Online Teaching And Academics Courses & Certifications

This course is taught by Dr. Balaji who works as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University. The whole course is for 15 weeks and contains 40 modules; it’s a course carrying 4 credits for students doing M.Sc. in Chemistry. The students will work on their procedural, factual, metacognitive, and conceptual knowledge, and use images, presentations, 3D-animations, white board demonstration, chemical structures, paper 3D-models, figures, tables, mirrors, use of molecular models, etc for scientific explanation.

The course also talks about various theories such as Malcom  Knowels Andragogy, Dick and Carey model,  the Feynman Technique, modified Bloom’s taxonomy, neuro slide design principles, ADDIE model,  etc. Doing this course will benefit PG students, young scientists, research scholars, and faculty members looking to enhance their knowledge in this field, it is also helpful for students taking competitive exams like CSIR-NET, SSC-CGL, IIT-JAM, GATE, various CET, UPSC, and SLET.

After completing this course the candidates job prospects will widen in various industries such as petrochemical, agro chemicals industries, perfume, pharmacy, and dye.

The programme of General Chemistry I: Atoms, Molecules and Bonding offered by the edx platform provides an amazing learning opportunity to all the candidates who are interested to learn about the area of chemistry subject in detail. Students can avail this course free of cost. 

Participants who are interested in acquiring verified certification for General Chemistry I: Atoms, Molecules and Bonding course have to pay fees as guided by the platform. Programme duration is of 15 weeks. The candidates who are interested in pursuing the framework should invest 10-12 hours weekly. The platform of edx has collaborated with MITx [Massachusetts Institute of Technology] for developing this programme. 

The curriculum offered here is an intermediate level course which gives detailed information to the candidates about the subject. The course provided here by the edx platform is an instructor-led training programme. Learners will learn about all the necessary details required for being successful in the field. Scholarship options are available for the eligible candidates.

Introduction to the Solid State of Chemistry is a relishing first-year university program, authorized by the edX Institute of Digital Education and it is a collaboration with MIT. The course explores the properties and characteristics of chemical bonding with the inspection of solids. These properties include thermal expansion, electrical conductivity, stiffness, optical properties, and strength, and hence this course many concepts about practical chemistry. 

Introduction to Solid State Chemistry course describes how masters uncover the bond, the chemical bonding, electronic structure, atomic order, and further categories of atomic elements in amorphous solids and crystallines which comprise ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and metals. Introduction to Solid State Chemistry also covers parts of organic chemistry acid-base equilibrium studies, solution chemistry, biochemistry, diffusion, and chemical kinetics.

Introduction to the Solid State Chemistry program includes various examples of industrial practice and its grave impact on the environment, storage, and generation of energy like battery cells, and lastly, newer technologies like photonic appliances. This course is instructor-paced and can be taken in the paid or free audit mode. In the paid certificate mode, the candidates will be provided with unlimited access whereas in the free audit mode, they will be given access only for a limited period. 

In the Communication Research certification program learn about the importance and fundamentals of communication research in both theoretical and application value. The effects of media research in the formulation of communication theories will also be covered during the online session.  The Communication Research certification benefits the applicants by making provision for them to learn about the theories that include- “magic bullet theory, agenda-setting theory, selective exposure theory and the uses of gratification theory.
In the Communication Research certification syllabus, the students will be studying the- tenacity, priority, authority, research definitions, science, and other topics related to communication research. The program has been divided into a twenty-module curriculum that will cover all the essential areas of research such as- type of research, characteristics of research, review of literature, data collections, formulation of sample questions sampling, presentation of findings, and analysis. Thus the course will make the students pro in the genre of “communication research”.

This Basics of Macro Economics Course by Swayam provides aggregate knowledge of the economy and its various aspects. With self-paced classes and weekly assignments, this course is an easy and great way to understand different topics such as cash flow in international trade, the role of banks in the company, demand-supply & equilibrium in markets for goods & services, theories of foreign exchange determination, etc. 

This course is a great way to get to know the economic conditions in every aspect including marketing situations. The course also deals with IS-LM Analysis, concept, and determination of GDP and gives the proper training required with it. 

This course is completely for learning purposes; however, the certification exam has a fee amount to be duly paid. This course tries to help candidates to help in every way it could and is also a great way to learn and be educated about the terms and nature of the economy. 

