The IMS Global Learning Consortium, an international not-for-profit organisation that develops standards for the uses of learning technologies, has written a list of seven trends to watch in digital learning.  The list includes questions to prompt discussion and reflection, which are thought-provoking if you can get past the weasel words:

1. The age of digital learning is here.

The future has already arrived … E-book sales doubled in 2006 … Expect a significant pick up in e-books in the next five years.

Do you think there is evidence that the long-awaited level of expectation for digital textbooks is finally catching up with reality?

2. The future of digital learning revolves more around context than content.

Multimedia and online activities are the learning tools of tomorrow …

What are some emerging examples of online technologies or interactive content  being used to enhance the learning experience?

3. The use of technology to support learning is not only enhancing the student experience, but offering faculty and administrators greater opportunities for assessment and accountability.

Through the use of smart boards, classroom capture systems, and other digital tools, students are able to retain more content while teachers can more precisely document the learning taking place …

Do you agree that digital learning  is helping to meet the need for assessment and accountability?

4. Coming up with a better business model and pricing structure will enhance the acceptance of digital learning.

Students increasingly purchase products and access services … online. 

Will an iTunes-like model of digital learning content dominate the future of educational publishing and digital content consumption?

5. In many instances, digital learning is growing at even a faster acceptance rate outside the U.S.

The Korean government is pursuing the Digital Textbook pilot project based on IMS Global standards with a goal of its generalization by 2013.

Are there government policies or investment programs you are aware of that will help create a movement toward digital learning?

6. The emergence of standards through initiatives such as  the IMS Global Learning Consortium Common Cartridge will further help contain costs and provide greater interoperability among platforms.

Everyone benefits from accepted standards that provide a platform for innovation and remove friction in the marketplace…

Is there evidence that the emergence of standards will result in an accelerated acceptance of digital learning?

7. The increase in broad-based initiatives is fueling the growth of digital learning.

Open courseware projects, such as MIT’s OpenCourseware Initiative, and open content providers such as Merlot, Connexions, Open University OpenLearn, and Curriki … are making shared content available for reuse.

Do you see evidence that the trend toward open source content is serving as a major catalyst toward the acceptance of digital learning?

Filed under: Open Education, Technologies, Virtual Learning by Agnes Bosanquet