Unit 3: Technology Enabled Learning

A.)Role of Technology in Education

Technological advancements have made the world a great and convenient place to
live in. There is no denying of how they make lives better and easier, especially in the fields
of science, medicine and education. But, like most things, technology also has its drawbacks.
In fact, some of the more recent inventions are now being categorized as lazy aids, and are
considered major contributors of obesity and a generally unhealthy. Can the same thing be
said for technology used in the classroom?. Tools, such as computers, mobile devices and
the internet, are now integrated into the educational system. While, they are beneficial in
certain academic aspects, they also have negative implications. The study of merits and
demerits of technology will enable us to know the role of technology in education.

Advantages

1. Promotes independent learning in students

The internet is a treasure trove of information. Practically anything you need to know
can be found online. Although there is a question of the credibility of the source and the data
provided, it can still serve as an educational resource for students. Even without the
assistance from parents and teachers, students can just look up their lessons online. Unlike
regular textbooks, electronic books and web-based content are updated in real time, feeding
students with the most current information they can get their hands on, helping them become
more knowledgeable even outside the classroom setting.

2. Prepares students for the future

From the way technological advancements are going, it is obvious that the future will
be digital and technology-focused. If students are well-versed on using technology to
collaborate and communicate as early as now, they will not have trouble fitting in, competing
and finding jobs in the future. Being familiar with using at least one form of technology at an
early age will help them become comfortable using it, and eventually develop other skills
necessary to handle other innovative devices and processes

3. Has the potential to lower textbook and tuition prices

With resources more accessible and in great abundance, the cost of textbooks is
likely to decrease. It is also possible that students may no longer need to buy a textbook, if it
is converted into digital format. The actual books can stay in the classroom, while the content
is saved on a student’s computer. Tuition will also decrease when learning is done online,
rather than inside the classroom. By taking out the factors that contribute to a higher tuition
fee, such as utility bills and transportation allowance of teachers, the overall cost of education
will be lower.

4. Allows teachers to create an exciting way to educate students

Gone are the days when the only tools for teaching are limited to books, a blackboard or
whiteboard, and a chalk or markers. With technology integrated to education, teachers can
now incorporate images, videos and other graphics when delivering lessons. Specific
websites, apps and programs will also enable teachers to vary how they provide instructions.
This creates an exciting learning environment and promotes interest in education in general.
Other tools available for teachers include Smart Boards (interactive whiteboards), email
Skype, and PowerPoint can also play an important role in effective teaching.

5. Encourages development of new teaching methods

Rather than spend an hour or so talking while the students listen, or have them read an
entire chapter in silence, teachers and professors now have the option to use advanced
teaching methods, such as podcasts, blogs and social media. When working with a particular
group or one-on-one, teachers can take advantage of web conferencing technologies other
online communication tools. Technology also presents universal tools that enable teachers to
educate all types of students, including those who are struggling or have special needs. These
include voice recognition, text-to-speech converter, translator, volume control, word
prediction software and other assistive technologies.

Disadvantages

1. Results in a lack of interest in studying

Because everything is now accessible online or through data saved in a computer or
mobile devices, students are likely to develop poor studying habits and a lazy attitude
towards education. Some of them may even think they can skip school because they can find
answers and lessons online. Who needs teachers when you have internet and Google, right?.
This can also lead to students forgetting the basics of studying. They would rather rely on
computers and the internet, instead of their books and the input from their teachers. Most of
them will misspell words because they often use spell checkers. Rather than solve
mathematical equations the traditional way, they would seek assistance from computers or
look for the answers directly through search engines. When it is time to take the tests in the
classroom and without any form of technology, students are likely to fail.

2. Makes students vulnerable to potential pitfalls

While computers prove to be an invaluable educational tool, it can also be a source of
problems. This is especially true for students who lack the skills needed to maximize a
device’s functionalities. Technical problems and computer malfunctions can cause loss of
assignments and other materials, resulting in high levels of stress that students would rather
not experience. Difference in internet speeds and a device’s capabilities can also lead to
certain difficulties that will de-motivate students. Add to this, other things that they will
discover online, which are completely unrelated to school and education, and they will be
distracted to no end.

3. Negative views on technology

Consumerism has taught us that technologies, from computers to mobile devices, are
widely viewed as tools to entertain rather than educate. Textbooks, on the other hand, are
seen as tools for learning. So, between a tablet and a textbook, students are likely to gravitate
towards learning when reading a book, while they are likely to use a tablet to play games or
spend time on social media

4. Raise instructional challenges

For professors and teachers to stay abreast with technology, they may need to be
retrained. Those who have been teaching all their lives using traditional methods may not be
very susceptible to the changes being applied. They may even see it as a threat to their job
security and shun technology altogether. In fact, a majority of teachers believe that constant
use of digital technology is affecting a student’s attention span and his ability to persevere
(continue/ keep on) when a challenging task is thrown his way. Although such belief is
subjective, scholars, experts and teachers all agree that technology has changed the way
students learn.

5. Can diminish overall value of in-person education

Although research on online learning did not establish a direct link to how personal
interaction affects a student’s performance, data gathered did show that those who enrolled in
online courses have higher chances of failing, dropping out of classes, and are less likely to
benefit from them. This may have something to do with the fact that lessons delivered online
or through digital resources lack the face-to-face interaction between teacher and student that
provides a more personal experience.

B.) Digital media, New tools and technology

Digital media is any communication media that operate in conjunction with various
encoded machine-readable data formats. Digital media can be created, viewed, distributed,
modified, listened to, and preserved on a digital electronics device.
Digital media is digitized content that can be transmitted over the internet or
computer networks. This can include text, audio, video, and graphics. This means that news
from a TV network, newspaper, magazine, etc. that is presented on a Web site or blog can fall
into this category.

Advantages of Digital Media: There are several advantages of digital media in marketing:

 Digital media helps companies connect with its target audience.

