Assessing Awareness and Utilization of Online Education Platforms among Higher Secondary Students in India’s Tricity Region

Abstract

The proliferation of digital infrastructure and widespread internet access in India has catalyzed the growth of online education, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the relationship between awareness and usage of online digital education platforms among higher secondary school students in the Tricity region of India. A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 521 students selected through cluster sampling to assess their familiarity with and utilization of online learning tools. The primary objective was to determine whether students’ awareness of digital platforms significantly influences their usage, and whether gender plays a role in this dynamic. Statistical analysis using the Chi-Square test revealed that gender has no significant impact on either awareness or usage of online educational platforms. However, a strong positive association was found between awareness and actual usage, indicating that higher awareness levels directly contribute to increased adoption of digital learning tools. These findings underscore the need for targeted awareness initiatives and the integration of digital literacy into the educational curriculum to maximize the potential of online education. Enhancing student awareness and digital competence is critical for bridging the gap between access and effective utilization, thereby ensuring equitable participation in the digital learning ecosystem. The study contributes to the growing body of research on digital education by emphasizing awareness as a key driver of technology adoption in the Indian secondary education context.