Edtech and E-learning in India are like an ocean of opportunities as well as challenges. Kindness and e-learning evolution intersect in how digital platforms foster supportive and inclusive learning environments. As e-learning has evolved, it has also made education more accessible, allowing learners from diverse backgrounds to connect, collaborate, and support each other. This evolution encourages a culture of empathy and understanding, where kindness becomes integral in creating positive, collaborative online learning experiences. We at Pratham are proud to be a partner NGO with aidbees to enhance this e-learning experience with kindness!
Pratham InfoTech Foundation began its journey in 2004 with the vision, “ e– Education for All”. It was more than a decade after the globalization of the Indian economy began. Most of the population of the country then was not prepared to handle the fast changing world of opportunities. These revolved around use of technology and automation. At the beginning, our focus primarily was on provision of access to technology and e-tools for learning for students. With this we introduced computers into the lives of many students and their families. It soon became apparent that the conventional classroom education alone was not equipping the youth with life skills essential for gainful employment. Thus we began work in digital literacy for employability and we have been able to train and find employment for thousands till date. This gratifying work of over 20 years has kept expanding and motivating us!
The last decade has seen the rise of a lot of new e-learning platforms. However, this does not necessarily translate into increased e-literacy. These platforms have primarily serviced the urban population where the challenges like affordability, infrastructure, connectivity, etc. have already been mitigated. The penetration of technology in the heartland of the country is still limited by these very challenges.
Thus, provision of computer and digital equipment to schools was a welcome initiative by the government. However, resistance of teachers to adopt new technology and lack of qualified teachers still proves to be a challenge today. What we need is to build and run models, in which we train and equip the teachers to use the digital infrastructure available to get handy with the classroom teaching.
True Social Kindness is materialized when we value the collaboration from various stakeholders of the society- be it Government, the platforms, philanthropists & social impact enthusiasts. This not only makes every child’s learning equally important, but also lends credibility to e-education, because let’s face it, it takes effort and involvement from all stakeholders to educate a child!
In the post pandemic world, which has underlined the need for technology access and education further, with New Education Policy (NEP 2020), the Government has taken a step to put the focus on e-learning. All the profit making and non profit organizations now need to pace up to ensure that every child and youth in India is equipped to look the new world in the eye and we become the technology capital of the world in a true sense. It is startling that even today, in 2024, there are parts of the country where students are seeing digital devices for the first time.
Let’s bridge that gap- together! The next steps in e-learning as we envision it is to use technology as an essential skill in entrepreneurship development, continuing education and welfare. However, it feels like 20 years of work, and reaching millions of students and youth, has been all but a drop in the ocean and our work is just starting.
I think if each one of us decides to contribute to this movement in whatever capacity we can, we will eventually be able to bridge the digital divide and the future of e-learning will be impactful, everlasting and far reaching.
aidbees is striving every day to see a kinder world. On their platform, the company is offering a one-stop solution for “kindness,” which is definitely the need of the hour. Beginning to do one kind act every day will inculcate kindness within our hearts naturally, and we can be looking to do that through aidbees. Come join us in the journey of making a kinder world!
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aidbees works with 70+ NGOs across 10+ themes including environment, education, health, empowerment, etc. You can support them and join us in spreading the Kindness Revolution. Click here to explore more!
About The Guest Author: The author is the co-founder and CEO of Pratham InfoTech Foundation, a partner NGO on the aidbees platform. Prem Yadav is an Eisenhower Fellow and a TEDx Speaker, who holds an extensive experience in the development sector and is now one of the foremost authorities in e-learning for empowerment in India.
