EdTech evidence from Covid-19 response

To better understand the use of EdTech interventions as part of the Covid-19 response, in late 2020, EdTech Hub commissioned ten small-scale research studies in five low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This research, conducted in Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan, and Sierra Leone throughout 2021, included studies examining the use of three main types of devices: radio, television, and mobiles / smartphones. Education interventions were delivered via a range of different tech-based approaches, including:

• Interactive voice response (IVR) audio lessons
• Audio-visual lessons (e.g., YouTube)
• Text messages / social media / digital applications (e.g., Zoom, WhatsApp)
• Digital platforms for online learning
• Data systems development

This paper presents a summary and review of these studies to explore EdTech use in low-resource contexts during the Covid-19 pandemic and considers implications of its use in these contexts going forward.