Digital Technology

Enhancing Digital Learning

Digital learning and teaching is the professional responsibility of every teacher. Digital technology has changed how we learn and teach. It can enhance learning and teaching when considered in the following ways:

• Planning that meets the needs of learners

• Teaching that engages learners

• Learning activities that encourage learners to collaborate, be creative and apply skills

• Assessment that is accessible and captures a range of evidence

• Feedback that uses video, audio, or markup to explain next steps

Taken from: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/digilearn/new-home/enhance-learning-and-teaching-with-digital/

How does using digital technology in these ways make learning better, encourage critical thinking and prepare learners for the future?

Planning that meets the needs of learners:

Technology helps create personalised learning experiences that fit each learner’s needs, abilities and learning style, making learning more effective and engaging. Adaptive learning software can be used to tailor activities, such as Sumdog or IDL.

Digital tools improve communication, making it easy for learners, staff and parents to communicate quickly. Digital portfolios can be used to share learning with parents with tools like Glow blogs, Seesaw and My World of Work Achievements.

Teaching that engages learners:

Digital tools allow learners to access up-to-date information and educational resources from anywhere. These multimedia learning experiences (images, videos, audio, etc.) offer engaging, interesting and interactive ways to learn which can help learners more easily understand difficult concepts. Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams are both available through Glow for all learners from age 5.

Learning activities that encourage learners to collaborate, be creative, and apply skills:

Technology facilitates collaboration – through clearly identified milestones and expectations - amongst learners and staff, allowing them to work together on projects, share ideas and engage in real-time discussions which builds a sense of community and encourages peer-to-peer learning. Collaborative tools such as Padlet or Miro can be used to facilitate this, along with Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams.

Digital Feedback that uses video, audio, or markup to explain next steps:

Digital feedback on learning allows learners to access this at their own pace, better understand their own learning and equipping them with the essential skills they need to succeed in a technology-driven society. Using tools like Class Notebook within Microsoft 365, Google Classroom or Padlet is a quick and easy way to leave a range of feedback.

Digital Assessment that is accessible and captures a range of evidence:

Online platforms and communication tools facilitate instant feedback and discussions, creating a more dynamic leaning environment. Formative assessment tools like Kahoot or Quizziz or self-marking forms in Google and Microsoft 365 can be easily encompassed into learning activities.