Roadmap to Reality

The digital world today is a central part of our lives. Digitalization in Austria is gathering pace. According to a special report based on the latest PISA results from 2018, domestic schools are well equipped compared to other OECD countries. However, other research from TALIS 2018 indicates that, compared to the level of equipment available, the usage of modern technologies in Austrian classrooms is very low. The most reasonable explanation might be that up until now, it was simply not necessary to use IT technologies on a broader scale.

The Corona crisis showed how this situation could change dramatically over night, affecting the whole system from primary school up to higher education. Based on a number of initiatives and experiences with digitalization, and under the light of current challenges with distance learning, the Austrian Government presented a roadmap to digitize the school system in early summer.

Needless to say, “digital school” has a wider meaning than just providing the necessary hard- and software to teachers and students; it has to focus on an interesting and diversified education that includes every child based on its individual talents.

The Austrian Federal Government regards a digital school as a harmonious combination of a modern, digital infrastructure and an inspiring, forward-looking pedagogy. The necessary framework and support system will be implemented in every school in Austria over the next three years. It is based on the government’s eight-point plan for the digitalization of Austrian schools, which is remunerated with €250 million.

The plan includes all elements of the education system in order to guarantee a high quality school operation. For example, the Portal Digital School (PODS) bundles applications and communication channels between teachers, students, and parents via one single sign-on, thus making communication at the school site a lot easier. The portal is being implemented within the federal school system this year and will be available at all compulsory schools by next year.

In addition, beginning with the school year 2021/22, every student in the fifth and sixth grade will be provided with laptops or tablets for use both in school and at home for a small contribution fee. Teachers can already take advantage of a wide variety of educational and training opportunities, ensuring a meaningful inclusion of digital methods into school practice, which have been offered since this past summer.

Digital School is a project that not only touches all facets of our educational system, but will substantially alter them for the future.

Roadmap to 2024:

• 2020
  Uniform platforms and the Digital School - portal ease communications between students, teachers, and parents.

• 2021
  At the 5th and 6th school levels, students learn with digital equipment and materials.

• 2022
  Quality-assured learning apps support students’ education.

• 2023
  Necessary IT infrastructure at federal schools is nationwide.

• 2024
  Digital learning is embedded in all schools in the country.

• For further details, please visit https://www.digitaleschule.gv.at (in German)