DIGITAL AWARENESS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL THARU STUDENTS OF WEST CHAMPARAN

Dr. Ignatius Topno St. Xavier‟s College of Education (Autonomous), Digha Ghat, Patna 800011, Bihar. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History Received: 15 April 2020 Final Accepted: 18 May 2020 Published: June 2020

The world today is no more the world of yesterday. It is no more a distant village but a global village. The new is simply an advancement of old technology. The impact of technology in modern life is immeasurable, unassumed and unpredictable. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has revolutionized every walk of life today be it communication, governance, commerce, healthcare, education, entertainment and defense and many more. ICT is influencing the society tremendously much more than the machines in eighteenth century, perhaps on a far greater scale. The excessive use of Internet has become possible due to affordable, readily available devices such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones, particularly the availability of latter to the masses in even the rural areas of the country. The spread and the use of Internet countrywide has made the ordinary, learners and the thinkers closer than before. In this context, the researcher explores how much the secondary school Tharu students are aware of these devices which are affecting their intellectual as well as social life at large which are revealed through these perspectives of technologies. While trying to measure Tharu secondary schools students from this perspective, this paper attempts to discuss whether they are aware of being one among the digital world, what it is to be a member of a global village, digitally literate, know what and how of digital India drive, the profound digital literacy, critical pillars of digitalcitizenship andintegration of technology in classroom as the member of world citizen.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….... Introduction:-
The digital world is drastically penetrating in the field of education and skills domain area with latest technology gradually being used to deliver education, knowledge and skills in a new and innovative ways. This penetration is coupled with future changes to the mode and pattern of work, shifts and pedagogy. Given the excessive usage of fast changing digital technologies in education, new skills, needs, methodologies and pedagogies have emerged. The use of these technologies have contributed to transforming learning and skills development into a lifelong process. Learners now have to continue developing and refresh their skills and knowledge in order to keep abreast with the constant innovations and new developments in the digital world. It is estimated that technology skills have to be updated constantly in order to have continued relevance. Digital technologies have permeated more than just the workplace. Today in the modern era these digital skills are often necessarily utilized for day-to-day activities, such as booking a doctor"s appointment or personal banking. For those involved in the field of education, make use of Review of Literature: Pavani (2016) The author discussed the effectiveness of financial inclusion programme for the betterment of the rural poor. There is a need to make changes in the existing system so that the needy section should get the benefits as and when it is required by them. It will also help to create rural business expansion which is a must for the growth of the rural economy.

Midha (2016)
The author discussed the issue of digitalization process and effectiveness of digital India campaign. The programme is a good initiative but it has certain barriers which need to be overcome. Digital India campaign aims to create a cashless society which has its own advantages. Implementation phase is surely problematic as the concept is new but over the time period this has to be seen from the perspective of customers. It is high time to discuss the relevant issues with the customers so that the existing barriers may be removed.

Newase et al. (2016)
The authors focuses on the increasing importance of ICT among rural village communities. It has a dual role to play. On the one hand it helps to bring new innovative products or services which may improve the standard of living of rural poor and on the other hand it also able to create better income generating opportunities. The combined effect also helps the government to increase the revenue. It"s a matter of fact that it may help the individuals to grow in all aspect. So, it is important to generate ICT infrastructure so that the process of serving consumers with the help of various financial products.

Method and Data:-
Secondary data are used in this study. The scholar has focused mainly on the scholarly views, debates, writings in various magazines and journals for elaborately discussing the concept. The primary purpose was to understand the digital awareness of secondary school Tharu secondary students of West Champaran district in the state of Bihar.

Discussion/Analysis:-
One of the most significant aspects of discussion is to interpret and describe the significance of findings in light of what was already known about the research problem being investigated and to explain any new understanding or insights that emerged as a result of serious investigation on the problem. The discussions always connect to the introduction by way of the research questions or hypotheses posed and the literature reviewed. On the other hand, discussions does not mean repetition or rearrange the initial part of the research but it clearly explains how the study has advanced the reader's understanding of the re search problem from where the researcher has left the readers at the end of review of the research.

