TAGAD

TAGAD
Today the boundaries concerning the use of
digital media among children and adolescents
are still expanding and their culture of learning
which lately has become one of the topical issues
in social sciences is considered to be one of the
most significant challenges for the other part of
society, especially if the upbringing in family and
studies at school are considered. The use of online
resources has become a major or ‘first choice’ for
children and adolescents. Their learning of culture
has moved from paper or printing to the field of
digital technologies (Rifkins, 2004; Underwood,
Farrington-Flint, 2015), which demands not only
to expand virtual learning environment at school,
but also makes teachers think about effective
integration of digital media into the learning
process.
The changes in life style and learning habits
of children and adolescents caused by digital
culture make researchers look for answers to
countless important questions. It has already
been concluded that the promised presence of
technologies alone in the classroom to facilitate
students’ learning achievements has not proved
to be true (Underwood, Farrington-Flint, 2015).
Therefore it is important to find out more effective
ways for application of technologies in the
process of learning to facilitate the development
of students’ cognitive, social and emotional
competences. What are or could be students’
benefits from using technologies in learning
and in what situations do they ensure gains not
restrictions? Researchers are asking a question
– how can smart technologies help to develop
smart people?
This edition of scientifically methodological
magazine “Tagad” is an attempt of Latvian
researchers to answer the aforementioned
questions. The collection continues discussions
with teachers started in November 2011 when
the edition of the same magazine addressing
topical issues of media pedagogy was published.
It is important to remember that the field
of technologies is developing very fast and
pedagogical innovations often stay behind
technological innovations. In contemporary
education we observe insufficient management
of changes and teachers are short of specific
methodology to help them implement these
changes.
The collection of 2016 contains articles pertaining
to the field of pedagogy and psychology. They give
analysis of the risks caused by digital technologies
as well as offer possibilities to facilitate the
efficiency of children and adolescents’ learning
in the context of contemporary education and
upbringing. The authors hope that the ideas
and methodological guidelines included in the
collection will help teachers to solve challenges
caused by digitalization of education and will offer
practical advice how to integrate technologies
into the process of learning.
By implementing the ideas suggested in
the collection at school, teachers will obtain
instruments to introduce new learning culture.
This collection offers techniques how to use
students’ virtual experience in the process of
learning thus helping to diminish the gap between
theory and real social practice. The scientifically
methodological edition “Tagad” will help to
design not only innovative approach to learning,
but will also contribute to facilitating teacher’s
interest in the issues important and significant
for student. It will promote teachers’ professional
development, as well as acknowledge their
reputation as implementers of changes in the
eyes of students.
Good luck in the implementation of digitalization
in your school!
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