Digital technology makes it easier for individuals and businesses to make learning an integral part of their lives. Digital learning can happen in and outside of schools, at the workplace, on social networks as well as through self-directed learning and exploration. How we design https://lifelongdigital.org and implement the most innovative social-technical learning environments is a complex decision with profound implications on the formation of attitudes that will affect the way that people approach learning for the rest their lives.
The digital age has enabled the creation of a more personalized approach to education as well as democratized the access to information. Students can search through a variety of educational material through online resources and adaptive technology allows students to advance at their own pace, addressing gaps in understanding and providing challenges for advanced learners. This flexibility is a crucial aspect of the connectivism theory, which promotes collaborative inquiry-based education, that is supported by digital platforms as well as tools.
These new possibilities raise questions about who’s learning, what is being taught, and in what way. Digital learning can bring up new issues, such as cybersecurity, privacy of data, and the potential for excessive screen time, which can lead to digital fatigue and negatively affect physical health.
Digital learning is a driving factor in the development of alternative models in education, skills and signaling in global labor markets. Many private, public and non-profit organizations are testing new methods of delivering education and training. From bootcamps and digital badges, to microcredentials as well as Learning and Employment Records (LERs), they are testing new approaches.