The rise of online learning

The COVID-19 has resulted in schools shutting down all across the world. Globally, over 1.2 billion children are out of the classroom. As a result, education has changed dramatically with the distinctive rise of online learning. Furthermore, teaching is undertaken remotely and on digital platforms.

However, that isn’t an option for many people in countries such as India. Nearly half of the population still doesn’t have access to a stable internet connection. Akash Dubey, a master’s student in the Information Systems program at Northeastern, along with his team, is tackling the problem using a technical approach. Focusing on remote learning, Dubey and his teammates- used the hackathon as an opportunity to develop a mobile application. Hence, The application targeted at students who can’t afford access to the internet.

How does the App works?

The application allows users to download interactive courses according to the user’s field of study. For example, a high school student studying computer science can take a course on programming languages such as Python or JavaScript. Users can take quizzes that allow them to compare their progress with friends. Additionally, students can play games in between sessions.

One feature of the app is the integration of links to YouTube instructional videos and other free online resources. One advantage is that if users run out of data, they have the option to access a transcript of a course via WhatsApp.

This pandemic has utterly disrupted an education system that many asserts were already losing its relevance. Major world events are often an inflexion point for rapid innovation. What has been made clear through this pandemic is the importance of disseminating knowledge across borders, companies, and all parts of society. If online learning technology can play a role here, it is incumbent upon all of us to explore its full potential.

Gurbani Gandhi

Originally published at https://globalshala.com.