Digipreneurs: A Part of or Apart From Online Education?

Introduction

‘Digipreneurs’ is a term used to describe entrepreneurs who leverage digital technology and the internet to create, market, and sell products or services. They typically operate in the digital space, utilizing various online platforms and tools to build and grow their businesses. They are a by - product of ‘The Fourth Industrial Revolution’, a phrase coined by Schwab in 2016 and popularly known as IR 4.0. According to him, “like the revolutions that preceded it, the Fourth Industrial Revolution has the potential to raise global income levels and improve the quality of life for populations around the world.” He cautioned that “The changes are so profound that, from the perspective of human history, there has never been a time of greater promise or potential peril.” In the words of Zvika Krieger, co - leader of the World Economic Forum’s Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, “Companies need to be thinking about enabling their employees to code in new languages, but also to change their mix of soft skills.” He added, “as AI begins to impact the workforce and automation replaces some existing skills, we’re seeing an increased need for emotional intelligence, creativity, and critical thinking”. The internet continues to evolve with advancements in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality, and blockchain technology. High - speed internet connectivity, including 5G, is shaping new possibilities for communication, education, entertainment, and business. The history of the internet reflects a collaborative effort involving contributions from individuals, academia, government agencies, and the private sector. Its development has led to a profound impact on society, transforming the way we communicate, access information, conduct business, and interact with the world. The role of digipreneurs is of vital importance in bridging the gap in the traditional learning content and mode of delivery, and the skill requirements of Industry 4.0 and beyond. Digipreneurs are greenpreneurs who through with zero carbon footprints fetch long term tenure of the enterprise.

Although online learning emerged as a safe and viable option for education continuity during the COVID - 19 pandemic,even prior to the pandemic, the global e - learning market was already witnessing a phenomenal annual global growth. According to Syngene Research (2019),it was expected to reach $336.98 billion by 2026, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1% from 2018 to 2026. The e - learning market in the U.S. was projected to grow to $6.22 US billion between 2017 and 2022, according to Technavio (2018). In a study by Dos Santos (2019), it was reported that the countries that invested the most in elearning were the US, India, China, South Korea and UK..Germany led the elearning market in the European Union (Stratistics Market Research Consulting, 2019). Michel (2018) reported that Germany’s online learning market grew at a rate of 8.5% annually, while the country’s economy continued to grow at around 1.9%.

During the COVID - 19 pandemic, online education played a crucial role in ensuring that learning could continue despite the closure of schools and universities. As the pandemic led to social distancing measures and lockdowns in many parts of the world, traditional in - person education was disrupted, and online learning became the go - to alternative for students of all ages. Schools and universities quickly transitioned to remote learning models, where teachers delivered lessons and assignments through digital platforms and video conferencing tools.This led to building an intangible connection with technological gadgets and exploring its various features. The learning process is all dependent on the listening skills that too from the boundary of home and various family members. The ‘out of sight to out of mind’ is a necessary approach that drives interest to outside families but the remote learning practice builds the necessary interest to learn and earn and put their accounts in balanced check. Virtual classrooms became the norm, allowing students and teachers to interact in real - time, similar to traditional classrooms, but via video conferencing.Existing e - learning platforms experienced a surge in usage, and new platforms emerged to cater to the increased demand for online education.The paradigm shift to online education highlighted existing disparities in access to technology and the internet. Students from low - income households or remote areas faced challenges in accessing online resources and participating in virtual classrooms.