World Bank EduTech Podcast

By World Bank EduTechEducation

World Bank EduTech Podcast episodes

February 17, 2023Discussing the Most Common and Challenging EdTech Questions for 2023
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.
45 min
January 28, 2023 Implementing Adaptive Learning Programs: Lessons from the EdTech Hub
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.
37 min
December 19, 2022 Introducing K-12 Students to AI: Lessons from Guatemala
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.
34 min
December 08, 2022 Advancing Access and Inclusivity in AI Education: a conversation with Dr. Cynthia Breazeal at MIT Media Lab
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.
27 min
October 07, 2022 Leveraging Blockchain and Web3 in Education - Part II
World Bank Senior Education Specialist Robert Hawkins speaks about leveraging blockchain technologies and Web3 in education with Carissa Carter, Academic Director at the Stanford d.school (https://dschool.stanford.edu), and John Goodwin, former LEGO Foundation CEO, and now Executive Chairman of the Learning Economy Foundation (https://www.learningeconomy.io). This is part two of a two-part conversation.
Our World Bank EdTech team has hosted several Blockchain for Education online workshops. You can watch these workshops at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTcNIg1jN93FAsHy2Dz2WNTczJ8XIdPTr.
Carissa Carter is the Academic Director at the Stanford d.school. In this role she guides the development of the d.school’s pedagogy, leads its instructors, and shapes its class offerings. She teaches courses on the intersection of data and design, design for climate change, design for emerging tech, and maps and the visual sorting of information.
John Goodwin, former CEO of LEGO Foundation joined the Learning Economy Foundation (LEF) as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. In his new leadership role, Goodwin will further catalyze LEF’s mission to bring quality skills and equal opportunity to every human on Earth, using open standards and Web3 technologies. Prior to joining LEF, Goodwin spent a decade working in the LEGO ecosystem, first as EVP and CFO of The LEGO Group then later as CEO of LEGO Foundation. In addition to his position at LEF, he will continue in his capacity as Chairman of the i5 Project, an initiative led by the UN Global Compact Principles of Responsible Management in Education (PRME).
27 min
September 21, 2022 Leveraging Blockchain and Web3 in Education - Part I
World Bank Senior Education Specialist Robert Hawkins speaks about leveraging blockchain technologies and Web3 in education with Carissa Carter, Academic Director at the Stanford d.school (https://dschool.stanford.edu), and John Goodwin, former LEGO Foundation CEO, and now Executive Chairman of the Learning Economy Foundation (https://www.learningeconomy.io).
Our World Bank EdTech team has hosted several Blockchain for Education online workshops. You can watch these workshops at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTcNIg1jN93FAsHy2Dz2WNTczJ8XIdPTr.
Carissa Carter is the Academic Director at the Stanford d.school. In this role she guides the development of the d.school’s pedagogy, leads its instructors, and shapes its class offerings. She teaches courses on the intersection of data and design, design for climate change, design for emerging tech, and maps and the visual sorting of information.
John Goodwin, former CEO of LEGO Foundation joined the Learning Economy Foundation (LEF) as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. In his new leadership role, Goodwin will further catalyze LEF’s mission to bring quality skills and equal opportunity to every human on Earth, using open standards and Web3 technologies. Prior to joining LEF, Goodwin spent a decade working in the LEGO ecosystem, first as EVP and CFO of The LEGO Group then later as CEO of LEGO Foundation. In addition to his position at LEF, he will continue in his capacity as Chairman of the i5 Project, an initiative led by the UN Global Compact Principles of Responsible Management in Education (PRME).
28 min
August 30, 2022 Introducing 16 Guides on Key EdTech Topics
Our EdTech team recently published Knowledge Packs (KPs) — short, pragmatic guides on key topics within EdTech, such as digital content, LMS, and devices — and this week, we speak to the team behind this initiative: World Bank Senior Education Specialist Cristobal Cobo and colleagues Analyst Iñaki Sánchez Ciarrusta, Research Analyst Maria Barron Rodriguez, and Consultant Sarah Kleinmann.
The KPs were developed as part of the EdTech Toolkit for Remote Learning, which aims to support policymakers and researchers in the planning and medium- to long-term design of multi-faceted remote and hybrid learning strategies in low-resource environments. The KPs have been a multi-year project led by the EdTech team, co-developed by theme experts and peer-reviewed by the World Bank colleagues, experts from partnering organizations, such as the EdTech Hub, and private sector providers with expertise in each topic. The KPs are grouped under six high-level topics to organize our work. Each topic includes its definitions and a few examples of sub-topics with hyperlinks to their corresponding KPs.
You can download all KPs here: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/edutech/brief/edtech-toolkit-for-remote-learning
26 min
August 22, 2022 Exploring How Artificial Intelligence is Assisting Teachers in Creating Effective Classrooms - Part II
The World Bank EduTech team is partnering with Digital Promise and the Engage AI Institute to host a series of episodes about AI in Education. This week, we're continuing our conversation about how artificial intelligence (AI) is assisting teachers in creating effective classrooms. Digital Promise Senior Researcher in STEM Teaching and Learning Dr. Judi Fusco speaks with Dr. Mmantsetsa Marope, Executive Director of the World Heritage Group, Dr. Kylie Peppler, Professor of Informatics & Education at University of California, Irvine, Sherry Loftin, Instructional Technology Trainer with the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools Initiative, and Sarah Hampton, a middle and high school math and science teacher for 15 years. In this episode, we explore how AI systems can assist teachers in the classroom, what AI systems mean for teachers, and how an AI system might help us create new methods for assessment and help us assess competencies that are difficult to assess.

