The culture of a paradigm shift in digital learning

This chapter reviews salient features of the recent widespread adoption of digital educational resources by Higher Education. Although change is ongoing, there are some obvious lessons to learn. First, there is no single blueprint on how digital learning should best be done. A flexible mixture of pedagogy, technology, face-to-face and online contact will be different for individual subjects, students, levels of education, and institutions. Choices of the delivery format are often based upon decisions by an institution or lecturer who may be very knowledgeable about the subject matter but poorly aware of the full range of effective digital opportunities available. Despite greater awareness of digital educational activities, new applications are barely realised. Sustainable, large-scale implementation of digital learning environments will require customised training for students and staff in the use and rationale of digital educational technology. The cultural aspects of learning and acquisition of technical competency may be more difficult for staff than simply changing the application of technology.