World Bank EduTech Podcast

In today's episode, we will explore how the World Bank and the Mastercard Foundation are joining efforts to tackle challenges and seize opportunities in Africa's evolving EdTech landscape, with a focus on engaging the broader ecosystem. Join us as we discuss the innovative and inspiring approaches across different countries to navigate this dynamic reality, guiding youth towards a better education and employment prospects.   Robert Hawkins, Global Lead for Technology and Innovation in Education at the World Bank, speaks with Suraj Shah, Lead for Strategic Partnerships at the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning at the Mastercard Foundation.   Links:   Learn more about the Mastercard Foundation Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (the Centre): https://mastercardfdn.org/our-approach/    Learn more about the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship: https://mastercardfdn.org/all/centre-for-innovative-teaching-and-learning-in-ict/the-mastercard-foundation-edtech-fellowship-expands-to-five-additional-tech-hubs/   About the World Bank's partnership with the Mastercard Foundation: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/tes/partners   Read our blog: https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/education/new-tertiary-education-and-skills-program-prepares-youth-and-adults-future-work-and A podcast produced by Lucía Blasco.

In today's episode, we will explore the complexities of teaching digital and 21st-century skills in emerging markets. We'll delve into how technology can redefine traditional classroom boundaries, examining its potential to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. We'll discuss the importance of digital and data literacies, along with computational thinking, in preparing students for the future.  Cristóbal Cobo, Senior Education Technology Specialist at the World Bank, speaks with Taylor Sihavong, President and Co-founder of Code.X, and Arnon Hershkovitz, Associate Professor at Tel Aviv University's Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Department, School of Education. Learn more about Code.X: https://www.codedotx.org/ More about Prof. Arnon Hershkovitz's work: https://sites.google.com/view/arnon-hershkovitz A podcast produced by Lucía Blasco.

Today, on the occasion of International Women’s Day theme for 2024 'Invest in Women, Accelerate progress,' we explore the critical importance of STEM education and careers, drawing insights from a recent report: 'Engendering STEM Access in Education and Careers in South Asia’ to improve female labor force participation. María Barrón, Research Analyst and Core Member of the World Bank EdTech Team, explores with Luis Benveniste, Global Director for Education at the World Bank, and Nicole Klingen, Regional Director for Human Development for the South Asia Region at the World Bank, how to champion inclusion and diversity in STEM to foster women’s advancement and tackle gender challenges. Learn more about the World Bank's approach on engendering access to STEM education here: ⁠https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/sar/publication/engendering-access-to-stem-education-and-careers-in-south-asia⁠   Download the full report here: ⁠https://elibrary.worldbank.org/doi/epdf/10.1596/978-1-4648-1966-7⁠ Read the executive summary: ⁠https://elibrary.worldbank.org/doi/10.1596/978-1-4648-1966-7_es⁠ Explore the World Bank's blog post on investing in girls and women for the green transition: ⁠https://blogs.worldbank.org/education/investing-girls-women-agents-change-green-transition⁠ From the horse’s mouth: Technical education is a changer for girls interested in STEM: ⁠https://blogs.worldbank.org/nasikiliza/horses-mouth-technical-education-changer-girls-interested-stem⁠ We need more girls and women in science. What are three ways in which we can support them? ⁠https://blogs.worldbank.org/education/we-need-more-girls-and-women-science-what-are-three-ways-which-we-can-support-them⁠ A podcast produced by Lucía Blasco. ⁠⁠

In this new episode, 'Cultivating Critical Thinking in an AI World', hosted by Cristobal Cobo, Senior Education & Technology Specialist at the World Bank, we venture into the world of GenAI with key considerations for policymakers and educators, and critical thinking as a core value. Guests include Mike Trucano, Senior Education & Technology Policy Specialist, and longtime Global Lead for Innovation in Education at the World Bank; currently a Visting Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Maria Rebeca Barron Rodriguez, a research Analyst and core member of the World Bank EdTech team, whose expertise adds valuable insights to our discussion. Some relevant links to explore: https://www.teachai.org https://craft.stanford.edu/ https://ai-for-education.org/ https://aiadvisoryboards.wordpress.com/2024/02/08/professional-development-for-teachers-in-the-age-of-ai-european-schoolnet-academy-thematic-seminar-report/ A podcast produced by Lucia Blasco.

