"The interplay of digital technologies and inequalities are increasingly discussed in contemporary research, mostly focusing on different forms of digital divides and often addressed as a ‘problem’ that societies should face. Hence, digital education and its governance becomes a major arena for
...
addressing inequalities. In this paper, we offer a cross-country and multi-voiced perspective on how socio-digital inequalities are problematized in digital education policy in three world regions – Latin America, Africa and Europe – studying cases through policy documents in Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, Botswana, Germany and Sweden. Our analysis shows how differences and similarities between digital education policy are rooted in various sociotechnical imaginaries that go beyond the national as they are highly situated in spatial–temporal contexts and rooted in historical trajectories. Our contribution aims at a further exploration of the entanglements of educational technology and in/ equalities through global conditions and local (hi)stories." (Abstract)
more
"The use of Short Messaging Service (SMS) for education has grown in recent years, drawing particular attention to supporting school-level learners, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This renewed interest has prompted questions about how this form of educational technology could be used in the longer te
...
rm. However, despite being used in many Covid-19 responses, there are few documented examples of innovative applications in this field during the pandemic, which represents a gap in the literature. As a medium for education, SMS offers potential benefits such as being cost-effective and having positive impacts on learning. In this paper, we present a case study of an educational programme rapidly implemented during the pandemic as part of the ‘Keep Kenya Learning’ initiative, to support learners remotely in terms of literacy, numeracy, and social and emotional learning topics. Through the case study, we describe the innovative process used to rapidly develop content for SMS, and draw upon usage statistics, quiz scores and user feedback to gain insights into its implementation with learners and caregivers in Kenya. The case study demonstrated that educational television content can be effectively adapted to mobile delivery. Furthermore, we present practical reflections on the development and implementation of SMS educational technology which will help inform future initiatives. These include considering timing in relation to school terms when planning a supportingintervention, and designing content in a modular way to allow flexibility for learners in navigating through courses.
more
"Este libro presenta una reflexión sobre las posibilidades didácticas de las TIC en el ámbito educativo rural, en el marco de la investigación “Formación de docentes de escuela nueva con aprendizaje móvil para la integración de TIC en sus prácticas de enseñanza” realizada por el Grupo d
...
e Investigación Educación en Ambientes Virtuales de la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, con recursos de la Gobernación de Antioquia gestionados por Minciencias a través de la Convocatoria 804." (Descripción de la casa editorial)
more
"This report outlines the actions driven towards inclusive education, including skill-based training, online learning and classroom settings, and low-tech to high-tech assistive technology (AT). Skill-based training, one of the most important skills for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), covers life
...
skills, vocational training, mobility training, communication and social training, and academic training. This report emphasizes the AT for enabling inclusive education for the PWDs, opening a broader perspective on technology serving this purpose, i.e., physical and digital products that assist PWDs in achieving their goals. However, eight common challenges, shared by the six countries, have been identified: the need to strengthen policies, critical budget, poor implementation, lack of training, limited access, lack of awareness, negative attitude, and cultural and language barriers. These challenges are viewed as interconnected, as none can be resolved without involving another, posing another level of challenge to be implemented, in need of strategies and proper planning for a concerted effort to put forth by each country. Nonetheless, the countries remain steadfast and continue strengthening their policies and efforts toward inclusive education for PWDs." (Abstract)
more
"This report defines and takes the pulse of five vital elements of digital learning. It contributes to the ongoing yet urgent aim of transforming education, and offers steps to recovery through child-centered, equity-driven, and innovative solutions. The five vital elements covered are ICT in educat
...
ion policies and financing, digital learning platforms and content, teachers and school leadership, digital literacy, and holistic learning opportunities within and beyond classrooms. The report calls for a whole-of-system approach to digital learning, which includes increased resources, addressing the digital and usage divides, empowering teachers and school leaders, developing digital literacy among all groups, and meeting children where they are through entertaining and educational content and a mix of technologies. Particular attention should be given to gathering more data and evidence, which are sorely lacking; centering initiatives and solutions around the needs of marginalized learners and families, especially in low- and lower-middle income countries; and ensuring a holistic approach that considers all the vitals to make digital learning safe, equitable, engaging and effective." (Publisher description)
more
"This electronic publication about smart education strategies for building the resilience of education and training systems in the postpandemic environment provides a framework to develop appropriate policy and strategy in existing and emerging forms of schooling, higher education, technical and voc
...
ational education, and training (TVET), adult education and lifelong learning, including formal, nonformal and informal educational environments. While the discussion takes a historical view, it is also forward-looking and future-oriented. It hopes to contribute to ongoing, evolving conversations and debates on appropriate smart education policy development. The publication reviews the status of smart education policies in 10 countries. It includes 15 case studies within the six policy themes: infrastructure, curriculum and pedagogy, digital education resources and platforms, skills and competencies, governance, management and administration, and partnership. A policy template and a mechanism for monitoring and evaluating smart education policy implementation included in the publication would help the UNESCO Member States adopt smart education policies and strategies." (Back cover)
more
"Based on the literature review, mapping of digital education resources in circulation, and examples of implementation of digital education initiatives from around the world, this report aims to provide insights that would help lead to the wise, innovative and ethical use of digital technology in ed
...
ucation as a new dimension in achieving SDG 4 — inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. By so doing, it also attempts to contribute to a rethink of teaching and learning in the face of enormous opportunities and challenges brought about by digital technology in the times of change and turmoil." (Executive summary)
more
"Section 2 provides a short introduction to why we are excited by ICT4E and a quick digest of key resources, applications, and initiatives highlighted throughout the paper. Section 3 provides background context to USAID’s historical and current ICT4E investments. Section 4 provides key definitions
...