 Use digital and big data, the accurate target customers can be targeted.
 It helps increase sales & business.
 Using digital media helps establish the brand using all the channels that customers use

Types of Digital Media

As a reason for its variety of offerings, digital media is proving to be the pioneer in
marketing platforms as it is highly cost effective and the turnover ratio of customers is
relatively high compared to other platforms. It is also highly effective because in today’s
times the buying behavior of customers is highly dependent on internet and multimedia
sources over various platforms. A decent digital media marketing approach starts from a very
smaller yet largely impactful perspective of a user’s life. The different digital media channels
are:

[Link] and Radio

Generally the primary advertisements are either aired over TV or radio, shown
through search engine advertisement, in-video campaigns, in-application campaigns etc.,
where the content delivered by the marketer is rather small and contains a link for the detailed
description of the offering.

2. Websites and Social Media

The second most important part of digital media marketing which is the website.
Websites can be interactive, loaded with content and user friendly. This helps in making the
visitor or the user comfortable with the content, easily understandable and the value addition
the offering can give. A decent pricing content is also made available with the differentiating
points, if any, to the visitor.

3. Email and SMS (Short Message Service)

Digital media marketing includes the email and the SMS services. Often to either
attract or to remind people about the website they visited for a purchase or actually made a
purchase from, marketers use the platform of email and SMS services. Emails and SMS can
be highly customizable, cost effective and informative.

Emails tend to contain multimedia messages as well which the SMS cannot deliver
but the rate of content delivery is higher in case of an SMS than an email.

4. Blogs

The fourth type of digital media marketing is the interactive blogs or review panels.
Generally before making a buying decision any customer wishes to get a review from the
current user of the product or service. Also there are certain doubts which can be cleared by
the company or the current users through blogging websites where question and answer
conveyance is very high.
5. Mobile Apps

With the growing presence of smartphones, mobile apps have become an important
digital media option for businesses to work. Interactive apps help build a strong connect with
its customers offering ease of use and instant updates.

6. Modern Formats (AR, 3D)

There are newer types of digital media coming up in the ecosystem like Augmented
Reality, 3D (three dimensional), Podcasts, Stories which can help customers connect even
better with a company and at the same time experience the product or service at much
detailed and interactive levels.

Digital media has been proven to provide a very effective means of communication
for the businesses and the customers. With the coming future the dependency of human on
machines is definitely going to increase and the usage of digital media will rise by many
folds. Marketers can harness this opportunity and can reap benefits if the strategies are used
properly.

The Major Digital Media Companies include Google, Netflix, Apple, Facebook, Twitter,
Amazon etc.
Latest Digital tools/technology of Digital media

1. Cloud-Based Collaborative Suites: Cloud collaboration is a type of enterprise

collaboration that allows employees to work together on documents and other data types,
which are stored off-premises and outside of the company firewall.
2. Internal Communication Tools: Internal communication tools are software that helps
companies manage employee communications. These tools can help streamline
communication between managers and employees, or between employees themselves.
They can also help reduce the need for face-to-face meetings, which can save time and
money.
3. New generation Intranet Platforms: It the newest iteration of the corporate intranet
designed for the way people work today—quickly, collaboratively, at all hours and in all
locations. Modern intranet systems are being implemented in an attempt to help workers
access the information, tools and resources they need for work.
4. Customer relationship management tools: CRM stands for “Customer Relationship
Management” and is a software system that helps business owners easily track all
communications and nurture relationships with their leads and clients. A CRM replaces
the multitude of spreadsheets, databases and apps that many businesses patch together to
track client data. The result: organization, efficiency, better time management, and
impressed clients. The purpose of a CRM is to store and manage all data for every kind
of contact, from leads to business partners.
5. Project Management Tools: Project management tools are a set of software designed to
help project teams to plan a project, track & manage the projects to achieve the defined
project goals within the time. It also helps team members to collaborate effectively and
accelerate the projects to meet the specified constraints. The key features of online project
management tools includes; project estimation, budgeting, resource allocation,
collaboration, quality management, project administration and risk management.

C.)Open and Distance learning (ODL)

Open and Distance Learning (ODL) is an approach to teaching and learning that offers
open and flexible access to learning opportunities to anyone, anywhere, and at any time.
Online learning is therefore not location-specific and simply depends on the online
accessibility of both students and teachers. On the other hand, in distance learning, students
must travel to test locations after studying and preparing at home. The , degrees obtained
through the online and open and distance learning (ODL) mode are completely valid if you
wish to pursue government jobs whether in central or state governments. Presently IGNOU is
offering MBA courses in the mode of Open and Distance Learning (ODL).

ODL methods use a wide variety of technologies to bridge the divide that is created
by the physical separation of learners from the teachers and the educational institution. These
include printed as well as digital learning resources, audio and video conferencing, online
learning management systems, mobile devices, as well as a growing list of social media tools.

Advantages of ODL:

The main advantages includes (1) overcomes boundaries, (2) Resolving time or
scheduling issues, (3) Broadens learning opportunities: (4) Cost Saving, and (5)
Adaptability.
Disadvantages of ODL:

The major disadvantages of ODL incudes: (1) causes Isolation, (2) requires time
management and self-motivation skills, (3) difficult to prevent cheating, (4)educators focus
on theoretical knowledge instead of practice, (5) difficulty in teaching practical subjects< and
(6) students may neglect exercise and physical health.

D.)Online Education

Online education is a form of education which is delivered and administered using the
Internet. One of the significant advantages of online learning is that professionals can learn
from schools worldwide and find the program that best meets their needs without uprooting
their lives. In contrast, those studying on campus are limited to local options or must move to
another city for a full-time program. The major online education are Synchronous learning
and Asynchronous learning.

1. Synchronous learning model:

Synchronous learning means that although you will be learning from a
distance, you will virtually attend a class session each week, at the same time as your
instructor and classmates. The class is a firm, weekly time commitment that cannot be
rescheduled. Much like an on-campus class, you will have readings and assignments to
complete outside of class time to help prepare you to participate in the discussion. This
kind of preparation from students, along with a dedicated agenda set by the instructor,
ensures each class session is productive.

