Digital education helps students by giving flexible, self-paced access to courses, video lessons and practice tools from anywhere with an internet connection. It is now mainstream: according to NCES, 61% of US undergraduates took at least one distance education course in fall 2021. UNESCO finds the learning gains are small to medium and depend on how technology is used.
Key Takeaways
- Digital education (e-learning) covers online courses, video lessons, learning apps, digital textbooks and learning platforms, used fully online or blended with classroom teaching.
- Online study grew sharply: NCES reports 36% of US undergraduates took at least one distance course in fall 2019, 75% in fall 2020 and 61% in fall 2021.
- UNESCO’s 2023 GEM Report found technology gives small to medium-sized positive effects compared with traditional instruction, not a guaranteed boost.
- Access is uneven: only about 40% of primary schools worldwide are connected to the internet, according to UNESCO.
- Before paying for an online degree, check accreditation; the US Federal Trade Commission warns about fast, no-exam “degrees”.
We have been using technology in our day to day work to make our life easier. Education has been slower to change, but digital tools are now a normal part of study for millions of students. You won’t find the digital education present in every institution or for that matter. Online courses are no longer niche: according to the US National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 61% of US undergraduates took at least one distance education course in fall 2021, up from 36% in fall 2019.
Some employers still look closely at online credentials, which is why it matters that an online program is properly accredited (see the checklist below). But, that doesn’t deter the students from attaining knowledge through online courses.
What Is Digital Education?
Digital education, also called digital learning or e-learning, is teaching and learning delivered or supported by digital technology: online courses, video lessons, learning apps, digital textbooks and learning management systems, used either fully online or blended with classroom teaching. Digital education is one platform through which you can provide education to one and all across the continents.
Digital education can suit both busy professionals and recent graduates, because many courses are self-paced. Digital education gives access to a large amount of information, much of it free, although quality varies and many courses and degrees still charge fees. The convenience that comes with getting this kind of education also allows individuals to choose among a myriad of courses being offered online with relative ease. One can earn their masters in supply chain management online while juggling other responsibilities.
Earlier you had to step out of your house to acquire knowledge about something you do not know. Today, a reliable internet connection and a suitable device are the main requirements, and those are not universal: UNESCO’s 2023 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report found that only about 40% of primary schools worldwide are connected to the internet.
Looking for information regarding business, economy, philosophy, accountancy or literature, you will get it all online. Digital Learning can make difficult topics easier to grasp through video, simulations and interactive tools, including 3D models in some subjects.
Many learners find that combining video, audio and text helps them understand a topic, although reading remains essential and no single format suits everyone. However, it is not just making things simpler in terms of education, but it is also helping us protect the environment.
Using digital materials instead of printed handouts can reduce paper use, although devices, data centers and electricity have an environmental footprint of their own.
Embracing digital education
Digital education makes sure that the students develop their communication skills and also try to don the hat of innovation. It is very important to know how creative you are or what your inclinations are and digital education can help you with just that and much more.
You can term the digital education as a movement, which can improve learning when it is implemented well and supported by trained teachers.
The students will be able to use it to the optimum level only when they get the right tool to explore. When you are making use of technology in education, then things become simpler and much more fun. You will find students enjoying their study and trying out new things out of their preference and not out of compulsion.
With the digital education on board any classroom will become much more interactive and far more interesting as well. The evidence is more cautious than the hype: UNESCO’s 2023 GEM Report found that technology in education shows small to medium-sized positive effects compared with traditional instruction, and that the benefits depend on how it is used.
Conclusion
Technology can help teachers hold students’ attention, but it does not replace good teaching; UNESCO reports that only about half of education systems worldwide have ICT standards for teachers. They will be eager to know more about using the technology. When the kids are open to the digital education at an early age, with sensible screen-time limits and adult guidance, it can support creativity and problem-solving, but the benefits depend on how the technology is used.
How Has Digital Education Grown?
Digital education grew from early online courses into a mainstream way to study. Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are a good marker: the term MOOC was coined in 2008 by Dave Cormier, in response to the course Connectivism and Connective Knowledge (CCK08), led by George Siemens and Stephen Downes. That course had 25 tuition-paying students and more than 2,200 free online participants.