Benefits of Digital Awareness:
1. Students are encouraged to be more innovative in their approach to empirical data. 2. Research students interested to share ideas and collaborate across disciplinary boundaries 3. Students taking more account of how digital technologies are shaping social factors when 4. they design research and engage in scientific knowledge production. 5. Greater awareness of open research and 'big science' as academic movements as well as 6. movements that are influencing how knowledge circulates in wider society. 7. Students reflecting on their own philosophical/epistemological positions regarding 8. knowledge of 'the real world' and how it is created and shared, including through interactions 9. in digital environments. 10. students will realize the value of digitalization and making use of them for their better 11. academic performance. 12. The students will experience change in their academic as well as in their professional 13. approach because of the effect of technology. 14. They will enlarge their academic horizon and begin thinking differently. 15. to avail virtual classes, online classes at the time of lockdown in the country. 16. to reach the unreached at the time of crises in the country, send whatsApp messages, SMS, 17. mails and other means of social communications. 18. Attend online courses, deliberations, disseminations, competitative examinations worldwide.

Digital Literacy:
Despite sounding very similar to computer literacy, digital literacy comes with a completely different meaning. This is a branch of study that requires a deep understanding of the communal issues emerging out of digital technologies. Digital literacy is also about creating an awareness of the standard governing online behavior. To proceed with this aim of education, you also need to put your vital thinking skills to the ultimate test. Hence to sum it all, digital literacy is a combination of critical thinking, social engagement and the wide knowledge of various digital tools. After understanding the definition of digital literacy it is time to learn about its significance in the classroom.

The Emergence of a Class Called Digital Citizens:
As you are having knowledge of that reading, writing and mathematics are the three supports of education, here is fourths support that comes in the form of by numbers, electronic having knowledge of reading and writing. All group to make come into existence a nothing like it order of men named as by numbers, electronic persons having rights in the nation, students through this field of education will learn the (pointed)ends connected to the use of technology. Students will be well-detailed about how to give way to in a within the law use of technology while they are acting between, among with their on-line touching points. It is through this part of education that you as a learner will be better got ready to get on well in your part.

Deep Learning -The Star Attraction:
One of the most readily noted parts of by numbers, electronic having knowledge of reading and writing is to get help of deep learning. Coming to be important in the form of 6 c"s, these are the skills that can be made sharp while walking the footway of by numbers, electronic having knowledge of reading and writing.

Character:
Through digital literacy, students will be able to hone their traits like resilience, perseverance and strength of purpose. Along with these improvements, you will also develop an innate push to embrace learning as part of your everyday lifestyle. 1017

Creativity:
Only when you ask intelligent questions, will you develop your creativity. Your creativity will come to the fore when you develop an ability to weigh and grab your opportunities coming out of fresh entrepreneurial ideas presented by online platforms.

Cooperation:
This trait is to work in tandem with others alongside demonstrating strong team-based and interpersonal skills.

Critical Thinking:
Applying logic to everything that happens around you is the basic premise behind developing a critical mindset. In doing so, you will be prompted to evaluate information while identifying different patterns and associations between various elements. Eventually, you will be able to lay hands on resourceful information that can find a place in the real world.

Communication:
The ability to communicate better with different audiences is an essential aim of digital literacy. When you focus on this aspect of expressing your thoughts and views to global audience, you will be employing different tools and methodologies that will make your communication effective to every online reader or viewer.

Citizenship:
Here, your value system comes to the front when you develop a holistic view of the world around you. Through a deeper understanding of societal issues, you will be able to come up with solutions to complex problems involving diverse beliefs and values.

The E-Safety Cover:
Most of the online lives of people are distorted; very far from reality. Drifting away from ethics, digital interfaces come in as thriving grounds for bullies and criminals. These anti-social elements try to rope in innocent youngsters and prompt them to accept fake information. It is also through misrepresented facts that a lot of children fall prey to such harmful netizens. The end result of such unlawful acts shows up in the form of mental health issues along with feelings of detachment and loneliness amongst students.
It is here that the educational curriculum should step in so that students are taught the ethics concerning digital literacy. A host of lesson plans should be initiated by teachers to shed light on the need for online safety. Students should be taught to not only secure their personal online information but also to be vigilant about sharing photographs on social media platforms. It is through this e-safety education that students should be cautioned against sharing personal data to unwarranted sites or people.

