Nordic EdTech News #114: 2024-06-17
Your Week 23 - 24 update from the Nordic and Baltic EdTech ecosystem
Hello and welcome to today’s Nordic EdTech News. We start with several ongoing policy topics that keep rumbling on, but which have a fundamental impact on the use of EdTech and digital learning tools in our region - let’s dive in!
In Norway, the government has now confirmed that it will have to take “greater state responsibility linked to how the schools will use AI in teaching.” Kari Nessa Nordtun, Education Minister, has also announced that Udir, the Directorate of Education, will deliver an updated and expanded guide to its use in schools this month (Link). Her comments followed research by NRK, the national broadcaster, which found that over 80% of municipalities have not introduced an AI solution that pupils can use in school. (Link)
More broadly, the use of screens in schools has recently become a key political issue in the forthcoming election. IKT-Norge’s explainer on the subject here reiterates two central truths for me: “Both books and screens are needed” and that “digital educational aids must not leave schools.”
In Sweden, the government’s decision to prevent its own AI Commission from proposing interventions and usage in schools (see NEN 113) has drawn a furious response from local government leaders (Link). As they say: “School is a central part of our future and we must equip our young people with the digital skills required to meet tomorrow's challenges. The government needs to reconsider its decision now. Sweden cannot afford anything else.”
And yet, the government proudly trumpets the news that Microsoft will invest $3.2 billion to expand its cloud and AI infrastructure in Sweden (Link). As part of the deal, Microsoft plans to train 250,000 Swedes with AI skills “within organisations, schools, universities, public sector..”. Not for the first time, I’m struck by the mixed messaging and policy incoherence.
Also in Sweden, Skolverket, the National Agency for Education, has submitted their updated proposals for the preschool curriculum (Link). The plans emphasise that it “should no longer be mandatory to use digital tools in preschool.” Preschool teachers are also given a “clearer responsibility for choosing ways of working and learning tools.” In comments to the media, Lotta Edholm, the Education Minister, said: “My spontaneous reaction is that it is not enough.” This one will run and run….
Which leads us seamlessly to Denmark, where KL has struck an agreement with Google on behalf of the 52 municipalities that use Chromebooks in school (Link). If approved by the Danish Data Protection Authority, this will mean that students and teachers can continue to use their Chromebooks after the summer holidays. It’s a step forward but the Association of School Leaders emphasise that "there are still gaps that need to be closed."
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.
Delegates from 3DBear, Alinea, Eventful, itslearning, Skola24, StudyBee, Tietoevry, Valamis, Vigilo (and many more!) have already booked their tickets.
There are also three notable investment deals to highlight this week. Impossible to say if that’s indicative of an upturn or just businesses getting their deals done and news out before the summer break.
Keenious (Norway) raised NOK 15 million / €1.3 million in a funding round led by Spintop Ventures and Investinor (Link). It’s an AI-powered research tool that helps users “find relevant sources for their work and guiding them on proper use of sources.”
Quizrr (Sweden) confirmed $1.4 million in a new funding round for their human and labour rights training platform. The business also added former H&M Group CEO Helena Helmersson to the Board of Directors. (Link)
Realm (Finland) announced a €1.7 million raise to help companies search their corporate knowledge bases with AI. (Link)
It’s great to see Nordic and Baltic EdTechs well-represented in the 2024 Digital Education Accelerator, organised by the European Digital Education Hub (Link). The companies from our ecosystem are Codesters.club (Estonia), Elina (Tinyapp) (Finland) and Spotiself (Lithuania).
And finally, a reminder that applications for the GESAwards are open. Full details of the criteria and entry requirements here. They’re a great opportunity to accelerate your growth with international recognition. Closing date = 30th September.
Thanks for reading this newsletter - your support is much appreciated.
Glad midsommar, Jonathan
News from Denmark
A new study suggests that students lack training in the use of AI. (Link)
Government-funded platform launches with curated resources to support digital literacy and responsible online behaviour. (Link)
Learningbank launches a new Personal Leadership Programme to support “aspiring and existing leaders.” (Link)
Lenus, a health coaching platform, is ready to "think big" about its expansion plans. (Link)
WriteReader is in the final of the MIT Solve competition - good luck! (Link)
Zensai launched Flow365 “to deliver training to your frontline workers” through Learn365. (Link)
News from Estonia
kood/Jõhvi, the self-study and peer-to-peer coding school, has opened a new campus in Finland. (Link)
Clanbeat founder, Kadri Tuisk, has launched Wundamental to provide “business coaching with results-driven AI insights.” (Link)
News from Finland
Great UNICEF piece about Eduten and their “innovative approach” to supporting the education system in Uzbekistan. (Link)
GraphoGame has won the EdTech Breakthrough Award 2024 for Learning Analytics Innovation. (Link)
MinnaLearn partnered up with Google.org and INCO to launch the pan-European AI Tides programme, which aims to train 600 social entrepreneurs in AI skills. (Link)
Confirmation that Oppiva Invest's operations will cease and that no new investment decisions will be made. (Link)
University of Helsinki: “AI literacy is part of modern education.”
News from Iceland
RÚV, the national broadcaster, has launched RÚV Orð, a new digital service aimed at language learners. (Link)
News from Latvia
Datorium organised PyGirls, a programming course for girls aged 14-20. (Link)
Orbit8, a digital career assistant, raised €115,000 in an angel investment round. (Link)
Riga TechGirls received $500,000 from Google.org to revolutionise women’s digital and AI skills in Latvia. (Link)
News from Lithuania
No specific updates identified this week, but do check out the work of the National EdTech Centre.
News from Norway
Norway is “a technology laggard in the classroom.” The solution? Improving teachers' professional digital competence.
Really useful round-up of the Norwegian Tech Scene from Preben Songe-Møller of Skyfall Ventures.
Great speakers at Ludenso’s forthcoming webinar on the “Future of Textbooks in the Age of AI.” 21st June and full details here.
We Are Learning won the Course Authoring Solution of the Year award at the EdTech Breakthrough Awards. (Link)
News from Sweden
AcadeMedia now offers all employees access to EdAider's web-based AI training resources. (Link)
Bright, a new digital study platform for “e-coursebooks, documents and past-exams”, raises pre-seed funding from angel investors. (Link)
Johan Krantz takes over as CEO at Infomentor. (Link)
Läromedelsföretagen warns that the Legimus service is being misused, which “enables the uncontrolled spread of published course literature.” (Link)
Interesting profile with Meitner CEO, Adrian Andersson. (Link)
Magma Math meets the Level III evidence requirements for the US Every Student Succeeds Act (Link) and makes progress in the UK (Link).
Nuroe’s “evidence-based program designed to boost kids’ attention and learning” is now live. (Link)
Swedish Edtech Industry publishes their latest guide to data-driven working. (Link)
Digital tools promote student participation and learning, according to new research from the University of Stockholm. (Link)
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