How Schools Benefit By Going Digital

How Schools Benefit By Going Digital

Technology is interwoven into every aspect of our lives. Children grow up as digital natives, from using digital tools, playing games on iPads as toddlers to using virtual reality as an adjunct learning tool in university. COVID hastened the digital evolution of education. It is inevitable that Academia will switch over to a digital dominant infrastructure as well as implement long distance learning as ways to streamline and automate processes, save funds, and prioritize time for teaching resources and research.  We see governments all over the world accelerating this change during the pandemic.  “Online education is not only a potential source for new revenues but will be recognized as core to every school’s plan for institutional resilience and academic continuity.”

In late April, the “UK government announced a scheme to provide free technical support and training in Google and Microsoft education digital tools. “Over a quarter of primary and secondary schools signe up and since then, 2.4 million new users are now on the two platforms. Google also donated 4000 Chromebooks and created 100k  WiFi hotspots for kids in rural california to remotely learn. Global investment of venture capital in the education sector  more than doubled from $7bn in 2019 to a record $16.1bn in 2020, according to market intelligence consultancy HolonIQ.

In China, Tencent Classroom has been used since mid-February after a government initiative sent a quarter of a billion students home to study remotely, using digital platforms. In Wuhan, this was the largest online movement in education with 730k grade school students attending online classes using Tencent Classroom. 

Other companies in Asia have created their own internal tools to accelerate growth. Lark, a Singaporean collaboration suite, offered their students and teachers a tool to auto translate, real time co-editing for group work, unlimited video conferencing, and a smart calendar.

Lastly, tech giant Alibaba’ has its own distance learning platform called Dingtalk, which utilizes Alibaba Cloud. They built 100 000 new cloud servers to accommodate the new surge of remote work .For example, Zhejiang University uploaded  5,000 courses online in just two weeks using “DingTalk ZJU”.

Principals at blended learning schools agree digital content increases student engagement. 63% also believe it increases the relevancy and quality of the instructional materials. Among the teachers in these classrooms, 50% or more stated that students are working together more often, developing greater problem solving and critical thinking skills, are motivated to learn and taking greater ownership of their learning because of digital tools. Two-thirds of middle school students said that technology was effective in increasing their interest in what they’re learning..

Big data and data analytics can customize course content and material to specific student needs. By creating a more individualized learning experience for students, it allows for a more engaging experience that empowers the student to grow according to their own pace, interests, and potential. A program can predict what courses a student may excel at based on past grades, interests and identified strengths and weaknesses.

The “one size fits all” paradigm of the traditional classroom no longer serves the multifaceted needs of the modern world. Teachers can now use in class applications to create more engaging fun ways to learn and increase collaboration amongst students. It is no longer just paper and lecture based. Kids can be tutored through virtual reality or independently self-guide themselves, teaching self-sufficiency and motivation, Through gamification of class content, students are further engaged and motivated and find learning fun and interactive. 

There is a greater immersion of students in their work, utilizing all 7 different ways of learning: 

• Visual (Spatial)
• Aural (Auditory-Musical
• Verbal (Linguistic)
• Physical (Kinesthetic)
• Logical (Mathematical)
• Social (Interpersonal)
• Solitary (Intrapersonal)

The “Internet of all things” can create smart tools and allow users to access and manipulate energy savings, track things like student attendance and room usage. Perhaps, most importantly, digital technologies reduce administration work for all faculty and administration staff, lessening the burden and allowing time to be spent on more important and urgent matters. 

Since the world is now technologically driven, it makes sense that students are trained in school to master digital tools as part of the curriculum.  Students must learn how to use the tools that will support their learning and goals for the rest of their life. They will also master new ways of communication online and learn the etiquette of internet culture. They will learn how to collaborate with their peers, maybe even some from far away in universities in different countries. Students will gain a fresh perspective on different cultures and lifestyles, further improving their critical thinking skills, creative problem solving and openness. They will learn to traverse differences and find commonalities through shared learning goals and a thirst for knowledge. This maybe include using collaborative writing products like Google Docs, Twiddla, Edmodo and make it easier for groups to share ideas and co-write. Students can create their own online study groups, which teaches cooperative learning and allows students to work together in a constructive manner. Teachers can also manage students and groups easier over the internet, allowing for dynamic grouping, workshops and project-based learning. 

