Managing and Creating E- Learning Environment at the Grassroot Level: Sharing Empirical Analysis from India

Abstract

With the rapid growth of technology, education, particularly higher education, has also taken the support of ICT and now offers programmes to increase the knowledge, education and literacy status of people. E-learning platform provides anywhere, anytime easy access for up gradation of knowledge and skills. It also provides a platform wherein the individual gets a customized package related to key thematic areas, through a self-guided process. E-learning courses provide an enabling platform by virtue of which the professionals can upgrade their knowledge without going for regular courses. In the inaccessible areas, the e-learning platform can play important role, provided smooth flow of internet connectivity is ensured, otherwise the technological advantages may jeopardize the aspirations of entrants. Therefore, internet accessibility has to be uniform despite topographical hurdles. In the present paper the researchers have taken Morni Hill Block, District Panchkula, and Haryana as a case study. It is thirty-five (35) Km away from District Headquarters, Panchkula and situated in lower Shivalik hills. It comprises seven clusters including Morni, Mandhan, Tikker Hills, Koti, Baldwal, Thandog and Bhuri, twenty (20) Panchayats and three hundred & sixtynine (369) villages. The block accommodates 21330 people as per census 2011 in an area of 37.41 sq. Km. Literacy of the block is 64.76 percent which is significantly lower than the district average (81.88 percent). On the other hand, total working population of Morni is relatively higher (47.16 %) than the district average (37.68%) with significantly lower proportion of female participation. In the present paper an attempt has been made to establish a network of e-learning in the villages by developing these clusters as Cluster Digital Learning Centers (CDLCs) and Panchyats as Village Digital Centers (VDCs). For this purpose, these centers need to be equipped with required facilities in terms of infrastructural, human and financial resources for their management which will enable them to attain the objective of Digital India, if supported properly.