Future Of The Digital Education In Pakistan

Laiba Mohsin Last Updated: Apr 10, 2019


Digital education is an advanced learning method that is facilitated by technology or by instructional practice that makes effective use of technology. It is the key to success in this modern era full of technologies. From empowered farmers and mobile banking to enhanced predictive analysis in economic policymaking, Pakistan is on the cusp of a digitization drive. Pakistan’s education sector had a mixed engagement with digitalization. Emphasis on digital education in Pakistan has lagged in the past, but schools and universities are now being empowered to actively embrace the digital world. Although there are still very less educational institutes that are providing facilities for digital education but this ratio is expected to improve by upcoming digital initiatives in the future.
Some of the digitized trends in the educational sector of Pakistan are as follows:
• Growing trend of digital classrooms
Most of the private schools and universities in Pakistan are making their classrooms digital by introducing interactive whiteboards, touch screens, computers, and projectors. These smart classrooms helped in an increased level of understanding on part of students.
• Access to online learning material
Nowadays all the students are encouraged to go through internet facilities and avail required detailed knowledge of topics instead of learning bookish material only. Different educational apps are also introduced in smart gadgets that help students to understand and get knowledge more easily.
• E-books
The concept of getting knowledge using e-books is becoming very popular nowadays. Students can access any book by any author from around the world instead of searching for books in libraries.
• Video-based learning
Video-based learning makes education engaging, entertaining and exploring. So, it is also gaining popularity among students to understand difficult concepts using the video interfaces.
• The popularity of online courses
Many universities are offering facilities for online courses and diplomas e.g Pakistan Institute of management, Virtual University of Pakistan etc.
• Educational apps in smartphones/tablets
Different educational apps are also introduced in smart gadgets that help students to understand and get knowledge more easily. Scribd, Google reads, Evernote, todoist are some examples of such apps.
• Game learning apps
Many applications based on games are introduced for toddlers with the help of which they can start learning. These apps include unscrambling games, word games, puzzles etc.
• WI-FI availability
Some of the private institutes are providing Wi-Fi facilities in all of their departments which help students to gather information from the internet in order to do their assignments and group study. Even the Daewoo and Metro bus service is also providing Wi-Fi facility to their passengers.
Some of the private institutes are providing Wi-Fi facilities in all of their departments which help students to gather information from the internet. Some of the initiatives that have been taken for improvement of the education sector of Pakistan are discussed below:
• Jazz Smart School program
In support of the government’s Vision 2025, the Jazz Foundation was set to use innovation in imparting education to 75 schools in the federal capital. ‘Jazz Smart School’ program was launched in partnership with the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) and the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) on 19th February 2018. The Jazz Foundation has set up digital learning centers with hardware kits including laptops, projectors, clickers, tablets, speakers, UPS and mobile broadband.
The Jazz Foundation has set up digital learning centers with hardware kits, including laptops, projectors, clickers, tablets, speakers, UPS and mobile broadband. The program’s educational content includes digital textbooks, videos, practice material, interactive games, assessments and classroom activities.
• PM‘s national laptop scheme
Prime Minister’s Youth Program was a special initiative launched by the Government of Pakistan in 2013 for five years during the regime of Shahbaz Sharif. According to the eligibility criteria many students have been awarded laptops.
• Installation of IWBs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
K-P has now introduced learning methods using a combination of ICT learning tools. Around 1,100 interactive whiteboards (IWBs) have been installed in government higher secondary schools with solar panels back up. The IWBs offer immense potential to teachers to create as well as curate digital content. These technologies also promise to make the schools environmental friendly. Although some steps have been taken to improve the educational sector of Pakistan but still a lot of things need to improve. Around 1,100 interactive whiteboards (IWBs) have been installed in government higher secondary schools with solar panels back up.
Educational Budget 2018-2019
Higher Education Commission’s development budget has been raised to PKR 46.7 billion as against PKR 35.7 billion in the outgoing fiscal year. According to the budgetary document, out of total 46.7 billion, around PKR 40,218 million has been allocated for ongoing schemes, while PKR 6,462 million has been allocated for new schemes.
Pre-Primary and Primary Education
The government has allocated PKR 10.12 billion for pre-primary and primary education affairs in budget 2018-19 as compared to PKR 8.748 billion for 2017-18.
Secondary Education
Likewise, PKR 12.365 billion allocated for Secondary Education Affairs & Services for 2018-19 which was previously PKR 10.798 billion for 2017-18.
Tertiary Education
And, PKR 71.824 billion embarked for Tertiary Education Affairs and Services against PKR 68.252 billion earmarked for 2017-18.
Pakistan’s spending on education as a percentage of GDP remains among the lowest in the region South Asia which was 2.2 percentage of GDP in the fiscal year 2017 as compared to 2.3 percentage of GDP in the fiscal year 2016. It is sad to see that children of Pakistan are way behind in getting an education than every other country in the region.
If we want to see Pakistan stand among developed nations then it is essential that the government allocates a decent budget that ensures equal and quality access to education. If we want to see Pakistan stand among developed nations then it is essential that the government allocates a decent budget that ensures equal and quality access to education for all citizens of the country; technology should be given the central stage in all this process. The first step to improve digital education in Pakistan is to make proper policies and schemes that can help in the implementation of smart systems in educational institutes.
Education must become the highest priority of the state not only in terms of GDP share but also for structural and curriculum reforms in our educational system to make it more productive, equitable and coherent. So, the first step to improve digital education in Pakistan is to make proper policies and schemes that can help in the implementation of smart systems in educational institutes. It is the responsibility of the government to provide a decent budget to make educational sector better. The government should provide short-term digital courses to teachers to enhance their capabilities. Teachers’ behavior towards students should change. They should use technology to find resources instead of delivering lectures based on old syllabus books. By taking these measures no one can stop Pakistan to lead in digital education.
Also Read: Zong 4G Educates Students on Digital Innovation

