Prof. Nikita Chandwani, Assistant Professor,R.K.Talreja College of Arts, Science and Commerce,Ulhasnagar- 421003, Dist. Thane
Abstract
Digital technologies are now embedded in our society. Focus has shifted from whether or not to use them in teaching and learning, which technologies can be used for what specific educational purposes and then to investigate how best can be used in embedded across the range of educational context in institutions.Research says technology is best used as a supplement to normal teaching rather than as a replacement for it. This suggests some course caution in the way in which technology is adopted or embedded in institutions.Digital technology in education system is a wide topic. It includes methods of teaching and learning using technology. This paper is focussing on e-learning and digital classrooms. The purpose of this paper is to build a digitalised educational basis and to turn the textual information into practical and valuable knowledge for students. Benefits of digitalization in methods of teaching and challenges faced due to this transition of traditional to advanced teaching are also discussed.
Introduction:―A lot of what makes a great learning experience is not about the content, but is
about the way content is taught.‖ - Bransford, Brown and Cocking, 2000.
We live in age of digital technology, in which information is everywhere and it is plenty full. Each nugget of information goes unrealised if it doesn‘t reach its intended audiences.
Today‘s generation of students are growing up in a digital world. In this digital world, use of smart devices has become popular and internet has broken the restrictions on time and space and become a learning tool.Students can access more information than ever before; they are increasingly mobile and globally connected. This increased use of technology in education has generated considerable innovation and debate over advantages and disadvantages.
The emergence of digital technology develops educational opportunities with teachers and learners beyond the classrooms, school, college or university.
Objectives:
To support the students to become industry engaged professionals with the digital competencies required to excel in their future careers.
To empower students academically by providing them with the 21st century learning tools.
To support staff in the development of digital literacy and capabilities to evaluate and introduce new technologies into their teaching practice.
To increase opportunities for face to face interactions between teaching staff and students.
To expand the reach of academic programs locally, regionally and globally.
To inspire and support life-long learning.
To enable remote access to tutorials workshops and other activities.
Hypothesis:
JAN-MAR, 2018, VOL-7/37 Page 115
Digital innovations in teaching and learning can be undertaken seamlessly with the library and sustainable within learning platform.
Digital learningbuilds a culture of innovation across academic community.
It provides flexible and personalized learning opportunities to allow students to have more control of their progression through their degree.
Laboratories, libraries, workshops and teaching facilities are equipped with digital technologies.
What is digital learning?
Digital learning is any type of learning that is facilitate by technology or by instructional practice that makes effective use of technology.
A digital learning strategy is mainly a combination of online learning (or e-learning) and digital classroom.
E-Learning:E-learning is learning utilizing electronic technologies to access educational curriculum outside of a traditional classroom. In most cases, it refers to a course, program or degree delivered completely online.
One should realise that e-learning is a transition from classroom to online learning means shift teacher centric to learner centric learning.
Benefits of e-learning:Time and money saving:
Online learning happens and easily hence it saves money that costs to traditional forms of learning. It also saves lots of training time that consumes in travelling, arranging course materials and accommodation.
1. Flexible learning:E-learning has broken the restrictions on learning time. Educational courses only operate within normal institutional hours but e-learning allows students to study at their own convenient time.Unlike classroom teaching, with online learning students can access the content an unlimited number of times. This is especially required at the time of revision when preparing for an exam.
2. Mobile Learning:E-learning allows a mobile learning environment- Anywhere! Anytime!
Anyhow!Students can access the content during travelling outside the classrooms.
3. Individual learning:It also provides individual learning to a student who finds difficulties to learn in groups. They want personal teaching at their own pace and e-learning provides them that individual teaching.
4. Helpful to remote areas:It can make higher education possible in rural and remote areas where colleges and educational institutions are less available.
Examples of e-Learning:
Khan Academy:Khan Academy is a non-profit educational organization created in 2006 by educator Salman Khan with a goal of creating a set of online tools that help educate students. The organization produces short lectures in the form of YouTube videos. Its website also includes supplementary practice exercises and materials for educators. All resources are available to users of the website.Website: www.khanacademy.org
JAN-MAR, 2018, VOL-7/37 Page 116 1. NPTEL :NPTEL is an acronym for
National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning which is an initiative by seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras and Roorkee) and
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) for creating course contents in engineering and science.
