Everything You Need to Know about Digital Schools in 2024
Did you know that as of 2021, over 1.2 billion children in 186 countries were affected by school closures due to the pandemic?
According to Research and Markets, the global digital education market is expected to reach $585.48 billion by 2027.
Since 2020, the teaching world shifted from the traditional chalk and board towards innovative practices like digital education. So, instead of boring textbooks, students learn through interactive games, videos, and cool animations. It's like playing while you're learning!
Online learning is no longer just a trend but a necessary step towards Education 4.0. And, digital schools are making it possible.
What is a digital school?
A digital school is a school that runs virtually, enhancing educational experiences and improving student performance.
This article dives into digital schools and why they're changing the game in education. At the end of this post, you'll understand how digital schools are reshaping learning, the benefits they offer, and the challenges they face.
Let’s get right to it.
Elements of digital school
The elements of a digital school incorporate various components designed to foster innovation and dynamism in the learning environment. They are:
Digital curriculum
Studies have shown that after three days, people only recall 10% to 20% of what they read or hear but over 65% of what they see.
Most school curriculums use textbooks and chalkboards to prepare students. Although this is a suitable method, it’s clear that students retain visual information faster and for longer than textual information.
And this is the part where digital learning wins.
eLearning delivers curriculum content using digital resources such as virtual classrooms, e-books, online tutorials, and multimedia presentations. Incorporating growth mindset activities into eLearning can significantly enhance student engagement and foster a love for continuous learning.
By making learning fun and interactive for students, their grades and will to learn grow substantially.
Online learning platforms
Digital schools employ virtual classrooms or learning management systems (LMS) where students can access course materials, submit assignments, and interact with teachers and classmates.
For example, Quintedge, a leading finance prep provider, has an inbuilt LMS system that helps students attend video classes, make and save study notes, and interact with the teachers.
They also offer trial lessons for students considering enrolling in the course and want to experience the teaching approach.
Virtual classrooms
Virtual classrooms allow students and teachers to interact in real-time using video conferencing tools such as Zoom and Google Meet. They make distance education more interactive and engaging, providing easy access to expert teachers worldwide.
Students can work in small groups to solve problems and share their screens to showcase their work. Virtual classrooms also allow for more personalized learning experiences, with features such as screen sharing, whiteboard tools, and breakout rooms.
Collaborative learning
Digital education fosters collaborative learning environments where students can collaborate on projects, share ideas, and engage in peer-to-peer learning through online discussion forums and group activities.
Teacher support
Digital schools provide teachers with professional development opportunities and resources to effectively utilize digital tools and platforms in their teaching practices. This includes training on digital pedagogy and strategies for online instruction.
Advantages of digital school
Digital schools offer many benefits that enhance the online learning experience for students and educators alike.
Here are some key advantages of digital schools:
Source: Understanding the role of digital technologies in education: A review - ScienceDirect
Accessibility
Students with disabilities or geographical limitations face significant issues in physically attending school. Distance education is a solution, ensuring students of all ages can gain education from anywhere, at any time.
Manal White, the student intake manager at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), in an article, “Students with ADHD have been drawn to [online] programs.”
And it’s true. Studies from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that one in four adults has one or more disabilities that may affect vision, mobility, cognition (thinking, remembering, or learning), communication, hearing, mental health, or social relationships.
Online courses make it easy for different types of student with different study needs to get the best out of their education.
Flexibility
Organizing individual learning regimes becomes easier with digital schools. Students can choose the speed and the schedule they need to study.
Digital learning platforms like Envato Tuts+ provide an extensive array of video and written tutorials alongside comprehensive courses, empowering individuals to hone their creative skills at their own pace, conveniently fitting into their busy lifestyles.
eLearning can also benefit students with disabilities. Course schedules, pace, and navigation can be more flexible and controlled online.
Interactive learning
Learning is no longer yawn-inducing for students with the help of multimedia materials, simulated activities, and virtual labs to help create a proactive and appealing experience. Such interactive tools help in real-life acts, which boost engagement through experimentation and exploration of the learned concepts.
Skillshare, an online learning platform, promotes hands-on learning with class projects. Students can practice what they learn and get feedback from peers and teachers. This makes learning practical and enjoyable while building a community of like-minded creatives.
Global collaboration
eLearning and cross-cultural collaboration tools make it possible for students, among others, to learn peer lessons in global contexts, expand the scope of their vision, and sharpen the edges of their cultural competence.
The Fulbright Program promotes educational and cultural exchange between the United States and various countries worldwide.
This program helps students, teachers, and professionals study, teach, and research abroad. For example, an Indian student can apply for a Fulbright scholarship to pursue a master's degree in the United States. In this way, students better understand different educational systems and societies.
Cost effectiveness
Digital education is cheaper than traditional degrees by a whopping $31,165.
Digital schools have reduced expenses for shared facilities, transportation, and printed materials, which reduces their overall cost. These savings can be transferred to students, which may be reflected in lower tuition fees or vice versa, to finance the buying of tech equipment and infrastructure improvement.
Challenges faced by a digital school
There are always two sides of the same coin.
Digital education also comes with its fair share of challenges that one must know.
Economic constraints
Economic constraints are a significant concern regarding digital schools. Only some have the means to take classes online, so it is a challenge to reach students from low-income households.
Digital literacy
Although most new-age students are well-versed in technology, there might be instances where students or faculty might need the required digital literacy.
Students and faculty occupying tier 2 or tier 3 cities risk not being able to utilize the full potential of virtual classrooms, which proves to be a significant disadvantage.
Teacher training
Many educators may need more skills and confidence to effectively use eLearning tools, which can pose a challenge to delivering high-quality digital instruction.
One-on-one interaction
Online learning lacks the social interaction and face-to-face engagement that traditional classrooms offer, which impacts student motivation and engagement. Maintaining student interest and participation in virtual classrooms can be challenging, particularly for younger students or those with attention difficulties.
Cybersecurity concerns
Cybersecurity threats such as data breaches, phishing attacks, and malware can compromise the integrity of digital learning environments and damage trust among students, parents, and educators.
Future of Digital School in the Modern Era
eLearning is the biggest Edtech trend in 2023.
Digital schools bring in a world where learning knows no bounds.
A space where all the world's knowledge is explored with the help of distance education.
One of the most exciting aspects of digital schools is the potential for greater accessibility and inclusivity.
Due to digital technologies tearing down geographical frontiers, students from different cultures and economic backgrounds will have the opportunity to get a better education easier than before.
Whether in urban areas full of the hustle and bustle or remote settlements, pupils can link up with tutors and their peers from across the globe and form a global community of learners.
Although online technologies will undoubtedly offer many advantages in terms of content delivery and collaboration, personal contact and interaction will still prove supreme.
Educators will continue serving as mentors and guides, fostering meaningful relationships with students and providing support tailored to their needs.
Conclusion
Digital schools represent the future of education, offering exceptional opportunities for personalized learning, global connectivity, and innovative teaching methods.
But that’s not all.
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Author's bio:
Shikha is a content marketing specialist with experience in creating compelling and effective content for SaaS businesses. With 5 years of experience, she has a proven track record of developing content strategies that resonate with target audiences, drive website traffic, and generate leads.
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