Top 10 Online PhD Programs in Online Teaching

What Does Digital Learning Mean?

Digital learning is an umbrella term that applies to all types of learning that incorporate technology as an instructional practice or to supplement traditional instruction. Digital learning is not online learning in and of itself, but it does encompass online teaching with a long list of other concepts. Some other concepts that are part of digital learning would be learning analytics, gamification, blended learning, digital textbooks, and more. Digital learning can be applied in academic settings from pre K all the way up through higher education. As technology advances and our understanding of how to appeal to different learning styles continues to grow, the prevalence of digital learning grows as well.

Digital learning is not something that is used to replace traditional methods of instruction but instead to enhance it. Instruction and educational materials that are augmented with technology are also used outside of academic settings as well. Digital learning is a key component of a lot of job training modules, professional development programs, and a range of other corporate applications.

This innovative method can be used in many different fields.

Why is Digital Learning Important?

Digital learning, which encompasses everything from online teaching and digital instruction materials to gamification and virtual reality, is incredibly important. Digital learning was designed specifically to add depth to traditional teaching methods rather than to replace them. The use of digital learning, technology-based instruction, and online teaching has a hugely positive impact on students.

One of the key reasons that digital learning is important is that it plays an important role in advancing school reform. This is true because implementing technology into instructional practice makes education more accessible and increases equity. More students being met with they are and reached with technology-augmented learning materials means that more students are being reached and being given the opportunity to learn, something that is fundamental to school reform.

Another reason that digital learning is important is that online teaching, educational games, and other tech-based components help keep students more engaged. These experiences tend to be more collaborative, and they can be more easily tailored to the needs of an individual student.

In the realm of professional development and corporate training, digital learning is important because it increases access to continuing education and high-quality training for professionals who otherwise wouldn’t have access. It helps people to draw connections between theory and application more easily, which leads to them grasping concepts more quickly; this ensures that the professionals who rely on this type of training, which are primarily educators at present, spend less time away from performing their jobs.

What Can I Do With an Educational Technology Degree?

An educational technology degree is useful to have if you’re interested in pursuing a career in online teaching, but it is a very multifaceted area of study that can be applied in a number of other positions as well. The majority of those who have a degree in educational technology work in a K-12 setting; however, this degree is also applicable in higher education, corporations, district-level jobs, government agencies, and more. The reason why there are so many potential applications of an educational technology degree beyond online teaching is that you have a lot of choice when it comes to specialization.

Some of the classes that you may encounter as you work towards earning an educational technology degree, just as part of the core curriculum, would be Technology Curriculum and Planning, Research in Instructional Technology, Technology and Inquiry-Based Learning, and Managing Educational Technology Resources, as well as several other courses centered on the theory behind digital learning, and more. You have the chance, in most cases, to build on that with specializations. The possibilities are nearly endless, especially in a flexible doctorate program. Some areas you could choose to center your studies around could be Instructional Delivery System Development or Online Teaching.

Based on the routes you decide to take and your goals, you could see yourself working as an Instructional Coordinator, an online teacher, an eLearning Developer, Interface and Multimedia Designer, a training director, or even a Chief Learning Officer.

Is Online Education Better Than Traditional?

This type of question is entirely subjective because everyone has different learning styles, different needs, and different preferences. However, we can tell you about the benefits of online education and even explore why traditional education might be a better fit sometimes.

Online education is amazing because it increases accessibility, allowing more people to receive the high-quality education they deserve with fewer barriers. Online education also might be better for some students. If you’re someone who finds it difficult to pay attention in a traditional classroom setting, technology may be more engaging. You may also prefer to work in a more self-paced way. Distance learning allows you to do that, while still having the benefit of working with instructors who are experienced in online teaching. It is also nice to be able to study online because you don’t have to worry about relocating, commuting, or any of that.

While there are some awesome benefits to online learning, it’s true that it may not be for everyone. If you’re someone who isn’t very good at staying motivated on your own (it happens to the best of us!), you may find that the structure of showing up to a face-to-face class every day keeps you on track. Some people are also more collaborative learners so being able to have active discussions in person is great for them. However, we’d like to note that online learning does still offer a lot of opportunity for collaboration.

When it comes down to choosing if online learning is better, what matters is selecting what works best for your personal, academic needs.

What are Digital Tools for Students?

Digital learning makes use of a lot of digital tools. We tend to think of these as being more formal, such as a course delivery platform. However, digital tools for students can be any tool or resource that can be used in a digital learning environment. Things like iTunesU, cloud-based word processors, file-sharing platforms, and even YouTube Channels can be considered digital tools when they are actively being used to create or contribute to an online learning environment.