Assessing the Effects of Digitally Enhanced Education: Summary of Symposium Discussions

Author(s): Lezin, Nicole

Release Date: September 16, 2013 | Last Updated Date: February 17, 2015

Abstract

What do we know about the efficacy of digitally enhanced education? What works, and why? Although researchers, educators, and policy makers recognize that digital instruction is bound to be part of the educational landscape, surprisingly little empirical data bas been available to determine how the vast potential of increased access to tools and information can be balanced with rigor, quality, and value for both teachers and learners.

To address the lack of information about what works, a symposium series was launched in 2012 by the California Teacher Advisory Council (CalTAC), bringing together representatives of the education, technology, research, and philanthropic communities. The series is designed as an ongoing conversation and discussion among those with distinct but complementary perspectives on the issue of digitally enhanced education.

This report summarizes discussions from the symposium which took place at the University of California, Davis on May 24, 2013.