Adolescence in the Time of Covid-19: Evidence from Bangladesh - Baird, Sarah; Seager, Jennifer; Sabarwal, Shwetlena; Guglielmi, Silvia; Sultan, Maheen (2020)
This note examines the effects of COVID-19 and subsequent economic and educational disruptions on adolescent well-being in Bangladesh. The analysis is based on data from 2,095 in-school adolescents aged 10–18 collected preCOVID-19 (February–March 2020) through a field survey for an ongoing impact evaluation, and a follow-up virtual survey undertaken early in the pandemic (May–June 2020). Findings show large household-level economic impacts associated with increased food insecurity, anxiety, and mental health issues among adolescents. In addition, school closures have decreased adolescents’ access to learning, increased time spent on household chores, and affected future job aspirations. The impacts are particularly large for girls and for adolescents from more vulnerable households. Policy makers need to consider policies that facilitate school return, targeting girls and the most vulnerable. They also need creative school-based programming to address the likely long-run physical and mental health effects of COVID-19 on young people.

Innovations in Social and Emotional Learning Research and Practice: Building from Evidence and Applying Behavioral Insights to the Design of a Social and Emotional Learning Intervention in Northeast Nigeria - Bailey, Rebecca; Raisch, Natasha; Temko, Sonya; Titus, Britt; Bautista, Jonah; Eniola, Tahirat Omolara; Jones, Stephanie M. (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021)
Recent studies suggest that social and emotional learning (SEL) programming has the potential to be effective in conflict-affected regions, yet evidence is limited, and findings to date are mixed. One hypothesis about why SEL interventions in education in emergencies (EiE) settings have not generated the anticipated results is that the SEL content and materials have not been sufficiently localized to the context, leading to poor cultural relevance or fit. A second hypothesis is that SEL program demands tend to be high and capacity for implementation is low, undermining sustainability and impact. The current study addresses these challenges by investing in locally driven SEL content and design as a way to ensure that SEL materials are grounded in local values and needs, culturally appropriate, relevant to the specific context, and feasible to implement. The study draws on the developmental and prevention sciences as well as the field of behavioral insights to test evidence-based interventions intended to encourage desired behaviors around uptake and implementation. This paper documents the activities conducted during the project’s design phase, including landscape research, creation of initial prototypes, design workshops and rapid prototyping, and field testing. Findings suggest that using local values, practices, and framing in SEL programming increases relevance and appropriateness for the Northeast Nigeria setting. Furthermore, targeted behavioral insights interventions increased the uptake, habitual and regular use, as well as correct implementation of SEL activities. The findings contribute to the emerging literature on the cultural variability of SEL and the need to consider the context when designing and implementing programs in any setting.

Radical inclusion means teaching children in a language they understand - Bah, Chernor (Brookings, 2022)
Chenor Bah examines how Sierra Leone is trying to incorporate radical inclusion within the national education system by ensuring children are taught their mother-tongue for the first three to five years of schooling.

Achieving Cost-Effective Instructional Coaching at Scale: Evidence from Senegal - Bagby, Emilie; Swift-Morgan, Jennifer; Niang, Ablaye; Upadhyay, Arjun (Chemonics International, 2022)

The latent digital divide and its drivers in e-learning among Bangladeshi students during the COVID-19 pandemic - Badiuzzaman, Md; Rafiquzzaman, Md; Rabby, Md Insiat Islam; Rahman, Mohammad Mustaneer (Information, 2021)
The devastating COVID-19 pandemic forced academia to go virtual. Educational institutions around the world have stressed online learning programs in the aftermath of the pandemic. However, because of insufficient access to Information Communication Technology (ICT), a substantial number of students failed to harness the opportunity of online learning. This study explores the latent digital divide exhibited during the COVID-19 pandemic while online learning activities are emphasised among students of Bangladesh. It also investigates the digital divide exposure and the significant underlying drivers of the divide. In order to accomplish this, a cross-sectional survey was employed to collect quantitative data, mixed with open-ended questions were utilised to gather qualitative information from the student community. The findings revealed that despite the majority of students having physical access to ICT, only 32.5% of students could attend online classes seamlessly. In total, 34.1% reported data prices as the critical barrier, while 39.8% identified poor network infrastructure as the significant barrier preventing them from participating in online learning activities. Although most students possess physical access to various devices and the Internet, they face the first-level digital divide due to the quality of access and price of cellular Internet. Consequently, they fail to take advantage of physical access, resulting in the third-level digital divide (utility gap), which submerges them into a digital divide cycle. The primary objective of this study is to explore the underlying issues of the digital divide among Bangladeshi students. This will assist relevant stakeholders (e.g., the Bangladesh government, educational institutions, and researchers) to gain necessary insights and theoretical understanding of underlying limitations and emergent directions to arrange adequate support for underprivileged students to undertake essential online learning activities.
Keywords: COVID-19; digital divide; multi-level digital divide; online learning

Informality, Consumption Taxes and Redistribution - Bachas, Pierre; Gadenne, Lucie; Jensen, Anders (2020)
Can taxes on consumption redistribute in developing countries? Contrary to consensus, we show that taxing consumption is progressive once we account for informal consumption. Using household expenditure surveys in 32 countries we proxy for informal consumption using the type of store where purchases occur. We find that the budget share spent in informal stores steeply declines with income, so that the effective tax rate of a broad consumption tax rises with income. Our findings imply that the widespread policy of exempting food from taxation cannot be justified on equity grounds in low-income-countries.Institutional subscribers to the NBER working paper series, and residents of developing countries may download this paper without additional charge at www.nber.org.
Keywords: Anders Jensen; Consumption Taxes and Redistribution; Informality; Lucie Gadenne; Pierre Bachas; SSRN

The State of the Global Education Crisis : A Path to Recovery - Azevedo, Joao Pedro; Wagner, De; Rogers, F. Halsey; Cloutier, Marie-Helene; Chakroun,, Borhene; Chang, Gwang-Chol; Mizunoya, Suguru (UNESCO, UNICEF, World Bank, 2021)
The State of the Global Education Crisis : A Path to Recovery (English)

The State of Global Learning Poverty: 2022 Update - Azevedo, Joao Pedro; Rogers, Halsey; Ahlgren, Ellinore; Akmal, Maryam; Cloutier, Marie-Helene; Ding, Elaine; Raza, Ahmed; Ning Wong, Yi; Montoya, Silvia; Chakroun, Borhene; Chang, Gwang-Chol; Guerriero, Sonia; et al. (The World Bank, 2022)

Simulating the Potential Impacts of COVID-19 School Closures on Schooling and Learning Outcomes: A Set of Global Estimates - Azevedo, João Pedro; Hasan, Amer; Goldemberg, Diana; Iqbal, Syedah Aroob; Geven, Koen (Policy Research Working Papers, 2020)

Will Every Child Be Able to Read by 2030? Defining Learning Poverty and Mapping the Dimensions of the Challenge - Azevedo, João Pedro; Goldemberg, Diana; Montoya, Silvia; Nayar, Reema; Rogers, Halsey; Saavedra, Jaime; Stacy, Brian William (World Bank Group, 2021)

How could COVID-19 hinder progress with Learning Poverty? Some initial simulations - Azevedo, João Pedro (2020)

Learning poverty in the time of COVID-19: a crisis within a crisis - Azevedo, Joao Pedro (World Bank, 2020)

Learning Poverty: Measures and Simulations - Azevedo, João Pedro (World Bank Group, 2020)

Simulating the Potential Impacts of the COVID-19 School Closures on Schooling and Learning Outcomes: A set of Global Estimates - Azevedo, J.P; Hasan, A; Goldemberg, D; Iqbal, S.A; Geven, K (World Bank, 2020)
Simulating the Potential Impacts of the COVID-19 School Closures and Learning Outcomes: A set of Global Estimates

Check GES Ghana Learning TV (GLTV) Timetable For JHS, Primary, KG: How To Scan For GLTV - Avenuegh Online Portal (2020)
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has officially released the Ghana Learning TV (GLTV) timetable for

Nudges to Improve Learning and Gender Parity: Preliminary findings on supporting parent-child educational engagement during Covid-19 using mobile phones - Aurino, Elisabetta; Tsinigo, Edward; Wolf, Sharon (EdTech Hub, 2022)
Key words: parental education engagement; caregiver engagement; nudges; text messages; schooling; learning; Ghana; gender In this study we evaluate a digital intervention to improve low-literate caregivers’ engagement with their children’s education and development in rural Ghana during the Covid-19 pandemic. The programme was a text-message-based behavioural change intervention for parents / caregivers that aimed to improve caregiver engagement in children’s educational activities, caregiver beliefs about returns to education, as well as children’s learning, enrollment, attendance, and gender parity in education. This household-randomised trial, conducted in the North East, Northern, Savannah, Upper East, and Upper West regions of Ghana, tested four variations of the intervention, varying both duration and a gender-parity focus. Households were randomised to one of five conditions: (i) regular behavioural nudges, 12 weeks; (ii) gender-boost behavioural nudges, 12 weeks; (iii) regular behavioural nudges, 24 weeks; (ii) gender-boost behavioural-nudges, 24 weeks; or (v) control. The interventions were implemented from January to April 2021 (for the 12-week groups) and January to June 2021 (for the 24-week groups). We collected data at midline (April–June 2021) and endline (August–September 2021). Our preliminary results suggest that a short, light-touch, SMS-based intervention can change caregiver behaviours and child outcomes in a rural, low-literate sample. However, the results were complex and intervention effectiveness depended on the caregiver having minimum levels of schooling. For caregivers with no education (65% of the sample), the intervention only increased caregiver expectations on reaching the desired level of education, especially among girls, but reduced educational engagement and some measures of children’s school enrollment and attendance. Educational engagement among Ghanaian caregivers is low relative to peer countries (Bornstein & Putnick, 2012; McCoy et al., 2018). The findings suggest that caregivers may need a base level of capital and resource (e.g., exposure to formal education) to enact the messages and increase their educational engagement with their children. Without this base level of capital, messages may increase caregivers’ aspirations for their children without providing enough support to change educational investments in positive ways. An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

System (In)Coherence: Quantifying the Alignment of Primary Education Curriculum Standards, Examinations, and Instruction in Two East African Countries - Atuhurra, Julius; Kaffenburger, Michelle (RISE Programme Working Paper Series, 2020)

Atlassian Team Playbook - Build strong teams with Plays - Atlassian (Atlassian, 2020)
Plays are free workshop resources for addressing common team challenges and starting important conversations.

Bridge or Barrier – Does generative AI contribute to more culturally inclusive higher education and research? - Atanasova, Dimitrinka (Bridge or Barrier – Does generative AI contribute to more culturally inclusive higher education and research?, 2023)
Whilst the ability of generative AI to produce text in English has been widely covered, the implications of its ability to translate and act as a cultural broker into English have received less att…

Needed: An Ecosystem for Meaningful Digital Innovation in Northern Kenya - Aslan Afrika (Aslan Afrika, 2021)
The information and communications technology (ICT) industry thrives in Kenyan cities, but vast rural tracts in Northern Kenya are stranded on the wrong side of the digital divide. One of the weakest links is a lack of infrastructure, both for […]

Formative Evaluation of GPE’s Support for Response to the COVID-19 Crisis - Aslam, Monazza; Rawal, Shenila (GPE, 2021)

$3 Million ADB Grant to Support Pakistan’s Flood Response - Asian Development Bank (Asian Development Bank, 2022)
ADB approved a $3 million grant to support the Government of Pakistan’s emergency relief efforts amid widespread floods across the country.

Refugee Education: A Rapid Evidence Review - Ashlee, Amy; Clericetti, Giulia; Mitchell, Joel (EdTech Hub, 2020)
This Rapid Evidence Review (RER) provides an overview of existing literature on the use of educational technology (EdTech) for education of refugees in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The RER has been produced in response to the widespread global shutdown of schools resulting from the outbreak of Covid-19. It therefore has an emphasis on transferable insights that may be applicable to educational responses resulting from the limitations caused by Covid-19. In the current global context, lessons learnt from the use of EdTech in refugee contexts — in which education is often significantly disrupted and education systems and responses are required to rapidly adapt — are salient.
Keywords: L:Refugees and migrants; LP: English; _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _MELA_seen; _P:Evidence review VCMFM9ZD; _cover:v3; _zenodo:submitted; _zenodoETH

A better Environment for Education in Sudan - Ashii, Hadeel Agab (2021)
In preparation for schools reopening, UNICEF is supporting the rehabilitation of classrooms and latrines in Sudan

Annual Status of Education Report 2019 - ASER Pakistan (2020)

Annual Status of Education Report. ASER-Pakistan 2021 - ASER Pakistan (ASER Pakistan Secretariate & Idara-e-Taleem-o-Agahi, 2021)

Annual Status of Education Report 2021 (ASER, 2022)

Annual Status of Education Report: ASER-Pakistan 2019 (National) - ASER (2020)

Annual Status of Education Report ASER-PAKISTAN 2019 Urban - ASER (2020)

Annual Status of Education Report (Rural) 2020. Wave 1 - ASER (ASER Centre, 2020)

Measuring the Impact of COVID-19 on Education in Pakistan - ASER (2021)

How Accessible are Journal Articles on Education Written by Sub-Saharan Africa-based Researchers? - Asare, Samuel; Mitchell, Rafael; Rose, Pauline (Development and Change, 2021)
This article investigates the extent to which education publications authored by researchers based in sub-Saharan Africa are published as open access (OA). We draw on bibliometric analysis of 1,858 peer-reviewed articles over the period 2010‒18, together with interviews with 31 academics based in the region. Overall, we find a steady increase in OA publishing in the region over this period, although the proportion of OA publications remains low. The study finds that: (1) open access articles by researchers in sub-Saharan Africa are concentrated in journals with a lower impact factor; and (2) authors in sub-Saharan Africa tend to publish in higher quality journals behind a paywall, rather than in lower quality journals that either have no or lower cost for open access.

