Digital Learning Day is now celebrated worldwide on 22 February. The term “Digital Learning” has emerged in recent years, however, particularly in the pandemic period we all experienced some form of e-learning due to social distancing.
E-learning leverages the dynamically evolving digital technologies and modern pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning and forms a new educational platform where formal education, non-formal forms of education and distance education converge.
We live in a time of rapid developments in all areas.
The emerging environment is highly competitive and the use of Information and Communication Technologies have completely changed this environment. Modern educational environments based on the Internet could not remain unaffected and are adapting to the demands of the times by offering:
– Flexibility and widening participation in educational programmes.
– Open educational content, resources and knowledge networks.
– Two-way exchange of educational content and dialogue between teachers and learners.
– Opportunities for independent (self-directed) learning and collaborative learning.
Digital learning can take three forms:
Α) e-learning,
B) blended or hybrid learning; and
C) Full e-learning.
It is inevitable that learning in a digital environment will increase in the future and the hope is that this will ensure that students also become more digitally literate.
However, apart from the positives of this form of learning, which are undeniable, there are also some negative aspects. The use of digital teaching methods does not necessarily lead to better learning outcomes.
results as the latest research shows that the paper-based method of writing helps the brain to retain information better.
Another issue that needs to be considered in the context of digital learning is the total amount of viewing time to which children and adolescents are exposed. Some studies show that too much time online can have adverse psychological effects and delay the development of areas such as language and memory.
The development of digital learning environments is not an end in itself. However, the adoption of intelligently designed educational programmes, which also introduce technology literacy, can lead to more effective learning for all, children and adults alike.