Pupils should not only be prepared for the digitalized world of work at school, but also receive support in learning through digital teaching materials. This includes not only taking notes on a laptop instead of on paper, but also concepts such as blended learning, which combines computer-based learning and traditional face-to-face teaching. Christoph Pienkoss, Managing Director of Verband Bildungsmedien e. V., spoke to aconium about digital educational media that can usefully supplement teaching.
aconium: What digital learning tools are schools in Germany already using?
Christoph Pienkoss: Professional digital educational media support every phase of learning: teaching, practising, testing, documenting, training, consulting, etc. The product range extends from interactive blackboards and wall charts, digital teaching assistants and online diagnostic tools to online dictionaries and blended learning offerings, exercise software and apps, virtual and augmented reality, simulation software and much more.
aconium: What forms of digital teaching material are conceivable in the future?
Pienkoss: The greatest expectation for the future is that schools will have a sufficient number of technical end devices, stable and powerful access to the Internet and staff for administration. Then digital educational media will be able to develop their full didactic potential – which lies, among other things, in the internal differentiation of pupils and in individual support.
aconium: What challenges do schools face when introducing innovative learning methods?
Pienkoss: Teachers are crucial. They need to be optimally trained, educated and supported. This particularly concerns legal issues, such as data protection, but also access to systems and the actual approval of digital educational media by the federal states.
aconium: How do you think these challenges can be overcome?
Pienkoss: Our association is committed to turning an uncoordinated “education revolution” into a rapid “education evolution”. To achieve this, the federal, state and local authorities must work together and define standardized processes for the procurement, administration and use of digital educational media in schools. Despite the federalism of education, a concerted and coordinated approach by as many federal states as possible is not only desirable, but extremely important.
aconium: What do you wish for schools in Germany in terms of digital learning tools?
Pienkoss: The use of tablets and co. in the classroom is not an end in itself, but should be a helpful support in the realization of concrete didactic and pedagogical goals. To achieve this, every single teacher must be appropriately trained and educated. They must have budgets for hardware and software and be supported by experts in legal and technical issues in everyday school life. Each teacher must then decide competently which tools from this toolbox he or she will use, depending on the subject, lesson and pupil.
You can read more background information on the topic of digital education in the specialist dossier from aconium GmbH.