Diversity being a characteristic, has played an important role in shaping the cultural, social, economic and educational aspects of India. Diversity in language, life style, culture and nature had created variety in every essential sectors of India. Education is one amongst them. The vary nature has contributed in coming up with innovations and experimentation in teaching learning system of Indian Education. in reference to E - learning, India is experimenting with different models and practices of E - learning in different regions. On of major concerns of Indian education system is to provide education Remote areas, where rigidity of nature, inevitable climatic conditions and human made problems creating problems in smooth functioning of day to day schooling. I strongly feel that "Blended Learning" can be effective in such Area.

What is Blended Learning?

Blended Learning, name itself suggests the meaning; the blend of two different education techniques that is class room teaching and E - learning.

The Oxford Dictionary Definition Of Blended Learning: a style of education in which students learn via electronic and online media as well as traditional face-to-face teaching.

Source of image: https://miro.medium.com/max/1024/0*CxTlR_ZVQwpYf3d9 

In a report on the merits and potential of blended education, the Sloan Consortium defined hybrid courses as those that “integrate online with traditional face-to-face class activities in a planned, pedagogically valuable manner.”

Blended Learning is combination of Use of Multimedia in traditional face to face training. It is a nice way to apply e - learning platforms in schools or colleges teaching learning system. Blended Learning can be explained with the help of following aspects:

Source of image: https://www.pdagroup.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/blended_learning1.jpg

Combination of above mentioned (in an image) 7 points makes blended learning effective and interesting from trainers' as well as learners' point of view. Along with Face to Face training; use of Webinars and Links makes it easy for learners to understand the concept or topic in detail, most importantly anywhere, anytime. Virtual Classroom or Flipped Classroom gives new dimension to traditional learning. It emphasizes more on learning from home. Different e - portfolios are effective in such practices. Apart from that, virtual space gives opportunity to ONE - ON - ONE COACHING. Resources like ZOOM, Skype etc. can be used for One on one coaching.

Applicability of Blended Learning in Remote areas of India:

As discussed in the introductory note, India is diverse geographically. There are many regions which are remote and far away from main city area, so students has to travel miles to connect with higher schools and colleges. Apart geographical diversity, there are certain social and political issues due to which available schools colleges face lockdown. This results in disturbance in learning. But considering the new paradigm in education sector with the help of technology, is an opportunity to explore the education in these areas. The areas can be divided as follows:

1. Desert Areas of Rajasthan and Gujrat

2. Jammu and Kashmir

3. North East India

4. Other hilly and Remote areas of different states of India

Let’s discuss the application of Blended Learning in such areas.

1. Desert Areas of Rajasthan and Gujrat:

The desert areas have problem of mobility and available schools are either less or only primary education is available. The transportation is also not enough as it’s too far from the nearest city. Here blended learning can be use effective. To be precise, Virtual Classroom or Virtual Schools are the most effective to educate students of these areas.

2. Jammu and Kashmir:

The most critical place in India which is always in a news nationally and globally that is Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu is still has a better facilities and resources but Kashmir is in not in good condition. There are two reasons for it, First, the inevitable climatic condition; Second, fear of terror attack or internal communal violence. Due to these reasons, half of the year Schools and colleges faced lockdown and it became difficult to learn. In such conditions, use of Web links, Virtual One to One Coaching, flipped class room, Webinars can be useful, when students are sitting at home. They can many things through these techniques. Even online assessment can also be done. So in case of lockdown or shut down of school and colleges; students could not be suffer.

3. North East India:

This area has a high volume of varied nature. Due to flood and hilly regions, there are problems setting up basic education facilities in interiors of North east state. Apart from it Tribal conflicts, Communal conflicts and daily encounters of Maoist and BSF makes it difficult to sustain harmony in social life. Here also use of Web links, Virtual One to One Coaching, flipped class room, Webinars will be effective. Virtual Schools can be created with high speed network facility, which helps in students’ mobility.

4. Other hilly and Remote areas of different states of India:

This areas are basically base villages of Mountain Range of Himalaya and remote areas of state of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. In this areas Virtual School and Face to Face training can be effective as they are far from main city area. Students can attend schools or colleges Once or Twice a week and remaining studies can be completed at home. Even Flipped classroom can be used effectively in these areas.

In concluding, Blended Learning is one of its kind form of E – Learning. It has a multi-dimensional approach to new teaching and learning format. In India, where leaners are so much diverse in nature; E – learning can be more effective than the traditional set of learning. Accessibility is the Key here. If available resource material get good access then it is an opportunity for blended learning to change the face of Indian education system.

Reference Links:

https://www.talentlms.com/elearning/blended-learning

https://www.teachthought.com/learning/12-types-of-blended-learning/

https://www.scoopwhoop.com/remote-places-in-india/

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1184993.pdf

https://hechingerreport.org/potential-promise-pitfalls-blended-learning-india/