2. Asynchronous online learning:

Asynchronous learning allows you to learn on your own schedule, within a
certain timeframe. You can access and complete lectures, readings, homework and other
learning materials at any time during a one- or two-week period. “A big benefit to
asynchronous classes is, of course, the flexibility. Asynchronous online classes mean that
you don’t always need to be online at the same time as your instructor or
classmates,” Online asynchronous classes might include short videos teaching key
concepts that you can watch over and over again, if necessary. In some classes, students
can also complete homework assignments and receive immediate feedback, as opposed
to waiting for instructors to grade them.
E.)E-learning and Augmented learning

The letter ‘e’ in e-learning stands for the word ‘electronic’. The objective of an e-
learning course is to help learners learn by themselves, while at the same time allowing
them to collaborate and interact with their peers for social learning experience.

Definitions of E-Learning
E-learning is the use of electronic media for a variety of learning purposes that
range from add-on functions in conventional classrooms to full substitution for the face-to
face meetings by online encounters” (Guri-Rosenblit, 2005).
“E-learning is distance education through remote resources” (Marques, 2006).
“E-learning is defined as learning facilitated by the use of digital tools and content
that involves some form of interactivity, which may include online interaction between the
learner and their teacher or peers” (Ministry of Communication and Technology of New
Zealand, 2008).
“E-learning is defined as information and communication technologies used to
support students to improve their learning” (Ellis, Ginns & Piggott, 2009).

Characteristics of e learning

1. Uses inclusive language

The language used within your training materials can have a significant impact on how
your messages are heard and considered. The content speaks directly to the learner as an
individual rather than addressing the learning audience as a group. Inclusive language helps
create the feeling of a personalized learning experience and generates an emotional
connection with the content.

2. Provides self-reflection opportunities

The modern learner wants to know how information relates to and benefits them
directly. E-Learning provides opportunities for learners to relate content to their role or
personal situation through thought-provoking self-reflective learning checks. These are
particularly powerful when interspersed within a scenario at pivotal moments to provoke
learners to think how they would handle the situation.
3. Allows user-friendly, easy navigation.
eLearning is easy to use and enables learners to take control and find what they need
quickly. Learners should be able to navigate the course intuitively through course design that
implements sound user experience principles.
4. Includes relevant, relatable, real-life scenarios.
How many times have you been in a meeting and let your attention wonder
when topics don’t relate to your role directly? Meaningful content is the key to learner-
centered eLearning to engage and hold attention. Immersive scenarios that place learners in a
relatable situation they must then problem-solve to a successful outcome can be effective.
5. Enables personalization.
Personalization is another key feature of eLearning. Personalization can involve
allowing learners to customize the learning experience by selecting a visual theme or
accommodating individual comfort and accessibility by enabling learners to control volume
and screen text font sizes. Personalization can be taken further by capturing a learner’s name
during registration and using it throughout the course or by streaming specific content to an
individual.
6. Responds to individual needs.
Pre-testing is an effective method for allowing eLearning to respond to individual
needs based on existing competencies. The pre-test assessment can consist of a series of
questions linked to course topics and allow learners to skip topics linked to correctly
answered questions.
7. Connects through multi-sensory interaction.
A true learner-centered design is a multi-sensory experience. Engaging learners
through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic methods simultaneously immerses the learners in the
educational content to ensure learning is remembered. Challenging interactive activities
should be provided throughout to prompt learners to think critically about the application of
skills and knowledge.

Major e-learning types: These are the 10 different types of e-learning:

1. Computer Managed Learning (CML)

2. Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI)
3. Synchronous Online Learning
4. Asynchronous Online Learning
5. Fixed E-Learning
6. Adaptive E-Learning
7. Linear E-Learning
8. Interactive Online Learning
9. Individual Online Learning
10. Collaborative Online Learning

1. Computer Managed Learning (CML)

In the case of computer-managed learning (CML), also known as Computer Managed
Instruction (CMI), computers are used to manage and assess learning processes. Computer
managed learning systems operate through information databases. These databases contain
bits of information which the student has to learn, together with a number of ranking
parameters which enables the system to be individualized according to the preferences of
each student. As a result of two-way communication between the student and the computer,
determinations can be made as to whether the student achieved their learning goals on a
satisfactory level. If not, then the processes can be repeated until the student has achieved
their desired learning goals. Additionally, educational institutions use computer-managed
learning systems for storing and retrieving information which aids in educational
management. This could mean information such as lecture information, training materials,
grades, curriculum information, enrolment information among others.

2. Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI)

 Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI), also sometimes referred to as computer-assisted
learning (CAL), is another type of e-learning which uses computers together with traditional
teaching. This could mean interactive software for the students or the kind of training
software used by Patrick Suppes of Stanford University in 1966. Computer-assisted training
methods use a combination of multimedia such as text, graphics, sound, and video in order to
enhance learning. The primary value of CAI is interactivity – it allows students to become
active learners instead of passive learners, by utilizing various methods such as quizzes and
other computer-assisted teaching and testing mechanisms.

3. Synchronous Online Learning

Synchronous online learning enables groups of students to participate in a learning
activity together at the same time, from any place in the world. Real-time synchronous online
learning often involves online chats and videoconferencing, as these tools allow training
participants and instructors to ask and answer questions instantly while being able to
communicate with the other participants. Nowadays, synchronous e-learning is considered to
be highly advantageous as it eliminates many of the common disadvantages of e-learning,
such as social isolation and poor teacher-to-student and student-to-student relationships.
Synchronous e-learning is currently one of the most popular and quickest growing types of e-
learning.