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY
Technology in the Classroom in 2019: 6 Pros & Cons
For professors, new technology can be a fantastic opportunity to experiment and grow in realms not originally considered
BY VAWN HIMMELSBACH • JULY 15, 2019

Technology in education is the biggest change in teaching we will ever see. For years, policy makers, teachers, parents and students alike have been weighing the potential benefits of technology in education against its risks and consequences. But now the debate is more pressing than ever, as curricula increasingly incorporate technology and professors experiment with new teaching methods. On one hand, technology allows you to experiment in pedagogy, democratize the classroom and better engage students. On the other hand, some argue technology in the classroom can be distracting and even foster cheating.

FREE EBOOK
Turn class technology distractions into opportunities to connect with your students.
Find out how in our free handbook, Reaching Today’s Distracted Students
DOWNLOAD →
What does it mean to use technology in the classroom?
Students are digital natives. They’ve grown up with technology; it’s woven into their lives. In fact, it’s one of the basic 21st century skills that they’ll need in school and the workplace. But using computer technology in the classroom isn’t just about digital devices in class — it relates to anything that facilitates an interaction between teacher and student. Classroom engagement is at an all-time low and lecturers are competing against countless diversions from phones, tablets and laptops. Technology in schools could be seen as the culprit, or it could be harnessed to improve student engagement and effectiveness.
“Digital education is generating new learning opportunities as students engage in online, digital environments and as faculty change educational practices through the use of hybrid courses, personalized instruction, new collaboration models and a wide array of innovative, engaging learning strategies.

Furthermore, a 21st century view of learner success requires students to not only be thoughtful consumers of digital content, but effective and collaborative creators of digital media, demonstrating competencies and communicating ideas through dynamic storytelling, data visualization and content curation.”
David Goodrum, director of academic technology and information services, Oregon State University, in Campus Technology