How equitable are South-North partnerships in education research? Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa - Asare, Samuel; Mitchell, Rafael; Rose, Pauline (Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 2020)
This article explores equity with respect to South-North partnerships in the context of education research involving scholars based in sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on large-scale bibliometric analysis of over 1,000 publications published in English between 2010 and 2018, it finds that participation in such partnerships favours a relatively small number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa. These collaborations appear to be reproducing gender imbalances in authorship. Complemented by interviews with 31 researchers based in the region, it further identifies examples of asymmetrical relationships alongside more positive partnerships and practices. Scholars based in sub-Saharan Africa were more likely to view partnerships initiated by researchers based in the region as equitable.
Keywords: Education; South-North research partnerships; sub-Saharan Africa; sustainable development goals

Improving the Mouse Skills of Basic School Learners Using the Optical Mouse and Self Instructional Software. A Case of a Ghanaian Basic School - Asare, Samuel; Leticia, Agyemang (Innovation The European Journal of Social Science Research, 2020)
The study came about as a result of poor performance showed by Bosofour R\C primary 6 learners' during practical sessions. The general objective of the study is to examine the causes of learner's poor mouse skills and provide an immediate solution to it. The research was conducted at Bosofour R\C primary school from the month of December, 2019 to June, 2020. The study was critically analyzed, though ICT is a core subject offered by all learners' in the school, but due to time constraint, nature of the research and inadequate financial support, all the classes could not be covered but few were sampled to represent the whole school. The study adopted a random sampling technique for its appropriateness in reaching out to a large representative sample and generalization of the findings. The target population included five hundred and twenty (520) learners, comprising of two hundred and forty-eight (248) boys and two hundred and seventy-two (272) girls. Random sampling techniques was used to select twenty (20) learners'. Test, interview and observation were the main instruments used for data collection. The main design for the study was action research. The collected data was analyzed with the help of frequency distribution table, using pre-test and post-test as a method of obtaining data. The challenges of the study include; insufficient time for practical activity lessons, abstract methods of teaching, inadequate teaching\ learning resources and teachers' pedagogical knowledge about the course. The results of the study showed that learners' mouse skills may be improved by the use of optical mouse, self-instructional software and giving students enough time during practical sessions. It is therefore recommended that, Ghana Education Service should equip all Basic schools across the country with several types of educational software's, in addition in-service training on ICT should be provided for all teachers, and finally, much time should be allotted for ICT practical activity lessons.
Keywords: ⛔ No DOI found

Remote-learning, Time-Use, and Mental Health of Ecuadorian High-School Students during the COVID-19 Quarantine - Asanov, Igor; Flores, Francisco; McKenzie, David; Mensmann, Mona; Schulte, Mathis (World Bank, 2020)

Remote-learning, Time-Use, and Mental Health of Ecuadorian High-School Studentsduring the COVID-19 Quarantine - Asanov, Igor; Flores, Francisco; McKenzie, David; Mensmann, Mona; Schulte, Mathis (World Bank Policy Research Working Paper, 2020)
Keywords: ⛔ No DOI found

Drought situation in the Kenya ASAL areas now at crisis level - Kenya | ReliefWeb - ASAL Humanitarian Network (2022)
News and Press Release in English on Kenya about Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Drought and more; published on 5 Oct 2022 by ASAL Humanitarian Network

COVID-19, schooling and learning - Asadullah, Niaz (BRAC, 2020)
Keywords: ___working_potential_duplicate; ⛔ No DOI found

Home Schooling during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Assessment of Malaysia’s PdPR Program - Asadullah, Niaz (Asian Development Bank, 2022)
The majority of homeschoolers in Malaysia prefer to return to on-site education once schools reopen.

Coronavirus Outbreak, Schooling and Learning: Study on Secondary School Students in Bangladesh - Asadullah, N; Bhattacharjee, A; Tasnim, M; Mumtahena, F (2020)

Digital Divide or Digital Provide? Technology, Time Use, and Learning Loss during COVID-19 - Asadullah, M. Niaz; Bhattacharjee, Anindita (The Journal of Development Studies, 2022)
COVID-19 school closure has caused a worldwide shift towards technology-aided home schooling. Given widespread poverty in developing countries, this has raised concerns over new forms of learning inequalities. Using nationwide data on primary and secondary school children in slum and rural households in Bangladesh, we examine how learning time at home during the early months of school closure varies by access to technology at home. Data confirms a significant socio-economic and gender divide in access to TV, smartphone, computer, and internet among rural households. However, the analysis of daily time use data shows only a modest return to a technology in terms of boosting learning time at home. The learning-grade gradient is shallow and insensitive to TV, smartphone, and computer access at home. We also find no evidence that technology access per se helps learning by boosting time spent in online schooling and private supplementary coaching/tutoring. While technology access matters in households where parents act as home tutors, the magnitude of such a complementary effect are not large. The results imply a loss of out-of-school learning time during school closure even in households with technology access. We consider additional hypotheses relating to institutional and socio-economic barriers to home-based learning in developing countries.
Keywords: COVID-19; D10; I21; J22; Q50; home-based education; learning crisis; school closure

Improving teacher accountability in Pakistan’s rural schools - Asad, Saher; Habib, Masooma; Karachiwalla, Naureen; Kosec, Katrina; Leaver, Claire; Ur Rehman, Attique (International Growth Centre, 2020)
Pakistan has extremely low learning levels and poor education service delivery is a driving factor. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has expressed a strong desire for evidence on how to design evaluation and oversight systems for the education sector, with the goal of improving learning. Accordingly, we conducted an International Growth Centre (IGC) supported study …

Preservice Classroom Teachers' Views of Distance Education Science Laboratory Activities - Arslan, Ayten (International Online Journal of Education and Teaching, 2021)
This study investigated preservice classroom teachers' views of distance education science laboratory (lab) activities (DESLA). The study adopted a phenomenology design, which is a qualitative research method. The sample consisted of 34 students (25 women and nine men) from the department of classroom teaching of the education faculty of a public university. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected online (Google Forms) via Google Drive using an open-ended question form developed by the researcher based on a literature review and expert feedback. The data were analyzed using content analysis, a qualitative data analysis method. The results showed that participants had positive and negative opinions about DESLA. They had numerous academic, social, and professional experiences but also faced some challenges. They pointed out the pros and cons of DESLA. Most participants stated that they preferred face-to-face science lab activities to DESLA. The results also showed that DESLA improved participants' attitudes towards science lab activities in general.
Keywords: Barriers; COVID-19; Distance Education; Educational Technology; Foreign Countries; Pandemics; Preservice Teachers; Program Effectiveness; School Closing; Science Instruction; Science Laboratories; Student Attitudes; Technology Uses in Education; ⛔ No DOI found

Análisis comparativo de las prácticas educativas implementadas en Chile y México durante la pandemia de COVID-19 | Guayana Moderna - Arizmendi Loredo, Karla Fabiola; Fernández Hidalgo, Mariana; Núñez Rivadeneira, Scott (2020)

COVID-19 learning losses: Early grade reading in South Africa - Ardington, Cally; Wills, Gabrielle; Kotze, Janeli (International Journal of Educational Development, 2021)
• In South Africa in 2020 around 60 % of early grade school days were lost due to COVID. • Grade 2 students have reading losses of between 57 % and 70 % of a year of learning. • Grade 4 students have reading losses of between 62 % and 81 % of a year of learning. • These losses imply learning to schooling loss ratios in the region of 1–1.4. • Students with stronger initial reading proficiency are more negatively impacted. Using three different studies on early grade reading from no-fee schools across in South Africa, this paper establishes short-term learning losses in reading for grade 2 and 4 students from under-resourced school contexts. We find that in 2020 grade 2 students lost between 57 % and 70 % of a year of learning relative to their pre-pandemic peers. Among a grade 4 sample, learning losses are estimated at between 62 % and 81 % of a year of learning. Considering that in 2020 students in the samples lost between 56 %–60 % of contact teaching days due to school closures and rotational timetabling schedules compared to a pre-pandemic year, this implies learning to schooling loss ratios in the region of 1–1.4. There is some evidence from the grade 4 sample that the reading trajectories of children benefiting more from attending school pre-pandemic – namely girls and children with stronger initial reading proficiency - are more negatively impacted. Mitigating the long-run implications of these learning losses will require a significant pivoting of the education system to ensure that instructional practices are appropriately levelled to optimise learning.
Keywords: BEGINNING reading; COVID-19; COVID-19 pandemic; Early grade reading; Learning losses; READING (Preschool); READING ability testing; SCHOOL closings; School closure

Impact Evaluation of Funda Wande Coaching Intervention Midline Findings: Midline I - Ardington, Cally; Meiring, Tiaan (SALDRU, 2020)

Impact Evaluation of Funda Wande Coaching Intervention Midline Findings: Midline II - Ardington, Cally (SALDRU, 2021)

COVID-19 and Bangladesh: challenges and how to address them - Anwar, Saeed; Nasrullah, Mohammad; Hosen, Mohammad Jakir (Frontiers in Public Health, 2020)
As the coronavirus outbreak quickly surges worldwide, many countries are adopting non-therapeutic preventive measures, which include travel bans, remote office activities, country lockdown, and most importantly, social distancing. However, these measures face challenges in Bangladesh, a lower-middle-income economy with one of the world's densest populations. Social distancing is difficult in many areas of the country, and with the minimal resources the country has, it would be extremely challenging to implement the mitigation measures. Mobile sanitization facilities and temporary quarantine sites and healthcare facilities could help mitigate the impact of the pandemic at a local level. A prompt, supportive, and empathic collaboration between the Government, citizens, and health experts, along with international assistance, can enable the country to minimize the impact of the pandemic.

The Great Debate: Why Rwanda may be the Best Country to Launch and Scale Your Tech Startup! - Antoun, Nadine (Medium, 2020)

Computational literature reviews: method, algorithms, and roadmap - Antons, D.; Breidbach, C.F.; Joshi, A.M. (Organizational Research Methods, 2021)
Keywords: _Added-ailr-2024; ⛔ No DOI found

Using Technology to Improve Education for Marginalised Girls: Lessons in implementation from the Girls’ Education Challenge - Anonymised for Peer Review Purposes (EdTech Hub, 2023)
This article presents the findings of an in-depth study on the implementation of six EdTech-supported projects within the UK Government Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)’s Girls’ Education Challenge portfolio, which aims to improve education for the world’s most marginalised girls. Using primary key informant interviews and secondary data from sampled projects, the study identifies the core components related to the implementation of EdTech within the sampled projects: evidence-informed design and delivery; building and maintaining relationships across and between stakeholders; comprehensive and continuous training and capacity development; and situating EdTech within a broader holistic model that prioritises gender inclusion to optimise implementation for marginalised girls. In doing so, the study provides key lessons for optimising the future implementation of EdTech for marginalised girls. Keywords: educational technology; girls’ education; programme implementation; Covid-19 An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

How to Improve Education Outcomes Most Efficiently? A Comparison of 150 Interventions Using the New Learning-Adjusted Years of Schooling Metric - Angrist, Noam; Evans, David K.; Filmer, Deon; Glennerster, Rachel; Rogers, F. Halsey; Sabarwal, Shwetlena (Policy Research Working Papers, 2020)
Many low- and middle-income countries lag far behind high-income countries in educational access and student learning. Limited resources mean that policymakers must make tough choices about which investments to make to improve education. Although hundreds of education interventions have been rigorously evaluated, making comparisons between the results is challenging. Some studies report changes in years of schooling; others report changes in learning. Standard deviations, the metric typically used to report learning gains, measure gains relative to a local distribution of test scores. This metric makes it hard to judge if the gain is worth the cost in absolute terms. This paper proposes using learning-adjusted years of schooling (LAYS)—which combines access and quality and compares gains to an absolute, cross-country standard—as a new metric for reporting gains from education interventions. The paper applies LAYS to compare the effectiveness (and cost-effectiveness, where cost is available) of interventions from 150 impact evaluations across 46 countries. The results show that some of the most cost-effective programs deliver the equivalent of three additional years of high-quality schooling (that is, schooling at quality comparable to the highest-performing education systems) for just $100 per child—compared with zero years for other classes of interventions.
Keywords: Cost-Benefit Analysis; Education Outcomes; Government Policy; Impact Evaluation; Learning Loss; Learning-Adjusted Years of Schooling; Public Expenditure; Years of Schooling; ___working_potential_duplicate; ⛔ No DOI found