4. Asynchronous Online Learning

In the case of asynchronous online learning, groups of students study independently at
different times and locations from each other, without real-time communication taking place.
Asynchronous e-learning methods are often considered to be more student-centered than their
synchronous counterparts, as they give students more flexibility. For these reasons,
asynchronous e-learning is often preferred by students who do not have flexible schedules,
because it allows them to utilize self-paced learning. They can set their own timeframes for
learning, and they are not required to learn at specific time intervals together with other
students. Before the invention of the PLATO computer system, all e-learning was considered
to be asynchronous, as there were no methods of computer networking available.

5. Fixed E-Learning
Fixed e-learning is a fancy name for something you are likely already familiar with.
“Fixed” in this context means that the content used during the learning process does not
change from its original state and all the participating students receive the same information
as all the others. The materials are predetermined by the teachers and don’t adapt to the
student’s preferences. This type of learning has been the standard in traditional classrooms
for thousands of years, but it’s not ideal in e-learning environments. That is because fixed e-
learning does not utilize the valuable real-time data gained from student inputs. Analyzing
each student individually through their data and making changes to the materials according to
this data leads to better learning outcomes for all students.

6. Adaptive E-Learning
Adaptive e-learning is a new and innovative type of e-learning, which makes it possible
to adapt and redesign learning materials for each individual learner. Taking a number of
parameters such as student performance, goals, abilities, skills, and characteristics into
consideration, adaptive e-learning tools allow education to become more individualized and
student-centered than ever before. We are now at a point in time where laboratory-based
adaptive instructional techniques can be used for mathematical sequencing of student data.
When done correctly, this could mean a new era for educational science. While this type of e-
learning can be more difficult to plan and accomplish than traditional teaching methods, it’s
potential value and effectiveness is often understated.

The features of adaptive learning : Adaptive learning is one technique for providing
personalized learning, which aims to provide efficient, effective, and customized learning
paths to engage each student

7. Linear E-Learning
When referring to human-computer interaction, linear communication means that information
passes from sender to receiver, without exception. In the case of e-learning, this becomes a
very limiting factor, as it does not allow two-way communication between teachers and
students. This type of e-learning does have its place in education, although it’s becoming less
relevant with time. Sending training materials to students through television and radio
programs are classic examples of linear e-learning.

8. Interactive Online Learning

Interactive e-learning allows senders to become receivers and vice versa, effectively enabling
a two-way communication channel between the parties involved. From the messages sent and
received, the teachers and students can make changes to their teaching and learning methods.
For this reason, interactive e-learning is considerably more popular than linear, as it allows
teachers and students to communicate more freely with each other.

9. Individual Online Learning

Individual learning in this context refers to the number of students participating in achieving
the learning goals, rather than the student-centeredness of the material. This type of learning
has been the norm in traditional classrooms for thousands of years. When practicing
individual learning, the students study the learning materials on their own (individually), and
they are expected to meet their learning goals on their [Link] type of learning is not ideal
for developing communicational skills and teamwork abilities in students, as it largely
focuses on students learning independently, without communication with other students.
Therefore, a more modern approach is necessary to supplement the communicational of skills
and abilities.

10. Collaborative Online Learning

Collaborative e-learning is a modern type of learning method, through which multiple
students learn and achieve their learning objectives together as a group. Students have to
work together and practice teamwork in order to achieve their common learning
[Link] is done through the formation of effective groups, where each individual
student has to take into account the strengths and weaknesses of each other student. This
boosts the communicational skills teamworking abilities of the students. Collaborative e-
learning expands on the idea that knowledge is best developed inside a group of individuals
where they can interact and learn from each other.

Advantages of E-learning
The adoption of E-learning in education, especially for higher educational
institutions has several benefits, and given its several advantages and benefits, e-learning is
considered among the best methods of education. Some of the advantages that the adoption
of e-learning in education, includes the following:
1. It is flexible when issues of time and place are taken into consideration. Every student
has the luxury of choosing the place and time that suits him/her. The adoption of e-
learning provides the institutions as well as their students or learners the much flexibility
of time and place of delivery or receipt of according to learning information.
2. E-learning enhances the efficacy of knowledge and qualifications via ease of access to a
huge amount of information.
3. E-learning is able to provide opportunities for relations between learners by the use of
discussion forums. Through this, it helps eliminate barriers that have the potential of
hindering participation including the fear of talking to other learners. E-learning
motivates students to interact with other, as well as exchange and respect different point
of views. E-learning eases communication and also improves the relationships that
sustain learning. E-Learning makes available extra prospects for interactivity between
students and teachers during content delivery.
4. E-learning is cost effective in the sense that there is no need for the students or learners
to travel. It is also cost effective in the sense that it offers opportunities for learning for
maximum number of learners with no need for many buildings.
5. E-learning always takes into consideration the individual learner’s differences. Some
learners, for instance prefer to concentrate on certain parts of the course, while others are
prepared to review the entire course.
6. E-learning helps compensate for scarcities of academic staff, including instructors or
teachers as well as facilitators, lab technicians etc.
7. The use of e-Learning allows self-pacing. For instance, the asynchronous way permits
each student to study at his or her own pace and speed whether slow or quick. It there-
fore increases satisfaction and decreases stress

Disadvantages of E-Learning

In spite of the advantages that has been adopted in education, E-learning also
has some disadvantages. The disadvantages of e-learning include the following:

1. E-learning as a method of education makes the learners undergo contemplation,

remoteness, as well as lack of interaction or relation. It therefore requires a very strong
inspiration as well as skills with to the management of time in order to reduce such
effects.
2. E-learning method might be less effective than the traditional method of learning with
 respect to clarifications, offer of explanations, as well as interpretations. The learning
process is much easier with the use of the face-to-face encounter with the instructors or
teachers.
3. E-learning as a method might have a negative effect on the learners when it comes to
improvement in communication skills of learners. Though the learners might have an
excellent knowledge in academics, they may not possess the needed skills to deliver
their acquired knowledge to others.
4. Since tests for assessments in e-learning are possibly done with the use of proxy, it will
be difficult, if not impossible to control or regulate bad activities like cheating.
5. E-learning may also probably be misled to piracy and plagiarism, predisposed by
inadequate selection skills, as well as the ease of copy and paste.
6. E-learning may also deteriorate institutions’ role socialization role and also the role of
instructors as the directors of the process of education.
7. Also, not all fields or discipline can employ the e-learning technique in education. For
instance, the purely scientific fields that include practical cannot be properly studies
through e-learning. Researches have argued that e-learning is more appropriate in social
science and humanities than the fields such as medical science and pharmacy, where
there is the need to develop practical .

