Strategic framework and global trends of national smart education policies

The integration of intelligent technology in education, termed "smart education," has become a significant policy focus in many countries. The UN recognizes the global education crisis, highlighting issues like score-centric learning, insufficient teacher training, and the digital divide. Smart education offers a potential solution to enhance educational resilience and quality, promoting Sustainable Development Goal 4. While the adoption of technology in education is widespread, it often lacks a theoretical basis. This study aims to address this gap by answering two research questions: (1) How can smart education be constructed at the national level? (2) What are the global policy trends in smart education? The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, combining the Delphi technique to develop a National Smart Education Framework and textual analysis to explore global policy trends.

The paper traces the evolution of smart education through four stages: (1) emergence (1983-2007), where "smart" primarily referred to cultivating wisdom; (2) evolution (2008-2012), focusing on technology integration; (3) theorizing (2012-2018), marked by increased research and theoretical understanding; and (4) application (2019-present), characterized by large-scale policy adoption and implementation. The review highlights various definitions and frameworks for smart education proposed by different researchers, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive national-level policy framework.

The study employed a mixed-methods approach. First, a Delphi study involving 14 experts from UNESCO, China, and the US was conducted to validate a preliminary National Smart Education Framework. The framework was iteratively refined through email feedback and video conferencing until a consensus was reached. Second, textual analysis was performed on 24 smart education policies from various countries and organizations. The policies were selected in two rounds based on specific keywords and inclusion/exclusion criteria. A coding scheme was developed based on the nine dimensions of the National Smart Education Framework's first three leveraging points. Two researchers independently coded the policies, resolving discrepancies through discussion. Frequency counts of the indicators were calculated and presented using bubble charts.

The Delphi study resulted in a National Smart Education Framework with four leveraging points: forward-thinking governance and policy initiatives, digital learning environments conducive to smart education, transformative teaching and learning enabled through technology, and overarching considerations. Each leveraging point comprises three dimensions. The textual analysis of 24 national smart education policies revealed several key trends. In the first leveraging point (Forward-thinking governance and policy initiatives), the most frequently mentioned indicators were promoting high-quality, inclusive, and accessible education, creating high-performing digital education ecosystems, and setting visions for technology in learning. Regarding infrastructure capacity, increasing internet connectivity and access to digital tools was highly emphasized, with Singapore's Educational Technology Plan (2020-2030) being the most frequently mentioned policy in this context. Concerning human capacity, enhancing digital skills was the most prevalent trend, highlighting the importance of teacher training and development. In the second leveraging point (Digital learning environments conducive to smart education), ethical use of technology was the most mentioned dimension, underscoring the importance of data security and privacy. Seamless connectivity and access to learning devices and support were also highlighted, although less frequently than ethical considerations. The European Union’s Digital Education Action Plan emphasized widespread and equitable internet access. In the third leveraging point (Transformative teaching and learning enabled through technology), the most emphasized dimension was reimagined assessments, with a focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. The use of technology for learner-centered assessments and the provision of real-time feedback were also significant trends. The final leveraging point (Overarching considerations) encompassed inclusion and equity, continuous improvement culture, and multi-sector cooperation and partnerships. Analysis revealed that while many policies address forward-thinking governance, there's relatively less emphasis on constructing robust digital learning environments, particularly in economically less developed regions. The study also emphasizes the significant focus on enhancing digital skills for both teachers and students.

The findings highlight the global trend towards integrating technology into education systems, but implementation challenges persist due to factors like economic disparities and the digital divide. The National Smart Education Framework provides a valuable roadmap for countries to prioritize their efforts based on their specific context. Economically less developed nations may focus on establishing national visions, plans, and essential infrastructure, while more developed nations may prioritize investment in human capital, particularly teacher training and development. The study reveals that while many countries have adopted policies promoting smart education, the actual implementation and the level of success vary widely depending on economic resources, infrastructure, and teachers' digital competence. The significant emphasis on enhancing digital skills underscores the crucial role of teacher training and development in successful smart education initiatives. The study’s findings demonstrate that while technological integration in education is a widespread goal, achieving effective implementation requires careful consideration of both national contexts and diverse learner needs.

This study provides a comprehensive National Smart Education Framework, validated through expert consensus and informed by a global analysis of smart education policies. The framework emphasizes four key leveraging points for successful implementation: forward-thinking governance, digital learning environments, transformative teaching and learning, and overarching considerations. The findings highlight the need for a nuanced approach to smart education implementation, tailoring strategies to specific national contexts and addressing the digital divide. Future research should focus on quantitative analyses of the framework's effectiveness and expansion of the policy sample to encompass a broader range of countries.

The study’s limitations include the primarily qualitative nature of the research methods (Delphi and textual analysis), the relatively small sample size of 24 national policies, which may not fully represent global diversity, and the lack of quantitative data on the effectiveness of the proposed framework. Future research should address these limitations through quantitative studies and broader geographical coverage.