Zimbabwe COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Strategy - Zimbabwe Education Cluster (2020)

ZIMSEC | Home - Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (2020)

Creating asynchronous virtual field experiences with 360 video - Zolfaghari, Maryam; Austin, Christine K; Kosko, Karl W; Ferdig, Richard E (Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 2020)
The global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted normal face- to-face classes across institutions. This has significantly im- pacted methods courses where preservice teachers (PSTs) practice pedagogy in the field (e.g., in the PreK-12 class- room). In this paper, we describe efforts to adapt an assign- ment originally situated in a face-to-face school placement into a virtual version. By utilizing multi-perspective 360 vid- eo, preliminary results suggest virtual field experiences can provide PSTs with similar experiences for observation-based assignments. Acknowledging that immersive virtual experi- ences are not a complete replacement for face-to-face field- based experiences, we suggest virtual field assignments can be a useful supplement or a viable alternative during a time of the pandemic. Keywords:
Keywords: 360 video; ex-; teacher education; virtual-based assignments; ⛔ No DOI found

A district level study on the deployment, allocation and utilisation of teachers between and within Malawi's primary schools: an accountability and political settlements approach - Zubairi, Asma (REAL Centre, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, 2020)

جو اكاديمي توجيهي | دروس ودوسيات التوجيهي واسئلة وزارة - توجيهي, جو اكاديمي (جو اكاديمي توجيهي, 2020)
منصة جو اكاديمي من اوائل رواد التعليم الالكتروني وحصص اون لاين ووتد التعليم في المملكة الاردنية الهاشمية بوابة للتواصل ما بين المعلم والطالب

Mobile learning policy and practice in Africa: Towards inclusive and equitable access to higher education - Kaliisa, Rogers; Picard, Michelle (Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 2019)
This article presents the results of a review of practice and policy in relation to mobile learning and its potential to enhance inclusive and equitable access to higher education in Africa. We reviewed academic literature on potential barriers. Then, we explored the current state of the mobile learning policy environment in 10 African countries through an analysis of how these policies have tried to address the prominent challenges in the adoption of mobile learning as identified in the literature. The findings reveal that significant resourcing inequalities and epistemological, sociocultural, and institutional barriers remain and affect mobile learning adoption. The analysis also reveals that there is still a policy vacuum in relation to mobile learning specific policies within African higher education institutional and governmental policies. Thus, the formal integration of mobile learning in higher education to facilitate equitable access is very much in its infancy. This article suggests a strong need for institutional, cross-institutional, national and African-wide mobile learning specific policies to ensure better implementation of mobile learning. As interest in mobile learning continues to grow, this review will provide insights into policy and strategic planning for the adoption of mobile learning to achieve inclusive and equitable access to higher education.
Keywords: Africa; Mobile learning; equity; higher education; inclusive; policy

Sierra Leone designs online portal to take long wait out of teacher recruitment - Directorate of Science, Technology & Innovation (Sierra Leone) (2019)
A new teacher recruitment portal developed at the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) will make it easier and faster for education administrators to hire teachers, and allocate teachersRead More

Teacher Professional Development in Tanzania: Challenges and Opportunities - Komba, Sotco Claudius; Mwakabenga, Rehema Japhet (Educational Leadership, 2019)
This chapter is about teacher professional development in Tanzania. The authors have examined the current status of teacher professional development in Tanzania, focusing on predominant perspectives on the concept and provision modalities. In addition, the authors have identified challenges facing teacher professional development in Tanzania, most of which seem to be systemic. The challenges include lack of explicit policy and guidelines for teacher professional development, limited knowledge on teacher professional development among teacher professional development stakeholders, predominance of traditional approach to teacher professional development, and ineffective organization of teacher professional development activities. It is, thus, concluded that a number of opportunities are available for effective teacher professional development in Tanzania. These include strengthening the available institutions responsible for teacher professional development, making use of different teacher professional development providers available in the country to promote professional development activities for teachers through a harmonized scheme and capitalizing on the use of different communication networks and the national optic fiber to promote self-directed teacher professional development.
Keywords: _Tanzania; _final_bib

A systematic review on literature-based discovery: General overview, methodology, & statistical analysis - Thilakaratne, Menasha; Falkner, Katrina; Atapattu, Thushari (ACM Computing Surveys, 2019)
The vast nature of scientific publications brings out the importance of Literature-Based Discovery (LBD) research that is highly beneficial to accelerate knowledge acquisition and the research development process. LBD is a knowledge discovery workflow that automatically detects significant, implicit knowledge associations hidden in fragmented knowledge areas by analysing existing scientific literature. Therefore, the LBD output not only assists in formulating scientifically sensible, novel research hypotheses but also encourages the development of cross-disciplinary research. In this systematic review, we provide an in-depth analysis of the computational techniques used in the LBD process using a novel, up-to-date, and detailed classification. Moreover, we also summarise the key milestones of the discipline through a timeline of topics. To provide a general overview of the discipline, the review outlines LBD validation checks, major LBD tools, application areas, domains, and generalisability of LBD methodologies. We also outline the insights gathered through our statistical analysis that capture the trends in LBD literature. To conclude, we discuss the prevailing research deficiencies in the discipline by highlighting the challenges and opportunities of future LBD research.
Keywords: LBD; Literature-based discovery; hypotheses generation; knowledge discovery; literature mining; systematic review; text mining

Human Development Report 2019 - Viet Nam briefing note - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, 2019)
Beyond income, beyond averages, beyond today: Inequalities in human development in the 21st century

Prize Lecture: Michael Kremer, Prize in Economic Sciences 2019 - Nobel Prize (2019)

Integration of Technology in the Training of Basic Education Teachers in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Prospects - Egede, Bernadette Amukahara Joy; Asabor, Mary (2019)

Supporting refugee distance education: A review of the literature - Taftaf, Randa; Williams, Christy (American Journal of Distance Education, 2019)

Data governance: A conceptual framework, structured review, and research agenda - Abraham, Rene; Schneider, Johannes; vom Brocke, Jan (International Journal of Information Management, 2019)
Data governance refers to the exercise of authority and control over the management of data. The purpose of data governance is to increase the value of data and minimize data-related cost and risk. Despite data governance gaining in importance in recent years, a holistic view on data governance, which could guide both practitioners and researchers, is missing. In this review paper, we aim to close this gap and develop a conceptual framework for data governance, synthesize the literature, and provide a research agenda. We base our work on a structured literature review including 145 research papers and practitioner publications published during 2001-2019. We identify the major building blocks of data governance and decompose them along six dimensions. The paper supports future research on data governance by identifying five research areas and displaying a total of 15 research questions. Furthermore, the conceptual framework provides an overview of antecedents, scoping parameters, and governance mechanisms to assist practitioners in approaching data governance in a structured manner.
Keywords: Conceptual framework; Data governance; Information governance; Literature review; Research agenda

Data governance: A conceptual framework, structured review, and research agenda - Abraham, Rene; Schneider, Johannes; vom Brocke, Jan (International Journal of Information Management, 2019)
Data governance refers to the exercise of authority and control over the management of data. The purpose of data governance is to increase the value of data and minimize data-related cost and risk. Despite data governance gaining in importance in recent years, a holistic view on data governance, which could guide both practitioners and researchers, is missing. In this review paper, we aim to close this gap and develop a conceptual framework for data governance, synthesize the literature, and provide a research agenda. We base our work on a structured literature review including 145 research papers and practitioner publications published during 2001-2019. We identify the major building blocks of data governance and decompose them along six dimensions. The paper supports future research on data governance by identifying five research areas and displaying a total of 15 research questions. Furthermore, the conceptual framework provides an overview of antecedents, scoping parameters, and governance mechanisms to assist practitioners in approaching data governance in a structured manner.
Keywords: Conceptual framework; Data governance; Information governance; Literature review; Research agenda

Possibilities of using Mobile Technology to improve Early Grade Reading in Bangladesh: Towards a Practical Framework - Ahsan, Sumera; Hossain, Md; Sarwar, Sheikh (2019)
Using mobile phones can enhance literacy skills such as reading. However, the success in terms of gain in reading skill using mobile phones depends on manifold conditions and factors which are context dependent. Therefore, the process of implementation of initiative that used mobile phones for boosting literacy is worth exploring in different contexts. The aim of this research project was to capture the first impression of the stakeholders related to the mBoost project, a project that used voices and text to help teachers and parents use activities to enhance children's reading skills, immediately after its piloting. Data was collected through qualitative interview, observation, and FGDs with parents, teachers, students, and relevant Save the Children Staff. This research found that three types of factors, technical, socio-cultural, and individual end user characteristics affected the implementation process in four phases (sending, receiving, comprehending, and implementing text and voice message activities) narrowing down the targeted benefits.

Global South teacher educators in digital landscape: implications on professional learning - Impedovo, Maria Antonietta; Malik, Sufiana Khatoon; Kinley, Kinley (Research on Education and Media, 2019)
Abstract This article explores Pakistani and Bhutanese teacher educators’ digital competences about the use of social media, digital resources and professional online communities and implications of this on professional learning. The two countries, less discussed in international educational literature, are facing a growing use of the Internet in teaching and learning. Data include a survey completed by 67 teacher educators from Pakistan and 37 teachers from Bhutan, as well as semi-structured interviews from both countries. This study provides evidence of how teachers’ interaction on social networks and the use of digital resources play a central role in the introduction of innovative pedagogical practices of teacher educators, and teacher educators remain interested in knowledge sharing through social media for their professional learning.
Keywords: ⚠️ Invalid DOI

Support for children and young people with vision impairment in educational settings (Welsh Government, 2019)

A Study of the Association between Self-Directed Learning Readiness and Academic Achievement of Student-Teachers in Pakistan - Hussain, Tariq; Sabar, Ajia; Jabeen, Rafia (Bulletin of Education and Research, 2019)
Education at every level is typically future-oriented; it is imperative for the learners to keep pace with the unpredictable and fast changing world. The field of teacher-education is no exception. Student-centered approaches have started gaining popularity in today's day and age. Self-directed learning is becoming one of the most prominent phenomena for the 21st century learners. This study investigated whether any relationship exists between Self-Directed Learning readiness (SDLR) and academic achievement of student-teachers. For this purpose, quantitative approach was adopted and correlation research design was used. The population comprised all the master level students of the Institute of Education and Research, enrolled in the session 2017-2019. The total number was 510. The researchers used multistage sampling to draw a sample. A total of 300 students were included in the research. To determine the SDLR of student-teachers, a modified SDLI questionnaire, developed by Su-Fen Cheng, Chien-Lin Kuo, Kuan-Chia Lin, and Jane LeeHsieh in 2009, was used. The analysis of the data concluded that student-teachers' self-directed learning readiness is high. It was determined that a significant difference does not exist among the population on the basis of gender or marital status.
Keywords: Academic Achievement; Correlation; Foreign Countries; Gender Differences; Graduate Students; Independent Study; Learning Readiness; Marital Status; Masters Programs; Student Centered Learning; Student Teacher Attitudes; Student Teachers; Teacher Education; ⛔ No DOI found

Assemblage Theory: Coping with Complexity in Technology Enhanced Language Learning - Matthews, Blair (Research-publishing, 2019)
Language classrooms are complex systems, but theory often simplifies these processes making researching effectiveness difficult. Assemblage theory -- a theory of complexity in the social sciences -- allows us to examine complexity in the language classroom. In this paper, I present an account of the language classroom that captures the complexity, subjectivity, and temporality of technology enhanced language learning. [For the complete proceedings, see ED600837.]
Keywords: Computer Assisted Instruction; Influence of Technology; Learning Motivation; Learning Processes; Learning Theories; Second Language Learning; Social Systems; Systems Approach; Teaching Methods

Beyond Short-Term Learning Gains: The Impact of Outsourcing Schools in Liberia after Three Years [short report] - Romero, Mauricio; Sandefur, Justin (Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México; Center for Global Development, 2019)

Top Marks for Rising in Final Year Liberia Evaluation - Skidmore, Paul (Center for Global Development; Innovations for Poverty Action, 2019)
The final report of a randomised controlled trial of Liberia’s flagship education reform has praised Rising Academies for producing “a consistently positive pattern of results across learning, access, and safety dimensions.” The three year ‘gold standard’ evaluation of the Liberia Education Adv

From OLPC XO to Positivo: Rwanda Sets the Bar Higher - Sabiiti, Daniel (KT PRESS, 2019)
Rwanda is set to distribute a new model computers that will change the ways in which primary school children learn and practice information communication and technology (ICT) lessons under the one laptop per child (OLPC) program. This move comes ahead of the review of the four year-ICT in educati

Private engagement in refugee education and the promise of digital humanitarianism - Menashy, Francine; Zakharia, Zeena (Oxford Review of Education, 2019)
This paper examines the prevalence of technological interventions in education in emergencies through a case study of private participation in Syrian refugee education in Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. This research is conceptually situated within critiques of ‘digital humanitarianism’, simultaneously interrogating the role of technology in humanitarian responses and the roles of private actors who promote this technology. Our study demonstrates that a pervasive optimism concerning education technology in emergencies accompanies a surge in private actor engagement in Syrian refugee education. Findings indicate that while access to technology in educational settings is important to the Syrian refugee populations, private actors’ disproportionate focus on technology is problematic, particularly when technological interventions are viewed as panaceas for refugee education; designed free from coordination; driven by proﬁt motivations; and developed in a manner decontextualised from the learning context. This study attends to the necessity of countering the overwhelming optimism about technology as a panacea for refugee education, which fails to problematise the implications of interventions developed in the Global North for a distant ‘other’ in the Global South.

Rumie Management Center (RMC): Product Documentation - Janzen, Tiffany; Chugh, Manav (Rumie, 2019)

Communications for Development - Fink, Günther; Karlan, Dean; Udry, Christopher; Osei, Robert (Harvard Dataverse, 2019)
In 2012, Ghana Health Services (GHS), with funding from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), launched a Communication for Development (C4D)...
Keywords: Health and Life Sciences; Medicine; Social Sciences

Number of pay TV households in Ghana 2014-2023 - Watson, Amy (Statista, 2019)
The timeline presents the number of pay TV households in Ghana from 2014 to 2018, and a forecast thereof until 2023.

The Data Protection Act (No. 24 of 2019) - Republic of Kenya (2019)

Abracadabra (ABRA) - Coventry University (Education Endowment Foundation, 2019)
Project: Abracadabra (ABRA), An online reading programme to improve early literacy

Quantitizing Affective Data as Project Evaluation on the Use of a Mathematics Mobile Game and Intelligent Tutoring System - Nygren, Eeva; Blignaut, Seugnet; Leendertz, Verona; Sutinen, Erkki (Informatics in Education, 2019)
Technology-enhanced learning generally focuses on the cognitive rather than the affective domain of learning. This multi-method evaluation of the INBECOM project (Integrating Behaviourism and Constructivism in Mathematics) was conducted from the point of view of affective learning levels of Krathwohl et al. (1964). The research questions of the study were: (i) to explore the affective learning experiences of the three groups of participants (researchers, teachers and students) during the use of a mobile game UFractions and an intelligent tutoring system ActiveMath to enhance the learning of fractions in mathematics; and (ii) to determine the significance of the relationships among the affective learning experiences of the three groups of participants (researchers, teachers and students) in the INBECOM project. This research followed a sequential, equal status, multi-mode research design and methodology where the qualitative data were derived from the interviews with researchers, teachers and students, as well as from learning diaries, feelings blogs, and observations (311 documents) across three contexts (South Africa, Finland, and Mozambique). The qualitative data was quantitized (Saldaña, 2009), i.e. analysed deductively in an objective and quantifiable way as instances on an ExcelT spreadsheet for statistical analyses. All the data was explored from the affective perspective by labelling the feelings participants experienced according to the affective levels of the Krathwohl et al. (1964) framework. The researchers concluded that: (i) the research participants not only received information, but actively participated in the learning process; responded to what they learned; associated value to their acquired knowledge; organised their values; elaborated on their learning; built abstract knowledge; and adopted a belief system and a personal worldview; and (ii) affirmation of affective learning at all five levels was recognised among the three groups of participants. The study raised a number of issues which could be addressed in future, like how affective levels of learning are intertwined with cognitive levels of learning while learning mathematics in a technology-enhanced learning environment; and how pedagogical models which take into account both cognitive and affective aspects of learning support deep learning.

