The Flemish Education Council warns that schools are at risk of losing the learning process due to digitization | the interior

The Corona crisis has accelerated the digitization of education. In order to force the switch to distance learning, the help of digital solutions was called upon. De Vlor recognizes that educational technology offers many opportunities, but says there are also risks. In an advisory, she noted the increasing influence of private companies on “essential aspects of school life.”

For example, Vlor warns that private and commercial players can take over basic tasks through digitization. The educational media is increasingly controlled by the educational technology market, which means that education is at risk of losing control over the teaching and learning process of students. “Schools do not have sufficient freedom of choice to select and combine teaching materials based on their needs.” The Board of Education is therefore asking the government to start discussions with the education technology and education market.

Additionally, Vlor is also concerned that schools today are failing to meet expectations regarding data, privacy, and cybersecurity. Schools are also a vulnerable group to cyber-attacks. “They are not sufficiently prepared to deal with the sophisticated tactics of (cyber) criminals. That is while they often process and store sensitive data of minors on a large scale,” according to Vlor. Here too, the government should step in and see how schools can be strengthened in this regard, it seems.

The Corona pandemic is accelerating digitization in Wallonia

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