EEE726 Digital Learning Design | Positive and Negative Impacts

Introduction:

This research proposal intends to make sure what impact digital technology has in enhancing the learning abilities of the children and if it is at all making any advancement to the children’s learning through the digital media. The digital technology method of learning is the strategies that are assisted by computers and technology to support learning method of the students. The digital technology mainly involve technology for the students in which learners use applications or programmers that are designed for open ended learning or problem solving as well various technologies for enhancing the teaching method including learning platforms or interactive whiteboards. Emerging digital technologies provide various facilities and technology to children that help them in enhancing their method of learning (Gee, 2013). The proposal will describe if the digital technology is being is used in a right manner with the children. The following paragraphs illustrate the several methods of implementing digital technology in the learning process of children.

Rationale:

The digitization implemented to enhance the learning methods for the children has changed the traditional method of teaching (Blackwell, Lauricella&Wartella, 2014). It has both positive and negative impacts on the method of teaching (Siemens, 2014). The implementation of digital technologies in the teaching and learning method enhances the learning skills of children and makes it easier for the educators to make children learn. The technology does not intend to replace the traditional learning approaches but to enhance the traditional learning procedures with the implementation of advanced and digitized technologies (Thompson, 2013). It has been found that several digital technology methods and online classes are widely affecting the learning and teaching.

Aims and objectives of the research:

The aim of this research is to understand the impact of digital technology on the learning method of the children. Through this process, it would be easier to understand which implementation method of digital learning and teaching would positively impact the learning ability of children. The research objectives are thus discussed as follows:

The research is done to find the impact of digital technology on the learning method of children. It is designed to see if the implemented digital technology is enhancing the learning and teaching method or not. Again, it is important to find the better methods of implementing digital technology in order to enhance the learning methods and the research would help in achieving the same. In addition to that, the research would also highlight the negative sides of implementation of digital technology in the learning process (Chu, 2014).

Research questions:

1. What are the impacts of the digital technology on the learning methods of children?
   
   
2. Is the implementation of the digital technology making any positive and visible enhancements in the learning and teaching process?
   
   
3. How can digital technology be implemented in any other way to enhance the learning process if the current implementation proves to be unsuccessful?
   
   
4. What are the negative sides of using digital technology in the learning process?

Research articles:

McPake, J., Plowman, L., & Stephen, C. (2013). Pre?school children creating and communicating with digital technologies in the home. British Journal of Educational Technology, 44(3), 421-431.

This article highlights the impact of implementation of digital technologies in the learning methods of children. Digital technology-based learning methods are changing the traditional way of learning. The several learning technologies and      tools are enabling children to develop effective and self-directed learning shills. It makes them capable of identifying the areas that they need to learn, understand and make the efficient use of online resources, implementing proper information on the problems and evaluating resultant feedback. The digital technology and tools increase and enhance the efficiency and productivity of the children. The students who use digital technology and tools in the learning process become more engaged in the entire process of learning and more interested in enhancing their knowledge. The digital technology-based learning process is more interactive and engaging than the large text books or classroom lectures. Therefore, it offers better context, a greater sense of perspective and activities that require more engagement than the traditional method of learning. The digital technologies and tools enable the children to connect or engage with the learning materials in a more better and interactive manner. It improves the motivation and accountability of the students as it allows them to track their own progress reports online.

Buckingham, D. (2013). Beyond technology: Children's learning in the age of digital culture. John Wiley & Sons.

This article intends to describe the methods that are used for enabling the digital technology-based learning methods for the children. The paper also finds the negative sides of the implementation of digital technology and tools in the learning and teaching process. There are several types of digital learning tools and technologies that are available for the enhancing the learning and understanding skills of the children. The digital or electronic text books and learning materials are available that make the learning process more interactive. There are quiz games that enhance the skills of children in an interesting way. However, the digital technology has some negative sides also as it is making the children technology dependent. They find their solutions online and in an easy way which does not require them to use their skills. The children are becoming totally dependent on the technologies for finding the solutions to their questions or queries that may affect their capability of thinking.

Proposed questions:

1. What are the effects of digital technology on the learning methods of children?
2. How can the right method of implementing technology in early childhood setting be integrated?

Conclusion:

It can be concluded from the above discussion that the digital technology has a huge impact on the learning methods of the children. This research will be able to provide the effects of the implementation of digital technologies and tools in the learning process of children. The digital technologies help in enhancing the skills of the children and it makes the learning process more interactive and engaging (Jones &Sallis, 2013). Thus, the above research will make it easier to identify the correct implementation methods for digitized learning processes and if they are being used correctly to enhance learning for children.

References:

Blackwell, C. K., Lauricella, A. R., &Wartella, E. (2014). Factors influencing digital technology use in early childhood education. Computers & Education, 77, 82-90.

Chu, H. C. (2014). Potential Negative Effects of Mobile Learning on Students' Learning Achievement and Cognitive Load--A Format Assessment Perspective. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 17(1).

Gee, J. P. (2013). The anti-education era: Creating smarter students through digital learning. St. Martin's Press.

Jones, G., &Sallis, E. (2013). Knowledge management in education: Enhancing learning & education. Routledge.

Siemens, G. (2014). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age.

Thompson, P. (2013). The digital natives as learners: Technology use patterns and approaches to learning. Computers & Education, 65, 12-33.