The Impact of Technology on Academic Learning

The Impact of Technology on Academic Learning

Introduction

Advancement in technology is a reality we cannot ignore. Today’s learners are more technologically equipped, and hence it is inevitable to talk about effectiveness in learning without discussing the effect of digital technology on academic learning. Despite this, there have been concerns about the impact of some of the technologies of the efficacy of learning. However, there is no doubt that the computer era has brought a paradigm shift in the effectiveness of learning, especially in the aspects of content delivery, the advancement of interactive learning, and also the assessment of learners. Despite the advance in digital technology being heralded as the basis of current and future streamlining of learning systems, social networking has been identified as a significant reason for the failure of students to complete schoolwork timely and honestly. Therefore, it is vital to analyze how digital technology is being applied in learning institutions, its implications, and the future of academic learning in the digital era.

The status of digital technology in the education sector

            Technology has significantly advanced, and the education sector is witnessing a boom in the number of new technologies being developed to aid in streamlining learning processes to make them more productive, interactive, cheaper, and accessible. While many of these advances have had a positive impact on academic learning, some of the technology being developed has contributed to negating the integrity and effectiveness of education, while at the same time making learners vulnerable to tendencies of laxity and lack of focus on academic work.

The impacts of digital technology on academic learning

Digital technology has been influential in the advent and success of online learning as a means of instruction. Today, millions of learners are undertaking online courses worldwide, comfortably at their homes or workplaces. While it is undoubtedly clear that e-learning has aided the access to education to many, its critics have argues that it has lowered the traditional prestige of education as a goal everyone deems to achieve. According to Ng et al., the value of online learning outweighs its perceived demerits and that it is the way to go if education to be made consistent with current advances in technology (2012). The future of online learning is bright at all levels. All cadres of learners should be considered as persons in need of a standardized knowledge management process, which fosters the idea of a global digital school community reaching out to both students and faculty (Ng et al., 2012). The current status of increased adoption of e-learning should be encouraged, while at the same time encouraging curriculum developers to be more strict on the quality of delivery and assessment to preserve the traditional prestige of academic integrity.

The adoption of ICT as a means of organizing and managing explicit knowledge in learning institutions has been on the rise. The use and the application of this technology consequently becomes a relevant topic of discussion. Today’s society is enlightened, thanks to the advancement in technology. Therefore, it is inevitable to separate technology and academic learning. With ICT, it is possible to share and transmit technology everywhere. Additionally, learners are interested in keeping an eye on the current trends in their relevant fields of study, and this is essential in remaining relevant in a constantly changing world(Bullen, Morgan, and Qayyum, 2011). Education has reached nearly every part of the world, and digital technology has contributed significantly to this trend. Therefore, the acquisition of knowledge through technology is an essential aspect of today’s education systems.

Distance learning is one of the critical inventions due to digital learning. Today, one can earn a degree while doing most of the learning online, at the comfort of his or her home, with the aid of an online instructor. Without digital technology, this could no be possible. Studies have shown that there is no significant difference in the success of instruction between learners physically present in lecture halls and learners who undertake courses online (Simpson, 2018). With the necessary support, the students pursuing distance learning courses can achieve the objectives of their specific courses satisfactorily and thrive in the job market. This has been aided by social networking sites such as YouTube, which have extensive education-oriented videos. These, when supplemented with the tutorials provided by the instructors of the distance learning programs, can make learning enjoyable and productive. There is a need for curriculum developers to be more dynamic in the process of curriculum development and hence factor in the needs of distance learning students. This will help in making education more accessible and affordable.

There is a huge relationship between digital technology and academic achievement. According to Higgins et al., there is a need for the identification of plans of action for future investments of tech applications, which will promote interactive learning for students (2012). The use of digital technology in the classroom is a critical aspect that can allow students to enjoy more interactive learning. The most exciting benefit of having such a parallel structure is that it is deployable at all levels of education. Studies have shown that interactive learning that results from the use of digital technology in the classroom has the effect of making learners understand concepts easier (Higgins et al., 2012). It has also been associated with more permanency of knowledge retention, primarily due to the illustrative and enjoyable nature of digital technology-aided learning. Therefore, there is a need to encourage learning institutions to use technology more extensively in the classroom.

The benefits of digital education in education are apparent. However, it is essential to note that the application of digital technology also has its shortcomings. For instance, with the current advance in digital technology, academic integrity has become an area of great concern. With the ease of transfer of information, through social media channels, it is easier for learners to cheat or plagiarize academic work, and this affects the quality of education negatively (Richtel, 2012). Additionally, some studies have shown that digital technology has erased the gains made in making higher leaning institutions centers of research and innovation. The main argument has been that with the ease of access to information, learners are less likely to be creative and innovative, harboring the spirit of research (Selwyn, 2012). However, other researchers still argue that ease of access to information encourages research. Either way, there are valid concerns on the long-term future of academic integrity and the commitment of learners to innovation and research, as a result of digital technology.

The future of academic learning in the digital era

            There is a need to restructure learning institutions and curriculum development to factor in the role of digital technology in academic learning. While some researchers have argues that education systems should be disengaged from most of the digital technology, there has been resounding evidence to the contrary. It is evident that, despite the shortcoming that come about with the application and use of digital technology, there have been enormous benefits due to the same technology (Bennett, Maton, and Kervin, 2008). Today’s social generation is a complex one, and the only way out of this fix is restructuring educational infrastructures without necessarily invoking moral panic that has characterized many pieces of research that have been critical of digital technology-aided education.

While it is impossible to completely overhaul the traditional education system to factor in advancement in digital technology, it is possible to develop a parallel structure that allows students to choose what system they prefer (Bullen, Morgan, and Qayyum, 2011). In many of the leading higher learning institutions, there are elaborate and fully-fledged e-learning and distance learning departments. This should be adopted in all higher learning institutions to appreciate the role that digital technology has played in advancing education. Developing such a system will be critical in ensuring that the education system is made sufficiently liberal and globalized at the same time. This will allow prospective learners with the requisite qualifications to undertake their preferred courses at universities of their choice in any location in the world. Undoubtedly, digital technology is the key to a globalized and effective education system.

Conclusion

Digital technology has impacted academic leaning significantly. It has dramatically changed the way the curriculum is delivered to students, modes of assessment, and in general, the effectiveness of learning. It has made education more accessible to many, with programs such as e-learning, online learning, and distance learning being rolled out in many of the higher learning institutions. The application of digital technology in the classroom has also occasioned a paradigm shift in the modes of content delivery. Learning has been made more productive and enjoyable, thanks to digital technology. The need for streamlining education systems to cater to the needs of today’s extraordinarily social and knowledgeable generation will grow for the foreseeable future. However, there is a need to put in place measures that will ensure that the adoption of digital technology does not lead to deterioration of academic integrity and loss of the zeal for innovation and creativity.

References

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Bullen, M. Morgan, t. y Qayyum, A.(2011). Digital learners in higher education: Generation

is not the issue. Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology/La Revue Canadienne de L’Apprentissage et de la Technologie, 37(1).

Ng, E. M., Karacapilidis, N., & Raisinghani, M. S. (2012).Evaluating the impact of

technology on learning, teaching, and designing curriculum: emerging trends. IGI Global (701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, USA).

Richtel, M. (2012). Technology changing how students learn, teachers say. The New York Times. Simpson, O. (2018). Supporting students in online, open, and distance learning. Routledge.

Selwyn, N. (2012). Education in a digital world: Global perspectives on technology

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