New Collaboration Aims to Enhance Education through Open Standards in Latin America
Transforming Education in Latin America: The Launch of 1EdTech LATAM
In a groundbreaking development announced during the BETT-Brazil event, the 1EdTech Consortium and the Ibero-American Association of Edtechs (IAAE) have joined forces to create 1EdTech LATAM. This new initiative is set to revolutionize the educational landscape across Latin America by implementing open interoperability and digital credential standards designed to optimize educational experiences for both learners and educators.
The Vision Behind 1EdTech LATAM
The partnership aims to address pressing challenges in the education sector such as excessive costs, inefficiencies, and the need for improved experiences for educators and learners alike. With a shared vision and a robust strategy, the collaborating organizations, including prominent names like Instructure, POK - Proof of Knowledge, PowerSchool, and Territorium, are rallying together to advocate for the use of open standards in educational technology.
Fernando Valenzuela, President of IAAE, expressed the significance of this collaboration, stating that it equips local institutions to harness global standards combined with localized expertise to elevate education in Latin America. He highlighted the initiative as a vital tool to foster innovation, trust, and scalability in educational practices across the region.
The Role of Open Standards in Education
Open standards such as Learning Tools Interoperability® (LTI®), OneRoster®, Edu-API™, Comprehensive Learner Record Standard™ (CLR Standard®), and Open Badges are already being utilized by educational institutions and technology providers in the region. The implementation of these standards is predicated on the belief that by standardizing processes, educational institutions will see reduced costs and time associated with the integration of new tools, alongside heightened user satisfaction and security.
Curtiss Barnes, CEO of 1EdTech, discussed the mission statement that underscores their commitment to creating a cohesive foundation of open standards. He noted how these frameworks aim to simplify the complexity of educational tools and foster innovation to expand learning possibilities universally.
Building Trust and Improving Access
With a well-designed strategic plan, 1EdTech LATAM aims to improve integration costs by streamlining the interoperability of educational technologies. This move is expected to automate processes, thereby reducing the manual groundwork involved in updates and data management. In doing so, trust is fortified with institutions, ensuring the utmost levels of privacy and data security.
The initiative also emphasizes improving learning outcomes and user experiences at scale. By employing advanced credentialing within the 1EdTech TrustEd Digital Credentials system, institutions can provide a more transparent and verifiable recognition of learner achievements.
Ryan Lufkin, Vice President of Global Academic Strategy at Instructure, affirmed their commitment to supporting the creation of a more equitable educational landscape through this partnership. He pointed out how the strategic collaboration and adoption of open standards could lead to significant educational innovation and evolution in the region.
A Broader Impact: Employment and Learning
Guillermo Elizondo, CEO and Co-Founder of Territorium, praised the merger, stressing its critical importance in linking education with employment opportunities. He added that by bringing together millions of users across Latin America, they aim to strengthen the infrastructure required for educational transformation, enriching the connection between learning and job placements.
POK's Co-Founder and CEO, Tomás Mindlin, expressed enthusiasm about aiding institutions in realizing the true impact of credentials through their NFT-based platforms that provide insights into job placement and learning outcomes, all while promoting a global ecosystem that appreciates verified skills.
Conclusion
The launch of 1EdTech LATAM signifies a pivotal moment for education in Latin America. By establishing a partnership that prioritizes innovation through open standards, these organizations along with their founding partners are creating a blueprint for the future of learning in the region. This collaboration signifies a commitment not only to improving education technology but also to meeting the evolving needs of students, educators, and the educational institutions that support them.
With 1EdTech LATAM leading the charge, the future of education in Latin America is looking brighter, more accessible, and inherently more connected to the global digital economy.