This shortage of teachers qualified in technology integration suggests that employing inadequately or under-trained teachers could in fact have negative implications for the learner community. According to a survey, while nearly one-third of Indian teachers lacked proficiency in digital tools, only 50% of teachers could conduct online assessments and 40% could use content-authoring tools. Another challenge is that teachers have been found to be typically resistant – more than students – to the adoption of technology in their delivery of lessons. Although NEP 2020 has sought to correct this by way of stipulating 50 hours of CPD requirement for teachers and other forward-looking regulations, it would require a mammoth effort to bring all teachers to the required standards for effective integration of technology in the classroom. Combined with this is the fact that for the longest time, there has been little emphasis on teacher training, upskilling and continuous professional development (CPD) in the country. The second and no less relevant than the earlier challenge is that a vast majority of teachers and instructors are not conversant or comfortable with using gadgets and the internet effectively. Teachers inadequately trained in edtech and IT systems Hence, this lack of regular and reliable access to hardware equipment, as also software and an internet connection, has been a huge barrier in the way of technology integration in the classroom. And for schools, according to a report by Union Education Ministry published last year, at least 55% of schools in the country had no computer facilities and nearly 66% had no internet connection again underlining the access challenge. The country has nearly 25 crore school students alone. Even more worryingly, only 8% of households having members aged between 5 and 24 have a computer and an internet connection together. According to data, only 11% of Indian households have any type of computer. Only a small percentage of students currently receiving physical classroom lessons possess personal computers, laptops, notebooks and other such devices. This is especially true of a developing country such as India. One of the biggest challenges confronted by the educational sector in transitioning to a tech-driven landscape has been in terms of access. Specifically from learners’ and instructors’ standpoints, apart from benefits, what are some of the challenges that they often face in terms of technology integration in the classroom? Yet, even as technology integration brings in a range of benefits for most stakeholders including administrators, educators, teachers and students, and the broader education ecosystem, it simultaneously poses a slew of challenges. Technology integration can be defined as a confluence of educational technologies, tools, curricula and content which not only refine teaching and learning strategies but also serve the ultimate goal of improving the learning outcomes for learners. Technology has perhaps come to exercise one of the strongest influences on the way students receive their education today.
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