Dean: More actions need to be taken after the digital agreement.

Educational Institutions: Local Schools Face Funding Cuts - Dean: More actions need to be taken after the digital agreement.

Following the conclusion of a billion-dollar initiative for digitalizing schools, an expert suggests swift actions must be taken. "We can't yet declare that schools are well-equipped digitally," remarked Micha Pallesche from the congress committee of the learning event Learntec on digital learning. The Digital Pact facilitated installing technology in schools. "It's now about the work," explained the principal of the Ernst-Reuter-School in Karlsruhe, one of Germany's so-called Smart Schools.

Beyond Gadgets: Focusing on Predominantly Pedagogical Concepts

However, now schools require more cutting-edge technology and teachers need to be acquainted with its utilization. It's a question of creating educational and learning concepts with these new opportunities, according to Pallesche. "You can't just swap a chalkboard for a digital chalkboard; it's the same thing."

Numerous schools have used Digital Pact funding to connect to a fiber-optic network or to buy tablets. Yet, the lifespan of such devices is short, and some are already three to five years old. The tech infrastructure is a major predicament.

Additionally, teachers require training in handling class tasks that students can do at home—possibly with AI assistance. "Teachers are typically left to fend for themselves." However, legally secure answers are in their infancy. "That's a work in progress."

Baden-Württemberg Steps Ahead

According to Pallesche, Baden-Württemberg is generally well-equipped. The state media center introduced beneficial offers relatively early. And the Center for School Quality and Teacher Education provides further education. "Baden-Württemberg is heading in the right direction," said Pallesche. Although there are regional differences, particularly in technology. Furthermore, he recently visited Singapore. Thus, in terms of school versatility, Baden-Württemberg schools fall short of those over there. There are merely sprouts.

For instance, Baden-Württemberg permits using "fAIrchat," an AI-driven chatbot based on ChatGPT that's part of the learning management platform Moodle. Nevertheless, not all schools connect to Moodle, limiting its use. Conversely, Saxony-Anhalt was the first federal state to start working with the AI-backed feedback tool fiete.ai, which mainly helps teachers, students, and learners with text-based tasks powered by the ChatGPT language model.

A Fresh Digital Pact is Urgent

A "Digital Pact 2.0" is critically needed, insisted Pallesche. The states push for the continuation of this program, which totaled 6.5 billion euros during the COVID-19 pandemic and concluded in May. This funding could, for instance, see the development of school-owned WiFi networks, the purchase of interactive whiteboards, tablets, and additional technology. The coalition agreement committed the federal government to establish a follow-up program lasting until 2030. Ultimately, schools are the jurisdiction of the federal states.

At the Learntec in the Karlsruhe Trade Fair in Rheinstetten, discussions will ensue about the "Digital Pact 2.0" from June 4th – 6th, as stated by a spokesperson. This event will also delve into the topics of learning via AI, social robots, and "Extended Reality"—combining physical and virtual environments and human-machine interactions.

AI: Diagnostic Powerhouse

As per Pallesche, AI's chief strengths are its diagnostic abilities, pivotal in identifying individual pupil strengths and shortcomings, and personalized options in step two. "AI can do this more swiftly and effectively than teachers in certain instances," the principal elaborated. However, known limitations and issues exist. One example is information literacy—the skill of discerning trustworthy and trustworthy sources.

Read also:

1. To ensure schools are fully equipped digitally, Micha Pallesche from the Learntec congress committee suggests swift actions following the Digital Pact, which facilitated installing technology in schools across Germany.
2. Baden-Württemberg, one of Germany's Smart Schools, is commended for its early adoption of beneficial offers provided by the state media center and the Center for School Quality and Teacher Education.
3. The principal of a Karlsruhe school highlights the need for teachers to be trained in utilizing class tasks with advanced technology and AI assistance, explaining that simply replacing a chalkboard with a digital one is not enough.
4. A new Digital Pact is essential, according to Pallesche, as schools require ongoing funding for initiatives like the establishment of school-owned WiFi networks, the purchase of technology, and the implementation of AI tools in education.
5. At the Learntec event in Karlsruhe, discussions will focus on the "Digital Pact 2.0," exploring topics like AI-driven learning, social robots, and Extended Reality, aiming to enhance the interaction between humans and machines in schools.

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