Syllabus 

How digital communication is used for educational purposes              12 ATAR

• virtual learning environment
• teacher use
• student use
• parent use
• advantages and disadvantages

Background

• Digital communication has changed education
• It has changed for teachers and administrators
• It has changed for students
• There are advantages and disadvantages for this

Virtual Learning Environment

• The classroom used to be just 4 walls with a door and windows, this was the physical learning environment
• The virtual learning environment happens using a computer or mobile device. Virtual = not physically existing
• A portal is a password protected virtual learning environment

How Teachers use Digital Technologies 

• they provide learning to students via a portal 24/7, anywhere anytime
• this learning can be a list of knowledge to be learnt, games or activities, discussion forums or quizzes
• they provide learning pathways to web resources, eg codeacademy.com
• they share collaborative documents eg google docs
• they provide upload of assignment locations to students
• they provide online assessments to students
• they communicate to parents and students via email or messaging
• they do reporting and assessment online

How Students use Digital Technologies

• students use digital technologies to socialise
• they also use digital technologies to access virtual learning environments
• they collect learning concepts from teachers
• they collaborate using online forums
• they submit assignments and other work through portals

How Parents use Digital Technologies

• they communicate to teachers via email and messaging
• they observe student progress through school portals
• they receive text messages when students are absent
• they book parent / teacher interviews online

Advantages of  Digital Technologies in Education

• lots of resources available to the classroom
• 24/7 availability of resources
• student input is greater via discussion forums
• it is possible to get education online eg certificates, diplomas, degrees

Disadvantages of Digital Technologies in Education

• an internet connection is essential, if it fails so does the learning
• students get distracted by game websites preventing learning
• health problems from too much computer use; eg eye strain, wrist and finger repetitive strain injuries (RSI)
• digital divide leads to lack of opportunity for students without computing resources

 For You To Do

1. List how you use digital resources to learn. Give the source and explain how you use it to learn.
2. List how teachers use digital technologies in education.
3. List how parents use digital technologies in education.
4. List advantages of digital technologies in education.
5. List disadvantages of digital technologies in education.

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