Panel I.07 — Navigating the Onlife Era: Rethinking Education in a Digital World
Convenors Simone Digennaro (University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Italy); Alice Iannaccone (University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Italy)
Keywords onlife, education, virtual identity, foward-thinking education system, new generations
The concept of “onlife” refers to the interconnected nature of our existence in the digital age, where our online and offline lives are deeply intertwined. It emphasizes the idea that technology and the internet have become integral parts of our daily existence, affecting how we live, communicate, and interact with the world. Understanding “onlife” involves recognizing the complex relationship between individuals, technology, and culture in this digital era and adapting our education and awareness to this new integrated reality.
It is emerging the need for a new approach in education. An olife education education, starting from the new forms of existence that the virtual world produces and encouraging a critical and conscious outlook on this new way of living, an integrated existence between the virtual and the real.
The primary challenge, especially for educational professions, lies in developing a critical awareness capable of comprehending the complexity of the relationships between the individual, technology, and culture, translating it into modern educational practices and approaches that are more inclusive and democratic.
This education should not passively accept the evolution of digital culture but should be able to use digital technologies as tools for managing the new sense of existence that seems to have emerged in the younger generations. Through an integrated and conscious view of tangible life with the virtual, concrete existence with digital existence, this new form of education can potentially overcome the contradictions and issues that arise in the modern era, providing practical answers to the challenges posed by the digital age.
Adapting education to the new forms of existence and the digital culture is essential for the development of the new generations, just as it is crucial in seeking a balance between virtual identity and real physical identity.
Under these circumstance, the panel seeks to foster deeper understanding of the onlife era and its implications for education, while also exploring practical strategies for redefining education to meet the needs of today’s individuals Ultimately, it aims to contribute to the development of a more adaptive and forward-thinking education system.
Key Themes:
The Onlife Paradigm: Exploring the interconnected nature of our digital and physical lives, emphasizing its impact on individual development and societal interactions, with a specific focus on social justice considerations.
Critical Awareness in Education: Discussing the primary challenge faced by educational professionals in developing a critical awareness capable of understanding the intricate relationships between individuals, technology, culture, and social justice concerns.
Modern Educational Practices: Investigating innovative approaches that can translate this understanding into modern educational practices, with an emphasis on promoting social justice and equity in education.
Digital Literacy and Identity: Addressing the importance of using digital technologies as tools for nurturing the new sense of existence in younger generations, while also striving to bridge the digital divide and promote equal access to education and opportunities.
Virtual body and identity: Discussing the primary challenge faced by educational professional in devoloping a critical awareness of the intricate relationships between individuals, identity, real and virtual body.