Title: Improving education through digitalization. A spatial panel model
Authors & affiliations: Irina-Denisa Munteanu, Zizi Goschin, Institute of National Economy, Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania
Abstract:
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions in the education environment, leading to a shift from traditional classroom learning to online education, and accelerating the ongoing digital revolution. The expansion of digital infrastructure prompted by the pandemic has the potential to facilitate long-term systemic improvements within educational institutions. Building on this perspective, our research seeks to evaluate the transformative role of digital tools in Romanian education. Additionally, accounting for large regional disparities in economic development, as well as in education, the influence of digitalization was analysed through a spatial lens. The use of specific spatial econometric methods allows for capturing spatial interactions between regions, enhancing our understanding of these mechanisms. The findings indicate that while digital resources may not inherently improve academic performance under conventional circumstances, they remain indispensable for ensuring educational continuity during disruptive periods, such as global pandemics or extreme environmental events. The insights derived from the analysis offer valuable guidance for policymakers in designing frameworks that enhance the resilience and efficiency of digital integration in schools.
Keywords: education, digitalization, spatial econometric models, COVID-19, Romania
JEL Classification: I21, I29, C19