E-Learning: The Way Forward for Higher Education

Anand Bhisey: Associate Professor

HOD - E-Learning, and Multimedia Reporting and Editing. RKU

Digital learning, or e-learning as it is also called, is the buzzword in the field of education today.  It is widely being used in school education in India, and the higher education sector is also set to start using it in as a regular tool for the teaching-learning process.

What is e-learning? Let’s take a quick look at what is eLearning and how it enhances the teaching-learning process in the classroom.

At the outset, note that “digital learning” and “online learning” are not the same – they are NOT synonymous.  All online educational content may not necessarily be digital; and digital educational content can be online as well as offline.

Digital learning is the use of information technology to explain concepts to the students.  Concepts are explained with the use of on-screen text, on-screen graphics and voice-over.  The on-screen graphics can be in the form of static images, 2-D animation or 3-D animation; in fact, the next level will be the use of virtual reality and augmented reality.

With eLearning, the student goes through what is called “conceptual learning,” in which she gets to see and experience a concept rather than merely hearing about it from the teacher.  For example, if the student wants to learn about the working of the human heart, then watching an eLearning module that has animation will help her understand it better than a mere drawing on the blackboard and a long description by the teacher.  In the traditional chalk-and-board method, the student can merely IMAGINE the heart working, whereas with eLearning, he can actually see an animation of how it works.  When eLearning is used for the teaching-learning process, the student grasps the concept rather than trying to learn it by rote, and also remembers it better – probably forever – because he has SEEN it rather than HEARD about it.  This is conceptual learning.

Ramoji Krian Universe is set to pioneer the use of digital learning in higher education by introducing eLearning for its media, entertainment, design, fashion, tourism and management courses.  It will lend a whole new dimension to higher education in the country and give the students of Ramoji Krian Universe a distinct advantage like no other institution can.

Digital learning is the way forward for education in general, and for higher education in particular.  Ramoji Krian Universe is taking the pioneering step of introducing eLearning modules for its various courses, and will be one of the first educational institutions in the country to do so.  It will enhance the learning experience of our students and give them a much better understanding of concepts than their peers, which will be a distinct advantage when they step into their professional careers.

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Associate Professor – Anand Bhisey is a media professional with nearly three decades of experience in newspapers, news channels, internet and e-learning sectors. He has contributed to major media outlets like The Independent, The Pioneer, Maharashtra Herald, The Hitavada, Dainik Bhaskar, The Sunday Observer and rediff.com. He has been a visiting faculty for news reporting, editing, page-making, QuarkXpress and new media at RTM Nagpur University’s Department of Mass Communication and affiliated colleges, and for Business Communication at the International Institute of Fashion Design (iNIFD). He is a UGC-NET scholar