Digital learning

'''Digital learning''' can be defined as a process of learning that is mediated, or supported, by digital technologies.<ref>{{cite book |last=Walker |first=Mark |date=2024 |title=Chapter 1: What is Digital Learning? Digital Learning: How modern technology is changing education |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378214984_What_is_Digital_Learning |location=Sheffield |publisher=Sicklebrook publishing |isbn=9781446620724}}</ref> These have different forms, including online learning, mobile learning, blended learning, and any educational software and available resources used in teaching and learning. The main aim of digital learning is to utilize technology to enhance accessibility, flexibility, and individualization of learning.

== Online learning == Online learning involves learning using the internet. Commonplace is for learners to learn using a Learning Management System, which provides teaching resources online. A number of companies provide such systems for educational institutes to use allowing learners to study online.

Digital learning has been developed significantly since the first attempts at computer-assisted instruction, to advanced online-based platforms and mobile programs.

== Digital Literacy in Education == Organizations such as Uncast and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) promote digital literacy frameworks to direct educators and learners in developing the skills.<ref name="ISTE Standards for Educators">{{cite web |title=ISTE Standards for Educators |url=https://www.iste.org/standards/for-educators |website=International Society for Technology in Education |accessdate=2025-08-03}}</ref> The digital divide is a concern area as the level of socioeconomic status, geography, and disabilities come into play when it comes to getting access to technology and digital literacy training. Equal access to the internet and new techniques requires high-speed internet and digital tools to achieve this, equal distribution of digital tools and online capabilities.<ref>{{cite report |title=Education at a Glance 2023: OECD Indicators |publisher=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development |year=2023}}</ref>

== Implications of COVID-19 on digital learning ==

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a rush of unprecedented levels of digital learning around the world, both emphasizing the positive aspects of education technology and the inconsistencies of accessibility to devices and the internet, along with digital literacy.<ref>{{cite report |title=Digital learning post-pandemic: Access, equity, and outcomes |publisher=World Economic Forum |year=2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |title=Measuring digital development: Facts and figures 2023 |publisher=International Telecommunication Union |year=2023}}</ref> Some have argued that Covid 19 acted as a catalyst for the digital transformations in education.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mospan |first=Natalia |date=2023-01-01 |title=Digitalisation of writing in higher education: the COVID-19 pandemic impact |url=https://open-publishing.org/journals/index.php/jutlp/article/view/636 |journal=Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice |language=en |volume=20 |issue=2 |doi=10.53761/1.20.02.08 |issn=1449-9789|doi-access=free }}</ref> The use of learning technologies may have contributed to a diminished spreading spread of the virus.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Horgan |first1=Denis |last2=Hackett |first2=Joanne |last3=Westphalen |first3=C. Benedikt |last4=Kalra |first4=Dipak |last5=Richer |first5=Etienne |last6=Romao |first6=Mario |last7=Andreu |first7=Antonio L. |last8=Lal |first8=Jonathan A. |last9=Bernini |first9=Chiara |last10=Tumiene |first10=Birute |last11=Boccia |first11=Stefania |last12=Montserrat |first12=Antoni |date=2020-09-17 |title=Digitalisation and COVID-19: The Perfect Storm |url=https://doi.org/10.1159/000511232 |journal= Biomedicine Hub|volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=1341–1363 |doi=10.1159/000511232 |pmid=33564668 |pmc=7573902 |issn=2296-6870|hdl=10807/186769 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Outside of health related effects, e-learning enabled students to continue their studies even in unprecedented global conditions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Patra |first1=Sudhakar |last2=Sahu |first2=Kabita Kumari |title=Digitalisation, Online Learning and Virtual World |journal=Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research |pages=45–52}}</ref>

== Pedagogical Frameworks and Digital Literacy Integration== Digital learning is meant to enhance the learning experience rather than replace traditional methods altogether. To successfully incorporate digital tools into education, several frameworks developed by educators are in use:<ref name="ISTE Standards for Educators"/> '''SAMR Model''': Instructions for replenishing, extending, redesigning, and repurposing learning activities by using technology. '''PACK Framework''': Places a high value on the synergy between three independent entities: technological knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and content knowledge, which become critical for effective teaching. '''Triple E Framework:''' It emphasizes how technology has tasked students, served to develop the learning objectives, and learning beyond the school institutions. These models assist teachers in integrating digital literacies that enable them to make technology more than a substitute element in acquiring learning skills.

