Full Power Edu: New model holds key for future of distance learning

The past few months have been a uniquely challenging time for everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the world into a “new normal,” making everyday tasks harder and presenting massive organizational challenges for institutions that citizens previously took for granted. Perhaps nowhere are these challenges more apparent than in our education system.

Teachers and students are facing unprecedented issues in finishing out the 2019-20 school year. Distance learning has become the norm, in one form or another. Most districts are turning to online alternatives to in-person classroom instruction. This is bringing to light a number of areas where the United States’ educational paradigm could be brought current.

A report titled “The Future Model of Education” holds heavily-researched information to guide school districts toward a more comprehensive and holistic approach for distance learning. The report examines all of the current forms in which K-12 learning takes place in the United States and studies their best and worst aspects. Using the findings of this report, tech leader and financial expert Michael Barney has designed a model that modernizes the way we teach and learn.

The new model — called “Full Power Edu” — unites teachers, administrators, tech companies and others to create distance-learning capable content.

“When we say distance learning, it’s actually the digitization of the content, curriculum and course for delivery into the classroom over a SMART board, non-simultaneously or simultaneously online,” Barney says. “What you want is all delivery methods to be equally effective. And they won’t look exactly the same. Traditional materials and formats can’t just be put into a video conference. That’s not enough.”

His biggest concern is having a more organized response for future distance-learning scenarios, whether it’s a two-week snowstorm or another pandemic. Barney believes, now that students have fallen behind, a more stable model has never been more important.

All of these plans come together at the Pittsburgh Digital Education Center, a physical hub that Barney has planned to make this new digital-forward model possible. The center’s plans include space for curriculum creation, high-production value interactive materials, the creation of video lessons, accessibility, optimization, cybersecurity and safety.

“Districts are under tremendous pressure financially and with technology,” Barney says. “The Pittsburgh Digital Education Center is a hub-and-spoke model that assists school districts and universities. Instead of burdening them, this model supports them on digital technologies, graphics, broadcasts and more. Digitalization leads the Full Power model.”

Barney is concerned that current distance learning is ineffective, and that it is not reaching enough students. Many students lack access to digital technology or the internet at home.

“This crisis has brought inadequacies in digital infrastructure, online learning, data access and security to the forefront,” he says. “The digital divide between the haves and have-nots has never been greater.“

Currently, the U.S. is in the unique position of digitizing many industries and activities, and education should be no exception, Barney says. School districts should set up task forces now, both to better prepare for the current crisis and adapt to distance learning for future crises.

“I don’t think any school district wants to go through this again,” he says.

As the COVID-19 pandemic wears on and school districts do their best to wrap up the academic year, this is the time to look to the future, not only for this emergency but for the possibilities distance and digital learning provide.

By bringing together teachers, administrators, technology innovators, content creators and the community, Barney is working to ensure a stable and prosperous future for education in our region.

You can learn more by visiting https://fullpower.io/trib.