The Role of Online Media in Higher Education: A Study with Reference to Government and Private Universities
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Abstract
The world of higher education has completely changed, especially in the rapidly evolving world of digital technologies. The use of online media, such as social media, learning management systems, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), institutional websites, and digital educational resources, has become almost a part of the educational process, communication, and the branding of institutions. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic spurred the increasing use of online media as a means for universities to transition from in-person classes to online learning. This study explores the role of internet media in the world of higher education and its application especially in government and private universities. The paper examines the impact of online media in academic communication, student participation, institutional recognition, the educational results and choice of university. Existing literature review and conceptual interpretation of digital practices in Higher education provide a comparative analysis of Government and Private Universities. The results showed that both types of universities are increasingly using the internet as a means of communication, whereas the private universities are more flexible, oriented towards marketing, and technologically responsive. However, government universities may have more extensive reach in terms of their social responsibilities and public education goals. The research findings show that the effective integration of online media can improve the quality of learning and increase access to learning, especially in enhancing university competitiveness, both for public institutions and private universities. Advice is provided for policymakers and university managers on how to further enhance digital ecosystems in higher education..
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