Strategy of using ICT in ODL to disseminate higher education in tribal communities: a case of MP, India

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to make an assessment of the challenges in disseminating higher education to the learners in tribal communities, and problems solving capacity of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) by strategically making use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) taking a case of Madhya Pradesh (MP), which is the most tribal dominated state of India. The paper offers valuable insight in to the usage of ICT as a strategy for the ODL system presenting an account of how it can be utilized effectively to disseminate higher education in tribal communities.Design/methodology/approachExploratory and descriptive techniques were utilized in this paper adopting the research strategy of case study in terms of the strategic potentialities of ICT in disseminating higher education in tribal communities by ODL using it as a strategy for their empowerment and development.FindingsThe findings of the paper reveal that dissemination of higher education in tribal areas is a challenging task especially due to their socioeconomic conditions and ethno cultural settings in addition to numerous infrastructural and access related issues. In view of the need of integrating education with the Indigenous perspectives, ICT can be used as an effective strategy by ODL for disseminating higher education amongst learners in those communities by reaching out to them.Practical implicationsThis paper concludes that ICT can help ODL immensely in developing countries such as India strategically in reaching the tribal learners surpassing financial and geographical constraints with a learner centric approach increasing the capacity, quality and cost effectiveness of education system bringing the concept of strategy to center stage, at a time when ICT has fundamentally changed the strategies of different sectors including education with the unprecedented growth in its use.Originality/valueThis paper concludes that ICT has fundamentally changed the strategies of different sectors including higher education with the unprecedented growth in its use. It also concludes that Indian higher educational sector faced with multitude of challenges is not insulated from the effect of ICT, and its emancipatory and transformative potentials in higher education can play a major substantive role by extending support to meet the increasing higher educational needs of the tribal communities by sufficiently embedding it so that their greater contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be ensured.

Selecting an appropriate learning management system in open and distance learning: a strategic approach

“…Brenner (2007) and Kant (2020) lay emphasis on the transforming capability of the innovative technologies as regards the instructional delivery mechanism in ODL between learners and instructors in imparting theoretical as well as practical learning. As Tait (2018) and Nayak et al (2020) argue, globalization, in the meantime, requires ODL institutions to be ready for competition not only from local but also overseas and institutions to embrace advanced technology for making the most of the strategic advantages of technological developments in order to enhance access and flexibility.…”

“…Education has continuously been undergoing fundamental transformation keeping pace with the dynamic technological advancements. The continuous transformations have increased variety in the learners and their needs with higher demand for greater flexibility, interactivity and ease in learning anytime anywhere (Nayak et al , 2020). It is notable that the advent of Internet has offered plethora of teaching learning tools and applications to be used at different stages of teaching enhancing the teaching– learning process more effective and efficient (Cavus, 2015).…”

“…These arguments are further supported by Abdurrahman et al (2019) that it not only affects the relationship between educational instructors and learners but also the value of the education system arising from the improvised learning process. Having encountered numerous challenges and barriers, learners including lifelong learners have resorted to open and distance learning (ODL), which is known to have successfully harnessed technological advancements for providing them with enabling learning environments due to enhanced interactivity offering newer opportunities of education for the learners who have been facing various constraints in the conventional system of learning (Kant and Anjali, 2020; Nayak et al , 2020). In these situations, learning management system (LMS), by virtue of its huge perceived latent potentialities, has offered itself to be exploited appropriately for the satisfaction of the educational needs of learners and instructors both.…”

The Contribution of Information and Communication Technology to Social Inclusion and Exclusion during the Appropriation of Open Educational Resources

“…This is an indication of the trend or evolution of education which is rising into one positive direction in spite of hindrances. Currently, ICT is known to contribute to the adoption of OER in higher education institutions, including those that are primarily open distance e-learning (ODeL) in nature (Nayak, Kant & Anjali, 2020).…”

Can blockchain be a strategic resource for ODL?: a study

“…With the advancements in information and communication technology (ICT) and technological innovations, the learning ecosystem has transformed immensely facilitating the open and distance learning (ODL) system in providing education anywhere anytime meeting the changing learning requirements in modern society (Kant, 2019; Nayak et al , 2020). ODL, in recent times, has successfully occupied a well-recognized place in the educational landscape drawing increasing numbers of learners belonging to different backgrounds (Nayak et al , 2020). Nonetheless, the ODL system has not been immune to the risks and challenges associated with lack of trust and accreditation leading to undesirable consequences.…”