Schools urgently need to digitize
Digitization in education is lagging behind. Schools need to get started quickly with digital learning resources to adapt to new developments so that students are well prepared for working and living in a digital society. This is stated by the Education Council in a recently published report.
In the report 'Considered digitization' the Education Council is examining what education can do to benefit from digitization. It issued the opinion on its own initiative.
Government task
'Digitization of society is taking place at a rapid pace. Education is seeking to keep up with this development, but is threatening to lag behind', according to the Council. The Education Council sees an important task for the government; that must ensure that the basic digital infrastructure for schools is in order. It must also arrange the technical part, such as internet security and privacy. 'The concern for preconditions should not lie with educational institutions', according to the Education Council. Then schools have to keep reinventing the wheel, which is inefficient.
It is also important that schools become more involved in the creation of digital learning resources. The Education Council therefore envisions a collaboration between the educational field, publishers and distributors. There should also be more experts in schools who think about digitization.
'It should not be left to the hobbyism and altruism of a small group of forerunners', according to the council.
Negative
Despite the fact that schools must take action with regard to digitization, the Council warns that negative consequences, such as physical complaints and reduced concentration, must be taken into account.