How to Improve Education Outcomes Most Efficiently? A Comparison of 150 Interventions using the New Learning-Adjusted Years of Schooling Metric - Angrist, Noam; Evans, David K.; Filmer, Deon; Glennerster, Rachel; Rogers, F. Halsey; Sabarwal, Shwetlena (World Bank, 2020)

How to Improve Education Outcomes Most Efficiently? A Comparison of 150 Interventions using the New Learning-Adjusted Years of Schooling Metric - Angrist, Noam; Evans, David K.; Filmer, Deon; Glennerster, Rachel; Rogers, F. Halsey; Sabarwal, Shwetlena (Policy Research Working Papers, 2020)
Keywords: COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS; EDUCATION OUTCOMES; GOVERNMENT POLICY; IMPACT EVALUATION; LEARNING LOSS; PUBLIC EXPENDITURE; SCHOOLING; YEARS OF SCHOOLING

How to Improve Education Outcomes Most Efficiently? A Comparison of 150 Interventions using the New Learning-Adjusted Years of Schooling Metric - Angrist, Noam; Evans, David K.; Filmer, Deon; Glennerster, Rachel; Rogers, F. Halsey; Sabarwal, Shwetlena (World Bank, 2020)

Building back better to avert a learning catastrophe: Estimating learning loss from COVID-19 school shutdowns in Africa and facilitating short-term and long-term learning recovery - Angrist, Noam; de Barros, Andreas; Bhula, Radhika; Chakera, Shiraz; Cummiskey, Chris; DeStefano, Joseph; Floretta, John; Kaffenberger, Michelle; Piper, Benjamin; Stern, Jonathan (International Journal of Educational Development, 2021)
We model learning losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential for cost-effective strategies to build back better. Data from Early Grade Reading Assessments in Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Tanzania, and Uganda suggest half to over a year’s worth of learning loss. In modeling losses over time, we found that learning deficits for a child in grade 3 could lead to 2.8 years of lost learning by grade 10. While COVID-19 has stymied learning, bold, learning-focused reform consistent with the literature reviewed in this paper—specifically reform on targeted instruction and structured pedagogy—could improve learning even beyond pre-COVID-19 levels.
Keywords: COVID-19; Education; Foundational skills; Learning loss; Recovery

Learning Curve: Progress in the Replication Crisis - Angrist, Noam; Cullen, Claire; Ainomugisha, Micheal; Bathena, Sai Pramod; Bergman, Peter; Crossley, Colin; Letsomo, Thato; Matsheng, Moitshepi; Panti, Rene Marlon; Sabarwal, Shwetlena; Sullivan, Tim (AEA Papers and Proceedings, 2023)
We present detailed monitoring data across a five-country randomized trial of phone-based targeted tutoring–one of the largest multicountry replication efforts in education to date. We study an approach shown to work in Botswana and replicated in India, Kenya, Nepal, the Philippines, and Uganda. While the existing literature often finds diminishing effects as proof-of-concept studies are replicated and scaled, we find the opposite: implementation fidelity (the degree of targeted educational instruction) improves across replications and over time. This demonstrates that replication is not intractable; rather, equipped with mechanisms to learn from experience, organizational “learning curves” can enable effective replication and scale-up.

Experimental evidence on learning using low-tech when school is out - Angrist, Noam; Bergman, Peter; Matsheng, Moitshepi (Nature Human Behaviour, 2022)

School’s Out: Experimental Evidence on Limiting Learning Loss Using “Low-Tech” in a Pandemic - Angrist, Noam; Bergman, Peter; Matsheng, Moitshepi (National Bureau of Economic Research, 2020)
Schools closed extensively during the COVID-19 pandemic and occur in other settings, such as teacher strikes and natural disasters. This paper provides some of the first experimental evidence on strategies to minimize learning loss when schools close. We run a randomized trial of low-technology interventions – SMS messages and phone calls – with parents to support their child. The combined treatment cost-effectively improves learning by 0.12 standard deviations. We develop remote assessment innovations, which show robust learning outcomes. Our findings have immediate policy relevance and long-run implications for the role of technology and parents as partial educational substitutes when schooling is disrupted.
Keywords: ___working_potential_duplicate

Practical Lessons for Phone-Based Assessments of Learning - Angrist, Noam; Bergman, Peter; Evans, David K.; Hares, Susannah; Jukes, Matthew C. H.; Letsomo, Thato (BMJ Global Health, 2020)
School closures affecting more than 1.5 billion children are designed to prevent the spread of current public health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic, but they simultaneously introduce education risks as well as new, longer run health risks, via lost education. While some studies measure student involvement in educational activities during the crisis through phone-based surveys, the literature on assessing learning by phone is almost nonexistent, despite the fact that learning loss has major implications for school dropout and rising inequality. In this article, we draw on our pilot testing of phone-based assessments in Botswana, along with the existing literature on oral testing of reading and mathematics, to propose a series of preliminary principles to guide researchers and service providers as they try phone-based learning assessments. We provide guidance to help teams (1) ensure that children are not put at risk, (2) test the reliability and validity of phone-based measures, (3) use simple instructions and practice items to ensure the assessment is focused on the target skill, not general language and test-taking skills, (4) adapt the items from oral assessments that will be most effective in phone-based assessments, (5) keep assessments brief while still gathering meaningful learning data, (6) learn from the speed and confidence of responses, (7) use effective strategies to encourage respondents to pick up the phone, and (8) build rapport with adult caregivers and youth respondents.
Keywords: ___working_potential_duplicate; health economics; health services research; public health; ⛔ No DOI found

Practical Lessons for Phone-Based Assessments of Learning - Angrist, Noam; Bergman, Peter; Evans, David K.; Hares, Susannah; Jukes, Matthew C. H.; Letsomo, Thato (Center for Global Development, 2020)

Stemming Learning Loss During the Pandemic: A Rapid Randomized Trial of a Low-Tech Intervention in Botswana - Angrist, Noam; Bergman, Peter; Brewster, Caton; Matsheng, Moitshepi (SSRN Electronic Journal, 2020)
The COVID-19 pandemic has closed schools for over 1.6 billion children, with potentially long-term consequences. This paper provides some of the ﬁrst experimental evidence on strategies to minimize the fallout of the pandemic on education outcomes. We evaluate two low-technology interventions to substitute schooling during this period: SMS text messages and direct phone calls. We conduct a rapid trial in Botswana to inform real-time policy responses collecting data at four- to six-week intervals. We present results from the ﬁrst wave. We ﬁnd early evidence that both interventions result in cost-eﬀective learning gains of 0.16 to 0.29 standard deviations. This translates to a reduction in innumeracy of up to 52 percent. We ﬁnd increased parental engagement in their child’s education and more accurate parent perceptions of their child’s learning. In a second wave of the trial, we provide targeted instruction, customizing text messages to the child's learning level using data from the ﬁrst wave. The low-tech interventions tested have immediate policy relevance and could have long-run implications for the role of technology and parents as substitutes or complements to the traditional education system.
Keywords: Education; Human Capital; Technology; _COVID_DEAA-List; __C:filed:1; ___working_potential_duplicate

Stemming learning loss during the pandemic: A rapid randomized trial of a low-tech intervention in Botswana - Angrist, Noam; Bergman, Peter; Brewster, Caton; Matsheng, Moitshepi (2020)
The COVID-19 pandemic has closed schools for over 1.6 billion children, with potentially longterm consequences. This paper provides some of the first experimental evidence on strategies to minimize the fallout of the pandemic on education outcomes. We evaluate two low-technology interventions to substitute schooling during this period: SMS text messages and direct phone calls. We conduct a rapid trial in Botswana to inform real-time policy responses collecting data at fourto six-week intervals. We present results from the first wave. We find early evidence that both interventions result in cost-effective learning gains of 0.16 to 0.29 standard deviations. This translates to a reduction in innumeracy of up to 52 percent. We show these results broadly hold with a series of robustness tests that account for differential attrition. We find increased parental engagement in their child’s education and more accurate parent perceptions of their child’s learning. In a second wave of the trial, we provide targeted instruction, customizing text messages to the child's learning level using data from the first wave. The low-tech interventions tested have immediate policy relevance and could have long-run implications for the role of technology and parents as substitutes or complements to the traditional education system.

Stemming learning loss during the pandemic: A rapid randomized trial of a low-tech intervention in Botswana - Angrist, Noam; Bergman, Peter; Brewster, Caton; Matsheng, Moitshepi (2020)
The COVID-19 pandemic has closed schools for over 1.6 billion children, with potentially longterm consequences. This paper provides some of the first experimental evidence on strategies to minimize the fallout of the pandemic on education outcomes. We evaluate two low-technology interventions to substitute schooling during this period: SMS text messages and direct phone calls. We conduct a rapid trial in Botswana to inform real-time policy responses collecting data at fourto six-week intervals. We present results from the first wave. We find early evidence that both interventions result in cost-effective learning gains of 0.16 to 0.29 standard deviations. This translates to a reduction in innumeracy of up to 52 percent. We show these results broadly hold with a series of robustness tests that account for differential attrition. We find increased parental engagement in their child’s education and more accurate parent perceptions of their child’s learning. In a second wave of the trial, we provide targeted instruction, customizing text messages to the child's learning level using data from the first wave. The low-tech interventions tested have immediate policy relevance and could have long-run implications for the role of technology and parents as substitutes or complements to the traditional education system.

Limiting Learning Loss using Phone-based Programming during Covid-19 in Botswana - Angrist, Noam; Bergman, Peter; Brewstar, Caton; Matsheng, Moitshepi (The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), 2020)
Working in Botswana, researchers rapidly evaluated a phone-based remote learning program aimed at keeping children engaged with math during the Covid-19 pandemic. Students who received weekly SMS messages and phone calls to review math exercises increased their math skills after twelve weeks, while students who received only SMS messages did not.

Building Resilient Education Systems: Evidence from Large-Scale Randomized Trials in Five Countries - Angrist, Noam; Ainomugisha, Micheal; Bathena, Sai Pramod; Bergman, Peter; Crossley, Colin; Cullen, Claire; Letsomo, Thato; Matsheng, Moitshepi; Panti, Rene Marlon; Sabarwal, Shwetlena; Sullivan, Tim (National Bureau of Economic Research, 2023)

Distanced and Disadvantaged: A Study on the Effects of COVID-19 on Education for Learners with Disabilities in Kenya, October 2020 - Angoye, James; Mbari-Kirika, Irene; Walker, Bruce; Kavua, Martin (inABLE.org, 2020)

Use of adaptive computer assisted remediation programs to prevent student dropout in the context of COVID-19 - Angel-Urdinola, Diego (2020)

Human Capital Accumulation and Disasters: Evidence from the Pakistan Earthquake of 2005 - Andrabi, Tahir; Daniels, Benjamin; Das, Jishnu (UKAID, Australian Aid, Gates Foundation, and Oxford Policy Management, 2020)
We trace the effects of a devastating earthquake that occurred in Northern Pakistan in 2005. Using a new dataset from a survey conducted four years after the earthquake, we first show that the distance of the household from the fault line was not correlated with pre-existing household characteristics, while it was strongly predictive of earthquake-related damage and mortality. Through emergency relief aid, households living close to the fault line reported receiving substantial cash compensation that amounted to as much as 150 percent of their annual household consumption expenditure. Four years after the earthquake, there were no differences in public infrastructure, household or adult outcomes between areas close to and far from the fault line. However, children in their critical first thousand days at the time of the earthquake accumulated large height deficits, with the youngest the most affected. Children aged 3 through 15 at the time of the earthquake did not suffer growth shortfalls, but scored significantly worse on academic tests if they lived close to the fault line. Finally, children whose mothers completed primary education were fully protected against the emergence of a test score gap. We estimate that if these deficits continue to adult life, the affected children could stand to lose 15 percent of their lifetime earnings. Even when disasters are heavily compensated, human capital accumulation can be critically interrupted, with greater losses for already disadvantaged populations

Loss of brick-and-mortar schooling: How elementary educators respond - Anderson, Emma; Hira, Avneet (Information and Learning Science, 2020)
Purpose: This paper aims to understand how elementary school educators who teach subjects that traditionally require hands-on work in schools are rising to the challenge of losing brick-and-mortar facilities in the wake of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. Design/methodology/approach: The authors interviewed six elementary school educators and developed iterative grounded codes from the interviews to understand how the teachers are rising to the challenge of teaching online, what supports they need, and how they are viewing their roles and student learning in the present landscape. Findings: In response to losing brick-and-mortar schools, teachers are rising to the challenge by creating creative assignments and communicating with students and parents via multiple platforms. They are learning to use technology to create meaningful, socially distant learning experiences and, in the process, blurring their own boundaries between work and life. They exercise compassion for their students while providing the best education they can in these circumstances. Practical implications: This work provides administrators, educators, policymakers and technology developers insight into the challenges teachers are facing. Originality/value: In addition to the timeliness of this study in light of the COVID 19 crisis, the focus on elementary school students, who often need support from parents or guardians to use Web technologies, and subjects traditionally requiring face-to-face interactions and hands-on work contribute to the originality of the study.
Keywords: COVID-19; Compassionate teachers; Educational technology; Elementary school; Hands-on learning; Pandemic; Social distance learning

