Despite the well-established importance of self-regulated learning (SRL) in student success, implementing it effectively in classrooms remains a challenge. Research has shown that the DigiOne project is a pioneering Finnish initiative aimed at transforming the education sector through a unified digital service platform and ecosystem. Developed collaboratively by municipalities, DigiOne enhances educational processes by integrating data, systems and services to support teaching, learning and administration. The project emphasises user-centric design, interoperability, and knowledge-based management, offering a scalable model for modernising education.

Launched in 2019 and led by the City of Vantaa, DigiOne brings together several Finnish municipalities to co-develop a digital ecosystem for education. In the absence of a national platform or standardised learning data framework, DigiOne has taken a bottom-up approach, building its architecture, governance and services from scratch. The project addresses the fragmentation of digital services in Finnish education and aims to streamline operations, reduce manual work and improve transparency for all stakeholders.

DigiOne operates under the GDPR framework, with municipalities retaining ownership of their data. The project has invested heavily in legal clarity and data protection, ensuring that personal data is processed lawfully and securely. The ecosystem model allows service providers to connect via standardised APIs, with clear contractual agreements governing data use. Despite progress, national-level guidance on data protection remains fragmented, highlighting the need for harmonised interpretations and practices.

The Teaching Service is a central innovation, enabling teachers to plan, assess and collaborate based on curriculum-aligned objectives. Learning data flows seamlessly between services, supporting personalised learning and transparency for students and guardians. The Timetable Service optimises scheduling, reducing administrative burden and enabling real-time updates. DigiOne also supports knowledge-based teaching by integrating data from various sources, though challenges remain in collecting systematic wellbeing data and fostering a data-driven culture among educators.

DigiOne's architecture is built on standardised data models and interfaces, enabling interoperability across services and municipalities. The project has developed a robust governance framework in collaboration with Tiera Ltd (municipality-owned company), ensuring secure data management and facilitating future scalability. The use of the OneRoster standard and public data models reduces vendor lock-in and supports innovation. Governance efforts also include aligning local practices, managing data migration and ensuring consistent data quality across diverse systems.

• Establish clear national standards and responsibilities for education data governance.
• Ensure interoperability through common data standards and ecosystems.
• Support municipalities in changing their operating culture and developing their capabilities to utilise data.
• Empower teachers through integrated teaching services linked to curriculum data.
• Design digital timetabling and administrative tools that optimise resources.
• Incorporate multi-sectoral data for holistic support.
• Foster ecosystems that include enterprises of all sizes and promote market balance.

DigiOne demonstrates how municipalities can lead digital transformation in education through collaboration, innovation and strong data governance. As the project transitions from pilot to production, it offers valuable lessons for national and international stakeholders seeking to modernise education systems.