1. oneclass: innovative use of mobile technology to support inclusive and community learning in Malawi Dr Nicola Pitchford University of Nottingham Dr Nicola Pitchford UNESCO conference New Delhi Nov 2014

2. Dr Nicola Pitchford UNESCO conference New Delhi Nov 2014 Current status of education in Malawi In urgent need of education reform Very poor standards 98% of pupils have only basic numeracy Girls drop out of primary education early Overcrowded & under-resourced classes Poorly trained teachers Short school days (e.g. 07.30-10.30) UNESCO-IBE World Data on Education Report (2010)

3. Dr Nicola Pitchford UNESCO conference New Delhi Nov 2014 Can technology offer an innovative solution? Digital technologies, such as iPads, can offer: Intervention Child-centred individualised tuition Consistent quality for all children Delivery of well-designed software Content grounded in a solid well-constructed curriculum One-to-one interactive instruction with clear objectives Material that can be repeated as often as need be Assessment Monitoring of individual progress through objective assessments Identification of children with special educational needs

4. Dr Nicola Pitchford UNESCO conference New Delhi Nov 2014 oneclass is transforming the learning of young children using technology. Personalised learning is delivered to each child in their own language inside a simple, solar-powered classroom. Using iPad tablets, they learn at their own pace using an engaging and carefully structured set of apps. It costs as little as £10 for a child to gain the core skills of numeracy, literacy and English through oneclass. oneclass: the classroom of the future

5. Dr Nicola Pitchford UNESCO conference New Delhi Nov 2014 How does oneclass work? oneclass is equipped with a set of locked-down iPads. Many children will use each iPad over its lifetime. Every Standard 1 & 2 child spends several sessions a week in their oneclass. They are taken through a carefully structured set of onebillion apps to teach them maths. Reading and English courses are in development. All of the apps are in Chichewa and cover the entire Standard 1 & 2 curricula. Children learn at their own pace, and are rewarded every step of the way. They are guided by a virtual teacher character, who shows 'how to'. A class teacher manages each onclass. The teacher helps, guides and praises each child as they learn. They use their own dedicated tablet to help them. Childrens' progress is monitored remotely over the internet. oneclass can be totally powered by a low-cost renewable solar energy system.

6. Dr Nicola Pitchford UNESCO conference New Delhi Nov 2014 oneclass apps onebillion software delivered on Apple iPads 4 apps based on National Primary Curriculum Teach core mathematical concepts Delivered in local language, Chichewa/English Quiz to assess knowledge at end of each set of activities Automatic, solar, digital recording of children’s progress - with ‘oneclass’ technology Robust hardware, easy to use, interactive technology Long battery life

7. Dr Nicola Pitchford UNESCO conference New Delhi Nov 2014 Why choose oneclass? Touch-based technology means there is almost no learning curve for children. They are motivated to learn and results are evident immediately. The focus of oneclass is on the guided learning of the individual child, not on providing access to curated content. Tablet usage is maximised because many children will use them each and every day. Children are only allowed to use the onebillion maths, reading and English apps, keeping them totally focussed on learning. Each child's learning journey is tailored to their individual needs. Their weaknesses are targetted and strengths discovered. Teachers are empowered to deliver differentiated learning in their lessons as over- and under-achieving learners are easily identified by oneclass.

8. Dr Nicola Pitchford UNESCO conference New Delhi Nov 2014 How is learning being transformed? oneclass is significantly more effective at improving mathematical attainment than current pedagogical practice for primary school children in both Malawi and the UK Similar learning gains across countries 1 week iPad intervention = 3 months standard pedagogical practice Malawi data

9. Dr Nicola Pitchford UNESCO conference New Delhi Nov 2014 oneclass Malawi oneclass is fully endorsed by the Malawi Ministry of Education, Science and technology (MoEST). Using technology to deliver learning is part of the government's 2017 National Education Sector Plan. The oneclass team is responsible for the full rollout of the programme. This includes implementation, stakeholder buy-in, provision of quarterly status reports, remote monitoring and evaluation. oneclass uses high quality energy-efficient Apple iPad mini tablets. They have a useful lifetime of a least four years. Sustainability is achieved through significant skills transfer to the facilitator and teachers.

10. Dr Nicola Pitchford UNESCO conference New Delhi Nov 2014 Additional benefits of oneclass Using tablets increases excitement to learn and improves learners' behaviour and focus. The introduction of tablets decreases absenteeism from school. Increased levels of self-confidence through personalised learning, aimed at matching the levels of the individual learner. Improved level of teacher commitment and engagement. Tablets help with teacher motivation as it supports and enhances their teaching practice.

11. Dr Nicola Pitchford UNESCO conference New Delhi Nov 2014 oneclass community projects oneclass at Biwi Primary School, Lilongwe, is being opened out of school hours for use with the local community. Girls who have left primary school and parents within the community will have access to oneclass technology so they too can benefit. Fingerprint recognition software is being incorporated to facilitate ease of login by people in the community. Potential to incorporate Apple software that enables children with severe motor difficulties to access the onebillion interventions is currently being explored.

12. Dr Nicola Pitchford UNESCO conference New Delhi Nov 2014 Additional onebillion community projects onebillion have dedicated hardware and software to other disadvantaged children and adults within Malawi. Women and girls at the Bwaila Fistula Unit Young men at the Youth Offenders Prison in Lilongwe onebillion are committed to providing inclusive basic education to the most marginalised children around the world. They are using innovative technology and evidence-based software to achieve this.

13. Dr Nicola Pitchford UNESCO conference New Delhi Nov 2014 oneclass: potential for economic growth “Over the long run, education and technology are the most decisive determinants of wage levels.” Thomas Piketty (2014). Capital in the Twenty-First Century.

14. Dr Nicola Pitchford UNESCO conference New Delhi Nov 2014 Further information https://onebillion.org.uk/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29063614 http://journal.frontiersin.org/ResearchTopic/2611 Using technology to revolutionise learning: Assessment, intervention, evaluation and historical perspectives nicola.pitchford@nottingham.ac.uk