During the period January 2020-July 2022, 1.5 billion students in 188 countries were locked out of schools (OECD, 2021: p:3). In addition, Covid-19, and subsequent efforts to teach digitally, have revealed the vast socioeconomic gaps that blight societies and education systems. During the pandemic, countries with the lowest educational performance not only fully closed their schools for longer but the attainment gap between pupils in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation (SED) increased. Yet, there have also been some positive developments, with many schools and their staff attaining new levels of digital innovation.
Research reports that many schools have developed a digital vision due to the learning acquired due to the pandemic, however, for some schools, although they innovated during the pandemic, this has not moved them forward in terms of their digital strategy (Baxter et al, 2022). This seminar takes differing perspectives on digital planning to examine the challenges and opportunities for schools in this regard. During the seminar we will be discussing the effects of digital learning on: students, staff, leaders and parents.