What is the difference between Augmented learning and e-learning

E-learning is gaining knowledge through the use of electronic technology, typically
the Internet, but also portable electronics, wireless classrooms, and other methods.
Augmented learning is learning adapted to the learner that occurs on demand. It is an on-
demand learning technique where the environment adapts to the learner.
What is augmentation in education?
To. "augment," to complement the. learner by supporting thinking, cognition, and
learning. These augmenting supports could be physical tools or resources, and also
conceptual artifacts.
F.) Classes taken at Library, UASB (Power point notes)

Massive Open Online Courses- SWAYAM, Open Education Resources (OER),

Course CERA, EduEx, Col, RLOs.

G.) Digital education and its application in Higher Agricultural Education

 India is setting up a digital university which will bring down the cost of higher and skill
education in the country drastically, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on 11 th
February 2023. Digital education refers to the use of digital technologies and tools in
teaching and learning. It is synonymous with phrases such as:

1. Technology-enhanced learning
2. E-learning
3. Digitally enhanced learning
4. Online learning
5. Online education

What does going digital mean for educational institutions?

Most higher education institutions officials are aware that digital education is
challenging but that it also makes their institutions more competitive. In other words,
universities that incorporate digital education best practices will attract more students - and
funding - and achieve better learning outcomes, i.e., make their students more employable.

1. Adopting and investing in new technologies

Most universities already use digital technologies in teaching and learning. Data shows
that the education industry will spend $404 Billion dollars in 2025 compared to $227 Billion
in 2020. Related to that, educational institutions must not only ensure that the new digital
tools they introduce will fit in their existing systems well, but also that the technology is
user-friendly. Thinking of students’ and teachers’ experiences while using new solutions
will ensure the best outcome of the whole digital education process.

2. Educating staff and teachers in using digital tools

Students most probably won’t have a lot of issues adapting to the technology used in
digital education. However, teachers and other faculty staff might have. Research shows
that 70% of public sector employees believe their digital skills are poorer than those of
private-sector employees. This might require universities to invest in training their faculty
and staff. In order to fully utilize the opportunities that digital education offers, teachers must
enrich their teaching techniques. The rising influence of Artificial Intelligence in digital
education can prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow, but teachers must also stay in
the now with teaching methods.

3. Greater cybersecurity investments

 According to experts, educational institutions aren’t doing enough to protect their
networks. And yet, despite the increase in cyberattacks, universities in the US will have to cut
back their IT budgets by 5 to 30% due to the health crisis. This is alarming because the
education sector was ranked the least secure major industry. The abrupt switch to digital
education in 2020 led to an increase in cyberattacks against universities, whose average cost
was $477,000. Greater cybersecurity investments can be subsidized with government
investments. For example, the German government issued a €6.5 Billion pact to help digitize
schools. Educational institutions can use similar initiatives to cover the rising costs of
cybersecurity that come with digital education.

H.) SMART CLASSROOMS

A smart classroom is an EdTech-upgraded classroom that enhances the teaching and

learning process for both the teachers and the students by inculcating audio, video,
animations, images, multimedia etc.. Smart classrooms allow students to not be present in the
class physically anymore. They can also access previous classes from their device making the
laborious note-taking task obsolete
Types of smart classrooms:
Learning solutions have evolved and are more smarter by the say. There are various
approaches you can take when making the school smarter. The budget, the digital literacy of the
students all influence it. Innovations allowed the prices of equipments to go down by a huge bracket
in recent times.

1. The Basic Setup

 These are the most common ones used in schools. It involves projectors, a computer,
and a screen. The system will be preloaded with lessons that utilize visual and auditory
learning. Animations and Videos are the most common mediums used to convey information.
The lessons can be easily updated according to changes in the curriculum.

2. Personal Devices

On top of the basic setup, students can possess devices like tablets and laptops.
Personal tablets have replaced the simple digital slate because the cost of making is very low
now. Students can take notes, receive material and complete assignments and tests in the
same device. This also saves paper which is a plus for the environment.

3. Virtual Reality
 By using a VR headset, students can enter a new world or a sandbox. In a sandbox,
the students can do experiments, especially physical ones to learn theories and incite the
brain. The contents of the VR can also be controlled by the teacher so that everyone
experiences the same. From a DNA molecule to the French revolution can be shown in great
detail. Augmented Reality is used to simulate objects in the real world. This can include
holograms and AR glasses. The technology is in the cradle and is rapidly advancing.

4. Student Tracking Management

All the aspects of the school are digitized here. From attendance marking to school
bus tracking are in the cloud. This ensures more transparency of information. The students’
performance can also be assessed in real time.

5. Interactive Boards

The old dusty chalkboards are replaced with Smartboards. Now teachers can show
visuals, videos etc in the new blackboard. The students can also interact with it with their
personal tablets. New tools enable you to present ideas better.

6. Student Devices

This can help you if you are studying remotely. Services like Google Jamboard can
enable multiple people to collaborate in the same whiteboard from separate devices. E-books,
pdf and other study material can be sent to the device eliminating the need for books.
7. Apps

Hardware side is not the only solution that is needed when it comes to smart classes.
The app development should be tailored to fit the wants of your class. Kahoot for example
has a very simple, uncluttered layout that younger people will like.

8. Communication Devices

You should use quality microphones (preferably wireless), speakers, and other
gadgets to address the whole class more effectively.

