According to UNESCO, more than 1.6 billion children worldwide lost learning opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. And although schools have reopened in many countries, students still regularly face periods of quarantine. With many children lacking needed resources and support for continued learning at home and in the classroom, the differences in students\u2019 learning progress is more apparent. Education systems must bridge this gap with ambitious and strategic planning for learning recovery and ongoing learning improvement.<\/p>\n
UNICEF, ISTE, UNESCO, and the World Bank have recognized the importance of digital tools in this effort, as the tools can provide a flexible, personalized approach for students. At Microsoft, we too believe in this power of digital tools, which can transform educational systems and support schools, teachers, and students. Through our community-based Microsoft Showcase Schools (SCS)<\/a> and Leaders in Digital Transformation of Education (LDTE)<\/a> programs, we bring together forward-looking education leaders and technology experts in a collaborative environment where they can share best practices and explore innovative approaches to harness technology.<\/p>\n During the Microsoft Showcase School & Leaders in Digital Transformation of Education joint summits this week, we\u2019ve unlocked a few key insights that guided participants\u2019 success.<\/p>\n Effective and inclusive learning is highly influenced by the type of device students use. \u201cFor years we went to educational technology conferences and heard speakers preach device doesn\u2019t matter. I would argue that it does. It depends on how you use them, but our students deserve a device that doesn\u2019t inhibit their education,\u201d says Jeff Gerdeman, Director of Technology, St. Francis High School, USA, a Microsoft Showcase School.<\/p>\n Devices can accelerate learning by providing key insights into a student\u2019s progress and challenges. Jonathan Bishop, CEO of The Cornerstone Academy Trust, which has several schools in the Microsoft Showcase School program, says, \u201cI think a personalized approach to education is about knowing the attitudes, skills, anxieties, and knowledge a student has so that we can build on that and ensure they progress.\u201d One of Jonathan\u2019s first schools, Broadclyst Primary School, was an earlier adopter of 1:1 device usage in the classroom, which enabled these personalized approaches. Having school-provided devices ensured each student had a good quality device appropriate to their learning level.<\/p>\n Digital learning platforms, combined with learning analytics, can support every student\u2019s journey by letting teachers view group progress and engagement along with individuals\u2019 strengths and needs.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have heterogenous students in our classrooms with different backgrounds, skillsets, and goals, so our goal is to provide tools for teachers to personalize learning,\u201d says Pasi Silander of Helsinki, Finland. Helsinki is Finland\u2019s biggest school system and one of the first in the world to develop a digitalization strategy, which dates back to 2016. Helsinki was also a founding member of the LDTE program. The city relies on AI and data analytics to inform its education policies and determine the best strategies for boosting learning activities, allocating resources, and unlocking students\u2019 full potential.<\/p>\n Vusal Khanlarov, Head of the Bureau on ICT for Education in Azerbaijan, another leader in the LDTE program, says data and insights are important for inclusive and personalized learning. \u201cEveryone learns differently, and to define these different patterns we have to understand how each student is performing. That cannot be done without digital means,\u201d he says. Thanks to their engagement in LDTE, the Bureau launched a new analytics project to analyze learning patterns resulting from remote learning, which it did on behalf of the Ministry of Education. Today, the Ministry of Education employs data-driven decision making, using data and AI to enhance learning based on each student\u2019s strengths and weaknesses. \u201cWe have a system where we can see how each student in the country is performing and participating in classes. We can even measure, through various surveys, a student\u2019s social-emotional condition,\u201d says Khanlarov.<\/p>\n Yet teachers are not always eager to embrace technological innovation, so it\u2019s key to help them see the benefits of new technologies. \u201cTeachers have to understand the value that technology is bringing,\u201d says Khanlarov.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also important to humanize learning analytics and AI. Sir Mark Grundy, CEO of Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust, says one way to do it is by enabling teachers to see their students in the data. \u201cThe moment they see children in data, people change their behaviors. When they just see numbers, they don\u2019t see children,\u201d he says. Sir Grundy\u2019s team used Power BI to show a picture of each student alongside the data that educators were using to evaluate performance, allowing the teachers to \u201cfeel\u201d the technology\u2019s impact by associating the improved outcomes with real learners.<\/p>\n Microsoft Showcase Schools<\/a> and Leaders in Digital Transformation of Education<\/a> are spreading innovation and proven approaches to success with local context.<\/p>\n Thomas Clarkson Academy (TCA) is in one of the highest areas of deprivation in the UK\u2014an area with low social mobility and socioeconomic status. Trevor Jones, the Director of Digital Technology at TCA, says the digital transformation of his school accelerated once it joined the Microsoft Showcase School program. \u201cIt opened further access to a global support network, including events and access to help, hints and tips,\u201d Trevor says.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have transformed education through staff and student IT skills; improved workflows; organization; working smarter; collaboration; security (GDPR); sensitivity labels; Flows; Power BI and insights that provide data analysis and automation; a staff information hub, and making a jump to the cloud.\u201d<\/p>\n Trevor adds, \u201cWe’ve harnessed the collaborative tools Microsoft provides to lead training across our entire Trust and establish cross-school and cross-phase partnerships.\u201d<\/p>\n Participants in both the Microsoft Showcase Schools program and the Leaders in Digital Transformation of Education program haven\u2019t just driven transformational strategies in their own systems. They have helped other leaders evolve strategies. Engaging in both programs is a terrific opportunity for leaders globally to learn more from each other and impact students at scale through digital transformation.<\/p>\n Learn more and self-nominate to participate in the Leaders in Digital Transformation of Education program: https:\/\/aka.ms\/ldte<\/a><\/p>\nDevice choice and availability matter<\/h3>\n
Data, insights, and AI-powered tools help personalize learning<\/h3>\n
Driving scalable transformation requires a community of peers and mentors<\/h3>\n