By Dr Birbal Jha*
Distance education, now termed as or taken over by ‘online education’ or ‘digital education’, has truly revolutionised the way we connect with, interact with, and learn with educators, peers, or others, bringing resources or institutions to our doorsteps unprecedently, unpredictably, and impactfully.
It has caused remarkable changes in our society, altering the landscape of education and making it available to anyone, regardless of where they are in the world. People around the world can now connect in previously inconceivable ways. Indeed, the concept of distance as a barrier has been eliminated. This remarkable form of instruction has resulted in the “death of distance.”
There was a time when distance education was synonymous with correspondence courses. Students had to rely on post offices, writing postcards, and waiting for weeks, if not months, for their educational materials. The very idea of this seems almost archaic now. Post offices have given way to pixels; postcards have been replaced by emails, and postal services by instant communication.
In the past, individuals from rural areas had to migrate to urban to receive higher education. Today, that is no longer necessary. From the comfort of their villages, students can access the websites of prestigious institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, and the University of Pennsylvania, and many others who have also embraced this change, taking the initiative to impart online education, and connecting people from every corner of the globe.
Years ago, if someone wished to learn English, they often had to travel long distances, sometimes across countries. Today, people residing in the Middle East and other distant regions can connect with any reputed institute of their choice to receive top-notch Spoken English training. What was once a daunting task—getting training from a high-profile teacher whose native language is English—is now easily achievable, even for someone living in a remote village. Online education has made this possible.
Not only is online education more accessible, but it is also cost-effective and democratic. High-quality education is no longer a privilege of the few but a right available to all. World Distance Learning Day holds profound significance in this context, as it highlights the convenience and flexibility that this mode of education offers.
Education is now at the doorstep of every person willing to learn, thanks to the advent of online education. It offers personalized and individualized learning experiences, something that was once a distant dream. In the past, tuition teachers could not reach every student individually, but now, education reaches everyone, regardless of their location.
The advent of Artificial Intelligence has further enhanced this learning experience. With just a single click, students can access a wealth of knowledge. Pronunciation, once a challenging aspect of language learning, is now easily mastered with the help of technology available on every smartphone. Picking up foreign accents, once an onerous task, has become accessible, thanks to online education.
In a nutshell, this mode of education has transformed the way we learn. It offers personalized training and fosters a collaborative learning environment. We must appreciate the science and technology that has made the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family—a reality. The entire world is indeed a global village now.
We are fortunate to be born in an era where technology has brought education to our fingertips. We are reaping the harvest of these advancements, and today, on World Distance Learning Day, we celebrate not just the technology but the limitless opportunities it has created for us all.
Let us continue to embrace and celebrate this new era of learning.
*The writer is a noted author, accredited with having created a revolution in English training In India with the slogan ‘English for all’.
