13.12.2022

Digitalisation and Bildung – 21st century challenge

According to the new publication by the Bildung project, “Digitalisation and Bildung”, Bildung must accompany the digital transformation of our societies. The paper explores, how Bildung and digitalisation complement each other. What are the benefits, and what are the risks?

In the Erasmus+ project “Building inclusive lifelong learning systems by developing a European Understanding of Bildung for the Next Generations” (Bildung), the concept of Bildung is defined as “An individual maturing process connecting education, upbringing, knowledge, culture, and personal responsibilities towards humans and our globe.”

Digital transformation is changing our entire society, not only as a technical process but also as an economic and social one. It involves both digitalisation and networking. In this, transformation is referring to the redesign and improvement of products, processes and services, including adult education. It is accompanied by very concrete challenges such as the digital divide and accessibility of digital tools and services.

The new paper “Digitalisation and Bildung” brings together the concept of Bildung and the digital transformation processes:

“Bildung can and must accompany this transformational process in a critical and enlightening way. These changes cannot be prevented, but it is up to the professionals themselves to recognise, accompany and perhaps also – as far as possible – shape this process so that the focus is not exclusively on economic gain but also on other important aspects of living together, such as care and responsibility for each other.”

Three best practice examples illustrate the linking of digitalisation and digital transformation with the Bildung concept.

The concept paper also includes recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders setting the frame for adult education institutions and practitioners.

The paper is written by The Association of Estonian Folk High Schools, DVV International, SVEB and AONTAS. 

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Bildung project contributes to innovation of the European adult education sector by adopting the holistic concept of ‘Bildung’ and exploring its political and practical potential for adult learning and education. Follow the project on social media: #BildungALE

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