Fake News -A Red Flag of the Digital World:
Modern classrooms have now taken the shape of anchors spreading false news. It is hence the need of the hour to bring in a sense of discretion between fact and fiction, especially when it concerns students.
Teachers are thus required to equip their wards with tools that can differentiate between fraudulent and trustworthy news. They can achieve this goal by discussing news trivia as part of daily curriculum. They are also required to discuss about the role played by social media in the spread of false information. Through examples, teachers can compare the differences between a satire, false news and a real piece of valuable information. You as a teacher should validate all your instructions by stressing on the need to verify authentic sources of information.

How to Use Internet Appropriately:
Everything concerning digital literacy is linked to ethics. Students in their pursuit of learning or entertaining themselves should pay heed to what sort of online behavior is acceptable and what attracts corrective action. Since the online space does not clearly compartmentalize your private and public spaces, it pays to tread the online path with caution.
Teachers step in here to address this issue when they prompt students to think about their personal information that is published online. This exercise will be an eye-opener to students who will try to assess the reactions of others with regard to their public presence. 1018

Live the World of Digital Classrooms:
With digital literacy, you will be able to enjoy the benefits of a modern classroom which employs digital lessons as learning tools. Modern classrooms which are governed by collaborative learning and student-centric learning can make the most of digital literacy as the much needed educational tool.
For instance, an English teacher can look at blogging as a promising tool to teach her wards about the power of words. On the flipside, a social-science teacher can present the scenarios of real world issues that are available online and encourage students to understand them and prompt them to offer solutions.

The Digital India Drive:
The Digital India programme is centered around three important valid key vision areas :-Digital Infrastructure as a Core Utility to Every Citizen: Availability of high speed internet as a core utility for delivery of services to citizens Cradle to grave digital identity that is unique, lifelong, online and authenticable to every citizen

Pillars to Develop India Digitally: Broadband Services:
Government"s aim is to improve the broadband services .This broadband services will be available in all 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats. The broadband services are activated already in Rural areas. This also is developed in Urban areas.

Increasing the connectivity of Mobile:
The Government has a plan to ensure that by 2018, all rural areas have to be covered by mobile connectivity to improve the communication between people .
Through the influence of information technology Government is training in such a way that people should get good job according to their capacity.

Production of Electronics:
Government has aimed to put up smart energy meters, micro 1019 ATMs, Mobile, Card swiping devices, consumer and medical electronics. This plan will help stop importing electronics Internet Access: Government has a plan to provide high speed internet to all rural areas to make India Digitally fit . There is a plan to establish around 105 post offices. These post offices will work as a multi service centres for the people E-Governance: All the Government services will be made accessible through online in order to reduce time and workload. Now a days, all the facilities are available through online.

E-Kranti:
E-Kranti was initiated in 2006. It is a national level E-Governance program. Under this plan 31 mission mode projects like agriculture, land records, health education, passports, police, courts, municipalities, commercial taxes, treasuries are envisaged Under this project some of the mission have been implemented and started to deliver the services.

Information Available Globally:
People will be able to access the information through online. Through "my Gov.in" website people can give their valuable suggestions and recommendations.

Early Harvest Program:
Government implemented bio-metric attendance under early harvest program in all the departments. Government messages are sent as E-greetingsWI-FI are implemented in hotspots in public areas like railway station ,airports and bus station

Critical Pillars of Digital Citizenship : Digital Rights and Responsibility:
Bill of Rights -Every user has the right to privacy, free speech. But it doesn"t mean that a user will indulge in abusing / spreading fake news. Be a responsible citizenship and speak with respect and treat everyone with dignity. Report users who are abusive / looks fake / are causing trouble to community members.
Digital Access : Work towards equal opportunities as there shouldn"t be any biases towards caste / gender / color. Treat everyone with respect to become a responsible citizen.

Digital Commerce:
Users have to understand that the content is put on internet after a lot of efforts. By using illegal means to download copyrighted content can lead to legal issues. Users must know about cons of using services like Peer-to-peer (P2P) Torrents which is mass stealing of private content. Websites providing Free Downloads usually contain viruses / spywares which are dangerous for the Computer and the data stored in it. They are designed to steal user"s private information and data and sent to the hackers / crackers who steals the data and uses them for illegitimate purposes.

