COVID-19 disrupted and transformed our education system. As part of the Ethics of Digitalization project, the Berkman Klein Center gathered experts and students to explore what we’ve learned about the future of education during a recent Research Sprint. In Fast Company, Elisabeth Sylvan and Sandra Cortesi share key lessons from the Sprint, with insights from Sabelo Mhlambi and Malavika Jayaram.
Takeaways from the Sprint include:
- Learning can happen anywhere, not just in the classroom. From museums and libraries to social media and online learning platforms, informal learning spaces are more important than ever.
- Access requires skills and resources in addition to technology. Handing students a device and Internet access just scratches the surface. If students don’t have the skills and resources to navigate online learning, technology can worsen existing inequalities.
- Our education system also serves social and emotional needs. Schools are about much more than book learning, but the social and emotional functions schools serve don’t translate easily to the online world.
Thank you to Footnote for its collaboration on this article and assistance with placement.
Illustration by Claudia Thomas
