Nordic EdTech News #31 : 2020-11-23
Your Week 46 and 47 update from the Nordic & Baltic EdTech ecosystems
Although it is sometimes tempting to view Nordic and Baltic EdTech through rose-tinted spectacles, independent verification of the quality of work conducted at all levels across our ecosystem cannot be ignored. The recent publication of the European Union’s ‘Education and training monitor 2020’ , for example, identifies that ‘the share of students attending highly digitally equipped and connected schools… is highest in Nordic countries.’ It goes on to note that Member States “that were more advanced in digital education as a result of implementing comprehensive national strategies in recent years (e.g. Finland, Denmark and Estonia)” adapted more effectively to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The report contains enough individual country data to fill several newsletters, so I won’t cover it all here. But it’s worth noting two overarching conclusions that are important, I believe, for all. Namely that “teachers were not adequately prepared to use digital technologies in the classroom before the (Covid-19) crisis” and that perhaps most surprisingly “pupils’ digital skills are improving, but they are not digitally native.” Worth reading in full and thinking about how your business should respond.
In addition to the news below, it’s great to report that Hege Tollerud, formerly CEO of the Oslo Edtech Cluster, is joining Brighteye Ventures as their new Head of Community (Link). Congrats to her and it will be great to have a strong Nordic voice at the heart of one of Europe’s leading EdTech VC funds.
If you’re still looking for additional reading matter as the winter nights draw in, then I’d recommend the following:
Global Teaching Insights from the OECD, which reviews video footage from 700 classrooms around the world to share best practice. (Link)
The annual Change Ventures Baltic Startup Funding Report (Link)
And finally, can I also draw your attention towards two initiatives seeking to share debate and best practice? Firstly, the DIGIT initiative from Edtech Southeast Sweden (Link) offers digital inspiration with virtual events over the coming weeks. Whilst the global Refracted community promises “interdisciplinary knowledge share and initial dialogue”. Please do get involved!
If you’ve got a news story for a future edition of the newsletter, please email hello@10digits.org. And please do share this newsletter with your network - your support is much appreciated.
Best, Jonathan
News from Denmark
How Covid-19 has changed schools for the better (Danish) and how schools in Odense are using robots to disinfect school premises. (Danish)
CanopyLAB founder, Sahra-Josephine Hjorth, joins Female Founders in Tech to bring gender equality to the tech industry. (Link)
IT-Branchen hosts a virtual round table on digital teaching (Danish) as its Coding Class reaches Greenland. (Danish)
Finland’s Kide Science won the first CBN Play & Learn challenge (Link). The next is on 30th November and focuses on “How will we entertain and learn in the near future?” Sign up now!
Learn more about SESAM’s project on smart and "edible" EdTech! (Link)
Shape Robotics announce challenging Q3 Interim Report. (Link)
SkoleTube (Link) and Sofaskolen (Link) get ready for Christmas!
News from Estonia
Congratulations to everyone involved in the Education Upgrade Hack 2020 (detailed report here), particularly the winner, Taut!
DreamApply announce new integration with Zapier (Link) and with Keystone SmartHub. (Link)
Great to hear Daniel Farkas, Founder of Drops on the Tech.eu podcast recently! (Link)
Estonia shares education expertise with international audiences - in Germany (Link) and via the World Bank (Link).
Further detail announced on the new Jõhvi School of Technology. (Link)
News from Finland
Eduten seal a new deal to bring Finland Math to Iraq and Lebanon. (Link)
How robots can inspire and encourage learning (Finnish) via Elias Robot.
Kide Science sign deal with Mirai Partners to expand into MENA (Link) and win Teacher Choice Award from EdTech Impact. (Link)
Panda Training prove the case for their micro-coaching approach. (Link)
New webinar from Sanako this Thursday looking at ‘How can combining pedagogy and technology transform language teaching?’ Sign up here.
Marko Kyyrönen of Sparkmind VC is interviewed here about EdTech as an investment vehicle. (In Finnish)
This works! first grade technology project is now available in Finnish, Swedish and English with Spanish coming soon. (Link)
News from Iceland
Controversy over plans to move all examinations at the University of Iceland online. (Link)
Icelandic teacher launches new website Icelandic Made Easi(er). (Link)
Great to see the Icelandic EdTech community sharing best practice through the #12dagaTwitter again this year.
News from Latvia
Edurio’s publish new resource for schools (Making remote education work - Link) as CEO, Ernest Jenavs, discusses student wellbeing on the Pursuit of Wellbeing podcast. (Link)
Detailed research into impact of quarantine on students’ screen time. (Latvian)
European Commission "Education and Training Monitor" report highlights quality of Latvia’s Covid response and strength of digital education. (Latvian)
News from Lithuania
BitDegree launch their Academy with new AWS training courses. (Link)
The EdTech Hackathon, organised by Vilnius University’s Business School, finished yesterday (22 Nov), but recordings of the sessions can be found here.
New student innovation platform launched. (Link)
News from Norway
Attensi grows licence revenues to over NOK 60 million. (Norwegian)
New GM sought at Lær Kidsa Koding (Link) as 100,000 students sign up for Kodetimen.
Kahoot launch Kahoot!+, a new B2C subscription plan (Link) and partner with Bitmoji for “more engaging and personalized virtual learning.” (Link)
Much to look forward to at this week’s Læringskonferansen 2020. (Link)
Ludenso announce that Margrethe Dolva will join the team (Nor) and highlight the outputs from their recent Hackathon. (Link)
Concern about digital teaching at the Norwegian Sports Academy. (Nor)
November’s monthly update from Skooler is full of interesting product developments. (Link)
News from Sweden
AcadeMedia announce plans to acquire Swedish Education Group. (Swedish)
Gleechi publish research with RISE about effectiveness of VR in training. (Link)
imagiLabs launch new ‘The Future of Women in Tech Report 2020’. (Link)
Learn2Esport partner with Twitch to develop Esport curriculum. (Link)
International recognition for Ouriginal’s solutions during pandemic. (Link)
Significant government agreement to support national digitisation of the Swedish education system. (Swedish)
Sana Labs win the AI and Technical Edge Award at the 2020 Techarenan Challenge (Swedish) and launch AI course with Peltarion. (Link)
Skolon announce collaboration with AV-Media Region Kronoberg to support digital learning. (Swedish)
Strawbees launch their Global Challenge to develop “fun, creative musical instrument inventions.” (Link)
Thanks for reading and see you again on 7th December!
Many thanks, Jonathan
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