Some institutions of higher learning have still not resumed physical classes for their students because of the delta variant of Coronavirus, and this has made digital and online learning imperative.
Now, a lot of institutions are adopting technology as a solution to learning while face-to-face teaching is gradually being abandoned. The digital transformation has completely opened up the field of learning possibilities. Our relationship with education and training has changed profoundly and new technologies now allow us to learn anywhere, anywhere and at the pace that suits us best. Many higher institutions have reinvented themselves to meet the new expectations of learners by fully integrating digital learning into their teaching methods.
Ipag business school says Digital learning is a learning method based on the use of new digital tools to enable learners to learn in a different way, whether it be face-to-face, distance learning (asynchronous or synchronous) or blended learning. It is therefore not simply a question of digitising educational content but of a set of educational methods.
E-learning and Digital Learning: what differences?
Because of the many abuses of language concerning these two terms, there is sometimes a tendency to oppose them or to consider digital learning as a kind of enhanced e-learning. In reality, however, e-learning is only one important pedagogical modality of digital learning, which in turn encompasses all online learning methods and techniques. In other words, digital learning is the digitalisation of the entire learning experience: social learning, virtual meetings with professionals, online exams, networking with alumni, professionalization workshops, etc.
The different teaching methods of digital learning
Beyond e-learning as a means of asynchronous training from one’s computer, here is an overview of the main existing teaching methods and solutions for digital learning.
- The virtual classroom
Based on the principle of traditional synchronous training, virtual classes allow trainers and learners to be brought together in the same virtual place, for example during a video conference.
- Serious games
Organised in various forms (simulation, gamification, etc.), they enable know-how to be learned in a fun and sometimes collective way.
- The MOOC (Massive Open Online Course)
The best-known teaching method, it is based on the use of a platform for training through videos, downloadable documents, quizzes, etc.
- SPOC (Small Private Online Course)
Similar to the MOOC, this interactive training course has the particularity of being aimed at a smaller group of learners, which encourages interactivity with the trainer and ensures that learners are followed up.
- Mobile Learning
As the name suggests, this involves training from your smartphone. A practice particularly suited to the “anytime, anywhere, anyplace” learning experience.
- Social Learning (social and collaborative learning)
Based on the exchange and sharing of experience within a group, this more informal and collaborative learning method is also used in a complementary way in the context of hybrid or face-to-face training.
- Adaptive learning
This concept refers to the ultra-customisation of certain training courses to adapt to the needs of each learner (specific modules and workshops, adapted training courses, etc.).
So, with digital learning, the learner is not simply a consumer of content (that’s e-learning), he or she is an integral part of a promotion and the success of a virtual training course, whether in the context of blended learning or 100% online, depends on the coherence and appropriateness of the combination of all these teaching resources.
The advantages of digital learning are numerous, particularly for the learner in the context of distance learning. First of all, there is the freedom to learn when you want (in the morning, in the afternoon, in one-hour blocks, etc.), where you want (at home, on the road, in the library, etc.), how you want (on your computer, smartphone, tablet, etc.) and at the pace you want (to go through certain points of the programme more quickly, come back to others, etc.). In other words, digital learning places the learner at the heart of the training and it is the training that adapts to the learner and not the other way round.
Benefits of digital learning
- Recorded lectures
One big benefit of digital learning is that some of your classes will be recorded. This means that if you miss something, or realise later that you don’t quite understand a particular topic, you can go back and watch the class again to get the answers you need.
You’ll always be able to ask your teacher if you’re struggling with anything, but solving a problem by yourself can be a great feeling!
- 24-hour resources
A male student sat at a desk working on a laptop computer
Perhaps you find it easier to focus in the evenings, or you just can’t sleep and want to get some extra study in after hours — with digital learning, you won’t have to worry about the library or the lab being closed.
You’ll be able to access your learning materials online any time, and with advanced tools like lab simulations you can even carry out science experiments from the comfort of your own home!
- Connected learning
When you choose online learning, you’ll be part of a connected community. If there’s something you need help with, tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams can connect you with your classmates so you can find the answers you need right away.
And, although your teachers will still have a timetable of classes to teach throughout the day, instant messaging platforms and email mean you won’t have to wait until your next lesson with them to ask any questions you may have. Although they might not always be able to answer you right away, you’ll both have the freedom to communicate at times during in the day that suit you.
Finally, although you may be physically distant from your classmates, technology like video calling means you can easily keep in touch with your new friends.
- Self-directed study
Self-directed study is an important part of higher education. It refers to the time you spend learning away from your classes, when you’re not being directed by a teacher.
This time is important because it helps you to identify the things you’re good at, and the areas where you might need to work a little harder.
Although you will still have plenty of contact with your teachers while you’re studying online, there will also be times when you will have to make an active decision to study, and choose for yourself what to focus on.
Taking charge of your own education like this can be very empowering, and can give you a sense of self confidence that helps you to do even better. University-level study also involves a lot of self-directed learning, so it’s great preparation for your degree.
- Flexible choices
These days, we have a wealth of technology at our fingertips, and that’s especially true when it comes to digital learning — you’ll be able to mix and match the programs and software you use with different people, and for different activities.
So, even if your teacher always uses Zoom to broadcast lectures, when you’re working on a group project with your classmates you’ll be able to play around and find the method of working together that works best for you, whether that’s Zoom, Slack, Microsoft Teams or even WhatsApp!
- Written language skills
Digital learning could help you improve your written language skills. When you’re studying online, you will likely use instant messaging apps to quickly get in touch with people, so you won’t be able to rely on the hand gestures and facial cues that can make communicating easier.
That means you will learn how to write in a way that that is clearly understood — great practice for all the essays you’ll be writing.
- Familiarity with technology
Our hyper-connected world means that more and more businesses are going global, with overseas offices and remote workers in lots of different countries.
It’s not always practical to fly across the world for a meeting, so many businesses are adopting online connectivity tools to create virtual meeting rooms — just like the tools you use when you join your seminars online, or get together with your classmates to discuss your homework.
When you graduate, you’ll have plenty of experience using software that some working professionals are only getting to grips with now, which could help you with the transition from studying to starting your career.
- Tracked progress
Digital learning doesn’t only help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, it enables your teachers to track your progress too. They will have an easily accessible online record of all your work, and they’ll be able to monitor your engagement as well.
For example, your teacher will be able to see if you are attending all of your seminars, but not contributing to some of them. That could be because you are struggling with that material, so they will be able to reach out and offer guidance. They might even realise you’re having a problem before you do!
- Fewer emissions
Like many other young people, you may be trying to reduce your “carbon footprint” — the things you do that contribute to CO2 emissions and may have a negative effect on the world’s atmosphere.
If you study online, you will be able to easily cut down on the number of journeys you make as you won’t have to travel to your classes every day. You’ll also have more time to yourself, as your longest commute might between the couch and your quiet study space!
- It’s fun
Last but not least, studying online is highly effective because it’s fun! That’s why Kaplan integrated digital learning techniques like interactive quizzes into our classroom teaching some time ago.
This kind of course material is highly engaging, so it encourages you to participate more in your classes. You might even find that you absorb a lot of knowledge without even realising, because you were too busy enjoying yourself!
Sources: www.ipag.edu.com and www.kaplanpathways.com
