Digital learning enviroments

'Over the last decade there have been vast changes in the way we live, learn and work, and with the advancement of technology and new learning tools, these things will continue to evolve. Today’s learners need new skills to survive and thrive in the future. Education should combine practical, intellectual, and social skills as never before.'

 I was asked to consider the above quote, giving my feelings upon it and reflecting upon the effects it would have upon the learning environment and how technology would impact teaching and learning.

 In my opinion one of the main advances in the educational system over the past few years is the use of technology within the classroom, today most classrooms are fitted with a whiteboard and computers with some even providing their pupils with ipads. Technology is now a major part of teaching, with most teachers now using it as a normal way of teaching. It is now necessary for children to be taught basic ICT skills, with most employers looking for people who can use a computer.

However these advances in technology have caused the learning environment to change with most lessons being taught on white boards and computers, using online games. It is also encouraged for children to learn to type from a young age, however this can impact on handwriting and for those children who cannot afford technology at home they may struggle outside of school. It is also now necessary for the teachers to have an understanding of technology, and for those who have been teaching before these advances they may struggle to deal with incorporating both technology and play into their lesson planning. These advances in technology may also mean that the children may become less creative as they will be learning more through the use of electronics rather than through art and play. The children may also become lazy, using search engines as a way of finding out information rather than using books and going out into the field to gather information.

 In my opinion it is important to incorporate all aspects of learning, agreeing with the above quote that a combination of practical, intellectual and social skills are needed. Today using technology is a basic part of everyday life, however I do not believe that it should be relied on solely as a method of teaching as it is also important to encourage learning in different aspects, such as arts and crafts, group work and basic written work.