Learning in the Digital Age

Digital technology makes it easier for individuals and businesses to make learning regular in their lives. Digital learning can occur in schools and out, at work, in social networks, as well as through the independent exploration of self-directed problem-solving and self-directed learning. How we design and implement new social-technical learning environments is a nitty-gritty decision that has profound implications on the formation of the mindsets that will determine how people think about learning for the rest their lives.

The digital age has allowed the creation of a more personalized approach to education and democratized the access to information. Online resources let students explore a variety of educational resources. The use of adaptive technology allows students to move at a pace that is suitable here for their needs, filling in gaps in their understanding, and presenting challenges for students who are more advanced. This flexibility is a key element of the connectivism learning theory, which is a proponent of collaborative inquiry-based learning supported by digital platforms and tools.

However, these new possibilities raise questions regarding what is being learned and how it is learned, and who is doing the learning. Digital learning may also bring new challenges, such as cybersecurity data privacy, data security, and the potential for excessive screen time that could cause digital fatigue and adversely impact physical well-being.

Digital learning is driving a rise in alternative models for education, skills, and signaling in global labor markets. From bootcamps to digital badges, and from microcredentials to records of learning and employment (LERs) Numerous public, private and non-profit institutions are exploring new ways to deliver education and training.