Across Europe, more or less simultaneously, the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated (and stimulated) the use and development of technology in education settings, as new ways of teaching and learning had to be created in response to practical constraints introduced by temporary school closures. Although a sizeable body of research has examined this phenomenon from a range of perspectives in education, considerably less research has been conducted in the context of religious education.
The St Giles’ Centre has recently contributed to the research and publication of a new study, which aims to listen to 16 RE professionals in Europe (including Wales) as they reflect upon and critically consider their experiences of technology during the pandemic and its implications for both present and future RE.
Content analyses identified eight inter-related areas of interest and concern for participants, which include technology and RE, alongside wellbeing, life questions, understanding RE, teachers’ situation, relationships, social aspects and wider context. Results show that the RE professionals held strong views about the use of technology in RE, including the challenges and opportunities presented in comparison with in-person teaching practices. Four areas of particular interest emerge, which are concerned with the effects of technology on relationships; technology’s potential for teaching and learning; RE professionals’ attitudes towards technology; and RE professionals’ (un)changed understandings of RE.
The article entitled: “Listening to the voices of Religious Education professionals: the relationship between technology and Religious Education” is part of a special issue of the British Journal of Religious Education, which focusses on integrating technology in religious and moral education.
Article reference:
ap Siôn, T. Cullen, S., Danner, S., Kappelhoff, B., & Kodácsy-Simon, E. (12 August 2025, online). Listening to the voices of Religious Education professionals: the relationship between technology and Religious Education. British Journal of Religious Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2025.2543881
For more information:
Cysylltwch â ni at the St Giles’ Centre if you want more information about the project and the findings.
This research is part of the What Covid Reveals to RE Specialists project.