T-TEL Covid-19 Impact Assessment Study - Ananga, Eric; Kadiri, Abdul-Karim; Kporwodu, Marie; Nkrumah, Yahya; Whajah, Francis; Tackie, Majorie (2021)
Keywords: _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _MELA_seen; _zenodo:submitted

Emergency remote-oriented learning and assessment in teacher education (EROLA) - Anamuah-Mensah, Jophus; Ananga, Eric; Noble-Rogers, Bea; Awuku, Samuel; Fletcher, Jonathan (2020)

Case study: Building strong institutional capacity and expertise in data for decision-making through developing a unified data management system. - Ampofo, Rudolph; Simiyu, Genevieve; Ayinga, Ussif (EdTech Hub, 2024)
An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org/
Keywords: _r:AddedByMyEducationEvidence; coming soon

Mapping EdTech interventions within the Ministry of Education of Ghana. Preliminary Data - Ampofo, Rudolph; Korboe, David; Radford, Kate; Mazari, Haani (EdTech Hub, 2022)
An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

EdTech Horizon Scan: Rapid scan on emerging EdTech research during the Covid-19 pandemic. - Ampofo, Rudolph; Kaye, Tom (EdTech Hub, 2022)
EdTech Hub horizon scans are publications designed to provoke thinking and provide insight into a range of topics related to the design, implementation, oversight, and monitoring and evaluation of educational technology (EdTech) tools, products, services, and related ideas. This edition of the Hub’s Horizon Scan provides a high-level summary of research, blogs, and think-pieces published between October and December 2021, that provide insights and learnings on the adoption and utilisation of EdTech during the Covid-19 pandemic. An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

Analysis of Rural-Based Pre-Service Teachers Spatial-Visualisation Skills in Problem Solving in Vector Calculus Using MATLAB - Amevor, Godfred; Bayaga, Anass; Bosse, Michael (International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 2021)
In science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for instance, interdisciplinary studies have noted positive correlation between spatial-visualization (SV skills) and mathematical problem solving. The majority of these studies sharing a link between SV skills and problem solving were contextualized in urban settings and only a few in rural settings. This investigation analyses how rural-based pre-service teachers apply their SV skills in problem-solving in a South African university, in the context of vector calculus. One hundred rural-based pre-service teachers in a second year vector calculus class at University of Zululand (UNIZULU) were randomly selected into control and experimental groups. MATLAB was used as a dynamic visual tool to analyse how research participants applied their SV skills. A mixed method approach was employed in data collection (quantitative and qualitative). Our findings revealed that the rural-based pre-service teachers’ SV skills correlate with their problem-solving skills in vector calculus.

Maintaining learning continuity during school closure: Community Health Volunteer support for marginalised girls in Kenya - Amenya, Donvan; Fitzpatrick, Rachael; Page, Ella; Naylor, Ruth; Jones, Charlotte; McAleavy, Tony (Education Development Trust, 2020)

The Power of Girls' Reading Camps: Exploring the impact of radio lessons, peer learning and targeted paper-based resources on girls’ remote learning in Kenya - Amenya, Donvan; Fitzpatrick, Rachael; Njeri, M.E.; Naylor, Ruth; Page, Ella; Riggall, Anna (EdTech Hub, 2021)
An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _MELA_seen; _r:AddedByZotZen; _zenodo:submitted

COVID-19 and education: The digital gender divide among adolescents in sub Saharan Africa - Amaro, D.; Pandolfelli, L.; Sanchez-Tapia, I.; Brossard, M. (UNICEF, 2020)
Keywords: ___working_potential_duplicate

Helping families help themselves? Heterogeneous effects of a digital parenting program - Amaral, Sofia; Dinarte Diaz, Lelys; Dominguez, Patricio; Perez-Vincent, Santiago M. (Policy Research Working Papers, 2021)
Parenting practices are crucial for the development of children’s brains and social skills. However, parenting styles may be far from ideal, particularly those of caregivers with high stress levels. Using an individual-level experiment with male and female caregivers of young children in El Salvador, this paper evaluates the impact of a free digital stress management and positive parenting intervention. The results indicate that, for males, the intervention increased stress and anxiety and lowered caregiver-child interactions.

Helping families help themselves: The (Un)intended impacts of a digital parenting program - Amaral, Sofia; Dinarte-Diaz, Lelys; Dominguez, Patricio; Perez-Vincent, Santiago M. (Journal of Development Economics, 2024)
Parenting practices play a crucial role in child development. We evaluate the impact of a free digital stress management and positive parenting intervention designed to improve caregiver’s mental health and positive caregiver–child interactions in El Salvador. Drawing on the prior success of in-person interventions, we study the effects of digital intervention delivery and examine differential treatment effects by caregiver’s sex. Using an individual-level experiment, we find that the intervention increased stress and anxiety and lowered caregiver–child interactions among male caregivers. In contrast, among female caregivers, we did not detect changes in mental health and observed a decrease in the use of physical violence against children. We also find that family structure and the severity of economic deprivation greatly moderated the intervention’s impact, especially among male caregivers. Our findings indicate that one-size-fits-all digital parenting interventions may not serve all caregivers effectively, emphasizing the need for thorough evaluations prior to extensive implementation.
Keywords: Child maltreatment; Mental health; Parental stress; Positive parenting

Towards e-learning in basic schools during Covid-19: Insights from Ghanaian teachers - Amanor-Mfoafo, Naa Kai; Edonu, Kwamina Kurefi; Akrofi, Olivia; Dowuona, Ebenezer Nortei (2020)
In the wake of the current closure of schools in Ghana, basic schools have been tasked to deliver teaching and learning using e-learning. This study seeks to explore the readiness of teachers in Ghanaian basic schools to undertake e-learning. Using an online questionnaire, data was collected from 108 teachers in both private and public basic schools in Ghana. A factor analysis was conducted to identify the challenges that influenced the ability of basic school teachers to teach using e-learning. The study findings indicated that a majority of the teacher participants preferred face-to-face teaching as compared to online teaching. The study recommends that basic schools adopt a blended approach to teaching where teachers can combine both face-to-face methods with e-learning methods. The study contributes to discussions on the transition from conventional teaching methods to E-learning methods in educational institutions across Ghana.

The Latest Tanzanian National Panel Survey Shows Progress in Education - Amankwah, Akuffo; Palacius-Lopez, Amparo; Gul, Maryam (2023)
The state of education in a country has cascading impacts across multiple facets of development. In line with SDG 4, providing equitable quality education remains a key mission for countries, especially those with low literacy rates. Zooming in on Tanzania...

Learning in times of lockdown: how Covid-19 is affecting education and food security in India - Alvi, Muzna; Gupta, Manavi (Food Security, 2020)
A vast majority of the relief and rehabilitation packages announced in the months following the nationwide lockdown in India have focused on economic rehabilitation. However, the education sector has remained absent from this effort, including in India’s central government’s 250 billion dollar stimulus package. In this paper, we discuss the implications of lockdown-induced school and rural child-care center closures on education and health outcomes for the urban and rural poor. We especially focus on food and nutritional security of children who depend on school feeding and supplementary nutrition programs. We argue that the impacts are likely to be much more severe for girls as well as for children from already disadvantaged ethnic and caste groups. We also discuss ways in which existing social security programs can be leveraged and strengthened to ameliorate these impacts.

الامتحانات عبر الإنترنت في سياقات الطوارئ: هل المراقبة، والتقنيات الأخرى، مجدية في سوريا لتيسير عقد امتحانات تشمل جميع الطلاب؟ - AlSheikhTheeb, Thaer; Sahin, AynurGul; Abdelrahman, Salma; Chuang, Rachel; Affolter, Friedrich; AlMekdad, Bayan; Sabboura, Rani; Sheqem, Yazeed (EdTech Hub, 2022)
كلمات مفتاحية: الامتحانات عبر الإنترنت، تكنولوجيا مراقبة الامتحانات، سياقات الطوارئ، سوريا خلاصة: الغرض من هذه الوثيقة تقديم دليل يمكن استخدامه من قبل الممارسين في مجال التعليم العاملين في سياقات الطوارئ لتقييم مدى جدوى تنفيذ الامتحانات الإلكترونية واستخدام تكنولوجيا مراقبة الامتحانات. سيتطلب عقد الامتحانات عالية المخاطر عبر الإنترنت في سوريا وفي سياقات طوارئ أخرى استثمارات كبيرة لتحقيق المتطلبات الأساسية اللازمة للجدوى والمصداقية. تشمل هذه المتطلبات الأساسية الكهرباء والإنترنت والأجهزة، بالإضافة إلى تطوير المهارات الرقمية اللازمة للطلاب لتقديم الامتحانات عبر الإنترنت وللمعلمين والإداريين لتيسير الامتحانات عبر الإنترنت. ينبغي بذل المزيد من الجهود لمنع تسريب المعلومات حول الأسئلة ومحتوى الامتحانات، ولتشجيع التغيير الثقافي حول الامتحانات عبر الإنترنت. An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

Online Examinations in Emergency Contexts: Can Proctoring and Other Technologies Be Feasible Alternatives for Facilitating Inclusive School Exams for All in Emergency Contexts? - AlSheikhTheeb, Thaer; Sahin, AynurGul; Abdelrahman, Salma; Chuang, Rachel; Affolter, Friedrich; Al Mekdad, Bayan; Sabboura, Rani; Shequem, Yazeed (EdTech Hub, 2022)
The purpose of this document is to serve as a guide that education practitioners working in emergency contexts can use to assess the feasibility of implementing online examinations and using proctoring technologies. The implementation of online high-stakes examinations in Syria and other emergency contexts will require significant investments in achieving the prerequisites needed for feasibility and credibility. Prerequisites include electricity, internet, and devices, as well as the development of the digital skills necessary for students to participate in online exams and for teachers and administrators to facilitate online exams. Further efforts are needed to prevent leakage of information on exam questions and content, and promote cultural change around online examinations. Key words: online examinations; proctoring technologies; emergency contexts; Syria An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

Key considerations when developing an ICT in Education strategy - AlSheikhTheeb, Thaer; Chuang, Rachel; Pandit, Sanjana (EdTech Hub, 2022)
This report was commissioned by UNICEF and produced under UNICEF and EdTech Hub’s global partnership, in response to a request from the UNICEF Laos team that was submitted to the EdTech Hub Helpdesk. It presents key considerations on the overarching process to develop an ICT in Education strategy (e.g., components, stakeholders, timelines) and lists examples of other national ICT in Education and EdTech strategies. Keywords: EdTech strategies; ICT in Education strategies An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

Guidance on Community Mobilisation for Girls’ Education - AlSheikh Theeb, Thaer; McGinty, Sara; Obaid, Rasha (EdTech Hub, 2022)
An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: F: Helpdesk response; _r:AddedByZotZen

Guidance on Pre-Assessment for Establishing E-Learning Centres - AlSheikh Theeb, Thaer; McGinty, Sara; Obaid, Rasha (EdTech Hub, 2022)
An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

Engaging Girls with E-Learning: A curated list of good practices - AlSheikh Theeb, Thaer (EdTech Hub, 2022)
An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: Helpdesk Response; _r:AddedByZotZen

Exploring the critical challenges and factors influencing the e-learning system usage during COVID-19 pandemic - Almaiah, Mohammed Amin; Al-Khasawneh, Ahmad; Althunibat, Ahmad (Education and Information Technologies, 2020)
The provision and usage of online and e-learning system is becoming the main challenge for many universities during COVID-19 pandemic. E-learning system such as Blackboard has several fantastic features that would be valuable for use during this COVID-19 pandemic. However, the successful usage of e-learning system relies on understanding the adoption factors as well as the main challenges that face the current e-learning systems. There is lack of agreement about the critical challenges and factors that shape the successful usage of e-learning system during COVID-19 pandemic; hence, a clear gap has been identified in the knowledge on the critical challenges and factors of e-learning usage during this pandemic. Therefore, this study aims to explore the critical challenges that face the current e-learning systems and investigate the main factors that support the usage of e-learning system during COVID-19 pandemic. This study employed the interview method using thematic analysis through NVivo software. The interview was conducted with 30 students and 31 experts in e-learning systems at six universities from Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The findings of this study offer useful suggestions for policy-makers, designers, developers and researchers, which will enable them to get better acquainted with the key aspects of the e-learning system usage successfully during COVID-19 pandemic.