9. IoT (Internet of Things)

Many textbooks now feature links and QR codes to its internet counterparts to give
more content to the students. Attendance and progress can be tracked.

Benefits of Smart Classrooms

1. Enhanced Learning Experience.

2. Interactive Learning Experience.
3. Easy Access to Online Resources.
4. Environmental Friendly.
5. Time Saving Technology.
6. Increased Productivity

Demerits of Smart classrooms

1. Cost Concerns
2. The Perils of Technology-Based Learning (can impair the problem-solving capacity of
students)
3. Human Values Take a Beating ( In a smart class, electronic teaching gadgets come as
teaching tools. Students attuned to learning via smart devices will lose touch with their
teachers) .
4. A Monotonous Learning Process (we will be relying so much on technology that your
creative skills will take a beating) .
5. Technical Hiccups

[Link] Campuses

A Smart Campus connects devices, applications, and people to enable new services,
improve efficiencies and enhance the experience of students and staff on campus . The
mission of the Smart Campus initiative is bringing sustainable, eco-friend and energy
efficient development. Smart Campus, we mean a campus that is an efficient, safe,
sustainable, responsive and enjoyable place to live and work, underpinned and enhanced by
digital / internet based technologies.

Examples of Smart Campus Technologies

1. Direct visitors to open parking spaces and provide campus mapping technologies.
2. Detect water leaks or faulty appliances to address operational deficiencies proactively.
3. Refine security systems by adding gunshot sensors, facial recognition, and location
intelligence.
4. Use data to identify opportunities for inclusive activities or shift employees into
meaningful roles.
5. Add value to classroom instruction by offering engagement platforms and self-service
technologies.
6. Monitor attendance and resource use at recreational facilities, stadiums, dining,
housing, and classrooms.
7. Automate student and faculty processes to support efficiency while maintaining a
human-centric approach
How to Design a Smart Campus Concept

Determine what a smart campus looks like at your organization by developing a five-
year goal. Then walk back from your ideals to identify the steps required to get there. In most
cases, educational professionals must first improve their WiFi ecosystem. After all, reliable
wired and wireless infrastructure is the building block to a connected network. By upgrading
your bandwidth and installing flexible architecture, you can be ready as services and needs
evolve.
Benefits of smart campus

1. Enhances the Learning Experience

2. Improves Security
3. Elevates the University’s Credibility

J)Web-based remote laboratory (WBRL)

A Remote Laboratory is a platform in which its users will access their lab
environment through an internet browser program such as Mozilla Firefox and Google
Chrome or using an application on their smartphones. The communication between
laboratories and its users is built upon the internet to make it more accessible.
What is the difference between virtual and remote lab?

Remote Labs are the types of labs enable faculty and students to access equipment
and/or computers via the internet to perform experiments and laboratory tasks without being
in the physical lab space. . Whereas, in the Virtual Labs, the real experiments are virtualized
or simulated and students can access them online.

The benefits of remote laboratories are predominantly in engineering education:[2]

1. Relax time constraints, adapting to pace of each student, if there was insufficient
time in lab
2. Relax geographical constraints, disregarding the physical locality of the student
3. Economies of scale, as sharing labs allows sharing of large fixed costs of traditional
buildings
4. Improve quality of experiment, as it can be repeated to clarify doubtful
measurements in lab
5. Improve effectiveness, as student may improve effectiveness of time spent at lab by
rehearsal
6. Improved safety and security, as no risk of catastrophic failure

The disadvantages differ depending on the type of remote laboratory and the topic area.
The general disadvantages compared to a proximal (hands on) laboratory are:

1. Lack of hands on trouble shooting and debugging experience.

 2. Lack of equipment setup experience
K)Integrating Media and Digital tools into Instructional Design

In the teaching-learning process, the use of instructional materials is very important

because they facilitate learning. This essay seeks to discuss the competencies which teachers
should possess for the successful use and integration of technology in their work. The essay
willdefine the crucial terms which are Teacher competencies, educational media and
technology. However, for the media to be successfully used during the teaching-learning
process, particularly in the teaching and learning process teachers should possess certain
competencies such being ; computer literate, deep knowledge on curricular issues,
communication skills, technical skills, presentation, Evaluation and Follow-up skills.

Instructional media and technology are no doubt the information carriers that facilitate
teaching learning process. There are numerous other competencies but this essay has
discussed the competences some of the significant ones that teachers
should posses for the successful integration of media and technology in their work. It is
therefore, basically, the selection and utilization of these media should be based on
certain criteria such as learners’ characteristics, instructional objectives, suitability,
technicality, practicability, and the teacher’s capability among others. Most importantly
despite the existence of many competences’ teachers should have the requisite ones as
discussed above so that they successfully use and integrate them in their work of
systematically transmitting educational to learners in a reliable manner.
L)Implications of disruptive technologies for higher education and
extension
Disruptive technology is any innovation that dramatically changes the way
consumers, businesses, universities, extension organizations/ industries operate. When they're
first developed, disruptive technologies often create a new market. They establish their own

value network and are often seen as risky outliers when they're introduced. In other cases,
disruptive technologies enter an established market but radically change the way
business/education/extension is handled and needs are met. These technologies completely
replace their predecessors by offering revolutionary benefits that are notably superior. When
a disruptive technology enters an existing market, it can make current items or processes
obsolete. Example: Smartphones (have replaced landlines, traditional cell phones and even
computers for many people), virtual reality, internet of things, artificial intelligence etc.,
 According to the person who developed the theory of disruptive innovation,
professor Clayton Christensen, "...disruption are now occurring in the world of education..."
and "...school as they are now...cannot do it..' . Furthermore, school should "... create the
new architecture for the curriculum in a new space..." so that "...the school can truly
transform itself..." . Thus, a challenge for educators, researchers and extension personnel is
to always observe and identify innovation or invention that might disrupt the education
landscape. The good news is that many of these disruptive technology will be within
anyone's reach in the short- to mid- term. Soon it will no longer necessary to be an elite
university or academy to get ahead of the curve. But the time to innovate and create relevant
educational offers now.

