Nordic EdTech News #113: 2024-06-03
Your Week 21 - 22 update from the Nordic and Baltic EdTech ecosystem
Hello and welcome to today’s Nordic EdTech News. Thanks for reading and I hope that everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable weekend!
Two weeks ago, this newsletter covered the exciting launch of GPT-4o and LearnLM. The possibilities for Generative AI to transform learning and reduce teacher workload in Nordic schools appeared close at hand. Yet in Norway and Sweden, the brakes have regrettably already been applied.
In Norway, the government and Ministry of Education made it clear that Udir, the Directorate of Education, should develop to address AI and digital innovation in schools (Link). In response, the Directorate replied: “This is too complex and unpredictable for Udir.”
The response continued: it is "limited how concrete recommendations it is possible, appropriate or desirable to give." As a result, Norwegian schools will have to wait for national guidelines on how teaching and assessment should incorporate AI.
Yet in Sweden, the situation is perhaps even worse, as the government has incredibly prevented its own AI Commission from proposing interventions and usage in schools. As Jannie Jeppesen, CEO of Swedish Edtech Industry, comments in a recent opinion piece: “Schools, parents, children and young people are left alone to navigate the biggest society-changing technology development of our time.
That position appears even more wrong-headed in the light of three other recent news stories. Karlstad University argue that “it is important for Sweden's students to have a deep knowledge and understanding of generative AI”; a senior manager at Klarna puts forward the business case for letting AI into Swedish classrooms and recent research by Bonus found that a fifth of teachers in high schools are already using AI in their teaching.
It’s all in predictable contrast to the position of Estonia’s Education Minister Kristina Kallas. In this Q+A, for example, she outlines a future where technology, including AI, empowers students to become self-directed learners, navigating their educational journeys with personalised support and feedback.
There’s also much to ponder (but little surprise) in the OECD’s recent report: “How to protect and equip students against distraction.” The findings suggest that “moderate use of digital devices is not intrinsically harmful and can even be positively associated with performance. It is the overuse or misuse of digital devices that is negatively associated with performance.”
Of course, the report generated some typically alarmist headlines, but perhaps talking about banning phones is easier (and more politically advantageous) than actually addressing the real issues? As the report states: “building students’ digital competence and ability to navigate digital environments requires well-prepared teachers.” It continues: “PISA 2022 results show that mathematics teachers who engaged in professional development related to ICT skills for teaching in the previous year reported fewer student distractions due to the use of digital devices by other students in the class.”
Yet again I’m reminded of these words from John Martin (former CEO of Sanoma Learning) in 2014: “The killer app in education is the teacher.” This is so important and yet so often ignored by policy makers and EdTech companies.
Tickets are still available for the Nordic EdTech Summit - the first event by and for this unique community. It aims to spark collaboration and power innovation.
Why attend?
Network with like-minded leaders who share your goals and understand your challenges.
Gain actionable insights from industry experts on achieving profitable growth.
Get ahead of your competition by implementing proven strategies for success.
Address the impact of recent political and technological changes on the EdTech landscape in the Nordics.
It’s been a quiet fortnight for investment activity, although Dahlgren Capital acquired a stake and invested SEK 5 million in equity funding in Sweden’s Zebrain (Link). The move made them the largest single largest shareholder in the business, which aims to “revolutionize employee and leadership development through AI-powered digital coaching.”
And finally, do check out the latest report and market map from Brighteye Ventures. Building a Sustainable Workforce: Greening the Built Environment is produced in collaboration with Ufi Ventures - you can catch up on the launch event here.
As always, if you’ve got a story that you’d like me to include in a future issue of this newsletter, please email hello@10digits.org, tag me on Twitter or LinkedIn or use #nordicedtech / #balticedtech.
Thanks for reading this newsletter - your support is much appreciated.
