Hello! My name is Amira, and I am currently in my final year as a psychology student at the University of Victoria. Throughout my educational journey, I have experienced various events which have shaped my approach to learning. For example, starting my first year as a UVic student in 2020 taught me valuable lessons regarding my approach to online learning. Throughout this process, I have developed methods of organization, motivation, and adaptation, which have helped me appreciate the diversity of learning environments. Recognizing the importance of accessibility in regards to online educational resources has motivated me to continue expanding my understanding of digital literacy concepts and discovering new ways to introduce this information to others.
Modes of Learning
There are various modes of learning that accommodate different learning preferences and needs. Some methods of learning include the following:
- Face-to-Face Learning: This traditional learning model allows students and instructors to interact in person. Using this method, students can receive immediate feedback and participate in hands-on activities, which can promote a strong sense of community (Gherheș et al., 2021). Additionally, interacting directly with instructors can help students quickly receive answers to any questions they may have.
- Open Education: This model takes place entirely online, with no need for physical classroom attendance. Open education contributes to inclusive academic environments by improving the accessibility of educational resources and minimizing barriers such as financial, geographical or scheduling restraints. There are often two instructional methods that are utilized when instructing online courses. In a synchronous course, students will attend live online classes. Alternatively, asynchronous courses often include pre-recorded lectures and self-paced activities. This learning model allows learners the flexibility to study from any location and at one’s own pace, making it an ideal choice for learners with busy or unpredictable schedules.
- Blended Learning: This approach combines face-to-face and online learning, with some portions of the course delivered in person and others completed online. Blended learning provides the advantages of both in-person interaction and online flexibility, which allows students to experience a range of educational benefits.
- Hybrid Learning: Similar to blended learning, hybrid learning gives students the option to choose between attending class sessions in-person or online. This high level of flexibility helps accommodate students’ diverse learning preferences and schedules.
For more information regarding the benefits of utilizing diverse learning methods, please review the following resource.
Each learning mode presents unique benefits and challenges which influence students’ engagement with course content. Personally, I prefer asynchronous online classes. As a student managing full-time work while living independently, this format offers the flexibility to balance my professional and academic responsibilities. I appreciate the opportunity to connect with classmates through online discussion forums, while also enjoying the freedom to complete coursework at my own pace. This learning model is also referred to as Distributed Education.
What is Distributed Education?
Distributed education refers to a learning model in which educational resources are delivered across multiple online platforms. Unlike traditional education, which typically requires physical attendance, distributed education allows students the flexibility to learn from anywhere and at any time.
Advantages of Distributed Education:
- Flexibility
- One of the main advantages of distributed education is its flexibility. Using online resources, students who face barriers to education such as physical distance, work commitments, or personal responsibilities can still access educational content and complete their courses.
- Opportunities for Diverse Perspectives
- Distributed Education allows students to attend courses from across the world, which can improve the diversity of educational contexts. This can allow for a more inclusive educational experience that accounts for multiple perspectives.
- Improve Digital Literacy
- Technology plays a key role in online learning, as platforms like learning management systems, recorded lectures, and online discussion boards allow instructors and students to interact and share resources using online tools. Continuously using these tools for educational purposes can help students improve their digital literacy in a controlled and supportive environment (Gherheș et al., 2021).
What is Digital Literacy?
Digital literacy refers to the ability to effectively use technology to navigate, evaluate, and develop online content. It is an increasingly important skill, particularly in online learning environments (Santos & Serpa, 2017).
In online education contexts, a student’s digital literacy will affect their ability to interact with online content, collaborate with peers and instructors, and engage with learning tools. For example, in an online course, it is important that students are able to navigate the learning management system and evaluate the credibility of online resources to successfully facilitate their learning.
Generated by ChatGPT (DALL-E 2025)
As discussed in our course notes, digital literacy also involves ethical considerations, such as understanding privacy and digital security. Both of these concerns are increasingly important in our digital world and affect how we navigate online spaces (Kim & Chung, 2023); Saritepeci et al., 2024).
Ultimately, it is important that students understand how to navigate online sources to protect their online privacy and avoid unintentionally sharing personal information. An individuals’ online presentation can also be referred to as their Digital Identity.
What is Digital Identity?
Digital identity refers to the way that one presents themselves online, and includes all of the data and content about oneself that exists on the internet. This includes personal information like social media profiles and professional information like work related networks.
Generated by ChatGPT (DALL-E 2025)
It is important to manage your digital identity as this information can influence how others perceive you and affect both your personal and professional opportunities (Saritepeci et al., 2024) In an educational context, maintaining a professional digital identity can help establish credibility with instructors and peers.
On a personal level, it’s important to be mindful of the content we post and share, as it can have lasting implications for our reputation.
To manage my digital identity, I ensure that my professional presence on platforms like LinkedIn aligns with my academic and career goals. Additionally, before posting any online content, I consider whether my post reflects my values and if this content might negatively impact future opportunities. I also ensure that my real name is not included in my personal social media accounts, my profile is kept private, and my face is not visible in my posts. By managing my digital identity carefully, I can maintain a positive and professional online presence, both in my educational and career pursuits.
Conclusion
To conclude, throughout this course, I look forward to exploring how distributed education, open education, and digital literacy can contribute to a more flexible, inclusive, and connected learning environment. I am also excited to learn about how these models can create global opportunities and foster diverse education. As we engage with these topics, I will consider how my own digital identity and literacy can influence my learning and professional success in the future.
References
Gherheș, V., Stoian, C. E., Fărcașiu, M. A., & Stanici, M. (2021). E-learning vs. face-to-face learning: Analyzing students’ preferences and behaviors. Sustainability, 13(8), 4381-. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084381
Kim, B.J., & Chung, J.B. (2023). Is safety education in the E-learning environment effective? Factors affecting the learning outcomes of online laboratory safety education. Safety Science, 168, 106306-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2023.106306
Santos, A. I., & Serpa, S. (2017). The importance of promoting digital literacy in higher education. International Journal of Social Science Studies, 5(6) https://doi.org/10.11114/ijsss.v5i6.2330
Saritepeci, M., Yildiz Durak, H., Özüdoğru, G., & Atman Uslu, N. (2024). The role of digital literacy and digital data security awareness in online privacy concerns: a multi-group analysis with gender. Online Information Review, 48(5), 983–1001. https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-03-2023-0122