The Intention behind the campaign of Swayam is to bridge the gap between the digital revolution and the underprivileged section of students, considering the unavailability of resources, economical shortcomings and lack of an adequate platform. The Indian Education Policy has three main goals highlighted in its objective, i.e. Access, Quality, and Equity, and to achieve the same, the Education Policy of the Government of India has included the creation of an Online Platform to provide free learning to the students of Class 9 level or those up to Post-Graduation.

All the courses on the website are designed by more than thousands of learned faculties. They have been specially appointed for the job. The courses are reviewed and implemented by Nine National Coordinators, namely the IGNOU, IIMB, UGC, NCERT, NIOS, CEC, AICTE, NITTTR, and NPTEL. The programme is named ‘Swayam’ meaning ‘Self-Efficient’ or ‘Self-Learning’ and aims to bridge the educational gap among the digitally unhinged masses of students, even those deprived of formal education.

The programmes offered by Swayam including Principles of Macroeconomics – I, have four different medium of imparting education that helps in developing the grasping strength of the learner and ensuring a complete understanding of the Subject including- Video Lectures, Quizzes and Practice Tests, Discussion Platform, and softcopy of Reference Material.

The Mathematical Economics course by Swayam has been structured to make the study of Economics easier and simpler for the learners to understand using Mathematics. It covers the historical background and the application of the various economic concepts. This course will help the participants in solving Engineering and Architecture, Finance, Management, Policy-making, Analytics, and Medicine problems.

Various real-life examples, recent researches and news about the world economy have been included to enrich the learning process of the participants. This course will enhance the logical, scientific and critical thinking skills of the participants required in their daily economic activities. They will develop a new perspective towards logical, scientific and critical thinking, which will assist them in solving personal, social and professional problems and guide them towards wise decision making.

They will be capable enough to take quick and wise decisions saving their time, energy and money. Various web links and links of YouTube videos have also been shared to keep the participants motivated throughout.

The Pedagogy of Teaching English online course helps candidates to acquire a broader view of language teaching. It essentially covers the various developments that have come about in the field of language teaching and how they can be included in the teaching methods that people follow. The course is also excellent in improving critical thinking skills. 

Besides the Pedagogy of Teaching English certification syllabus covers various critical concepts like the pedagogy of interaction, paradigm shift in ELT, and the implication of multiple intelligences in a classroom. Participants learn about the pedagogy of reading, pronunciation, producing speech sounds, academic sounds, and the like. The course is also equipped with rich reading and study materials to enhance the knowledge of the candidate. 

The Pedagogy of Teaching English certification by Swayam is taught by Prof. V Sudhakar Venukapalli, who has 32 years of teaching experience. The course has numerous assignments and a final assessment to help candidates assess their learning and improve their critical thinking abilities. 

The course is about Environment sociology for knowing the relation between the environment and society. The duties and responsibilities of the citizen for controlling the dangerous phenomena in the environment that take place. The course impacts the core knowledge of the environment and its history to the students by delivering a learning experience for both practical and theoretical knowledge as well. 

With the development and technological advancements in the world all through there is an utmost responsibility for every individual to safeguard the environment and fulfill their social responsibility for the environment. The future resources are the main reliable resources that make living possible for humankind. Therefore there is a need for social environmental study through which Swayam takes the  part to deliver the course

Swayam is an online digital learning platform that is initiated by the government to improve and learn the skills for many streams online. 

Super-Earths and Life Certification is a course in introductory physics conducted through the platform of EdX by the online teaching forum of Harvard. The candidates enrolled in the course will learn about life on Earth and the various aspects that have constituted its evolution. It teaches about the life of aliens and the search surrounding them along with the process of searching for life outside the domains of the planet.

The students need to develop an understanding of the roles humans play in the subject of life on Earth and the place of each living being in the universe. Three decades ago, the idea about the existence of other planets in the universe was a blind spot to astronomers, but in recent times, huge advances have been made in the field of cosmology and contributed towards the discovery of thousands of new planets outside of our solar system that circles other stars. 

