Check out my visual presentation about Lifelong Learning in the Digital Age here
https://prezi.com/view/hluiShIh0GsDzuoc5Je3/
(McKinsey Digital, 2016)
Lifelong Learning in the Digital Age
The current world is digitally transforming, and people now have unlimited
access to a wealth of knowledge with the touch of a button (or your finger). The
digital age has changed learning and a range of technologies are spiraling into
homes, offices and classrooms. Technology allows people to upskill and adapt in
ways that suit everyone, making lifelong learning in the digital age personal
and a lot simpler and more effective than it seems. Lifelong learning refers to
this ability to adapt and learn the skills required to keep up with the
ever-changing technologies in the modern world (Laal, 2011, p. 470).
Lifelong learning in the digital age occurs naturally, as people have access to the internet and can use many search engines to seek and obtain knowledge. With every new post or blog read, and every new information viewed and listened to, the learning never ceases and continues expanding throughout peoples lives (Howell, 2012, p. 13). Albeit there being many benefits of technology, today’s learners can get caught up with the various digital technologies that they lose interest in school (Ackermann, 2015). What today’s learners could be learning may be of no real benefit for their lives and future careers, thus emphasizing the need to jump on the technology wagon and teach students the positives and benefits of technology (Ackermann, 2015).
Educational outcomes are now aimed at developing the skills necessary for young learners to use digital technologies as a tool to engage in lifelong learning throughout their adulthood (Howell, 2012, p. 13). Young learners will continue using technological means to access unlimited information post-schooling, so it is significant to teach them effective and safe ICT skills, ensuring they get the best outcome and confidently contribute to the expanding digital world. Digital fluency is a fundamental skill to prepare students to become lifelong learners as being digitally fluent ensures that students will continue to engage in lifelong learning (Howell, 2012, p. 140).
References
BizEd. (2018). Learning In The Digital Age [Image]. Retrieved from https://bized.aacsb.edu/articles/2018/03/learning-in-the-digital-age
Edith K. Ackermann (2015) Give me a place to stand and I will move the world! Life-long learning in the digital age / Dadme un punto de apoyo y moveré el mundo: el aprendizaje permanente en la era digital, Infancia y Aprendizaje. Journal for the Study of Education and Development 38:4, 689-717. DOI: 10.1080/02103702.2015.1076265
Howell, J. (2012). Teaching with ICT: Digital Pedagogies for Collaboration and Creativity, South Melbourne, VIC: Oxford University Press.
Laal, M. (2011). Life-Long Learning: What Does it Mean? Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 28, 470 – 474. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224767020_Lifelong_Learning_What_does_it_Mean
School Librarian’s Workshop. (2014). Lifelong Learning in the Digital Age – What about us? [Image]. Retrieved from http://slworkshop.net/2014/02/lifelong-learning-in-the-digital-age-what-about-us/
The Economist. (2017). Equipping people to stay ahead of technological change [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com/leaders/2017/01/14/equipping-people-to-stay-ahead-of-technological-change
Wabisabi Learning. (2019). 6 Ways to Build Lifelong Learning Skills In Your Learners [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.wabisabilearning.com/blog/6-lifelong-learning-skills
Teaching and Learning in the Digital World 