In today's episode, we will dive into a game-changing technology: Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), one of the most influential innovations of our time. We'll explore how GenAI could impact education, with a special focus on inclusion. Cristóbal Cobo, Senior Education Technology Specialist at the World Bank, speaks with Jamie Alexandre, Learning Equality's Co-founder and Executive Director; Paul Atherton, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Fab Inc.; and Robert Hawkins, World Bank’s Senior Education and Technology Policy Specialist and Global Lead for Technology and Innovation in Education. Learn more about Learning Equality: https://learningequality.org/ Learn more about Fab Inc.: https://fabinc.co.uk/ World Bank's EVOKE project: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/edutech/brief/evoke-an-online-alternate-reality-game-supporting-social-innovation-among-young-people-around-the-world#:~:text=Evoke%20is%20a%20crash%20course,while%20developing%2021st%20Century%20skills. A podcast produced by ⁠⁠⁠Lucía Blasco⁠⁠⁠.

In today's episode, we will discover the transformative impact of Building Education Foundations through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT), a pioneering initiative revolutionizing early grade reading and numeracy in Malawi.    Robert Hawkins, Global Lead for Technology and Innovation in Education at the World Bank, speaks with Joshua Valeta, Director of Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL), in the Ministry of Education in Malawi, Antoine Chigeda, Executive Director of Imagine Malawi, and Joe Wolf, CEO and Co-Founder of Imagine Worldwide. Join our discussion to find out this project's unique aspects, the main challenges of the initiative, and the ecosystem's pivotal role in its success.   BEFIT Malawi project overview: https://www.imagineworldwide.org/wp-content/uploads/Malawi-Project-Overview-General-2-27-23.pdf  A recent video on BEFIT in Malawi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY5GJJvvL6E   More about Imagine Worldwide: www.imagineworldwide.org   About the Ministry of Education of Malawi: https://www.education.gov.mw/ A podcast produced by ⁠⁠Lucía Blasco⁠⁠.

In today's special episode, we start off the year taking a deep dive into our journey as the EdTech team. We will discuss the team's evolution over time, drawing insights from the experiences of a recently departed member and the perspectives of a newcomer. Bob Hawkins, Global Lead of Technology and Innovation in Education at the World Bank, engages in a conversation with Education Specialist Iñaki Sánchez Ciarrusta as he prepares to leave the team after over four years, and with Lucía Blasco, a former BBC World Service journalist who brings a solutions journalism approach to the team. To learn more about Iñaki's work at the World Bank EdTech team, please visit this link: https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/inaki-sanchez-ciarrusta   If you are curious about Evoke, have a listen to this podcast episode, hosted by Iñaki (in Spanish) or read this website post (in English). A podcast produced by ⁠Lucía Blasco⁠.

In today's episode, we discuss the vast possibilities of digital public infrastructure (DPI), to address global challenges in education and beyond. Bob Hawkins, Global Lead for Technology and Innovation in Education at the World Bank, reflects with Dr. Pramod Varma, CTO of the EkStep Foundation and former Chief Architect of Aadhaar and India Stack, on the use of this technology approach to tackle complex societal issues at scale, including how to successfully build a digital backbone for education.   To learn more about the World Bank's efforts on Digital Public Infrastructure please visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2023/10/12/creating-digital-public-infrastructure-for-empowerment-inclusion-and-resilience    Our blog post on how DPI supports empowerment, inclusion, and resilience can be read here: https://blogs.worldbank.org/digital-development/how-digital-public-infrastructure-supports-empowerment-inclusion-and-resilience   To learn more about the EkStep Foundation, please visit https://ekstep.org/   Relevant information on Sunbird open-source DPGs can be found here: https://sunbird.org/   Dr. Pramod Varma also participates in the People+AI community, a team of experts looking for AI strategy for India, "helping a billion people on their path to potential." Learn more here: https://peopleplus.ai/   Check out India's participation in the Open Network for Education, Skilling, and Livelihood: https://onest.network/   Here is a short video from the Foundation on Digital Economy on DPI thinking that includes an interview with Dr. Pramod Varma [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAIj3Q7urWs] and the second part of that interview, focused on platforms to networks [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMmKWDBG4KA]   And a podcast suggested by Dr. Pramod Varma: 'Decoding Digital Public Goods & Digital Public Infrastructure.' Listen here: https://open.spotify.com.mcas.ms/episode/2VcHqdm1I7E6LmgYM3mgmB A podcast produced by Lucía Blasco.

