Digital Learning – From kindergarten lessons to company meetings, we have all become accustomed to working online these past few years. For adults, this has involved the joy of working in our pyjamas and elaborate lunches at home whilst awkwardly tackling technical issues and noisy neighbours. Many of us have welcomed the joy of working from home, whilst some have feared the impact that online schooling may have on their children.
While lockdowns and circuit breakers are a somewhat distant memory, it seems that digital learning is here to stay. Parents are opting for online tutoring to assist their child’s mainstream schooling. Many schools are still offering home based learning for some classes and some students are even continuing to learn completely online whilst awaiting school placements.
For some, digital learning might take form in other ways. Not everyone is continuing to engage with classes online but many educators have shifted to online platforms to set assignments and monitor students’ progress. So, with education taking on a new form in recent years, we have begun to witness some interesting outcomes of this digital shift.
Flexibility
One of the greatest benefits of digital learning is that it allows children to learn at their own pace and complete tasks in their own time.
For those with the option to replay recorded lessons, this allows students to pause and take their own time to digest information. Students also have the ability to tackle their work in their own time without a pressure to keep up with other students or finish in a set time.
Home Comforts
Just like us, children have welcomed the freedom of studying in their pyjamas and having their TV to watch during lunch breaks.
For children who find crowded or noisy places overwhelming, digital learning allows them to stay on top of their school work without the added challenge of navigating the outside world. On top of this, by learning in a home environment, students may feel less nervous about making mistakes and ultimately greater challenge themselves in their learning journey.
Tech Savvy Kids
For many, the teething problems of adjusting to digital learning have long gone.
These days, even five year olds are able to navigate digital classrooms and share their work with their peers. By allowing kids to build their confidence in computer skills, this will aid them in their future schooling where there is a greater emphasis on independent research or online assessments.
Independence
Regardless of the child’s age, digital learning has certainly enhanced students’ independence. Having to manage their own time and being held accountable for their attention and engagement, students have developed a real sense of independence.
For many, this has involved having a mature level of self-discipline. They are able to focus on their work and ignore distractions at home. While this is not always possible, we must applaud our students for engaging in their online classes and managing to complete their work at home by themselves.
Through this, students have undoubtedly matured as individuals and become much more independent learners.
Gamification
With a generation of tech savvy kids, students have rejoiced at the gamification of their online classes. With teachers needing to think of new and exciting ways to deliver lessons online, turning learning into games, quizzes and animations has been an inevitable and popular route.
Through this, students’ engagement and retention during lessons has been outstanding. With a desire to complete next levels or compete against their classmates, digital learning has introduced a fun and entertaining element to the school day.
Parents Involvement
Helping children with homework is not always the easiest task, especially if it isn’t too clear what is being covered in the classroom. However, a great outcome of home based learning is that parents are able to have a greater understanding of their child’s schooling.
Through setting up computers, navigating online assignments and overhearing classes, parents have inevitably become more involved in their child’s education. Through this, many have had a more positive experience when helping their children with homework, revision and assignments.
With digital learning becoming the norm in today’s society, it is exciting to see the benefits that this new educational form is having on children. From building independence to managing time, students have adapted remarkably to online learning and will continue to benefit from it.