🗓️ Wednesday 21 May 2025  🕙 10:00-11:00

• 🟡Theme: Analysing the policy context of digital education

Is Digital Education a Tool of Neoliberalism Policy?

Paola Martinez-Romero

Recording

Abstract

In this paper, I examine the role of digital education within the context of neoliberal policies. It begins by addressing the rhetoric that education systems are failing, often ignoring systemic issues such as funding cuts, standardized testing, and teacher shortages. The influence of Human Capital Theory and neoliberalism on education is explored, highlighting the shift towards viewing education as a commodity focused on qualifications and economic outcomes.

The analysis delves into the impact of neoliberal policies in the UK and the US, including the privatization of education and the introduction of tuition fees. These policies have commodified education, transforming students into customers and prioritizing financial gain over holistic development. The paper critiques the rise of digital education platforms, which promise efficiency and personalized learning but often prioritize market needs over educational equity.

Personalized learning technologies are scrutinized for their reliance on data and artificial intelligence to create customized educational experiences. While these technologies claim to enhance student outcomes, concerns about data privacy and the lack of independent research proving their efficacy are raised. Critics argue that personalized learning often results in standardized, mass-produced education, detached from broader social and cultural contexts.