The programme enlightens the students on the subject of life with the help of different fields of biology, geology, and astronomy together, for the sole purpose of finding out whether life exists elsewhere too. 2 tracks of study can be chosen by the candidates, one is the Audit track and the other is Verified Track. During the Verified track, the course access is limited but in the case of the self-paced Audit track, the candidates will get limited period access.

This certificate course Environmental Pollution Events and Emergency Response Introduction is a beginner-level course programme in which the syllabus is framed to analyse and discuss the environmental issues both inside and outside China. The course uses several seminars and case studies for exploring incidents such as Rhine river pollution, London smog pollution, Beijing haze pollution and Tianjin explosion, etc, and analysing these cases. 

These courses will impart about the cause and consequences of pollution affecting the atmosphere. The course will explore the emergency management system for environmental conservation and students will gain knowledge about real-time pollution issues and enhance their ability to manage any environmental emergencies around them. The course will be run for a duration of 15 weeks and the schedule for the course will be mandated by the instructor. The programme requires the student to put a minimum effort of 2 to 3 hours every week into the curriculum.

The Genetics and Genomics certification course is structured with a student-oriented framework. This curriculum is intended to enable any biology participant who has undergone 10+2 to assimilate most of the lessons contained in this section. It continues with a quick description of genetics and genomics, followed by classical biology sessions and advanced genetics sessions. The Genetics and Genomics certification will enable the candidates to learn and understand how genetic knowledge in DNA influences what an individual appears like and how it functions. Awareness of genetics and genomics is also important for understanding the evolution of plants, habitats, and species. 

The Genetics and Genomics training will help the learners take a variety of forthcoming and much-needed post-graduate courses focused on subjects. The course will allow the students to learn about the ongoing influential topics like the principle of genetics transmission, quantitative genetics, mutation, genetic code, and translation, etc that will ultimately engage the students to their relative influence. 

When the students finish this curriculum, he/she will have a comprehensive understanding of classical and advanced genetics and will be prepared to pursue any advanced postgraduate programs focused on genetics such as medical genetics, behavioral and learning genetics, computational biology, ecological genetic factors, biotechnology, etc.

Basics of Remote sensing, GIS & GNSS Technology and Their Applications online programme is a multidisciplinary course which the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, ISRO, offers in partnership with Swayam. The 15-week-long course has been divided into four main modules that constitute 75 learning hours. The comprehensive syllabus is modified every year on the basis of feedback and incorporates the latest trends in technology to stay relevant.

Further, the Basics of Remote sensing certification course will expose you to topics like Thermal Remote Sensing, Earth Observation Sensors, Remote Sensing, Visual Image interpretation and more. The instructor will also discuss topics like digital image processing techniques like image registration and rectification, along with image classification and enhancement techniques.

Basics of Remote sensing, GIS & GNSS Technology and Their Applications training by Swayam will use free, open-source software to demonstrate and develop concepts throughout the course. Lastly, you will get a chance to earn a certificate by qualifying in the internal and final assessments. 

Swayam has been started by the government of India to provide the necessary resources to students who do not have access to educational resources. Its aim is to achieve the three principles of education policy that is access, quality, and equity.

Advanced Constitutional Law course by Swayam has been built to provide the learners with an understanding of the various aspects of constitutional law. It is a full credit course for universities and 4 credit courses for law universities. Participants will learn the complexities of Indian constitutional law and how it has been shaped by the courts and the government. They will be given a comprehensive introduction to the different schools of thought on constitutional interpretation, principles such as federalism, rule of law, separation of powers, sovereignty, and the role of common law. 

They will be able to explore the current constitutional practices and historically important constitutional disputes. They will be trained to conduct advanced legal research and assess intricate legal information. This Advanced Constitutional Law training course by Swayam is apt for students/professionals who wish to gain knowledge about constitutional law or develop their careers in it. 

Also Read: Law Certification Courses

This course helps you in exploring as well as enhancing the current knowledge on the topic of Digital Library. This course will let one know more about the protocols and standards that are to be followed, IPR as well as legal issues, evaluation and planning, and whatnot. This platform will definitely help those who aim for launching or setting up their libraries. 

This course, in the long run, would help them to progress in this field of Digital Library Services. The knowledge regarding the Digital Library or implementing ideas of the course in the already established library. It helps in establishing a relationship with a semantic web. 

