Brussels, 06/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - Investing in technology is important but this should not be to the disadvantage of teachers, whose role is fundamental in transmitting knowledge and, in particular, digital skills. This is the main conclusion of experts and MEPs following a workshop organised on Monday 4 May by the European Parliament's Culture and Education Committee, on the theme of innovative schools.
The European Union is cruelly lacking in new technology specialists: there are still 1 million jobs vacant due to the lack of skilled workers. The challenge consists in incorporating the teaching of new technologies in traditional teaching programmes and training teachers in the use of these new resources so that they can transmit their knowledge. Teachers must be fully supported and receive the necessary training throughout their careers, so that they are able to adopt innovative teaching methods that are better suited to the current economic situations. A competitive labour market needs specialised workers and education systems must help young people and children to appropriately use new technologies in an intelligent way, explain the experts, who also deplore the lack of appropriate equipment in schools for achieving these objectives.
MEPs stated: “Digital technologies must be considered as an investment rather than an education cost”. They also held discussions with experts on the subject of the quality of digital content, technologically neutral connectivity for schools, better use of digital resources, online education resources and programmes that can be used to help teachers and schools make better use of digital tools.
MEPs and experts also mentioned the darker side of new technology, such as the potential abuses and dangers to children and young people. (Isabelle Lamberty)