The Pandemic Induced Digital Transformation of Schools

Digital Design Under Duress

This article is part of a series exploring the throughline: Restart, Reframe or Recast the Purpose of Education?

This week I turn my attention to how the pandemic, lockdowns and remote learning caused a shift in digital implementation. My focus is on what’s next? Do we restart, reframe or recast?

#265 | May 13, 2022​ | Photo by zhenzhong liu

Steep Learning Curve

Talk to any school leader (business owners, too) about what it was like during the shift to remote learning, and they often say the same thing: “It was a steep learning curve.”

Do we come crashing down from the digital learning precipice?

Teachers, students, and families had to quickly learn and implement new technologies and approaches. We didn’t have time to ease into it or make a gradual transition. It was all or nothing, and we had to make it work if we were to access education.

Millions of teachers did incredible work to ensure students could continue learning despite the many challenges.

Now that we’ve had time to catch our breath, what do we do next? What’s after the curve?