Impacts of Technology on Digital Learning

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Introduction
Digital learning is defined as learning through digital devices such as computers, tablets, or smart phones over the Internet. It is also known by other names, such as virtual learning, online learning, e-learning, distance learning, or continuing education. Digital learning was first introduced as “Computer Assisted Learning Center” in 1982 [1]. The first online course was introduced by “Computer Assisted Learning Campus” in 1994, in which students can take courses over the web [1]. Michael Chasen and Matthew Pittinsky founded Blackboard in 1997. In 1999, Blackboard, SmartThinking and e-campus became popular among different universities around the world. Between 2002 and 2008, there was an increase in students taking online courses by 187% [2]. In the year 2009, total number of students who were taking web-based curriculum was 5.5 million [2]. This statistic shows that the online learning trend is on the rise each day.
Some of the advantages of digital learning are providing a flexible way of education from anytime, anywhere and any place where Internet connection and computers is accessible. It is also an affordable way of learning which reduces travelling cost for coming to classrooms. Students can take the exams and quizzes over the web; even they can submit assignments over the Internet. Instructors can provide all the materials online which in turn no cost for paper and printing. Ernst & Young University had 35% cost decrease because of virtual learning (Hall, 2000).
In contrast, in virtual learning environment, there would be a danger of procrastination among students. Moreover, students will not collaborate with each other because all learning is online, so they will feel isolation.
Although there are sever...

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Works Cited

[1] Margaret G. Morabito, CALCampus Origins
Available: http://www.calcampus.com/calc.htm
[2] Elaine Allen and Jeff Seaman, Changing Course: Ten Years of Tracking Online Education in the United States
Available: http://www.onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/changingcourse.pdf
[3] Cynthia Stewart, Christine Bachman, Stephanie Babb, September, 2009, Replacing Professor Monologues with Online Dialogues: A Constructivist Approach to Online Course Template Design
Available: http://www.uhd.edu/computing/itgrants/documents/stewart_0909.pdf
[4] Available: http://webdesign.about.com/od/cmstools/
[5] Doug Lederman, January 8, 2013, Growth for Online Learning
Available: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/01/08/survey-finds-online-enrollments-slow-continue-grow#sthash.41j5pHtG.dpbs
[6] Available: http://blogs.csuchico.edu/crossroads/?p=179

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