The National eGovernance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to integrate Personalized Adaptive Learning (PAL) into the existing Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) platform. PAL’s software-based approach is poised to transform the way students learn by tailoring their educational experience to their individual needs and abilities. This development, which aligns with the Ministry of Education’s mission, promises to enhance learning outcomes and improve school retention.
About the DIKSHA Platform
DIKSHA, a platform falling under the Ministry of Education’s purview, currently serves as an online repository of e-content for schools through a web portal and a mobile application. It offers digitized National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) textbooks used by national and State Boards. Additionally, DIKSHA features a wealth of educational resources, including 2.43 lakh contributions by 11,624 academicians in the form of teaching videos, explainers, and practice questions. However, these contributions are dispersed across the platform, limiting their accessibility and effectiveness.
About Personalized Adaptive Learning (PAL)
PAL is set to revolutionize the educational landscape by leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide each student with an individualized learning journey. For instance, if a student in Class 9 makes an error while learning the Pythagoras theorem, the AI learning system will flag the mistake and redirect the student to a basic video explaining the correct calculation. PAL adapts to the unique progress and challenges faced by each student, offering a more effective and engaging learning experience.
Challenge in building PAL
Creating PAL is a monumental task that involves categorizing existing content, tagging different chunks, and potentially developing new content. This tagging of content is essential to create learning loops, allowing students to receive additional support and explanations when they encounter difficulties. PAL aims to target the most challenging subjects for students in Classes 9 to 12, namely Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
Experiments in States
Several states have experimented with PAL, albeit facing budget constraints. Andhra Pradesh, for example, has collaborated with privately-owned edtech companies like Reliance Jio Platform’s start-up Embibe, ConveGenius, and Mindspark to introduce PAL into classrooms, train teachers, and provide analytics for remedial learning. Similarly, Assam and Haryana attempted PAL implementation but faced challenges, including high streaming costs and budget limitations.
The Cost of PAL Implementation
Building the core tech platform for PAL may cost around ₹2-3 crore, and developing and tagging content could amount to another ₹20 crore. Additionally, recurring streaming costs depend on usage, with the potential to reach several hundred crores if adopted by a significant number of students nationwide. These financial considerations have led to the discontinuation of PAL projects in some states.
Way forward
Despite the challenges, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) remains committed to the PAL initiative. Madhya Pradesh is exploring the possibility of introducing PAL for students in Classes 6 to 10 through its flagship State education portal, CM-RISE. Furthermore, MeitY is considering the integration of voice commands in DIKSHA 2.0, enabling students to access chapter summaries and other content through voice interactions.
UPSC Mains Questions
- How can the government address budget constraints and ensure the sustainable implementation of PAL across states with varying financial resources?
- What strategies can be employed to encourage greater private sector involvement and innovation in the field of adaptive learning technologies like PAL?
- How might PAL impact traditional teaching methods and the role of educators in the classroom?
- What measures can be put in place to ensure that PAL remains inclusive and accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, including those in remote areas with limited access to technology?
