As more and more students look to digital content to gain knowledge, hone a skill or improve their language skills, the role of online platforms has gained importance and recognition.
No longer are websites with a lot of text and few pictures attractive. Today’s audience and learners want rich content that is updated and made appropriate for different age groups.
Educational content in the digital sphere has jumped phenomenally in the last decade. After the Covid-19 pandemic, it has tripled and the opportunities and options only look to rise. From being a $38 billion industry, it is now a $58 billion market, with projections that it will treble in the next few years.
The reasons are many. With the rise in digital literacy, there is a market for upskilling and independent learning for learners across all fields. In fact, the nature of learning itself has changed and become more inclusive, with people from all generations engaged in learning new skills ranging from languages, culinary arts, to playing a musical instrument.
In fact, the educational sector is seeing an increase in learning platforms though digital games, social media, and online applications. This has meant that digital content creators in the field of education have to work hard to survive in the very competitive market of digital education.
There are many reason why digital education is popular today: it caters to individual learners who can proceed with their tasks at their own pace; there is almost infinite information which can be accessed at all times; there is a digital communication of learners who can share information from any part of the world; and finally, there is access to latest information as the content is constantly updated.
Applications are not only used for academic purposes. They serve multiple related areas like taking notes, transcribing lectures into text, turning teacher notes to editable ones, and even recording apps.
For all the rise in mobile technologies, digital learning has yet to be made popular among students in any formal way. Schools across the world are hesitant to train students in online platforms and parents tend to discourage its use, viewing it as a waste of time. There may be many ways of learning mathematics, for example, but these platforms need to be used and encouraged as out-of-class learning opportunities, even in-class ones when appropriate.
Another reason for the hesitation in using digital platforms institutionally is that teachers are not sufficiently trained in using such technology efficiently and effectively. This includes having the facilities to train and use such methods, including having good computers, listening devices and a reliable internet connection.
Managing screen time, feeling isolated from a learning community and being easily distracted are other challenges faced by learners who are using digital content. But these need to be overcome.
Whether used by individuals or institutions, digital education is now a crucial part of our lives and it needs to be used effectively to maximise learning opportunities. The benefits far outweigh the fears and hesitations that obstruct a constructive use of emerging technologies and platforms.
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