27/00/2024
Building Trust and Innovation in EdTech: Insights from European Schoolnet's Podcast
EmpowerED project roadmap
Christina Makarona, Project Coordinator at European Schoolnet introduces the EmpowerED project's roadmap report, set to be publicly released at the end of September. This initial iteration identifies seven significant gaps within the EdTech ecosystem that require intervention and proposes tailored solutions to address these challenges. By framing each solution as a set of conditions, countries can select and implement strategies that best fit their unique contexts. Over the next 16 months, these solutions will be validated with key stakeholders, leading to a revised version aimed at informing policymaking across Europe, including the European Commission's Digital Europe Programme.
Trust and evidence in EdTech
Moderated by Beth Havinga, Managing Director of the European EdTech Alliance, the discussion unfolds with a critical examination of trust within the EdTech sector. Havinga notes the profound lack of trust in EdTech, particularly regarding evidence of its efficacy. While numerous reports highlight this gap, only a small fraction of decision-makers actively utilise the available evidence. This mistrust extends to industry-led solutions, with studies indicating that over 80% of users in some regions express scepticism.
Despite these challenges, there exists a robust willingness within the EdTech community to engage with evidence, with 80% of respondents in the European EdTech map believing that evidence testing can be beneficial. She identifies five key gaps contributing to the disconnect between EdTech stakeholders and the evidence base, including the lack of standardised frameworks and poor accessibility to existing research.
Challenges in decentralised education systems
Andreas Klausing, Member of the Management Board at Educa Swiss provides insight into the challenges posed by the country's decentralised education system, where public schools operate independently. He emphasises the need for clear legal frameworks to facilitate collaboration with EdTech companies, noting that much of the current interaction is informal and lacks clarity. Klausing also discusses the broader implications of digitalisation, advocating for an intersectoral approach that connects education with other public sectors, such as health.
Bridging the trust gap
Niko Lindholm, Senior Business Advisor at the Helsinki Education Hub adds depth to the conversation, stressing the importance of formalising the trust issue. He outlines initiatives being implemented in Helsinki to bridge the trust gap between educators and EdTech entrepreneurs. By fostering collaboration through co-creation challenges, they aim to engage teachers in the innovation process, ensuring that their needs are directly addressed.
Collaboration and localised frameworks
The dialogue between Havinga, Klausing, and Lindholm underscores the necessity of building trust through shared understanding and collaboration. As they explore ways to create localised frameworks for evaluating EdTech solutions, it becomes evident that tailoring approaches to meet local needs is vital for achieving relevance and practical application.
Looking ahead, the EmpowerED project will be present at Eminent 2024, where these pressing issues will continue to be addressed. The event will provide a platform for further discussion on building trust and fostering innovation within the EdTech landscape.
This episode of the European Schoolnet Podcast highlights the importance of collaboration in driving the future of education technology. Whether through projects like EmpowerED, national hubs like Helsinki Education Hub, or national or international alliances like Educa Swiss or the European EdTech Alliance, the key to success lies in uniting diverse voices and expertise. By building strong networks and fostering innovation, Europe can continue to lead the way in creating a future where technology enhances learning for all students.