A PRACTICAL AND EFFECTIVE PROGRAMME TO BUILD FOUNDATIONAL READING SKILLS FOR PRIMARY GRADE STRUGGLING LEARNERS IN INDIA - Misquitta, Radhika; Ghosh, Aditi (2019)
Curriculum-based measurement (CBM) has emerged as a valid, reliable and economic measure to assess and monitor reading skills. Unfortunately, CBMs have not been developed for the Indian context. Further, CBMs can be cumbersome to administer manually, especially given the high teacher- student ratio in India. The challenge also then remains about what teachers actually do with the reading data. Most teachers in India are unable to interpret reading scores or use them to tailor an intervention plan. This paper describes the work Gateway has begun to develop a digital curriculum- based measurement tool that is contextually relevant. This paper outlines the procedures used to select passages, including equating passages using readability formulae, as well as field testing passages. The tool will support teachers with collecting data, interpreting the scores, and most importantly, developing an intervention plan to support struggling learners. It will also outline future directions for the project.

The private schooling phenomenon in India: A review - Kingdon, Geeta Gandhi (2019)
This paper examines the size, growth, salaries, fee levels and per-pupil-costs of private schools, and compares these with the government school sector. Official data show a steep growth of private schooling and a corresponding rapid shrinkage in the size of the government school sector in India, suggesting parental abandonment of government schools. Data show that a very large majority of private schools in most states are ‘low-fee’ when judged in relation to: state per capita income, perpupil expenditure in the government schools, and the officially-stipulated rural minimum wage rate for daily-wage-labour. This suggests that affordability is an important factor behind the migration towards and growth of private schools. The main reason for the very low fee levels in private schools is their lower teacher salaries, which the data show to be a small fraction of the salaries paid in government schools; this is possible because private schools pay the market-clearing wage, which is depressed by a large supply of unemployed graduates in the country, whereas government schools pay bureaucratically determined minimum-wages. The paper shows how education policies can be harmful when formulated without seeking the evidence.
Keywords: ⛔ No DOI found

2019 Annual Schools Census Report And Statistical Abstract - Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (Government of Sierra Leone, 2019)

National Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Policy - Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology, Kenya (Government of Kenya, 2019)

Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017-2018: key indicators - NIPORT; ICF (National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT) and ICF, 2019)

UNESCO schools give hope to Syrian refugees in Lebanon - UNESCO (2019)
“Enrolling in this school gave me hope,” says Asma Al Ahmad who fled the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic and found refuge in the Bekaa region of Lebanon. The 16-year-old girl was deprived of education for two years, living in a refugee camp in Saadnayel. Last year, she was offered the opportunity to resume her education at a middle school established by UNESCO to provide educational complementary support programmes for young displaced Syrians. "I hope I will have a future and succeed in life, she says.

Process for iterative and adaptive implementation of government policy in order to utilise educational technology - Haßler, Björn; Khalayleh, Abdullah (Open Development & Education, 2019)
An output of Activating EdTech Jordan.  Information about the Activating EdTech Jordan and our outputs can be found at http://tiny.cc/ActivatingEdTech.  Our outputs are archived here https://zenodo.org/communities/aet/.

Sierra Leone invests $1.5 million to bring education innovation to schools for better learning outcomes - DSTI Media (Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation, 2019)
A national education dashboard released last month by Sierra Leone’s agency for technology and innovation and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) showed that schools and studentsRead More

OU partners with Ministry of Education in Ghana to launch OpenSTEM Africa - Grimmette, Hannah (OU News, 2019)
The Open University and the Ministry of Education (Ghana) have launched a programme to promote the effective teaching of practical science in Senior High Schools. Open STEM Africa: Ghana, is aimed at improving practical teaching and learning of science and in particular providing support for under-qualified or inexperienced science teachers, in line with the government of Ghana’s education policy.

Rwandan ed-tech startup BAG Innovation raises $150k seed round - Disrupt Africa - Jackson, Tom (2019)

Synthesis of Reviews on Teacher Professional Development in Sub-Saharan Africa - Haßler, Björn; D’Angelo, Sophia; Walker, Hannah; Marsden, Melissa (Open Development & Education, 2019)
Keywords: _yl:i; dode_eth-src-dode; dode_eth-trf2-dode

Why we started R4D’s evaluation & adaptive learning practice - Arkedis, Jean (Results for Development, 2019)
R4D's Evaluation & Adaptive Learning practice lead, shares a new explainer video, which offers a framework for how we design, test and evaluate for impact.

‘Digital welfare state’: big tech allowed to target and surveil the poor, UN is warned - Pilkington, Ed (the Guardian, 2019)
UN’s rapporteur on extreme poverty says in devastating account big tech companies are being allowed to go unregulated in ‘human rights free-zones’

Learning poverty - World Bank (2019)
This indicator brings together schooling and learning indicators.

Rwanda's education U-turn sparks debate on mother tongue instruction - Edwards, Sophie (Devex, 2019)
Amid growing consensus that teaching in a student's mother tongue can improve learning outcomes, why are some countries switching back to European languages that most teachers and children don’t understand?

Exploring transition toward independent learning student experiences in the first year of architecture school - Al Maani, Duaa (Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, 2019)
Constructivism within the design studio capitalises on the richness embodied by the differences in learners, and strongly opposes the notion of students as empty vessels. Although this perspective suggests that learners are individual and unique, yet it emphasises on their need for outside influences to learn as well. This thesis explores the learning experiences of students in the architectural design studio, specifically looking at learning issues associated with the transition from dependence to independence and analysing students’ accounts of their learning processes during their first year. The findings suggest that the design studio is a suitable environment for facilitating learning independence in higher education. Most of the students appreciated the learning environment within the school and expressed a feeling of belonging to the community, stating that it had helped them to become more independent. More importantly, an analysis of the narratives revealed that the respondents perceived themselves as becoming more independent as they progressed through the year. However, many of the participants felt uncertain about aspects of independent learning and wanted more guidance and support, remaining attached to the practice of tutor centred learning.

Female teachers in Tanzania: An analysis of gender, poverty and constrained capabilities - Tao, Sharon (Gender and Education, 2019)
Tanzania has made great strides in improving access to education; however, concerns about the quality of this education persist due to reports of teacher absenteeism, distraction and lack of preparation. Given this situation, this study aimed to investigate teachers’ values and contexts to provide nuanced understandings of teacher practice and behaviour, particularly with regard to how gender intersects with these. Ethnographic case studies were conducted at three Tanzanian schools and findings demonstrated that although men and women experienced similar material conditions, there were marked differences between their opportunities and constraints, which female teachers could readily relate to instances of absenteeism and distraction. A feminist interpretation of the capability approach was used to reflect on female teachers’ capabilities, constraints and agency; and socialist feminist theory was used to further elaborate on why male and female teachers differ in their valued capabilities, their levels of constraint and their actions resulting from negotiating constraint.

Using design-based research to bring partnership between researchers and practitioners - Getenet, Seyum (Educational Research, 2019)
Background: A key aim of educational research is for findings to inform practice, thereby bringing about improvements in teaching and learning. However, the relationship between research and practice is complex, and there is often no clear link between changes in practice and research findings. One of the challenges for research and practice is breaking down barriers and finding effective and sustainable ways to translate research findings into practical solutions in the classroom.Purpose: This discursive paper focuses on describing the nature of the partnership working involved when a design-based research (DBR) approach was employed to bring researchers and practitioners together. The researchers and practitioners worked in collaboration to design a professional development (PD) programme, in order to solve classroom problems and enhance practitioners’ research engagement.Sources of evidence: This paper describes the author’s experience of using DBR to co-design a PD programme that was responsive to a particular context and practitioners’ needs. It illustrates and exemplifies the ways in which the researcher–practitioner collaboration itself sits at the heart of the design process and enabled solutions to be found. The paper also considers the epistemological positions of the practitioners and researchers in the different stages of DBR. The context for the description is a mixed-methods intervention study conducted in two colleges of teacher education, which documented the design and refinement of a PD programme to facilitate teachers’ effective use of technology to teach mathematics.Discussion and conclusions: The examples presented and discussed here suggest how a DBR process is able to facilitate fruitful collaborations between researchers and practitioners and increase engagement in research. By working with practitioners to design interventions such as PD programmes, DBR can provide a practical approach for improving practice and deepening the relationship between educational research and classroom practice.
Keywords: Design-based research; evidence-informed practice; practice; practitioners; professional development; teacher education

Understanding the Barriers and enablers of Effective Communities of Practice in Sierra Leone Through a Collaboration Between Dubai Cares and Open Development and Education - Lurvink, Anne-Fleur (Open Development & Education, 2019)

Call me educated: Evidence from a mobile phone experiment in Niger✰ - Aker, Jenny C; Ksoll, Christopher (Economics of Education Review, 2019)
Teacher absenteeism is an important obstacle to sustained learning gains in many developing countries. We report the results from a randomized evaluation of an adult education program in Niger, which included an additional intervention designed to improve teacher accountability and students’ learning. Villages were randomly assigned to one of three groups. The first was a two-year adult education program, with normal visits by non-governmental organization (NGO) and Ministry staff. The second included the same curriculum and visits as the first, but villages also received a mobile intervention: weekly phone calls to the teacher, village chief and two randomly selected students. The third was a pure control group, with no adult education program or calls. We find that both interventions improved students’ learning outcomes: across both years of the program, students in the standard adult education program increased their math and reading test scores by 0.19–0.22 s.d, respectively. The mobile phone intervention led to an additional increase in math and reading test scores of 0.12 and 0.15 s.d., with stronger effects amongst called students. We also address alternative threats to identification, namely, differential attrition and baseline imbalance, and find that the math results are robust across these different specifications. This suggests that using mobile phone technology as a means to communicate with teachers and students can improve learning outcomes, beyond its use as a pedagogical tool within the classroom.
Keywords: Adult education; Information technology; Monitoring; Niger; Teacher absenteeism

Improving teacher professional development for online and blended learning: a systematic meta-aggregative review - Philipsen, Brent; Tondeur, Jo; Pareja Roblin, Natalie; Vanslambrouck, Silke; Zhu, Chang (Educational Technology Research and Development, 2019)
In order to fully realise the potential of online and blended learning (OBL), teacher professional development (TPD) strategies on how to teach in an online or blended learning environment are needed. While many studies examine the effects of TPD strategies, fewer studies target the specific important components of these strategies. This study addresses that gap by conducting a systematic review of qualitative data consisting of 15 articles on TPD that targets OBL. Using a meta-aggregative approach, six different synthesised findings were identified and integrated into a visual framework of the key components of TPD for OBL. These synthesised findings are the base for the action recommendations which present specific and contextualised suggestions. Taken together, the findings can inform in-service teachers and trainers, together with further research and development efforts that are concerned with TPD for OBL.

Does Education Need a QALY and Is LAYS It? - Crawfurd, Lee; Hares, Susannah; Le Nestour, Alexis; Rossiter, Jack (Center For Global Development, 2019)

Pakistan: Learning Poverty Brief - Fasih, Tazeen; Baron, Juan; Geven, Koen Martijn (EduAnalytics, 2019)

Guidelines on the Development of Open Educational Resources Policies - Miao, Fengchun; Mishra, Sanjaya; Orr, Dominic; Janssen, Ben (UNESCO; Commonwealth of Learning (COL), 2019)
The publication provides guidelines and a systematic approach to develop and implement open educational resources policies in different contexts to achieve the targets of Sustainable Development Goals 4. Using a six-stage approach, the guidelines provide several templates and questions along with theoretical underpinnings and practical examples to help government officials and experts develop policies that are grounded on the needs of the stakeholders.
Keywords: ⛔ No INSPIRE recid found

Developing Interactive Multimedia Flood Prevention Education (FPE) on Disaster Risk Reduction Learning for Students with Hearing Impairment in Special School - Robiansyah, Iva Evry; Mudjito; Yuliyati; Atiqoh (2019 5th International Conference on Education and Technology (ICET), 2019)
This study aims to describe the practicality of interactive multimedia flood prevention education (FPE) in improving the understanding of flood disaster risk reduction (DRR) and describing the understanding of flood disaster management learning for students with hearing impairment. This development research used the design of media development stages according to Luther with the development of media applications based on 5 stages namely: concept, design, material collecting, assembly, testing. Data were collected from through observation and tests. The result of this development product is interactive multimedia flood prevention education (FPE) to tackle flood risk among students with hearing impairment. Based on research on the development of interactive multimedia flood prevention education (FPE) to reduce the risk of flooding for students with hearing impairment in Special School Pasuruan City, it can be concluded that the results of the questionnaire show that the students' responses were very positive in using multimedia FPE in reducing the risk of flood disasters.
Keywords: disaster risk reduction; flood prevention education; interactive multimedia; special school; students with hearing impairment; ⛔ No INSPIRE recid found

Education for Employment Sector Development Program - Asian Development Bank (2019)
The proposed Education for Employment Sector Development Program (EESDP) will strengthen human capital in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and support inclusive growth and economic diversification. The policy-based loan will support reforms to align secondary education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and higher education with the country's workforce needs. This includes enhancing the role of secondary education in preparing youth for employment.
Keywords: ⛔ No INSPIRE recid found

Agency and technology-mediated task repetition with young learners: Research and implications for primary classroom practice - Pinter, Annamaria (Language Teaching for Young Learners, 2019)
Abstract This paper offers a review of the TBLT literature for young learners with an aim to identify some gaps where future research and classroom practice could be targeted. The specific focus of this review is on procedural task repetition for children, arguing that in addition to the linguistic benefits, task repetition is associated with important gains in the affective domain. It is suggested that technology-mediated task repetition, via tablet devices, can further enhance both opportunities for learning and confidence building and enjoyment. Due to the technological affordances, the learners are firmly in charge of creating dynamic, fluid tasks through cycles of reflection and practice, polishing their performance along the way, stretching towards their ‘upper potential’. To date research within TBLT with children has not explored yet what types of tasks children enjoy working with and why and how task repetition is realised when using tablet devices to record their own performances. This paper suggests steps that can be taken in this direction both in research and classroom practice.

Moving beyond the predictable failure of Ed-Tech initiatives - Sancho-Gil, Juana M.; Rivera-Vargas, Pablo; Miño-Puigcercós, Raquel (Learning, Media and Technology, 2019)
The development of Information and Communication Technology has created waves of excitement about its power to fix educational problems and improve learning results, prompting a succession of policy efforts to integrate digital technology into education. Educators, schools and corporations are increasingly driving these initiatives. This article makes the argument that a narrow vision of digital technology, which both ignores the complexity of education and wastes valuable public resources, is becoming an obstacle to significant improvement and transformation in education. Utilising our research and experience in the field of educational technology, this paper problematises the common elision of ‘technology’ and ‘digital technology’. From this basis, we then critically reflect on various common approaches to introducing digital technology in education under the guise of promoting equality and digital inclusion. These include national government-led programmes, more recent trends for local school-led initiatives, and the role of non-formal education initiatives led by corporations/foundations. Amidst the varying surface-level ‘failure’ and/or ‘success’ of these approaches, we point to limited underpinning ‘information and knowledge society’ logics in framing the application of digital technology to education. As such we conclude by considering the educational challenges for future Ed-Tech initiatives.
Keywords: Educational change; digital technology corporations; educational challenges; educational policies; school improvement

Innovative Delivery of Education in Bangladesh Using Mobile Technology - Cristol, Dean; Al-Sabbagh, Samah; Abdulbaki, Anwar; Majareh, Maryam; Tuhin, Salah Uddin; Gimbert, Belinda (World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning, 2019)
Given the increasing use and accessibility of mobile technology, a pilot study, “Innovative Delivery of Education in Bangladesh Using Mobile Technology” was carried out using mobile learning devices to both increase and enrich the delivery of educational services in a remote Bangladesh district. The APTUS system was used to allow learners’ connection to digital learning platforms and content without electricity or internet access. The researchers maintained that mobile learning associated with Project Based Learning can effect student learning in five ways: (1) contingent learning, changing...

