Digital Technologies in Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Education is changing. Digital technologies are impacting what, where, how and why students learn, and who they learn from. Infusing technology into instruction could methodically address the challenges and provides a platform for transformative effect. However, the many benefits of learning with digital technologies are accompanied by some potential risks for students and schools. These ‘digital challenges’ are real and present a dilemma to schools seeking to use digital technology to enhance student learning. Many studies of e-learning programs have concluded that the key to ensuring successful outcomes is to blend more traditional classroom approaches with those that use technology. A blended approach mixing face-to-face classroom methods with technology-mediated activities seems to provide the highest learning outcomes. These results suggest that teachers need to develop a model that would include a shared vision, entire school community involvement, specific training for staff and time for the training and time for the staff to communicate and share among peers for technology to be an effective tool in the classroom curriculum. Although technology is not a panacea for all educational ills, technology is an essential tool for teaching (OTA, 1995). To use technology as an effective instructional tool, training and time is needed for teachers to infuse technology into their curriculum. This paper highlights the benefits and challenges of using digital technologies in teaching and learning in the classroom.