It has not just changed the lives of people to a great extent but has changed their way of thinking and learning

In July 2015, the government launched the ‘Digital India’ initiative to improve the online infrastructure and increase the internet accessibility among its citizens; thereby empowering the country to become more digitally advanced in almost all the sectors and since then there has been no turning back. As we continue to advance in the 21st century, the rise of digital technology has become increasingly evident. We live in a world where modern technology has not only made our lives easier, faster, better but has also cleared the way for multi-functional devices such as smart phones and smart watches.

Digital technology has affected almost every aspect of our lives. For instance, in the workplace, multiple hardware and software has increased the efficiency and productivity, thereby allowing the businesses to operate globally. In personal lives, the internet has opened a world of information and connectivity, making it easier to stay connected with friends and family.

With the advancements in the field of Science and Technology, electronic gadgets and devices play a vital role. Gadgets such as smartphones, laptops, e-readers, motion sensors, vacuum cleaners, sensor sprinklers, video doorbells, wireless lightning control systems, etc., have made our lives pleasurable and comfortable. Digital technology has modified almost every aspect of modern life so that it is now rare to find an electronic device which does not consolidate digital technology in some way.

Most of the digital tools are more popular among children and likely among elders too. There is no denying the fact that these technologies enhance the learning process of learners by providing them with easy accessibility to the information, deepening their understanding of difficult concepts and helping them explore new opportunities with the click of a button. As technology continues to grow, the learner starts developing knowledge on various technological skills at an early stage that they will need in the future. It will also make them a good multitasker and a good decision maker.

However, if not put to good use, the same digital technology can also give rise to various physical and psychological issues such as excessive exposure towards social media may cause eyestrain and the learner might face difficulty, focusing on important tasks. At times, it may even lead to serious health conditions such as anxiety or depression.

Today none of us can even imagine a world without the internet, smartphones, tablets, electronic games and other handheld devices. Social media, online gaming and other forms of digital communication have become a part and parcel of our life. The digital world has made it easy to stay connected with friends, family, relatives and work remotely. We can express our views, make videos, share opinions, exchange ideas and strategies through social applications, websites and software, even if we are in two different corners of the world.

The use of digital technology has even helped in flourishing digital businesses. In a recent report McKinsey highlighted that the ‘Digital India’ initiative is expected to boost the country’s digital economy to $1trillion by 2025. Digital technology enables the storage of large amounts of information such as videos, music, reports, etc in relatively small spaces or devices such as mobile phones or drives. Not only this, with continuous advancement over time, the information stored, or the videos can also be edited.

The world of digital technology opens its doors to several learning opportunities. Anybody having access to the internet has the opportunity to the world’s knowledge.

Moreover, this technology is beneficial to people with disabilities and can give them regular access. The consumers today are demanding applications that can tell them on their phone how they are doing health wise. The availability of hundreds of health applications such as HealthTap, WebMD, Apple Health, Pocket Pharmacist, Teladoc,

eadspace, Medici and many more have helped the patients to monitor their health and disease, thereby simplifying patient management at hospitals.

Digital technology has changed the lives of people to a great extent. It has changed their way of thinking and learning thereby making them more independent and knowledgeable in almost all aspects of life. Recent developments such as Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence have helped the government to a large extent in providing efficiency in the services they render. There is less paperwork as such technologies allow the government to keep their confidential records in a secure ledger.

Digital technology with digital learning when put to good use will open its gate to digital opportunity i.e. it will lead to opening of new possibilities which will further lead to communication, social networking, collaboration, content management and access to analytics data, along with staff and customer satisfaction.

(The author is a teacher at a reputed school in Delhi)