of terminology frequently used to discuss ICT4E. Section 5 presents the 10 key principles to which USAID adheres when conceptualizing, designing, and implementing ICT in education systems. Section 6 provides a condensed description of the growing body of evidence for ICT4E around the world and provides useful sites and resources as reference. Section 7 offers an extended examination of the opportunities for technology to support challenges within the education system and resources to help education staff and implementing partners understand and clearly communicate the case for integrating ICT approaches into associated education activities. Section 8 contains a matrix that education staff and implementing partners can use to integrate ICT at various stages of the USAID Program Cycle. It begins with country strategic planning and moves into project and activity planning, design, and implementation phases. The matrix also contains guidance for ensuring that monitoring, evaluation, and learning capture how interventions are performing according to established goals and targets for ICT usage." (Page 1)
more
"This contribution surveys learning approaches in the field of agricultural extension, agricultural advisory services, and rural communication and explores their relationships with Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). It makes a distinction between theory-based approaches to learning a
...
nd design-based approaches to learning. The reviewed theory-based approaches are social learning, experiential learning, collaborative learning, and transformative learning and the design-based approaches are visual learning, intercultural learning, and distance learning. The choice for surveying these specific approaches is based on the relevance that these approaches have for the field of agricultural extension, agricultural advisory services, and rural communication. It is concluded that learning itself is to be seen as social and behavioral change and that the group is much valued in existing learning processes. Furthermore, experiences and reflections are central elements in all reviewed learning processes, and the visual and the cultural play crucial roles." (Abstract)
more
"Educators use Twitter in many ways, including:
- The Digital Classroom: Twitter can be used to teach media and information literacy, including digital skills as well as global citizenship. You can prepare students to be informed, creative, engaged, empowered as well as how to express themselves —
...
contributing to positive societal change while being safe and smart on Twitter and everywhere else online.
- Networking with Colleagues: Twitter is a great tool to get ideas from other educators, to stay connected to education, and edtech conferences you cannot attend in person. It’s also an ideal tool to aid professional development and continuous learning.
- Connecting with the School Community: Teachers and administrators can use Twitter to share classroom or school news — from homework and projects to back-toschool nights.
This resource will provide insight into how Twitter can be used by educators and social actors of all kinds to innovate for better learning outcomes." (Introduction, page 3)
more
"The purpose of this report is to build an understanding of ‘what works’ in Educational Technology (EdTech) to ensure that children can learn in crisis or displaced settings. The field of EdTech is vast and has influenced almost every facet of modern educational delivery. This report will focus
...
on ‘child facing’ EdTech, which refers to technology – both software and hardware – designed directly for use by the child or by a teacher, parent, or facilitator working with a child." (Publisher website)
more
"Chapters are extended works of papers presented at Communication/Culture and The Sustainable Development Goals (CCSDG): Challenges for a New Generation, an international conference held in Chiang Mai University in December 2015. The chapters address assessments of Millennium Development Goals in se
...
veral Asian countries and the region as a whole. The book also identifies and discusses the changes and potential improvements in the transition from Millennium Development Goals (2000-2015) to Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030). Areas that are covered in the book, which are illustrated with case studies, include Corporate Social Accountability, Information and Communications Technologies, and Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs)." (Publisher description)
more
"[This report] surveys the landscape of digital opportunity as it relates to – and affects – children. It examines the digital divides that prevent millions of children from accessing through the internet new opportunities to learn and, someday, to participate in the digital economy, helping to
...
break intergenerational cycles of poverty. It also explores the undeniably dark side of the internet and digital technology, from cyberbullying to online child sexual abuse to Dark web transactions and currencies that can make it easier to conceal trafficking and other illegal activities that harm children. It reviews some of the debates about less obvious harms children may suffer from life in a digital age – from digital dependencies to the possible impact of digital technology on brain development and cognition. And it outlines a set of practical recommendations that can help guide more effective policymaking and more responsible business practices to benefit children in a digital age. Equally important, this report includes the perspectives of children and young people on the impact of digital technology in their lives – telling their own stories about the issues that most affect them." (Foreword, page vi)
more
"This report has focused on predicting what basic education, the use of ICTs, and the ways that these technologies will contribute to education will look like by 2025, with a particular emphasis on the implication for those living in the most deprived locations. Three broad conclusions are appropria
...
te. First, there is immense diversity, not only in education delivery but also in access to, and use of, ICTs. This will remain the case in 2025, and the resultant inequalities might well be very much worse than they are today. If current trends continue, then the use of technologies by the rich will be markedly different from the use of ICTs by the poor. The most deprived will continue not to have access to ICTs, will continue not to benefit from them, and will become relatively more disadvantaged. However, millions of slightly better off poor people will indeed be able to benefit from the potential that existing ICTs will be able to deliver over the next decade, especially in terms of access to educational content that may enable them to live more fulfilled lives. Second, for education systems to be improved, especially for the poorest and most marginalised children, there must be a fundamental rethinking of the vision for education in almost every country of the world. Educational change is slow, but some of those consulted for this report were optimistic, and thought that the pressure for change will soon become so high that governments will have to respond by instigating fundamental reforms. These, though, will be very expensive, and it still remains unclear how they will be funded and implemented. While the ICT sector is still likely to experience much rapid innovation, it is much more probable that the education sector will only evolve slowly. It is therefore also important that these technologies are used to enhance opportunities for learning everywhere, even where the education systems are slow to evolve. Third, there have indeed been many exciting and innovative uses of technology within education over the last two decades, and some of these are already being applied in contexts of both physical and socio-cultural deprivation. However, all too often those implementing ICTs initiatives in the education sector focus primarily on the technologies, rather than the education. If technology is indeed to be used to support learning, both in school and out of it, there needs to be a complete reversal of much current practice. The focus must be first on the education, and only then on the various technologies that can help deliver it." (Conclusions, page 20)
more