Digital learning
Education plays an important role in society as it acts as the measure for intelligence and is used to determine what position an individual holds and the role they play in their community. Through education, people learn new skills that enable them to secure employment and earn a living. In the past, learning was facilitated through traditional means where students would attend schools where they were taught by teachers through lectures and written material. The reading material was determined by the school system and made available in schools, libraries and bookshops. Advancements in technology have however revolutionaries learning and the way students access information. This paper seeks to discuss the importance of technology and why digital learning should be intensified in schools. Information will be collected from; researchers that have already conducted studies on the importance of digital learning and technology in education; publications from the media; books; and online journals. The data collected will be used to add emphasis on the importance of incorporating technology in learning so as to help students benefit from the opportunities digital learning has to offer.
Most people in society have developed the mentality that information should be accessed with ease to ensure that people are informed about events as they happen. The belief is in line with Wikranamayake Gihan’s argument that people not only want to be provided with information, but also desire the knowledge needed to utilize the information and use it to impact their lives (Gihan 1). The author is of the opinion that promoting digital learning will prepare students for life after school especially because most aspects of society require technology to function. His argument is compelling in that it discusses how the skills learnt in school will help students to incorporate in society after school. The ability to use computers in schools for example will create an ideal environment where students can learn how to use computers. The skills and knowledge gained in schools will better prepare students for life after school as they will have the skills needed to operate the different forms of technology used in society (Alam et al 453). Incorporating digital learning and technology will prepare students on how to survive in a society that relies on different forms of technology to function.
In their article, Fransson et al make a compelling argument in support of digital learning with claims that its inclusion in schools improves access to education. They further argue that traditional forms of learning are hindered by various barriers that make it difficult for students to learn. Some students find it difficult to access schools due to geographic barriers, long distance from schools, poor weather and national disasters (Fransson et al 1). Since teaching mostly occurs in classes, learning is dependent on whether the student is able to access the school or not. The authors see digital learning as an ideal solution in that, students can learn at the comfort of their homes and are therefore not limited by geographic barriers. Technology further ensures that learning continues even in the occurrence of natural disasters (Fransson et al 1). In cases where the weather or natural phenomena like pandemics make it impossible to go to school, teachers can utilize computers and smart phones to connect with students and continue learning.
The authors further point out how digital learning and technology can help break the learning monotony. Digital learning takes students away from the traditional learning setup they are used to and exposes them to a different environment where they rely on different forms of technology. Since the technology requires input from the students, it promotes participation as students key in the input needed to continue learning. The type of learning is beneficial to students as it helps them to learn how they can use technology to conduct research and collect information (Social Research 2). Unlike traditional forms of learning where research was limited to books, students can continue learning from the unlimited sources available on the internet even when not in school. Learning therefore becomes a continuous process that extends beyond schools and the confines of a classroom.
The Office of Educational Technology however offers contrasting arguments suggesting that digital learning should be discouraged on the grounds that it adds on to students’ workload and takes attention away from the school curriculum. The argument is based on the notion that students must first learn how to use the new technology before learning can commence (OET 85). Although the author gives credible reasons why technology is more of a burden than an assistant in schools, the forms of technology used in schools are relatively easy to learn and require a few hours of training. Furthermore, the advantages that the technology introduced presents to students compensate for the time spent learning and students have more to gain from using the technology than relying on the traditional forms of learning.
Conclusion
A significant number of people support the inclusion of technology in learning because of the opportunities it creates for students. The advantages of using technology in different aspects of society have made its incorporation a necessity in different organizations and. Since technology is used for different purposes in society, schools have a responsibility to ensure that students have the knowledge and skills needed to operate the different forms of technology used in society. The responsibility that schools have and the benefits that technology offers to students offer enough reason to support the claim that digital learning needs to be implemented more in schools and other learning institutions.
References
- D Olofsson, G Fransson & J. O Lindberg“A study of the use of digital technology and its conditions with a view to understanding what ‘adequate digital competence’ may mean in a national policy initiative” Educational Studies, 2019. DOI: 10.1080/03055698.2019.1651694
Alam, Monirula. Qian, Cao. Sarker, Nazirul, and Wu, Min. “Leveraging digital technology for better learning and education: A systematic literature review” International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 2019. DOI: 10.18178/ijiet.2019.9.7.1246
Gihan, Wikramanayake. “Impact of digital technology on education” Research Gate, retrieved from,2016,https://www.researchgate.net/publication/216361364_Impact_of_Digital_Tec hnology_on_Education
Office of Educational Technology, “Reimagining the role of technology in education: 2017 national education technology plan update” United States Department of Education, 2017, retrieved from, https://tech.ed.gov/files/2017/01/NETP17.pdf
Social Research, “Literature review on the impact of digital technology on learning and teaching” The Scottish Government, 2015. Retrieved from, https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/24843/1/00489224.pdf
