, access to trade, and governmental services, technology may be a significant equaliser.

Although digital technology has shown a good effect on students, people who aren't yet connected fall
further behind and are cut off from the benefits of this modern period. Most of the people who are left
behind are women, the elderly, people with disabilities and people from ethnic or linguistic minority
groups, indigenous peoples, and people who live in impoverished or remote locations. The rate of the
connection is decreasing or even reversing among some constituencies. For instance, globally, the rate
at which women utilise the internet is 12% lower than that of men. While most regions saw a drop in
this discrepancy between 2013 and 2017, the least increase was from 30% to 33%.

The World Bank Group (WBG) works on education initiatives in more than 80 countries to provide
high-quality education and opportunities for lifelong learning for everyone. It is the largest financier
of education in the developing world. As part of its broader work in education, the WBG collaborates
with governments and organisations across the globe to support creative initiatives, timely research,
and knowledge-sharing activities about the effective and appropriate use of information and
communication technologies (ICTs) in education systems, or "EdTech," to enhance learning and aid
in the eradication of poverty.

National Perspectives:
It is believed by leading scientists to never underestimate the power of technology. With a population
of 1.31 billion in India, the country has seen a significant rise in the usage of technology in recent
years. India has a huge opportunity to develop in this area and to take advantage of the positive effects
of technology, which are in the fields of education, medicine, defence, business, and much more.
India has approximately 140 million mobile phone users and is the second most social site user in the
world. Prime Minister Modi has created programmes like ‘Digital India’ with a great deal of
 IGCSE Global Perspective session of March 2024

responsibility for digital technologies. India will become an economy or society full of knowledge
that can be easily created and analysed. The idea behind Digital India is to reform India's educational
system. It is a programme that fills in the gaps in literacy (Mohammad) ❑4 .

This is done by providing teachers and students with education through digital platforms. It offers the
chance to access educational resources on a worldwide scale. This is accomplished by making
teachers more accessible and removing obstacles, which is to receive a top-notch education through
classroom instruction.

Our children are developing in a world that is considerably dissimilar from their parents. Facebook,
YouTube, Netflix, computers, and cell phones are commonplace in daily life. Even toys today are
computerised, and many of them can be programmed. Complete digitalization comes to mind when
we discuss the "Digital India" initiative. In order for every Indian citizen, starting with youngsters, to
be digitally autonomous, we must build a digital infrastructure that is available to all children.
Knowing how to use these technologies is one of the most crucial things and this benefits. The
digitalization of education is one of our government's key priorities, with the penetration rate of the
Internet in India expected to exceed 55% by the end of 2025 (Sengupta)❑5

As more students enrol themselves in online courses as the new standard following the epidemic,
various e-learning portals have emerged and are doing well. To increase access to higher education
and boost the reputation of Indian institutions abroad, Indian universities and colleges, which were
previously not allowed to give more than 20% of a degree online, are now eliminating the restrictions
on online learning as of 2020. In order to deliver an unmatched experience, many Edtech(Edtech, a
combination of "education" and "technology")businesses have emerged and are now providing
learning management tools, such as blended learning, 3D and DIY kits, and immersive, interactive
learning powered by AI.

In today's generation, the value of technology in education is abundantly clear. The majority of
activities in a competitive environment demand some sort of computer work - but that is only possible
if India as a country can adopt it.

But as seen in the data above, India is actually the second-fastest digital adapter among major digital
economies in the world. This gives India a huge advantage to harness the power of digitalization and
give a strong push in a new age of economy.
 IGCSE Global Perspective session of March 2024

Personal Perspectives
According to me, digitalisation is to all forms of industries, including educational sectors. As
discussed in the introduction, it helps connect a large number of firms to enhance skills both
physically and digitally. For both the producer and the consumer, digitalization has changed the
educational sectors by a lot compared to earlier times when I didn't exist, and it has helped both
students and teachers a lot. But, we can also increase the rate or speed of converting our country, and
our world, into a digital one. Many simple solutions are present but are only possible if we consider
our time for dedication.

Education plays a huge role for the youth of the world, it is something which defines their future
and shapes them into things for the betterment of society and civilization. The technology works as an
educational catalyst that speeds up educational processes for students. If we all as a society realise
this, can fulfil our potential and apply it to the real world, whether it be a small or large action.

Course of Action
In recent years, the effects of large-scale technologies on children and schools have come to light.
Due in great part to the development of the internet and information technology, students can now
learn, work, do research and cooperate, and autonomously generate knowledge. Although technology
has provided numerous advantages if misused or not done correctly, it has shown many promises to
society.

First, the government must make digital resources and applications more affordable and available to
citizens who are unable to access or buy basic technology such as phones, laptops or even the Internet.
Governments play a significant role in closing the digital divide, for both instructors and pupils - the
widening digital divide. This can open up multiple opportunities such as opening new careers, or a
great startup.

Secondly, many students and teachers are limited in the proper use of technology. An unacceptably
large proportion of people still lack the fundamental technical skills and abilities for digital
technology which is needed to function in today's world, which puts them at a natural disadvantage.
This even applies to school and college students.
 IGCSE Global Perspective session of March 2024

I feel as if the vast knowledge of computer use presented in this graph is true in most countries.
Computer Literacy is a huge problem in schools.

And lastly, opening up technology to people who are disabled. This opens up a new genre for
educational sectors and the number of people who are deaf and or blind. It is estimated that around
80% of the population who are deaf and or blind don’t receive proper education if you don’t take into
consideration special needs classes.

I would say that the development of technology would play a huge role in creating a globally
accessible digital world for all youths of today’s society.

Source Evaluation
All the sites were easy to read, had a very sufficient amount of both statistics and information and
were well organised. The site had videos that made understanding the topic easier, the statistics also
made it easier to organise. They were also very professional and creditable, making it a trustworthy
site to visit.
However, visual representations of the statistics were very few on these websites, thus making it not
visually appealing to me. Also, the lack of real-life examples and applications made it really hard to
relate to the life of my own and to my country.

● Bibliography
Digitalisation and its impact on the economy: insights from a survey of large companies

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Digitalisation | Start Smarter

How digital India can changing the education sector

Digital India: Technology to transform a connected nation | McKinsey

How digitisation and technology are shaping education in India - The Hindu BusinessLine

https://www.un.org/en/un75/impact-digital-technologies\
 IGCSE Global Perspective session of March 2024

6 Ways We Can Improve the Digital Divide's Impact on Education

Blockchain Technology and Artificial Intelligence Together: A Critical Review on Applications

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

https://www.pcquest.com/digitisation-in-education/#:~:text=There%20were%20658.0%20million%20
internet,being%20the%20digitization%20of%20education.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0047239520934018