The learners will also learn skills like that of planning and organizing will also help the learners to instill the skills needed for commercially setting up this ever-new library. The course imparts the knowledge on planning, implementing, and digital aspects to are defined perfectly. It links the learners and provides them with opportunities to work in different parts of the world.

The Applied Multivariate Analysis certificate course offered by swayam is a certification course for learning the applied multivariate statistical methods and progress in the field of statistics. This certification is a perfect place to learn Multivariate Statistics and its applications in the practical world. 

This course will introduce an important and useful class of statistics. This course is structured in a way to cater to two main objectives, first is to extend the Univariate statistical methods to multiple variables. And the other is to create techniques that are applicable to multiple variables studies only. 

The Applied Multivariate Analysis Certificate Programme is a combination of theory and the practical applications of applied multivariate analysis. This course will help postgraduate students studying statistics as their major and other candidates from different disciplines who want to study these complex statistical methods for use in various analyses. 

The course is designed to create a curiosity in learners and engage them in the applications concerning the use of multiple dependent variables in carrying out any analysis. The course is suitable for candidates who have basic knowledge of mathematics and statistics. It will benefit candidates who wish to pursue a career in this field and want to upskill themselves for the industry. 

The Certification Course by Swayam in Partial Differential Equation is very vital for the students from physics, mathematics and engineering backgrounds. The course mainly focuses on the first and second order of linear PDE. The course is very helpful in building a strong base in Partial Differential Equation. Upon completion of Course in Partial Differential Equation by Swayam one will be eligible for the certification.

The Certification Course by Swayam in Partial Differential Equation will have a tenure of 15-weeks and will have the level of postgraduate. The course in Partial Differential Equation by Swayam will enhance one’s skill in the different aspects of Partial Differential Equation.

The Certification Course by Swayam in Partial Differential Equation will be held online and the students don’t have to come to the center. The entire course in Partial Differential Equation by Swayam can be perused from one’s own home. While pursuing this course candidate will have the opportunity of doubt clearing.

The course of Differential Calculus offered by the Swayam platform is beneficial for every student. This course is offered under the guidance of MHRD [Ministry of Human Resource Development]. 

This course is an undergraduate-level course in which the duration of the course is 15 weeks and it is divided into 36 sessions.  After completion of this course, students will gain 4 credits and a certificate of completion. The students who are pursuing their careers in the science stream or are planning to pursue it or are curious to dive into the depth of mathematics should take this course for understanding the core of Differential Calculus.

Every student can avail themselves the benefits of this course by applying the understanding of Differential Calculus to their degree programmes or in their quantitative learning and even in the basic principles of their academic learning. After completion of this course, you will achieve another big milestone in the field of mathematics and science. Proper learning and understanding of this course by the students can benefit them in their professional lives and can help them in understanding applications of the world as well as of the universe.

The Swayam programme is initiated by the Indian government which targets to provide education to all among the youth of India. They have courses divided into nine categories, keeping in mind all students across India. Their courses are free of cost and each category has a number of courses that are beneficial for a better professional life. 

Numerical analysis is also known as computational mathematics is a course offered by swayam, which is basically needed to solve the problem and design functions on a computer. Some problems and functions are very complex and long and thus cannot be done by simple algebra and hence many mathematicians, physicians, and experts from other fields resort to the use of numerical analysis. It is used as a substitution for the complex methods of solving problems like definite integration, differential equations, interpolation, and many more. It is a time-saving formula. 

It is a very important and common topic. Some universities offer it as a core course. Any student from the field of engineering, computer science, mathematics, statistics, electronics, chemistry, or physics and opt for this. It is an interdisciplinary course used by many teachers, researchers, students, etc.

One of the most productive subjects in college studies is Algebra and it also happens to be one of the most confusing ones. The course College Algebra and Problem Solving offer to teach the applicants this subject while making the concepts easy and using an adaptive method of educational impairment which ensures that the candidates have mastered the previous topics before moving on to the next ones.

Applicants will learn complex contents like general polynomial functions, quadratic functions, as well as exponential functions through self-paced, online sessions from experts in this academic field. It will also give them skills that provide them with the techniques for a problem-solving approach.

