Education has a very important place for humanity. From the moment we are born, we are in an education process, even unconsciously. We are in the process of learning that language by listening to the speeches of the people around us, and at a later age we receive our first education on various subjects from our parents. After reaching a certain age, we officially start attending schools and enter into a planned and formal education process.
It is extremely important for us and our future generations that education processes are planned and forward-looking and that education is provided effectively. At this point, thanks to the developing technology, digital transformations in education are gaining momentum and the fact that education has undergone a great deal of digital transformation since the pandemic gives this issue a state that needs to be carefully emphasized. In this article, we will examine digital transformation in education and its benefits and harms.
Digital Transformation in Education
Digital transformation in education is a process that changes and enriches learning processes. The rapid development of technology changes the way educators and students interact and approach, facilitates access to information and personalizes learning experiences. Thanks to digitalization, students and educators can access educational resources from wherever they are and are quickly informed about developments in our globalized world. However, this does not have the same effect on every person, for example, people living in cities and big cities can benefit from the benefits of digitalization to the fullest, while those living in rural areas and in places far from the internet cannot benefit from these benefits. At this point, inequality of opportunity comes to the fore and the authorities should think and work on this problem in order to ensure that everyone has equal access to the possibilities of technology.
The Opportunities
1-Accessibility
Regardless of location, access to digital resources is extremely easy in most places with internet access. With just an internet connection and the appropriate device, a person in China can have online English lessons with a teacher in the United States.
2-Personalized Learning
It offers student-specific educational experiences thanks to data analyzed according to students' personal needs. It offers an opportunity for students who need improvement in mathematics or who are deficient in a particular subject to prepare an education plan for that subject or subjects.
3-Flexibility
It offers students the opportunity to learn at their own convenience and according to their learning speed. Students have the opportunity to better comprehend the subjects by re-watching the parts they do not understand.
4-Resource Diversity
Thanks to thousands of resources, students have the opportunity to receive education from a source they like. A person who is not satisfied with the French lessons he / she has taken can change the site or teacher he / she has taken and take his / her education to better places.
The Challenges
1-Technological Inadequacy
Students without technological means cannot benefit from digital transformation opportunities in education. A student living in a small town has to continue his/her education with traditional methods and cannot personally receive extra education. In this case, it becomes an issue to be solved by creating inequality of opportunity.
2-Lack of Motivation and Reluctance
It is observed that students who study in a crowded classroom have more motivation and desire to study than those who study alone online. A student who continues his/her education unaware of people may experience illusion and have difficulty in providing the necessary motivation for his/her education.
3-Poor Quality of Education
Although digitalization in education has gained momentum after the pandemic, there are still debates about the quality and efficiency of education. By not being able to interact with the student, the teacher cannot make a clear determination about his/her level, and this emerges as a deficiency in the quality of education.
4-Lack of Social Interaction
In online education as well as face-to-face education, students continue their education and continue to grow without socializing. This situation is extremely dangerous for their social skills. It allows them to grow up more withdrawn and distant from people in the future.
As a result, digitalization in education has accelerated since the pandemic and technology has started to play an extremely important role in educational planning. Students can access education digitally within their means and receive education tailored to their needs. However, those who do not have this opportunity continue their education traditionally and cannot benefit from this opportunity. This situation emerges as inequality of opportunity. In addition to these, although digitalization in education has positive aspects, we should not ignore the difficulties and educational planning should be made accordingly.