WEEK 3 Digital Learning Resources Digital learning resources are used for education in many ways and implemented in different forms. In traditional classrooms, digital learning resources are used as supplements to the primary course content, while in virtual learning the digital resources actually make up what is the "content" of the class. What are your perspectives on the impact of digital learning resources on education? Digital learning resources are resources that aid students and teachers in the educational process. The main purpose of these resources is to increase student engagement, make curriculum development easier, make education more accessible, and increase student achievement. Some digital learning resources that are used in classrooms in Fiji include: audio and video recordings, multimedia, pictures/images, radiobroadcast, e-textbooks, magazines, animations and so forth. The role of learning resources is to make the educational process attractive and interesting for students through the use of active learning, the development of different skills and the adoption of desirable values and attitudes of students. The impacts of digital learning are two-fold whereby the benefits include enhancement of student accountability. When students are given control of their own education, they will be accountable for their progress and success so they will devote more time and effort to their education. This also makes the students learning journey more personalised. In addition to this, there is more flexibility in learning and educational development. The implementation of digital learning resources allows educators to focus on the individual and on their journey. It helps make it possible for a teacher to assess a student's specific needs and make alterations on the content and strategies that aren't working for a particular student. With digital learning, the teacher is able to format their curriculum based on the needs of the individual. It also makes it easier for them to provide confidential individual feedback to each student. Digital learning has shown that it's able to provide a more holistic approach to education. WEEK 4 Forum Discussion - Students use of Social Media Do you think students think or study differently these days because of social media? How does that affect their studying? Do you feel you as a teacher/parent need to respond in some way to this? 1. In me perception, social media networks have changed drastically in the last few decades and this has changed the manner in which the internet is perceived by a vast majority of users. The popularity of social media stems from its user-friendly features and the devices being so well designed that social media platforms/ apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc are accessible at the touch of a finger. Since social media provides its users with the power of sharing, it has made the world more connected and accessible. Thus, yes, social media has a decisive influence on students’ lives as it students of the 21st century are more technologically inclined and utilise online platforms to a great extent. They use the internet and social media platforms for research to do homework, assignments, for interaction purposes and so forth. While social media has its advantages, there are many disadvantages associated with it as well. 2. Students who devote more time to using social media are bound to have more screen time in comparison to others; this may divert their attention from their studies causing them to have lower grades and poor performance at school. Students are more susceptible to encounter online harassment, bullying and identity theft issues. Youths are also likely to be faced with a stressful online environment due to engagement with negative people who cause unnecessary problems, thus, higher chance of harming one’s health. Along with stress, students can be faced with anxiety due to the emotional connections that they make with their online associates. Thus, not being in a good physical and psychological state can also hinder students studying or academic performance. 3. Yes, as a teacher I do need to respond to the issue of student’s over-engagement on social media. On occasion during School Assemblies, Gender Meetings, Syndicate Assemblies and Quality Circle Meets as well as in my subject classes, I have raised concern on the issue of students increased usage of social media and its correlation to their poor performance. I have pointed out the shortfalls and tried to get through to the students. During Parent Teacher Interviews and CAPS Meetings (Community Awareness Programmes), as teachers we have also addressed the issue of usage of social media and the impact it has on studies with the parents and other stakeholders. In addition to this, the school also has a NO MOBILE PHONE POLICY whereby students are prohibited from bringing and using mobile phones in school and emergency calls can be placed using the school landline and mobile phone.
