LEARNING AGAIN Why investing in the digital classroom is essential CHRIS BUCHANAN
TECHNOLOGY is already re-imaging the education sector on a global scale, from preschool through to higher education. In recent years, students at all levels have been taking advantage of technology on demand to meet their own learning needs and chart their path to workforce readiness. We have seen this evidenced first-hand, having partnered with Stanford University’s Rural Education Access Program (REAP) to bring computerassisted learning (CAL) to students in rural schools across China, with children gaining an extra semester’s worth of learning when using CAL software. In schools, EdTech solutions in the form of virtual collaboration and data synchronisation tools have created opportunities to transform the learning experience and prepare students for a digital-first
world. This is allowing teachers and students to connect via live-streamed sessions, avail of appfuelled experiences, and even participate in virtual field trips. People are the centre of every successful education experience and to truly grasp all the benefits that techbased education models can offer, we need to ensure that access to tech and the learning culture evolves, too. For example, wheeling out computers in schools is not enough on its own – teaching methods must be redesigned around datadriven technologies. A long-term strategic approach should be embedded in all
People are the centre of every successful education experience
aspects of enhanced digitalisation to truly support students. So, what does digital transformation in the education sector actually look like? Firstly, the provision of devices with broad mobile carrier support which enable all students to access the digital classroom and learning materials, irrespective of broadband internet access is imperative. A globally connected virtual classroom can bring learning to every student regardless of
language, comprehension style or geography. Hybrid-cloud infrastructure can enable in-school and off-site access to resources, as well as classes online. It means the provision of robust devices and video collaboration tools, so all students have the basic necessities for modern and accessible education. But this is only the foundation of digitally driven learning resources, which must be supplemented with determined efforts to enhance digital literacy
