The new 2023 GEM Report on Technology in education: A tool on whose terms? addresses the use of technology in education around the world through the lenses of relevance, equity, scalability and sustainability.
It argues that education systems should always ensure that learners’ interests are placed at the center and that digital technologies are used to support an education based on human interaction rather than aiming at substituting it.
It examines the education challenges for which appropriate use of technology can offer solutions, while recognizing that many of the current solutions proposed may also be detrimental. The report examines issues of access, equity, and inclusion in education, looking at ways through which technology can help reach disadvantaged learners but also ensure more knowledge reaches more learners in more engaging and cheaper formats. It focuses on how quality can be improved, both in teaching and learning basic skills, and in developing the digital skills needed in daily life. It recognizes the role of technology in system management with special reference to assessment data and other education
management information.
(Sourced from UNESCO)
Key Messages
Good, impartial evidence on the impact of education technology is in short supply.
Good, impartial evidence on the impact of education technology is in short supply.
Some education technology can improve some types of learning in some contexts.
The fast pace of change in technology is putting strain on education systems to adapt.
Online content has grown without enough regulation of quality control or diversity.
Technology is often bought to plug a gap, with no view to the long-term costs…
Reccomendations for Decison-makers
Is this use of education technology appropriate for the national and local contexts? Education technology should strengthen education systems and align with learning objectives.
Is this use of education technology leaving learners behind? Although technology use can enable access to the curriculum for some students and accelerate some learning outcomes, digitalization of education poses a risk of benefiting already privileged learners and further marginalizing others, thus increasing learning inequality.
Is this use of education technology scalable? There is an overwhelming array of technological products and platforms in
education and decisions are often made about them without sufficient evidence of their benefits or their costs.
Does this use of technology support sustainable education futures? Digital technology should not be seen as a short
term project. It should be leveraged to yield benefits on a sustainable basis and not be led by narrow economic concerns and vested interests.