Why Digital Learning Day Should Be a Global Initiative

By: Kelly Teng
 
It’s been a long time coming, but the world is catching on that technology and education go hand-in-hand. Tablets and laptops are being introduced in schools, both in the US and overseas. Teachers have started using technology in creative ways to encourage classroom interaction, and students can access information in new ways as well as be more creative in the way they learn.
Today’s education landscape is truly one that looks to the future, and Digital Learning Day is a day to celebrate that – but it is also a day to encourage teachers, politicians, and students to consider the power technology has for learning. It’s a fantastic idea.
But Digital Learning Day needs to be more than just an American initiative. In fact, the world needs to adopt Digital Learning Day and make it a global day of awareness, celebration and forward-thinking – here’s why.
Technology has done a few things for us as a society. All right, that’s an understatement: technology has done so much for mankind that it’s hard to keep track of everything.  However, one of the most important things technology has done is connect us to one-another.
The world has become – buzzword alert – globalised in a way that was never previously possible, thanks to the internet and mobile devices. We are all linked to one-another through news and events; we celebrate successes together and mourn tragedies together, and we also grow and learn together. Whether it’s through forums, eBooks, apps and games, or MOOCs, technology has opened doors of possibility and allowed for more creativity and flexibility in learning – so why should the way we celebrate this possibility be any different?
Around the world, educators are adopting technology for good. In the UK, coding is set to be part of primary and secondary education. Thailand is more than two years into its One Tablet per Child program. Finland and Estonia have launched an Education Cloud, and even Down Under, Australia is launching a review of the curriculum to stay up-to-date with technology.
“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” – Neil Armstrong
Strides are made daily for digital education around the world, and we as a society need to be aware of them. While this happens throughout the year (via the media and conferences), it’s important to have a day where global leaders, educators, students, and teachers can reflect upon the challenges we as a society face, as well as applaud the accomplishments we’ve made.
What’s even more important than this, however, is the dialogue a global Digital Learning Day will help to create.
A global Digital Learning Day will inspire discussion. It will fuel debate and conversation over how we can improve. It will give us an opportunity to ask those hard questions: how can we use technology to provide education to those who otherwise wouldn’t receive it? How can we equip future generations with the correct skills to understand and use technology, and how can we help older generations ensure that this happens?
But more crucially, it will unite those passionate about digital learning, and connect people who believe in the same cause. It will spark the enthusiasm, discussion, and awareness we need among our countries and communities to continue to do amazing things for education – and isn’t that what it’s all about?
 
Kelly Teng is the Marketing Manager at 2and2, an Australian company that creates games, apps, and digital experiences, including the award-winning app CanUHanyu.