AI and the Future of Teaching and Learning: Defining Artificial Intelligence
https://medium.com/ai-and-the-future-of-teaching-and-learning/ai-and-the-future-of-teaching-and-learning-defining-artificial-intelligence-f31d20628280
AI and the Future of Teaching and Learning: New Interactions, New Choices
https://medium.com/ai-and-the-future-of-teaching-and-learning/ai-and-the-future-of-teaching-and-learning-new-interactions-new-choices-c726bcf03012
Safe AI in Education Needs You
https://cacm.acm.org/blogs/blog-cacm/256657-safe-ai-in-education-needs-you/fulltext
AI or Intelligence Augmentation for Education?
https://cacm.acm.org/blogs/blog-cacm/251188-ai-or-intelligence-augmentation-for-education/fulltext
Join the Discussion
http://aiengage.org/get-involved
36 min
August 12, 2022 Exploring How Artificial Intelligence is Assisting Teachers in Creating Effective Classrooms - Part I
The World Bank EduTech team is partnering with Digital Promise and the Engage AI Institute to host a series of episodes about AI in Education. This week, we're exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) is assisting teachers in creating effective classrooms. Digital Promise Senior Researcher in STEM Teaching and Learning Dr. Judi Fusco speaks with Dr. Mmantsetsa Marope, Executive Director of the World Heritage Group, Dr. Kylie Peppler, Professor of Informatics & Education at University of California, Irvine, Sherry Loftin, Instructional Technology Trainer with the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools Initiative, and Sarah Hampton, a middle and high school math and science teacher for 15 years. In this episode, we explore how AI systems can assist teachers in the classroom, what AI systems mean for teachers, and how an AI system might help us create new methods for assessment and help us assess competencies that are difficult to assess.

AI and the Future of Teaching and Learning: Defining Artificial Intelligence
https://medium.com/ai-and-the-future-of-teaching-and-learning/ai-and-the-future-of-teaching-and-learning-defining-artificial-intelligence-f31d20628280

AI and the Future of Teaching and Learning: New Interactions, New Choices
https://medium.com/ai-and-the-future-of-teaching-and-learning/ai-and-the-future-of-teaching-and-learning-new-interactions-new-choices-c726bcf03012

Safe AI in Education Needs You
https://cacm.acm.org/blogs/blog-cacm/256657-safe-ai-in-education-needs-you/fulltext

AI or Intelligence Augmentation for Education?
https://cacm.acm.org/blogs/blog-cacm/251188-ai-or-intelligence-augmentation-for-education/fulltext

Join the Discussion
http://aiengage.org/get-involved
24 min
June 14, 2022 Implementing Adaptive Learning Programs: Lessons from Whizz Education and Educational Initiatives - Part II
Today, we're continuing our conversation about adaptive, personalized learning. On our last episode, Juan Baron, senior economist in the World Bank's Education Global Practice, began a conversation with two guests who are running companies focused on adaptive, personalized learning. On this episode, we discuss how to bring policymakers on board and, once we have the technology and the political will, how to implement adaptive learning programs.
Juan Baron, Senior Economist in the World Bank's education global practice works on analytical and operational activities in South Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean. Today, he's speaking with two guests who are running companies focused on adaptive learning. Richard Marett is co-founder and CEO of Whizz Education (https://www.whizzeducation.com), a learning outcome company that's developed, adapted, and learned over many years to improve learning outcomes at scale. Pranav Kothari is CEO of Educational Initiatives (https://www.ei-india.com), the organization that made MindSpark (https://www.mindspark.org), which is an adaptive learning software for students in schools, grades 1-10 to help them learn language, math, and science. Today, we're going to talk about what is adaptive learning and how can it help students leap forward in their learning.
This episode is part two of a two-part conversation.
21 min