Sierra Leone turns to technology and analytics to put quality back into education - Directorate of Science, Technology & Innovation (Sierra Leone) (2019)
Today, an estimated 2 million students return to school for the second year of the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) Program. The Government of Sierra Leone commits 21% of theRead More

A new methodological approach for evaluating the impact of educational intervention implementation on learning outcomes - Outhwaite, Laura A.; Gulliford, Anthea; Pitchford, Nicola J. (International Journal of Research & Method in Education, 2019)
Randomized control trials (RCTs) are commonly regarded as the ‘gold standard’ for evaluating educational interventions. While this experimental design is valuable in establishing causal relationships between the tested intervention and outcomes, reliance on statistical aggregation typically underplays the situated context in which interventions are implemented. Developing innovative, systematic methods for evaluating implementation and understanding its impact on outcomes is vital to moving educational evaluation research beyond questions of ‘what works’, towards better understanding the mechanisms underpinning an intervention’s effects. The current study presents a pragmatic, two-phased approach that combines qualitative data with quantitative analyses to examine the causal relationships between intervention implementation and outcomes. This new methodological approach is illustrated in the context of a maths app intervention recently evaluated in a RCT across 11 schools. In phase I, four implementation themes were identified; ‘teacher support’, ‘teacher supervision’, ‘implementation quality’, and ‘established routine’. In phase II, ‘established routine’ was found to predict 41% of the variance in children’s learning outcomes with the apps. This has significant implications for future scaling. Overall, this new methodological approach offers an innovative method for combining process and impact evaluations when seeking to gain a more nuanced understanding of what works in education and why.
Keywords: Implementation; _C:Greece GRC; _C:India IND; _C:Malawi MWI; _C:Netherlands NLD; _C:Pakistan PAK; _C:Turkey TUR; _C:United Kingdom GBR; _C:United States USA; __C:scheme:1; education; evaluation; intervention; mixed-methods

The Opportunities and Challenges for Developing ICT-Based Science Learning and Teaching in Ghana - Cullen, Jane; Mallet,, Joshua (2019)
Africa’s transition to an innovation-led, knowledge-based economy could drive the continent’s economic growth and lift millions out of poverty and there is opportunity to increase the number of skilled professionals across the chemistry, biology and physics disciplines. However not enough students enrol in science subjects in Higher Education in Ghana, with proportions admitted to public universities well short of the Government’s 60% target. Significant barriers for all young people include the lack of practical scientific equipment in schools, and barriers to young women include prevailing socio-cultural attitudes, a lack of female role models and unsupportive educational environments.

FunDza launches on WhatsApp to bring reading into the lives of young South Africans - turn.io (turn, 2019)
FunDza Literacy Trust has partnered with Turn.io to launch FunDza on WhatsApp to get its already popular reading content into the hands of thousands of new readers.

‘They are visually impaired, not blind … teach them!’: Grade R in-service teachers’ knowledge of teaching pre-reading skills to visually impaired learners - Kao, Matiekase A.; Mzimela, Patience J. (South African Journal of Childhood Education, 2019)
Background: Teaching reading skills is the cornerstone of all learning; therefore, teachers’ adherence to this mandate is important. However, it becomes complicated and challenging if the teacher has to teach pre-reading skills to Grade R learners with visual impairments. In light of this challenge, researchers have endeavoured to determine the Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) that teachers should possess for the effective teaching of reading in classrooms with visually impaired learners.Aim: This article explores a small sample of in-service teachers’ knowledge of using Braille to teach pre-reading skills to Grade R learners with visual impairments.Setting: The study was conducted in a School for the Blind in Maseru, Lesotho, where three Grade R in-service teachers teaching learners with visual impairments were purposively sampled.Methods: This study is underpinned by Koehler and Mishra’s theory of TPACK. An interpretivist, qualitative small-scale case study approach was employed, using semi-structured interviews and classroom observations. Document analysis was also used to corroborate findings.Results: Findings reveal that although some of the participants possess a high level of technological knowledge, they tend to teach Braille as a ‘stand-alone’ skill and fail to integrate it with the teaching of other pre-reading skills to Grade R learners.Conclusion: In-service teachers showed limited knowledge of some of the essential skills for teaching pre-reading skills to Grade R learners who are visually impaired. The study calls for supportive in-service teacher education programmes that equip Grade R teachers of learners with visual impairments with the necessary skills to teach pre-reading skills.
Keywords: Braille; Grade R Learners; Pedagogical Knowledge; Pre-Reading Skills; Technological Knowledge; Visual Impairment

Is education ready to work in data-intensive environments? - World Bank (Medium, 2019)
The availability of good data can help lead to making good decisions. This is true in education, as it is in other sectors.

How The Radio Can Reach The World’s Most Vulnerable Children - Lister, Josephine (2019)

Ethical challenges of edtech, big data and personalized learning: twenty-first century student sorting and tracking - Regan, Priscilla M.; Jesse, Jolene (Ethics and Information Technology, 2019)
With the increase in the costs of providing education and concerns about financial responsibility, heightened consideration of accountability and results, elevated awareness of the range of teacher skills and student learning styles and needs, more focus is being placed on the promises offered by online software and educational technology. One of the most heavily marketed, exciting and controversial applications of edtech involves the varied educational programs to which different students are exposed based on how big data applications have evaluated their likely learning profiles. Characterized most often as ‘personalized learning,’ these programs raise a number of ethical concerns especially when used at the K-12 level. This paper analyzes the range of these ethical concerns arguing that characterizing them under the general rubric of ‘privacy’ oversimplifies the concerns and makes it too easy for advocates to dismiss or minimize them. Six distinct ethical concerns are identified: information privacy; anonymity; surveillance; autonomy; non-discrimination; and ownership of information. Particular attention is paid to whether personalized learning programs raise concerns similar to those raised about educational tracking in the 1950s. The paper closes with discussion of three themes that are important to consider in ethical and policy discussions.

Building Stronger Education Systems: Stories of Change (Global Partnership for Education, 2019)
The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) supports close to 70 developing countries to ensure that every child receives a quality education. The featured stories in this report show the progress that developing country partners are making in getting more children, especially girls, in school and learning. The results are not only evidence of their commitment to improve education, but also of the sustained and targeted support provided by GPE. Feature stories are included from the following countries: (1) Afghanistan; (2) Benin; (3) Burkina Faso; (4) Djibouti; (5) Eritrea; (6) Ethiopia; (7) Guyana; (8) Kenya; (9) Pakistan; (10) Papua New Guinea; and (11) Sudan.
Keywords: Access to Education; Barriers; Developing Nations; Disadvantaged; Early Childhood Education; Economic Development; Educational Change; Educational Improvement; Educational Needs; Educational Practices; Educational Quality; Equal Education; Foreign Countries; Reading Instruction; Reading Skills; Refugees; Rural Education; Technology Uses in Education; Womens Education

Lebanon starts transformation process to digital economy (MENAFN, 2019)
) BEIRUT, Sept 13 (KUNA) -- Lebanese Minister of Telecommunications Mohamed Choucair said on Friday that the government has started the transformation process to the digital economy that acquires four percent of the country's national income. Choucair, who represented Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri at the opening ceremony to 'Digital Lebanon Conference 201

National Digital Plan HORIZON 2025 - Office of the Head of State (Government of Democratic Republic of Congo, 2019)

Joint Evaluation of Myanmar Non-Formal Middle School Education-Equivalency Pilot Programme - UNICEF (UNICEF, 2019)

The Impacts of Teacher Training and Parental Awareness on Kindergarten Quality in Ghana - Wolf, Sharon; Aber, John Lawrence; Behrman, Jere (Innovations for Poverty Action, 2019)

Elements Shaping the South African Education System of the Future [poster] - Barends, Heidi (2019)
A poster summarising the findings of the dissertation titles 'Elements Shaping the South African Education System of the Future' (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3370973)
Keywords: Basic Education; Education System; Foresight Study; Future Study; Future Trends; South African Education; South African Education System; _not_EdTechHub; _zenodoOTHER

Elements Shaping the South African Education System of the Future [presentation] - Barends, Heidi (2019)
A summary presentation of the dissertation titled 'Elements Shaping the South African Education System of the Future' (DOI:10.5281/zenodo.3370973)
Keywords: Actor Diagram; Basic Education; Causal Loop Diagram; Education System; Foresight Study; Future Study; Future Trends; South African Education; South African Education System; Systems Approach; _not_EdTechHub; _zenodoOTHER

What Is Agile Methodology: A Primer on Moving Fast - Edell, Patrick (AngelList Blog, 2019)
Everything you need to know about agile methodologies and its many frameworks.

Global perspectives on assistive technology: Proceedings of the GReAT Consultation 2019, Volume B - Day 2 (World Health Organization, 2019)

Elements Shaping the South African Education System of the Future - Barends, Heidi (2019)
The South African education system is deeply unjust because a child’s place of birth, skin colour and family’s income largely determines their educational attainment. Understanding future trends and developments can assist stakeholders in planning and decision making. Better decisions could ultimately improve the education system. Therefore, this research aims to answer three questions: What trends could impact the South African education system? What opportunities and threats arise due to these trends? Who could influence the system?  To address these questions, a mixed-method approach was adopted. First, conceptual systems diagrams were developed to depict the current education system and its stakeholders. Then, semi-structured expert interviews were used to identify future trends, threats and opportunities.  This study found that the trends impacting South Africa broadly align with global trends. Examples include an increase in privatisation, technology in schools and climate change. More violence in schools is the main outlier. The study found that the risks related to technology and climate change are not being planned or accounted for. Similarly, violence is currently not a priority. The study also found that participants agreed on who the major stakeholders are, but disagreed on what actions stakeholders should take.
Keywords: Actor Diagram; Basic Education; CLD; Causal Loop Diagram; Education System; Foresight Study; Future Study; Future Trends; South African Education System; Systems Approach; _C:China CHN; _C:Germany DEU; _C:India IND; _C:Japan JPN; _C:Nigeria NGA; _C:Pakistan PAK; _C:South Africa ZAF; _C:Turkey TUR; _C:United Kingdom GBR; _C:United States USA; __C:scheme:1; _not_EdTechHub; _zenodoOTHER

Factors affecting the teachers' intention to adopt audio-visual aids in education sector of Pakistan - Iqbal, Zeeshan; Malik, Maimoona; Iqbal, Farhan (International Journal of Innovation in Education, 2019)
An emergent body of research mainly from the developing countries indicated that behavioural and cultural factors have significant influence on the adoption of technology. Based on the theoretical ...
Keywords: ⛔ No DOI found

The evidence ecosystem in South Africa: growing resilience and institutionalisation of evidence use - Stewart, Ruth; Dayal, Harsha; Langer, Laurenz; van Rooyen, Carina (Palgrave Communications, 2019)
The evidence-informed approach to policy-making and implementation is, at its core, about better decisions for a better future. It is focused on the effective use of scarce resources, on avoiding harm and maximising good. It is grounded in principles of equity and equality, of accountability and transparency. Given these characteristics, for those of us who work in this field, there is arguably a moral, economic, social and political case for paying closer attention to evidence-informed decision-making ecosystems in the South. Evidence-based policy and implementation, or evidence-informed decision-making in line with the most recent thinking, is often framed from two inter-related but limited perspectives: first, it is viewed as an approach that has originated from ‘developed’ Northern countries, and second, it is conceptualised as a technical intervention. However, there has been a shift in how the approach is conceived, moving away from assumptions that it is an intervention implemented from outside, from the North, for the benefit of the South. As part of this shift, certain initiatives in Africa have gained greater momentum. It is in acknowledging that there are different ways to think (epistemic diversity) about Southern evidence-informed decision-making, that this work has arisen. It seizes on the opportunity to view evidence-informed decision-making in a new light, exploring the evidence ecosystems in the South as systems strongly influenced by, but not defined by, Northern stimuli, including, but not limited to, technical interventions. This work set out to describe the evidence ecosystem in South Africa. In doing so, it finds that the ecosystem is increasingly resilient despite some limitations. It has strong structural foundations, includes many diverse organisations, is supported by not inconsiderable investment, is enabled by growing and significant capacity, contains iterations and innovations, and last but not least, incorporates complexity that gives the ecosystem resilience. The work demonstrates, through its focus on South Africa’s evidence ecosystem, that the global movement has much to learn from the South.

5 Ways EdTech Helps Students With Special Needs in the Classroom - Davis, Chris (ViewSonic Library, 2019)
EdTech helps students with special needs to engage with learning better than ever before. Find out how to implement EdTech as assistive technology.

Using Dual Systems theory to conceptualise challenges to routine when transforming pedagogy with digital technologies - Blundell, Christopher; Lee, Kar-Tin; Nykvist, Shaun (Teachers and Teaching, 2019)
(2019). Using Dual Systems theory to conceptualise challenges to routine when transforming pedagogy with digital technologies. Teachers and Teaching: Vol. 25, No. 8, pp. 937-954.
Keywords: Barriers; Case Studies; Classroom Techniques; Correlation; Educational Change; Information Technology; Learning Theories; Student Behavior; Systems Approach; Teacher Attitudes; Teacher Role; Teacher Student Relationship; Teaching Methods; Technology Integration; ⛔ No DOI found

‘Without Education You Can Never Become President’: Teenage Pregnancy and Pseudo-empowerment in Post-Ebola Sierra Leone - Menzel, Anne (Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding, 2019)
This article analyses the emergence of ‘teenage pregnancy’ as a new policy focus in post-Ebola Sierra Leone and explores how Sierra Leoneans interpret the problem of ‘teenage pregnancy’. I argue that the new policy focus is not indicative of changing or new problems. Rather, ‘teenage pregnancy’ has created opportunities for donors and the Government of Sierra Leone to continue cooperation in gender politics. At the same time, Sierra Leoneans are clearly concerned about ‘teenage pregnancy’, and many agree with sensitization campaigns that responsibilize young women and girls while downplaying structural factors that render them vulnerable to arrangements involving transactional sex.
Keywords: Sierra Leone; aid and development; gender politics; neoliberalism; sexual violence; teenage pregnancy

ICT and Education for Refugees in Transit - Wahyuni, Dewi Sari; Fatdha, T. Sy Eiva (SALTeL Journal (Southeast Asia Language Teaching and Learning), 2019)
Refugees in transit often have no access to formal education. Indonesia as one of transit countries has allowed these community school-age children to join public school. Unfortunately, teenagers and adults do not have similar consent. As most of them are stranded for a long time to skip their basic education, there should be a bridge so that they still can catch up with their secondary or even higher education level. During their uncertain waiting time, some international and national organizations and local institutions have provided them with private classes in specific subjects. The problem is these classes are unaligned with the lesson grade in host country formal education institution, which is categorized based on learners’ ages. Moreover, they are placed in separated places (detention centre, interception, community housings) which cost time and fare to get these refugees in one education centre. The alternative solution for handling this situation is by having blended learning, a combination of online learning platform and face-to-face meeting managed by teachers both from the host country and refugees. These students although they are limited by any means, have been familiar with ICT such as Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Multimedia and Internet. The online learning platform will muddle through time and distance in order to support them to take Package A, B, C (National Elementary, Junior and Senior High School Equivalency) tests as these tests are admitted at work and further study in host country as well as their destination countries without age limitation.
Keywords: Google Scholar/ "blended learning" refugee education; RER theme_pedagogies and modalities

ICT and Education for Refugees in Transit - Wahyuni, Dewi Sari; Fatdha, T. Sy Eiva (SALTeL Journal (Southeast Asia Language Teaching and Learning), 2019)
Refugees in transit often have no access to formal education. Indonesia as one of transit countries has allowed these community school-age children to join public school. Unfortunately, teenagers and adults do not have similar consent. As most of them are stranded for a long time to skip their basic education, there should be a bridge so that they still can catch up with their secondary or even higher education level. During their uncertain waiting time, some international and national organizations and local institutions have provided them with private classes in specific subjects. The problem is these classes are unaligned with the lesson grade in host country formal education institution, which is categorized based on learners’ ages. Moreover, they are placed in separated places (detention centre, interception, community housings) which cost time and fare to get these refugees in one education centre. The alternative solution for handling this situation is by having blended learning, a combination of online learning platform and face-to-face meeting managed by teachers both from the host country and refugees. These students although they are limited by any means, have been familiar with ICT such as Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Multimedia and Internet. The online learning platform will muddle through time and distance in order to support them to take Package A, B, C (National Elementary, Junior and Senior High School Equivalency) tests as these tests are admitted at work and further study in host country as well as their destination countries without age limitation.
Keywords: Education; ICT; Refugees; Transit; ⛔ No INSPIRE recid found

The Reliability of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in Clinical Practice - Kopp, Bruno; Lange, Florian; Steinke, Alexander (Assessment, 2019)
The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) represents the gold standard for the neuropsychological assessment of executive function. However, very little is known about its reliability. In the current study, 146 neurological inpatients received the Modified WCST (M-WCST). Four basic measures (number of correct sorts, categories, perseverative errors, set-loss errors) and their composites were evaluated for split-half reliability. The reliability estimates of the number of correct sorts, categories, and perseverative errors fell into the desirable range (rel ≥ .90). The study therefore disclosed sufficiently reliable M-WCST measures, fostering the application of this eminent psychological test to neuropsychological assessment. Our data also revealed that the M-WCST possesses substantially better psychometric properties than would be expected from previous studies of WCST test-retest reliabilities obtained from non-patient samples. Our study of split-half reliabilities from discretionary construed and from randomly built M-WCST splits exemplifies a novel approach to the psychometric foundation of neuropsychology.

