Information and communication technologies (ICT) have led to the reconsideration of global public policies. In this regard, the creation of universal frameworks has mobilized networks of powerful public, private, and civil society players to scaffold a global agenda on ICT in Education (ICTE), which often combines contradictory rights-based, social justice, and economic objectives. In addition, the shift towards the digitalization and smartization of education led to the necessity for the development of national public ICTE policies, which could encompass the unprecedented changes in teaching and learning. The analysis of policy texts and case studies gives a better understanding of this sector and helps to develop the tools necessary for the successful implementation of smart education.
In this context, UNESCO IITE, the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), and Beijing Normal University (BNU) combined expertise in the field and released the publication Smart Education Strategies for Teaching and Learning: Critical analytical framework and case studies. This work was produced within the joint project of UNESCO IITE and BNU “Rethinking and Redesigning National Smart Education Strategy”.
The Publication comprises the following sections:
- An introduction that contains a description of the situation in the field of smart education and the use of digital technologies in teaching and learning.
- Methodology defining the main approaches to the research and formulating the criteria for case analysis as well as the conceptual framework.
- Analysis of 10 selected national and related supranational policy texts on ICTE and smart education policy (China, Egypt, India, Mauritius, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, the UK, and the USA) and 15 case studies of selected policy-informed implementation projects.
- Conclusions summarizing objectives, the analysis of cases, policy and strategy influences, and a framework for smart education policy development and monitoring of its implementation.
The manuscript highlights similarities and convergences in policy and strategy influences, contexts, and policy discourses as reflected in policy texts and policy-informed practices, amid divergent socio-economic, demographic, political, and cultural settings. Additionally, it presents an overview and analysis of the national smart education policies and related case study projects in ten countries. Finally, this document presents a template for consideration in the development of smart education policy text and provides guidelines to monitor ICTE and smart education policy implementation for stakeholders.
The Report is available in English.