- Portugal closed all schools on March 13th and implemented distance education using various online platforms and TV broadcasts. Computers and internet access were provided to low-income students. - A new plan will update school technology, provide devices and internet access for all students and teachers, invest in online education resources, develop a digital assessment system, and integrate coding/robotics into the curriculum. - Key challenges of emergency remote teaching included teacher access to technology/skills, lack of teaching experience online, lack of school support, and student digital skills/autonomy. Future challenges include supporting teacher training in digital skills, hygiene/safety, well-being, and innovative teaching strategies.

1. What next for school education?
IMPACT EdTech ‘Remote Schooling’ Info Day
(Thursday 30 July, 15:00-16:00 CEST)

2. Remote Schooling in Portugal
All Kindergartens, elementary and secondary schools were closed on
March 13th
• Distance Education was implemented [E@D Initiative]
. 8 Principles for action
. Website with tools and resources
. Online Teaching (based on different platforms Moodle, Teams and Google Classroom
and well as Zoom webconferencing services)
• TV broadcast of Educational content [#EstudoEmCasa] from 1st till 9th
grade
• Municipalities and schools organized the delivery of computers +
internet connectivity services to students from low-income families
• Printed educational materials delivered at student’s homes

3. National Action Plan for Digital Transition - Portugal
More recently, the portuguese government presented a Plan for Digital
Transition, in which a Program for Digital Education is presented.
This program will involve:
. Updating schools’ IT equipment and connectivity services
. Providing access to personal devices and internet to all students and teachers
. investment of digital Education resources and online platforms
. A digital system for online assessment (national exams)
. Integrating ICT in the oficial curriculum from 1st to 9th grade
. Project on Coding and Robotics
. Project for promoting the involvement of girls in ICT
. Project on teachers’ training on digital competencies

4. What are the main lessons learnt for school
systems/educators?
We need to:
• update IT equipment and internet services in schools
• promote more equitable access to technology and select more inclusive
solutions for Education
(the platforms and webtools used didn’t consider the universal design principles and didn’t
suit the needs of the youngest students)
• assure a high level of digital competence in teachers and students
• home-school communication needs to be improved
• ensure that in remote schooling we will still address the social functions of
schools, not only learning
(e.g. social-emotional development, access to books, to a meal, etc.)

5. These needs are not new but are now shared
and accepted as urgent!

6. What were the most notable challenges for school
education during the emergency remote teaching period?
• Teachers access to (reliable) technology and to the skills required to use it
• Teachers’ lack of experience on online learning
• Schools’ lack of support to their teachers
• Teachers-parents communication
• Students digital skills
• Students autonomy and self-regulation of own learning process

7. What challenges do you see
for the future?
(Aside from providing access to technology…)
Provide support and training to teachers on:
1. Digital competencies, otherwise they will not be able to promote
the desired level of digital skills that we aim for our students
2. New habits on hygine, social interaction, mobility (on how to
make schools a safe but also carying environment)
3. Students and teachers well-being
4. Classroom management (online + F2F)
5. Innovative teaching and learning strategies
How can educators be
better trained to face
them?
• Just-in-time and online-based teachers training
• Formal and informal training
• Teachers cooperation (local, national, global)

8. How can the EdTech sector contribute to solving some
of the challenges ahead? What EdTech is needed?
• Tools that help keep teachers away from burnout
• Tools to support teachers’ professional tasks management (Online + F2F)
• Tools that support on Innovative teaching and learning strategies
(not only the transmission of content!)
Eg. Small group work, all-class collaboration, promote sense of connection
We need EdTech that really has Ed(ucation) in its DNA!

9. How can the EdTech sector contribute to solving some
of the challenges ahead? What EdTech is needed?
• Tools for promoting students social responsability
• Simple tools for small children
• Hybrid platforms
• Personalized learning (adaptive learning environments)
• Games and simulators (for Real-world tasks) + Remote Labs
• Tools for supporting home-school communication
We need EdTech that really has Ed(ucation) in its DNA!

10. Thank you!
Neuza Pedro
Institute of Education
University of Lisbon