M)Open Access source learning

Open access refers to the practice of making peer-reviewed scholarly research and
literature freely available online to anyone interested in reading it. With Open Access, your
research will be freely available to your colleagues, researchers and other interested parties
all over the world. The potential for more people to see and download your research.

MOODLE (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment)

Moodle is a platform for online learning that enables to create online courses, add
assignments, and keep an eye on the students' progress. It also allows to communicate with
the students and encourage communication between them in forums and discussions. It is a
free and open-source learning management system (LMS) created by Martin Dougiamas.
How Moodle works?
Moodle allows you to build and upload e-learning content, deliver it to your learners,
assess them on that content, track their progress and recognize their achievements.

Advantages of Moodle
 It’s free. It is a free application whose objective is free teaching.
 The interface has been developed by education professionals, psychologists and
educational psychologists.
 It’s easy and intuitive. It is designed to be accessible to the public.
 It allows content in various formats such as video, images or interactive content.
 It is compatible with all web browsers. It is free software.
  Designed based on constructivist social pedagogy.
 It is used by many public administrations and universities

N)Quality assurance and Certification in E-learning

Learning is no longer confined with boundaries, neither in terms of place nor time
(Ehlers, 2009). E-learning has been defined as “pedagogy empowered by digital technology”
(Nichols, 2008). E-learning can also be defined as technology-based learning in which
learning materials are delivered electronically to remote learners via a computer network
(Zhang, Zhao, Zhou, & Nunamaker, 2004).

Quality Assurance in e-learning

E-learning occurs in a wide range of teaching activities where technology in one form
or another is involved; Technology necessarily underpins the administrative functions of
most universities and higher education institutions. The lines between the administration and
the conduct of teaching can be blurred. With this diverse and broad range of activities, we
are now seeing increased levels of awareness and concerns for the quality of the activities
that result.

What is Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance is a method of identifying and correcting defects in products or

services so that the final output to the customer is defect-free and conforms to the agreed
level of quality. Quality Assurance is critical aspect of all delivery teams. Concerning the
software and e-learning industry, quality assurance has a very significant role to play in the
development life cycle. Quality Assurance is incredibly important because it builds trust
among clients, boosts confidence levels and helps to stay in good relations with the client.

Benefits/ Advantages of Quality Assurance

1. Saves time and money

Quality Assurance (QA) brings renewed focus on efficiency, productivity and

allows for better testing and compliance process to improve quality or reliability of the
course. With a thorough testing process, it becomes easy to diagnose and fix bugs
beforehand. Further, when bugs are identified before delivering the course to the client, it
translates into huge cost and time saving which in turn boosts accountability.

2. Boosts client’s confidence

Offering top-notch, bug-free and high-quality e-learning courses is incredibly

important to create forming long-term working relationship with clients and to boost their
confidence level. Quality Assurance can also improve the satisfaction of your customers, thus
enhancing the reputation of the company maintain brand image and improve client’s loyalty.

3. Promotes efficiency and productivity

To ensure successful launch of courses and to achieve win- win solutions, it is

indispensable to check the quality beforehand. Nobody likes the chaos of defective software
and hurried fixes, therefore being organized with QA testing will allow you to identify errors
beforehand and fix them before it reaches the client. When software testing is an integral part
of e-learning development process, it becomes easy to streamline efficiency of the course
within stipulated time frame. This enables company to operate smoothly and more
productively.

4. Improves customer satisfaction and profit

By investing in QA, we build business in terms of quality and trust. A high-quality

and well-tested software attracts customers, which not only brings satisfaction but also
increased profitability.

Initially, QA is seen as an additional and unnecessary cost, but only a deeper

understanding makes it clear how important it is. Maintaining high quality is very challenging
for both testers and developers, but giving long term benefits and good relationship with the
clients. In an era of increased accountability, it is important for stakeholders in educational
organizations to be able to demonstrate that their approaches to e-learning are sound and
effective.

Elements of E-learning that QA focus on

As technology has become increasingly applied in education its use in the delivery
of teaching and learning has led to distinguish this as a discrete educational form called e-
learning. As a teaching and learning activity, e- learning has now been caught up in the
quality agenda

Many national bodies and organizations have new developed principles, guidelines,
benchmarks to describe quality in the use of technologies to support flexible learning. In UK
the Quality Assurance Agency describes a code of practice for the assurance of academic
quality and standards in the provision of flexible and distinguished learning including e-
learning (QAA, 2004).

Quality Assurance is not just about proof reading but also ensuring that all the
instructional content, visual content, navigation, interactivities, quizzes and assessments
are properly arranged in the correct sequence without any technical errors.

Effective e-learning elements : The three elements for the effective e-learning are:

1. Curriculum/content
2. Learning design and resources
3. Delivery process/Presentation styles

1. Curriculum/content

E- Learning content should be relevant and practical; adults learn better when the
objectives of the course are directly linked to issues, theories, case studies, research and
knowledge that are practical. Simply putting material online does not make e-learning
successful. Learners require some amount of integration of all of the information being
provides in the learning environment so that it makes sense and has meaning and utility in
their lives the information shared through e-learning should be accurate and appropriate.
Instructors should employ measures to ensure that the content provided in the course is
appropriate to learning needs. The course content should be reviewed regularly to ensure
accuracy and timeliness.
 2. Learning design and Resources

The term ‘learning design’ describes the deliberate learning activities and process that
instructional designer plans into a learning environment to provide the cognitive engagement
a learner is deemed to require in a learning experience, to bring about the required conceptual
change associated with the planned learning outcomes.

The most common forms of learning design involve students reading screen based
texts and answering questions designed to promote engagement. Typical online courses are
usually comprised of comprehensive electronic resource sets and information with little
intentional instructional design aimed at supporting meaningful learning.