The internet and digitization catalyze greater collaboration for both teachers designing learning modules and students participating in collaborative projects. Not only are open-source digital text and course materials available as learning materials, teachers can use other coursework modules and literature from other modules not only from teachers from their department but internationally, from global institutions. This information sharing allows for the meeting of great minds all over the world, all seeking to optimize the best learning experience for students. This open-source exchange of information also creates more democratic world since public schools will have the same tools and educational materials as private schools. Students will have access to low cost or free digital libraries. Books will rarely be completely lent out. Student’s backs will no longer hurt from carrying heavy books to and from school!  Students will also be freed from the restrictions of local or accessible library catalogues. Expensive memberships to research portals and higher learning will hopefully be lowered or removed, allowing everyone access to the same reading material.  

The digitalization of schools removes location restrictions; students can access degree programs that may not be local to them. Students are no longer tied to a geographical location and can access digital books and learning resources online as well as online lectures and can even do tests online from a cloud or blockchain like Educhain. Educhain can provide a one stop passport for your academic career – you could have certificates from 4 different universities all over the world – enabling students the freedom to share authenticated documents in a safe way.  Instead of chasing paper and taking weeks, the transference of transcripts and graphic badges can happen instantaneously, powered through the Blockchain.

The use of technology allows for a certain skill set to be developed. Students are more likely to develop critical thinking skills, social networking and collaborative skills, attention to details, improved language and written skills. This is in great contrast to the traditional blackboard and paper method, where students learn by rote memorization.  “ “ Yusuf ( 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, scholar Yuval Noah Harari ) was, however, pleasantly surprised, saying it helped students engage better, gain more control over their learning and work in ways that suited their needs. “A virtual learning set-up also helped minimize anxieties for some, as they had options about when and how they could engage, through video, audio or a chat feature.”  As well, there are more avenues to collaborate and seek help. A shy student is more likely to seek help from online chat groups or through a chat box or message board than asking in person. They could also get help from a distant counselor or teacher. If they attend a lecture online, they also have the option of listening to the lecture again to gain new insights or to understand the material better. 

While the most obvious use of digital media in long distance learning is the facilitation of online lecture videos that students can watch from home and eliminate the cost of travel time and on campus residential living, it is really the opportunities that digitalization of school that offers faculty and admin staff that are incredibly useful. The digitalization allowed for greater control over daily tasks, course material and communication with students. There is less time consumption if students can do work and submit it digitally. Things can be corrected with just a few clicks. There is over all fewer papers, administration, and a bigger focus on real communication with students. It is easier to help students and mark papers. It is just simply easier to organize thing in everyday life, both for admin staff, teachers, and students. There is no need to copy things, never mind the actual saving on physical paper and other environmental costs.  All these tasks–applications, course lectures, notifications, reports, assignments, and schoolwork– are now available online through Cloud infrastructure or the more cost-effective solution of using a blockchain verified information storage like Educhain. It will reduce “the paper burden and enhance the digital competence among teachers and students”.

While schools and academia has always had a big pool of student data, there was no way of utilizing it until now.  Big data uses algorithms to identify patterns that enable teachers to adapt course material for specific students’ needs based on their interests, interests and strengths and weaknesses. This allows students to progress at their own pace; a student could accelerate their learning while another student with a learning disability could find more specialized help–they may require special digital tools like a speech to text app or an adjunct virtual reality learning app. Students will feel like the curriculum is truly geared towards helping them thrive in their academic career rather than just another cog in the wheel.

 Virtual reality apps can give students an experiential lesson and allow students to learn how to operate in different environments. For example, a student in a hospitality program could learn how to manage or service in different environments like a large-scale hotel or a boutique spa in a virtual reality program. You can “ roleplay” for your job even before stepping into the real field.  These data analytics also allow teachers to track how a student is progressing and be able to identify weak areas to improve upon and identify strengths. Lastly, having a customized program empowers student to find ways that helps them learn and absorbed information better. They feel engaged and in charge with their own academic agenda, allowing for greater participation and retention. “When you watch Netflix you contribute to the data systems and that will help with customization. That is how big data works. I don’t think we should put education in a different box.” If Starbucks can customize your drinks to your taste profile and if Netflix can predict what kind of media you might like to watch next, imagine what kind of possibilities and affinities this may have on learning materials. If students can enjoy learning, they will move forward independently with the course materials. 

Big data also allows schools to track bigger trends in the student population, including professional outcomes. If schools can see how certain degrees affect professional outlook, they can further improve programs and resources. For example, engineering was a popular stable degree but now requires early internships and student work placements to guarantee job procurement success after graduation. Big data can also reveal how students respond to different class structures. They can show patterns about what a student’s experience is like in online classes, seminar classes and lectures. They can then take the feedback and create an improved student experience and to ensure post graduate success. Teaching now mimics more of a one-on-one tutoring experience, albeit digitally, where students get personalized customized attention that suits their specific needs.