Digital Transformation in Education, why does it take so long? | Jeroen Krouwels | TEDxDenHelder

Summary

In this thought-provoking talk, the speaker explores the impact of technology on education, reflecting on personal experiences and societal shifts over the past 35 years. Highlighting the challenges of traditional, one-size-fits-all teaching methods, the speaker discusses how modern technology offers new possibilities for personalized learning. The pandemic forced a digital transformation, revealing both the limitations and potential of online education. Emphasizing the importance of teachers embracing technology, the speaker calls for a shift towards peer-to-peer learning, where technology supports teachers in guiding students toward personal growth and development.

Takeaways

• 😀 The shift in education is evident, as technology has become a major part of learning, sometimes replacing traditional methods.
• 😀 A high school student shared that she passed her history exam without studying traditional materials, instead learning through online videos from other teachers.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on how his career in education began 35 years ago, when technology was not part of the teaching profession and he was considered a digital illiterate.
• 😀 Over the years, technology has revolutionized industries like telecom and music, making traditional forms of these industries obsolete.
• 😀 The current model of schooling has not changed significantly in the last 35 years, with education still largely following a one-size-fits-all approach.
• 😀 The rigidity of the traditional educational system leads to problems like high dropout rates and burnout among teachers.
• 😀 The pandemic forced schools to go online, but this 'analog digitization' merely replicated traditional in-person methods online, which didn't work well for students.
• 😀 Many students expressed that they wanted more personalized support and collaboration from their teachers, rather than more lectures or lessons.
• 😀 According to a large independent study, 70% of students in the Netherlands felt bored by the way education was delivered during the pandemic.
• 😀 Some students now prefer learning coding (e.g., Java) over traditional subjects, highlighting the shift in the skills they value.
• 😀 The speaker encourages teachers to embrace technology, not as a threat but as a tool to enhance education and make their role more focused on personal development and mentorship.
• 😀 Education needs to move away from outdated industrial models to a more personalized, peer-to-peer learning approach powered by technology, allowing students and teachers to thrive.

Q & A

What was the main story shared by the teacher in the letter?

The teacher shared an anecdote about a student who achieved the highest grade on a history exam without studying the prescribed materials. Instead, the student had watched YouTube videos from other teachers to prepare.

How did the speaker feel about technology when he first started his teaching career?

The speaker felt anger and fear. He was angry because he thought he had applied for a teaching job, not a computer science position, and fearful that technology would make him redundant in his profession.

How has technology changed the world over the past 35 years, according to the speaker?

Technology has drastically transformed society, reshaping industries such as telecom and music. It has made it easier for people to access content, create their own, and reach a global audience.

What criticism does the speaker have about modern education systems?

The speaker criticizes the one-size-fits-all approach of traditional education, which treats all students the same and does not cater to individual learning needs. He also points out the high stress levels for teachers and students.

What was the reaction of students after the pandemic's online learning shift?

After the pandemic, students overwhelmingly wanted to return to in-person school, not because of the lessons, but because they missed social interaction with their peers. Many expressed boredom with the way education was delivered.

What did students wish to learn instead of traditional subjects like German, as mentioned in the research?

Students expressed a desire to learn practical skills like Java programming, emphasizing the importance of learning things they felt were more relevant and applicable to their futures.

What role does the speaker believe technology should play in education?

The speaker believes technology should complement teachers, helping to automate parts of education that technology can do well, such as grading or delivering basic content, while freeing up teachers to focus on mentoring and personal development.

What is the 'best of both worlds' approach that the speaker suggests?

The speaker proposes combining the traditional strengths of education, like teacher expertise and mentorship, with modern technology, allowing personalized learning and fostering a peer-to-peer learning environment.

What does the speaker mean by the term 'analog digitization'?

'Analog digitization' refers to the process of merely replicating traditional educational methods in an online format without rethinking the approach. This was the initial response to the pandemic, but it did not address the underlying problems in the system.

How does the speaker feel about the future of education?

The speaker is optimistic about the potential for transformation in education. He believes that with the right approach, which incorporates both technology and traditional teaching, education can evolve into more personalized, collaborative, and effective learning experiences.