Thursday 5 March 2015
E- learning
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Digital media - media that is encoded in a machine- readable format. |
Examples of digital media:
How can digital media enhance the learning experience?
In today's world, what where and how we are learning things are changing. With digital media advancements, we are now able to learn and experience things in new ways that was not possible ten years ago. Digital media has definitely shed a new light in terms how we learn, not solely for academic purposes, but for general purposes as well.
Enhanced learning (E-learning) has now become so important for learning in today's classrooms. Learners are now increasingly dependent on technology to help fit learning into their fast-paced, complex lives. With access to computers, tablets and mobile devices we are able to easily obtain information and learn literally anywhere and anytime. Using their personal devices, learners are able to access such forms of digital media in their institutional environments and also have the option to personalize the technologies provided by institutions.
The main point of E-learning is basically to extend learning beyond the means of the classroom which definitely makes it convenient not only for the learners but the educators too. It enhances one's experience and provides a helping hand when in time of need.
Credits: Effective Practice in a Digital Age - University of Bristol
Future digital classroom
The definition of teaching in a classroom will be redefined.
1) Each student may have a digital device as it is predicted that technological devices will be much cheaper in the future.
- Every activity or test will be conducted solely on a tablet or on a laptop.
- No more writing on pen and paper.
2) No limitation to learning only within the classroom
- Example: virtual field trips using wearable technology devices
3) Designs of classroom will be more informal to encourage interaction between teacher and student.
- Classrooms will be more visually stimulating will which make students more comfortable to voice out.
4) Increased emphasis on learning models that were not available due to geographical barriers.
- Encourages active construction of knowledge and skills
- Students will also have the liberty to construct their own learning models with all the available electronic resources
5) Technological tools that will replace current tools
- No more whiteboards. Instead, there may be projectors combined with cameras allowing walls to be touchscreen computers.
- Electronic portfolios of students that allow comments and feedback. Parents able to easily monitor child's progress.
- 3D printers that could print for example, historical objects that can allow students to interact with physically.
Credits: Education 2025
Conclusion
Today, digital media is already slowly taking its place in institutions. Many of them rely heavily on digital media in the form of E- learning that enhances the learning experience of students. Many students are already getting accustomed to the idea of E-learning. Any question they have, they go to the different forms of digital media that give them the answer almost instantaneously.
Looking the different ideas that everyone has about the future digital classroom, we can already see some of the ideas slowly being incorporated into the learning experience. Many institutions today already have their own e-learning websites. Educators are already using the different forms of digital media to educate their students. The whole style of learning and teaching is already changing from the boring old classroom to the incorporation of virtual aspects in the classroom.
Digital media used in a classroom does bring its benefits, however, there are also drawbacks to it.
1) Some students may learn best by physically and mentally interacting with what they are studying.
2) Distractions
3) More cheating may occur due to having easy access to technological devices