Lockdown and Beyond: Learning in a Changing Landscape

This paper shows how lockdowns in each country have created a range of new challenges for educators, but also deepened existing long-term problems and inequalities in education systems. Teachers, parents and students have quickly turned to digital solutions to manage the impact of this fast-moving crisis. The use of education technology presents huge opportunities for effective teaching and learning, both inside and outside the classroom. This new analysis of the evidence suggests that, as educators increasingly look to technology to support their practice, they should prioritise solutions that drive student motivation.

There are three reasons for this: First, there is a strong research base linking motivation and attainment. Second, student motivation has been adversely affected by lockdowns. Third, student motivation will continue to be an issue for schools long after the pandemic ends. Finally, there is an increasingly sophisticated and clear body of evidence showing how well digital solutions might improve student motivation and as a result academic attainment. Educators in the UK, US and Australia should use this when selecting tools and programmes to help their students.