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The digital learning transformation - don't get left behind

The world is transforming. We’re moving more towards digital in every way and one area of significant change is education.
12 January 2017
The digital learning transformation - don't get left behind
The world is transforming. We’re moving more towards digital in every way and one area of significant change is education.

The digital learning revolution is upon us and many are in danger of being left behind. In our YMCA Awards making digital learning work for the leisure sector report released this week, it was revealed that increasing numbers of students now expect access to on-demand learning, enabling them to learn at a time and place that suits them.

Rob May, Director of YMCA Awards, said:

“Technology is transforming education. Learning technologies are gaining prominence in almost every sector – no longer limited to the forward thinking or progressive. From welders using virtual reality to practice their skills in aerospace, shipbuilding, and automobile manufacturing, to trainee doctors using digital applications to hone life-saving clinical skills.

Technology is transforming education. Learning technologies are gaining prominence in almost every sector – no longer limited to the forward thinking or progressive.
Rob May, Director of YMCA Awards

“We believe we have much to contribute to the debate. As a charity that focuses on helping people to live happier, healthier and more fulfilled lives we believe that digital can play a key role in democratizing access to fitness and inviting more people to engage with the physical activity sector as coaches, tutors, mentors and community activators.”

And despite some reservations when it comes to digitisation in the fitness industry, it seems students are crying out for it…

More research, also released this week, shows just how comfortable the new generation is with the use of technology in education. The research from Kortext revealed that students are comfortable with their study habits being monitored and tracked if it means that they’ll receive higher grades.

6 in 10 students believe their academic performance would improve if they had access to textbooks and other course materials online.
  • Almost half of university students (47%) predict they would achieve better grades if their lecturers were able to track their study habits. 
  • 91% of students are happy for universities to use analytics to track their progress if it helps them to achieve better grades. 
  • Three quarters (76%) of students believe that closer monitoring of study habits would result in fewer students dropping-out of university. 
  • 6 in 10 students believe their academic performance would improve if they had access to textbooks and other course materials online.

Speaking about digital learning specifically in the fitness industry, Rob added:

“Of course, learning is a social process and tutors, instructors, coaches will all continue to play a central role in learning delivery. But tools such as e-proctoring, virtual classrooms and the ability to calibrate data on students’ progress and learning needs mean that technology can be used to enable teaching professionals, whilst students have greater opportunities to learn by exploring, rather than by sitting or clicking through a course, helping to hone those creative, social and problem-solving skills that employers value so much.”

So what’s next in the new digital landscape?

“The challenge now for everyone involved in vocational education is how to embrace these trends whilst ensuring that students enjoy high-quality, highly engaging learning journeys that leave them happier, more-fulfilled and more equipped to join the fast-paced global workforce.”

YMCA Awards is one of Central YMCA's operations. Read the full report here. 

 

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