In today's episode, we discuss the promises and challenges of EdTech interventions in East Asia and Pacific countries, including the scale, dosage, and heterogeneity of impact to evaluate interventions, and how they can be applied both in the region and globally. Cristóbal Cobo (Senior Education Specialist at the World Bank EdTech team) speaks with Noah Yarrow (Senior Education Specialist at the World Bank), Cody Abbey (World Bank Consultant and PhD Psychology Student at Stanford University), and Sharon Shen (World Bank Education Global Practice in East Asia and Pacific Region). Yarrow, Abbey, and Shen used global and regional data to show that it is possible to use EdTech to improve student learning in EAP. In a new report, they present evidence that the broadcast/dual teacher model often supports leading student learning gains, while other approaches, such as assistive EdTech, show promise. What are the recommended improved approaches for future research to evaluate EdTech interventions? And what are the challenges? Listen to our podcast to learn more.   The report 'Using Education Technology to Improve Student Learning in East Asia Pacific: Promises and Limitations' can be downloaded here: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/2cb32acc-7e84-429e-b664-39575d0f5a34

¿Cómo emplear la tecnología en los procesos de aprendizaje para fortalecer el carácter de los jóvenes y ayudarles a desarrollar habilidades como la empatía, la perseverancia, la gratitud o la generosidad? ¿Qué podemos aprender de las técnicas utilizadas hasta ahora? En el episodio de esta semana, exploramos esas cuestiones a través de un exitoso proyecto implementado por el Banco Mundial en Honduras en colaboración con World Vision. Gracias a este programa, 1200 jóvenes lograron "mejorar su carácter" con un enfoque constructivo y eficaz mediante la plataforma Evoke y Youth Ready. Iñaki Sánchez Ciarrusta conversa con Marcony Meza, coordinador del proyecto; Héctor Eduardo Ruiz, especialista en evaluación de procesos; y Lourdes Martínez, quien inicialmente fue una de las jóvenes participantes y luego se convirtió en una "dinamizadora" (impulsora) del programa. El objetivo: fomentar cualidades humanas para desarrollar confianza a través de la educación, las habilidades laborales y la capacitación empresarial. Para obtener más información sobre Evoke:  https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/edutech/brief/evoke-an-online-alternate-reality-game-supporting-social-innovation-among-young-people-around-the-world Para conocer más sobre World Vision Honduras: https://www.worldvision.hn/construccion-del-caracter-en-jovenes

Today, we explore whether virtual and XR laboratories are an option to give students in developing countries pedagogical experiences necessary to develop practical skills. Hallie Applebaum (World Bank) speaks with Robert Dean (Associate Professor of Motion Arts Design and Virtual/Augmented Reality at Namseoul University in Korea), Jimmy Vainstein (Senior Program Manager leading the Word Bank’s program on interactive media with a focus on developing XR solutions for development), Marjorie Chinen (Education Specialist and focal point for AR/VR on the World Bank EdTech team), and Diego Angel-Urdinola (Senior Economist and Global Lead for the World Bank’s Skills Global Solutions Group and Manager of the Active Training Using Virtual Reality Program, ActiVaR). There is a strong need to provide students pedagogical experiences necessary to develop practical skills in education and workforce development programs, especially for training programs that require laboratories, such as auto-mechanics, nursing, and welding. Providing hands-on experiences and proper and up-to-date content allows students to learn technical skills, however this remains a critical challenge, mainly in developing countries. A potential solution to this is digitalization of laboratories. Employing non-immersive or immersive VR can enable learning experiences in a simulated or artificial environment so students can have personalized learning experiences. Our knowledge pack, a short comprehensive guide, can be downloaded here: https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/e441582311a6fa4678abb243416f2589-0140022023/original/KP-VirtualLabs-WFD-September6.pdf Read our blog 'Unleashing the metaverse for skills and workforce development': https://blogs.worldbank.org/education/unleashing-metaverse-skills-and-workforce-development

Today, our World Bank EdTech team's Robert Hawkins and Cristóbal Cobo speak with the EdTech Hub, a joint initiative of the World Bank, UNICEF, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to do academic research about the role of technology in education. We previously spoke with the EdTech Hub's Tom Kaye, Global Country Engagement Lead, and Haani Mazari, Pakistan and Bangladesh Country Lead, about the organization's work. You can listen to that episode at https://open.spotify.com/episode/1u0gPFXOVzWqgHBfJ9e9J9?si=D-9DrgZFTMyOH9Ild4Mogw. Today, Robert and Cristobal continue the conversation with Verna Lalbeharie, Executive Director of the EdTech Hub, and Jamie Proctor, EdTech Hub Country Lead for Tanzania, about how the organization is supporting edtech policies and projects. You can learn more about the EdTech Hub at https://edtechhub.org. Related Resources: Continuity Stories: https://blogs.worldbank.org/education/ensuring-learning-continuity-during-covid-19-related-school-closures-lessons-remotehttps://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/edutech/brief/lessons-for-education-during-covid-19-crisis-continuity-stories Education and Technology Readiness Index (ETRI): https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/education/brief/edtech-readiness-index Empowering educators and learners: Insights and strategies from the EdTech Readiness Index: https://blogs.worldbank.org/education/empowering-educators-and-learners-insights-and-strategies-edtech-readiness-index

