Global EdTech Testbed Network (GETN) met in London
The Global EdTech Testbed Network (GETN) convened for its second meeting in London from 22-23 January 2024 to explore advancements in EdTech co-development and evaluation within authentic educational settings, known as "testbeds". These environments serve as platforms for testing emerging educational technologies.
Supported by the Jacobs Foundation, GETN is a consortium of global experts in research, EdTech, venture capital, philanthropy, teaching, and administration. Its mission is to foster a learning community that advances the understanding of methods, structures, and systemic supports, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of EdTech testing environments. The London meeting gathered 40 researchers, educators, donors, and policymakers from the EdTech community. The EEA was represented by Niko Lindholm (xEdu), Verena Rohrer (Swiss EdTech Collider), Annelies Volckaert (edtechstation) and Antonia Clary (EEA).
The group aimed to co-develop a theory of change for the network, highlighting the need for common interoperable quality assurance standards and a shared definition of what evidence should look like for EdTech. Achieving these goals requires increased communication among stakeholders, enhancing teachers’ abilities to critically evaluate EdTech products, and involving both learners and educators in the creation of EdTech solutions.
During the event, participants exchanged insights on their contributions towards these objectives. Discussions covered the operation and sustainability of various EdTech trialling environments worldwide (Swiss EdTech Collider, EdTech Station, EdTech Impact, Leanlab Education, Instructure, and the Helsinki Testbed), the efforts of the US Department of Education to prepare teachers for AI integration, the importance of understanding evidence in general, and evaluating the effectiveness of current trialling environments in addressing the actual needs of schools and teachers.
The group also delved into the GETN publication on “Tenets and Principles of Edtech Trialing Networks and Environments” established for the US and discussed their adaptation to diverse international contexts. This collaborative effort underscored the network's commitment to refining EdTech testing and implementation strategies, ensuring they are tailored to meet the varied requirements of educational systems around the globe.