Technology in education: Strengthening the leadership of the teaching profession
A major area of interest before the pandemic, the use of technology in education has become a key priority for Education International in the context of the sudden and large-scale expansion of technology in the sector as a result of Covid-induced lockdowns. EI’s work in this area includes the development of an Information and Communication Technology Protocol and the production of a training course on technology for member organisations.
Information and Communication Technology Protocol
Developed by the Education International Future of Work in Education Advisory Group, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Protocol is a critical instrument that aims to guide the actions of educators and their unions as they work to maximise the positive impact of technology in education and minimise the drawbacks and potential pitfalls.
The Protocol recognises the vast potential of quality ICT to contribute to quality education for all. For this to happen, teacher leadership in digital innovation is critical. The teaching profession must be supported by high quality professional learning and development. Teachers must be given opportunities to share their experiences of interactive technologies and contribute to the development and implementation of new learning programmes and platforms.
Education unions should be involved in social dialogue around technology, as well as policy making and implementation at national, regional and school level. The impact of technology on teachers’ working conditions and wellbeing, professional learning opportunities, teacher and student access to quality ICT, digital rights and agreements with private tech providers are all union business.
The EI ICT Protocol is being developed with input from EI member organisations in all regions and will be submitted for adoption at the EI World Congress which will take place in Buenos Aires in 2024.
Teaching with Tech: A course for education unionists
Education International is also producing an online course for education unionists on the various implications of digital technology in education. Developed by expert Christina Colclough from the Why Not Lab, the course explains a variety of aspects that educators need to be aware of, such as data privacy and data mining, algorithms and their impact on the work of educators, digital rights, co-governance of technology in education, and advocacy strategies that can be employed by education unions in their negotiations with governments.
The course will be available to EI member organisations in autumn 2022. Watch the trailer of the course below.