Insights on ESL Student Teachers Reflecting Collaboratively Online Shubashini Suppiah Institute of Teacher Education Gaya Campus - Lee, S; Swanto, K; Lajium, S; Suppiah, D; Suppiah, Shubashini (2019)
The concept of a collaborative based reflective practice approach is grounded within the theoretical argument that critical reflection can be fostered through the presence of the "knowledgeable other" (Vygotsky, 1978). The present study was a pilot initiative in utilizing EDMODO (a closed educational learning management system) as a platform to explore reflection in a communal approach within a group of pre-service ESL teachers and their teacher educator mentor during a teaching practice placement in the context of the TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) degree programme in an institute of teacher education (ITE) in Malaysia. The aims of the study are: (1) to examine the nature of the online reflection posts; and (2) to explore the nature of interactions that occurred online and the extent it supported collaborative reflection practices. The study employed a qualitative case study design in which five pre-service teachers (n=5) and their teacher educator mentor used EDMODO to post their reflections and carry out discussions for four weeks (n=4). The sources of data were the online reflection posts, the threaded discussion posts and a semi-structured group interview. Despite initial ambiguities and constraints, the EDMODO learning site as a platform for reflective practice showed positive results in that it allowed collaboration and dialogue to take place. Nevertheless, the facilitation of the reflection process requires further inquiry. The findings of the study suggest the need to establish a more systematic and structured approach when fostering critical reflection practices in a communal setting.

Insights on ESL Student Teachers Reflecting Collaboratively Online Shubashini Suppiah Institute of Teacher Education Gaya Campus - Suppiah, Shubashini; Lee, S; Swanto, K; Lajium, S (2019)
The concept of a collaborative based reflective practice approach is grounded within the theoretical argument that critical reflection can be fostered through the presence of the "knowledgeable other" (Vygotsky, 1978). The present study was a pilot initiative in utilizing EDMODO (a closed educational learning management system) as a platform to explore reflection in a communal approach within a group of pre-service ESL teachers and their teacher educator mentor during a teaching practice placement in the context of the TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) degree programme in an institute of teacher education (ITE) in Malaysia. The aims of the study are: (1) to examine the nature of the online reflection posts; and (2) to explore the nature of interactions that occurred online and the extent it supported collaborative reflection practices. The study employed a qualitative case study design in which five pre-service teachers (n=5) and their teacher educator mentor used EDMODO to post their reflections and carry out discussions for four weeks (n=4). The sources of data were the online reflection posts, the threaded discussion posts and a semi-structured group interview. Despite initial ambiguities and constraints, the EDMODO learning site as a platform for reflective practice showed positive results in that it allowed collaboration and dialogue to take place. Nevertheless, the facilitation of the reflection process requires further inquiry. The findings of the study suggest the need to establish a more systematic and structured approach when fostering critical reflection practices in a communal setting.

Nudging at Scale: Experimental Evidence from FAFSA Completion Campaigns - Bird, Kelli, A.; Castleman, Benjamin; Denning, Jeffrey; Goodman, Joshua; Lamberton, Cait; Rosinger, Kelly Ochs (NBER Working Paper Series, 2019)
Do nudge interventions that have generated positive impacts at a local level maintain efficacy when scaled state or nationwide? What specific mechanisms explain the positive impacts of promising smaller-scale nudges? We investigate, through two randomized controlled trials, the impact of a national and state-level campaign to encourage students to apply for financial aid for college. The campaigns collectively reached over 800,000 students, with multiple treatment arms to investigate different potential mechanisms. We find no impacts on financial aid receipt or college enrollment overall or for any student subgroups. We find no evidence that different approaches to message framing, delivery, or timing, or access to one-on-one advising affected campaign efficacy. We discuss why nudge strategies that work locally may be hard to scale effectively.
Keywords: ___working_potential_duplicate

Insights on ESL student teachers reflecting collaboratively online - Suppiah, Shubashini; Wah, Lee Kean, (PhD); Swanto, Suyansah, (PhD); Lajium, Denis Andrew, (PhD) (The English Teacher, 2019)
The concept of a collaborative based reflective practice approach is grounded within the theoretical argument that critical reflection can be fostered through the presence of the "knowledgeable other" (Vygotsky, 1978). The present study was a pilot initiative in utilizing EDMODO (a closed educational learning management system) as a platform to explore reflection in a communal approach within a group of pre-service ESL teachers and their teacher educator mentor during a teaching practice placement in the context of the TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) degree programme in an institute of teacher education (ITE) in Malaysia. The aims of the study are: (1) to examine the nature of the online reflection posts; and (2) to explore the nature of interactions that occurred online and the extent it supported collaborative reflection practices. The study employed a qualitative case study design in which five pre-service teachers (n=5) and their teacher educator mentor used EDMODO to post their reflections and carry out discussions for four weeks (n=4). The sources of data were the online reflection posts, the threaded discussion posts and a semi-structured group interview. Despite initial ambiguities and constraints, the EDMODO learning site as a platform for reflective practice showed positive results in that it allowed collaboration and dialogue to take place. Nevertheless, the facilitation of the reflection process requires further inquiry. The findings of the study suggest the need to establish a more systematic and structured approach when fostering critical reflection practices in a communal setting.
Keywords: Collaboration; Distance learning; English as a second language--ESL; Linguistics; Malaysia; Problem solving; Professional development; Reflective practice; Researchers; Social research; Student teachers; Teacher education; Teaching; Web 2.0; __:import:01; __:match:final; __:matched; __:study_id:2095770; __finaldtb; ⛔ No DOI found

The tyranny of national averages - Burke, Marshall (Medium, 2019)
Marshall Burke and Apoorva Lal, AtlasAI

Policy interventions for attraction and retention of female teachers in rural secondary schools - Kamere, Isabela M.; Makatiani, M. I.; Nzau, Arthur Kalanza (Msingi Journal, 2019)
The potential role of female teachers in achieving the Education for all (EFA) and the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically on  ensuring  inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting life-long learning opportunities for all (Goal 4), achieving gender equality and empowering  all women and girls(Goal 5 ) is well documented. Available evidence, however, suggests that attraction and retention of female teachers in secondary schools located in rural areas remains a significant and on-going challenge. In response, policy makers in Kenya have recommended three key policy interventions namely decentralization of teacher recruitment, payment of hardship allowance and provision of housing. A literature search reveals a dearth of information on the perspectives of rural educators on the effectiveness of these interventions. The paper presents findings based on one objective of a broader study which was to: Establish the views of female teachers’ and other stakeholders’ regarding the effectiveness of strategies for attraction and retention of female teachers in Makueni County. This study adopted a mixed methods design. The paper presents findings from the qualitative component of the study. Interviews were used to gather data. Based on their interpretations, the authors provide useful   insights and offer suggestions on how the implementation of these policies could be improved.
Keywords: Attraction; female teachers; retention

Toward systematic review automation: a practical guide to using machine learning tools in research synthesis - Marshall, Iain J.; Wallace, Byron C. (Systematic Reviews, 2019)
Technologies and methods to speed up the production of systematic reviews by reducing the manual labour involved have recently emerged. Automation has been proposed or used to expedite most steps of the systematic review process, including search, screening, and data extraction. However, how these technologies work in practice and when (and when not) to use them is often not clear to practitioners. In this practical guide, we provide an overview of current machine learning methods that have been proposed to expedite evidence synthesis. We also offer guidance on which of these are ready for use, their strengths and weaknesses, and how a systematic review team might go about using them in practice.
Keywords: Evidence synthesis; Machine learning; Natural language processing; _Added-ailr-2024

Sierra Leone: Economic Development Documents-National Development Plan, 2019-23 - International Monetary Fund (IMF, African Department, 2019)

Sierra Leone : Economic Development Documents-National Development Plan, 2019-23 - International Monetary Fund. African Dept. (2019)
The Government of Sierra Leone’s new Medium-term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2019–2023 has been founded on a strong political commitment to deliver devel-opment results that would improve the welfare of Sierra Leone’s citizens. The plan charts a clear path towards 2023 en route to the goal of achieving middle-income status by 2039 through inclusive growth that is sustainable and leaves no one behind. For the next five years, the Free Quality School Education Programme is the government’s flagship programme to provide a solid base to enhance human capital development and to facilitate the transformation of the economy.

The Future Use of Technology in Education and Learning in the Commonwealth - Unwin, Tim (The Round Table, 2019)
Modern Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have increasingly been used in education systems and for learning across the world over the last quarter of a century, and are frequently seen as being an important means of delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG4. However, rhetoric about their potential benefits has often led to uncritical adoption of inappropriate and costly technologies, that have not benefited the poorest and most marginalised. This contribution explores likely uses of such technologies in Commonwealth education systems in the future, and what needs to be done so that these do indeed benefit everyone, rather than just the privileged with access to the latest technologies. It begins with an overview of existing Commonwealth initiatives, and then explores how ICT use for learning throughout the life-cycle is likely to change over the next decade. The next section suggests how Commonwealth organisations can best support governments and citizens in ensuring equitable distribution of relevant learning opportunities and mitigating the negative aspects of technology use. In conclusion, it advocates for the need to focus especially on the poorest and most marginalised, and it highlights the challenges of a future in which machines and humans are ever more intertwined.
Keywords: Commonwealth; Education; Qualitative Research; commentary; future; marginalisation; technology

"You give a little of yourself": family support for children's use of an IVR literacy system - Madaio, Michael A.; Kamath, Vikram; Yarzebinski, Evelyn; Zasacky, Shelby; Tanoh, Fabrice; Hannon-Cropp, Joelle; Cassell, Justine; Jasinska, Kaja; Ogan, Amy (Association for Computing Machinery, 2019)
Low levels of childhood literacy in global contexts may be mitigated by educational technologies, however, these technologies often rely on parents of sufficient literacy to effectively support their children. Given low levels of adult literacy in many low-resource contexts, we investigate the nature of low-literate adult support for children's use of a literacy technology designed to foster early literacy precursors. We deployed an interactive voice response (IVR) system with 38 families in a rural village in Côte d'Ivoire using the IVR for 5 weeks in their homes. Using call log data and grounded theory analyses of IVR observations and interviews, we find evidence that families leverage complex support networks where family members support children's use of the IVR in different ways, via a collective network of intermediaries. These results suggest opportunities to scaffold low-literate family supporters for educational technologies.
Keywords: HCI4D; IVR; ed tech; literacy; tech intermediaries

An exploration of agency in the localisation of open educational resources for teacher development - Wolfenden, Freda; Adinolfi, Lina (Learning, Media and Technology, 2019)
This study examines the practice of adaptation and translation (localisation) of Open Educational Resources (OER). It employs a sociocultural perspective to focus on the experiences of practitioners (localisers) who undertook the localisation of a suite of 125 OER created as part of a teacher professional development programme in India. This localisation process generated eight unique versions of the OER in five languages. Drawing on project reports, practitioner interviews and analysis of the adapted OER, the study explores how localisers created meaning for the task, the situational and linguistic factors that influenced and mediated their decisions to adapt the materials – or not – and the skills and experiences that emerged through the process. Although the findings revealed that changes to the materials were limited, suggesting that enacting localisation is more difficult than perhaps suggested by OER proponents, the analysis indicated forms of localisers’ emerging professional agency through this endeavour.
Keywords: India; Open educational resources (OER); __:import:01; __:match:final; __:matched; __:study_id:2457357; __finaldtb; localisation; professional agency

The impact of Galli Galli Sim Sim on Indian preschoolers - Borzekowski, Dina L. G.; Singpurwalla, Darius; Mehrotra, Deepti; Howard, Donna (Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 2019)
While educational media can affect young children's development, rigorous studies rarely occur in low and middle income countries. Using an experimental design, researchers investigated the effect of an educational television series (Galli Galli Sim Sim (GGSS), the Indian version of Sesame Street) with 1340 children in 99 preschools in Lucknow, India. Boys and girls, ages three to seven and mostly from low income households, saw 30 min of television five days a week for twelve weeks, varying how much Galli Galli Sim Sim versus other programming children watched. Assessments occurred at baseline, endline, and six weeks later. Hierarchical models showed that Galli Galli Sim Sim receptivity, an independent variable that combines exposure and recall, significantly improved literacy, numeracy, socio-emotional strategies, and nutritional knowledge. Locally-produced educational media should be encouraged as it can positively affect potential school success and child development.

Translation Apps: Increasing Communication with Dual Language Learners - Lake, Vickie E.; Beisly, Amber H. (Early Childhood Education Journal, 2019)
Dual language learners (DLLs) represent one of the fastest growing populations in classrooms, and yet many teachers are monolingual and not trained in English as a Second Language. Many teachers strive to create an anti-bias classroom that puts goals of diversity and equity at the center of all that they do, but are unsure of effective strategies for communicating with all students. By supporting the home language, teachers show their DLLs and native English speakers that every child’s home language is important and welcome in the classroom. Using translation apps can help teachers talk to their students, build relationships with children and families, and support bilingualism. Once teachers and children can communicate successfully, DLLs can increase their understanding of content, engagement, motivation, communication, and sense of self-esteem. The three apps discussed in this article, Speak and Translate, Microsoft Translator, and Google Translate have been shown to be helpful in facilitating interactions with children in their home language. Additional information is provided on using these apps, as well as their potential benefits and drawbacks.
Keywords: Anti-bias curriculum; Dual language learners; Technology; Translation apps

Factors affecting cloud computing adoption in the Indian school education system - Singh, Jewan; Mansotra, Vibhakar (Education and Information Technologies, 2019)
Cloud computing is becoming a leading trend worldwide, due to its enhanced reliability, scalability, flexibility, availability and processing throughput. However, the decision related to adoption of the cloud computing model is often complicated by challenges and uncertainties about the expected business value and its overall impact on the organisation. Till date, different contemporary technology acceptance theories and models have been used to test and validate adoption chances of cloud computing at organisational and individual levels. However, no experimental study has been conducted to provide a holistic evaluation of the determinants of cloud computing in the Asian world particularly in the context of the Indian school education system. Due to lack of such studies, we propose a theoretical model based on the TOE framework to explain the role of technological, organisational and environmental factors on the adoption of cloud computing in the Indian school education system. The data was collected from fifty-six 56 randomly selected secondary schools through questionnaire based survey to examine the relationship between the variables employing 5-points Likert scale. Reliability and validity measures were used to establish the quality and the usefulness of the collected data. In addition multi co-linearity test was also conducted. In order to test the research hypothesis, multiple regression analysis was conducted. The results indicate that relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity representing technological factors; top management support representing organisational factors; and competitive pressure, external expertise and attitude towards change representing environmental factors were found to have an positive and significant influence on the adoption of cloud computing services in the Indian school education system. The findings have a great significance since they can provide knowledge about cloud computing factors as well as insights and directions to the education policy planners and decision makers for successful adoption of cloud computing technology in India.

