Complement in-person learning with an effective digital experience

The popularity of learning platforms such as Coursera and Udemy, paired with the rise of learning content on social media sites such as YouTube and Facebook, has undeniably influenced ways of teaching and learning in and outside the classroom.

As digital evolves and contributes to disruption, education like any other industry has been compelled to powerfully innovate to adapt to these changes. What does this mean for the future of learning in Malaysia?

A blended learning experience

Student Voice Matters (SVM) 2023, an annual survey that is released by education social enterprise Project ID, reports that 1 in 2 students supplement offline learning with digital resources. Students now have greater choice and control over how they want to learn, thanks to the vast availability of resources through the Internet.

Undeniably, the pandemic has thrust Malaysian education into the digital era. We now embrace technology as a means to bridge the gap between student and teacher: there is no shortage of learning management systems like Google Classroom and Canvas and applications like Padlet and Kahoot.

What’s next in this increasingly interconnected world?

To move forward, hear students out

Call it intuition, call it learning. Where pedagogy (the theory and practice of teaching and learning) used to be associated with educators, students are fast picking up on what helps them learn best.

SVM 2023 finds that 36% of students have an inclination towards micro-learning, an approach that delivers small, bite-sized units of educational content to learners. A concise and targeted way of breaking down complex topics, micro-learning can help build students’ confidence as they conquer a new topic or skill.

Similarly, 42% of students find game-based learning useful for assessments. Indeed, applications like Quizziz incorporate gamification elements such as points, leaderboards, avatars and timers to create an engaging learning experience for their users.

When we engage in meaningful dialogue with students, we gain invaluable insights into their learning experiences, preferences, and challenges. By acknowledging that students have an understanding of what works best for them, we take the first step in empowering them to take ownership of their education.

How we think matters

As policymakers, school leadership, teachers, parents and community leaders, how we think about incorporating digital into education matters. To truly shift mindsets in education, we must lead by example.

The fast-paced world we live in demands a mindset that embraces innovation. We can choose to adopt a growth mindset and fully embrace digital learning as complementary tools that can augment traditional teaching methods. When we stay open to new possibilities, we are also good role models for our students.

It is also worth remembering that education is not a one-size-fits-all endeavour. If anything, the diversity of learning material and platforms on the Internet reflects how every student is unique, with varying strengths, interests, and learning styles. It is essential that we create an inclusive educational system that recognizes and celebrates these individual differences.

The reality is that students today are digital natives—they know how to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Our role as adults is to support students to responsibly do so, whether it is to guide them on how to critically discern between pieces of information, or on how to communicate and collaborate safely with others online. In facilitating that process, we ensure that students make the best of their experiences online, and that their time on the Internet is as safe as it is productive.

To truly influence education, we need the genuine collaboration of adults and students alike. Only then are we on our way to building a truly great future of learning.

First released in 2020, Student Voice Matters is a report released by social enterprise Project ID that aims to capture the voices of Malaysian students and understand their perspectives on education. In SVM 2023, students share their thoughts on the current and future state of learning, as well as on their well-being and post-secondary education and career aspirations.

Find the key insights from SVM 2023 here: https://studentvoicematters.com