The fourth industrial revolution is changing how we live, study and communicate and it is also influencing the education industry. With the objective to introduce the latest features and developments of the digital learning platforms and to share the experts’ experiences on the application of the digital learning platforms in their teaching, the Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) hosted a webinar titled "Springboard of Learning Excellence via Digital Learning Platforms" in collaboration with Pustaka Prinsip Sdn Bhd, Cengage Learning Asia Pte Ltd and McGraw-Hill Education on 25 May 2021 via Zoom.

Invited to speak at the webinar were Cengage Senior Marketing Manager Charles Ho and McGraw Hill Product Portfolio Marketing Senior Manager Gladys Tan. At the webinar, participants gained knowledge on introduction and updates of the digital learning platforms, applications of digital learning platforms by educators and experienced hands-on activities on the platforms for Accounting, Economics, Marketing and Management. The digital learning platforms enable academics to coordinate and align teaching materials, keep track of the latest performance of each student while removing the physical boundaries.

FAM Dean Dr Sia Bee Chuan said, “Teaching effectively involves not only the use of tools, techniques and strategies to optimise student learning but an understanding of context, in particular how your students learn, how they process information, what motivates them to learn more, and what impedes the learning process. Therefore, learning tools and technology enable students to develop effective self-directed learning skills. They are able to identify what they need to learn, find and use online resources, apply the information on the problem at hand, and even evaluate resultant feedback.”

She added, “We know that today’s webinar on digital learning platforms has certainly enriched courses especially in the teaching of language by adding a whole extra dimension. Educational organisations are no longer limiting learning only to the classroom. Instead, students can access high-quality effective learning resources from wherever they are, whenever they choose. Online learning platforms allow all of those things and provide a tool for students and teachers to keep a record of the progress made. Essentially, they allow learners to have more ownership of their learning which helps them learn better. The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in schools being shut all across the world. Globally, over 1.2 billion children are out of the classroom even as we speak today within our context in Malaysia. As a result, education has changed dramatically, with the distinctive rise of e-learning, whereby teaching is undertaken remotely and on digital platforms. Research suggests that online learning has been shown to increase retention of information, and take less time, meaning the changes coronavirus have caused might be here to stay. For this, we are here today to equip ourselves better and collaborate with publishers and content providers on how we can ride on this challenging environment.”

Charles Ho shared on digital learning in a pandemic era whereby he spoke about Mindtap, digital learning options, Cengage courseware and other related topics. He said, “The three tech trends shaping the future of teaching and learning is the widespread adoption of hybrid learning, increased use of learning technologies and online faculty development. Cengage respond to the evolving market landscape as it is easy to use, easy to adopt and easy to access. MindTap is the courseware that gives instructors complete course control with an engaging experience that boosts performance and delivers access to eTextbooks, study tools and more.”

Gladys Tan presented on digital learning in higher education where she emphasised on trends, key technologies and practices as well as experiences by students in Asia and Malaysia. “The key technologies and practices are in the areas of artificial intelligence, learning analytics, open educational resources, blended and hybrid course models, micro-credentialing and quality online learning,” said Gladys Tan.

The webinar was followed by four concurrent sessions led by McGraw-Hill Education Consultant Aaron Cheong on the topic of accounting, McGraw-Hill Education Consultant Rachel Yong on the topic of marketing and Cengage Senior Marketing Manager Tan Lee Hong on the topic of management as well as Cengage Senior Marketing Manager Charles Ho on the topic of economics.

A sharing session was continued by Far Eastern University, Philippines Maria Carmen B. Lapuz, Universiti Putra Malaysia Assoc Prof Dr Ho Jo Ann and Universiti Putra Malaysia Assoc Prof Dr Haslinda Hashim where they shared their experience on the applications of the digital learning platform.