With more than 25 years of experience in the education sector, Emerson Bento Pereira, Director of Educational Technology at Colégio Bandeirantes, shared behind-the-scenes insights into his new book , “Digital: A Cultural Shift,” at Conexão Bett. According to the author, the idea for the book came about after a decade of leading the digital transformation process at Colégio Bandeirantes, which began in 2013.

"I was invited to develop a project that didn't have a name at the time. The idea was simple: to bring mobile devices into the classroom. That was the starting point for what we now call digital transformation," explained Pereira, noting that technology served as a gateway to rethinking educational practices.

However, the author argues that technology alone is not enough. “While technology changes things, it is culture that shapes the future. It is human relationships that determine how we will build that future. My book reflects this insight and brings together the theories that have guided our work at Bandeirantes over the years,” he said.

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During the interview, Pereira discussed the main theories that influenced his approach to implementing digital transformation. One of them was the network theory, formulated during the Cold War by Paul Baran. 

"Baran developed three network models: centralized, decentralized, and distributed. The distributed network, in which all nodes are connected, formed the basis of the modern internet. When I realized that students were connected via tablets, it became clear that it wasn't just technology that was changing, but the way we interact with one another," he said.

Another notable theory was the theory of innovation diffusion. "It explains that, in any process of change, about 20% of people are early adopters, 20% resist, and 60% wait to decide. At first, we faced resistance when replacing the computer labs with technology-integrated classrooms at the high school. The challenge was to win over the 60% in the middle without losing focus on the innovators. This strategy was crucial to the success of the transformation,” he reported.

The Skills of Educators in the Digital Age

According to Pereira, teachers need to develop resilience and a critical eye to navigate the ever-changing technological landscape. “We are living through a time of deconstruction, which should not be a time of destruction. We need to honor the past, envision the future, and use the tools to enhance learning,” he noted.

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The author drew attention to the mindful use of technology, citing examples such as TikTok and Discord. “Platforms like TikTok aren’t social media sites, but entertainment channels with powerful algorithms that capture our attention. If we don’t educate young people about this, they’ll become hostages to these tools. Schools play an essential role in discussing the risks and benefits, especially with regard to artificial intelligence,” he warned.

Pereira also criticized efforts to ban the use of mobile devices in schools. “Bans don’t solve the problem. Who is going to teach our young people to use these technologies ethically and productively? We need to have a discussion, not impose restrictions. After all, as Paulo Freire said, a teacher who isn’t up to date with the technologies of his or her time isn’t fully exercising his or her profession,” he concluded.

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The talk show is yet another forum for dialogue at Bett Brasil, featuring various experts who offer a different perspective on the most relevant and current topics in the education sector. Turn on notifications on your favorite platform to be notified whenever a new episode is available.

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