Fast Facts
The Challenge
Sustaining learning in complex, often protracted, emergencies is not simple. Despite critical investment, much remains to be learned about what, when, why, and how to use EdTech effectively when “conventional” schooling is no longer available.
The urgency to build better guidance and insight regarding how technology can best help education in these contexts continues to grow.
Our Role
There is no critical mass of research focused on technology in Education in Emergencies. However, the Covid-19 highlighted EdTech’s potential in crisis contexts. School closures drove a global shift to tech-enabled home learning, prompting governments and education providers to seek urgent evidence on how best to leverage technology for continuity of learning. To meet this surge in demand, EdTech Hub played a pivotal role, providing timely insights through its Helpdesk, Rapid Evidence Reviews, and Covid-19-specific research studies. Building on this momentum, we aim to produce a better foundation of rigorous and practical research to help improve decision-making on how technology can be used to sustain the continuity of learning for the increasing numbers of children affected by emergencies.
Activities
- Conducting implementation research on key evidence gaps in the Middle East and Ukraine.
- Conducting secondary research, including Rapid Evidence Reviews (RERs) on remote learning, EiE, and refugee education.
- Developing a working paper on the cost-effectiveness of EdTech in EiE contexts.
- Working with INEE to create evidence-informed guidance materials for the use of EdTech in education in emergencies.
- Providing on-demand evidence support to key EiE sector decision-makers through the Helpdesk.
About EdTech for Education in Emergencies
The world is experiencing record population displacement due to escalating conflicts and natural disasters, leaving over 224 million school-age, crisis-affected children in urgent need of educational support.
As crises continue to escalate around the world, it is likely that there will be more and more children for whom conventional education is disrupted by some form of emergency or conflict. Building and applying the evidence base for how technology can help sustain learning for the millions of children affected by crisis is a central part of EdTech Hub and our partners’ shared mission.
EdTech Hub’s Work
Research shows that gaps in learning, whether short or prolonged, can have a lasting impact on learning outcomes. This was widely documented during the Covid-19 pandemic, when extended school closures led to significant learning losses.
In crisis-affected contexts, where disruptions are frequent, understanding how and when EdTech can support learning is critical. The urgency of today’s challenges makes developing EdTech program design and implementation guidance a priority, even as EdTech Hub continues to generate the evidence needed to inform future decisions about the use of technology for education in emergencies.
Emergency situations are not the time to field test innovations without regard for pre-existing evidence. In the initial stages of an emergency response, the best approach is to focus on EdTech that is already familiar for the users and able to reach high numbers of learners. Decisions regarding the appropriate use of EdTech should be made by those that understand the details of the educational context.”
– David Hollow, Research Director, EdTech Hub
Considering EdTech in Climate Emergencies
Exploring the importance of utilising existing and most accessible technologies to ensure learning continuity.
Insights and Evidence
EdTech for Education in Emergencies: A Rapid Evidence Review
This Rapid Evidence Review (RER) provides a synthesis of recent evidence relating to the implementation of EdTech programmes, platforms, and devices in emergency contexts. The main aim of the review is to provide education decision-makers, funders, and implementers (among others) with a clear picture of ‘what works’ regarding EdTech in emergencies.
All Resources on EdTech for Emergencies
Frequently Asked Questions on EdTech in Emergencies
What is EdTech, and how can it be used during emergencies?
Educational Technology (EdTech) refers to the use of digital tools and resources to support learning. During emergencies such as conflicts or natural disasters, EdTech can help support continuity of education and learning, when traditional schooling is disrupted. This can include radio-based learning, digital self-study materials, or tablet-based programmes that enable students to continue learning remotely. Learn more about how EdTech was used during the Covid-19 pandemic.
How can EdTech support teachers in emergencies?
EdTech can provide teachers with remote professional development, teaching resources, and peer support networks. Online training modules, interactive learning platforms, and virtual communities of practice help teachers adapt to new teaching methods suited to crisis settings.
If you’re interested in learning more, check out our rapid evidence review on EdTech for Education in Emergencies. It explores EdTech implementations in crisis contexts, including conflict, disasters, and public health emergencies, focusing on primary and secondary learners, their teachers, and caregivers.
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