Education Transformation: Research and Evaluation

Research is the systematic investigation—including research development, testing and evaluation—designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Evaluation is the systematic investigation of the merit, worth, or significance of any “object”.

Research can provide important information to governments and other stakeholders as they define their education reform programs. Education transformation plans should include well defined metrics of success and program evaluation from the very start to measure impact. Program data can then be used to guide any adjustments that need to occur.

Defining the Metrics and Results of Success

Intel research and evaluation includes technology and ethnographic research and development to ensure that hardware and software solutions best meet the needs of users, from children and parents to teachers and administrators. Intel works with industry leaders to support 21st century education, engaging government decision makers and academic experts. Education-related products and solutions are continuously evaluated for improvement and refinement. Market and industry analysis ensures that evolving needs in the education sector are being considered and addressed.

The Intel® Learning Series is based on ethnographic research in real classrooms around the world and collaboration with education experts. Intel’s team of ethnographic researchers conducts multiyear classroom studies. Intel also collaborates with academics at universities worldwide. This research informs the design and development of Intel Learning Series products.

The Intel® classmate PC was also developed based on research in 10 countries, including Kenya and South Africa. The research focused on how kids naturally and intuitively learn, and on what technology features will best support this process; how to foster 21st century skills; and how teachers can best introduce technology into the classroom.

Each of the Intel education programs, such as Intel® Teach, include content development based on current relevant research on effective teaching and learning followed by evaluation strategies that collect formative data for program improvement and then summative data to understand impact.

At Intel we approach our program and product development through established research foundations and contemporary studies on how students learn. To accomplish this, we have established:

• A network of over 30 evaluation agencies worldwide, connected by an online evaluator community
• Research and evaluation resources
• Toolkits (1:1 and ICT deployment)
• Protocols and instruments
• Logic and indicator models
• Research and evaluation reports catalogs
• Teacher professional development
• Informal education
• Science fair
• Online, 1:1 and classroom e-Learning
• Educational ICT quality, retention, and economic and social impacts
• Trends analysis

Intel Education Research Summaries

• Success, Challenges of Nation-Wide 1:1 Program in Argentina– Intel
• Key Learnings from Portugal’s Ambitious 1:1 eLearning Initiative—Intel
• Success, Challenges of 1:1 eLearning Initiative in Kocaeli, Turkey—Intel
• 1:1 eLearning Enriches Education in Malaysia—Intel
• Improved Learning with the 1:1 eLearning Initiative in Shanghai—Intel
• 1:1 eLearning in Bosnia Ensures Promising Start—Intel
• 1:1 eLearning Supports Development of “IT Society” in Macedonia—Intel

Additional Resources

• Technology in Schools: What the Research Says—Cisco, Metiri Group
• Innovative Teaching and Learning Research—Microsoft, Partners in Learning, and SRI
• Inspired by Technology, Driven by Pedagogy: A Systemic Approach to Technology-Based School Innovations—Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
• Intel Education Transformation Research: Lessons Learned Across Five eLearning Programs—Intel
• Evidence of Impact—Intel
• Ten Years of Evaluation: Intel Education Initiatives—Intel
• Intel Guide to Monitoring eLearning Programs—Intel