Embracing digital technology and becoming a digital learner is a fundamental aspect we should adopt to align with the modern era and future of education and life after school. Hence, digital learning plays a vital role in children's lives, they should adopt this practice effectively. Adopting this practice benefits the learner and teacher in maintaining an efficient learning space. In this blog, you will learn the importance of digital learning, why children should be digital learners, how to help children embrace digital technology, and the essential skills children need. Let's get started!
Why Should Children Become Digital Learners in 2024? The following are the key reasons for children to become digital learners:
  • Ability to access a wide range of information: If you are a digital learner, you can access a vast amount of information depending on your study requirements from digital libraries and the Internet, educational websites, and digital textbooks.
  • Ensure skill development: When children engage with digital tools, it helps to enhance their skills, making them ready for the future. For example, children's critical thinking, problem-solving, and more will be improved.
  • Establish effective communication: Digital tools help to maintain a collaborative workspace as children can connect with local and global students. Also, digital platforms help to effectively manage group discussions, projects, and social learning communities.
  • Maintain an interactive and engaging environment: If digital learning is adopted, the learning environment should be interactive to keep the children focused. Multimedia elements, such as videos, interactive simulations, and games, are used to keep the learning experience engaging, which helps the student focus.
  • Obtain a personalised learning experience: When digital platforms are used, the teachers can carefully watch and track the student's performance. Hence, they can offer customised consultations and experiences to students in need, based on digital tools and analytics.
How To Help Children Become Digital Learners In 2024 The following are the key ways to integrate digital learning among children effectively. Inclusive Learning Spaces Inclusive learning spaces are classroom environments that help every student participate in the learning process equally despite their background, abilities, or learning styles. This methodology helps kids feel valued, supported, and participate effectively. Maintain An Effective Teaching Environment For Teachers By including inclusive learning environments, data analytics methodologies can be used to identify students' tendency to complete work, as well as their accuracy, performance, and other key metrics. It would help teachers address a weak student in the subject. Embrace Modern Technologies Learning environments must adopt technology through digital devices such as tablets, laptops, and desktops. When children use this equipment, they become used to the modern era of technology.
Teach Digital Literacy Skills Certain students might not be aware of modern technology or even the basics of computing. The learning environment should provide the methodologies for using a keyboard, mouse, touchscreens, the Internet, and learning software. Adopt Digital Learning Tools Interactive learning platforms should be used to practice digital learning. For example, many learning platforms, such as Khan Academy, Duolingo, and educational YouTube channels, adopt this strategy. Classrooms should also practice using virtual sessions by utilising tools such as Zoom, Google Classroom, and Microsoft Teams to conduct sessions for students.
Why Is Digital Literacy Important For Children? Digital literacy is important for children, and they should adopt technological changes accordingly. Digital literacy and related technology are fast-moving in the industry. After the global pandemic, we are facing vast changes in technological innovations and strategies such as remote work, e-learning, telehealth, and more! These technologies have paved the path toward digital literacy for the education industry. Since technology is also evolving, it's time for every learner to be an efficient digital learner and practice sustainable and efficient learning practices.
What Are The Best Digital Literacy Or Computer Skills For Children In 2024? If you want to enhance your children's digital literacy or computer skills, focus on developing the below skills in 2024:
  • Basic Computer Operations (ability to handle digital devices, manage files, use learning platforms, and adopt modern classroom technologies).
  • Coding and Programming skills (practice block-based coding, text-based coding, and robotics.
  • Enhance digital communication skills (using emails, virtual meeting tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, and online collaborative tools such as Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides).
  • Proper research practices (practical usage of the Internet to search for new information, ensure their credibility and usage)
  • Teach about new technologies (AR/VR technology, AI and Machine Learning)
  • Usage of digital creativity tools (Canva, Adobe Spark, GIMP, Tinkercad)
Final Thoughts In conclusion, your child must be a digital learner and follow the best practices. Let's teach our kids critical digital literacy skills and adopt modern learning practices in Digital Learners in 2024. We hope this guide helped you understand the importance of being a digital learner.