Use of Technology for Higher Education among Undergraduate Students in Rishikesh

Abstract

The internet revolution, globalization, and digitization have expanded education beyond traditional classroom settings to include online resources, virtual classrooms, and digital platforms. Present study is focused on status, impact and challenges of using technology based education. It is based on the assessment of influence of technology in academic activities, learning effectiveness, and student participation, as well as to identify related barriers. A questionnaire encompassing demographic information, access to digital resources, frequency of technology use, academic applications, perceived learning impact, and challenges faced was given to respondents in person in order to gather data. The results show that technology significantly contributes to the effectiveness, engagement, flexibility, and student-focused actions in higher education. Online lectures, e-books, instructional videos, and digital libraries are examples of digital resources that facilitate self-directed learning, enhance comprehension, and increase access to education outside of the classroom. However, distraction, health concerns, unequal access to technology related devices, limited faculty readiness, and concerns about the ethical application of AI are among the difficulties that the study also identifies. The findings demonstrate that although students value technology, they do not see it as a teacher substitute. Rather, the most successful strategy appears to be blended learning, which combines traditional education with digital resources. The study concludes that when technology is used wisely, backed by sufficient training, and balanced with human guidance, it may significantly improve learning in higher education.