European Edtech Alliance Update February 24
News from the world of European Edtech
Trust is pivotal in the EdTech ecosystem, bridging the gap between the industry and decision-makers in educational institutions. The integration of EdTech tools depends heavily on their perceived efficacy, security, and alignment with educational goals.
A lack of research and evidence to support the efficacy of EdTech products has led to the development of multiple public and privately funded evaluation or quality assurance frameworks and certification practices.
Only 7% of EdTech tools have rigorous evidence, and 11% of education decision-makers consider evidence when making a purchasing decision
The results from our European EdTech Map in 2024 show that 87% of mapped EdTech organisations recognise the value of evidence-based certification for trust and market access. However, the lack of a coordinated effort among different initiatives creates a significant barrier. Without creating common understanding of key needs and possibilities, establishing trust becomes difficult, burdening EdTech providers, especially those operating in multiple markets, and educators, who are charged with evaluating and comparing different offerings.
The EEA looks forward to developing structured knowledge and experience sharing initiatives over the coming months in order to address concerns, build trust, and promote evidence-based decisions through its EdTech Strategy Lab initiative, funded by the Jacobs Foundation.
Check out our EdTech Strategy Lab project for more information and Make sure to register your interest to participate in the workshops and events this year and make sure your perspective and voice has been heard.
Beth Havinga
EEA Meets Council of Europe
During the "EEA Meets… Council of Europe" webinar on 21 February 2024, Ahmet Murat Kilic, the Head of the Council's Digital Transformation and E-learning Unit, emphasised the importance of a human rights-based approach to digital education amidst the challenges of fake news and deep fakes.
The Council of Europe is planning to actively engage various stakeholder groups through an upcoming campaign within its European Year of Digital Citizenship Education in 2025. It also aims to establish a structured dialogue that bridges the gaps between the public, private, and civil sectors.
Read the full summary here or re-watch all of our EEA Meets Policy webinars here!
Global Education Coalition
Don´t miss your chance to be part of the fourth annual Global Education Coalition meeting on Monday, 25 March from 09:00 to 18:30 in Paris. UNESCO has planned a full day of opportunities to meet fellow members, discuss priority topics in education, and brainstorm ideas for impactful collaborations. Join us in the Education Transformation Roundtable Workshop Towards an international alliance of EdTech coalitions for SDG 4: Global challenges, national resonance as we start talking about a shared vision and concrete steps for the formation and operation of a global EdTech Alliance with quality assurance at the centre. Find more information about the event and register here!
Alliance on the Science of Learning for Education
The EEA is proud to be a founding member of the Alliance, which was instigated by UNESCO in 2023 and will serve as an international community of practice to influence and inform global and national policy discourses on transforming education and learning which are currently taking place in both political and education development fora. To this end, the Alliance will work closely with the HLSC’s Functional Area 1 on evidence-based policy formulation and implementation to inform these debates. Read the inaugural statement from UNESCO here!
Edtech Entrepreneur Key Competencies Programme
We are happy to share the next outcome of the EmpowerED Project which is designed for learners who are taking their first steps towards entrepreneurship in the education world. The content outlines the key competencies of an entrepreneur, like the need to motivate people and build partnerships, combine resources to create an effective product and create value both for the customer and the company.
Enrol in the Mini MOOC here!
European EdTech Alliance & Navigate EdTech
We are happy to share a Special Offer for all EEA Members and Friends!
Navigate EdTech: The Playbook for US Education Markets provides practical information, insights, and templates based on 20+ years of experience in U.S. K-12 marketing and sales. For more information on the services and discounted access available only to EEA members click here!
Not an EEA member but follow their work? Not a problem—there is a discount for you, too. Simply visit Navigate EdTech and use the code “EEAFRIEND” for your $100 discount.
Thanks to our friends from Navigate EdTech for this special offer for all EEA Member organisations and friends, and your ongoing support of the EEA and the Edtech ecosystem.
Learntec StartUp Area with EDUvation
Are you interested in exhibiting at the LEARNTEC in Karlsruhe, Germany, from June 4 to 6? For the first time, the digital learning trade fair is offering a StartUp Area for international exhibitors. This gives you the opportunity to meet educators and decision-makers from all industries and the public sector at one of the largest education events.
Please contact our Member EDUvation for more information, or click here!
DigiEduHack 2023 Finalists Announcement
DigiEduHack 2023 has reached a new milestone!🚀 The evaluation of this edition’s local winning solutions has come to an end, and the finalists have been announced! 🏆
Explore their innovative solutions and vote for your favourite here!
Share the exciting news with your community and make a difference in choosing the DigiEduHack 2023 Global Winners.
ELTons Innovation Awards for 2024
The ELTons 2024 search is now on for the most inspiring ways to teach and learn English from the past two years and the window for entries runs until Thursday 28 March. The British Council is looking for the most original courses, projects, apps, platforms, and more, which are finding new ways to help English language learners and teachers around the world achieve their goals. Learn more and apply here!
Worth Reading “Evidence Edition”:
And don´t forget to listen to the Edtech Insider Podcast: New interview with Open AI CEO Sam Altman on the future of AI in Education
FUNDRAISING & M&A:
Graide, a UK-based AI and machine learning platform for teachers, raised 1.8m € to expand in the UK and target new markets in the US and Canada.
Lithuanian Leya AI secures 1m € pre-seed funding to transform language learning and expand personalised coaching reach.
German Fobizz acquired to teach with the common goal of making teachers' everyday lives easier through the didactically accurate use of AI.
German Edtech Cleverly acquired Heytimi to integrate into their platform for online tutoring, and mentoring programs in areas such as self-confidence, self-organization and social skills
Upcoming Events, click on links for more information and tickets:
20th March: Learning Bytes Festival in Kortrijk, Belgium - Agenda & Tickets!
16th April: SETT Nordic Track in Stockholm, Sweden - Agenda & Tickets!
7th May: EdTech Austria Summit in Salzburg, Austria - Agenda
18-19th September: Learning Conference for L&D in Stockholm, Sweden- Tickets!
Check out our members’ newsletter:
This newsletter is written and produced by the European Edtech Alliance. The European Edtech Alliance is a consortium of national trade associations and clusters working with founders and providers of education technology (Edtech), to support the domestic and international growth of these businesses and the innovations they represent. European Edtech News is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
https://www.europeanschoolnetacademy.eu/courses/course-v1:EmpowerED+EdtechProgramme+2024/about
Dear Team
Vert interesting and useful newsletter!! As always a mighty job!
The link for the fourth annual Global Education Coalition meeting on Monday, 25 March is not working. Could you please help with this?
Have a great day
Alice