== References == <references>

{{cite report |title=Measuring digital development: Facts and figures 2023 |publisher=International Telecommunication Union |year=2023 |url=https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/facts/default.aspx }}

{{cite report |title=Digital learning post-pandemic: Access, equity, and outcomes |publisher=World Economic Forum |year=2022 }}

{{cite journal |last1=Zou |first1=Yumei |last2=Kuek |first2=Florence |last3=Feng |first3=Wenqin |last4=Cheng |first4=Xiaoli |title=Digital learning in the 21st century: trends, challenges, and innovations in technology integration |journal=Frontiers in Education |year=2025 |url=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1562391/full }}

{{cite web |title=ISTE Standards for Educators |url=https://www.iste.org/standards/for-educators |website=International Society for Technology in Education |accessdate=2025-08-03 }}

{{cite report |title=Education at a Glance 2023: OECD Indicators |publisher=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development |year=2023 |url=https://www.oecd.org/education/education-at-a-glance/ }}

{{cite journal |last=Mospan |first=Natalia |title=Digitalisation of writing in higher education: the COVID-19 pandemic impact |journal=Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice |date=2023-01-01 |volume=20 |issue=2 |doi=10.53761/1.20.02.08 |url=https://open-publishing.org/journals/index.php/jutlp/article/view/636 |issn=1449-9789 |doi-access=free }}

{{cite journal |last1=Cone |first1=Lucas |last2=Brøgger |first2=Katja |last3=Berghmans |first3=Mieke |last4=Decuypere |first4=Mathias |last5=Förschler |first5=Annina |last6=Grimaldi |first6=Emiliano |last7=Hartong |first7=Sigrid |last8=Hillman |first8=Thomas |last9=Ideland |first9=Malin |last10=Landri |first10=Paolo |last11=van de Oudeweetering |first11=Karmijn |last12=Player-Koro |first12=Catarina |last13=Bergviken Rensfeldt |first13=Annika |last14=Rönnberg |first14=Linda |last15=Taglietti |first15=Danilo |date=2021-09-01 |title=Pandemic Acceleration: Covid-19 and the emergency digitalization of European education |journal=European Educational Research Journal |volume=21 |issue=5 |pages=845–868 |doi=10.1177/14749041211041793 |issn=1474-9041 |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/14749041211041793 }}

{{cite journal |last1=Horgan |first1=Denis |last2=Hackett |first2=Joanne |last3=Westphalen |first3=C. Benedikt |last4=Kalra |first4=Dipak |last5=Richer |first5=Etienne |last6=Romao |first6=Mario |last7=Andreu |first7=Antonio L. |last8=Lal |first8=Jonathan A. |last9=Bernini |first9=Chiara |last10=Tumiene |first10=Birute |last11=Boccia |first11=Stefania |last12=Montserrat |first12=Antoni |date=2020-09-17 |title=Digitalisation and COVID-19: The Perfect Storm |journal=Biomedicine Hub |volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=1341–1363 |doi=10.1159/000511232 |pmid=33564668 |pmc=7573902 |issn=2296-6870 |url=https://doi.org/10.1159/000511232 }}

{{cite journal |last1=Patra |first1=Sudhakar |last2=Sahu |first2=Kabita Kumari |title=Digitalisation, Online Learning and Virtual World |journal=Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research |pages=45–52 }}

{{cite journal |last1=Samuel |first1=Anusha |last2=G. |first2=Gideon |last3=D. |first3=Viswanath Reddy |last4=Devi |first4=Uma |date=2021-09-01 |title=A Study on Impact of Digitalisation on Higher Education during Covid Crisis |journal=International Journal of Recent Research Aspects |volume=8 |issue=3 |pages=14–17 |url=https://ludwig.lub.lu.se/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,uid&db=a9h&AN=153947733&site=eds-live&scope=site }}

{{cite web |title=Digital Learning 2024 Highlights |url=https://www.digitallearninginstitute.com/blog/digital-learning-2024-highlights |website=Digital Learning Institute |year=2024 }}

{{cite journal |last=Nekrutenko |first=K. |title=AI ethics should be mandatory for schoolchildren |journal=AI and Ethics |year=2024 |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43681-024-00462-1 }}

{{cite report |title=7 Best Adaptive Learning Platforms in 2025 |url=https://www.paradisosolutions.com/blog/best-adaptive-learning-platforms/ |publisher=Paradiso Solutions |year=2025 }}

{{cite web |date=2020-04-22 |title=How Online Education Makes Campuses Greener |url=https://blog.online.colostate.edu/blog/education/how-online-education-makes-schools-greener-2/ |website=Colorado State University Online Blog |language=en-US }}

{{cite web |last=Nielsen |first=Jess |date=2021-11-07 |title=6 Environmental Benefits of Online Learning That Will Blow Your Mind |url=https://www.sustainablebusinesstoolkit.com/social-and-eco-benefits-of-online-learning/ |website=Sustainable Business Toolkit |language=en-US }}

</references>

Category:Learning Category:Educational technology