Candidates will be able to vent out any doubt that they have regarding the College Algebra and Problem Solving certification course via discussions which will also increase their understanding of the concepts and they can also get their queries solved with coaching granted to each individual one by one. The candidates can enrol on the course either in paid certificate mode or free audit mode. In the former mode, the learners will have unlimited access and a certificate of completion whereas, in the latter mode, they will be given only limited access to the programme. 

Calculus is one of the demanding courses that are often the core requirement for many global universities. The intermediate course on Precalculus is aimed at aspirants who wish to upgrade their calculus skills for a brighter future opening more academic opportunities. The course is offered by the online education provider: edX, in association with Arizona State University under the guidance of experienced faculty of the same university. The flexible learning system of ALEKS along with a chance of getting credit-eligibility, the Precalculus online certification program bags academic as well as professional gains. This three-credit course also satisfies the Mathematical Studies (MA) general studies requirement at Arizona State University. 

The course focuses mainly on preparing in calculus with the understanding of its functions like exponential, linear, polynomial, trigonometric, logarithmic, and rational; and with quantitative reasoning. From building a strong base on algebraic skills to developing advanced skills like the usage of functions in real-world setup, this intermediate course on calculus ensures an in-depth study on the central topic of learning. This programme has two options to enrol; paid and free modes. The paid mode provides a certificate of completion and unlimited access to the course while the free audit mode gives access only for a limited duration.

The Linear Algebra - Foundations to Frontiers course offered by the University of Texas at Austin available on the edx platform is a package of expertly crafted course material and follows a different approach of teaching to benefit their learners with deep knowledge. 

The course provides the participants with subjective knowledge of partitioned matrices, linear transformations, matrices, vector spaces and systems of linear equations, characteristics of special matrices, subspaces, and algorithms for matrix computations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, linear least-squares, and characterizations of linear independence. 

The course follows a visual, applicable, and illustrative method of teaching linear algebra that makes this course a golden opportunity for candidates residing worldwide. This self-paced course offers flexible learning and makes it suitable for working professionals. The course is recommended for engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and people dealing with large datasets. 

The course also comes in handy to graduates and undergraduates studying in this field. At the end of the course, a verified certificate is awarded to the candidates which acts as a bonus and serves the candidate's purpose of taking this course. There is a time frame for the candidates to finish the course in case they have selected the audit track progressing at their speed. Whereas if they have selected the verified track, they will have unlimited time access to finish the course.

Trigonometry and algebra are the two domains of mathematics that find applications in various subjects and professions. This course on Algebra and Trigonometry is designed to help students gather a fundamental understanding of these concepts and be prepared to take them on in the future.

The Algebra and Trigonometry certification syllabus is designed in a way to act as a stepping stone for candidates who want to pursue these topics at the advanced level. This certification course is a core-level programme of the undergraduate level and runs for 15 weeks. The syllabus is comprehensive and relevant to the current education system.

Candidates who enrol for the Algebra and Trigonometry Training by Swayam will acquire a deep understanding of the concepts. They will undertake tests, exercises, and assignments to test their learning and improve. The course by Swayam also provides for interaction between the students and faculty through discussion forums, which is the main attraction of this online programme.

BCOC-134 Business Mathematics and Statistics Certification helps students to learn how to make decisions when presented with incomplete information through comprehensive coverage of statistical methods, management mathematics and probability and extensive examples and questions for students on business and accounting courses. Commercial organizations and companies use mathematics and statistics in many applications such as accounting, inventory management, marketing, sales forecasting, and financial analysis.

BCOC-134 Business Mathematics and Statistics Classes help candidates undertaking this course to develop the abilities to deal with numerical and quantitative issues in business and thus enable the use of statistical, graphical and algebraic techniques and methods wherever relevant to solve the issues. 

The Online Refresher Course In Philosophy certification course provides an online learning experience to all the enrolled candidates. Students can access the course without making any payment. The programme revolves around the topics of philosophy from different parts of the world, its history, theories, and principles, etc. The course is expected to be completed by the students in the time span of 15 weeks. 

The Online Refresher Course In Philosophy certification syllabus of the programme is divided into three sections that contain a total of eight units and thirty modules. The learnings can be achieved in this training through the self-paced mode and the timings can be decided by the candidates depending upon their schedules. The Online Refresher Course In Philosophy online course is an AICTE approved training and can be accessed at all times. 

