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Week 6 Post 1: Using Online Platforms in Higher Education

As time goes by through this course and my overall experience in the ISLT program, it has become apparent how important digital competency is for online learning. The Dennen et. al article on "College Student, Networked Knowledge Activities and Digital Competence: Implication for Online Instructors" continues to highlight the usefulness of the online approaches used for student learning. While it is often assumed that students are digitally capable of utilizing the online world to their benefit, learning would require a more structured approach.  

Social media use has become a great part of the lives of many, especially those who are part of this "digital native" group. According to the research done within the article, despite the assumption that students are somewhat digitally competent, students do not have all the necessary skills or strong enough skills for online learning (Dennen et al., 2023). This is a challenge that online instructors would have to overcome if they were to use the affordances of online learning to its full potential. As the article progressed, some of the recommendations focused on teaching students the necessary skills or developing what they already have to ensure that learning is being supported. 

Now, social media or networking sites are commonly used for personal use and for connecting with others. While I understand the perspective of using those skills in an academic or professional setting, I do question whether using them in that context will positively impact an individual. Trying to include learning in those contexts is challenging primarily due to the overwhelming amount of information and distractions that can be found on those types of sites. 

At the same time, incorporating media usage in courses can be a great way to teach learners how to connect what they are learning with information they can find online. Learning digital skills, in general, will be beneficial in a professional sense. So, building the students' skills in an academic setting will be a great way to prepare them for their careers. 


Reference

Dennen, V. P., He, D., Shi, H., & Adolfson, D. (2023). College students, networked knowledge activities, and digital competence. Online Learning, 27(4). https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v27i4.4046

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