School organisers’ expression on the expansion of the access and application of digital technologies in educational systems

• Published in: The international journal of information and learning technology Vol. 40; no. 1; pp. 73 - 83
• Main Author: Reis-Andersson, Jussara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Emerald Publishing Limited 11-01-2023
• Subjects: Access to Computers; Barriers; Challenge; Digital competence; Digital technology; Educational Technology; Foreign Countries; Opportunity; Planning; School Districts; School organiser; Specialists; Technological Literacy; Technology Integration; Technology Uses in Education; Sweden; Digital competence; Digital technology; School organiser; Opportunity; Challenge
• ISSN: 2056-4880; 2056-4899; 2056-4899
• DOI: 10.1108/IJILT-03-2022-0070

PurposeThis paper is aimed at describing and analysing what school organisers express when they network to expand the access and application of digital technologies in educational systems. Digital technologies develop rapidly in society, creating challenges and opportunities in people’s lives. Schools have an important task: to prepare young people for a future permeated by digital technology.Design/methodology/approachParticipant observations and semi-structured interviews were used to describe and analyse how school organisers describe digitalisation work in the educational system.FindingsThe findings show that school organisers describe digital competence and providing support to schools as being important for expanding the access and application of digital technologies in the educational system. They also talk about equality connected to digitalisation work, changes in organisations, the importance of a holistic perspective, and a gold thread. They furthermore explain that networks, a sharing culture, good relations, and good communication enable digitalisation work. In addition, they point out that the lack of time, attitudes towards digital technologies, the lack of digital competence, and resistance to change are some of the constraints for digital technologies in the educational system.Practical implicationsSchool organisers need to implement digitalisation policies, which can be problematic because they work strategically to support operational activities.Originality/valueThis paper contributes knowledge about school organisers’ work to expand the access and application of digital technologies in the educational system.