Website: http://nptel.ac.in
2. Ted-Ed:Ted-Ed is full of educational videos on a variety of general education topics that can be accessed for free. Not only are there motivational speakers on Ted, there are also topical videos, often less than ten minutes each that are full of important information.Website: https://ed.ted.com
3. Codecademy:One of the most exciting developments in the tech world is the number of people who are learning to write code. Codecademy allows students to select their goal/learning objective and then recommends the proper
course for that student.
Website: https://www.codecademy.com
Digital classroom:The digital classroom refers to the technology enabled classroom where student learning and interaction with the instructor and peers is fully supported through strategic use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).Digital classroom brings the concept of ―show me and I understand‖. This method of teaching helps students to break out of their shells and become good communicators.
Few examples of digital classroom tools/websites:
1. Desktop or laptop:In a digital classroom a desktop or laptop acts as the central system that stores information and also essential for managing lessons. With the help of projector, the preloaded lessons can be maximized into a big screen and can be taught with ease.
2. Smart boards are interactive whiteboards that use Touch technology to detect input such asscrolling, right mouse-clicks or keyboard detect input. The whiteboard accepts touch input from a finger, pen or other solid object.
3. Graphic tablets;Tablets and e-readers are very popular with students. These devices not only encourage reading but also gives students the option to the refresh their lessons at any given time.
4. Big interactive LED/LCD panels:Digital learning involves 2D and 3D animations, graphics, audio and video presentations for every subject and a smart classroom; that is digitally equipped with big interactive LED or LCD panels can better project is graphics representations.
5. Multimedia Pens/stylus:These handy tools can be used to create artwork or to add more precise text or drawings to an image or diagram.
6. Audio/video tools:Audio video tools and other digital collections and resources are increasingly engaging. Example: YouTube.
7. E-portfolios are online collections that allow teachers and students to demonstrate their skillsand interests to audiences.
JAN-MAR, 2018, VOL-7/37 Page 117
8. Learning Management Systems: LMS are systems that allow to present instructional materials (text, audio, video etc.); interact with students, facilitate peer-to-peer interaction.
9. Blogs:Blogs are means to narrate work online. Many web bloggers are exploring the flexibility of their tools for a wide range of user. Instructors use them to communicate with their students; researches track their progress and communicate with peers around the world.
Challenges:E-Learning requires good reading and writing skills. The ability to efficiently read and interpret instructions is a critical skill in e-Learning. Most activities and communications are also written so it is important for students to be comfortable with ability to express them through writing.Few challenges are discussed below:
1. Availability of resources/facilities:Both institution and student face this problem. Most institutions do not have IT infrastructure that can support large-scale eBooks and digital curriculum distribution. Most of the developing countries still struggles to have access first internet that can support large data downloads required for digital books. 2. Adaptation of digital technology in teaching and learning:The biggest resistance to
technological change is the people. The teachers, administrators, librarian and parents are all stuck on old ways of learning. The challenge lies in trying to get them to adapt digital ways of learning.
3. Content curation:In order to have full effect of digital learning in institution, the vast amounts of content on the web must be stored and presented in a meaningful and organised way around the specific theme. This process consumes time and effort that are often the reason for the increase in implementation costs.
4. Technology upgradation:Digital curriculums are not one time investments. The curriculum needs to be constantly upgrading the platforms as and when technologies change.
Conclusion:The use of technology is usually more successful as a supplement rather than a replacement for usual teaching. Technology is not introduced into a vacuum. It is therefore important to identify carefully what it will replace or how the technology activities will be additional to what learners would normally experience.To be a successful e-learner, a student must believe that meaningful, high quality learning can take place without a traditional classroom. When properly designed and executed, e-learning is a highly effective and rewarding learning environment.
References:
Prof. Steven Higgins, ZhiMinXio and Maria Katsipataki, (Nov 2012), The impact of Digital Technology on Learning: A Summary for the Education Endowment Foundation, Retrieved from: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/
Dr.G.WiselinJiji, (4, December, 2010), Online Educational System (e-Learning), Vol.3 No.4, Retrieved from: http://www.wiselinjiji.com/journals/27.pdf
S.K.Tyagi (2013), Research Methodology
Retrieved from:
http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/24237/6/ok_3_research_methodology_20-07- 2013.doc.
Brian A. Jacob, ( May 5, 2016), Report The Opportunities and challenges of digital learning, Retrieved from: https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-opportunities-and-challenges-of-digital-learning/ Sunil Gupta, ( Nov 11, 2017), 9 Benefits of eLearning for students, Retrieved from
JAN-MAR, 2018, VOL-7/37 Page 118