High quality learning activities must demonstrate 4 principles

1. Engagement of learners
2. Acknowledgement of content
3. Challenge of learners
4. Involvement of Practice

There are a growing number of repositories and databases of digital resources built and
developed to foster the reuse of learning resources. The growing awareness has led to
duplication and proliferation of online resources. Popular virtual learning environment such
as WebCT, Blackboard, and Desire2learn all support and encourage the development and use
of resources that have been designed with reusability in mind. To ensure the quality of e-
resources they must be updated with time so that it will increase the value of e-learning.

3. Delivery process/Presentation styles

The effectiveness of a students’ e-learning experience not only depends on

learning design and resources, but also on the manner in which it is delivered and supported.
Effective learning must involve learner support mechanisms such as mentoring, modeling,
coaching and scaffolding.

Qualitative provisions of delivery mechani[Link]

1. Enables learners to establish a sense of belonging and involvement, a sense of

community which encourages and motivates participation.
2. Supports can scaffold learning and help students to undertake and complete activities
and tasks they might not be able to do so on their own
 3. Learning supports in the form of communication and discussion provide opportunities
for higher-order thinking and conceptual development often not evident in
independent learning settings.

Certification in e-learning

Quality assurance certification is a formal recognition that a product or service meets

certain standards of quality and performance. Quality assurance certifications are issued by
third-party organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and American National
Standards Institute (ANSI). These certifications help ensure that products meet certain
minimum requirements for safety, durability, and performance.

The benefits of having quality assurance certification are numerous. For consumers, it
provides peace of mind that the product they are purchasing meets certain standards for
quality and safety. It also helps businesses build trust with their customers by demonstrating
their commitment to providing quality products and services. Additionally, having a quality
assurance certification may increase the value of the product or service in the eyes of
potential buyers. This can be particularly beneficial to businesses looking to expand into new
markets or increase their market share in existing markets. Finally, having a quality assurance
certification can also help businesses differentiate themselves from competitors who may not
have similar certifications.

List of the best certifications available to Quality Assurances today are:

1. ISTQB Certified Tester

ISTQB Certified Tester is an internationally recognized certification program for

software testers. It is designed to provide a common basis of understanding and knowledge
about software testing, which can be used by any organization or individual in the IT
industry. The ISTQB certification program consists of three levels: Foundation, Advanced
and Expert.

It typically takes around 3-4 months to complete the Foundation level certification. To
get the ISTQB Certified Tester certification, you must pass an exam administered by one of
the accredited examination providers. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions that
must be answered within 60 minutes. The cost of taking the ISTQB Certified Tester exam
varies depending on your location and chosen examination provider.
 2. ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)

ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) is a professional certification offered by the

American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to recognize individuals who have
demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of quality engineering principles and practices.
The CQE certification is intended to demonstrate that an individual has the knowledge, skills,
and competencies necessary to effectively practice quality engineering in any industry.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to prepare for the CQE exam. During this time,
individuals should review the topics covered on the exam, such as statistics, design of
experiments, reliability engineering, process improvement tools and techniques, management
principles and systems development life cycle. Additionally, they should become familiar
with ASQ’s Body of Knowledge (BoK), which outlines all of the topics that will be tested on
the exam.

To get certified as a CQE, individuals must pass an examination administered by ASQ.

This exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four
hours. To register for the exam, individuals must submit an application form and fee to ASQ.

3. Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is an industry-recognized certification program

designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to lead successful Six
Sigma projects. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the tools and techniques used
in Lean Six Sigma to improve processes, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction.

The Six Sigma Green Belt Certification typically takes around four weeks of study and
practice to complete. During this time, participants will learn about the DMAIC (Define-
Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) process, how to use data analysis tools such as SPC
(Statistical Process Control), how to create process maps, how to identify root causes of
problems, and how to develop solutions. Participants also learn about team dynamics, project
management principles, and communication strategies.

In order to get certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt professional, individuals must pass an
exam administered by a certified training provider or organization. The exam typically
consists of multiple choice questions that cover topics such as Lean Six Sigma methodology,
problem solving techniques, data analysis methods, project management principles, and
more.
 4. The American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Software Quality Engineer
(CSQE)

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) is
a professional certification for software quality engineers. It is designed to recognize the
knowledge, skills, and abilities of individuals who have demonstrated a comprehensive
understanding of software quality engineering principles and practices.

To become an ASQ CSQE, you must pass an exam that tests your knowledge in software
quality engineering topics such as software process improvement, risk management, and
testing. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three
hours to complete.

In order to be eligible to take the ASQ CSQE exam, you must have at least five years of
experience working in a software quality engineering role or related field. You must also
have either a bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering from an accredited
college or university, or equivalent work experience.

5. The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Advanced

Level Test Manager

The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Advanced Level

Test Manager is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s
expertise in software testing. It is designed to help professionals who manage and lead
software testing teams, as well as those who are responsible for the planning, design,
execution, and monitoring of software tests.

In order to obtain the ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager certification, candidates
must first pass the Foundation Level exam. This exam covers topics such as test management
principles, risk-based testing techniques, test process improvement methods, and more. After
passing the Foundation Level exam, candidates can then proceed to take the Advanced Level
Test Manager exam. This exam focuses on topics such as advanced test management skills
and techniques, managing risks associated with software testing projects, and developing
effective strategies for improving software quality.

The ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager certification typically takes between six
months to one year to complete. Candidates must pass both the Foundation Level and
Advanced Level exams in order to be certified.
 As institutions across all sectors of education proceed to mainstream e-learning as a
alternative form of programme delivery, the need for objective measures of quality will grow.
E-learning is an activity that has many costs and makes many demands. It will be important
to be able to satisfy stakeholders that the activities providing the maximum possible returns
on investment. There is need to discover and document best practice models that institutions
can use to grow their capabilities and performances.

*****