Teachers play a critical role in the introduction of adaptive learning, and technology in general, in public education systems. Today, World Bank Senior Economist Juan Baron speaks with Amy Bellinger (Education Commission), Haani Mazari (EdTech Hub), and Sophia D'Angelo (World Bank) discuss the role of teachers in delivering personalized learning at scale and how adaptive learning can help teachers in enhancing student learning.  Learn more about the team's work at https://blogs.worldbank.org/latinamerica/teachers-and-technology-together-improve-student-learning

Our World Bank EdTech team is preparing to launch the next iteration of our EdTech Policy Academy and we'll have several Francophone countries joining us. To be a resource for our participants, today's episode is in French. Our EdTech Policy Academy is a four-week hands-on clinic to engage policymakers and educators in conversations about navigating solutions to close educational gaps and prevent learning loss. This is the fourth iteration of the Academy and today four instructors from our upcoming EdTech Policy Academy discuss in French what participants can expect. This initiative is in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. Dans cet épisode, Sarah Kleinmann, Christiane Voufo, Souleymane Diabate et Frederico Carvalho nous éclairent sur ce qu’est la EdTech Policy Academy, et l’orientation particulière qu’elle prend cette année en se concentrant sur l’apprentissage hybride et les compétences numériques. En qualité d’instructeurs de la session de printemps 2023, ils mettent en lumière les moments forts de l’expérience d’apprentissage qui attend les participants, ainsi que les réalisations attendues par l’équipe pédagogique. Pour en savoir plus sur la Policy Academy, vous pouvez regarder cette vidéo: https://youtu.be/2HucrXhGl2U.

Today, we're speaking about the implementation of edtech in Korea. Korea has a world-class national digital education agency that oversees the implementation of EdTech in Korea. It's called Korea Education and Research Information Services, or KERIS. KERIS was developed to introduce innovative practices within the Korean education system, such as the cyber home learning system. Today, World Bank EdTech Analyst Changha Lee speaks with Chief Sangwoon Kim, Research Fellow Mr. Min Kim, and Senior Program Specialist Ms. Jiseon Yoo from the Global EdTech Section at KERIS. You can learn more about KERIS at https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/26089. 

In March 2021, Cristobal Cobo, Senior Education Technology Specialist at the World Bank, spoke with Amy Klement, Managing Partner of Imaginable Futures, and Sergio Venegas Marin, Young Professional at the World Bank Education Global Practice, about monitoring countries' readiness to support education with digital technologies and the EdTech Readiness Index (ETRI). You can listen to the episode at https://open.spotify.com/episode/4bgdOg3h6xXnOypKPTQTxu. Today, we are continuing the conversation. Cristobal Cobo speaks with World Bank ETRI team members Marie-Helen Cloutier, Emma Lambert-Porter, and Marjorie Chinen about implementing the ETRI tool in the Dominican Republic, Nepal, Ho Chi Minh City, Sierra Leone, and Niger. Learn more about ETRI at https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/811011628250703800/world-bank-edtech-readiness-index-etri. If you are interested in piloting ETRI in your country or would like to learn more, please contact the team at ETRI@worldbank.org.

