In-Class to On-Screen: The Not-So-Easy Shift to Online Education in Tier II and Tier III Cities

Abstract

The education set up in the country was adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, almost immediately halting classroom teaching or face-to-face teaching activities. This meant that the system was caught unprepared and infrastructurally lacking. This was even more of a problem in tier II and tier III cities, as compared to metro cities. This paper aims to examine all the issues relating to infrastructure, technological know-how, digital literacy, financial repercussions, etc. faced by students as well as tutors in these areas. The paper is a qualitative analysis, consisting of interviews of students and staff members in the context of the study. A set of 15 students and 15 tutors from several colleges in the city of Hisar, Haryana were interviewed. Alongside that, Focused Group Discussions of a group of 10 tutors and learners was conducted. The paper also examines the unwillingness/ inability of those at the twilight of their careers to delve into the online mode, something which isn’t usual or habitual for them. The findings of the paper would prove to be useful in highlighting the digital divide that exists within our society, putting an emphasis on those who are served by the media and do not have the technological means and knowledge to cope with the advancing society. This can also greatly help the academic institutions and tutors to better plan and execute their education modules.

Keywords: Online Teaching, Coronavirus, Digital Literacy, Digital Divide, Education

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