Cancelled – Using educational technology to address the global learning crisis: a scalable and sustainable solution?

Please note that this seminar has been cancelled

Seminar Abstract

Despite global efforts to increase access to primary education, where basic literacy and numeracy skills are typically accomplished, currently 330 million children leave primary education unable to read and perform basic maths (UNESCO, 2017). Traditional methods of education have failed to solve this global learning crisis, so innovative, alternative, approaches are required. Since 2013, I have been working with the Unlocking Talent alliance which is capitalising on the advantages of EdTech, to deliver a new and innovative app-based intervention – onecourse – developed by the UK not-for-profit – onebillion, winners of the 2018 Tech4Good Africa award and joint winners of the 2019 Global Learning XPRIZE. This seminar will present the body of scientific evidence the team has accrued to demonstrate the effectiveness of this intervention at raising basic literacy and numeracy skills in different countries, with different groups of children, and through different modes of implementation. During the seminar we will also consider if EdTech interventions are a scalable and sustainable solution to the global learning crisis.

About the speaker

Professor Nicola Pitchford is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Nottingham.

Nicola’s research expertise lies in developmental psychology and education. She investigates how the cognitive processes that underpin scholastic progression develop over childhood. She works with specialist populations of children with acquired neurological disorders. Her clinical research centres on discovering how stroke, preterm birth, and brain tumour impact on scholastic and neuronal development and wellbeing. Working at the interface of theory and practice, Nicola collaborates with academics from different disciplines (e.g. psychology, medicine, education) and works with practitioners and professionals from a diverse range of fields (e.g. neurologists, neonatologists, oncologists, nurses, educators, companies, charities, non-government organisations, and government officials) to ensure that her research secures maximum benefits for key users and stakeholders. Her most recent research is exploring the use of innovative mobile technology to support the acquisition of basic skills (numeracy, literacy, English) by primary school children in Malawi, the UK, and several other countries. This international programme of work is being carried out in partnership with the charities onebillion and Voluntary Service Overseas.

About the department of education

In 2019, the University of Oxford’s Department of Education celebrates the 100th year since the passing of a statute creating what was known in 1919 as the University Department for the Training of Teachers. To celebrate our centenary a year-long series of activities will be delivered to address some of the department’s top initiatives for 2019, answer some of the big questions facing education today and to reveal the advancements the department has made to the study of and research in the field of education. Join us as we mark our 100th year and discover more about our anniversary here.

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