“If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.” ― John Dewey

Everyone knows that digital learning is being used in teaching for several years and has helped the spread and speed of education. However, digital learning has many challenges to overcome. One of the challenges educators face in their daily activities is the use of technology. Technology, even after all of these years, is still a controversial issue. Some teachers embrace it and use it every day, while others abhor it and do not see the need to use it at all. Many times institutions make inadequate investment in technology. Administration spends much money in equipment and insufficient funds in preparing teachers on how to use it properly. According to Pear Tree Education (2013), “The end result of this is that things such as interactive boards end up being glorifying TV sets in the classroom or simply use as regular whiteboards.” Another challenge is the inequity of resources among some schools that creates a gap between new technologies and the resources some educators have. While some schools appear to own unlimited resources, other schools have to use what richer institutions despised as old-fashioned. For example: In my classroom, I only have two PCs with Windows XP software; furthermore, my students only have access to the computers lab half hour a week. I think that regardless of the resources available to each teacher. According to the UNESCO (2013): “The successful integration of ICT into the classroom will depend on the ability of teachers to structure the learning environment in new ways, to merge new technology with a new pedagogy, to develop socially active classrooms, encouraging co-operative interaction, collaborative learning and group work” (p. 8). Definitely, it is the willingness to do the most with whatever means the teacher has that will make a positive difference in his/her pupils.

Regardless of the negative effects associated any change in the educational field, today, digital technologies are influencing the educational content of classroom. Furthermore, these technologies have gone a little further and they are permeating the pedagogical spectrum. Technology expand the virtual classroom. Fortier (2015) stated, “It [technology] brings the real world to the students… No matter what subject is taught, technology makes it possible for students to get the real life experience rather than just the abstract concept.” By this mean, students of diverse learning styles will be able to find their preferred method to learn with the help of digital learning. Technology should be applied in classrooms and teaching to create empowered users, and empowered users cannot be generated without the efficient use of technology in the classroom (Pear Tree Education, 2013).

At the end, there are more pros than cons in the use technology in the classroom. Vander Ark (2015) names ten (10) benefits that are changing the opportunity set for teachers. One of this benefits is the personalized learning. According to Vander Ark (2015), “The opportunity to help every student learn at the best pace and path for them is the most important benefit of digital learning” (parg. 3). Many educators are prototyping the advantages of personalized instruction. Another advantage of the use of technology in the classroom is high engagement learning. The change to digital learning can increase the students’ motivation. One who has observed the engagement of game-based learning can welcome the potential to create learning experiences that increase persistence (Vander Ark, 2015).

I agree that technology is a valuable tool, but technology is not the solution to the 21 Century education. Technology is only an implement to support teaching and learning. (Pear Tree Education, Inc., 2013). Digital learning does not replace the blended learning. The joint training (which combines electronics and classroom training) is a form of learning, a way to train students. We must not confuse the learning modalities with digitization. The learning modalities are a pedagogical method and digitization which is a way to use technology.

The future of digital learning is the socially networked collaborative learning. According to Davidson, Goldberg, and Jones (2009), socially networked collaborative learning produces “learning ensembles in which the members both support and sustain, elicit from and expand on each other’s learning inputs, contributions, and products. Challenges are not simply individually faced frustrations… but mutually shared, to be redefined, solved, resolved, or worked around—together” (p. 32). The social networked collaborative learning stresses cooperation, partnering, and mediation.

References

Davidson, C. N., Goldberg, D. T., & Jones, Z. M. (2009). The future of learning institutions in a digital age [PDF File].  Cambridge, Mass. The MIT Press. Retrieved from https://mitpress.mit.edu/sites/default/files/titles/free_download/9780262513593_Future_of_Learning.pdf

Fortier, J. D. (2015). Information & technology literacy. Pear Tree Education, Inc. (Producer). (2013). How To Use Technology In Education [Video]. Rerieved from https://youtu.be/AFIR3Jy9xuw

UNESCO, ICT Competency Framework for Teachers. (2011). Retrieved from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002134/213475e.pdf 

Vander Ark, T. (2015). The shift to digital learning: 10 benefits. getting smart. Retrieved from http://gettingsmart.com/2015/11/the-shift-to-digital-learning-10-benefits/