Leveraging digital infrastructure to achieve meaningful impact at scale

• In Event: Challenges of digital interventions and practical solutions for teachers and classrooms in resource constrained communities

Proposal

EIDU’s presentation will showcase the successes and challenges of scaling digital infrastructure in public schools, with a focus on our work in Kenya. The discussion will highlight how EIDU’s platform, designed to operate even in areas without internet connectivity, is bridging the digital divide and delivering tangible educational outcomes in resource-constrained environments. The platform offers tailored solutions to key stakeholders in public education systems: learners, teachers, civil servants, and government officials.

Relevance to CIES 2025: Our work aligns directly with the theme "Envisioning Education in a Digital Society," addressing the critical need for scalable, effective digital solutions in underserved regions.

Need and Topic: The intervention tackles the pressing issue of inadequate digital infrastructure in public schools, particularly in low-resource settings. Our goal is to ensure that every learner globally has access to quality education through technology that adapts to local challenges and allows for continuous improvement.

Methods and Frameworks: EdTech Hub conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the impact of EIDU’s classroom-integrated digital personalized learning (DPL) tool, one of the applications of the EIDU platform. The study employed a design-based research phase to tailor the DPL tool to the specific needs of Kenyan public schools, followed by an RCT to evaluate its effectiveness in improving literacy and numeracy outcomes.

Successes and Lessons Learned: EIDU's platform demonstrates a strong impact even in the most resource-constrained environments. Preliminary midline results of the RCT (endline results to be shared at CIES) demonstrated a significant impact on foundational literacy and numeracy development, equivalent to an additional 0.8 years of learning or 0.425 SD, placing EIDU among the top 10% of learning interventions in LMICs. The study also underscored the importance of aligning digital tools with local curricula and teaching practices. However, challenges such as infrastructure limitations were identified, which we are addressing by deploying the necessary digital infrastructure to classrooms.

Impact Assessment and Cost-Effectiveness: EIDU is one of the highest impact-per-dollar solutions in education worldwide. Preliminary findings from another report indicate that EIDU’s platform is among the most cost-efficient solutions in education, offering a scalable solution that maximizes educational impact relative to investment. While specific data cannot be disclosed at this time, the full results, including cost-effectiveness metrics, will be shared at the CIES conference. These insights will be crucial for education stakeholders looking to discuss digital learning solutions at the upcoming conference.

EIDU's presentation will provide the audience with actionable strategies for leveraging digital infrastructure to achieve meaningful impact at scale, reinforcing the potential of technology to transform public education systems worldwide.

Author

• Bernd Roggendorf, EIDU GmbH