One step at a time: the effects of an early literacy text-messaging program for parents of preschoolers - York, Benjamin N.; Loeb, Susanna; Doss, Christopher (Journal of Human Resources, 2019)
Large systematic differences in young children’s home learning experiences have long-term economic consequences. Many parenting programs place significant demands on parents’ time and inundate parents with information. This study evaluates the effects of READY4K!, an eight-month-long text-messaging intervention for parents of preschoolers that targets the behavioral barriers to engaged parenting. We find that READY4K! increased parental involvement at home and school by 0.15 to 0.29 standard deviations, leading to child gains in early literacy of about 0.11 standard deviations. The results point to the salience of behavioral barriers to parenting and the potential for low-cost interventions to reduce these barriers.
Keywords: C93; D91; I21

Integrating social media platforms into higher education pedagogy in Ghana - Appiah-Boateng, Patricia (University of Ghana, 2019)

Connected Society: The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2019 - Bahia, Kalvin; Suardi, Stefano (GSMA, 2019)

Medium- and Long-Term Educational Consequences of Alternative Conditional Cash Transfer Designs: Experimental Evidence from Colombia - Barrera-Osorio, Felipe; Linden, Leigh L.; Saavedra, Juan E. (American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 2019)
In 2005 the city of Bogota, Colombia, introduced three conditional cash transfer programs for secondary schooling, randomly assigning socioeconomically disadvantaged students to different payment structures. We show, through administrative data, that forcing families to save one-third of the transfer increases long-term human capital accumulation by means of additional tertiary education—which is not incentivized—, casting doubt on conditionalities as a driving mechanism. Directly incentivizing on-time tertiary enrollment does no better than forcing families to save a portion of the transfer. Whereas forcing families to save increases enrollment in four-year universities, incentivizing tertiary enrollment only increases enrollment in low-quality colleges.
Keywords: Education; Financial Aid, Returns to Education, Human Capital; Household Saving; Human Development; Income Distribution; Labor Productivity, Economic Development: Human Resources; Migration; Occupational Choice; Personal Finance, State and Local Government: Health; Public Pensions, Analysis of Education, Educational Finance; Skills; Welfare

Bangladesh Primary Education Annual Sector Performance Report (ASPR) 2019 - Directorate of Primary Education (2019)

Meeting the Academic and Social-Emotional Needs of Nigeria’s Out-of-School Children What works and what doesn’t for an accelerated learning program - IRC (International Rescue Committee, 2019)

The potential of MOOCs for large-scale teacher professional development in contexts of mass displacement - Kennedy, E.; Laurillard, D. (London Review of Education, 2019)
The mass displacement of people across the world, currently estimated at 65 million, creates a massive demand for new forms of education for children, young people and adults. However, this cannot be addressed without attending to what this means for teachers and other professionals involved in education and training. Clearly, there is a need for large-scale teacher professional development (TPD). Digital technology has the potential to meet this demand, but challenges are presented by the poor digital infrastructure in contexts of mass displacement. Data from two projects are analysed to explore the viability of scaling up TPD in the form of co-designed massive open online courses (MOOCs). The first data set is from a co-designed TPD MOOC project Blended Learning Essentials, to show that digital technology can be effective for scaling up TPD, but that a sustainability plan must be in place from the outset. The second data set is from a project that built on the first to run stakeholder co-design workshops in Lebanon, as a way of developing large-scale TPD in this most challenging context. Lebanon has the highest proportion of refugee to host communities in the world. This case study indicates that MOOCs could be viable in such a context, but also highlights the need to balance the generic principles being offered with a focus on localized practice. A theory of change is presented to outline a method of meeting these challenges by employing a co-design methodology to create self-sustaining digital TPD in the context of Lebanon, and to test this model with the contexts of mass displacement experienced by other participants in the MOOC.

The potential of MOOCs for large-scale teacher professional development in contexts of mass displacement - Kennedy, Eileen; Laurillard, Diana (London Review of Education, 2019)
The mass displacement of people across the world, currently estimated at 65 million, creates a massive demand for new forms of education for children, young people and adults. However, this cannot be addressed without attending to what this means for teachers and other professionals involved in education and training. Clearly, there is a need for large-scale teacher professional development (TPD). Digital technology has the potential to meet this demand, but challenges are presented by the poor digital infrastructure in contexts of mass displacement. Data from two projects are analysed to explore the viability of scaling up TPD in the form of co-designed massive open online courses (MOOCs). The first data set is from a co-designed TPD MOOC project Blended Learning Essentials, to show that digital technology can be effective for scaling up TPD, but that a sustainability plan must be in place from the outset. The second data set is from a project that built on the first to run stakeholder co-design workshops in Lebanon, as a way of developing large-scale TPD in this most challenging context. Lebanon has the highest proportion of refugee to host communities in the world. This case study indicates that MOOCs could be viable in such a context, but also highlights the need to balance the generic principles being offered with a focus on localized practice. A theory of change is presented to outline a method of meeting these challenges by employing a co-design methodology to create self-sustaining digital TPD in the context of Lebanon, and to test this model with the contexts of mass displacement experienced by other participants in the MOOC.
Keywords: BLENDED learning; CO DESIGN MOOCS REFUGEES TEACHERS THEORY OF CHANGE; DIGITAL technology; Design; Digital technology; Education; Google Scholar/ "blended learning" refugee education; Lebanon; MASSIVE open online courses; MOOCs; Online instruction; PROFESSIONAL education; Professional development; RER theme_supporting educators; TEACHER development; __:import:01; __:match:final; __:matched; __:study_id:2095772; ___working_potential_duplicate; __finaldtb; co-design; refugees; teachers; theory of change

The EdTech Lab Series: Insights from rapid evaluations of EdTech products - Sampson, Rob; Johnson, Doug; Somanchi, Anmol; Barton, Hannah; Joshi, Ruchika; Seth, Madhav; Shotland, Marc (Central Square Foundation, 2019)

Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) - HundrED.org (2019)
Simple, scalable, effective and learner centered. We tailor instruction to a child with fun, level-targeted activities to enable them to learn basic numeracy. Our model is a 30-day intervention implemented one hour a day. The pillars; assess and group students by ability, use targeted instruction, employ fun and engaging learner appropriate materials and maintain strong implementation systems.

How TV white space is helping bridge the digital divide - Harris, Briony (On the Issues, 2019)
How the need for reliable internet in Essex County, New York, led to a business that services the local community.

Growth Mindset Predicts Student Achievement and Behavior in Mobile Learning - Kizilcec, René F.; Goldfarb, Daniel (L@S '19: Sixth (2019) ACM Conference on Learning @ Scale, 2019)
Students’ personal qualities other than cognitive ability are known to influence persistence and achievement in formal learning environments, but the extent of their influence in digital learning environments is unclear. This research investigates non-cognitive factors in mobile learning in a resourcepoor context. We surveyed 1,000 Kenyan high school students who use a popular SMS-based learning platform that provides formative assessments aligned with the national curriculum. Combining survey responses with platform interaction logs, we find growth mindset to be one of the strongest predictors of assessment scores. We investigate theory-based behavioral mechanisms to explain this relationship. Although students who hold a growth mindset are not more likely to persist after facing adversity, they spend more time on each assessment, increasing their likelihood of answering correctly. Results suggest that cultivating a growth mindset can motivate students in a resource-poor context to excel in a mobile learning environment.

WhatsApp utilisation at an initial teacher preparation programme at a university of technology in South Africa - Mabaso, Nkosinomusa; Meda, Lawrence (Proceedings of the 7th Teaching & Education Conference, London, 2019)
Table of Content - Article Detail - Proceedings of the 7th Teaching & Education Conference, London
Keywords: ⛔ No DOI found

WhatsApp utilisation at an initial teacher preparation programme at a university of technology in South Africa - Mabaso, Nkosinomusa; Meda, Lawrence (Proceedings of the 7th Teaching & Education Conference, London, 2019)
Table of Content - Article Detail - Proceedings of the 7th Teaching & Education Conference, London
Keywords: ⛔ No DOI found

Over 6 lakh slum dwellers in Dhaka: minister - Star Online Report (The Daily Star, 2019)
Local Government Division minister Tazul Islam informs the parliament that around 6.46 lakh people are now living in around 3,394 slums in Dhaka.

Improving reading and arithmetic outcomes at scale: Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL), Pratham’s approach to teaching and learning - Lakhsman, Samyukta (Revue internationale d’éducation de Sèvres, 2019)
In India, depsite a gross enrolment rate of more than 95%, performance levels remain low, particularly for children of illiterate or undereducated families. To contend with this, the “Teaching at the Right Level » project was implemented. This has taken many forms: the “camps for learning”, either repeated short term sessions (6 to 10 days), or long term sessions (30 to 50 days); and partnership arrangements with public school system authorities. The project’s methodology, attained objectives and its prospects are presented.
Keywords: ⚠️ Invalid DOI; ⛔ No DOI found

Pathways to Impact: Insights from Research Partnerships in Uganda and India - Hinton, Rachel; Bronwin, Rona; Savage, Laura (IDS Bulletin, 2019)
This article sets out a perspective from the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) on the challenges of achieving research uptake. Two country case studies are presented from India and Uganda, which explore research projects under the Economic and Social Research Council ESRC-DFID-funded Raising Learning Outcomes programme. These case studies focus on relationships between the key stakeholders that enable policy debate relevant to the funded research. They are not a direct assessment of the impact that this research has had. Rather, this article explores the messy and iterative processes that DFID advisers are engaged in within the networks that they are embedded (and those that they are not), the way that they use partnerships to access evidence and promote it into policy debate, and the other drivers that matter. This article is important as a contribution to ongoing efforts to improve the quality and usage of education evidence in low-income contexts.
Keywords: Impact; Policy Engagement; Research Partnership; Research Uptake

Mapping the landscape of education research by scholars based in sub-Saharan Africa Insights from the African Education Research Database - Rose, Pauline; Downing, Pheobe; Asare, Samuel; Mitchell, Rafael (Zenodo, 2019)
This report outlines key features of education research undertaken by scholars based in sub-Saharan Africa, as represented in the African Education Research Database. The database catalogues social science research with implications for education policy and practice in sub-Saharan Africa, published in reputable journals and written by at least one researcher based in the region. In exclusively cataloguing research conducted by researchers based in sub-Saharan Africa, the African Education Research Database is a unique resource for educational development research and policy in the region.
Keywords: Reviewed; _zenodoOTHER

Project Information Document (PID): Sierra Leone Free Education Project (P167897) - World Bank (World Bank Group, 2019)

A primer on standardized testing: History, measurement, classical test theory, item response theory, and equating - Himelfarb, Igor (Journal of Chiropractic Education, 2019)
This article presents health science educators and researchers with an overview of standardized testing in educational measurement. The history, theoretical frameworks of classical test theory, item response theory (IRT), and the most common IRT models used in modern testing are presented.A narrative overview of the history, theoretical concepts, test theory, and IRT is provided to familiarize the reader with these concepts of modern testing. Examples of data analyses using different models are shown using 2 simulated data sets. One set consisted of a sample of 2000 item responses to 40 multiple-choice, dichotomously scored items. This set was used to fit 1-parameter logistic (PL) model, 2PL, and 3PL IRT models. Another data set was a sample of 1500 item responses to 10 polytomously scored items. The second data set was used to fit a graded response model.Model-based item parameter estimates for 1PL, 2PL, 3PL, and graded response are presented, evaluated, and explained.This study provides health science educators and education researchers with an introduction to educational measurement. The history of standardized testing, the frameworks of classical test theory and IRT, and the logic of scaling and equating are presented. This introductory article will aid readers in understanding these concepts.

Planning for the Total Cost of Edtech Initiatives - edWeb (edWeb, 2019)
Strategic planning for edtech is an endless journey—and not just because of constantly evolving hardware and software. Upgrading infrastructure, device maintenance, and ongoing professional development, in addition to program and device costs, mean tech initiatives need permanent budget lines that take into account the total cost. In the edWebinar, “Strategic Technology Planning and Investment,” which is part of CoSN’s Empowered Superintendent series for edWeb, three superintendents who’ve been in the trenches for all aspects of district edtech plans discussed effective financial planning for technology.

Community-Based Teacher Training: Transformation of Sustainable Teacher Empowerment Strategy in Indonesia - Mardapi, Djemari; Herawan, Tutut (Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability, 2019)
Teacher empowerment is a central issue in relation to the efforts to improve the quality of education. However, teacher empowerment will remain an abstract idea if its implementation is not supported by an appropriate strategy. The demands for a quality education will be unreciprocated if teachers do not have the opportunity to empower themselves. This research aims to investigate the teacher empowerment strategy in Indonesia, which has been conducted by employing a community-based teacher training program. This study has highlighted several research questions: What is meant by community-based training program? Why is the training program needed? Who is the target of the training program? What model has been used to implement the training? What are the results of the training that has been executed? This research was conducted from November 2018 to January 2019. The research data were collected by means of documentation studies and interviews. The data analysis was carried out quantitatively and qualitatively, where the quantitative analysis was processed based on the document study data, meanwhile the qualitative analysis was performed based on the interview data. The research results showed that community-based teacher training was transformation of teacher development strategy as a follow-up on teachers’ competency test in Indonesia. The community-based teacher training succeeded in increasing the professionalism of teachers in Indonesia, particularly in terms of implementing their pedagogical and professional competencies. The training is also successful in motivating the teachers to engage themselves in continuous learning efforts through building strong teachers’ network and working collaboratively with colleagues. Quantitatively, training was proven to increase the average of teacher competency by 23.97 (on a scale of 100). The research results are expected to provide information about the best practice in teacher coaching that is conducted massively in a national scope based on the local community so that a lifelong learning culture for teachers is established to support the development of sustainable education.

Education for sustainable development in Africa: a critique of regional agendas - Tikly, Leon (Asia Pacific Education Review, 2019)
Education is often perceived in policy agendas as playing a transformative role in realising sustainable development and the SDGs on the continent. The assumption is based, however, on an insufficiently critical understanding of the historical role of education in supporting unsustainable development. The article provides a critical account of the relationship between education policy and sustainable development in Africa as an aspect of the postcolonial condition, i.e. as an aspect of the colonial legacy and of Africa’s position in relation to contemporary processes of globalisation. It is argued that if education is to play a transformative role in relation to sustainable development then education policy needs to be fundamentally re-oriented and harnessed to wider processes of economic, cultural and political transformation in the interests of social and environmental justice.

A longitudinal study of learning, progression, and personal growth in Sierra Leone - Johnson, David; Hsieh, Jenny (University of Oxford, 2019)

The Influence of Teachers’ Professional Development Activities on the Factors Promoting ICT Integration in Primary Schools in Mongolia - Li, Shengru; Yamaguchi, Shinobu; Sukhbaatar, Javzan; Takada, Jun-ichi (Education Sciences, 2019)
This paper examines the influences of professional development activities on important teacher-level factors that are important for the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education for primary school teachers in Mongolia. The study utilizes the survey data collected in 2012 (n = 826) and 2016 (n = 1161) to identify the changes in factors that are important to the use of ICT in education. The study result shows that six teacher level factors that are important for the ICT integration have been improved over time through professional development activities. These are professional competency in educational use of ICT, collaboration for ICT integration, benefits on use of ICT, autonomy to innovate, recognition as a professional, and skills and practices in educational use of ICT. This provides supporting evidence to educational practitioners for the implementation of effective professional development programs to promote ICT integration in education, especially in the developing country’s context.
Keywords: ICT in education; ___working_potential_duplicate; auto_merged; education policy; educational change; factors promoting ICT integration; teacher’s professional development

Education Strategic Plan 2019–2023 - Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Kingdom of Cambodia (2019)

Effect of M-Learning on Students' Academic Performance Mediated by Facilitation Discourse and Flexibility - Shuja, Aleema; Qureshi, Ijaz A.; Schaeffer, Donna M.; Zareen, Memoona (Knowledge Management & E-Learning, 2019)
Conventional classroom instruction had already been transformed in to electronic mode of teaching and learning. Use of mobile technology is evolving in global and local context, as in Pakistan. Gaining insights from Media Richness Theory, the study intends to examine how m-learning pedagogy, opens up avenues for students' learning and enhances their educational performance, endorsed by facilitation discourse and flexibility. In this cross-sectional study, data was collected from students in Private Universities in Lahore Pakistan. Drawing results from structural equation modelling, findings revealed that use of mobile devices is on great demand for providing flexible and discussion-oriented learning to students and lifts up their academic output. Facilitation discourse and flexibility play a robust intervening role in producing pronounced impact of m-learning on learners' effectiveness.
Keywords: Academic Achievement; College Students; Discussion (Teaching Technique); Distance Education; Educational Technology; Foreign Countries; Handheld Devices; Private Colleges; Productivity; Teacher Role; Technology Uses in Education; Telecommunications; ⛔ No DOI found

WhatsApp: Creating a virtual teacher community for supporting and monitoring after a professional development programme - Moodley, Maglin (South African Journal of Education, 2019)

Assessment of the effectiveness of ICT on Teacher Trainees in Colleges of education. A Case of St. Monica's College of Education - Osei Frimpong, Kojo; Asare, Samuel; Caroline, Owusu-Mintah (Asian Journal of Computer Science and Information Technology, 2019)
The use of ICT in teacher training colleges has relatively improve teaching and learning. The effective use of various ICT tools such the computer, smart phones and PDAs has brought innovative ideas in teacher trainees. This study aimed at finding out the factors influencing the use of ICT tools in enhancing teaching and learning process in the various teacher training institutions in Ghana. A survey was used in order to investigate the study. It was revealed from the findings of the study that students and tutors in the various colleges of education have now accepted the use of ICT in teaching and learning process. However some students still see ICT as difficult due to various factors such as inadequate computers in the various colleges for practical tution and poor access to the internet for learning.
Keywords: ⛔ No DOI found

Positive disruption: health and education in a digital age - Pathways for Prosperity Commission (2019)
Positive disruption: health and education in a digital age offers guidance on how digital technologies can be used to improve the lives of people in developing countries, while keeping a careful eye on the limitations and risks of focusing solely on hardware over people and processes. Technology is not a silver bullet and history is littered with poor investments in this area. To ensure health and education services are effective, efficient and equitable, governments need to be wise with their choices.

