Tim Unwin, UNESCO Chair in ICT4D; Emeritus Professor of Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London and Chair of the Chair of the Intellectual Leadership Team for the EdTech Hub

Molly Jamieson Eberhardt, Program Director, R4D and Engagement Director for the EdTech Hub

The vast majority of research and documentation related to the use of educational technologies around the world is generated from within ‘highly developed’ countries (most of them in Europe, North America and East Asia), animated and informed by research questions and the needs of education communities and education systems in these same countries.

A new, 8-year research initiative supported by Dfid and , the World Bank and the Gates Foundation seeks to change this existing paradigm.

The ‘EdTech Hub’ will bring together experts in technology, education, research and innovation to answer questions such as:

What works (and what doesn’t work) to accelerate, spread and scale education technology interventions to deliver better learning outcomes for all children, including the most marginalised, in developing countries?

and

Which education technology interventions present the greatest value for money and social return on investment?

The Hub’s initial focus will be to explore the impact and equitable use of innovative technologies to benefit teaching and learning in developing countries across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

The work of the Hub is meant to help respond to the information needs of Dfid Education Advisors and World Bank Education Staff that surface during related country dialogues with clients. During the ‘inception’ phase of the Hub, which runs until the end of 2019, a set of 3-5 countries will be identified to receive priority research support over multiple years; a ‘calldown’ service will be established to provide just-in-time analytical support to Bank and Dfid education task teams; a calendar of regional and coutnry-level knowledge sharing activities around edtech topics will be established; and dedicated support will begin to enable ‘innovative’ existing activities across AFR and SAR to be scaled up. (Much more is being planned as well.)

How can the work of the Hub be relevant to you and the clients with which you work? How can you get involved? Please join us as we welcome two directors from the EdTech Hub as they outline what is being planned — and solicit your input to help guide the way forward.

This BBL should be of special interest to World Bank education staff working in AFR and SAR.

Source: The World Bank