Influence of Digitized Environments on Learning and Teaching in Distance Education (DE)

Njiro Esther

doi:10.5901/jesr.2015.v5n1p277

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the way digitized environments are changing the nature of teaching and learning in distant education (DE). The questions that guided research for this paper were: what are digitized environments and learning spaces? In what ways have these digitized environments influenced teaching and learning in DE. Dramatic advances in information and telecommunication technologies have brought about what is referred to as digitized learning environments and new learning spaces in DE. The study concluded that digitized learning environment has opened unknown opportunities based on computer media, network, and hypertexts and hypermedia to name a few. The implications are that learning has become more self-directed, autonomous for both students and the teachers whose interactions have changed from content dominated to constructivist collaborative technology-based pedagogy. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2015.v5n1p277

Highlights

Globalization and the rise of the knowledge economy along with an increased demand for lifelong learning in a postindustrialized era have contributed to the evolution of teaching and learning in distance education (DE) institutions
Students are in control of their own learning process, and they lead the way by reflecting on their experiences a process that makes them experts of their own learning
Digitized learning environment has opened unknown opportunities based on computer media, network, and hypertexts and hypermedia to name a few

Summary

Introduction

Globalization and the rise of the knowledge economy along with an increased demand for lifelong learning in a postindustrialized era have contributed to the evolution of teaching and learning in distance education (DE) institutions. The earliest learning technology in DE started after discovery of a printing press which allowed the use of correspondence education This was followed by audio, video, computer and current Internet, Multi- media and World Wide Web. Progress in generation of information communication technologies (ICTs) had moved DE from the two way dialogue to more advanced synchronous and asynchronous interaction in teaching and learning. Progress in generation of information communication technologies (ICTs) had moved DE from the two way dialogue to more advanced synchronous and asynchronous interaction in teaching and learning When media technologies such as telephone, radio, television, cassettes, satellites and computers were discovered, the expectations were that these would revolutionise education but after the initial hype, the new technologies left only a marginal impact without changing the process of teaching and learning (Peters, (2010); (Garrison, 2009). The research questions that guided research for this paper were: what are digitized environments and learning spaces? In what ways have these digitized environments influenced teaching and learning in DE? (See Peters, 2010, p. 105-106)

Conceptual Framework

Learning Spaces

Conclusions