With that in mind, this article looks at the pros and cons of using technology in the classroom as well as the cons—and it addresses how to combat some of the pitfalls you might come across when adopting new technology-based teaching and assessment techniques.
The pros:
1. Using technology in the classroom allows you to experiment more in pedagogy and get instant feedback.
Technology allows for more active learning; you can increase engagement through online polling or asking quiz questions during lectures (with instantaneous results). Subject matter is dynamic and timely with digital textbooks that embed links to relevant materials or student-maintained course wikis. Whether adding a single tool for a specific project or term, or making a more dramatic change such as a flipped classroom,, being well-versed in technology can help build credibility with students, and even fellow colleagues. Should you choose to integrate technology into your classroom, you will have a better idea of your students’ progress.
2. Technology in the classroom helps ensure full participation.
Online polling and other digital tools help to engage all students, including shy students who wouldn’t normally raise their hand in class. Online engagement systems allow you to regularly check in with students for feedback on course materials and assignments; data analytics could be used to help spot areas where students might be struggling, so you can adjust the coursework accordingly.
Student response systems help students measure their understanding of a topic while professors can see what areas they need to review. For instance, iClicker questions may be multiple choice or true or false and ask students to identify a correct answer, in exchange for participation points from a professor. Clickers and other student-centered software can make for great teaching tools for educators to enhance their lectures. Student response systems help foster digital citizenship in the classroom and give students an opportunity to engage in class and get rewarded for it at the same time.
One active learning technique that technology can facilitate is offering students quizzes (not for credit). At the beginning of the class, you can gauge familiarity with a subject by taking a quick, anonymous quiz on the subject you’re teaching—and this can also inform and direct what you need to focus on. At the end of the class, setting the same quiz again allows all students to gauge their learning.
3. There are countless resources for enhancing education and making learning more fun and effective.
From apps and e-textbooks to organizational platforms, there’s no shortage of tools that can transform the classroom. Some instructors are turning toward classroom ‘gamification,’ the use of competitive scenarios, and the distribution of points and rewards to make the classroom more fun and engaging. The key to ensuring these methods are also effective is designing them to support the course learning objectives. Digital storytelling through gamification can make learning more exciting and sometimes relatable for students. Gamification allows for interactive lessons and can reduce passivity in the classroom.
Some gamification tips include role play—where students are asked to pose arguments on behalf of historical figures or scientific concepts—and introducing healthy competition. Technology can greatly aid the implementation of classroom games, as well as their assessment. Blended learning can also play an effective role here, whereby students’ curriculum is partially delivered in person and partially via digital means.
4. Technology can automate a lot of your tedious tasks.
Automation can speed up tedious, time-consuming tasks, such as keeping track of student attendance and performance. Engagement tools can help streamline grading for writing assignments, discussions and participation, as well as answer common student questions, which otherwise could seem daunting due to their objective nature.
The canonical example of this? One professor at Georgia Tech actually coded an artificially intelligent teaching assistant. Jill Watson was able to answer a selection of student questions and pass any that ‘she’ couldn’t handle to a real person. Technology integration in schools can therefore reduce the amount of time spent on minor tasks.
5. With technology in the classroom, your students have instant access to fresh information that can supplement their learning experience.
There is value in having textbooks and course materials that are always up to date, which can even include additions suggested by students. This also fosters a more collaborative learning environment; students, networked together online, can share information, work together on group projects, and interact with the instructor.
Collaboration between professors and their students is put into practice through a learning management system (LMS) such as Moodle or Blackboard, where professors upload new content for student review online. Educational technology enables students to engage in an ongoing cycle of learning: before, during and after class. Student response systems such as clickers can also help students apply their understanding of concepts covered in class and can indicate areas that need to be reviewed.
6. We live in a digital world, and technology is a life skill.
Being digitally literate is more than obtaining “isolated technological skills,” according to the NMC Horizon Report: 2017 Higher Education Edition. Rather, it’s about “generating a deeper understanding of the digital environment, enabling intuitive adaptation to new contexts and co-creation of content with others.” Here, the whiteboard is almost extinct, while technology has never been of more importance in the classroom. Creating presentations, learning to differentiate reliable from unreliable sources on the Internet and maintaining proper online etiquette are all vital skills that students can learn in the classroom. It can also help universities deliver better ROI on student education (and remain relevant). Mobile technology in classrooms is a must-have if students want to be prepared for almost any career today. Student achievement may be boosted if they have the means to continue working on projects outside of the classroom.
