In this concluding part of this series, we finish our series of questions for the education sector, with the hope that, as we shape policies and formulate plans, we have in mind these questions
12. How do you effectively blend high-tech, low-tech and no-tech educational modalities to achieve learning outcomes?
Bangladesh's trajectory is such that we are yet to have equitable distribution of technology.
To that end, it is important that we identify each modality, and best use them for achieving learning outcomes most effectively.
13. How can parents and caregivers be effectively engaged in the learning of children?
There are several ways in which parents and caregivers can be effectively engaged in the learning of children. One key approach is through regular communication with teachers and schools.
This could include attending parent-teacher conferences, participating in parent-teacher association meetings, and staying informed about school policies and events.
By staying informed and involved in their child's education, parents and caregivers can better understand what their child is learning, how they are progressing, and how they can support their child's learning at home.
Another effective way to engage parents and caregivers is through providing them with the tools and resources they need to support their child's learning at home.
This could include providing access to educational materials and resources such as books, games, and educational websites and apps, and providing parents with information on how to support their child's learning in different subject areas.
Moreover, involving parents and caregivers in the classroom and participating in activities such as volunteering, mentoring, and chaperoning field trips can also be an effective way to engage them.
Additionally, involving parents and caregivers in the decision-making process and seeking their feedback on the education system can also help to engage them in their child's learning.
This can help to build trust and foster positive relationships between parents, caregivers, teachers, and school administrators, and ultimately support student success.
14. What are effective strategies for influencing teacher practice?
15. How do we make the lives of teachers easier?
16. What are the ethics of educational technologies that should be taken into account?
17. How do we address the well-being of actors across the educational ecosystem, from both a personal perspective, a collective perspective, and even a planetary perspective, in both the real world and the virtual world?
18. Do we need to include everything in the curriculum?
In the education system of Bangladesh, the curriculum is often overcrowded with a large number of subjects and topics that students are expected to learn.
This can make it difficult for students to fully understand and retain the material.
Additionally, it can lead to overburdening of students and teachers, and can make it difficult to provide individualized support to students who may be struggling.
Therefore, it is high time to think whether a more focused curriculum, with fewer subjects and topics, would be more effective in ensuring that students receive a high-quality education.
By focusing on the most important and relevant information, students may have more time and resources to truly master the material.
Teachers would also have more time to provide individualized support.
19. How will our underpaid and overloaded teachers ensure equitable, quality, and inclusive education?
Teachers are at the centrepoint of discussion when we talk about quality education.
However, it is important to note that it is not only the teachers but also the government and society that needs to work together to address the issues in the education system of Bangladesh to ensure equitable and inclusive quality education.
The government needs to increase the funding for education, and society needs to understand the importance of education and support the teachers and the education system -- as we often say: “Education is a shared responsibility.”
At the same time, besides better working conditions and fair compensation, we must think of what else is needed to reduce teacher burnout and improve overall job satisfaction.
20. Evidence-based policy making and technology-based education management: How can we make education administration smart and adaptive?
In order to make education administration smart and adaptive in Bangladesh, it is important to adopt an evidence-based policy making approach and incorporate technology-based education management solutions.
Evidence-based policy making involves using data, research, and other forms of evidence to inform decision-making, which can help ensure that policies and practices are effective and efficient.
In the case of education administration, this could involve regularly collecting and analyzing data on student performance, teacher effectiveness, and other relevant factors, in order to identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions about how to address them.
Additionally, incorporating technology-based education management solutions can help to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the education system. This could include using data analytics to identify areas for improvement, using online learning platforms and tools to provide students with more flexible and personalized learning opportunities, and using technology to streamline administrative tasks and improve communication and collaboration among educators and administrators.
However, it is important to consider the digital divide and that not all students and teachers may have access to these technologies.
Therefore, it's also crucial to address the digital divide and ensure that all students and teachers have equal access to technology in order to make education administration smart and adaptive.
21. What questions are you thinking about?
It is this last question that we will always continue to honor and explore, as we know that this list is not exhaustive and as the months pass by more questions may pop up such as the role of artificial intelligence and ChatGPT in education, the nature of curriculum reform, etc, and we hope to write more upcoming articles on these topics, based on the conversations we continue to have.
Shakil Ahmed is an educator, futurist, storyteller at Ridiculous Futures and Country lead at EdTech Hub. Mehdi Hassan is the e-learning Associate at a2i Program of ICT Division. G M Rakibul Islam works as an Assistant Professor and Chairman at the Department of Educational Administration in Noakhali Science and Technology University. Hasibur Rahman Sohan is Director, Program, Teach for Bangladesh.
