Pilot hub EdTech: these are the new captains

Ludo: ‘I take my role as captain seriously. I want to ensure that we as educational institutions are not driven apart. That we work together to develop EdTech. That we use public funds smartly and that we make optimal use of EdTech’s potential.’

Floor: ‘As educational institutions, we are good at education and research. But to develop EdTech solutions, we need suppliers. The market of Dutch EdTech suppliers is quite small. There are also a number of large parties operating internationally. But not all of them are well versed in education, and certainly not in Dutch education. Whereas we do need that: developers who know and understand our Dutch education system very well. SURF does part of that, of course, but cannot do everything. So there is still a lot to be gained in this area.’

Ludo: ‘Quality of education always comes first, not the technology itself. But developments in technology do change our standard in education. Look at the possibilities of learning analytics and AI, and how students use them to organise their own personal learning profile. Education therefore becomes much more customised, matching the talents and needs of an individual student. And because it can be done, students, society and ourselves also expect us to use it.’

Floor: ‘I think a combination between online and offline education remains important. Why not share explanations of basic theory with students via video? This gives the teacher more time to help individual students with the hickups they encounter. But there is something more to it. Students will also have to deal with technology in their future professional practice. If we want to offer high-quality education, it is obvious that we should also embed technology in our education as much as possible.’

Ludo: ‘Getting educational institutions in the Netherlands to move in the same direction in this area, that seems to me to be a good goal for the coming period. So: working from a plan with which we can get institutions to look in one direction. And above all: getting things done. Because what we do is not just making plans. Above all, we want to get to work. Achieve results together.’

Floor: ‘I also think we need to get clear on what we expect from EdTech companies, and what our role in that is. Npuls is almost entering phase 2 now. It is important to get the mission for that new phase clear. That is what I am working hard for in the coming period. Good coordination between universities of applied sciences, universities of applied sciences and intermediate vocational education is essential for this. Because there are differences, but also similarities. And we need to put our finger on them. That way, we can jointly move education forward in our country, using EdTech.’