IP#5 - Global Health

Education, technology, and global health are interrelated in various ways, and their relationship has been rapidly evolving in recent years. “…global home schooling will surely produce some inspirational moments, some angry moments, some fun moments and some frustrated moments, it seems very unlikely that it will on average replace the learning lost from school” (Burgess, S., 2020). The adoption of technological innovations in education has helped improve global health outcomes by enhancing the delivery of health services, education, and research. 

Global health has become a new foundation on which educational technology is being built, as it has become apparent that technology can be used to improve health outcomes globally. For instance, telemedicine, the use of remote communication technology to deliver health care services, has become increasingly popular, particularly in rural areas and remote communities where healthcare services are limited. Telemedicine has helped to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and patients, making it possible to access medical care from anywhere in the world. This option has had a positive impact here in Nova Scotia “As of February 1, 2023 just over 133,000 Nova Scotians are in need of a doctor. That equates to 13.5 percent of the province's population.” (Palmeter, 2023) We just don’t have enough doctors available for the population so this has been a positive impact here at home. 

Another example of how technology is being used to improve global health is through the use of e-learning platforms. The learning experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with physical distancing and working from home, have reinforced this message and made the need for significant change even more urgent. (COVIDEA, 2020, p.3) These platforms provide access to educational resources and information to healthcare providers, researchers, and the general public. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, e-learning platforms were used to disseminate information on the virus, prevention measures, and treatment options. This global crisis has put more pressure on educators and leaders to create environments and spaces for learners to connect to their own identities, the experiences of others, and to engage in a meaningful learning community. (COVIDEA, 2020, p.5)

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the education sector worldwide. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of technology in education and the need for a robust infrastructure to support e-learning. The pandemic has also exposed the digital divide that exists in many parts of the world, particularly in low-income countries, where access to technology is limited. Education is a driving force that powers economies and societies, while promoting a more environmentally sustainable world - in Nelson Mandela’s words, “the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Individuals apply the knowledge and skills they learned in school and beyond to make their contribution to the world, particularly as citizens, community members and part of the global workforce. (COVIDEA, 2020, p.3) 

One significant lesson that education has learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of flexibility and adaptability. The pandemic has forced educators to adopt new teaching methods and technologies to deliver education remotely. This has highlighted the need for educators to be flexible and adapt quickly to new circumstances and technologies. The pandemic showed educators that the world won’t wait for us to catch up. We have to be able to pivot, adapt, grow and take on new challenges in seconds. I remember having to go from an in person grade two French Immersion classroom to a completely online platform for teaching French as a second language. This required us, as a team, to work to each other's strengths in technology and aid where others had weaknesses. The need to switch to an online platform in a matter of a week was a large undertaking, especially with an economically low income area of the city. In Nova Scotia we have noticed a huge deficit in our students' abilities and things that previous students didn’t struggle with. "Since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the education system more than two years ago, Janet Lee has seen an increase in demand from parents looking to get their children extra help with math and reading skills…In general, the results for students in Grades 3, 6, 8 and 10 show fewer students meeting expectations for math, reading and writing at their respective levels than the number of students hitting those benchmarks in assessments conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Gorman, 2023)

Another lesson that education has learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of collaboration and cooperation. The pandemic has brought together educators, policymakers, and stakeholders from different sectors to work together towards a common goal. This has highlighted the need for collaboration and cooperation to address global challenges. In a rapidly changing world, education systems must now be geared to developing competencies beyond those that were required during the industrial age. They need to leverage the existing digital technologies to better prepare the learners of all ages and walks of life for the jobs of the future. (COVIDEA, 2020, p.3)

In conclusion, the relationship between education, technology, and global health is complex and constantly evolving. Technology has become an essential tool in improving global health outcomes, and education is a critical component in building the infrastructure to support technological innovations in global health. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of technology in education and the need for flexibility, adaptability, collaboration, and cooperation to address global challenges. The world is small and the pandemic showed us just how quickly it all can change.