February 25, 2021 marks the tenth annual Digital Learning Day (DLD) in Canada and the United States. DLD 2021 is a special opportunity to recognize and celebrate the use of digital technology in learning, with a particular emphasis on innovation and new achievements in the field.
The past year has underscored the importance of enabling digital learning. The pandemic thrust school boards and private facilities into delivering e-learning programs practically overnight. All stakeholders in learning encountered challenges:
+ Access to technology was not a “given” for many students. Reliable, sufficient Internet service was not always available, and many households have no – or not enough – devices on hand to support remote access for work and study for the whole family.
+ School curricula were not immediately suitable for remote learning purposes; lesson plans and activities had to be re-thought on the fly. Different grades encountered significantly different challenges.
+ Teachers often struggled to assess how they themselves were doing at providing e-learning. Educators use extensive training and practicums to prepare for the world of in-person, classroom teaching experiences – those resources were absent in the digital world.
+ Measuring student engagement during classes, evaluating performance, and conducting fair and transparent testing and exams was problematic.
+ Beyond the basic schoolwork, computer literacy training (for students, parents, teachers, and administrators) suddenly became a critical part of effective education delivery.
Cybersecurity has also proved challenging for schools working to provide digital learning experiences during the COVID era. The rush to use online conferencing tools, virtual meeting places, and remote access for teachers to manage administration has caused frustration and created a wider attack surface for cyber criminals to exploit. Cyber attacks were up dramatically, and damaging breaches in the education sector hit the news with regularity. Hackers sought to disrupt lessons, compromise examinations, or even cripple entire school facilities or boards with ransomware attacks.
But there have been interesting, positive revelations too. Some teachers report stronger, more collaborative relationships with parents, particularly among those with younger students. Teachers were suddenly able to get a window into the home life and unique challenges that students face, allowing them to be more empathetic and supportive. In some jurisdictions, lessons were recorded and made available to students afterwards, allowing students to learn and absorb at their own pace. Educator forums and social media circles bloomed, sharing ideas for improving virtual classroom experiences and delivering effective online lesson plans. Great ideas and new best practices emerged. In the absence of an alternative, and despite the obstacles, the stakeholders worked together to find solutions.
As education systems gradually move back to in-class learning experiences, we cannot forget the challenges and lessons learned during the first year of the pandemic. We cannot let the negatives deter us from continuing to develop digital learning. E-learning will continue to have a place in our systems, be it for universal or customized access to education, financial imperatives, or to deal with emergency situations (e.g., weather-related disruptions, unavailable facilities, or indeed the inevitable next pandemic). We must build on our experiences, improve communications, and refine strategies for delivering e-learning. And we must continue to train all involved in the appropriate use of technology, deliver more robust cybersecurity solutions to safeguard private data, and develop comprehensive IT security policies that balance usability with strong protection.
We cannot afford to wait for another crisis. Nothing can replace the immediacy and personal touch of in-person learning and the vital social aspects of the education system. But if we work together to innovate, learn, and grow with technology, our children can benefit from the best of both worlds in the future.
Digital Learning Day seeks to help and further this cause. This year’s DLD features three hours of virtual sessions focusing on – appropriately for the times – resilience and perseverance in teaching and leading digital education. The DLD website also features a wealth of digital resources and ideas for parents and educators to help deliver superior online experiences for students.
Word is spreading about Digital Learning Day. The “Grow with Google” initiative features a program from Applied Digital Skills covering a series of resources to help enrich online learning. And in Canada, BC’s CANeLearn group is recognizing the event by presenting a well-being workshop for online educators on February 26, and is hosting the 18th annual Digital Learning Symposium April 22-23, 2021.
Follow Digital Learning Day activities and discussion on Twitter at #DigitalLearningDay, on Instagram at #dlday, or on Facebook.
ISA Cybersecurity has extensive experience in helping the education sector manage cyber risk. Through our advisory and assessment services, we deliver cybersecurity awareness training, cyber risk assessments, expert guidance, and more. And when you’re ready to strengthen your security defenses, we can design and implement, or even host and manage your cybersecurity solutions so you can concentrate on delivering a safe and secure learning experience for your students.
The world is changing. Budgets are tight, but cyber breaches are far more costly than cybersecurity. Contact ISA today to learn more about how we deliver cybersecurity services and people you can trust.