Enhancing Digital Learning For Young Ones

 In an era defined by rapid tech­nological advancements and un­precedented global challenges, education stands at the forefront of transformation.

Digital learning which is learning that is facilitated, enabled, or mediat­ed by technology. It can involve differ­ent methods, such as online classes, social learning, virtual meetings, X reality aids, online exams, and blend­ed learning.

This form of learning has brought hope to young people across the plan­et, offering an opportunity to grow their skill set, expand their horizons, and gain qualifications in a practical, efficient way.

It can also give learners some con­trol over time, place, path, and pace of their learning.

Remote education is a departure from the traditional method of in-per­son education. So, for all its many advantages, navigating the digital learning world requires a proactive and supportive approach from par­ents.

Some advice given to parents by Telkom Learn on how they can support their children on their re­mote-learning journey include:

Advise on course selections: Pro­vide input on which courses may be the best choice for your child.

The economy and career paths are changing rapidly, and there is a wide range of skills that are now invalu­able in the workplace.

Following courses in these new-generation fields could boost your child’s career prospects.

Some of the most valuable skills to have in the modern workplace in­clude Project Management, Cyberse­curity, Network Engineering, Data Analytics, Enterprise Architecture, Cloud Integration and Automation.

Create a conducive learning space:

Much like physical classroom ed­ucation, digital education requires a dedicated environment. Choose a space in your home or your working environment that can be permanent­ly allocated to study.

Customise it accordingly, with a comfortable seat, a stable work sur­face and good lighting. Make sure it is quiet and out of the way of other household activities.

Ideally it should always be avail­able, and not a multipurpose area that has to be converted every time you use it. The person using the space should add some personal touches.

Establish a routine: Support your child in building a regular, steady and study routine. Like many things in life, building a good rhythm in our practice allows for consistent sustain­ability over the long term without it becoming tiring.

Depending on your child’s other commitments, help them to allocate regular times each day to their online studies.

Then, the study period itself be­comes a commitment that your child must adhere to – not something they need to squeeze in, between other re­sponsibilities. Education is import­ant, and it deserves to be prioritised.

Look for interactive courses: The most effective digital training cours­es are those that are interactive, and which ensure constant engagement from students. Look for courses that include built-in user evaluation.

There are even courses, such as the Alibaba Cloud ACA Business User Certification Exam Preparation Course available on Telkom Learn, which are geared specifically to get­ting your son or daughter ready for their certification exam.

Additionally, the collaboration with Telkom and Lightbulb Edtech brings a transformative online learn­ing platform to high school learners across South Africa.

Lightbulb an advanced learning portal tailored specifically for high school learners. The platform covers a wide array of subjects, including English, Afrikaans, Mathematics, Natural Science, Physical Science, Geography, History, and Accounting, ensuring comprehensive support for high school students.

Protect them from distractions: If your son or daughter is working, try to ensure they are not distracted.

You can do your bit by keeping noise to a minimum, turning down the volume on your TV or your mu­sic, and explaining to any visitors that your child is not available, as they are studying.

Offer to keep their phone for them, so they’re not tempted by social me­dia, or texts from their friends.

Balance screen time: Try to help the student in your life to find a healthy balance between screen time and the real world.

Encourage your child to come for a short walk, or to accompany you on an errand, so they get a break from the glare of their laptop screen. It’s about mental relaxation as much as physical exercise. If you get the bal­ance right, your child will be in the right space to get the most out of their online studies.

Provide emotional support: Aside from the practical considerations, when it comes to digital learning, it’s important to simply be there for your child.

They have no classmates nearby, so it will be useful for them to have someone to bounce ideas off, or to explain things to, as they get to grips with their course.

Simply asking, “So how’s it go­ing?” every couple of hours, will give them a chance to provide a short up­date, and to articulate some of their learnings. It’s good for them to know that you’re on their team.

Choose a good learning ecosystem: In digital education, collaboration is key to innovation and success.

Telkom Learn has forged strate­gic partnerships with leading educa­tional providers to deliver rich and diverse learning experiences.

The platform offers a wide range of subjects, across various disci­plines. Interactive lessons make learning a dynamic and immersive experience, with a virtual classroom feature that facilitates real-time inter­action between students and teach­ers.

Globally and indeed in Nigeria, digital learning can help users pre­pare for the workforce of the future, which will increasingly require dig­ital skills.

Knowing the crucial importance of this type of education, several agencies in Nigeria, including those not under the supervision of the Fed­eral Ministry of Education, have also embraced digital learning to varying degrees, the need for quality stan­dards, infrastructure, and measure­ment of digital learning solutions has become apparent.

Interestingly, the Federal Ministry of Education is mandated to take the lead in formulating and updating pol­icies and strategies concerning ICT in education.

Digital learning aims to bridge the digital divide and reach underserved communities, particularly in a coun­try like Nigeria with the largest out-of-school population in the world. Sec­ondly, it seeks to create an innovative digital learning ecosystem, fostering local skills development and sustain­able systems deployment.

Thirdly, it emphasizes the avail­ability and production of quality digi­tal content as a cornerstone of digital learning sustainability. Finally, the policy recognizes the pivotal role of teachers and aims to develop clear pathways for their capacity building.

As laudable as this form of learn­ing could be, there are some major barriers that trail its existence espe­cially in Africa.

During school closures, more than two-thirds of children globally were unable to access online learning.

Lack of electricity , particularly in Africa, connectivity, affordable data and devices are compounding factors that impede equitable access to digital learning.

Parents’ lack of literacy and dig­ital skills and reluctance to let chil­dren – girls in particular to access the internet are added obstacles.

Children’s own lack of digital skills, even in wealthier countries, can also stand in the way. Children from the poorest families feel less con­fident in their capacity to cope with digital learning activities.

With the right support system, your child can get the most out of their online learning, and emerge successful. With the critical, in-de­mand skills they need to be easily em­ployable and ready to make a power­ful impact on the world around them.