Equitable transformation and digitality as an opportunity for education in rural areas
In rural areas, participation in high-quality education throughout the life course is a challenge. Both accessibility and digital infrastructures still need to be created in some cases. On the other hand, proximity to nature, third spaces and multi-generational integration offer opportunities for broad-based educational work in terms of socio-ecological transformation. Digitality can also be seen as a (new) cultural space of opportunity beyond the physical, although the different generations experience it very differently. A shared digital culture therefore requires individual and social orientation and design skills (e.g. digital literacy) at all ages.
Based on these assumptions, we are iteratively developing ed-tech solutions with people from the Central German lignite mining region around the question: How can digital solutions support participation opportunities and the quality of educational programmes in the context of socio-ecological transformation? We are planning the following formats:
In the short term: Exploration Labs
In an initial series of tests, low-threshold workshop formats will be used to gather initial experiences and findings with pilot communities on the experience of digitality in the socio-ecological transformation. Challenges and opportunities for structural change towards digitality and sustainability will be derived from this, and content and formats for the use of educational technologies will be developed.
Medium-term: EdTech Labs
The labs are experimental spaces for EdTech in the socio-ecological transformation. Here, participants can develop ideas and prototypes to solve regional challenges and improve local living conditions, use technical resources and acquire competences and skills to understand and help shape a digital world. The aim is to create open, participatory processes in order to develop innovative solutions together. To ensure the diversity and quality of the programmes, cooperation with institutes, associations, FabLabs and freelance trainers and experts is planned.
Long-term EdTech Lab “on tour”
Once the labs have been successfully established in the pilot municipalities, a mobile version is planned. This should ensure that the programmes are more widely and easily accessible.
