A new UNESCO report on technology’s role in education highlights the absence of proper governance and regulations. The report urges countries to establish their own guidelines for incorporating technology into education to ensure it complements rather than replaces in-person, teacher-led instruction, aligning with the goal of quality education for all.
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The report, titled “Technology in education: A tool on whose terms?”, emphasizes that while the potential of the digital revolution is vast, similar attention should be given to its use in education as in society. The focus must be on enhancing learning experiences and student-teacher well-being, rather than harming them. The report emphasizes prioritizing learners’ needs and supporting teachers, asserting that online connections cannot substitute human interaction.
The report presents four key questions for policymakers and educational stakeholders to consider when deploying technology in education. It advocates learning from past technology implementation mistakes to avoid repeating them. It also stresses the importance of teaching children to navigate life with and without technology, utilizing information wisely, and preserving human interactions in education.
The study highlights that majority of higher education online repositories and open educational resources are concentrated in Europe and North America. Moreover, only half of countries have established standards for developing teachers’ information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills. Notably, teacher training programs often overlook cybersecurity, despite education being a target for ransomware attacks.
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The report also underscores the necessity of safeguarding technology users’ rights and data privacy. Currently, only 16.0 per cent of countries worldwide legally guarantee data privacy in education, and an analysis reveals that a significant portion of educational technology products can potentially infringe on children’s privacy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several governments offering online education were found to be risking or infringing on children’s rights.
Overall, the report emphasizes the need for thoughtful technology integration in education, urging countries to take control of the terms under which technology is used while prioritizing holistic educational experiences and safeguarding users’ rights.
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