Will the "death of school" come? Experts discuss the consequences of digitalization of education / ITech content

Contents:

• What events in history have had the greatest impact on the development of education?
• Has digitalization become an equally important milestone?
• Will AI revolutionize the world of education?

At a meeting in the Skillbox lecture hall, representatives of educational technologies (EdTech), schools and universities discussed the impact of digital transformation on the educational Process. Participants examined how modern technologies are changing approaches to learning, introducing innovative methods and tools. The discussion covered important aspects such as adaptive learning, online courses, and the use of artificial intelligence in the educational environment. Rapid technological advancements are opening up new opportunities to improve the quality of education and access to educational resources. The transition to a digital format could truly become a new milestone in education, comparable to the invention of printing and the introduction of the classroom system. Digitalization of education opens up new opportunities for learning, interaction, and access to information. However, an equally significant factor in changing the educational paradigm is the development of artificial intelligence. Experts note that AI has the potential to transform the learning process, offering personalized approaches and improving the quality of educational materials. It is important to consider how these two areas—digitalization and artificial intelligence—can interact and jointly influence the future of education.

The discussion was attended by:

• Viktor Bolotov, Scientific Director of the Center for Psychometrics and Measurement in Education at the National Research University Higher School of Economics;
• Pyotr Mazaev, Historian, Head of the Humanities Department at the Le Sallay Dialogue school;
• Alexander Gulin, Director of the Snegiri private school;
• Marina Kharakhordina, Head of the Methodological Department at Skillbox;
• Tatyana Ivanova, Head of the Education Department at the Vorobyovy Gory Scientific and Technical Center of Moscow State University, Rector of the Valley of Talents of Moscow State University;
• Discussion moderator—Kirill Prudnikov, Head of Methodological Practice Programs at Skillbox.

What events in history

Before discussing the role of digitalization in education, participants identified important stages in the history of this field that will help better understand the scale of current changes. Among these events, seven key moments can be identified that have had a significant impact on the development of educational systems.

• Printing. According to Viktor Bolotov, it placed education in completely new conditions, simplifying the storage and transmission of information. Largely due to this, the emergence of Jan Amos Komensky's "Great Didactics" became possible.
• Mass education. Historian Petr Mazaev recalled that the idea that education should be universal spread relatively recently in the history of civilization - only in the 19th century, and its implementation reached its peak in the 20th century.
• Political revolutions. Viktor Bolotov mentioned them in relation to Russia - they significantly changed the entire context of life in the country, including, of course, the educational one.
• Pedagogical ideas of the first half of the 20th century. Petr Mazaev emphasized their importance. He explained that in the late 19th - early 20th centuries, important theories appeared in education almost simultaneously, which, in different ways, spoke about the turn of learning towards the individual. They were quite diverse: a project-based approach, humanistic pedagogy, and pedology, which served as a harbinger of an evidence-based approach to education. One important result is that pedagogy became an independent science in which experimentation was possible.
• Standardized tests. The first of these, Pyotr Mazaev recalled, appeared in the 1930s in the United States, and since then, in many countries around the world, they have remained a vital tool in education, including in selection for higher education programs. For Russia, the Unified State Exam has become the main standardized test.
• The theory of developmental learning by Vasily Davydov and Daniil Elkonin. According to Viktor Bolotov, this theory has significantly changed the approach to education in Russia—thanks to it, at all levels, people began to recognize (at least verbally) that education requires not only transmitting knowledge, but also developing the students' own skills and their academic independence.
• Computerization. Even before the digitalization of the educational process in all disciplines, a previous step played a significant role in the development of education—the very emergence of computers and the subject "Computer Science" in schools. As Alexander Gulin recalled, it first appeared in 1985 in only two countries - the USSR and Ireland.

Rework the text, keeping the main topic. Optimize the content for SEO by adding keywords, without unnecessary details. Avoid using emojis and unnecessary symbols. Do not include sections with numbers or symbols. Keep the text simple and concise.

Read also:

Digitalization of education is the process of integrating modern digital technologies into the educational process. It includes the use of online platforms, electronic learning materials, virtual classrooms, and interactive tools aimed at improving the quality of learning and accessibility. Digitalization allows students to acquire knowledge at their own time and pace, and also promotes the development of the necessary skills for working in a digital society. The introduction of technology into the educational process makes it more interactive and engaging, which increases student motivation. Furthermore, digitalization helps educational institutions optimize their resources and improve the management of educational processes. In the context of a rapidly changing labor market, digitalization of education is becoming a necessary step for training qualified specialists capable of working effectively in the digital economy.

Has digitalization become an equally important milestone?

The digitalization of education has sparked active debate among experts regarding its significance for the history of the educational process. Opinions are divided, and various points of view have been presented on this issue. Some experts emphasize that the introduction of digital technologies in the educational sphere has become a key stage that has changed the methods of teaching and access to knowledge. Others, however, express doubts, believing that digitalization could lead to the loss of traditional educational values. It is important to consider that digitalization opens up new opportunities for students and teachers, improving the quality of education and making it more accessible.

