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1

Phone-Based Targeted Instruction

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ConnectEd

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Youth | Evidence | Gov Partner

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Youth Impact: Who Are We?

  • 130,000+ youth reached with health & education programs

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  • Implemented studies in 11 countries with partners

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  • 25+ rapid trials in 3-years

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  • MOU in Botswana to scale evidence-based programs nationally through government.

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Context: Using EdTech to Reach Out-of-School Youth

  • COVID highlighted a need for robust programs and evaluation methods that can reach children remotely.
  • A 2022 UN report estimates that 200 million + children are out of school due to a variety of emergencies.
  • These children were and continue to be difficult to reach and are in danger of being left behind.
  • Tech can maintain contact in otherwise challenging settings.

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Mobile Phones: Selecting the Right Tools

Own Mobile

Own TV

Own Radio

Internet Access

% of Households

100

80

60

40

20

0

Low-Income

Low/Middle Income

Middle/Upper Income

Household Availability of Technology

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The Intervention: ConnectEd Uses Simple Phone & SMS

Welcome to Week 1!�

ADDITION

14+46=?

18+33=?

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SUBTRACTION

He picked 32 apples and gave his friend 13. How many is he LEFT WITH?

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MULTIPLICATION

23x3=?

14x2=?

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DIVISION

DIVIDE 10 apples evenly between 3 friends. How many will each get?

1x simple SMS p. week with practice math problems

20-minute weekly tutoring calls to households

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Teaching at the Right Level: New Model, Same Principles

Focus on foundational skills.

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Meeting people where they are.

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1

3

Target instruction.

2

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Phone Surveys: Assessing Learning Remotely

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Botswana Trial Results: Phone-Tutoring Works!

  • Effects equal to roughly 1-year of high quality schooling per USD 100.
  • This led to an increase in interest for further evidence.

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Replication Studies: A Global Evidence Movement

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We have established implementing partnerships in five countries with a variety of implementing partners (World Bank, Teach for All, Street Child, NewGlobe, Global School Leaders, Alokit, IPA, Building Tomorrow). These partnerships will become the foundation for future scale efforts beyond Botswana.

  • 5

global trials

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  • 10

A/B tests

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  • 40,000+ students

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  • 500+

educators

5-Country Trials

Technical Support & Piloting

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Results Presentation: Impacts & Effects

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Cost-Effectiveness: Phone Tutoring is Low-Cost

  • ConnectEd is zero-cost to enrolled households.

  • Primary cost drivers are tutor stipends, not ICT inputs or upkeep.

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  • Total cost of the program for enrolled children (8 weeks of delivery) is USD 12 pp

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  • This equates to roughly 3.4 Learning Adjusted Years of Schooling (LAYS) per USD 100 spent.

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Learning Curve: Improving Program Implementation

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Summary Takeaways: Using Tech to Meet People Where They Are

  • Mobile phones are effective at improving basic competencies

  • Simple technology like basic mobile phones can effectively translate evidence-based pedagogies.

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  • However, continuous testing can better optimize these approaches for scale through governments and in EiE settings.

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Next Steps: Scaling Through Gov’t & EiE Settings

Targeted.

Instruction in Targeted places

Tutoring.

An more cost-effective alternative.

Tech.

Embedded within government ICT agendas

Implemented in emergency response settings as a cheaper, more impactful disruption to prevailing EiE programs.

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Thank You!

February 17, 2023