Digital learning for developing Asian countries: Achieving equity, quality, and efficiency in education

This chapter examines the potential of digital learning to achieve the goals of education equity, quality, and efficiency in developing Asian countries. Drawing on a comprehensive review of literature, it reports that digital learning innovations, such as massive open online courses (MOOCs), intelligent tutoring systems (ITS), digital game-based learning (DGBL), and learning analytics (LA), are a relatively new phenomenon in developing Asian countries. The corresponding research literature is therefore understandably scant but growing. Yet, the review underscores that if these technologies are implemented in an evidence-informed manner, digital learning could contribute significantly to advancing the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 of inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. Future research could focus on understanding how factors such as localization/customization, equity, quality, efficiency, sustainability, and scalability interplay with digital learning in developing Asian countries. In particular, recognizing that digital learning holds significant potential, there is a need to explore how to effectively realize this potential across diverse and often constrained contexts. The chapter concludes that effectiveness, sustainability, and scalability factors are the most crucial considerations in bringing about the intended benefits of digital learning for all to turn the SDG4 vision into reality. Copyright © 2018 selection and editorial matter, Kerry J. Kennedy and John Chi-Kin Lee; individual chapters, the contributors.