Best, Jonathan
News from Denmark
Don’t miss EdTech Denmark’s Digital Læringsdag on 13th August at Aalborg University in Copenhagen. (Link)
Dafolo announces the acquisition of Generator, the consultancy company, and the publishing house, Straarup & Co. (Link)
The developers of Drama Studio decide NOT to include AI in future product updates. (Link)
Lexsee aims to support dyslexic children's schooling and, with funding from Accelerace, they’re going after the US market straight from launch. (Link)
Shape Robotics revealed their Q1 report for 2024. Net sales were up to TDKK 34,871 (18,980 in 2023) with EBITDA at TDKK -7,453 (-1,395 in 2023). (Link)
uQualio teams up with Twenty Three to turn videos into powerful eLearning content. (Link)
Zensai and Microsoft combine to leverage AI that helps “teams perform better, gives leaders better tools to be awesome coaches and mentors and helps individuals create a career and learning path for themselves.” (Link)
News from Estonia
View from Ireland: “Why does Estonia have Europe’s best school system?”
Useful summary of Digiefekt study, which examined how digital tools affect students’ learning outcomes in various skills and subjects. (Link)
EdTech Estonia and the Estonian Embassy in Berlin will host "EdTech in Estonia: Innovation with Nordic Charm" during LEARNTEC on 6th June. (Link)
News from Finland
Interesting insight into the work of the EXAM consortium, a group of 28 Finnish HE institutions that promotes the use of digital assessment in Finland. (Link)
After a highly successful pilot, the Ministry of Education and Skills Development of Bhutan have agreed to roll out the Eduten platform to all schools. (Link)
According to a survey by Freeed, only a third of teachers have access to the learning materials they need. (Link)
HEI Schools expands into the UAE through a strategic partnership with Ghobash Group. (Link)
Sparkmind.vc leads a €3.8 million round in AUTOVIO, who aim to digitalise the German driving school market. (Link)
Valamis have been awarded Leader badges by G2 for global, EMEA and European categories. (Link)
News from Iceland
Brilliant coverage for Atlas Primer in Forbes and Kara Connect in the FT.
News from Latvia
Edurio launches Edurio Unlimited to “unlock the potential of limitless, customisable surveys for schools and multi-academy trusts.” (Link)
Google.org has committed to invest up to €200,000 to help Latvian employees learn essential AI and digital skills. (Link)
News from Lithuania
Elicėjus, a personalised learning platform from BBright, already has over 18,000 student users from +100 schools in its first year. (Link)
Turing College has launched a new batch of 45 learners in Nigeria. (Link)
News from Norway
Major tech problems during recent online upper secondary school exams (Link) as NTNU report that digital now equals “68% of all examinations.” (Link)
Congratulations to Eirik Hernes Berre, COO at Curipod, who has been named one of the “most influential, impactful leaders and innovators in K12 education in the US.” (Link)
Emily Guille-Marrett, Chief Content Officer at Pickatale, is interviewed about “Research, Evidence, and Collaborations” by the Edtech Partnerships newsletter.
New podcast on Inclusive Design in EdTech Products with Louisa Rosenheck, Director Learning Design at Kahoot.
Udir reports on the digital state of play in nurseries and primary schools, which highlights “demand for more and better digital teaching aids, and more expertise in their use.”
Great article on Rolf Risnes, CEO of We Are Learning and his entrepreneurial journey. (Link)
News from Sweden
Many schools cannot conduct digital national tests yet. So during a transition period, they can conduct the tests in paper form. (Link)
Infinitas Learning have confirmed that Hernan Ruiz will be the new Managing Director of Liber. He starts in the role on 1 August 2024. (Link)
Plussa is a new AI-based coach to support parents' mental health with ambitions of global success. (Link)
Catch up on all the presentations from the Sana AI Summit.
Skolon’s CEO and founder Oliver Lundgren is on this episode of Småbolagspodden.
Storyals launch a new Generative AI Skills Assessment for individuals and organisations worldwide. (Link)
Swedish Edtech Industry publishes their latest Annual Report and announces a new chairman and new board members. (Link)
Tilda confirms that The Talent Company will be joining their growth journey as an “Investor and a Partner.” (Link)
TRUE launches a new collaboration with Learnifier to “create engaging and effective learning experiences.” (Link)
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