Examining Best Practices Across Global Large-Scale Educational Technology Programs
The Best Practices Across Global Large-Scale Educational Technology Programs study aims to provide an independent, objective examination across global, large-scale, Apple-supported technology programs/systems. Building on two decades of empirical research documenting the implementation and impacts of 1:1 student computing programs, Dr. Damian Bebell will lead a review across many of the world’s largest student technology initiatives. Focused on the perspective and voice of executive leadership, this inquiry will document and examine the major components and considerations within and across large-scale educational systems and programs. This Apple funded (but fully independent) inquiry provides a unique, high-level examination of how policy makers are approaching, implementing, and evaluating educational technology systems during a time of challenge and change.
Although this study is unique for its global breadth and executive-level perspective, the Applefunded research is informed and guided by generations of prior educational research and theory, most notably:
- UNESCO ICT Competency Framework
- European Commission on ICT in Education
- ISTE Standards
- TPACK and SAMRS Models of Technology Integration
Through these lenses, Damian will lead (in-person and virtual) semi-structured interviews and/or focus groups with identified program leadership to address three research question:
- How do global programs differ in vision, mission, budgets, governance, leadership, and learning models?
- What are the systems used to support effective implementation, professional learning, infrastructure, partnerships, and evaluation? How are these supports common or unique across large scale systems?
- What practices/policies consistently lead to success across diverse contexts (and highlight examples of best practices)?
In total, eight programs around the globe were selected for this study based on their relationship with Apple learning tools in addition to the size and scope of their program implementation. Within each of these programs, 3-10 executive-level program and policy leaders will be identified and recruited to participate in a single 50–90-minute interview or focus group. Each interview and focus group session will be pre-scheduled and all questions(translated as needed) provided in advance.
This Apple-commissioned study seeks to objectively examine and better understand the systems, structures, supports, and implementation of large-scale technology initiatives across the globe. All participants will provide active consent, with their resulting data remaining 100% anonymous and confidential. All study data collected will be collected, stored, and reported in full accordance with local human subjects and institutional research review. All participants will be provided access to the study-wide results upon completion of the study.