Digital Education—Advantages and Disadvantages
Smt. S.Padmavathi, Lecturer in Botany.
Visakha Government Degree college for Women, Visakhapatnam .
E-mail ID–[email protected]
Abstract
Learning is no longer restricted to the school or college days. As we all aware, there are a number of institutions offering courses online which can be accessed from anywhere, on any device, where as traditional learning is a lot more rigid. Digital learning makes use of the information technology to impart knowledge. Digitalization in education is not about just shifting from pencil to screen; it’s about allowing students to truly enhance their learning and enabling institutions to deliver impactful learning experience in a more accessible and personalized way. Although many people still consider traditional universities as a best way to achieve knowledge and get a diploma, online learning proves to be a great alternative. Students have the chance to study in their own time and especially for free. This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of digital education over the conventional method.
Introduction:
Technology is one of the most popular inventions of man which has a greater impact over us influencing our daily life. The inclusion of technology is not new to western world. Technology and education will go hand in hand only when it is executed well with proper guidance and supervision. Digital education is essentially a product of the past several, although in different forms it already existed slightly earlier. It is evident; however, that modern devices and means of information transfer are necessary for its development. This type of education would not therefore be possible without the proper development of computers and internet. However, the reality is often different from the theoretical assumptions. According to the Centre for Education and Development currently approximately 83% of teachers use the internet at school, 52% of them use the projector and 27% use the interactive board.
Types of e-learning:
There are many ways of classifying the types of e-learning. According to Algahtani(2011), the classifications are based on the extent of their engagement in education. Algahtani (2011) divided e- learning into two basic types, consisting of computer based and the internet based e-learning.
According to Algahtani (2011), the computer – based learning comprises the use of a full range of hardware and software generally that are available for the use of Information and Communication Technology and also each component can be used in either of two ways: computer managed instruction and computer- assisted learning.
In the computer managed instruction, however, computers are employed for the purpose of storing and retrieving information to aid in the management of education. The internet – based education according to Almosa (2001) is a further improvement of the education.
Educational technology in higher education:
Whilst the development of ICT skills has been recognised as vital to students ‘ full and active societal participation in the future( OECD, 2015b, 2015a), using digital media in teaching and learning does not automatically guarantee active student engagement (kirkwood, 2009) or high achievement (Tamim, Bernard, Borokhovski, Abrami and Schmid, 2011). The pedagogical competence of teachers in using educational technology is crucial (Englund et al., 2017: Kirkwood and 2009: Kirkwood and Price, 2005),
In India n the contrary, traditional teaching practices are still not changed at many places where having a school itself is like a luxury. Classrooms with minimum facilities and premises with basic hygiene are like a challenge faced by the school authorities every year. At these circumstances, affording a technology friendly environment is like a mammoth task. E-boards, smart classes and digital teaching equipment like AV screens or projectors look like a long lost dream for such children. The Indian government does not provide grants every year for such children.
The schools in the cities, on the other hand, are now emerging into better than the best institutions with the rise of technology friendly learning platforms coming into existence. Blackboards are replaced by projectors and post school tutoring has been replaced by learning apps.
Advantages of digital education:
Inclination towards technology could prove a cost-effective way of learning. Spending less over books and updating the technical application will technological application will for sure go light over the parents pockets. Each eat parents spend a good amount over the books which are perishable and difficult to carry. This is an advantage of technology which is both cost effective and environmental friendly.
Disadvantages of digital education:
Technology brings in a lot of health hazards with it. Each day paediatricians are recording many of their patients struggling with vision and concentration problems which come as an unpleasant gift for loving these gadgets ore than required. Usage of tablets r studies or fun can prove very dangerous if not used for a recommended duration. The young eyes and brains are under constant risk which is a serious concern for parents
E- Learning may also lead to congestion or heavy use of some websites. This may bring about unanticipated cost both in time and money. (Almosa, 2002).
The prominence given to handwritten scripts and Assignments is gradually diminishing with the birth of the online submitting provision. Virtual classroom schooling methods are equally important. Tools and Smart boards have given a back seat to a good student teacher relationship. Things are for sure becoming easy but at the same time it has decreased that zest for listening a nice lecture from a scholarly lecturer.
Conclusion
Thus both technology and traditional schooling methods are equally important for our children to excel in both the virtual and the real world. Feeling and touching a pet cannot be replaced by just reading a blog about it. At the same it is also important to admit that technology and tradition must go hand in hand to lead a harmonious life in this racing pace world.
References
Algahtani, A .F.(2011) Evaluating the effectiveness of the E-learning experience in some Universities in Saudi Arabia from Male Students perceptions, Durham theses,Durham University.
Almosa, A. (2002) use of computer in education, (2nd) Riyad: education Library.
Englund, C., Olofsson, A D., and Price, L. (2017). Teaching with technology in higher education: Understanding conceptual change and development in practice. Higher Education Research and Development, 36(1), 73-87.
Kirkwood, A. (2009). E-learning: You don’t always get what you hope for. Technology, Pedagogy and Education. 18(2), 107-121.http://doi.org/1.1080/14759390902992576.
Kirkwood, A., and Price, L. (2005). Learners and learning in the twenty-first centuary:what do we know about student’s attitudes onwards and experiences of information and communication technologies that will help us design courses ? studies in higher Education, 0(3), 257-27.
Tamim, R M., Bernard, R. M., Borokhovski, E., Abrami, P. C., and Schmid, R. F. (2011). What forty years of research says about the impact of technology on learning: A second-order meta-analysis and validation study. Review of Educational Research, 81(1), 4-28.
www.google.com/amp/s/www.edustoke.com/blogtechnology.
