Today, technology has transformed the manner in which we teach and learn. Technology has expanded many learning opportunities, particularly in higher education, from using everyday-use devices to using online learning tools. Learning that was once confined to the four walls of a classroom has now moved outside of that classroom, using digital learning opportunities.
Today's education technology is now allowing students to attend lectures from anywhere after accessing notes or assessments. The pandemic afterschool learning environment has helped move students away from an in-class, traditional classroom, which also provides flexibility and accessibility to education because of technology. Learning Management Systems (LMS), online tutoring, and blended learning provide more efficient and interactive experiences to study and learn in terms of schedule design and participation.
The Digital Transformation of Higher Education
1. EdTech and ELearning: The Shifting Landscape of Learning
EdTech and e-learning are quickly becoming prominent elements in higher education. Now students can access the web for learning in not just a textbook-and-lesson-plan, in-class experience; they can either watch a video recording of a lecture, or they can learn in real time by actively taking part in a video lecture with their instructor. All these learning format shifts are leading to learning that is less standard for students and has more choice, flexibility, and accessibility.
2. LMS Platforms: The Backbone of Higher Education
Learning Management Systems (LMS), such as Moodle, or Canvas, or Blackboard, are being adopted by more colleges and universities to offer their courses and do so in an online format. LMS allows instructors to upload student study materials and place students to complete homework as well as be engaged and accountable, all in one space. It is also the case that many universities used LMS tools to support their classes and coursework when COVID-19 struck, resulting in stronger connections between students, instructors, and their classes.
3. Digital Tools Make Learning Inclusive and Accessible
While great teaching will always be unique, digital tools have opened the door to higher education for students in any location. Students now have the ability to view recorded lectures, take online quizzes, and participate in class discussions at their convenience, whether that be before, during, or after class. Educational technology today allows for greater accessibility, engagement, and enjoyment in the learning process for both students and teachers.
The Rise of Virtual Classrooms and Online Tutoring
1. Learning Out of the Classroom: Students and educators continue to create an environment that resembles a traditional classroom, but it is held virtually utilizing video calls, live chats, and shared screens (the educator and students share their screens with the class).
2. Breaking Geographic Barriers: Technology certainly enables learning together with people in another city or country, overcoming geographic barriers where students can take the same course.
3. Personalized Learning with Online Tutoring: Online tutoring provides students with individual support that enhances their learning pace while meeting their own needs pertaining to the material covered in a course.
4. Education Is Easier: On the side of education, professors and tutors utilize common internet platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet to conduct their live sessions, enhancing learning through virtual presence.
5. A Different Way of Learning: Together, customizable options coupled with online and virtual learning have created different opportunities for learning that ultimately make one's education more accessible and personal.
Blended Learning: The New Hybrid Model
Blended learning refers to the educational approach that integrates face-to-face teaching and digital learning delivery of teaching and learning resources, which provides students with the benefits of a traditional curriculum with the option of learning through online means to allow progression at their preferred pace.
In college and university settings, blended learning is a highly adopted learning model to be able to still attend face-to-face courses and then access assigned course materials through LMS such as Moodle or Canvas, recorded video lectures, or quizzes.
Here’s how blended learning connects traditional and digital methods:
| Traditional Learning | Digital Learning |
|---|---|
| On-campus lectures | Online lectures/videos |
| In-class discussions | Virtual discussions/forums |
| Paper-based homework | Online assignment submissions via an LMS |
| Fixed class schedule | Flexible schedule allowing self-paced study |
| Instructor-student interaction | Student-led investigation with digital tools |
Blended learning provides students the opportunity to learn anywhere while remaining connected to their instructors, facilitating a more interactive and accessible experience in higher education.
Pros and Cons of Technology-Enhanced Education
Pros:
1. Convenience of Learning from Anywhere and at Any Time: E-learning, by its nature, allows students to learn anywhere and set their own pace, hence making learning more accessible.
2. Increased Visibility and Functionality with the Learning Management System: As teachers use LMS, they can record notes, assign homework, and track student performance altogether in real time.
3. Engagement: The use of digital media, gamification, and rewards are examples of engagement through quizzes, games, interactive activity, and fun challenges.
4. Increased Access to Quality Education: More than 70% of universities are now using an LMS system that is supportive of institutional accreditation while providing students with a quality education faster and outside of direct instruction.
Cons
1. Digital Divide: Numerous students living in poverty or rural areas still lack internet access or suitable devices for a quality learning experience.
2. Screen Fatigue: Students are experiencing screen fatigue or low attention after being online for extended periods.
3. Elimination of Human Connection: Learning has become more technology-driven, eliminating the creative personal touch that students and instructors shared to facilitate learning.
4. Need for a Blend of Learning: Online and in-class (or blended learning) experiences are needed to improve the quality of education in colleges and universities by providing a strategy that is personalized, interactive, and engaging.
FAQ's
1. What is blended learning?
Ans: Blended learning uses both traditional and online learning. In this environment, students still have face-to-face instruction but can also use electronic/digital tools to learn at a steady pace.
2. How do LMS platforms assist students?
Ans: Learning management systems include all course components, like notes, assignments, grades, and discussion boards, located in one place, and provide a more organized and accessible structure to learn.
3. How can Infigon Futures help me in my career?
Ans: Infigon Futures supports students in academic and career path selection by providing expert advice through free personalized career assessments and getting you started on the path towards your dream career job in a top company.
4. How does EdTech improve the learning experience for students?
Ans: EdTech enhances engagement through multimedia lessons, gamified activities, adaptive learning tools, instant assessments, virtual labs, and collaborative online platforms. It allows students to learn at their own pace with personalized study resources.
5. How is gamification used in college education?
Ans: Gamification adds elements like quizzes, badges, leaderboards, and challenges to make learning more engaging. It boosts student motivation and helps improve retention of concepts.