1. DigitalLearning:Opportunitiesand
Challenges
What is digital learning?
Digital learningore-learning,the new buzzwordsinthe worldof education meanusingtechnologytoaid
and strengthenastudent’slearningprocessandexperience. Digital learninggoesbeyondjustproviding
studentswithgadgets.Itisa combinationthatbringstogethertechnology,digital contentandteaching
methodology.
Opportunities presented by digital learning
Digital learningisadvantageousto bothstudents andteachers. Usingreal-timedata,teacherscantrack
individualstudents’ progressmore closely,withtechnologyeliminatingthe exhaustingneedtophysically
grade papers. Thisimprovedassessmentmethodmakesitpossible to involve parentsinthe progressof
theirchildrenbysharing students’ statuswithparents.Digital learningthusenablesteacherstotailor
instructionaccordingtothe specificneedsof alearner.
A well-designededucationalsoftwarecanalsoimmenselyhelpanovice teacherlackingthe experience to
create engagingcontentuseful toherstudents.Italsohelpshertodeal with heterogeneous classeshaving
studentswithmultiple abilitylevels.
As forstudents, e-learninggivesthemcontrol bylettingthemsetthe time,pace,path andplace of their
learningprocess. Incase of absence due to illnessorsome exigency,studentsneednotmissoutonlessons.
Digital learningalsooffersagoodalternative to the paperandpencil examinationswhichare a nightmare
for studentswithlearningdisabilities. Studentscanrecordtheirresponsesorexpressthemselvesinother
waysthanksto digital learning. The freedomofferedby e-learningalsoencouragescreativity.
Digital learningreliesheavilyonthe visual impactto introduce andexplainconceptstolearners, thereby
ensuringgreaterandlong-termretention of conceptslearnt.Digital learningisimmenselyuseful in
introducingthe veryyoungtolettersandnumbersdue tothe developmentof touchscreentechnology.
Previously,manipulationof the keyboardandmouse requiredwell-developedmotorskills.
The availability of affordablehighspeedinternetreducesthe geographical barriersfacedby
underprivilegedlearners.Non-availabilityof competentanddedicatedteachersin remote and
disadvantagedareascanalsobe remediedbydigital learningwhose resourcesare equally accessible toall.
Studentscanaccess online content fromhome andgetintouch withteacherslocatedevenacontinent
away. Thus well-designededucationalsoftwarecanstretchthe boundariesof the conventional classroom
and reacha verywide audience.
Challenges to digital learning
Withrapid technologicalinnovationanditsall-pervasivepresence inourlivestoday,itiseasytogetcarried
away bythe potential of digital learning.However,forthe successful implementationof adigital learning
programme,understandingthe challengesof e-learningisof paramountimportance.Studiesonhundreds
of disadvantagedstudentswhoattendfull-time onlineschool show thattheystill hadweakerMathsand
readingskillscomparedtosimilarstudentsattendingconventional offlineschools.Childrenwhoreceive
little academicsupportathome andin general lackmotivationtowardslearningdonotshow significant
progresswhenexposedtoonline educationbecausetechnologycannotreplace the guidance and
motivationthatthe dynamismandcharismaof a dedicatedteachercanprovide.

2. Learningisa process,greatlyimpactedbyinterpersonal interactions;more soduringthe formative years.
For example,whiletechnologycan simplifyMaths concepts,itcannotteachlearnersanalytical andcritical
thinkingrequiredforliteraryworkordiscussion.Critical analysisisextremelyimportantinhighereducation
and itsseedsmustbe sownearlyonin youngminds.
Anotherpointtobearin mindisthat due to the engagingnature of e-learning,childrencanendupwith
excessivegadgettime,therebylimitingthe developmentof otherphysical skillsnecessarytotheirwell-
being. Itcan alsoleave themcluelessabouthow touse theirunstructuredtime enjoyably.
In lowbandwidth countries likeIndia, withpoorinternetinfrastructure,digitallearningcouldwell be outof
the reach of audienceswhere there isacryingneedforeducation.Digital learningthusrequires
considerable investmentsinsupportinginfrastructure inthirdworldcountries.
Due to the above factors,itis importanttorealise that forthe successful implementationand full benefits
of digital learning,it shouldbe usedasacomplement ratherthanas a substitute forconventional teaching
practicesand set-up.