Magazine : 
Role of Digitalization in Diminishing Illiteracy
The rapid evolution of new technologies has created a significant impact on multiple dimensions of literacy. People from every segment have been affected, and now it's tough to imagine a world without technology. The era has educated all kinds of people to operate the technologies, doesn't matter whether one is a digital immigrant or digital natives. Because Digital literacy means having the skills one need to live, learn, and work in a society where communication and reach to information is frequently through digital technologies like internet platforms, social media, and mobile devices.
Digital literacy is a practical skill of using technology to access, manage, manipulate, and create ethically and sustainably. Additionally, it's a continual learning process due to constant novel apps and updates, but your future self will appreciate you if you keep your digital life in order. Its importance is not confined to university education or the professional world, and everyone needs to maintain their digital identity and wellbeing as the digital landscape continues to change quickly.
Impact of digital literacy in SME landscape
People of the era are increasingly becoming ones who only watch and listen – a characteristic reminiscent of medieval times. A great example of this is the smartphone's increased usage for all life contexts and to capture instances to share with the world. In the context of a transaction, digital/card-based payments played an essential role for SMEs to improve the operation of their businesses.
The revolution in payments technology (paytech) is sweeping the SME landscape as the developments of fintechs are highly modified and innovative paytech value propositions to address the specific needs of SMEs. The adoption of paytech to digitize payments and attracting rewards are assisting SMEs extract value for their business. People of every age and field are learning to understand paytech, selecting the right paytech partner and the right way to pay. SMEs now possess options and opportunities to digitize their payment methods. The process is a step to diminish digital illiteracy.
The preferable Digital Payment Methods that SMEs are integrating and customers/clients are finding it easy to access are Banking cards, USSD, AEPS, UPI, Mobile Wallets, PoS, Internet Banking, Mobile Banking and Micro ATMs. The benefits of using these methods are not restricted to digital literacy, but it also makes the transactions easy and faster than non-digital payments. SMEs using digital payments enjoyed a wide range of benefits from those using more manual traditional payment processes in the case of speed and cost.
Ed-tech as a major platform for education
While the pandemic had left the world reeling from its impact, it had also left us at the threshold of a digital revolution. Right from our regular lives to the way businesses are run, technology has taken centre stage. The impact of this rapid and sudden transformation is visible everywhere, irrespective of industry, and the education sector is no exception.
Generally, digitalization in education introduces to the usage of desktop computers, smartphones, the Internet, software applications, and other kinds of digital technology to teach and learn. Test-taking using a computer, online universities, e-books, and edutainment are examples of digitalization in education.
At present, educators and technology evangelists believe that education will eventually be an entirely digital pursuit fortified by artificial intelligence and virtual reality as per the experience during the pandemic. Apart from the easy access to technology, another core element laying the foundation for ed-tech's growth in India is new-age ed-tech platforms. The days when ed-tech platforms were only a supplement or viewed as an extra-curricular part are long gone.
Nowadays, ed-tech players are offering various applications and features for users across diverse age groups. The practice bridges gap of quality of education for learners from corners of the world. Certainly, digitization in education has offered substantial aid to the online learning market. The needle is moving towards online learning, and the ed-tech ecosystem has witnessed substantial growth and thrives.
Today, more people have access to a smartphone than to electricity, which augments global data generation. Now, individuals, businesses, and governments are using networks and applications in the best possible ways.
Countries that have reached advanced levels of digitization — the majority choice of connected digital technologies and applications by consumers, enterprises, and governments — have recognized significant benefits in their economies, societies, and public segments' functioning.
Moreover, digitization has a proven impact on reducing unemployment, educating people, enhancing the quality of life, and supporting citizens' access to public services. Finally, digitization enables governments to operate with greater transparency and efficiency.
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