Guidance note on using implementation research in education - Allison, C (Building Evidence in Education (BE2 ), 2023)

Your Questions Answered: Using Technology to Support Gender Equity, Social Inclusion and Out-Of-School Learning - Allier-Gagneur, Zoé; Moss Coflan, Caitlin (EdTech Hub, 2020)
EdTech Hub participated in a Girls’ Education Challenge webinar in May 2020, which welcomed stakeholders from countries including the UK, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Nepal. The session focused on issues regarding gender and social inclusion during the Covid-19 crisis. This document provides answers to a list of 10 questions received from stakeholders.
Keywords: F: Helpdesk response; L:Gender and education; L:Out-of-school populations; LP: English; _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _GS:indexed; _MELA_seen; ___working_potential_duplicate; _cover:v1; _r:CopiedFromEvLib; _zenodoETH; dode_eth-src-dode

Characteristics of effective teacher education in low- and middle-income countries: What are they and what role can EdTech play? - Allier-Gagneur, Zoe; McBurnie, Chris; Chuang, Rachel; Haßler, Björn (EdTech Hub, 2020)
This paper analyses a range of literature reviews to identify characteristics of effective teacher education, including focusing on practical subject pedagogy; incorporating peer support and; creating a coherent policy environment.
Keywords: E:Pedagogy; E:Teacher education (pre-service and in-service); F: Helpdesk response; LP: English; _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _MELA_seen; _forthcoming; _zenodoETH:submitted; _zenodoODE; docs.opendeved.net; dode_eth-src-eth; dode_eth-trf2-dode

Conseils pour l’introduction de la technologie en classe Liste de sources annotée - Allier-Gagneur, Zoé; Lwamba, Etienne (EdTech Hub, 2020)
Cette liste de sources annotée a pour but d’informer la prise de décisions des acteurs du domaine de l’éducation concernant l’introduction de technologies en classe dans les pays à revenu faible et intermédiaire. Cette liste est une introduction qui expose de façon informelle certains des conseils généraux que prodiguent souvent les experts de l’EdTech Hub.
Keywords: F: Helpdesk response; LP: French; _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _MELA_seen; _cover:v1; _zenodo:submitted; _zenodoETH

Using Blended Learning to Support Marginalised Adolescent Girls’ Education: A Review of the Evidence - Allier-Gagneur, Zoé; Chuang, Rachel; McBurnie, Chris; Haßler, Björn (EdTech Hub, 2020)
This topic brief reviews evidence about the use of blended learning to support the education of marginalised adolescent girls in low- and middle- income countries.
Keywords: F: Helpdesk response; H:Blended learning; L:Gender and education; LP: English; _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _MELA_seen; ___working_potential_duplicate; _zenodo:submitted; _zenodoETH; _zenodoETH:submitted; dode_eth-src-eth; dode_eth-trf2-dode

Whose Data is it Anyway?: Decoding the Draft India Data Accessibility & Use Policy, 2022 - Alliance for Digital India Foundation (2022)
If India wants to fulfil its ambition of achieving a $5 trillion economy, it has to hone its ability of harnessing the value of data.

From luxury to lifeline: Reducing the cost of mobile devices to reach universal internet access. - Alliance for Affordable Internet (Web Foundation, 2020)
Keywords: ___working_potential_duplicate

Effectiveness of Multimodal Microlearning for In-Service Teacher Training - Allela, Melisa Achoko; Ogange, Betty Obura; Junaid, Muhammad Ibn; Charles, Prince Brainard (Journal of Learning for Development, 2020)
To meet the growing demand for continuing professional development of practising teachers, the integrated in-service teacher training (INSET) programme aims at making permanent improvements on the quality of teaching and learning for Junior Secondary School (JSS) Teachers in Sierra Leone. Within this context, a toolkit for School-Based Teacher Development was created and microlearning identified as an ideal mode to deliver the toolkit content. In this paper, we present the design considerations that informed this decision as well as challenges and lessons learned from the first implementation of the INSET project for junior secondary school teachers in Sierra Leone. A multimodal approach was considered and implemented to mitigate Internet access challenges and to expand learning opportunities. These include a mobile app version of the Toolkit, offline access to microlearning resources on the TeacherFutures platform via the Moodle mobile app, a mobile app version of one INSET module, an e-portfolio to be used by participants in sharing their learnings as demonstrated and practised during a face-to-face roll-out seminar, and finally, WhatsApp groups in which different schools engaged in discussions based on the questions on the Toolkit. Preliminary findings indicate a strong preference among participants for the use of WhatsApp as the main channel of communication within the communities of practice; and very limited use of the main e-learning Moodle platform and e-Portfolio. This necessitates a need to critically evaluate the effectiveness of the design of a multimodal approach for delivering microlearning content. From this, we seek to establish a set of design considerations, capacity building and technical support issues derived from analysis of data emerging from the ongoing project rollout. This will inform future integration of Microlearning resources in the teacher training project.
Keywords: Barriers; Communities of Practice; Electronic Learning; Foreign Countries; Inservice Teacher Education; Integrated Learning Systems; Internet; Multimedia Materials; Portfolios (Background Materials); Professional Continuing Education; Professional Development; Program Effectiveness; Secondary School Teachers; Social Media; Synchronous Communication; Teacher Collaboration; Teacher Competencies; Workshops

Allama Iqbal Open University - Allama Iqbal Open University (2020)

Balloons to Deliver Emergency Internet Across Kenya - Alison, Buckholtz (2020)
Telkom Kenya-Loon partnership will result in country-wide 4G connectivity during pandemic, boosting government services.

Gender, power and progress: How norms change - ALiGN (Align Platform, 2020)
This report is about gender norms – the implicit informal rules about appropriate behaviour for people of different genders – that most people accept and follow. It is about the ways in which gender equality, women’s and girls’ rights and the norms that shape the ability to claim those rights, have progressed over time. It examines how gender norms have changed in the 25 years since the UN’s Beijing Platform for Action on women’s rights was set out in 1995, and their role in progress and setbacks to achieving these rights.

Responding to Iraq’s learning crisis - Ali, Laila (UNICEF Connect, 2020)
Amidst the devastation in Mosul's Old City, UNICEF supports the rehabilitation of primary education for a safe environment that’s conducive to learning.

Pakistan personal data protection bill termed vague - Pakistan - DAWN.COM - Ali, Kalbe (2021)

Methodological Guidance Paper: The Art and Science of Quality Systematic Reviews - Alexander, Patricia A. (Review of Educational Research, 2020)
The purpose of this article is to overview various challenges that prospective authors of quality systematic reviews should be prepared to address. These challenges pertain to all phases of the review process: from posing a critical question worthy of pursuit and executing a search procedure that is appropriately framed and transparently recorded, to discerning patterns and trends within the resulting data that speak directly to the critical question framing the review. For each of these challenges, suggestions are offered as to how authors might respond so as to enhance the quality of the review process and increase the value of findings for educational research, practice, and policymaking.
Keywords: ___working_potential_duplicate; critical questions; literature search; systematic review

From Assessment to Action: Lessons from the Development of Theories of Change with the People's Action for Learning Network - Alcott, Benjamin; Rose, Pauline; Sabates, Ricardo; Ellison, Christine (Global Education Review, 2020)
In recent years, much attention has been given to extremely poor levels of learning outcomes in low-and lower-middle income countries. Citizen-led assessments have played a vital role in highlighting this "learning crisis." Having developed these citizen-led assessments, members of the People's Action for Learning (PAL) Network are now increasingly devising and implementing actions aimed at tackling the learning crisis in different country contexts. This article documents the process we undertook of developing theories of change with PAL Network members across 10 countries to inform their shift from assessment of children's learning to action aimed at raising learning outcomes. The article highlights, in particular, the importance for theories of change to take account of context in identifying appropriate actions. Based on their country circumstances, the actions identified by PAL Network members vary, for example, from using assessment data to influence national government reform, to more localized activities associated with "teaching at the right level." For appropriate actions to tackle the learning crisis to be identified and successfully implemented, an important lesson from the PAL Network experience is the need to enable South-to-South learning and adaptation. As such, the article highlights a pressing need for flexible and iterative theories of change that reflect contextual realities.
Keywords: Agency Cooperation; Change Strategies; Citizen Participation; Cultural Differences; Educational Assessment; Educational Change; Foreign Countries; Government Role; Low Income Groups; Middle Class; Networks; Parent Role; School Role; Socioeconomic Influences; Theories; ⛔ No DOI found

COVID-19: Effects of School Closures on Foundational Skills and Promising Practices for Monitoring and Mitigating Learning Loss - Alban Conto, Carolina; Akseer, Spogmai; Dreesen, Thomas; Kamei, Akito; Mizunoya, Suguru; Rigole, Annika (Innocenti Working Paper, 2020)
Keywords: ___working_potential_duplicate; ⛔ No DOI found

Influence of COVID-19 on Students’ Sign Language Learning in a Teacher-Preparation Program in Saudi Arabia: Moving to E-Learning - Alawajee, Omar (Contemporary Educational Technology, 2021)

Tackling inequity in education during and after COVID-19 - Alasuutari, Hannah (UKFIET, 2020)

Putting the ‘learning’ back in remote learning - Alam, Andaleeb; Tiwari, Priyamvada (UNICEF, 2020)

Personalized learning - Alam, Andaleeb; Castillo (UNICEF Office of Global Insight & Policy, 2022)
A landscape analysis of tech-enabled personalized learning solutions in developing country contexts.

Reaching Children & Students in Remote Locations - Aladin, Katija (2020)
During this educational shift from school to home, how are we addressing the needs of students in remote locations with little to no access to connectivity? From providing educational content through Whatsapp, Facebook messenger to accessing online content offline, these innovative ideas are helping children and families connect with teachers and lessons in other ways than online.

The Role of Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers in Improving Education Outcomes - Al-Samarrai, Samer; Lewis, Blane (World Bank, 2021)
The majority of the world’s children live in countries where local governments are responsible for the provision of basic education services. Although subnational governments manage their own education systems, they often rely on transfers from the central government for funding. The main purpose of this study is to assess how these fiscal transfers affect public funding for education and how they ultimately affect student schooling and learning outcomes. Through a careful analysis of how fiscal transfers have affected education systems in different contexts, the investigation develops a set of principles to support improvements in the design and implementation of transfer systems with a specific focus on the provision of education services. The study is centered on seven country case studies that aim to answer a set of common research questions using a similar approach. Country case studies were conducted in Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Sudan, and Uganda. The analysis shows that fiscal transfer mechanisms can improve the adequacy of public education spending, reduce spending inequalities between regions, and improve spending efficiency. Moreover, the study highlights that carefully designed and implemented transfer systems can help raise overall education outcomes and reduce education inequality. This publication was funded by a grant from the Results in Education for All Children (REACH) trust fund at the World Bank. REACH is supported by the government of Germany through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the government of Norway through NORAD, and the government of the United States of America through the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Keywords: Education; Education Equity; Education Finance; Education Outcomes; Education Spending; Fiscal Decentralization; Fiscal Transfers; Public Expenditure

Education Finance Watch 2021 - Al-Samarrai, Samer; Cerdan-Infantes, Pedro; Bigarinova, Aliya; Bodmer, Juanita; Vital, Marianne Joy Anacleto; Antoninis, Manos; Bakarat, Bilal Fouad; Murakami, Yuki (World Bank Group, 2021)
Education Finance Watch 2021 (English)

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Education Financing - Al-Samarrai, Samer (World Bank, 2020)

Jordan’s EdTech response to COVID-19 - Al-Hindawi, Hind; Hashem, Lina (EdTech Hub, 2020)
Keywords: _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _MELA_seen; _cover:v2; _zenodo:submitted; _zenodoETH

Cost-Effective Approaches to Improve Global Learning - What does recent evidence tell us are “Smart Buys” for improving learning in low- and middle-income countries? - Akyeampong, K; Andrabi, T; Banerjee, A; Banerji, R; Dynarski, S; Glennerster, R; Grantham-McGregor, S; Muralidharan, K; Piper, B; Ruto, S; Saavedra, J; Schmelkes, S; et al. (FCDO, the World Bank, UNICEF, and USAID, 2023)

2023 Cost-Effective Approaches to Improve Global Learning - What does recent evidence tell us are “Smart Buys” for improving learning in low- and middle-income countries? - Akyeampong, K; Andrabi, A; Banerjee, A; Banerji, R; Dynarski, S; Glennerster, R; Grantham-McGregor, S; Muralidharan, K; Piper, B; Ruto, S; Saavedra, J; Schmelkes, S; et al. (FCDO, the World Bank, UNICEF, and USAID, 2023)

COVID-19 in Pakistan: A Phone Survey to Assess Education, Economic, and Health-Related Outcomes - Akmal, Maryam; Crawfurd, Lee; Hares, Susannah; Minardi, Ana Luiza (2020)
Using a sample of 1,211 households in Pakistan, we examine the effects of COVID-19 on three key domains: education, economic, and health-related. F...
Keywords: ___working_potential_duplicate

Gendered Impacts of COVID-19 School Closures: Insights from Frontline Organizations - Akmal, Maryam (2020)
COVID-19 school closures pose significant operational and financial risks to frontline organizations delivering vital education services, including non-governmental organizations, school operators, and other service providers. In this survey, we ask these organizations about the challenges they are facing in light of COVID-19 closures, particularly for girls. The responses shed light on how COVID-19 is affecting education service operations—and what providers are doing in response. We uncover three major findings. First, 69 percent of the respondents believe that girls are at a greater risk than boys from COVID-19 school closures, with more than half of those respondents citing girls’ exposure to gender-based violence as a major concern. Second, close to half (42 percent) of the respondents report that their organization is experiencing budget cuts, with 73 percent of those respondents citing a drop in funding from private and philanthropic donors. Third, despite the financial and operational disruptions due to school closures and lockdowns, 89 percent of the respondents report planning and delivering additional vital interventions during the pandemic. It is crucial, now more than ever, that donors and policymakers support and engage with frontline organizations delivering vital services for girls and their communities.
Keywords: ⛔ No DOI found

