This session aims to prompt wide-ranging discussion around the political economy of education technology. Speakers will reflect on the processes of and developments surrounding EdTech innovation and data collection in the higher education sector, giving their views on best practice in these areas. We will also discuss the key stakeholders involved in education technology, considering: what role(s) does it play in the HE sector; who benefits from and who is disadvantaged by current approaches to developing and implementing education technologies; and what does inclusive, sustainable EdTech look like?

The speakers will particularly focus on the following themes:

Rebecca Eynon, The cultural political economy of AI and Lifelong Learning: Taking a broadly cultural political economy (CPE) approach, this talk will highlight the relations between the varied actors engaged in AI and Lifelong Learning policy making and the kinds of agendas they promote. It will discuss how the commercial sector is intensifying its existing stronghold in education through these discursive and material practices; and discuss the potential implications these moves have for higher education.

Kathryn Moeller and Klint Kanopka: Following the Capital: Using Investment Networks to Understand Venture Capital’s Influence on Education: Education is a multi-trillion-dollar industry. Educational technology (edtech) companies have been at the center of this growth, but to understand edtech we must understand the influence of venture capitalists (VCs). Drawing on interviews with Silicon Valley VCs, observations at events where VCs and edtech companies gather, and social network analysis based on investment data from Crunchbase and Pitchbook, this presentation will examine changes in VC investment in edtech over the past two decades to understand the logics, practices, and processes through which VCs have shaped the present-day education industry.

Neil Selwyn, What do we talk about when we talk about 'Big Tech'? It is increasingly common to bemoan the dominance of 'Big Tech' interests (such as Google, Amazon et al) in shaping how digital technologies are used in education. In this section, Neil Selwyn reflects on what 'Big Tech' is, what motivations and logics underpin these corporations' forays into education, and how educators might begin to meaningfully engage with this fundamental aspect of the contemporary digital landscape.

The panel will be of interest to academics, practitioners and policymakers, who are interested in higher education and EdTech.

Schedule:

Speakers

• Rebecca Eynon, University of Oxford
• Klint Kanopka, New York University
• Kathryn Moeller, University of Cambridge
• Neil Selwyn, Monash University
• Chaired by Dr Janja Komljenovic, Lancaster University (click here to view bio)

A recording of this session can be accessed by clicking here. Passcode: +^kZ5nD?