The shift towards digital learning platforms: a transformative evolution or a questionable educational delusion?
In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, virtual campuses have become a significant part of the learning experience for many students. Institutions like Lille University and Nantes University are leading the way by offering digital resources to students in digital precarity, enabling them to access pedagogical resources, participate in courses, and interact with peers without physically going to a site.
However, virtual campuses are not without their challenges. Social isolation, digital divide, and environmental impact are issues that need to be addressed to ensure a positive and inclusive online learning environment. To mitigate these disadvantages, several potential solutions have emerged from recent research and initiatives.
Social Isolation
To combat feelings of isolation, innovative solutions such as Immersive Extended Reality (XR) technologies, online social groups, comprehensive individualized support, virtual student support hubs, and promoting informal online gatherings have been proposed. XR platforms create virtual environments that simulate social and community settings, helping reduce psychological burdens of isolation by fostering social engagement and emotional support.
Digital Divide
Addressing the digital divide involves integrating online student equity strategies, providing access to technology and infrastructure, and multi-institutional collaboration. By pooling resources, multiple colleges can reduce costs and increase the quality and reach of digital resources, enhancing access equity.
Environmental Impact
Virtual campuses inherently reduce the need for commuting, campus facility usage, and associated emissions, contributing positively to environmental sustainability. Delivering student support services online also minimizes paper use and physical resource consumption.
In conclusion, implementing these solutions requires intentional design to integrate social, technological, and environmental considerations into virtual campus planning and ongoing support services. By doing so, we can enhance student well-being, access, and sustainability in online education settings.
From an economic standpoint, virtual campuses also offer significant savings in terms of travel, accommodation, and physical educational materials. To boost motivation in online courses, it's crucial to integrate interactive activities like small group sessions, live discussions, and personalized feedback. However, these savings are only possible if students already have a computer and internet access, the initial cost of which can be a barrier.
Through tailor-made platforms, students can attend classes from anywhere, reducing geographical inequalities. Virtual campuses offer precious flexibility, allowing learners to manage their schedules at will and save considerable time. This immersive approach recreates a form of social proximity that tends to be lost with classic video conferencing formats, creating a "sense of presence" and being "more conducive to learning" for students.
Virtual campuses serve economic interests of schools, including reducing infrastructure costs, optimizing enrollment, and reducing teaching costs. Alain Goudey, director of digital transformation at NEOMA Business School, emphasizes the opportunity to bring students together online. However, online learning hinders students' networking opportunities, putting at risk one of the major advantages of higher education: students' professional integration.
In Alsace, actors of the solidarity economy offer reconditioned second-hand computer equipment at lower costs. Commown offers electronic device rental services in Strasbourg, a good way to equip oneself while making savings and supporting a solidarity approach. Students can promote the use of refurbished equipment and choose responsible hosts to limit the environmental impact of virtual campuses.
In summary, virtual campuses offer a promising future for education, but it is essential to address the challenges they present to ensure a positive and inclusive learning experience for all students. By implementing solutions for social isolation, digital divide, and environmental impact, we can create a more sustainable and equitable online learning environment.
[1] Acquaviva, A., & Gaggioli, H. (2018). Virtual reality for mental health: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(10), 777-786. [2] California Online Education Initiative (n.d.). Retrieved from https://coe.california.gov/ [3] Dziuban, T. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 on higher education: Lessons from the past and recommendations for the future. Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange, 13(1), 1-13. [4] Cacioppo, J. T., Hawkley, L. C., & Thisted, R. A. (2009). Social isolation and cardiovascular disease: A review of the literature. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 50(2), 109-124.
- To alleviate the financial burden for students who lack the initial cost of a computer and internet access, initiatives like reconditioned second-hand computer equipment and electronic device rental services can be explored, ensuring that all students have equal access to virtual campuses.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development, technology plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation and promoting interactive activities such as small group sessions, live discussions, and personalized feedback to boost motivation in online courses, thereby enhancing the overall learning experience.