MOOCs became widely popular in 2012. Udacity was founded by Sebastian Thrun after Stanford’s 2011 Introduction to AI course enrolled 160,000 students, Coursera was founded by Daphne Koller and Andrew Ng, and edX began as the not-for-profit MITx, launching its first course in March 2012. As of May 2025, Coursera reported more than 148 million registered learners worldwide.
Online study in US colleges
The pandemic pushed online study to a peak, and it stayed well above pre-pandemic levels. The table shows NCES figures for US undergraduates.
| Fall term | At least one distance course | Only distance courses |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 36% | 15% |
| 2020 | 75% | 44% |
| 2021 | 61% | 28% |
For postbaccalaureate (graduate-level) students, NCES reports 56% took at least one distance course in fall 2021 and 40% studied exclusively at a distance, compared with 42% and 33% in fall 2019.
Benefits and Limits of Digital Education
Digital education helps most when it adds something a classroom cannot easily offer, such as flexible timing or interactive practice. The table sets the main benefits against the limits that UNESCO’s 2023 GEM Report documents.
| Benefit | Limit to keep in mind |
|---|---|
| Study anywhere, at your own pace | About 40% of primary, 50% of lower secondary and 65% of upper secondary schools worldwide are connected to the internet (UNESCO) |
| Continued learning when schools close | During COVID-19, at least half a billion students, or 31% worldwide, could not be reached by remote learning (UNESCO) |
| Interactive tools, video and practice apps | Positive effects are small to medium-sized compared with traditional instruction (UNESCO) |
| Wide choice of apps and platforms | A UK review cited by UNESCO found only 7% of education technology companies had run randomized controlled trials |
| Personalized data on progress | Only 16% of countries explicitly guarantee data privacy in education by law (UNESCO) |
UNESCO also reports that one in four primary schools has no electricity, and that fewer than one in four countries ban smartphones in schools. Device access varies widely: at most 10 computers per 100 students in Brazil and Morocco, against 160 per 100 students in Luxembourg.
How Can Students Get the Most From Digital Education?
- Set a fixed study time. Self-paced courses are easy to postpone, so block regular time each week, as you would for a class.
- Mix formats. Watch a lesson, then take notes, answer practice questions and explain the idea in your own words.
- Use free tools first. Try free courses and learning tools before paying for a program; see our list of free online learning tools.
- Stay in contact. Join course forums, office hours or study groups so online study does not become isolating. Our guide on how to succeed in online classes covers this in more detail.
- Manage screen time. Take regular breaks, especially for younger learners; see screen time guidance by age.
How to Check an Online Program Is Legitimate
An online degree is only as useful as the institution behind it. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lists these warning signs of degree scams (diploma mills):
- No studying, exams or interaction with professors required.
- A whole degree offered for “experience” alone.
- Degrees promised in days, weeks or a few months.
- Pushy advertising: spam, pop-ups and high-pressure sales calls.
Before enrolling, the FTC recommends confirming accreditation with the College Navigator tool, checking that the accreditor is listed by the US Department of Education, asking employers whether they would accept the credential, and contacting your state attorney general’s office. Credits from unaccredited programs may not transfer to other schools. To compare study formats, read the pros and cons of online and traditional colleges and the key trends shaping e-learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is digital education?
Digital education is teaching and learning delivered or supported by digital technology, such as online courses, video lessons, learning apps and digital textbooks. It can be fully online or blended with classroom teaching.
How does digital education help students?
Digital education helps students by offering flexible, self-paced study, access to courses from anywhere and interactive practice. UNESCO’s 2023 GEM Report found small to medium-sized positive effects compared with traditional instruction, depending on how the technology is used.
How many students study online?
In the United States, NCES reports that 61% of undergraduates took at least one distance education course in fall 2021 and 28% studied only at a distance. Worldwide, Coursera reported more than 148 million registered learners as of May 2025.
What are the disadvantages of digital education?
The main disadvantages are unequal internet and device access, weak evidence behind many education technology products, data privacy risks and screen time. UNESCO found that at least half a billion students could not be reached by remote learning during COVID-19.
Are online degrees respected by employers?
Acceptance of online degrees can vary by employer, and accreditation is the first thing to check. The FTC advises confirming accreditation through College Navigator and asking employers whether they would recognize the credential before enrolling.
Justwebworld has published guides since 2012. How we write and update articles Report an error
