Learning in the digital age

In the digital age learning within the schooling system involves mastering concepts and skills, exploring the boundaries of the concepts and skills, and creating and sharing knowledge. Borko and Putnam (1996) offer a succinct definition of learning from a cognitive science perspective which is relevant to a digital age:

Learning is an active, constructive process that is heavily influenced by an individual’s existing knowledge and beliefs and is situated in particular contexts.

(pp. 674–675) This definition has two important implications for learning in the digital age. The first is about the individual and the second is about the role of context. An individual’s role in the learning process includes the knowledge they bring, their beliefs and their level of motivation. The context provides the learning environment and the learning experience.