The cons
1. Technology in the classroom can be a distraction.
Tech savvy students may find it hard to concentrate in class when a wide range of digital devices are around them. College students learn less when they use computers or tablets during lectures, writes Susan Dynarski, a professor of education, public policy and economics at the University of Michigan, in the New York Times. “They also tend to earn worse grades. The research is unequivocal: Laptops distract from learning, both for users and for those around them.”
But Matthew Numer, an assistant professor in the School of Health and Human Performance at Dalhousie University, says in an article for The Chronicle of Higher Education that banning laptops is an “insult” to students: “Our students are capable of making their own choices, and if they choose to check Snapchat instead of listening to your lecture, then that’s their loss. Besides, it’s my responsibility as an educator to ensure that my lecture is compelling. If my students aren’t paying attention, if they’re distracted, that’s on me.” To Numer, students glancing at their screens may indicate that a course’s curriculum and instruction needs to be revamped.
This makes the notion of creating a structure and culture of respect all the more important from day one. Identify specific projects, times during class, and your intentions for allowing the use of technology in the classroom. Creating expectations and guidelines for students, and sticking to them, will be important for them in respecting your boundaries.
2. Technology can disconnect students from social interactions.
Many people are skeptical of technology and what it does to students’ (and everyone else’s) ability to verbally communicate.
By creating assignments in class that use both technological tools as well as oral presentations and group collaboration, students will learn to be dynamic in how they learn and interact with others.
Sara Eskridge, history professor at Randolph College in Virginia, believes that technology is a tool to be used in the classroom, rather than an end in itself. The teacher is in control—and knows how to bring the best out in the student.
3. Technology can foster cheating in class and on assignments.
While students have always found ways to cheat, the digital age makes it even easier — from copying-and-pasting someone else’s work to hiring an essay-writer from an online essay mill. Here, digital technology could end up hindering students’ professional development.
While technology could be seen as yet another avenue for cheating, it’s possible to structure assignments and exams in a way that makes cheating difficult, or make exams open-book and focus on problem-solving and mastery rather than retention. Some classroom software allows you set questions that are subtly different for every student, making them focus on the technique rather than the answer; and edtech software such as Turnitin is already well-established in most higher education settings. These assistive tools can help professors identify students who plagiarize.
4. Students don’t have equal access to technological resources.
An online education should be accessible to students. Some students can’t afford iPads or even the textbooks required for class. For these students, point them in the direction of library or community resources, or create assignments that allow them to work in groups and share resources.
Don’t make technology the focus of your class, and don’t make it a barrier. Incorporate it in a holistic and inclusive manner.
5. The quality of research and sources they find may not be top-notch.
The Internet is a blessing and a curse. Your students may need guidance on identifying proper sources and unreliable sources. Many schools have writing centers that can help with this. You can also use OERs, which are open educational resources in the public domain that anyone can freely use, copy and adapt; they range from textbooks to lecture notes, examinations and assignments.
How can you tell if content is written by a competent authority? Here are some tips on finding OERs, and Top Hat’s Marketplace is also a reliable source of OER you can use.
6. Lesson planning might become more labor-intensive with technology.
The task of adapting technology into your classroom can seem daunting or overwhelming. In many ways though, using technology can become as natural to you as any daily activity.
When you’re choosing classroom technology, it’s important to engage with the software vendor and make sure you have the support in place. Some questions you should ask include whether they supply training or onboarding, and what their reliability statistics and support functions are—after all, you don’t need to be the person all the students come to if the technology goes offline.
But the most important thing is to allow yourself time to learn how to use something, and make sure you ask for, and receive the support that you need.
Technology in the classroom: The final verdict
It’s clear that the benefits outweigh the cons. But the key to technology in the classroom is always going to be the teacher-student relationship, because that’s where the education happens. Technology can be a highly effective tool, but that’s all it is — a tool. In today’s hyper-connected world, sensible use of technology can enhance education.
The uses of technology are widespread. Technology is not meant to replace the teacher. Rather, the idea is to create a flexible learning environment that breeds innovation. It shifts the classroom experience from the ‘sage-on-a-stage’ approach to a more collaborative learning environment. The success of such endeavors will ultimately depend upon how technology is applied to keep students engaged.
It can be frustrating and time-consuming, but in the end, technology in education can open doors to new experiences, new discoveries, and new ways of learning and collaborating.
Additional research by Harleen Dhami