Akello Digital Classroom | Home - Akello Digital Classroom (2020)

Nudging Parents to Increase Preschool Attendance in Uruguay - Ajzenman, Nicolas; Luna, Laura; Hernández-Agramonte, Juan; Boo, Florencia; Vásquez-Echeverría, Alejandro; Diaz, Mercedes (SSRN Electronic Journal, 2022)

Altruism or Money?: Reducing Teacher Sorting Using BehavioUral Strategies in Peru - Ajzenman, Nicolás; Bertoni, Eleonora; Elacqua, Gregory; Marotta, Luana; Méndez, Carolina (Inter-American Development Bank, 2020)

Teacher Training Programs - AIMS Rwanda (2020)

Education and Covid-19 response: bringing schools and learning back on track - Ahmed, Manzoor; Rahaman, Mostafizur; Hossain, Syed Shahadat; Ahmed, Ghiasuddin (Education Watch/Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE), 2020)

The Role of Evidence in Policymaking in Pakistan: Political Economy Analysis Report - Ahmed, K; Ahmed, V; Javed, S.A.; Jillani, A; Khan, A; Khaver, A.A; Nadeem, U; Pellani, A; Shah, Q; Shaxson, L; Suleri, A.Q; Zaidi, A; et al. (Oxford Policy Management, 2020)

Evaluating Pre-Service Teaching Practice for Online and Distance Education Students in Pakistan: Evaluation of Teaching Practice - Ahmed Abdullah, Nauman; Sultana Mirza, Munawar (International review of research in open and distance learning, 2020)
In addition to conventional modes, teacher education programs in Pakistan are also offered through online and distance education. Teaching practice is a significant component of pre-service teacher education programs. Assessing the quality of teaching practice for pre-service student teachers is important, as these modules train the prospective teachers for their professional teaching careers. Virtual University of Pakistan (VU), an online university, offers pre-service teacher education programs. This research is an investigation into the learning opportunities and practices of VU student teachers in their teaching practice modules. Students enrolled in different teacher education programs served as the population of this study. Those in the fall 2018 semester who were enrolled in teaching practice modules were selected as a sample. Data sources included lesson plans prepared, lessons delivered, administrative and co-curricular duties performed by the students, as well as evaluation reports by supervisors, cooperating teachers, and school principals. There were improvements in the student teachers’ lesson plan formation and their overall learning. Data obtained through personal visits by VU faculty was used to verify and assess actual classroom teaching. Lack of regular attendance and punctuality by student teachers was observed as a result. Internal review of the VU system as it relates to the teaching practice modules was conducted to address any shortcomings in the course(s), its procedures, and its controls. Recommendations for improving the system, such as grading the modules, peer-assessment, and orientation workshops for student teachers are provided, as well as suggestions for developments in the teaching practice modules themselves.

Mental health and learning: BRAC’s response in Bangladesh during Covid-19 - Ahmad, J; Mariam, E; Sadaf, B; Sarwar, S; Siddique, S; Zaman, S (2020)

Integrating ICT into schools in Sub-Saharan Africa: from teachers’ capacity building to classroom implementation - Agyei, D. D (Education and Information Technologies, 2021)
This study followed up on a selected cohort of 4945 Science, Technology, English and Mathematics (STEM) teacher participants from six Sub-Saharan African countries namely: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana and Nigeria. The teachers were involved in an instructional digital professional development programme targeted at building their capacity to embed ICT into school organizational and curriculum practices. This study sought to evaluate the impact of the ICT- instructional professional development programme in relation to the quality and the extent of the teachers’ transfer of the programme’s ideas from capacity building to classroom instructional practices. Data for the study were collected using semi-structured survey instrument and diaries kept to maintain records of activities and events during the period of implementation. Findings revealed that the teachers expressed general satisfaction with content and processes of the training programme; however, essential conditions to support transfer of the training’s ideas to school level seemed not adequate during the period of implementation. Implications for effective professional development in integrating ICT into school organization and curriculum practices that have sustainable impact on teaching and learning particularly in Sub-Saharan regions and similar contexts are discussed.

Scopus AI Beta: functional analysis and cases - Aguilera Cora, Elisenda; Lopezosa, Carlos; Codina, Lluís (2024)
Academic databases are a fundamental source for identifying relevant literature in a field of study. Scopus contains more than 90 million records and indexes around 12,000 documents per day. However, this context and the cumulative nature of science itself make it difficult to selectively identify information. In addition, academic database search tools are not very intuitive, and require an iterative and relatively slow process of searching and evaluation. In response to these challenges, Elsevier has launched Scopus AI, currently in its Beta version. As the product is still under development, the current user experience is not representative of the final product. Scopus AI is an artificial intelligence that generates short synthesis of the documents indexed in the database, based on instructions or prompts. This study examines the interface and the main functions of this tool and explores it on the basis of three case studies. The functional analysis shows that the Scopus AI Beta interface is intuitive and easy to use. Elsevier's AI tool allows the researcher to obtain an overview of a problem, as well as to identify authors and approaches, in a more agile search session than conventional search. Scopus AI Beta is not a substitute for conventional search in all cases, but it is an accelerator of academic processes. It is a valuable tool for literature reviews, construction of theoretical frameworks and verification of relationships between variables, among other applications that are actually impossible to delimit.
Keywords: ⛔ No DOI found

Online learning in higher education during COVID-19 pandemic: A case of ghana - AGORMEDAH, Edmond Kwesi; HENAKU, Eugene ADU; AYİTE, Desire Mawuko Komla; ANSAH, Enoch APORİ (Journal of Educational Technology and Online Learning, 2020)
Keywords: ⛔ No DOI found

Ghana’s education response during the COVID-19 crisis: EdTech to the rescue? - Agbe, Edem; Sefa-Nyarko, Clement (EdTech Hub, 2020)
Keywords: _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _MELA_seen; ___working_potential_duplicate; _zenodo:submitted; _zenodoETH

With the largest share of funding, test prep startups leading the EdTech charge in India - Agarwal, Meha (2020)

Semi-supervised learning to perceive children's affective states in a tablet tutor - Agarwal, Mansi; Mostow, Jack (2020)

Advancing education and speech recognition in Nigeria with AI and machine learning - Agajo, J; Shuaibu, A; Guda, B (2020)

Tech-enhanced Continuous Professional Development​ - Aga Khan University (2022)
As a private, non-denominational university, AKU is committed to quality education and promoting human welfare through teaching, research and community service initiatives.

Pakistan - Aga Khan Development Network (2020)

All Tanzania schools reopen amid strict virus protocols - AfricaNews (Africanews, 2020)
The government on the other hand has issued stringent measures to be followed even as schools are reopening to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus among students.

Coronavirus: Rwanda and Malawi shut schools as cases surge - AfricaNews (Africanews, 2021)
Africa has reported over 3.1 million cases and more than 76,000 deaths since the outbreak started,

Late resumption of schools in Senegal amid COVID safety concerns - AfricaNews (Africanews, 2020)
In the Senegalese capital of Dakar, pupils, parents and teachers return to the Lycée Ousmane Sembène for the start of a new school year

Schools in Ghana reopen as covid-19 cases surge - AfricaNews (Africanews, 2021)
Temperature checks and mandatory wearing of masks as schools in Ghana reopen for the 2020/2021 calendar after ten months of closure. The shutdown of the academic calendar was in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus in March last year.

Dialling up Learning: Testing the Impact of Delivering Educational Content via Interactive Voice Response to Students and Teachers in Ghana - Afoakwah, Edmund; Carballo, Francisco; Caro, Alex; D’Cunha, Samantha; Dobrowolski, Stephanie; Fallon, Alexandra (EdTech Hub, 2021)
This study explores the potential impact of interactive audio content for students and teachers delivered via Interactive Voice Response (IVR) in Ghana following the reopening of schools. The content for the lessons was drawn from the Rising On Air (ROA) audio library, a 20-week programme developed by Rising Academies to support student learning over the radio during Covid-19 pandemic-related school closures. Rising Academies’ 30 low-cost private primary schools, known as Omega schools, were included in a randomised controlled trial. Half of the schools were randomised to receive the student intervention and the other half to receive the teacher intervention. Of the total sample of 1,359 students, 719 students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 received daily audio lessons that focused on foundational numeracy skills. Of the total sample of 333 teachers, 160 teachers received weekly professional development sessions focused on the instruction of foundational reading. In the student intervention, no significant effect was found on students’ math skills and although the majority of students reported liking the intervention and wanting it to continue, engagement was a significant challenge. Results from the teacher intervention indicated an improvement in teachers’ understanding of phonemic awareness, phonics, and morphology. Teachers’ beliefs about their ability to improve student learning in the areas of reading and engagement also increased, but the potential impact on student outcomes was not measured. Differences between the student and teacher interventions suggest some important considerations for future interventions delivered via IVR and highlight some of the challenges as well as potential opportunities for more effective low-tech solutions. An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

Dialling up Learning: Testing the Impact of Delivering Educational Content via Interactive Voice Response to Students and Teachers in Ghana - Afoakwah, Edmund; Carballo, Francisco; Caro, Alex; D’Cunha, Samantha; Dobrowolski, Stephanie; Fallon, Alexandra (EdTech Hub, 2021)
This study explores the potential impact of interactive audio content for students and teachers delivered via Interactive Voice Response (IVR) in Ghana following the reopening of schools. The content for the lessons was drawn from the Rising On Air (ROA) audio library, a 20-week programme developed by Rising Academies to support student learning over the radio during Covid-19 pandemic-related school closures. Rising Academies’ 30 low-cost private primary schools, known as Omega schools, were included in a randomised controlled trial. Half of the schools were randomised to receive the student intervention and the other half to receive the teacher intervention. Of the total sample of 1,359 students, 719 students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 received daily audio lessons that focused on foundational numeracy skills. Of the total sample of 333 teachers, 160 teachers received weekly professional development sessions focused on the instruction of foundational reading. In the student intervention, no significant effect was found on students’ math skills and although the majority of students reported liking the intervention and wanting it to continue, engagement was a significant challenge. Results from the teacher intervention indicated an improvement in teachers’ understanding of phonemic awareness, phonics, and morphology. Teachers’ beliefs about their ability to improve student learning in the areas of reading and engagement also increased, but the potential impact on student outcomes was not measured. Differences between the student and teacher interventions suggest some important considerations for future interventions delivered via IVR and highlight some of the challenges as well as potential opportunities for more effective low-tech solutions. An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

A rapid assessment: Impact of COVID-19 on Education in Bangladesh - Advocacy for Social Change, BRAC; BRAC Education Programme (2020)

Investigating the Impact on Learning Outcomes Through the Use of EdTech During Covid-19: Evidence from an RCT in the Punjab province of Pakistan - Adil, Fareeha; Nazir, Rabia; Akhtar, Misbah (EdTech Hub, 2021)
The objective of the current study is to test the impact of low-tech solutions on maths, Urdu, and English scores for students in the underdeveloped district of Bahawalnagar, which is situated in the southern part of Punjab in Pakistan. The target population for this study is Grade 8 students attending private schools. We have tested the impact of three interventions, namely: Teaching at the right level (TaRL), Fortnightly assessments (FAS) Digital teacher training sessions (DTS) Our findings show a significant and positive ‘Intention to Treat’ (ITT) impact on Urdu and English scores of the students in the TaRL treatment group. The students increased their English and Urdu scores by 0.56 SD. However, we found no significant impact of the intervention on maths scores in the TaRL treatment group. Fortnightly assessments and digital teacher training sessions were also found to contribute to higher English scores of the students. However, we found no ITT impact on the maths and Urdu scores for these treatment groups. The Local Average Treatment Effect (LATE) analysis revealed positive and significant improvement in Urdu and English scores of the students in the TaRL treatment group. Key stakeholders whom we interviewed suggested that redesigning the curriculum and incorporating TaRL within this approach could facilitate enhancement in learning outcomes in students in deprived areas. Our findings are important to help inform policymakers on the importance of designing and implementing cost-effective, low-tech solutions to help reduce learning gaps. An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

Covid-19 pandemic and online learning: the challenges and opportunities - Adedoyin, Olasile Babatunde; Soykan, Emrah (Interactive Learning Environments, 2020)
The World Health Organization has declared Covid-19 as a pandemic that has posed a contemporary threat to humanity. This pandemic has successfully forced global shutdown of several activities, including educational activities, and this has resulted in tremendous crisisresponse migration of universities with online learning serving as the educational platform. The crisis-response migration methods of universities, faculty and students, challenges and opportunities were discussed and it is evident that online learning is diﬀerent from emergency remote teaching, online learning will be more sustainable while instructional activities will become more hybrid provided the challenges experienced during this pandemic are well explored and transformed to opportunities.

