How to Design Effective EdTech Programs: Lessons from Existing Research

• In Event: Unlocking the potential of EdTech for effective learning by engaging communities

Proposal

The use of education technology (EdTech) has been steadily increasing in recent years, from low-tech solutions through WhatsApp and radio to high-tech software installed on laptops in classrooms. Despite its growth, results are mixed on how EdTech solutions can most effectively complement traditional learning approaches to improve learning outcomes. This evidence brief reviews the literature on the use of EdTech in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to understand the conditions necessary for EdTech programs to improve learning outcomes for disadvantaged students.

It identifies the following three conditions that are necessary for EdTech interventions to achieve success, and considers the implications for applying these findings to policy and practice:

1. Consider existing access (including gendered access) to technology to ensure learning outcomes are equitable and cost effective.
Multiple studies conclude that while EdTech can be a powerful tool, it is not necessarily more effective or cost efficient in improving learning outcomes than traditional approaches. Further, there is a risk that EdTech may exacerbate inequalities rather than combatting them if it is not thoughtfully designed. Access to technology both at home and within the classroom – alongside the cost of facilitating greater access – are important factors to consider at the design phase of any EdTech intervention.

2. Employ personalized-adaptive learning (PAL) software to deliver individualized instruction.
Research has found that adaptive learning and teaching at the right level (with or without technology) can have a significant impact on improving learning outcomes, particularly for students falling behind their grade level. However, in traditional classroom settings, offering personalized and adaptive instruction places a heavy burden on the teacher, who is required to individually assess the level of each student and quickly adapt their teaching to each need. As such, many studies have shown that PAL software that adapts its lessons for student levels can be one of the most effective uses of EdTech. Computer software can provide individualized instruction through artificial intelligence that “learns” the level of the user and seamlessly tailors the content it offers.

3. Accompany EdTech with ongoing teacher training to integrate technology in the classroom.
Another widely cited factor affecting the success of EdTech interventions is the teacher’s ability to appropriately integrate the use of technology with the rest of the curriculum. Numerous studies have shown that there is no impact on student learning outcomes when technology replaces rather than complements the teacher. Further, studies have shown that learning gains are greater when the technological interventions are delivered by an experienced teacher rather than by a supervisor who administers the technology but does not offer pedagogical support. However, the mere presence of a teacher will not improve outcomes if the teacher is not equipped with the necessary skills and attitudes to successfully integrate technology into their classroom. Therefore, teacher professional development is a critical investment that must accompany any successful EdTech intervention.

Author

• Lula Dahir, Opportunity EduFinance