Fostering Autonomy in the Digital Classroom: Strengthening Schools' Control over Data and Pedagogy through Collective Action

In this chapter, we explore strategies to safeguard and strengthen
the digital autonomy (control over data and pedagogy) of primary schools
during their transition to digital education. We emphasize the importance
of collective and cooperative actions involving schools, public organizations, and edtech market players, supported by examples from Dutch
primary education. We stress the need to broaden the focus of education
platform governance from data autonomy to pedagogical autonomy and
outline prospective pathways for collective action to fortify schools’
pedagogical autonomy. Additionally, we underscore the necessity of
developing alternative ecosystems for digital education. These pathways
serve as a crucial counterbalance to the mounting influence of Big Tech
within “platformized” national educational systems across Europe and
globally.