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The International Day for Digital Learning, designated by UNESCO Member States as a day recognising the value of digital learning, is being celebrated for the second time on 19 March 2025. The goal is to celebrate the potential of digital learning, its ability to provide foundational learning skills to those who need them, and its accessibility across ages, cultures, genders and countries. Digital platforms are reimagining the borders of education and making it so much easier for learners to connect across cultures and communities.
Digital learning is also changing shape. It has evolved from an emergency response or a learning platform of last resort to a deliberate choice. Parents and learners are opting into digital education because it is inclusive, easy to use, and personal. Recent Novakid research that examined screen time patterns across 15 countries showed there has been a notable shift in how families approach digital learning. Educational screen time has become an integral part of a child’s development with data showing a threefold increase in extended learning sessions since 2022.
The shift in digital education approaches and understanding reflects how educators are seeing technology in the context of child development. Screentime in the context of learning, the research showed, is invaluable when it's structured properly and part of a carefully managed environment that supports both academic growth and social development.
“Digital learning tools are like balloons at a party – everyone got excited when they first appeared, but now we need to think about what keeps them in the air,” says Toby Mather, Product Director at Novakid. “We have moved beyond simply replicating traditional classrooms online. The most promising developments combine the capabilities of artificial intelligence with human connections to build learning experiences. The goal is to create that perfect mix of AI and real connections. Without social helium, even the shiniest digital balloon will deflate.”
AI is, of course, taking shape within digital education as a tool offering deeper connections and the gamification of learning. When blended with a human, AI becomes something special. It’s on track to add something special to the digital education environment, especially if companies experiment with language models, build small prototypes and pay attention to how it enhances the human factor. That’s where the magic lies.
“The next generation of teaching and learning platforms should be using AI, helping educators and learning systems to adapt to cultural contexts, or different learning needs, or even to make education more cost-effective and accessible,” says Max Azarov, co-founder and CEO of Novakid. “This evolution in digital education is not about replacing teachers, it’s about amplifying their impact.”
For Novakid, there are another two components that are essential to making digital education shine – play and cultural exchange. These elements are so powerful in language learning where peer-to-peer interaction naturally reinforces classroom instruction and play lands the learning in fun and interactive ways.
“The most exciting part of this is how digital learning is democratising education,” added Azarov. “When we remove geographical boundaries, we create space for children from diverse backgrounds to learn together, share perspectives and develop global awareness naturally. Just through learning and interacting.”
“The measure of success in digital learning isn’t just about academic achievement. It’s about creating an environment where children can develop the skills and understanding they need to thrive in an interconnected world,” concludes Mather. “AI is helping us make these environments more responsive and inclusive than ever before.”
The challenge is for educators and innovators to maintain this delicate balance and to always remember that the heart of digital education will always be the learner.