How low cost wireless broadband networks are connecting ‘last-mile’ communities in Djibouti - International Telecommunication Union (ITU News, 2019)
By ITU News Twenty per cent of Djibouti’s homes have access to a computer, while internet access is available to just under 10 per cent of households, according to ITU Data. Within the framework of the Djibouti Vision 2035, the country has embarked on a programme to strengthen its ICT sector with a view to providing quality telecommunication services at

Assessing Early Childhood Fluid Reasoning in Low- and Middle-Income Nations: Validity of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence Across Seven MAL-ED Sites - Ruan-Iu, Linda; Pendergast, Laura L.; Rasheed, Muneera; Tofail, Fahmida; Svensen, Erling; Maphula, Angelina; Roshan, Reeba; Nahar, Baitun; Shrestha, Rita; Williams, Brittney; Schaefer, Barbara A.; Scharf, Rebecca; et al. (Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 2019)
An adapted version of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence—Third Edition (WPPSI-III) was administered to assess cognitive functioning among 1,253 5-year-old children from the Malnutrition and Enteric Disease (MAL-ED) study—an international, multisite study investigating multiple aspects of child development. In this study, the factor structure and invariance of the WPPSI-III were examined across seven international research sites located in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa, and Tanzania. Using a multiple indicator multiple cause (MIMIC) modeling approach, the findings supported the validity of a fluid reasoning dimension (comprised of block design, matrix reasoning, and picture completion subscales) across each of the seven sites, although the scores were noninvariant. Accordingly, these scores are recommended for research purposes and understanding relationships between variables but not for mean comparisons or clinical purposes.

On Tipping Points and Nudges: Review of Cass Sunstein's How Change Happens - Brescia, Raymond H. (2019)
In How Change Happens, Cass Sunstein explores the mechanisms through which social change can occur, the triggers that can cause it, and the pitfalls along the road to change. For Sunstein, small influences, which arise through what he has called “nudges,” can have large impacts, particularly where they indicate that support for existing norms has fallen. When this occurs, it can reveal hidden preferences that might have existed all along, but individuals were discouraged from making them public because of the existence of those norms. Once support for an existing norm begins to disappear, it can create a tipping point and then a “norm cascade”: when support for a new norm takes hold securely in society. In recent years, several works have appeared that have attempted to explain the sources of social change by looking at examples of successful campaigns and trying to divine the sources of such successes. Sunstein offers a different perspective. He provides more of a theoretical view on the sources of social change, not just identifying the levers that can bring it about but also some guidance on how to utilize them. It is a welcome addition to the scholarship on social change and stands as an elegant and insightful complement to some of the other, recent and more inductive scholarship on the subject. As a way to test Sunstein’s theory of social change, this review asks whether that theory can help explain recent developments, namely, the victory of the marriage equality campaign and the rise of a new and emboldened white nationalism in the wake of the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency. As a review of these phenomena shows, Sunstein’s theory of change helps to provide insights into how such change came about, but, it also raises more questions. Indeed, questions still linger, like when is a nudge enough, can we identify what will make something “tip”? Nevertheless, Sunstein offers deep insights into the inner workings of social change and how norm entrepreneurs can understand not just how change happens but also how to bring it about.
Keywords: Nudges; Social Change

A systematic review of personalized learning: comparison between E-Learning and learning by coursework program in Oman - Tawafak, Ragad; Romli, Awanis; Iqbal Malik, Sohail; Alnaseeri, Mohanaad; Alfarsi, Ghaliya (International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 2019)
There is a need for several applications and technologies in the higher education institutions in Oman to enhance the educational process. This systematical study investigates the simultaneous influence of technology implementation with e-learning and traditional coursework program instruction on the enhancement and development of assessment method for undergraduates in different programs. This paper aims to analyze the current articles that handle with the learning process and compare between the understanding and acceptance of E-Learning mechanism and traditional coursework method of teaching for improving assessment method and evaluation of academic performance. The method works on the benefits of increasing E-Learning process for educational skills as an assistance tool with faculty material and class discussion. In this study, surveys were distributed to two different universities and college in Oman to assess their satisfaction of learning model. The findings of this paper assisted the model that may help to improve both the teaching method and academic performance of student learning outcomes.

Unlocking Talent Through Technology Malawi - VSO (2019)

Upgrading the ICT questionnaire items in PISA 2021 - Lorenceau, Adrien; Marec, Camille; Mostafa, Tarek (2019)
This paper explains the rationale for updating the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2021 questionnaire on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and shows how it covers policy topics of current relevance. After presenting key findings based on previous ICT-related PISA data, the paper provides a summary of the PISA 2021 ICT framework guiding the development of the questionnaire. The paper then describes the process followed by the OECD/PISA secretariat for the development of the PISA 2021 ICT questionnaire items. The paper concludes by drawing some lessons that would inform future development of this instrument.

Literature search protocol for the Evidence hub: Education partnerships between the state and non-state sector. - Rose, P; Downing, P (2019)
This methodological note provides an overview of a joint project to catalogue the research evidence on collaborations between the state and non-state sector in education in low income, lower-middle and upper-middle income countries. This document outlines the search protocol for the literature search, data extraction, and the development of the database.
Keywords: Secondary Review; _zenodoOTHER

“He is suitable for her, of course he is our relative”: a qualitative exploration of the drivers and implications of child marriage in Gezira State, Sudan - Dean, Laura; Obasi, Angela; Sony, Asma El; Fadul, Selma; Hassan, Hanaa El; Thomson, Rachael; Tolhurst, Rachel (BMJ Global Health, 2019)
Introduction Child marriage is a fundamental development challenge for women and girls, with significant negative health and social outcomes. Sudan has a high rate of child marriage, with 34% of women aged 20–24 married before their 18th birthday. Since limited preventive interventions exist, we aimed to inform the evidence base to strengthen strategic action, using mixed qualitative methods to enhance study credibility. This study is the first to conduct a rigorous qualitative examination of the drivers of child marriage from the perspective of key stakeholders involved in marriage decision making within Sudan, and makes a significant contribution towards global knowledge by developing an evidence-based conceptual framework. Methods Initially, we completed 14 focus group discussions separated by gender with mothers, fathers, and girls married as adolescents, and 23 key informant interviews. We then used a critical incident case study approach to explore 11 ‘cases’ of child marriage (46 interviews). Results Findings indicate that gendered social norms and values, underpinned by religious beliefs and educational accessibility, interconnect to shape marriage decisions. In this context, many child marriages are triggered by an intrakinship proposal and further enabled by the relative lack of autonomy and influence of girls and women in marriage decision-making processes. Discussion Interconnected drivers demand context-specific holistic and multisectoral approaches, which should include simultaneous strategies to expand access to education, health services and livelihood opportunities, and evoke legal change, and participatory social and attitudinal processes that include the engagement of religious leaders and men.
Keywords: child health; qualitative study

Do children benefit from internet access? Experimental evidence from Peru - Malamud, Ofer; Cueto, Santiago; Cristia, Julian; Beuermann, Diether W. (Journal of Development Economics, 2019)
This paper provides experimental evidence for the impact of home internet access on a broad range of child outcomes in Peru. We compare children who were randomly chosen to receive laptops with high-speed internet access to (i) those who did not receive laptops and (ii) those who only received laptops without internet. We find that providing free internet access led to improved computer and internet proficiency relative to those without laptops and improved internet proficiency compared to those with laptops only. However, there were no significant effects of internet access on math and reading achievement, cognitive skills, self-esteem, teacher perceptions, or school grades when compared to either group. We explore reasons for the absence of impacts on these key outcomes with survey questions, time-diaries, and computer logs.
Keywords: Academic achievement; Cognitive skills; Digital skills; Education; Experimental; Internet access; Technology

Policy adoption of learner-centred pedagogy in Rwanda: A case study of its rationale and transfer mechanisms - van de Kuilen, Hester S.; Altinyelken, Hulya Kosar; Voogt, Joke M.; Nzabalirwa, Wenceslas (International Journal of Educational Development, 2019)
This study explores why and how learner-centred pedagogy (LCP) as a policy has been adopted in Rwanda, despite ample evidence of the failure of LCP in developing countries. The case of Rwanda, as a late adopter, shows that at this stage of pedagogy diffusion the influence of global mechanisms and actors has been amplified. This study draws upon interviews with key stakeholders and relevant documents during the 2011–2016 period. The transfer process is examined by analysing the rationale offered and mechanisms deployed by the Rwandan government and aid agencies.
Keywords: Competence-based education; Curriculum reform; Education policy transfer; Learner-centred pedagogy; Policy adoption; Rwanda

Channeling Fisher: Randomization Tests and the Statistical Insignificance of Seemingly Significant Experimental Results* - Young, Alwyn (The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 2019)
I follow R. A. Fisher'sThe Design of Experiments (1935), using randomization statistical inference to test the null hypothesis of no treatment effects in a comprehensive sample of 53 experimental papers drawn from the journals of the American Economic Association. In the average paper, randomization tests of the significance of individual treatment effects find 13% to 22% fewer significant results than are found using authors’ methods. In joint tests of multiple treatment effects appearing together in tables, randomization tests yield 33% to 49% fewer statistically significant results than conventional tests. Bootstrap and jackknife methods support and confirm the randomization results.

A Conceptual Model for Measuring and Supporting Self-Regulated Learning using Educational Data Mining on Learning Management Systems - Araka, Eric; Maina, Elizaphan; Gitonga, Rhoda; Oboko, Robert (2019 IST-Africa Week Conference (IST-Africa), 2019)
Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) is a field in educational psychology that as attracted tremendous research studies from various communities including ICTs. Recent studies and meta-analysis have greatly contributed to the domain knowledge that the use SRL strategies boost academic performance for learners. Despite these developments in SRL, our understanding on the tools and instruments to measure SRL in online learning environments is limited as the use of traditional tools developed for face-to-face classroom settings are still used to measure SRL on e-learning systems. Additionally, most of these studies focus on SRL on Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) environments and only analyse SRL strategies with limited attention to the scaffolds or interventions employed to stimulate growth of SRL skills in learners. The modern Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Moodle allow storage of datasets on student activities. Consequently, it is possible to use Educational Data Mining (EDM) to extract learner patterns which can be used to support SRL and explore how SRL strategies change over time and inform the instructor. In view of this, the research examines the current SRL measurement and promotion tools for e-learning environments and proposes a conceptual model grounded on EDM for implementation as a solution to measuring and promoting SRL strategies for learners within LMS.
Keywords: Data mining; Electronic learning; Instruments; Interventions; Learning Management systems; Learning management systems; Measurement and Promotion; Online learning; Process control; Scaffolds; Self-Regulated Learning; Software agents; Tools; e-learning

Technology-Mediated Learning Theory - Bower, Matt (British Journal of Educational Technology, 2019)
Technology-enhanced learning research, such as that relating to the use of online technologies in formal learning contexts, is sometimes criticised for being under-theorised. This paper draws together areas of research and theory that have previously been somewhat separately treated, to support the integrated analysis and research of situations where technology mediates learning. First, key areas of research and theory relating to technology-mediated learning are introduced, along with their associated conceptual underpinnings and assumptions, in terms of premises. These areas are then explained with relation to one another regarding how they can be used to holistically understand learning in contexts where technology mediates learning. The implications of the theoretical concepts are discussed in terms of the future conduct of technology-mediated learning research, as well as the scope and conditions under which the theorisations apply.
Keywords: Educational Technology; Electronic Learning; Learning Theories; Meta Analysis; Technology Integration; Technology Uses in Education

National Policy on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Education - Federal Ministry of Education (Federal Government of Nigeria, 2019)

Connecting the Last Mile, a Fundamental of Digital Transformation - Garba, Aminata A. (ITU Workshop for Europe and CIS “ICT Infrastructure as a Basis for Digital Economy”, 2019)

Summative GPE country program evaluation - Thompson, Dale E (2019)

Capturing cost data: a first-mile problem - Holla, Alaka (2019)
Before we bought our house, my husband and I knew the price. The real estate agent wasn’t allowed to give us a back-of-the-envelope estimate right at the end of the process. She wasn't allowed to just declare that the house was low cost, affordable, or sustainable for our budget. We ...

The Need For Bilingual Education In Afghanistan – OpEd - Hatsaandh, Abdul Hamid (Eurasia Review, 2019)
Although Afghanistan a linguistically diverse country, yet only two languages, Pashto and Dari, are used as mediums of instruction in schools. Bilingual education is, so far, alien to Afghanistan. …

L1-based multilingual education in the Asia and Pacific region and beyond - Benson, Carol; Kirkpatrick, Andy; Liddicoat, Anthony J. (The Routledge International Handbook of Language Education Policy in Asia, 2019)
This must-have handbook offers a comprehensive survey of the field. It reviews the language education policies of Asia, encompassing 30 countries sub-divided by regions, namely East, Southeast, South and Central Asia, and considers the extent to which these are being implemented and with what effect. The most recent iteration of language education policies of each of the countries is described and the impact and potential consequence of any change is critically considered. Each country chapter provides a historical overview of the languages in use and language education policies, examines the ideologies underpinning the language choices, and includes an account of the debates and controversies surrounding language and language education policies, before concluding with some predictions for the future.

Language Education Policy in Vietnam - Nguyen, Mai; Nguyen, Van Huy (The Routledge International Handbook of Language Education Policy in Asia, 2019)
This chapter provides an overview of past and current language education policies in Vietnam. Our reviews and critical discussions centre on state rules and regulations regarding the teaching and learning of Vietnamese, ethnic minority languages, and foreign languages. Historically speaking, language education policy in Vietnam has been largely contingent on the country’s changing political, social, and economic circumstances. Notably, current language education policy reflects the predominant status of Vietnamese as the medium of instruction across school levels. Ethnic minority language education has also received substantial policy attention, although its enactment leaves considerable room for improvement. Foreign language education policy prioritises English given its status as an international language, while also encouraging the teaching and learning of other languages. The chapter concludes with predictions and implications for future development with regard to the role and status of these relevant languages.

IDENTIFICAÇÃO DO MODELO DE NEGÓCIO DE UMA START-UP/TIC: ESTUDO DE CASO NA EMPRESA GEEKIE - Lulia Filho, Herivelto; Turri, Silvia Novaes Zilber; Silva, Eduardo Corneto; Santos, Edna de Souza Machado (Investigação Científica nas Ciências Humanas e Sociais Aplicadas 3, 2019)
This study does not only understand the state of the art of the startups, but also understand how a small company of technology-based structure, shape its business model to grow and strengthen their business. For this this article has how objective of research, identify and describe the business model of a Startup/ICT Brazilian that work in the area of the education. It was used the concepts of case study, when analyzing the company Start-up/ICT Geekie, but will be used only secondary data, being this research a documentary research. The results show that the adaptive learning platform Start-up/ICT Geekie offers innovative service, personalizing and customizing education schools where works. The business model creates value for students, teachers and schools. Limitations of this article are in not obtaining primary data direct in the Geekie company and have only one company as study focus which limits the understanding of the business model of firms in the education sector.