Teacher Training and Support in Africa during the COVID-19 Pandemic. - ADEA; AU/CIEFFA; APHRC (Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA); African Union’s International Center for Girls’ and Women’s Education in Africa (AU/CIEFFA); African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), 2022)

“I’m not against online teaching, but what about us?”: ICT in Ghana post Covid-19 - Adarkwah, Michael Agyemang (Education and Information Technologies, 2020)
Globally, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is regarded as a dependable vehicle for facilitating educational reform and development, a platform for communication, and as a means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal Four (SDG 4). Since the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and declaration of the SDG 4, many countries have opted to embrace the lifelong education for all by integrating ICT in teaching and learning at all school levels. The Ghanaian Government’s initiative to ensure “education anytime anywhere for everyone” by revolutionizing teaching and learning through ICT has faced a lot of challenges and criticisms. The main mission of the Ghana ICT for Accelerated Development (ICT4AD) in 2003 was to transform Ghana into an information and technology-driven high-income economy through education, but this goal is yet to be realized. In the wake of the COVID-19 which has forced many countries and educational sectors to adopt online learning, there is a need to discuss the effectiveness of online learning and barriers to online learning in the developing contexts, and how to successfully integrate ICT in schools for online learning, especially rural schools where students’ educational careers are in jeopardy because they benefit less from online learning. The paper identifies critical factors that affect online learning, recommends post COVID-19 strategies to promote e-learning for policymakers in education and the government, and concludes with a conceptual model for emergency transition to e-learning.

Decolonising EdTech: A resource list for tackling coloniality and digital neocolonialism in EdTech - Adam, Taskeen; Sarwar, Moizza Binat; Moustafa, Nariman (EdTech Hub, 2022)
An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: ___working_potential_duplicate; _r:AddedByZotZen

Tackling coloniality in EdTech: Making your offering inclusive and socially just - Adam, Taskeen; Moustafa, Nariman; Sarwar, MoizzaBinat (2022)
On 29 June 2022, Bertha Centre, EdTech Hub, Open Development & Education and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) presented a workshop on Tackling Coloniality in EdTech. The workshop was hosted by Ntombini Marrengane (Bertha Institute). This slide deck shares the resources and activities used at the workshop, in the hope that it inspires others to host similar workshops that critically reflect on how coloniality can be embedded in EdTech designs, projects, programmes, processes, structures, values, knowledge systems, and philosophies.
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

Decolonising EdTech: Unpacking Conceptual Frameworks. Writers Workshop 1 - Adam, Taskeen; Moustafa, Nariman (EdTech Hub, 2023)
An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

How Can EMIS be Designed and Implemented in Ways That Make Them Used and Useful? - Adam, Taskeen; Mitchell, Joel (EdTech Hub, 2024)
This Learning Brief is part of the EdTech Hub Learning Brief Series, providing practical resources for people working to improve the use of technology in education. In this brief, we look at education management information systems (EMIS). EMIS are pivotal in educational administration, facilitating the digitisation of processes and data to enable informed decision-making. However, persistent challenges impede their effectiveness. We examine why it is vital to consider how EMIS are designed and implemented, particularly with regard to the needs and contexts of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We consider constraints in technical capacity, limited funding, and insufficient user engagement. We identify concrete, evidence-based recommendations for how to make EMIS useful and used more frequently based on current and recent research. To enhance EMIS efficacy, there is a need to underscore utility and usability, ensuring the collection of pertinent data and user-friendly interfaces. Furthermore, the social implications of EMIS data on individuals and communities must be considered in order to meet their needs. We also explore areas for further consideration and include lists of resources relevant to EMIS and questions and solutions to consider. Keywords: education management information systems (EMIS); low- and middle-income countries (LMICs); user-centred design; evidence-based decision-making; EdTech; educational administration. An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org/
Keywords: _r:AddedByMyEducationEvidence; _r:AddedByZotZen

Rolling Out a National Virtual Learning Environment - Adam, Taskeen; McBurnie, Chris; Haßler, Björn (EdTech Hub, 2020)
A virtual learning environment (VLE) is a virtual space designed to support teaching and learning and can resemble anything from a curated content repository to a synchronous video-enabled learning space. This technical note aims to inform the design and implementation of a VLE at a national level for basic education.
Keywords: F: Helpdesk response; H:Online learning; LP: English; _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _MELA_seen; ___working_potential_duplicate; _cover:v1; _zenodoETH; dode_eth-src-eth; dode_eth-trf2-dode

School Infrastructure Survey - Adam, Taskeen; Koomar, Saalim; Hennessy, Sara (EdTech Hub, 2022)
An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

Consolidated Feedback on Tanzania Higher Education University Strategic Investment Plans - Adam, Taskeen; Koomar, Saalim; Haßler, Björn (EdTech Hub, 2020)
This EdTech Hub Helpdesk Response provides feedback on 15 Tanzania University Strategic Implementation Plans (USIPs) submitted to the Word Bank’s Higher Education for Economic Transformation Project (HEET). The feedback is intended to enhance and strengthen the plans provided by universities such that the USD 300 million is allocated and spent most effectively.
Keywords: Helpdesk Response; _EdTechHub_Output; _MELA_seen; _cover:analysis:nopdf; _dont_post_PDF; dode_eth-src-eth; dode_eth-trf2-dode

The Maldives and Sri Lanka: Question & Answer Session - Adam, Taskeen; Kaye, Tom; Haßler, Björn (EdTech Hub, 2020)
EdTech Hub participated in a question and answer session in May 2020 for policymakers in The Maldives and Sri Lanka. The session focused on the challenges and issues in designing effective distance education programmes during the Covid-19 pandemic. This document provides answers to a list of 13 questions received from stakeholders.
Keywords: F: Helpdesk response; LP: English; _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _MELA_seen; _cover:v1; _zenodo:submitted; _zenodoETH; dode_eth-src-eth; dode_eth-trf2-dode

How do Communities of Practice Support Teacher Learning and What Role Can EdTech Play? - Adam, Taskeen; Friese, Laila (EdTech Hub, 2024)
An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org/
Keywords: _r:AddedByMyEducationEvidence; coming soon

The use of 'building blocks' to develop digital platforms for education in sub-Saharan Africa - Adam, Taskeen; El-Serafy, Yomna; Podea, Marius; Haßler, Björn (EdTech Hub, 2021)
We set out to investigate the existing and potential use cases of open-source, modular ‘building blocks’ to build digital platforms for education in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Building blocks fall into two main categories: teaching and learning (e.g., learning management systems) and education system management (e.g., data collection tools).
Keywords: _EdTechHub_Output; _MELA_seen

The Use of Technology in the CPD Implementation Plan in Tanzania - Adam, Taskeen; El-Sefary, Yomna; Haßler, Björn; Khalayleh, Abdullah; Kremeia, Adam; Proctor, Jamie; Mtebe, Joel (EdTech Hub, 2021)
An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _EdTechHub_Output; _MELA_seen; _cover:analysis:nopdf; _r:AddedByZotZen

Structured Pedagogy and EdTech - Adam, Taskeen; Chuang, Rachel; Haßler, Björn (EdTech Hub, 2021)
Keywords: _EdTechHub_Output; _MELA_seen; _cover:analysis:nopdf; dode_eth-src-eth; dode_eth-trf2-dode

Unlocking data to tell the story of education in Africa: webinar summary & synthesis - Adam, Taskeen; Agyapong, Samuel; Asare, Samuel; Heady, Lucy; Wairimu, Wacharia; Mjomba, Renaldah; Mugo, John; Mukiria, Faith; Munday, Gemma (Zenodo, 2020)
[No description available.]
Keywords: _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _GS:not_indexed; _MELA_seen; _cover:v1; _zenodo:submitted; _zenodoETH; dode_eth-src-eth; dode_eth-trf2-dode

Unlocking data to tell the story of education in Africa: webinar summary & synthesis - Adam, Taskeen; Agyapong, Samuel; Asare, Samuel; Heady, Lucy; Wairimu, Wacharia; Mjomba, Renaldah; Mugo, John; Mukiria, Faith; Munday, Gemma (Zenodo, 2020)
[No description available.]
Keywords: _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _GS:not_indexed; _MELA_seen; _cover:v1; _zenodo:submitted; _zenodoETH; dode_eth-src-eth; dode_eth-trf2-dode

Addressing Injustices through MOOCs: A study among peri-urban, marginalised, South African youth - Adam, Taskeen (University of Cambridge, 2020)
The legacies of colonial rule continue to impact everyday life, particularly in education. These structural inequalities are often reinforced and amplified in online ‘global’ education through a form of digital neocolonialism, which is where hegemonic powers indirectly control or influence marginalised groups through the internet or information technology. In striving for justice-oriented online education models, this study analyses to what extent Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), produced both internationally and locally, support (or could support) the needs, preferences, and aspirations of marginalised South African youth and address the material, cultural-epistemic, political, and geopolitical injustices they face. To evaluate what South African peri-urban youth desire in their education and futures, as well as the challenges they experience, a seven-part survey was conducted with 250 youth from five townships in South Africa. Responses showed that whilst participants strongly value and aspire to further their education, financial difficulties, infrastructural barriers, family problems, and lack of emotional support and life mentorship limit them from achieving this. Participants reflected on how colonial and apartheid legacies have affected their educational experiences and identities through inferior quality of education, forced languages, forgotten histories and incongruent values, cultural norms and practices. In parallel, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 35 MOOC designers, from South Africa and the USA, to investigate the ways in which efforts, if any, were being made to reach students most in need of quality education. Interviews covered themes of openness, accessibility, and justice. It was found that, depending on the MOOC designer’s understanding of social justice and decolonial thought, they placed varying emphasis on addressing different forms of injustice. Some focused on resource, access and infrastructural barriers, while others focused on issues of content relevance and knowledge production. Furthermore, MOOC designers’ attempts to address injustices strongly related to their own identities and lived experiences, highlighting the importance of plurality of thought and epistemic diversity in the producers of MOOCs. Drawing on the historical injustices and lived experiences of the youth, and the attempts to address injustices by the MOOC designers, it was ascertained that there is no one size-fits-all formula to creating equitable MOOCs. Rather, depending on the purpose and target audience of the MOOC, nuanced approaches to addressing injustices are suggested. These approaches are shaped by various leverage points that influence the types of, and the extent to which, participatory methods, accessibility measures, knowledge sources, assessment and critical pedagogy are implemented. Additionally, the importance of these leverage points varies over the MOOC’s lifecycle, from inception and design, to implementation and assessment. Bearing in mind the broad-ranging injustices that youth participants raised, these approaches are presented with great caution that educational technologies and open education are not panaceas but if designed and used appropriately and justly, can be tools for liberation.
Keywords: dode_eth-src-dode; dode_eth-trf2-dode

Between Social Justice and Decolonisation: Exploring South African MOOC Designers’ Conceptualisations and Approaches to Addressing Injustices - Adam, Taskeen (Journal of Interactive Media in Education, 2020)
As social justice and decolonisation discussions fill the physical and virtual corridors of universities in South Africa, educators, and in this case, MOOC designers, are inevitably influenced by them. They are prompted to reflect on such topics, whether in agreement or with scepticism. Provoked by one interviewee’s comment that ‘you could decolonise and still have an enormous amount of injustice’, this paper investigates how South African MOOC designers conceptualise (in)justice, and how they attempt to address these injustices in and through their MOOCs. As notions such as ‘social justice’ and ‘decolonisation’ have multiple meanings and connotations, a framework was created to unpack the ‘Dimensions of Human Injustice’ namely, material, cultural-epistemic, and political/geopolitical injustices. These dimensions of injustice were used to analyse semi-structured interviews with 27 South African MOOC designers. MOOC designers who stressed cultural-epistemic injustices, focused on relevance, inclusive processes and the geopolitics of knowledge production. Those who stressed material injustices, focused on socio-economic disparities, infrastructural inequalities and the need to tackle these systemic problems at a societal level. Through illustrating that MOOC designers attempt to address injustices based on their different conceptualisations of (in)justice, this study argues that a multi-pronged approach to tackling the various dimensions of injustice perpetuated in and through MOOCs can lead to more holistic justice-oriented MOOCs that better enable learners. Additionally, justice-oriented efforts by South African MOOC designers, highlighted in this paper, can be seen as a guide for the MOOC space in general to take greater strides in creating MOOCs in more justice-oriented ways.
Keywords: MOOC designers; cultural-epistemic injustice; decolonisation; dode_eth-src-dode; dode_eth-trf2-dode; geopolitical injustice; material injustice; social justice

Between Social Justice and Decolonisation: Exploring South African MOOC designers’ conceptualisations and approaches to addressing injustices [O-143] - Adam, Taskeen (The Care in Openness, 2020)
Visit the post for more.
Keywords: dode_eth-src-dode; dode_eth-trf2-dode; ⛔ No DOI found

Open educational practices of MOOC designers: embodiment and epistemic location - Adam, Taskeen (Distance Education, 2020)
This article reports the lack of epistemic diversity in producers of massive open online courses (MOOCs) through examining whose knowledges and what knowledges are forefronted in MOOCs. Through analysis of 27 semi-structured interviews, the study explored the relationship between South African MOOC designers and their open educational practices (OEP), questioning in what ways MOOC designers enact openness in their design, based on their own reasoning of what openness means. The study illustrates that MOOC designers create MOOCs that strongly link to who they are, what they value, and how they understand the world, highlighting the crucial need to have epistemically diverse MOOC designers from different cultures, value systems, and epistemologies, that critically reflect on their positionalities and subjectivities. From this, the study asserts a new way of looking at OEP where MOOC designers go beyond implementing OEP, to being someone who is open. I termed this the embodiment of openness.
Keywords: MOOC designer; OEP; critical consciousness; dode_eth-src-dode; dode_eth-trf2-dode; embodiment; epistemic location; positionality

The privilege of #pivotonline: A South African perspective - Adam, Taskeen (Open Development & Education, 2020)
Taskeen Adam, https://opendeved.net/2020/04/22/the-privilege-of-#pivotonline/, 2020-04-22, 10.5281/zenodo.3760383 As the global number of COVID-19 cases increase, lockdowns continue across the world. Reports from UNESCO highlight that nationwide closures are impacting over 91% of the world’s student population who can no longer attend school. With schools closed, there has been a mass shift to online education — from primary …
Keywords: ___working_potential_duplicate; dode_eth-src-dode; dode_eth-trf2-dode

Unlocking Data to Tell the Story of Education in Africa: Webinar Summary & Synthesis - Adam, Taskeen; Agyapong, Samuel; Asare, Samuel; Heady, Lucy; Wacharia, Wairimu; Mjomba, Renaldah; Mugo, John; Mukiria, Faith; Munday, Gemma (Zenodo, 2020)
[No description available.]

