How can smart interactive media technologies support National Education Policy 2020?

This keynote address was presented at the Universal Teacher’s Academy workshop on May 4, 2021.

I have never physically visited India, but just last week I was walking on the courtyard of Fort Agra admiring the 17th century architecture of the Mughal dynasty. A moment later I was standing among a herd of sheep by the cave temples in Badami, a town in Bagalkot district in Karnataka. From there I decided to stop at the busy Delhi spice market on my way to see the pilgrims bathing and praying in Varanasi as the sun sets in the horizon on the Gagnes river.

I was experiencing India virtually, like millions of students are already doing today, and hundreds of millions will be in the near future. Virtual visits are not a replacement of physical visits, but in the absence (or with limited) physical access, immersive virtual access to can help us develop new knowledge, skills, and capabilities, broaden our world view, build empathy and understanding of different cultures, places and work environments.

How does the use of immersive technologies connect to NEP 2020?

The National Education Policy 2020 proposes sweeping changes to India’s education system including making early childhood education a part of formal schooling, a reduction in the syllabus to retain “core essentials” and thrust on “experiential learning and critical thinking”. In higher education, the policy proposes opening up of Indian higher…