Global approaches for the systemic piloting and trialling of school educational technologies
This research creates the first framework for systemic EdTech testbed models and approaches and offers a tool to support the design, implementation, and evaluation of testbeds.
This project runs from October 2022 to July 2027 and is funded by the Jacobs Foundation.
Background
The huge global growth in available educational technologies (“EdTech”) for school education has made it very difficult for everyone to decide which EdTech is best for which learners, in which contexts, and at what point in their learning journey.
Very little EdTech is the subject of robust research studies. It is particularly hard to make big decisions that might affect a group of schools, a region or a country. EdTech “testbeds” are a relatively new approach: multiple EdTechs are piloted and evaluated in many school settings, using research methods appropriate to the maturity of the EdTech.
This research is the first global project to explore the many different designs of system-wide EdTech testbeds (or "trialling environments", as they are known in the US). It will help us to understand which approaches might be suited to different contexts.
Methodology
As an exploratory study, we have designed a survey that aims to capture global practices on EdTech testbed design, implementation and evaluation. The survey is open to anyone who is involved in funding, designing, leading, supporting, evaluating or participating in one. The survey responses are mapping the global EdTech testbed activity. Eligible respondents are invited to become active members of the Global EdTech Testbed/Trialling Environment Network (GETN) and its emerging regional groups. GETN community members are contributing to the ongoing research through the creation of a global knowledge hub of case studies, guidelines, playbooks and reports.
Findings
Our research has created the first framework for systemic EdTech testbed models and approaches. This offers a tool to support the design, implementation, and evaluation of testbeds. The accompanying Research Report outlines the framework components and explains the key concepts and terminology contained within. This Systemic Edtech Testbed framework is also available as an open-source tool in Miro, which can be used by EdTech Testbed stakeholders to visualise their own approach. Please contact Professor Alison Clark-Wilson if you would like access to this as a tool to support you to design, implement and evaluate your own approach.
Team
- Professor Alison Clark-Wilson
- Stefanie Vanbecelaere, imec/itec Research Group, KU Leuven, Belgium
- Katie Boody Adorno, Leanlab Education, US
- Björn Haßler, Open Development and Education, UK and Sierra Leone
Related links
Contact us
UCL Knowledge Lab
Department of Culture, Communication and Media
IOE – Faculty of Education and Society
UCL
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