Abstract
A conducive and safe digital learning space has become a prominent concern in the present pandemic situation since most teachers and students are engaged in the online mode of instruction. In Nepal, various educational institutions have likewise adopted digital solutions to continue their academic operations. Despite the growing literature on emergency remote education, there seems to be a lacking sense of urgency to examine digital learning spaces. Thus, this chapter explored the issues surrounding safe and conducive digital learning environments using a qualitative approach to identify barriers and opportunities for a successful online education in Nepal. The findings of this chapter realized multifaceted digital transformation challenges (e.g., cyberbullying) coexisting with various positive aspects of learning online (e.g., flexibility). As the temporary shelter for academic services, this chapter argued that all stakeholders must take responsibility for making digital learning safe and conducive.
TopBackground Of The Study
Digital learning means creating opportunities for students in all streams to obtain a wide range of digital skills (Sailer et al., 2021). Today’s students need to respond with skill over their life-shifting towards the job requirements and fast-growing developments in technology. They are expected to get advantages and cope with the negative aspects of the growth of digital spaces. On the other hand, teachers and instructors are equally required to reflect on what their students are going to need in the future (Blundell et al., 2016). Considering the current global health situation, all stakeholders must discuss, learn and exchange experiences on adjusting teaching activities to new learning situations to recover and flourish in a post-COVID-19 world. Unfortunately, to efficiently face such challenges, only a few meetings among professional groups on online or mixed teaching methods were held to discover the opportunities (Pellegrini et al., 2020).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Digital Learning Space: A space where learning opportunities and access to educational resources are available anytime and anywhere.
Cybercrimes: These are offensive or criminal activities done through the computer or the internet as the instrument of illegal activities.
COVID-19: An infectious respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2.
Information and Communications Technology: It refers to the unification of communications and computers that enable modern computing.
E-Education: Internet-based teaching-learning practices or activities.
Learning Space: A space where the resources are available for the teaching and learning process.
Global Pandemic: An outbreak of an infectious disease that affects a whole nation or the entire planet at one time
Information Technology: Technology used for gathering and disseminating information.