https://lifelongdigital.org/2021/03/22/arrived-this-year-at-last-long-arrived-digital-technologies/
Digital technology makes it simpler for people and companies to make learning an everyday part of their lives. Digital learning can occur in and out of schools at work, on social networks, as well as through the independent exploration of self-directed problem-solving and self-directed learning. But how we create and implement these new socio-technical environments is a complex choice with profound implications for the formation of mindsets about learning that will shape the way people think about it for the rest of their lives.
The digital age has increased access to information and facilitated an improved approach to education. Online resources let students explore a wide range of educational materials. Adaptive technologies allow students to move at a pace that works for their needs, filling in the gaps in their understanding and providing challenges for more advanced learners. This flexibility is a major element of the theory of learning of connectivism, which focuses on the collaborative, inquiry-based learning process that is supported by digital tools and platforms.
These new possibilities raise questions about who’s learning, what is being taught, and in what way. Digital learning can introduce new issues, such as security, privacy of data, and the possibility of excessive screen-time that can cause digital fatigue and negatively affect physical health.
Digital learning is driving an increase in alternative models for training, education and signaling in the global labor markets. Many private, public, and non-profit initiatives are exploring different ways of providing training and education. From bootcamps to digital badges, to microcredentials as well as Learning and Employment Records (LERs), they are experimenting with new ways to teach.
