Digital Pedagogy–An Opportunity or a Threat?

Abstract

The classroom is a very vibrant venue assembling learner aspirants from diverse backgrounds with varied abilities. To meet the individual needs of such diverse learners, the teacher should adopt several creative and innovative teaching strategies. The recent pedagogic mode is learner-centered and it is mostly task or activity based. In this process, the learners get fully involved and the teacher acts as a guide and facilitator, leading the learners to attain the set objectives. Digital pedagogy provides many opportunities to employ several strategies. While using digital technologies for teaching, care is to be taken to assess the impact of digital tools on learning. An attempt is made here to assess the opportunities and threats of digital of pedagogy. Digital technology aids independent learning and it enhances retention of information as instruction is audio-visual. Further, it reduces tuition costs; allow instructors a focused and objective instruction while educating students. However, there are adverse effects as well, as the learner gets distanced from feedback. The students may resort to choose available study material without a clear check on authenticity and quality of the texts; may tend to arrive at wrong conclusions, save alone distractions in study due to excessive edutainment. It may diminish the overall value and impact of personalized teacher-taught relationship resulting in socio-psychological problems. Integrating technology in education is like a double edged knife. A careful strategic planning is, therefore, essential to contain the disadvantages and take the best out of the digital pedagogy.