Scanning the horizon The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents both immense opportunities and significant risks for education. Without intentional action, AI could widen the learning divide rather than close it. But what if we could change that trajectory? That question was at the heart of our recent webinar on Unlocking Learning Outcomes in the Age of AI, hosted by…
This op-ed is part of a series hosted by the AI Observatory, offering perspectives on key issues in AI. We hope you find this opinion piece thought-provoking and encourage further discussion on the topic. In the concluding remarks of the 2023 UNESCO “Guidance for Generative AI in education and research” paper, they argue that we “need to rethink what exactly…
This op-ed is part of a series hosted by the AI Observatory, offering perspectives on key issues in AI. We hope you find this opinion piece thought-provoking and encourage further discussion on the topic. Tests in the age of AI Tests conjure up anxiety and dread in many, but beyond a certain age, we are rarely tested without the aid…
Since launching the AI Observatory, we’ve been in listening mode — meeting and discussing AI with people across the world. These conversations have surfaced key trends, tensions, and paradoxes that shape how AI is evolving in different contexts. Signal spotting Some of the paradoxes that are coming up: AI is evolving at breakneck speed… and yet, not fast enough, with…
Photo of Wunni Sabo and another parent from the Zarantinga community reading a nudge message on their mobile phone. Credit: Daniel Peprah. Wunni Sabo, a parent from the Zarantinga community, recalls how his perspective on education changed when he began receiving nudge messages on his mobile phone from School for Life, a research partner of EdTech Hub. These messages urged…
Last year, the Government of Tanzania initiated an overhaul of its basic education system, captured in the 2023 Policy Reform. This reform has been characterised by a renewed commitment to competence-based learning, and the integration of technology and inclusive approaches. The goal is to improve learning outcomes significantly. With funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), EdTech Hub…
When disability is discussed in education, focus often goes to the learner, — but why do we so rarely focus on teachers with disabilities? How can we engage them in research on teacher professional development? Especially in research that focuses on whether adaptations to those teachers’ needs are being made in schools and at other levels of the education system.…
This blog describes initial findings from two research projects in Pakistan: Technology to Empower Actors Across the Learning Ecosystem and Can Digital Technology Accelerate Learning and Skills? The team comprises researchers from Harvard University, University of Chicago, Pomona College, University of California, Berkeley and The World Bank. The team is grateful for funding support from EdTech Hub, The World Bank,…
This blog is written by colleagues from the Busara Centre for Behavioural Economics, as part of a joint research project with EdTech Hub investigating the impact of educational television on learning outcomes in Kenya. Image showing children working together to build a structure. Credit: Busara Centre for Behavioural Economics. In Kenya education is going through a transformation. Implementing the Competency…
The education system in Pakistan has seen remarkable progress, with primary enrolment increasing from 55% to 73% in less than two decades. However, challenges remain, as average student learning needs significant improvement. About 44% of Class 3 students cannot read a simple sentence in English, highlighting the ongoing need for focused efforts to enhance educational outcomes (Annual Status of Education…