Do higher salaries yield better teachers and better student outcomes? - Cabrera, José María; Webbink, Dinand (Journal of Human Resources, 2019)
We study the effects of a policy aimed at attracting more experienced and better qualified teachers in primary schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Uruguay. Teachers in these schools could earn higher salaries, and more experienced teachers are given priority in choosing teaching positions. Eligibility for the program was based on a poverty index with a cutoff rule. Estimates from regression discontinuity models show that the policy successfully led to ‘hiring experience from other schools’, and also increased tenure. Overall, the effect on student outcomes was small. We rationalize this result by showing that the program may have increased experience in ways that are not strongly associated with improved student outcomes. Consistent with this, we do find achievement gains for students in schools that saw a reduction in the share of very inexperienced teachers. The results underscore that increases in teacher pay may only improve student outcomes if it increases those teacher characteristics that actually improve student outcomes.
Keywords: I2; J24; disadvantaged students; student performance; teacher experience; teacher salaries

Malawi Economic Outlook - African Development Bank (African Development Bank - Building today, a better Africa tomorrow, 2019)
Recent macroeconomic and financial developments Growth in Malawi’s economy decelerated in 2020 to 1.7% from 5.7 % in 2019. The slowdown in GDP growth was driven by the outbreak of COVID–19, which necessitated a partial lockdown of the economy, resulting in subdued economic activities—mainly in tourism, the accommodation and food subsectors, transportation, and agriculture. Other sectors affected by disruptions from the COVID–19 pandemic disruptions were manufacturing and mining and quarrying.

The impact of an educational media intervention to support children’s early learning in Rwanda - Borzekowski, Dina L. G.; Lando, Agnes Lucy; Olsen, Sara; Giffen, Lauren (International Journal of Early Childhood, 2019)
Children in developing countries often lack sufficient support for early learning skills prior to beginning school. This research evaluates an educational media intervention using an animated cartoon program, Akili and Me. The program was originally created in Tanzania to teach early learning skills. This program was adapted in content and language use in this study in Rwanda. The two-week intervention involved primary school students (mean age = 7.1 years) who were randomized into two groups (intervention and comparison group). The intervention group viewed one Ankit and Me episode a day for five days. This viewing was repeated the following week. Similarly, the comparison watched the same amount of television but the content consisted of local popular programs. Baseline and follow-up assessments evaluated 10 areas of early learning, using an adaptation of the International Development and Early Learning Assessment (IDELA), and also children’s media receptivity. At follow-up, children in the intervention program, Akili and Me, had significantly higher scores for counting, number recognition, shape knowledge, letter identification, color identification, body part recognition, health knowledge, and vocabulary. The analyses provide promising evidence that locally produced educational media interventions can impact early learning skills, even among children living in resource-poor communities.

Gauging the E-Readiness for the Integration of Information and Communication Technology Into Pre-Tertiary Education in Ghana: An Assessment of Teachers' Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) - Gyaase, Patrick Ohemeng; Gyamfi, Samuel Adu; Kuranchie, Alfred (International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education (IJICTE), 2019)
Countries are investing in information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and educating their citizens for effective ICT utilization. The attainment of the anticipated benefits hinges on effective integration of ICT in various levels of education. Effective integration of ICT requires...

Rigorous large-scale educational RCTs are often uninformative: Should we be concerned? - Lortie-Forgues, Hugues; Inglis, Matthew (Educational Researcher, 2019)
There are a growing number of large-scale educational randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Considering their expense, it is important to reflect on the effectiveness of this approach. We assessed the magnitude and precision of effects found in those large-scale RCTs commissioned by the UK-based Education Endowment Foundation and the U.S.-based National Center for Educational Evaluation and Regional Assistance, which evaluated interventions aimed at improving academic achievement in K?12 (141 RCTs; 1,222,024 students). The mean effect size was 0.06 standard deviations. These sat within relatively large confidence intervals (mean width = 0.30 SDs), which meant that the results were often uninformative (the median Bayes factor was 0.56). We argue that our field needs, as a priority, to understand why educational RCTs often find small and uninformative effects.

Challenge and srivers of over-Enrollment in the early years of primary school in Uganda - Weatherholt, Tara; Jordan, Rachel; Crouch, Luis; Barnett, Ed; Pressley, Jennifer (International Journal of Early Childhood, 2019)
Consistent over-enrollment, together with low official repetition rates, in the early years of school indicates inaccurate reporting of repetition, which may mask the reasons for low primary school completion. Actual repetition rates may be higher and pose issues for teachers through overcrowding of classrooms and issues for governments through inefficient education systems. This research explores repetition rates of students in Primary 1 in Uganda and considers the implications for efficiency and quality of education for the early years of school. The sample comprised 1440 students in Primary 1 classrooms in 120 schools. Interviews were conducted with 1318 caregivers of randomly selected students and 1439 teachers of the same students, and official records from 118 schools were examined to compare age and repetition rates. Findings showed that caregiver- and teacher-reported repetition is much higher than officially reported by schools; that repetition is strongly linked to non-attendance in pre-primary schooling; and that caregivers reported more over-age students, fewer target-age students, and more under-age students than official school records. Policy implications include the need for dialogue around repetition rates and the possible efficiency effects of less-costly, pre-primary education on the total primary schooling cycle.
Keywords: Early childhood; Education efficiency; Low-income countries; Pre-primary education; Repetition

A Tablet based tool to aid learning of mathematics for Basic 1 & 2 pupils in Berekuso - Dotse, Etonam. Y. (Ashesi University, 2019)

Using technology to bring education to the most remote areas - Global Partnership for Education (2019)

Summative GPE country program evaluation - GPE (2019)

Making a difference in the real world? A meta-analysis of the quality of use-oriented research using the Research Quality Plus approach - MacLean, Robert; Sen, Kunal (Research Evaluation, 2019)
Keywords: ___working_potential_duplicate

Plano Estrategico de Educacao: 20ª Reunião Anual de Revisão, 2019 - Ministerio da Educacao e Desinvolvimento Humano (Republica de Mocambique, 2019)

Ghana Beyond Aid Charter and Strategy Document (Draft) - Ministry of Education, Ghana (Ministry of Education, Ghana, 2019)

Disrupting education? Experimental evidence on technology-aided instruction in India - Muralidharan, Karthik; Singh, Abhijeet; Ganimian, Alejandro J. (American Economic Review, 2019)
We study the impact of a personalized technology-aided after-school instruction program in middle-school grades in urban India using a lottery that provided winners with free access to the program. Lottery winners scored 0.37 sigma higher in math and 0.23 sigma higher in Hindi over just a 4.5-month period. IV estimates suggest that attending the program for 90 days would increase math and Hindi test scores by 0.6 sigma and 0.39 sigma respectively. We find similar absolute test score gains for all students, but much greater relative gains for academically-weaker students. Our results suggest that well-designed, technology-aided instruction programs can sharply improve productivity in delivering education.
Keywords: Analysis of Education, Returns to Education, Education: Government Policy, Human Capital; Human Development; Income Distribution; Labor Productivity, Economic Development: Human Resources; Migration; Occupational Choice; Quality: H; Relevance: H; Skills; _THEME: Teacher Professional Development; ___working_potential_duplicate; ⛔ No DOI found

Mapping Teacher Distribution Analysis with Digitation Technology Implementation to Improve Education Management in Bengkulu City - Nirwana, Nirwana; Vatresia, Arie; Utama, F. P. (International Conference on Educational Sciences and Teacher Profession (ICETeP 2018), 2019)
Embedded technology in education management is one of the most important things as an aid for Education Department. Not only help in learning process, the use of technology has been also used in many part of education to improve learning process. In this paper, we proposed the idea of mapping the digitation of High School (SMA) in Bengkulu city to manage...

Tayari Parent Engagement Pilot Intervention Summary Report - RTI International (RTI International, 2019)

AENN Data Utilisation + Dashboard Co-creation Workshop Report - Viamo (2019)

Unbundling the 13 million out-of-school children in Nigeria - Ishaku, Joseph; Oraka, Onome (Southern Voice (Nigeria), 2019)

Cyclone Idai: On the Ground Data from Mozambique - Becker, Nick (GeoPoll, 2019)
GeoPoll has conducted an SMS survey in Mozambique to reach those affected by Cyclone Idai. Data from Sofala province and Beira city following the cyclone.

The Politics of Education in Developing Countries: From Schooling to Learning - Hickey, Sam; Hossain, Naomi (Oxford University Press, 2019)
Why have many developing countries that have succeeded in expanding access to education made such limited progress on improving learning outcomes? There is a growing recognition that the learning crisis constitutes a significant dimension of global inequality and also that educational outcomes in developing countries are shaped by political as well as socio-economic and other factors. The Politics of Education in Developing Countries focuses on how politics shapes the capacity and commitment of elites to tackle the learning crisis in six developing countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ghana, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda.The problem of education quality is serious across the Global South. The Politics of Education in Developing Countries: From Schooling to Learning deploys a new conceptual framework-the domains of power approach-to show how the type of political settlement shapes the level of elite commitment and state capacity to improving learning outcomes. The domain of education is prone to being highly politicized, as it offers an important source of both rents and legitimacy to political elites, and can be central to paradigmatic elite ideas around nation-building and modernity. Of particular importance is the relative strength of coalitions pushing for access as against those focused on issues of higher quality education. This book concludes with a discussion of entry points and strategies for thinking and working politically in relation to education quality reforms and critical commentaries.

Academic Bridge: is set to transform education system - Atieno, Lydia (The New Times | Rwanda, 2019)

The Impact of an Educational Media Intervention to Support Children’s Early Learning in Rwanda - Borzekowski, Dina; Lando, Agnes Lucy; Olsen, Sara; Giffen, Lauren (International Journal of Early Childhood, 2019)
Children in developing countries often lack sufficient support for early learning skills prior to beginning school. This research evaluates an educational media intervention using an animated cartoon program, Akili and Me. The program was originally created in Tanzania to teach early learning skills. This program was adapted in content and language use in this study in Rwanda. The two-week intervention involved primary school students (mean age = 7.1 years) who were randomized into two groups (intervention and comparison group). The intervention group viewed one Ankit and Me episode a day for five days. This viewing was repeated the following week. Similarly, the comparison watched the same amount of television but the content consisted of local popular programs. Baseline and follow-up assessments evaluated 10 areas of early learning, using an adaptation of the International Development and Early Learning Assessment (IDELA), and also children’s media receptivity. At follow-up, children in the intervention program, Akili and Me, had significantly higher scores for counting, number recognition, shape knowledge, letter identification, color identification, body part recognition, health knowledge, and vocabulary. The analyses provide promising evidence that locally produced educational media interventions can impact early learning skills, even among children living in resource-poor communities.
Keywords: Literacy; Media receptivity; Numeracy; Rwanda; School readiness skills; Television; ___working_potential_duplicate

What makes a good classroom? New UIS data on school conditions - UNESCO (UNESCO, 2019)
New data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) reveal serious disparities in the schooling conditions facing children and teachers – from access to electricity, clean drinking water and single sex-toilets to Internet access and computers. Classroom conditions are key in providing a quality education for all. For children who struggle to enrol in school, for example due to poverty or discrimination on the grounds of gender or disability, poor school conditions can further undermine their chances of a quality education. What are the new data looking at?

1. Use of smartphones and social media is common across most emerging economies - Silver, Laura; Smith, Aaron; Johnson, Courtney; Jiang, JingJing; Anderson, Monica; Rainie, Lee (Pew Research Center, 2019)
Large majorities in the 11 emerging and developing countries surveyed either own or share a mobile phone, and in every country it is much more common to

Examining the Impact of an English in Action Training Program on Secondary-School English Teachers’ Classroom Practice in Bangladesh - Karim, Abdul; Mohamed, Abdul (The Qualitative Report, 2019)
English teachers in Bangladesh have undergone numerous training programs. Both government-initiated and donor-sponsored training programs have been in operation in Bangladesh. Government initiated institutions to train teachers are Primary Training Institutes (PTIs) and Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs). However, researchers seemed to label training provided by PTIs and TTCs as inadequate. Bridging the gaps intrigued government of Bangladesh to devise donor-aided training programs, including English Language Teaching Improvement Project (ELTIP), English for Teaching, Teaching for English (ETTE), Secondary Education Quality and Access Enhancement Project (SEQAEP), Teaching Quality Improvement in Secondary Education Project (TQI-SEP). Studies reported their potential failure to bring changes in English teachers’ classroom practices. English in Action (EIA) was the last donor-funded project that incorporated schoolbased training program. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of EIA training program on secondary-school English teachers’ classroom practice in Bangladesh, drawing the questions in relation to the elements learned in the training program and the elements practiced in the training program. The present study undertook the Integrated Approaches to Teacher Development suggested by Hargreaves and Fullan (1992) and Reflective Model developed by Wallace (1991). This study adopted phenomenological approach since it subsumed the experience of an activity or concept from the participants’ perspective. Eight Participants were selected who had been trained from EIA training program and who had experience of participating in other donor-aided program, in the spirit of yielding the uniqueness of EIA which informed the sustainability of this program. It had been divulged that teachers learned a lot of activities that were related to English language teaching. However, the present studies observed limited practice of such activities in the classroom.

Moving teachers to Malawi’s remote communities: A data-driven approach to teacher deployment - Asim, Salman; Chimombo, Joseph; Chugunov, Dmitry; Gera, Ravinder (International Journal of Educational Development, 2019)
There are severe geographical disparities in pupil-teacher ratios (PTR) across Malawi, with most teachers concentrated near commercial centers and in rural schools with better amenities. Most of the variation in PTR is concentrated in small sub-district areas, suggesting a central role for micro-geographic factors in teacher distribution. Employing administrative data from several government sources, regression analysis reveals that school-level factors identified by teachers as desirable are closely associated with PTR, including access to roads, electricity, and water, and distance to the nearest trading center, suggesting a central role for teachers’ interests in PTR variation. Political economy network mapping reveals that teachers leverage informal networks and political patronage to resist placement in remote schools, while administrative officials are unable to stand up to these formal and informal pressures, in part because of a lack of reliable databases and objective criteria for the allocation of teachers. This study curates a systematic database of the physical placement of all teachers in Malawi and links it with data on school facilities and geo-spatial coordinates of commercial centers. The study develops a consistent and objective measure of school remoteness, which can be applied to develop policies to create rules for equitable deployments and targeting of incentives. Growing awareness of disparities in PTRs among district education officials is already showing promising improvements in targeting of new teachers. Simulation results of planned policy applications show significant potential impacts of fiscally-neutral approaches to targeted deployments of new cohorts, as well as retention of teachers through data-calibrated incentives.
Keywords: Data-driven model; Deployments; Malawi; Political economy; Schools; Teachers

Reforming teacher education in Nigeria: Laying a foundation for the future - Barnes, Adrienne E.; Boyle, Helen; Zuilkowski, Stephanie Simmons; Bello, Zaliha Nasiruddeen (Teaching and Teacher Education, 2019)
Teacher educators in Nigeria receive limited professional development, particularly regarding the instruction of early grade reading skills. As part of the USAID-funded Northern Education Initiative Plus project, Florida State University faculty provided intensive teacher educator professional development to staff at four Teacher Education Institutions in northern Nigeria. Positive impacts on teacher educator knowledge, skills, and attitudes were observed related to content and pedagogical knowledge, use of participatory teaching and learning activities in the college classrooms, and improvement in student teacher engagement and learning. Continued success of the implemented model for training will be dependent upon national adoption and scale up.

