Publications and insights

Back

How to design edtech dashboards: part 2—design examples

By Adam Black

Here's a short deck illustrating how to design more actionable edtech dashboards for educators applying the eleven principles I've previously published (combining practices from data visualization, education research, and cognitive science) to a fictional higher-education courseware product

View details

How to design impactful edtech: evidence levels to guide why, when, and how to invest in efficacy research

By Adam Black

Investing in efficacy research can sound like an indulgence for an edtech startup that’s moving quickly and staying lean. But from experience taking many major edtech products to market, I’ve found that smart investments in efficacy research will help you to design edtech that’s more impactful and more competitive—and faster. Here’s a short deck showing how to use levels of evidence to frame your competitive ambition, investment case, and roadmap.

View details

How to design a persuasive Impact Mission: example—Perlego’s 2022 Impact Report

By Adam Black

An Impact Report helps build trust with customers by sharing your ambitions to do good. But too often the Impact Mission of an edtech business is independent from their Strategy. Annual Impact Reporting is then an exercise in whitewashing. By contrast, a learner-centered Impact Mission attracts great talent. And if your Impact Mission is your Business Strategy, it can propel teams to achieve outsized results. It’s a privilege to help Perlego design their Mission and Reporting.

View details

How to design edtech dashboards: part 1—eleven principles

By Adam Black

Edtech can deliver powerful insights to teachers and learners. But, as data gets richer, edtech designers have to work harder to make it understandable and actionable. Here's a short deck of design principles I've developed over two decades (combining practices from data visualization, education research, and cognitive science) and recommended reading.

View details

An encyclopedia of Learning Design Principles

By Adam Black

A number of teams are very usefully synthesizing learning science research into guidelines for edtech and content developers. This comprehensive suite is published under Creative Commons by Pearson and covers topics from objectives, to metacognition, and cognitive load.

View details