Digital learning in schools: What does it take beyond digital technology?

We investigated how often teachers apply digital technology in their teaching and which student learning activities teachers initiate. Further, we analyzed factors relating to technology use. 410 teachers in our sample, representative for the state of Bavaria (Germany), reported that they spend a substantial amount of time using digital technologies in a typical lesson. Results indicated that rather teachers' basic digital skills and technology-related teaching skills than digital technology resources are crucial. Even though a certain threshold level of digital technology is necessary in school, our results suggest shifting the focus from equipping schools to teachers' skills using technologies effectively. (c) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Automated summary

The study found that teachers in Bavaria, Germany, frequently use digital technology in teaching, with their basic digital skills and technology-related teaching skills being more crucial than digital technology resources. It suggests a shift in focus from equipping schools with technology to enhancing teachers' skills in effective technology use.