Systems Research in Education: Designs and methods - Magrath, Bronwen; Aslam, Monazza; Johnson, David (Research in Comparative and International Education, 2019)
This exploratory paper seeks to shed light on the methodological challenges of education systems research. There is growing consensus that interventions to improve learning outcomes must be designed and studied as part of a broader system of education, and that learning outcomes are affected by a complex web of dynamics involving different inputs, actors, processes and socio-political contexts. How should researchers in comparative and international education respond to this call for complexity? To begin to answer this question, we draw on recent and ongoing research within the Raising Learning Outcomes in Education Systems research programme – a programme of 30 projects funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The paper explores critical ways in which the methods used by individual research projects, and across the programme as a whole, offer opportunities and raise challenges for advancing systems thinking in education research.
Keywords: Research methodology; ___working_potential_duplicate; education systems; mixed-methods research

Systems Research in Education: Designs and methods - Magrath, Bronwen; Aslam, Monazza; Johnson, David (Research in Comparative and International Education, 2019)
This exploratory paper seeks to shed light on the methodological challenges of education systems research. There is growing consensus that interventions to improve learning outcomes must be designed and studied as part of a broader system of education, and that learning outcomes are affected by a complex web of dynamics involving different inputs, actors, processes and socio-political contexts. How should researchers in comparative and international education respond to this call for complexity? To begin to answer this question, we draw on recent and ongoing research within the Raising Learning Outcomes in Education Systems research programme – a programme of 30 projects funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The paper explores critical ways in which the methods used by individual research projects, and across the programme as a whole, offer opportunities and raise challenges for advancing systems thinking in education research.
Keywords: Research methodology; ___working_potential_duplicate; education systems; mixed-methods research

Global, regional and national burden of emergency medical diseases using specific emergency disease indicators: analysis of the 2015 Global Burden of Disease Study - Razzak, Junaid; Usmani, Mohammad Farooq; Bhutta, Zulfiqar A. (BMJ Global Health, 2019)
Objective There are currently no metrics for measuring population-level burden of emergency medical diseases (EMDs). This study presents an analysis of the burden of EMDs using two metrics: the emergency disease mortality rate (EDMR) and the emergency disease burden (EDB) per 1000 population at the national, regional and global levels. Methods We used the 1990 and 2015 Global Burden of Disease Study for morbidity and mortality data on 249 medical conditions in 195 countries. Thirty-one diseases were classified as ‘emergency medical diseases’ based on earlier published work. We developed two indicators, one focused on mortality (EDMR) and the other on burden (EDB). We compared the EDMR and EDB across countries, regions and income groups and compared these metrics from 1990 to 2015. Results In 2015, globally, there were 28.3 million deaths due to EMDs. EMDs contributed to 50.7% of mortality and 41.5% of all burden of diseases. The EDB in low-income countries is 4.4 times that of high-income countries. The EDB in the African region is 273 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 1000 compared with 100 DALYs per 1000 in the European region. There has been a 6% increase in overall mortality due to EMDs from 1990 to 2015. Globally, injuries (22%), ischaemic heart disease (17%), lower respiratory infections (11%) and haemorrhagic strokes (7%) made up about 60% of EMDs in 2015. Conclusion Globally, EMDs contributed to more than half of all years of life lost. There is a significant disparity between the EDMR and EDB between regions and socioeconomic groups at the global level.

Scaling access and impact: Realizing the power of edtech (Omidyar Network, 2019)

Exploring relationships between Kolb's learning styles and mobile learning readiness of pre-service teachers: a mixed study - Ata, Rıdvan; Cevik, Mustafa (Education and Information Technologies, 2019)
The aim of this research is to reveal relations between Kolb's learning styles and mobile learning readiness of pre-service teachers in depth in regard to different variables and identify their mobile learning perspectives. The study group consisted of 352 students enrolled in undergraduate programs in education faculties of different universities in Turkey. The convergent parallel design was used as a mixed method strategy. The survey model, as a quantitative component, was used to describe the present situation and embedded interviews, as a qualitative component, were carried out to deeply reveal pre-service teachers' perspectives on mobile learning depending on their learning styles. The "Learning Styles Inventory - Version III" as well as the "Mobile Learning Readiness Scale" were administered to participants. ANOVA, Tukey-HSD test and Structural Equation Modelling were used to analyze the quantitative data. The qualitative data were analyzed by the content analysis method. Results suggest that 126 (36%) of the pre-service participating in the study were with the assimilating learning style, 92 (26.29%) participants were with the diverging learning style, 73 (20.85%) were with the converging learning style and 59 (16.85%) were with the accommodating learning style. Furthermore, it was observed that there is a statistically significant relationship between the learning styles of the pre-service teachers and their m-learning readiness. In addition, it was observed that while optimism, self-directed learning and self-efficacy have a strong effect on m-learning; mother education, monthly income, gender, internet use frequency have a moderate effect on m-learning within different learning styles. Qualitative data were also in line with the results of quantitative data. Findings were discussed in light of relevant literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Keywords: COGNITIVE styles; Cognitive Style; Cognitive style; Computers--Information Science And Information Theory; Content Analysis; EDUCATIONAL programs; ERIC, Current Index to Journals in Education (CIJE); Educational Attainment; Foreign Countries; Gender Differences; Handheld Devices; Higher Education; Income; Independent Study; Independent study; Kolb's learning styles; Kolb’s learning styles; LEARNING readiness; Learning Readiness; Learning Style Inventory; MOBILE learning; Measures (Individuals); Mobile learning; Mothers; Positive Attitudes; Postsecondary Education; Pre-service teachers; Preservice Teachers; STUDENT teachers; Self Efficacy; Structural Equation Models; Structural equation modelling; Student Attitudes; Teacher Education Programs; Telecommunications; Turkey; Undergraduate Students; __:import:01; __:match:final; __:matched; __:study_id:2095788; __finaldtb

Beyond the Basics: Improving Post-Primary Content Delivery through Classroom Technology - Beg, Sabrin A; Lucas, Adrienne M; Halim, Waqas; Saif, Umar (National Bureau of Economic Research, 2019)
Using an RCT in middle schools in Pakistan, we test the effect of a government- implemented in-class technology and brief teacher training intervention on student achievement in grade level mathematics and science. After only 4 months of exposure, student's combined math and science score increased by 0.3 standard deviations on both project and government tests, 59 percent more than the control group. Students were also more likely to pass the provincial high-stakes exams. Increased attendance by both students and teachers indicate technology can increase other inputs. At the 200 school scale, this program is extremely cost-effective.
Keywords: EXCLUSION CRITERIA APPLIED; Quality: H; Relevance: M

Open Access Research: A Review of DFID’s Policy and Practice - Fosci, Mattia; Johnson, Rob; Chiarelli, Andrea (2019)

The Impact of IRC’s Healing Classrooms Tutoring on Children’s Learning and Social-Emotional Outcomes in Niger - IRC (Education in Emergencies: Evidence for Action, 2019)
During school year 2016-2017, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) delivered Healing Classrooms remedial tutoring programming and additional low-cost, targeted social-emotional learning (SEL) interventions to children in Diffa, a region in Niger affected by recurrent Boko Haram attacks. We found that, after twenty-two weeks of program implementation, access to Healing Classrooms tutoring significantly improved students’ reading and math skills, and adding targeted SEL interventions to Healing Classrooms tutoring improved children’s overall school grades. However, we found little evidence of direct impacts of the additional targeted SEL strategies on children’s social-emotional outcomes.

Data Collection Survey on Possibilities of Educational Support with ICT and Japanese Companies Promotion in Mongolia - JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency, 2019)
Keywords: ___working_potential_duplicate

Data Collection Survey on Possibilities of Educational Support with ICT and Japanese Companies Promotion in Mongolia - JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency, 2019)
Keywords: ___working_potential_duplicate

Scaling Access & Impact: Realizing the Power of EdTech - Pouezevara, Sarah; Valdivia, Ignacio Jara; Michalec, Mike; Amalia, Talitha; Fleischmann, Sybille (Omidyar Network, 2019)

Capturing Cost Data - World Bank; International Rescue Committee (World Bank, 2019)
Keywords: ⛔ No DOI found

Developing BacaBicara: An Indonesian lipreading system as an independent communication learning for the deaf and hard-of-hearing - Muljono, Muljono; Saraswati, Galuh Wilujeng; Winarsih, Nurul Anisa Sri; Rokhman, Nur; Supriyanto, Catur; Pujiono, Pujiono (International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 2019)
Deaf and hard-of-hearing people have limitations in communication, espe-cially on aspects of language, intelligence, and social adjustment. To com-municate, deaf people use sign language or lipreading. For normal people, it is very difficult to use sign language. They have to memorize many hand signs. Therefore, lipreading is a necessary for communication between nor-mal and deaf people. In Indonesia, there is still few education media for deaf people to learn lipreading. To overcome this challenge, we develop a lipread-ing educational media to help deaf and hard-of-hearing to learn Bahasa In-donesia, called BacaBicara. User-Centered Design (UCD) is implemented to design the application and to analyze the constraints and conceptual models for the needs of users. This conceptual model uses the picture, lipreading video, text, and sign language to help the users understand the contents. The High fidelity prototype was implemented for evaluating usability testing. Based on the evaluation of the application, the results show that the proto-type matches the usability goals and the user experience.
Keywords: Deaf and hard of hearing; Interaction; lipreading; user-centered design prototype; ⛔ No INSPIRE recid found

3 examples of mother tongue education to improve learning | Blog | Global Partnership for Education - Global Partnership for Education (Education for All blog, 2019)
GPE supports mother tongue education as a key component of the foundation of learning. On International Mother Tongue Day we review how three partner countries—Eritrea, The Gambia and Uzbekistan—with help from GPE, are implementing mother tongue programs.

Top 10 Facts About Life Expectancy in Vietnam - Hiday, Haley (The Borgen Project, 2019)
Although it is true that the life expectancy rates tend to be relatively high in Vietnam, the most common causes of death, although preventable or treatable, have often been somewhat ignored by the country’s health officials and the general public. To get a better understanding of how these health oversights can and are being corrected, the list below states the top 10 facts about life expectancy in Vietnam as well as the efforts being made to enhance rates.

Social support networks, instant messaging, and gender equity in refugee education - Dahya, Negin; Dryden-Peterson, Sarah; Douhaibi, Dacia; Arvisais, Olivier (Information, Communication and Society, 2019)
This paper addresses the role of instant messaging chat groups to support teacher training and gender equity initiatives in Kenyan refugee camps. Our findings are based on survey data with refugee teachers in Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps (n = 203), group interviews with refugee teachers in Kakuma (n = 21), and interviews with international instructors of teacher training programs in Nairobi, Toronto, and Vancouver (n = 14). In our analysis, we apply amplification theory, feminist science and technology studies paradigms, and considerations of transnational approaches to understand the use of instant messaging among refugee teacher communities. Our framework explores how social and cultural norms are amplified through transnational text and instant messaging related to teacher training and in support of gender equity. Peer-to-peer group chats draw on transnational learning opportunities and expand these engagements through group chats between men and women refugee teachers across camps as well as through community engagement about gender equity initiatives in education. International instructors identify both value and hesitation in navigating the quantity and content of these communications, such as learning more about refugee teachers’ daily lives in the camps and concern about following and managing the amount of communication that can ensue over chat groups. Our work has practical implications for transnational teacher training programs in refugee camps, illuminates how mobile technology and chat groups allow women and men in the community to engage and support girls’ education, and questions how text messaging affects the lived and day-to-day experiences of women refugee teachers

Digital School Census in 10 Weeks? How it was done in Sierra Leone - Namit, Kariba; Mai, Thanh Thi (World Bank Blogs, 2019)
Note: This blog is specifically about Sierra Leone’s successful transition to a digital school census but has broader implications for other countries who plan to adopt digital tools at a wider scale to collect data and monitor education and healthcare facilities in their countries. In April of last year, the new Minister of Finance of Sierra Leone approached the World Bank with a strong commitment to prioritize education and an intriguing request.

Digital School Census in 10 Weeks? How it was done in Sierra Leone - Namit, Kariba; Mai, Thanh Thi (World Bank Blogs, 2019)
Note: This blog is specifically about Sierra Leone’s successful transition to a digital school census but has broader implications for other countries who plan to adopt digital tools at a wider scale to collect data and monitor education and healthcare facilities in their countries. In April of last year, the new Minister of Finance of Sierra Leone approached the World Bank with a strong commitment to prioritize education and an intriguing request.

The True Cost of Freemiums in Edtech - Levine, Elliott (EdTech Digest, 2019)
An industry veteran has some on-point advice about what you pay for and what you get. GUEST COLUMN | by Elliott Levine They say, “the best things in life are free,” but that is not always the case. With education technology (edtech), sometimes the cost of “free” ends up being unreasonably high in the long […]

Design principles for systematic search systems: A holistic synthesis of a rigorous multi-cycle design science research journey - Sturm, Benjamin; Sunyaev, Ali (Business & Information Systems Engineering, 2019)
Rigorous systematic literature searches are often described as complex, error-prone and time-consuming because of a prevailing lack of adequate technological assistance. Nonetheless, one of the first steps when conducting a rigorous literature review is finding an appropriate literature sample. The quality of this literature sample is an important factor for the overall quality of the literature review. This article investigates how to design innovative IT systems that effectively facilitate systematic literature searches. Applying the design science research paradigm, the research method consists of multiple design cycles of artifact development, evaluation, and refinement. In doing so, six design principles are derived that intend to increase the comprehensiveness, precision, and reproducibility of systematic literature searches. The results could be helpful for research and practice. The derived design knowledge builds a foundation for future research on systematic search systems and enables new methodological contributions. The results could also guide the development of innovative search systems and features that, eventually, increase the quality and efficiency of information accumulation in different contexts.
Keywords: Design principles; Design science research; Information retrieval; Literature review; Systematic literature searches; Systematic search systems; _Added-ailr-2024

Investigating The Benefits Of Incorporating Technology In Instructional Curriculum: Pre-Service Teachers' Perspectives From Ghana - Wiafe, Bernard; Akaadom, Bernard (International Journal of Advanced Research, 2019)
The use of technology has gained worldwide recognition in all professions. Teachers have resorted to several technology tools to enhance the work they do in the classroom and to facilitate the understanding of what they teach their students to enhance easy recall and for students to remember what they learn in class. The use of technology tools in the classroom in Ghana has not received much attention from teachers because of challenges with respect to technological infrastructural development. However, with the inclusion of technology in the teacher colleges of education curriculum, new teachers are being trained to incorporate technology into classroom instruction to change the face of teaching and make learners more eager to learn by bringing the understanding of concepts much more clearly to students. The study adopted a mixed method approach to bring to light, the perspectives of teacher trainees and tutors in colleges on the benefits both the teacher and the learner stand to gain in using technologies to deliver instruction in the classroom. It came to light that although there are challenges pre-service teachers tend to face in terms of access to such technologies, they still do their best to include technologies in their lessons whenever possible. This is because of the fact that learners tend to do well on instruction received on lessons delivered using technology as compared to lessons delivered without using technology based on their experience in using both approaches in the classroom. Keywords: Technology, instruction, benefits, curriculum.
Keywords: ⛔ No DOI found

Equivalent Years of Schooling: A Metric to Communicate Learning Gains in Concrete Terms - Evans, David K; Yuan, Fei (World Bank Policy Research, 2019)
In the past decade, hundreds of impact evaluation studies have measured the learning outcomes of education interventions in developing countries. The impact magnitudes are often reported in terms of "standard deviations," making them difficult to communicate to policy makers beyond education specialists. This paper proposes two approaches to demonstrate the effectiveness of learning interventions, one in "equivalent years of schooling" and another in the net present value of potential increased lifetime earnings. The results show that in a sample of low- and middle-income countries, one standard deviation gain in literacy skill is associated with between 4.7 and 6.8 additional years of schooling, depending on the estimation method. In other words, over the course of a business-as-usual school year, students learn between 0.15 and 0.21 standard deviation of literacy ability. Using that metric to translate the impact of interventions, a median structured pedagogy intervention increases learning by the equivalent of between 0.6 and 0.9 year of business-as-usual schooling. The results further show that even modest gains in standard deviations of learning -- if sustained over time -- may have sizeable impacts on individual earnings and poverty reduction, and that conversion into a non-education metric should help policy makers and non-specialists better understand the potential benefits of increased learning.
Keywords: Education; Impact Evaluation; Learning Outcomes; Lifetime Earnings; Net Present Value; Poverty Reduction; Years of Schooling; ___working_potential_duplicate

Equivalent Years of Schooling: A Metric to Communicate Learning Gains in Concrete Terms - Evans, David K.; Yuan, Fei (2019)
In the past decade, hundreds of impact evaluation studies have measured the learning outcomes of education interventions in developing countries. The impact magnitudes are often reported in terms of "standard deviations," making them difficult to communicate to policy makers beyond education specialists. This paper proposes two approaches to demonstrate the effectiveness of learning interventions, one in "equivalent years of schooling" and another in the net present value of potential increased lifetime earnings. The results show that in a sample of low- and middle-income countries, one standard deviation gain in literacy skill is associated with between 4.7 and 6.8 additional years of schooling, depending on the estimation method. In other words, over the course of a business-as-usual school year, students learn between 0.15 and 0.21 standard deviation of literacy ability. Using that metric to translate the impact of interventions, a median structured pedagogy intervention increases learning by the equivalent of between 0.6 and 0.9 year of business-as-usual schooling. The results further show that even modest gains in standard deviations of learning -- if sustained over time -- may have sizeable impacts on individual earnings and poverty reduction, and that conversion into a non-education metric should help policy makers and non-specialists better understand the potential benefits of increased learning.