Students just have to log in to their accounts and have a stable internet connection to access the study materials that are already present in the programme. The course can be found on the platform of Swayam that also offers the option of certification at the end of the Online Refresher Course In Philosophy certification and the achievement of the same depends upon the preferences of the candidates. Students have to follow the procedure in order to acquire the certificate for the programme. 

School life can take a toll on young students and their mental health. The School Counselling course by Swayam aims to provide understanding of the same and how school counsellors can help. 

The School counselling online programme, designed by Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, is a core programme. It highlights the active role school counsellors can play to create a safe and positive environment for students in schools. 

The School counselling certification syllabus covers the objectives and tasks of school counselling and the historical perspective and function of a school counsellor. The curriculum further explains the different roles and skills required from a school counsellor and how they can prevent mental illnesses in school kids. 

School counselling certification by Swayam, and Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore will run for 15 weeks and consists of five units divided into 40 modules. Each of these modules will be taught through various teaching aids. You will also have to submit assignments regularly.

The online certification course has been structured and formulated to provide the students with the knowledge of evolution, the current status of a discipline, and the conceptual development that is related to the study of “public administration”. After completion of the course on Introduction to Public Administration by Swayam the applicants will have their knowledge increased in the basic principles of organization. al setup and will also learn to gauge the adversities of globalization and the effect of privatization of the working of public administration. The Introduction to Public Administration certification syllabus includes- a span of control, public administration evolution, staff, line, and auxiliary alliance, communication, public authority, ethics, and many more topics that are directly or indirectly related to the subject of public administration. During the course, the applicants will be provided with a list of books that they have to read and will also be provided with web-resources that they can avail of from the dashed box of the course.

The four-credit Water Resources and Watershed Management MOOC is Osmania University, Hyderabad’s offering. This postgraduate programme mainly focuses on candidates of sciences and related disciplines while also being open to concerned citizens and water professionals. The course helps learners understand freshwater’s occurrence and availability, its uses, and water resources management related issues through an extensive curriculum.

The Water Resources and Watershed Management certification syllabus comprises 40 modules, introducing various techniques and tools for integrated water resource management. It also promotes life-long learning and familiarises aspirants professional practice’s codes and ethics in managing water resources. Students will also learn about Hydrology’s essentials, management tools for water resources and watersheds, water quality issues, and water resources’ environmental and societal aspects.

The 15-week Water Resources and Watershed Management programme also has MCQ quizzes every week, five internal assignments, and proctored exams. Clearing all these, students can obtain Osmania University’s credit transfer certificate and MoE’s curriculum certification. This course also features the university’s renowned professor, with ample experience to teach this subject fluidly.

The stream of academic writing is pretty much in demand across the globe. As it comes up with a promising career, the candidates are looking forward to pursuing a formal programme in academic writing. Hence, this course of Academic writing from Swayam became the most registered course among all SWAYAM MOOCs and even made it to the top 30 MOOCs list globally.

However, there has never before been an understandable setup, institutionally or otherwise, for the candidates and the aspirants to learn academic writing and research from. This course makes that happen by providing the applicants with the setup and teaching them all the basics of academic writing and research to help them along with their careers. 

It has impressively closed this gap by not only offering fundamentals of academic writing but also providing insights into the industry.

The course is one of the multidisciplinary ones and is a foundational programme delivered via an online platform. Furthermore, it focuses on bringing the results through the writing process and as such, is quite effective. The course allows the candidates to be able to make new opportunities for their careers. It also helps them gain more potential in their research and hit the top of their abilities.

The Communication Technologies in Education course by Swayam provides knowledge to all participants on various communication technologies that are involved in educating an individual. Communication technologies are very important mainly in digital India as the new technologies help to lead our life in a comfortable manner. Therefore, it is necessary for all individuals to learn this course. This course begins with a description of basic models and media that are involved in communication. 

This course also speaks about different barriers to communication and provides solutions to communicate effectively. This course falls under the teacher education category. It provides a better understanding of data communication, network systems, internet tools, social networking sites, and recent trends in technologies in the communication field to the participants.  

It also provides details on concepts like e-learning, offline learning, and blended learning methodologies. Modern technologies like artificial intelligence and computer-aided learning are also taught by tutorials. This course concludes by revealing the role of CIET and NCERT in the development of technology.