🎙Join globally renowned education technology experts Dr. Cristobal Cobo and Professor Neil Selwyn in a discussion with Dr. Monica Bulger about the abrupt shift to online learning as schools close globally in response to the coronavirus. Neil Selwyn advises edtech companies to not see this moment as a triumph, “it is an emergency, not an experiment.” Cristobal Cobo discusses the tools we bring to this crisis and recommends considering short-term and long-term approaches.

Cobo afirmó que una educación digital es necesaria para poder aprovechar el torrente de información existente en la era digital. Asimismo, se refirió a la necesidad de la construcción de derechos respecto a los datos digitales; “cada quien debería tener derecho a la protección de sus datos, acceso a sus datos y si así lo desea, la posibilidad de vender los mismos”. En la charla se plantea que las innovaciones benefician especialmente a quienes están preparados, pero pueden llegar a generar brechas, y la mejor forma de reducirlas es con una mejor educación.

There is a growing body of research focused on the importance of artificial intelligence, computer networking, game development, mobile application development, cybersecurity, today are expected to represent a larger portion of the labor market in the coming decade. All these capacities require not only being able to read and write code (like programming, which can be done by machines), but also and even more important perhaps is the capacity to unpack the software or the tech systems we use (decoding). This idea of "deconstruction", borrowed from the philosophy, is critical to understand how algorithms are built, identify bugs in the system, recognize bias, and problems with functionality but also how they can affect people or affect different groups of users.

Cuando los países buscan favorecer la adopción de tecnologías digitales en el contexto de la educación es fundamental comprender los factores asociados. Para una adecuada integración de las políticas de tecnologías digitales se requiere una perspectiva sistémica y en 360 grados. Las tecnologías digitales por sí solas no son suficientes para transformar la educación. Para ello es fundamental desarrollar competencias institucionales capaces de articular al menos cinco áreas clave...

The more social the experience of using technologies becomes, the closer the connection between digital skills and the so-called social-emotional skills. As important as learning to code might be, it also will be important to learn how to decode. Identifying new problems can lead us to change the way we see today’s skills. What are the most relevant skills for tomorrow? ☞From digital skills to multiliteracies ☞From using to understanding tech ☞From coding to decoding tech ☞From replacing people to increasing human thinking ☞From digital natives to critical skeptics

The availability of good data can help lead to making good decisions. This is true in education, as it is in other sectors. But the opposite can also happen if the right actions are not taken. If we are entering into the 'datafication of education', countries will need to define rules and guidelines to ensure that present and future technology-enhanced education becomes beneficial, reducing and mitigating risks along the way. Although it is much too early to predict the potential impact of the use of AI in education, it is not early to discuss how to better prepare for the world that is coming.

Five years ago Uruguay decided to create a research center focused on producing expert knowledge in the field of digital education. After an international call I was humbled to be chosen as director of this novel but ambitious initiative. Being a small country all I knew was the huge opportunity behind connecting and supporting national and international networks of experts in the field of EdTech.

Este nuevo libro busca escapar de los reduccionismos. Según el tipo de trayectoria que se siga con la lectura puede transitarse desde el optimismo (utopía) a la tragedia (distopía) o simplemente desde el diagnóstico a la reacción (posible). La lectura es a medida y a gusto del lector. No hay recetas ni doctrinas que puedan instalarse de manera tan sencilla como una actualización en su sistema operativo. El objetivo último es reflexionar desde una perspectiva crítica y abierta sobre las consecuencias de la masificación de las tecnologías y su impacto en las nuevas formas de poder y control de la sociedad actual.

Algorithms in public administration can affect decisions such as selecting citizens who can benefit from a welfare program, affecting certain groups of citizens (those in vulnerable circumstances are more susceptible to be troubled). A new set of actions but overall a growing awareness of the ethical implications of AI are needed.

¿Favorecen o perjudican las tecnologías digitales a las universidades hoy en día? Hoy estamos en mucho mejores condiciones que antes para comprender cuáles son las limitaciones y los alcances de estas herramientas digitales. Las tecnologías se han convertido en un commodity y sabemos que por sí solas no son garantía de una buena educación, ni de innovación, ni siquiera de una buena comunicación.