Some experts discuss that the transition to distance learning during the pandemic has become a catalyst for significant changes in the educational sphere. First of all, the learning environment has changed: physical classrooms in schools and universities have given way to virtual platforms. However, the changes don't stop there. The pandemic has pushed educators to embrace digital technologies and work effectively with computers, which is a significant achievement in itself. This massive shift to online education lays the foundation for future transformations in learning processes and teaching methods, opening up new opportunities for students and teachers.

Viktor Bolotov expressed the opinion that changes in the educational environment influenced pedagogical approaches. Marina Kharakhordina and Kirill Prudnikov agree, noting that, given the new conditions, teachers have begun using the flipped classroom method. This method engages students and makes the learning process more interactive, which is especially relevant in the modern educational context. There are conflicting opinions on the transition to distance learning. One such opinion is expressed by Alexander Gulin, who argues that many teachers and university professors have simply transferred familiar methods and technologies used in the offline format to the digital environment. In his opinion, pedagogical technologies do not change with the transition to new tools: working with an interactive whiteboard is no different from working with chalk. As a result, with the transition to distance learning, the same slides previously shown in the classroom began to be shown online. Thus, it is important to rethink approaches to learning in order to utilize the potential of digital technologies more effectively.

A new perspective emerged during the discussion: changes in education during distance learning involve not only the active use of digital technologies but also a shift in the relationship between the education system and society. Alexander Gulin noted that during the pandemic, a joke about a "pedagogical striptease" arose. This is due to the fact that parents of schoolchildren were able to see for the first time how their children's lessons are conducted and how teachers work. As a result of observing school activities, interest in tutors and online lessons on specialized platforms increased. This trend underscores the importance of transparency in the educational process and the need to adapt educational services to the demands of the times.

Pyotr Mazaev argues that the changed balance between the education system and society has significant and long-term consequences. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in extracurricular learning, indicating a shift in the perception of the role of school as a social institution. More and more people understand that acquiring knowledge is not necessarily linked to traditional schooling. According to Mazaev, this could lead to the "death of the school" and the destruction of the classroom-lesson system, which has existed since the 17th century and formed the foundations of didactics. The future of education remains uncertain, but Mazaev predicts that it will be radically different from existing formats. This suggests the need to adapt educational approaches to new social realities and societal needs. Not everyone agrees that school is losing its significance. Tatyana Ivanova emphasizes that in a digital environment, it is impossible to ensure a full-fledged education without face-to-face interaction within a group. To successfully continue their studies and master a profession, it is necessary to develop awareness and engagement in children. These qualities do not arise spontaneously; they are formed under the influence of teachers, peers, parents, and other significant figures in a child's life. It is important to recognize that school plays a key role in this process by providing interaction, support, and the development of social skills.

Alexander Gulin emphasized that educational institutions serve an important practical function, acting as "storage facilities" for the children of working parents. This role is becoming especially relevant in modern society, where many families need safe places for their children to stay during the workday. Educational institutions ensure not only safety but also the development of children, making them indispensable for parents juggling work and family responsibilities.

Will AI Revolutionize Education?

At the end of the discussion, Kirill Prudnikov asked the experts to share their views on the future of education over the next 15-20 years. Some forecasts were quite pessimistic. According to several participants, digital technologies could exacerbate social stratification, including in education. For example, Alexander Gulin suggested that society could be divided into creators and consumers of digital content. In this scenario, most people would become consumers, while the process of content creation would become increasingly complex, costly, and ultimately elitist. Gulin emphasizes that one of the key tasks of education in the future will be developing students' content production skills, which will allow them not only to consume but also to actively participate in the digital world.

Experts predict that a significant portion of future changes in education will be associated with the development of artificial intelligence. Generative and other types of neural networks can become key elements in transforming the educational process. Their implementation in curricula opens up new opportunities for personalized learning and increased effectiveness of educational methods.

The speakers generally avoid exaggerating the significance and capabilities of modern artificial intelligence systems. Petr Mazaev noted that ChatGPT and its analogs do speed up the solution of some tasks, but most often these are simple, routine operations, such as writing standard business letters. It is important to remember that neural networks can make errors and generate incorrect information, which can only be detected by a specialist with the necessary knowledge in a specific field. This emphasizes that the use of neural networks does not eliminate the need for professional skills and expertise.

At its current stage of development, artificial intelligence has the potential to significantly change the field of education and professional activity. According to expert Petr Mazaev, a minimal level of knowledge is sufficient for a number of professions, and such specialists may become unnecessary, as AI performs their tasks with greater speed and efficiency.

According to Viktor Bolotov, the consequences of the introduction of artificial intelligence into society are still difficult to predict. However, for education, this change will definitely require a revision of teaching approaches. The need to abandon traditional essay assignments that require reproducing texts and drawing conclusions is becoming clear. Project-based tasks that promote critical thinking and creative skills in students can be proposed as an alternative.

Learn more about education on our Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay up-to-date with interesting content and the latest news!

• What AI assistants have learned to do in education
• The position of a knowledge relay needs to be replaced by a “cognitive engineer”
• New practice: how ChatGPT is used in schools and universities — with benefit
• Discussion: digital tools make education “visible” — but also dehumanize
• What is project-based learning and where is it used?