Digital Health:
While technology has improved our lives by improving efficiencies in whatever activities we perform, they have also made human beings lazy which leads to health problems like neck pain, back pain, eye fatigue. So in order to use properly these technology resources, Users should be aware about Wellness. They should spend screen imebe aware .

Digital Security:
Protect your identity and private information by keeping the internet strangers at bay. Don"t share private information / photographs to public which you won"t feel comfortable with. Limit the content you share as hackers / crackers can observe your behavior and use the information against you.

Digital Etiquette:
Avoid being inappropriate and be responsible by communicating thoughtfully. Involve yourself in meaningful conversations, be respectful to community members. Try to be resourceful and help others by pointing to right resources. Also be vigilant about users who aren"t authentic, who haven"t uploaded their true photographs.

Digital Law:
Plagiarism is immoral and illegal. Don"t indulge yourself in sharing copyrighted images / content as it can lead to legal issues for all the parties involved. Don"t try to get unauthorized access to machines of other users as it comes under Information Technology laws which are very strict.

Digital Communication:
Be safe with your information and share content which is relevant and required. Don"t over share / spread information as it can lead to dangerous consequences as people can create fake social media profiles using your photographs, can try to recover your financial information by sharing your date of birth and other private information. You can communicate to everyone so be respectful as chances are there that the person you are talking to could be your future boss. Digital Literacy: Process of teaching and learning is important. Internet is a great tool to learn on any topic you want to. Be aware about how different platforms work and how they can be leveraged most optimally.

Opportunities and Challenges of Digital India:
Digital India concept has the following opportunities and challenges.

Opportunities:
It will bring an end to end corruption system, because all the services are available through online it :will reduce the chances of errors. will reduce the paper work so it can save our nature. will improve people through the use of information technology. will create more job opportunities.

Challenges:
While implementing digital India initiative by Government of India, it will face unexpected relevant problems.
Merging the technology and language is one of the challenges facing while implementing. Because each state has its own language, tradition, habits, foods etc. The concept is mainly pointing to merge whole country digitally.
Depending on the hardware and software devices, different states are following different internet protocols.
It will create network failure while implementation. So there should be some kind of instruction to regulate the different protocols. There should be a team work of all the departments in India, otherwise the project of mission will be a failure.
There should be a public internet access. But according to India Poverty and illiteracy stand against the internet access.
Cyber security is the other challenge .Online documents should have to provide security, Proper authentication have to do with document. According to me it is the very big task to ensure cyber security to the country.

Implications of Digital Awareness:
Digital Awareness and its actualization in the form of digitalization will create digital literacy among secondary school students.

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Getting licenses, clearances, summons will be electronic which will create efficiency in these areas which are more time consuming.
Through this every part of the country & will be connected to the world through internet, which indirectly means that everyone will be connected through internet.
The whole localities will be part of digital world.
The creation of Digital Infrastructure as a Utility to Every Citizen.
There is a need for Governance & Services on Demand.
The Digital Empowerment of Citizens.
Making technology as the central drive to enable constructive change.
The provision of high speed network for the adequate infrastructure for online education platforms like massive open online courses (MOOCs).

Conclusion:-
The vision of digital India is a step to bring closer to those who are far away from the world of digital literacy. It is a big leap towards building a truly empowering the students in order to empower the nation as a whole. If the secondary school Tharu students are successful in this venture of being aware of different drives of our country, it will transform them and will have better access to multimedia information, content and services. Moreover, the goal of digital awareness among the secondary school Tharu students is still a distant since most of them are not accessible to this area of digitalization. The need of the hour for these students is to facilitate them to have better accessibility to universal digital literacy and universal accessible digital resources. The students are segregated from the facilities, provisions of internet connectivity, language barriers, other digital facilities in the rural areas may need to look for better opportunities to be made available. As a whole, a digitally connected secondary school Tharu students can be helped in improving their intellectual, social and better feasibility to qualitative , innovative and creative educational services.