E-Learning Technology

Romio Khangemba *

A student learning through Computer at Morning Dew School (at Kapaar Kachoung Village under Kakching) in 2008 :: Pix - Shonnai Saka

Human's instinct drives and takes us to lead and live a contended life: a life under a cozy roof with all basic amenities and comforts. Being a social animal, we knowingly or unknowingly follow the theory "survival of the fittest". In the course of struggle, we tend to forget that we are the most blessed living being on earth, which romantically can be assumed, "born to serve". The time has come for us to juxtapose and think "Big" and not "a bit" for our coming generation. In this connection, my unsatisfied mind keeps hovering around two questions: where do we stand and heading?

The evolution has brought and placed us all in so-called "earth". With the passage of time, we have realized the sun to be a natural source of energy, rather than believing it to be "Epa Korouhanba/Surya Deva".

With the superfast-changing world powered by relentless science and technology, huge discoveries, findings and inventions are compelling us to see and seek what are being pointed and shown. It's indeed a real time situation for us to get into the ocean of knowledge and its power.

Lights of reality are being hurled at us uninterrupted, which subsequently, make us average geniuses compared to the multitude of the era of Copernicus or Galileo. One of the biggest scientific results that play a significant role in bridging the gap of difference resulting in making this huge universe into a tiny village is "Internet".

The extensive use of the Internet has shaped up the idea of e-learning and virtual classroom.

What is E-learning, it includes all forms of electronically supported learning and teaching. It can be summed up as computer and network-enabled transfer of skills and knowledge. Some of the E-learning applications such as Web course /Video course based learning, computer-based learning, virtual education and digital collaboration, video conferencing, recording unit help students in pushing their limit of knowledge and learning.

The capacity of this medium can be self-paced or instructor-led, and the same is presented via the Internet, intranet/extranet, audio, television, satellite TV, and CD-ROM. The simplest usage of texts, images, animation and audios double the grasping power of students compared to traditional style of teaching. The proper channeling of this medium can develop skills, knowledge and outlook of the students. It has been realized by everyone that we need to be equipped with the basic knowledge in technology.

The sophisticated use of Internet communication was developed for the purposes communication. E-media (multimedia) data transmission in the net is rapidly growing & accessing the data content around the world 24/7 for their requirement& needful purposes.

In today's world of ferocious experiments, being illiterate is like opening sharp and exploring eyes in darkness. It cannot be denied that molding, new brains with the help of creative and innovative techniques, so that they can become a leader of tomorrow is similar to preparing for a better tomorrow and a better society. Advanced countries like China, US, Russia, Australia and Japan, etc. had already implemented the compulsory use of electronic medium in education. Wherein, our country is lacking. Off late, the Electronic mediums of education are felt in India, a very few private and reputed institutes started making use of this medium.

Unfortunately, this light of enlightenment seems to be not reflected in the psyche of our Govt. and its dignitaries..Today in MANIPUR, mobile service providers altogether generate revenue of more than crore rupees in a month! So, it would be highly advisable if we take this advantage and shift this downside advancement to uplift the poor educational platform of our state. I feel, our Ministers and decision makers should pull up their socks and shift their attention towards bringing a game changing education system rather than relying on old school of imparting knowledge.

Here are few steps to be adopted towards the e-learning technology.

Any Subject concerned lecture can assimilate and disseminate data through web course or video course, so that students can make the best use of this facility anytime. Universities and State Board or council can have Centralize dedicated web server & video server installation, setup which will greatly help in maintaining digital archive library around the clock.

In a state like Manipur where the old adage, "burning the midnight oil" is still practiced and followed due to the unfortunate power shortage.It appears to be a distant dream. Keeping in the mind of law and order where general strike and curfews are part and partial of social life, the ultimate solution to knowledge sharing lies in the might of E-learning. In case of some unavoidable circumstance where a student misses the classes they can access the class lectures from the hostel or outside the campus through the net from the webcast.

The digital archive library can be used as a source of ideas to many people as a reference for the future generation. It is very easy to use, access and share each departmental information (teaching method, research work and departmental activities) in a very fast mode.

In a complex atmosphere of Manipur, this already implemented idea seems to be a dream and a ray of hope. However, our technology secluded students can make the best of their hand held gadgets in getting the resources of their needs.

"Misuse of technology is always harmful to our society and humanity in whole. Every now and then, lives are under the threat of misuse technology. News report on the exploitation of mobile devices in news and bulletins has become routine news nowadays".

It's now a high time that students give a second thought and practice the proper utilization of new technologies, which are within their reach.

We have already undergone the pangs of cyclonic waves of ignorance and unjust. Seeing the ferocious and neck-to-neck advancing competition, lets strive to make a better learning platform for our budding generation. Because, well educated youths are the face and form of a healthy society.