China advances digital technology integration in education

As the new wave of scientific, technological and industrial advancements accelerates, digital technology is becoming increasingly crucial in shaping the future of educational development. In line with this evolution, the 2024 World Digital Education Conference (WDEC) in Shanghai unveiled the Global Digital Education Development Index (GDEI), a measure of digital education development globally.

As the world's first comprehensive index to evaluate the level of digital education development across different countries, the GDEI gathers and analyzes extensive public data from international organizations and over 200 countries and regions. It selects 62 countries with relatively complete data and forefront digital education progress, and is refined through extensive expert consultations.

"Among the 62 countries leading in digital education, 13 percent are in the early stages of digital transformation, 68 percent share high-quality resources, and 19 percent have reached a higher level of data-driven, personalized teaching," said Li Yongzhi, president of China National Academy of Educational Sciences. "The goal of the index is not just ranking, but helping countries to identify their own paths and goals for digital education development."

The conference also unveiled the "Report on China Smart Education 2023," which emphasizes smart education as an advanced stage of digital education. Reflecting China's specific developmental needs, the report identifies four key stages in China's smart education progress: resource sharing, data-driven methods, AI integration, and the reshaping of the educational ecosystem.

"The report delves into China's policies and practices regarding digital transformation, with an aspiration towards the wide application of generative artificial intelligence in the future," said Li. "We also hope that technology-driven immersive learning and the emergence of human-machine hybrid teachers will become a reality in our everyday lives."

Broader use of digital technologies in education

In recent years, China has seen a rapid progress in the widespread use of public digital education resources. It has established the world's largest educational resource database, known as Smart Education of China. This online library delivers high-quality educational materials to rural schools in China's less-developed central and western regions, while also facilitating access for universities to high-caliber resources from eastern counterparts.

Since its inception in 2013, the number of massive open online courses (MOOCs) available in China has exceeded 76,800, catering to over 1.27 billion domestic students. Meanwhile, schools throughout China are incorporating digital technologies like artificial intelligence, big data analysis and virtual reality into their teaching.

In a sixth-grade English class at Pingzhou Primary School in Yongzhou City, Hunan Province, the teacher leveraged smart software to blend video animation into the curriculum, crafting a cycling route that explores local history and culture. This approach takes students on a virtual journey to an ancient town alongside the characters in the animation.

"This approach makes learning English more direct and lively, allowing us to study in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere," said Li Yurong, a primary school student.

Moreover, provinces such as Jiangsu, Anhui, and Shandong are are rapidly expanding their use of digital technology in various subjects. Zhang Jiaming, a student at Zijiang Middle School in Zibo, Shandong, observed, "The playground is equipped with intelligent devices that precisely track our sports performances and generate personalized health reports to guide our training. I think this is really impressive."

At the Shandong Vocational college of Light Industry, students majoring in textiles are using a digital training room for 3D virtual clothing design. To align with global industry standards, the college has incorporated latest technologies into the curriculum, such as fabric digitization, 3D clothing modeling and design, and VR virtual stores. From selecting materials to digital garment production, students experience a streamlined process that boosts efficiency.

"3D virtual clothing design offers me rapid feedbacks on my work, and the extensive design plans in the database broaden my horizons," said Ma Yufei, a textile major. "Digital training exposes me to the latest technology in the fashion industry while also enhances my creative design skills."

Li Qunying, dean of the International Fashion School at Shandong Light Industry Vocational College, noted the shift from isolated technological applications to widespread, multi-scenario uses of digital technology. She said that this transition will help foster a deep integration of specialized data expertise, business processes, and intelligent technology.