In today’s episode, the World Bank EdTech team looks ahead to 2025, exploring key trends for the future. Bob Hawkins, Alex Twinomugisha, Ekua Bentil, and Cristobal Cobo discuss AI’s evolving role in education, the focus on digital skills, and the push for resilient, adaptable systems. They also address the importance of sustainable AI and responsiv…

Welcome back to our podcast! In today’s episode, the World Bank EdTech team reflects on the top EdTech trends of 2024. Bob Hawkins, Alex Twinomugisha, Ekua Bentil, and Cristobal Cobo discuss the growth in investment, the impact of generative AI, and the need for better digital infrastructure. They share insights on how these changes are reshaping t…

In today's episode, we explore the concept of AI literacy to understand what it means and how it can help students and teachers in navigating the disruptions that AI will likely pose to education systems. Maria Barron, Education Technology Specialist at the World Bank, speaks with Pati Ruiz, Senior Director of EdTech at Digital Promise, and Jennife…

Bienvenidos al podcast de EdTech del Banco Mundial. En este episodio, continuamos con la serie 'Youth Voices', dedicada a explorar las opiniones de los jóvenes sobre la integración de las nuevas tecnologías en la educación, centrándonos en el uso de la inteligencia artificial dentro y fuera de las aulas. Hoy contamos con la participación de dos exp…

Welcome to a special episode on how to better choose EdTech solutions. Today, we're discussing the development and use of Tulna, an innovative tool that was created through a partnership between the Educational Technology department at IIT Bombay and the Central Square Foundation (CSF) in India. Tulna provides a framework to help governments choose…

Welcome to a special episode of our new series that puts youth voices front and center. Today, we're discussing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education and employment from the perspective of students. This conversation is particularly relevant as the World Bank's EdTech team focuses on leveraging technology to improve education, bringing students…

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…

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 comp…

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 Analy…

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…

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, L…

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 …

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, engage…

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,…

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…

¿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 pr…

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 (…

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, …

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 a…

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 navigatin…

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 t…

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 Readine…

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 acceler…

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…

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 avai…

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 Special…

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.learninge…

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.learninge…

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 Ro…

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.…

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 …

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…

Today, we're speaking about adaptive, personalized learning. This is data-driven learning that potentially moves beyond a predetermined decision tree and uses machine learning to adapt to students' behaviors and competencies. We'll talk about the implementation, the design, the cost, and other specs of running adaptive learning programs in developi…

This week, World Bank Education Specialist Ekua Bentil speaks with Clara Njeru and Esther Nyauncho in Nairobi about their experiences as women in edtech in Africa. Clara and Esther are both part of the World Bank's African Women in EdTech (AWE) project to contribute broadly to women’s leadership initiatives in EdTech in Africa, as well as to build …

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 how artificial intelligence (AI) is enabling new forms of student learning. World Bank Senior Education and Technology Specialist Cristobal Cobo and Digital Promise Executive Director Jeremy …

This week, World Bank Senior Education & Technology Policy Specialist and Global Lead for Technology and Innovation in Education Robert Hawkins speaks with the Global Digital Library (https://digitallibrary.io) about their joint crowdsourcing campaign with UNESCO and UNHCR (https://digitallibrary.io/ukraine) to translate early grade reading resourc…

Esa semana, Iñaki Sánchez Ciarrusta habla con Santiago García, socio fundador de Qüid Lab en Colombia, a Wilmer Gallardo, especialista de innovación de World Vision en Honduras, y Galder Reguera, jefe de proyecto de la Fundación Athletic Club en Bilbao, sobre la importancia de crear contenido educativo relevante, motivador y atractivo para conectar…

This week, Robert Hawkins (World Bank) speaks with Ruth Wylie (Assistant Director from the ASU Center for Science and the Imagination), Janhvi Kanoria (Director of Innovation Development from Education Above All), and Colin Maclay (Executive Director of the USC Annenberg School Innovation Lab) about the Evoke storytelling initiative. The Evoke stor…

This week, Robert Hawkins speaks with Omar Arias, Emanuela Di Gropello, and Cristian Aedo about some of the major edtech initiatives implemented in South Asia and Latin America during the emergency phase and now in the recovery phase of COVID. Robert Hawkins is the World Bank's Senior Education & Technology Policy Specialist and Global Lead for Tec…

Today, we invite you to join us for a special episode where we revisit some of our favorite moments from 2021 - conversations about blockchain, early grade reading and book distribution, the edtech ecosystem, an adaptive learning effectiveness study, and digital infrastructure - moments that are inspiring our upcoming episodes in 2022.…

Today, we are focusing on Open Schools, an intervention that shows promise to support second chance education and reach students at risk to dropout. The pandemic highlighted the focus back on online learning, which was the preferred method of remote learning among high income countries but was also offered as part of multichannel strategies by midd…

The World Bank funds education projects – about 80% of which now have an edtech component – in low and middle income countries. Many of the Ministries of Education in these countries have a growing recognition of the importance of building education ecosystems that try to encourage private sector innovation and entrepreneurs in edtech. Today, our W…

Opportunities to read and learn at home are critical to improving children’s learning outcomes, but too many young children are growing up without books and opportunities to read at home. Expanding opportunities to Read@Home is essential during this crisis, but is a smart investment at any time. Today, World Bank EdTech team member Maria Barron spe…

Today, World Bank Senior Education and Technology Specialist Cristobal Cobo is speaking with Maryam Akmal (Young Professional, Education Global Practice) and Alberto Munoz Najar (Consultant, Education Global Practice) about twin reports developed by the World Bank: “Remote Learning During the Global School Lockdown: Multi-Country Lessons” (https://…

Today, our EdTech team members Robert Hawkins and Dean Kline are speaking with Finland's Helsinki Education Hub and Turkey's EdTech Innovation Hub ETKİM about building edtech innovation hubs and the World Bank's newly created EdTech Innovation Hub Community of Practice. Mia-Stiina Heikkala, Lead Advisor, EdTech Start-Ups & Project Lead for Helsinki…

On July 21, the World Bank, UNICEF, and EdTech Hub co-hosted a side event of the Global Education Summit: Financing GPE 2021-2025. The event featured an overview of the Reimagine Education: Digital Tools for Learning for Every Child Everywhere partnership, including UNICEF and World Bank joint ambitions to reach children with high-quality digital l…

We are facing challenging times. The pandemic has not only disrupted education globally, but has also exacerbated preexisting inequalities. On the other hand, COVID has also been time for experimentation and innovation. Today, our World Bank EdTech team member Senior Education Technology Specialist Cristobal Cobo is speaking with World Bank colleag…

The World Bank Education COVID-19 Response Team has been monitoring the status of a school closures and remote learning modalities since the beginning of the pandemic and joined forces with Johns Hopkins University and UNICEF to launch a COVID-19 Global Education Recovery Tracker in March of this year. The purpose of the tracker is to capture ongoi…

Our World Bank EdTech team has been actively working with Ministries of Education and multilateral organizations to provide guidance and technical assistance to maximize countries’ effectiveness in the design and execution of remote learning strategies. Between May and November 2020, we conducted an exploratory study to understand the perceived eff…

At the beginning of 2021, the World Bank EdTech Team identified as one of the main topics of interest for Ministries of Education worldwide the need to mitigate learning losses caused by the ongoing pandemic and the use of technology as a pathway to accelerate learning. One technology that has been a focus for these remedial actions is Adaptive Lea…