Nordic EdTech News #21 : 2020-06-15
Your Week 23 & 24 update from the Nordic & Baltic EdTech ecosystems
Although the summer holidays are nearly here, there’s loads to include in this week’s newsletter, so let’s get straight to it!
Firstly, this report from the Telia Company is essential reading for anyone working in EdTech across our region. They’ve surveyed over 7,000 students in 7 Nordic countries to find out about their experiences of studying from home. Too much to quickly summarise, but it covers everything from online access to learning resources and from digital wellbeing to online safety. (Summary here)
Plenty more evidence below that Nordic EdTech is doing well at the moment, so it’s unsurprising to see Labster and Kahoot leading the way in this analysis of the fastest-growing European EdTechs. Kahoot are now even better equipped to sustain this growth following their recent raise of $28m in new equity. (Link, Link) The news that Shape Robotics have published their IPO prospectus (Link) and that Playvation have raised €700k in a Sparkmind.vc-led seed round (Link) provides further evidence of a vibrant ecosystem.
On that note, Nordic EdTech News is proud to be teaming up with HolonIQ to produce the 2020 Nordic-Baltic EdTech 50. This will be HolonIQ’s annual list of the most innovative EdTech startups across the region and together we’re aiming to put a global spotlight on the incredible innovation we have locally.
HolonIQ’s Education Intelligence Team, together with Nordic EdTech News, will select the top 50 startups from the Nordic-Baltic region based on HolonIQ’s Global EdTech Startup evaluation rubric. For full entry criteria and details of how this rubic works, please visit.
Applications are now open and will close on 8 August 2020. Nominations are welcomed from EdTech companies, their customers and investors. Apply here.
Best regards, Jonathan
News from Denmark
Interesting analysis of the battle between Gyldendal and Lindhardt and Ringhof for the digital learning market (Den) as Alinea announces GoTutor acquisition. (Den, Eng)
ICYMI - Interview with Thor Ellegaard, CEO of EdTech Denmark. (Link)
CanopyLab launch TeacherLAB - a free learning platform for educators. (Link)
Hopspots outline their plans to teach programming through play. (Den, Eng)
Labster starts working with RMIT University (Link)
Challenges emerge with new procurement system for digital learning materials. (Den, Eng)
Teachers struggle with new technology curriculum. (Den, Eng)
Detailed report published reviewing the online learning experience of college and vocational learners during Covid-19. (Den, Eng)
News from Estonia
Amazing to see such strong growth for Estonian EdTech firms during the pandemic response. (Link)
The secrets of Estonia’s education and EdTech success via Bett Show. (Link)
HITSA Chair Heli Aru-Chabilan review national progress towards creating the school of the future. (Est, Eng)
More Estonian schools build digital skills through the DigiKiirendi programme. (Est, Eng)
News from Finland
Finland’s National Agency for Education releases the 2019 national study material survey. Essential reading for anyone creating learning resources, teaching tools, learning platforms for the Finnish market. (Fin, Eng)
Interesting views on how the shift to online learning will influence school and teachers in the long term. (Link)
Kide Science announce new agreement in Thailand with leading school chain. (Link)
Update on LessonApp’s work with schools/teachers in Malta. (Link)
New Nordic School expand into SE Asia with GSE (Link)
School Day partner with Whole Schools to expand into new LATAM markets. (Link)
News from Iceland
How Kara Connect supports wellbeing during lockdown (Link) and helps online counsellors. (Link)
Great to see Reykjavík University creating 150 summer jobs for students “…to assist with innovation in teaching through the development of teaching materials and teaching method focusing on innovative ways to teach.” (Ice, Eng)
Amazing collaborative EdTech projects to be funded through the Let Dreams Come True programme. (Ice, Eng)
News from Latvia
Edurio launch the largest study of Covid-19’s impact on UK schools. (Link)
Exonicus develop new virtual training scenario for using PPE with RSU. (Link)
Latvian MOE announce plans to create a single online virtual classroom. (Lat, Eng)
Solfeg.io wins the “Music Creation & Education” category at the prestigious Midemlab 2020 competition. Congratulations! (Latvian)
Details announced for the Technology Teachers Conference 2020. (Lat, Eng)
New survey demonstrates that Latvian society values teachers and their work. (Lat, Eng)
News from Lithuania
BitDegree launch personal learning paths (Link) and summarise their activities in May. (Link)
Turing School highlighted in Google for Non Profit’s programme update. (Link)
News from Norway
Codeandgo join forces with Learnlink to create code courses for children this summer. (Nor, Eng)
Read Erlend Øverby from Hypatia Learning on the importance of global standardization for learning, education and training technologies. (Link)
Nice summary of how Norwegian EdTech helped schools during the Covid-19 pandemic. (Nor, Eng)
9 out of 10 teachers say they have gained better digital skills during the pandemic. (Nor, Eng)
Lively debate on whether Norway was right to close its schools. (Nor)
Startup Extreme is online this year - register now for next week’s event!
News from Sweden
Controversy over Sweden’s improved PISA performance. (Swe, Eng)
Teachers believe that technology solutions have worked well for them and their students during the pandemic (Swe, Eng), but are feeling the pressure. (Swe)
Stockholm-based activist investor Cevian Capital has acquired a 5.4% stake in Pearson. (Link)
Gleerups work with MS Teams to improve support for schools. (Swe, Eng)
Reorganisation of publishing operations at Natur & Kultur. (Swe, Eng)
Swedish Edtech Industry support schools to select the right digital learning materials (Swe, Eng)
Schools in Västerås head towards a digital future and recognise importance of upskilling teaching staff. (Swe)
Thanks for reading and see you again on 29th June!
Many thanks, Jonathan
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