As we enter a new year, our EdTech team has been discussing what we think will be some of the most common and challenging questions for 2023. Today, our team - Robert Hawkins, Alex Twinomugisha, Cristobal Cobo, and Maria Barron - explores five questions for 2023: What skills do youth need for employment and what role does technology play to accelerate development of these skills?  A few anticipated areas of engagement include use of existing competency frameworks and relevance to developing country needs; related teacher digital skills to support student learning; measurement of skills and potential for micro credentials; verified credentials on the blockchain; and the role of AR/VR for development of technical skills in TVET. How will AI impact education?  Areas that countries have started to explore include predictive analytics and early warning systems for identifying drop out risks; adaptive learning to bring students up to grade level and support teaching at the right level; rapid assessments for instance to provide automated feedback on writing skills; and intelligent tutors.  Additionally, we anticipate new questions on how teachers can integrate AI in the classroom and policies for new tools like chat GPT (see one teacher’s policy in additional resources below) and how text to image tools could democratize content creation. What technologies are most appropriate and sustainable in fragile and conflict countries?   Increasingly countries explore how technology can support more resilient systems to reach students who can’t reach schools. Countries such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Somalia are exploring appropriate low-cost options such as nudges through mobile devices and off-line access to content to support students in these emergency conditions. A spectrum of solutions will need further exploration to take into account low connectivity, limited access to devices, and nascent digital skills. What does hybrid learning mean and what is the most effective balance of virtual and face-to-face engagement to accelerate learning?  As countries seek to leverage investments from COVID, they are exploring the lessons from the pandemic to evaluate the role of technology to create more resilient and continuous education delivery systems.  A critical objective is to leverage technology both in and out of the classroom to reach out of school youth, build resilience for future shocks and accelerate learning through increasing access to sources of learning. Questions around appropriate technology for students of various ages and in what quantity and frequency will continue to be explored and debated in the coming year. Also, effective use of technology for inclusion as well as debates on costs and benefits on climate impact including curricular changes to empower youth to understand and begin to address the climate global grand challenge will emerge as critical questions. How should education systems sustainably finance and procure EdTech?  What are the priority investments to most effectively use EdTech and how can Ministries of Education identify the resources to procure and sustain EdTech investments?  What are the most effective private-public partnership models?  What are the costs and benefits and how should these be measured in a world of evolving demand for skills and competencies?  With 96% of World Bank projects including financing for EdTech components, this will be a critical question for the coming year.

Today, we're continuing our conversation about adaptive, personalized learning. On June 14, Juan Baron, Senior Economist in the World Bank's Education Global Practice, hosted a World Bank EduTech Podcast episode with Whizz Education and Educational Initiatives about their experience running companies focused on adaptive, personalized learning. They discussed how gain political will, access the technology, and implement programs. Listen on Apple and Spotify. On today's episode, Juan Baron speaks with the EdTech Hub, a joint initiative of the World Bank, UNICEF, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to do academic research about the role of technology in education. Juan speaks with Tom Kaye, Global Country Engagement Lead at the EdTech Hub, Haani Mazari, Pakistan and Bangladesh Country Lead at the EdTech Hub, and Diego Angel-Urdinola, World Bank Senior Economist. Diego joins us to share lessons from the World Bank's experience building adaptive, personalized learning programs in Ecuador. You can learn more about the EdTech Hub at https://edtechhub.org. You can learn more about topics discussed in this conversation at https://worldbankedutech.medium.com/world-bank-edutech-podcast-episode-implementing-adaptive-learning-programs-lessons-from-the-d2a4d7f95c08.

On our last episode, World Bank Senior Education and Technology Specialist Cristobal Cobo spoke with the Director of the MIT-wide Initiative on Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (raise.mit.edu), Cynthia Breazeal, about RAISE and its Day of AI (https://www.dayofai.org), which seeks to engage K-12 students in a series of freely available hands-on activities designed to introduce them to AI and how it plays a part of their lives today. This week, Cristobal Cobo speaks with Day of AI participant Betzabé Orenos about her experience introducing students to AI in Guatemala. Betzabé is a Google for Education-certified trainer and coach https://geg.gt/index.html and teaches innovation to high schoolers in Guatemala.

The World Bank EduTech team is partnering with Digital Promise and AIEngage.org to host a series of episodes about AI in Education. This week, we're exploring opportunities to advance access and inclusivity in AI education to people of all ages and backgrounds with a focus on K12 and the workforce. World Bank Senior Education and Technology Specialist Cristobal Cobo speaks with the Director of the MIT-wide Initiative on Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (raise.mit.edu), Cynthia Breazeal, about RAISE and its 2022 Day of AI, which seeks to engage K-12 students across the US in a series of freely available hands-on activities designed to introduce them to AI and how it plays a part of their lives today. You can learn more about Day of AI at https://www.dayofai.org. Cynthia Breazeal is a professor of media arts and sciences at MIT, where she founded and directs the Personal Robots group at the Media Lab. She is the MIT dean for digital learning, and in this role, she leverages her experience in emerging digital technologies and business, research, and strategic initiatives to lead Open Learning’s business and research & engagement units. She is also the Director of the MIT-wide Initiative on Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (raise.mit.edu). MIT RAISE is a research and outreach effort that advances access and inclusivity in AI education to people of all ages and backgrounds with a focus on K12 and the workforce. She co-founded the consumer social robotics company, Jibo, Inc., where she served as Chief Scientist and Chief Experience Officer.