Pakistan Education Statistics 2017-18 - Academy of Educational Planning and Management (Government of Pakistan, 2021)

Impact of COVID-19 on Education in Sub-Saharan Africa - Aborode, A; Anifowoshe, O; Ifeoluwapo T, Ayodele; Rebecca A, Iretiayo; Oluwafemi O., David (Preprints, 2020)
The eruption of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected every sphere of life and may forever change how we have always lived and conducted our businesses, and no one can resist the wind of change that is blowing. Of all the sectors of governance, the educational sector, particularly at the tertiary level, appears to have been most greatly affected and therefore requires a more pragmatic approach to resolution. As of 29th June, Sub-Sahara Africa has reported 382,190 cases of COVID-19. In rejoinder to the virus epidemic, several Sub Sahara African governments implement the resolution to slam learning institutions to enclose the infection. Consequently, advanced schooling institutions obliged to reorganize their loom, becoming more digitally become forward, and changing to online platforms
Keywords: Africa; COVID-19; Deadly disease; Education; Governments; Resolution; Sub- Sahara

COVID-19 and e-learning: the challenges of students in tertiary institutions in Ghana - Aboagye, Emmanuel; Yawson, Joseph Anthony; Appiah, Kofi Nyantakyi (Social Education Research, 2020)
Problems associated with the transition from conventional learning (face to face) to online learning (e-learning) in the educational system are well documented. The present study explores the challenges students in tertiary institutions have reported facing in online learning in the era of coronavirus pandemic. Using a sample (n = 141), an initial principal component factor analysis was conducted to group the constructs. Eight groups that emerged were social issues, lecturer issues, accessibility issues, learner motivation, academic issues, generic issues, learner intentions, and demographics. Cronbach’s alpha was used to determine the reliability of the scales resulting in the deletion of learner motivation. Comparing the means of the factors revealed that the most important challenge for students to study online was accessibility issues. This was followed by social issues, lecturer issues, academic issues, and generic issues. The mean for the individual items in learners’ intention to study online showed that students were not ready to study online. A Multiple Regression Analysis was further conducted to determine which factors pose the most important challenges to the student’s decision to study online. Social issues and lecturer issues were significant. In the final model, only lecturer issues were significant. A blended approach-where conventional teaching is combined with online teaching should have ushered the learners to complete online learning.

Cambridge University Press & Cambridge Assessment. (2020). The Learning Passport Research and Recommendations Report: Summary of Findings. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press & Cambridge Assessment. - Abdul, Zahara (2020)
Keywords: ⛔ No DOI found

Blended learning and Syrian refugees' empowerment through a capability approach lens - Abdelfattah Ahmed Younes, Mona (Lancaster University, 2020)
This study analyses the learning experiences of three Syrian refugee youth who enrolled in and completed blended learning (BL) programmes in Jordan, in order to explicate how BL has/or has not empowered those refugees. To achieve this objective, the following research questions framed this study: Does blended learning empower Syrian refugee youth living in Jordan? 1. Is blended learning, in the case of Syrian refugee youth, an empowering capability? 2. Does blended learning help Syrian refugee youth to overcome their restrictive ‘rules of the game’? 3. Does blended learning improve Syrian refugee youth’s resource portfolio? This study followed a case study approach. Three Syrian youth, each of whom attended a different BL programme, were interviewed between December 2018 and March 2019. While all three cases expressed aspirations that are education-bound, this study shows some difference in the aspirations of males and females and of urban refugees versus those residing in the camps. BL has been for all three cases a feasible learning opportunity. Programme providers designed the courses in a manner that accommodated to refugees’ locations, time, and economic status. Social media disseminated information about educational opportunities and possessing smartphones made following up with lectures and assignments possible and easy. The investigated BL programmes proved also to be enjoyable due to their constructive, learner-centred and collaborative approach, and competent facilitators. However, this finding does not indicate that those programmes were “empowering”. Restrictive legislations that constrain refugees’ work, movement, and lives, as well as patriarchal traditions that hampered females’ choices of education, were “rules of the game” that hindered students’ ability to fully benefit from the provided programmes. Despite the development of oral and public speaking, employability, and English language skills and despite the enhancement of self-esteem, confidence, and respect towards others, those programmes did not lead to refugees’ full empowerment.
Keywords: Google Scholar/ "mobile learning" "refugee education"; RER theme_pedagogies and modalities

Perplexity AI: Review, Advantages & Guide (2023) - Aayush (Elegant Themes Blog, 2023)
AI assistants are changing how we interact with technology, helping us with tasks like answering questions and creating content. Google and Bing have already added AI like Bard and Bing Chat to their platforms. However, there’s a new player in the market: Perplexity AI. In this post, we will look at Perplexity AI and its […]

The STEM Gap: Women and Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics - Aauw (AAUW : Empowering Women Since 1881, 2021)
Giving women equal opportunities to pursue — and thrive in — STEM careers helps narrow the gender pay gap, enhances women’s economic security and ensures a diverse and talented STEM workforce and prevents biases in these fields and the products and services they produce.

Resources - Aahung (2020)

Blended Learning For All (BEFA) - a2i (2022)

Final Report on: Assessment of Distance Learning Initiative of the Government of Bangladesh during COVID-19 Pandemic - a2i (2020)

Africa’s Covid-19 opportunity (EdTech Hub, 2020)
Educators in Africa are optimistic about the opportunities that Covid-19 brings for reform and innovation in education.  That’s the headline from a survey eLearning Africa recently conducted, in which 1,600 education and technology professionals from 52 countries in Africa were asked for their thoughts on the longer-term effects of the pandemic. Despite what it’s doing to societies and economies around…
Keywords: _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _zenodoETH

An EdTech reading list from the Helpdesk team: Autumn 2020 (EdTech Hub, 2020)
In this blog post, we summarise six new publications from the Helpdesk and what we have learned about monitoring and evaluation, curriculum reform, blended learning, and teacher education. As Covid-19 continues to affect learning around the world, our Helpdesk is seeing a shift in the requests we receive. Earlier, the bulk of requests were linked to short-term Covid responses. Now,…
Keywords: _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _zenodoETH

As Schools Close Over Coronavirus, Protect Kids’ Privacy in Online Learning (Human Rights Watch, 2020)
The educational disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented in speed and scale. As of today, over 160 countries have closed schools. Education authorities are scrambling to provide remote learning for more than 87% of the world’s student population now missing class.

Call for Research Proposals: EdTech responses to Covid-19 (EdTech Hub, 2020)
EdTech Hub is excited to launch a call for proposals to fund a series of small research projects (3-6 months) related to Covid-19 response and recovery using educational technology (EdTech). The selected research projects will investigate the practical application of EdTech, generate primary research, and develop recommendations which aim to be useful during Covid-19 response, recovery, and beyond. We see…
Keywords: _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _zenodoETH

Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (2020)

Community of practice (Wikipedia, 2020)
A community of practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a craft or a profession. The concept was first proposed by cognitive anthropologist Jean Lave and educational theorist Etienne Wenger in their 1991 book Situated Learning (Lave & Wenger 1991). Wenger then significantly expanded on the concept in his 1998 book Communities of Practice (Wenger 1998). A CoP can evolve naturally because of the members' common interest in a particular domain or area, or it can be created deliberately with the goal of gaining knowledge related to a specific field. It is through the process of sharing information and experiences with the group that members learn from each other, and have an opportunity to develop personally and professionally (Lave & Wenger 1991). CoPs can exist in physical settings, for example, a lunch room at work, a field setting, a factory floor, or elsewhere in the environment, but members of CoPs do not have to be co-located. They form a "virtual community of practice" (VCoP) (Dubé, Bourhis & Jacob 2005) when they collaborate online, such as within discussion boards and newsgroups, or a "mobile community of practice" (MCoP) (Kietzmann et al. 2013) when members communicate with one another via mobile phones and participate in community work on the go. Communities of practice are not new phenomena: this type of learning has existed for as long as people have been learning and sharing their experiences through storytelling. The idea is rooted in American pragmatism, especially C. S. Peirce's concept of the "community of inquiry" (Shields 2003), but also John Dewey's principle of learning through occupation (Wallace 2007).

Creating a contextually relevant acceptable or responsible use policy (EdTech Hub, 2023)
An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

Cyber Actors Target K-12 Distance Learning Education to Cause Disruptions and Steal Data (2020)
This Joint Cybersecurity Advisory was coauthored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC).

Developments in Literacy (2020)

EdTech call for ideas: What have we learned from the applications? (EdTech Hub, 2020)
This is part of our coronavirus (COVID-19) and EdTech series. On 21st April, we launched a call for ideas for EdTech in responses to coronavirus and the lockdown of schools around the world.  Three weeks later, we’ve taken a slice of the first 100 responses and analysed the data. Combining this with conversations our team is having every day with technologists and…
Keywords: _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _zenodoETH

EdTech Systems Research (EdTech Hub, 2022)
An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

Education during the COVID-19 crisis: Opportunities and constraints of using EdTech in low-income countries (EdTech Hub, 2020)
During this time of crisis, education will not be business-as-usual, and EdTech alone cannot close the learning gap. It will be dedicated teachers and resilient educators who will ensure learning doesn’t stop — but they could be helped by the right EdTech tools.
Keywords: _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _zenodoETH

Education Ministry creates special online study platform for SHS students (2020)
The Ministry for Education has launched a special online study platform for Senior High School students. Ever since Covid-19 halted school activities the Education Ministry together with the Ghana Education Service has stepped up efforts to help...

Engagement Strategy For UNICEF Pakistan (EdTech Hub, 2022)
An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

equip Tanzania (2020)

#FindFrench: a collaborative search for educational resources in French (EdTech Hub, 2020)
And we need your help! Learning Equality’s Curriculum Operations Specialist, Vahid Masrour, shares more. If you’re teaching or learning during Covid-19 school closures, you’ve probably encountered many solutions proposed for virtual learning environments relying on digital resources. All over the world, people are turning to digital resources — textbooks, lesson plans, videos, tutorials, learning applications, and libraries — to keep…
Keywords: _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _zenodoETH

Five things to think about for out-of-school learning during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak (EdTech Hub, 2020)
This is part of our coronavirus (COVID-19) and EdTech series. Today, over a billion learners are affected by closures due to coronavirus (COVID-19). In these unprecedented times we’re committed to playing our role in supporting countries to provide continued education for all learners.  Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll be sharing insights and resources about how educational technology (EdTech)…
Keywords: _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _zenodoETH

Francophone countries and COVID-19 EdTech response (EdTech Hub, 2020)
This is part of our coronavirus (COVID-19) and EdTech series. One thing about coronavirus is clear — it does not respect borders. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in school closures across the world. With about 300 million French speakers worldwide, here we consider some initial lessons from francophone education systems, their EdTech response, and the importance of cooperation of countries…
Keywords: _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _zenodoETH

From the Helpdesk: Observations and guidance on educational response planning during the COVID-19 crisis (EdTech Hub, 2020)
Written by Rachel Chuang, Tom Kaye, Caitlin Moss Coflan & Arjun Upadhyay (EdTech Hub Helpdesk Management Team) Amid one of the biggest global disruptions to schooling in living memory, countries are quickly developing distance education responses for students. The EdTech Hub’s Helpdesk is providing evidence-informed responses to requests for support from governments and their partners as they face this challenge. …
Keywords: _DOILIVE; _EdTechHub_Output; _zenodoETH

Global e-Schools and Communities Initiative (GESCI) / African Digital Schools Initiative (ADSI) (2020)

Government-led edtech initiatives to improve learning outcomes in Kenya (EdTech Hub, 2022)
An output of the EdTech Hub, https://edtechhub.org
Keywords: _r:AddedByZotZen

Government of Pakistan. Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (2020)