IMPACT • CHALLENGE • INTERVENTION • RESOURCES
Using Technology to Improve Girls' Learning: A Path to Inclusion and Equity
The Girls’ Education Challenge (GEC) has supported over 1.6 million marginalised girls with access to quality education across 41 projects in 17 countries.
IMAGE CREDIT: SHUTTERSTOCK
The challenge ➝
An EdTech Hub rapid evidence review found that access to technology in education has been disproportionately more empowering for girls than boys and that girls may even engage more with EdTech when presented with the same opportunities for access as boys. To address the lack of studies on successful EdTech interventions for girls in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), EdTech Hub and UK’s flagship, Girls’ Education Challenge (GEC) conducted a study aiming to identify key factors for success in GEC’s EdTech programmes. This has facilitated successful outcomes for marginalised girls. The findings provide critical lessons to optimise future EdTech interventions for girls in LMICs and continue to be shared with decision-makers and the public to help translate insights into action.
The intervention ➝
Using insights from the GEC’s brief on EdTech and Value for Money, a shortlist of projects to include within the study was developed. The work focused on specific programmes highlighted as offering “good” or “promising” value for money.
The study followed an “exceptional success” approach to sampling (UNICEF, 2022) by exploring how specific GEC programmes managed to overcome complex problems. This approach identifies and learns from those who succeed in overcoming common challenges in unique ways. Often these challenges are common when implementing EdTech programmes for marginalised girls to achieve positive results.
To help share critical findings and lessons, EdTech Hub, in collaboration with colleagues from the FCDO and GEC project implementers, convened a webinar in January 2024. The event presented some of the EdTech approaches, factors of success and lessons learned across GEC projects to benefit the sector and improve potential research and implementation in the future.
Watch the webinar here:
The impact ➝
By producing a comprehensive analysis, organisations and ministries have evidence and guidance on approaches that may improve outcomes and experiences for girls. In EdTech Hub’s study of the GEC portfolio, the approach focused on addressing the gender digital divide and gender-sensitive approaches to the use of technology for marginalised girls’ education. The study examined the factors (implementation components, organisational components, and external influencing factors) that have facilitated the effective delivery of EdTech interventions and contributed to successful outcomes across the GEC portfolio.
Some learning highlights from the portfolio include:
Across projects, insights from our study highlight a strong need to understand the context and to consider evidence-based design to effectively plan EdTech interventions. For example, study insights highlight that ImpactEd’s Discovery Project 2 (DP2) engaged in human-centred design for their video content which involved gathering young people in the intervention countries to feed into the initial story design which led to the start of their My Better World series which went on to receive a prestigious Emmy Award. The animated series through collaborating with regional and national TV and radio stations combined broadcast audience reach of nearly 190 million across Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana.
Another example is how the Making Ghanaian Girls Great (MGCubed) programme demonstrated impactful stakeholder engagement by involving caregivers, fostering peer support, promoting community involvement, and partnering with Ghana’s national education entities. This collaboration notably enhanced system inclusivity by incorporating sign interpretation into educational broadcasts. This important accessibility tool is now standard practice by government distance learning agencies.
Strategic partnerships and community engagement facilitated the broad adoption and sustainability of EdTech solutions. Thus, ensuring more girls could access EdTech. MGCubed’s inclusivity measures also included:
- accommodating new mothers in live lessons
- providing local language support
- providing snacks
- creating a supportive learning environment
From small considerations to creating a supportive environment, all these activities contributed to improving educational opportunities for Ghanaian girls.
These examples as assessed by EdTech Hub and partners, underscore the importance of evidence-informed design, building strong connections, and providing ongoing training alongside technology implementation. Moreover, no matter how innovative the technology, its effectiveness hinges on its alignment with the local infrastructure and the needs and attitudes of those who it aims to serve. These learnings and tools can be used as formative examples for future planning and to benefit learners.
