New Vision College

Mission:

The mission of New Vision College is to provide high-quality education, cultivate intellectual growth, and empower students to become lifelong learners and responsible global citizens. We are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning community that promotes academic excellence, personal development, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Objectives:

1. Academic Excellence: To provide rigorous academic programs that cultivate critical thinking, analytical skills, and practical knowledge in students. We aim to equip our students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen fields.

2. Student Success: To foster an environment that supports the holistic development of students by promoting personal, social, and cultural growth. We strive to provide comprehensive support services that enhance student engagement, well-being, and success.

3. Innovation and Research: To encourage innovation, creativity, and scholarly research among faculty and students. We are committed to creating an environment that promotes intellectual curiosity, encourages research collaborations, and contributes to the advancement of knowledge in various disciplines.

4. Community Engagement: To actively engage with local and global communities through partnerships, service-learning initiatives, and outreach programs. We seek to instill a sense of social responsibility and encourage our students to make positive contributions to society.

Core Values:
1. Excellence: We strive for excellence in all aspects of our work, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and academic achievement.

2. Integrity: We uphold the highest standards of integrity, honesty, and ethical conduct in all our interactions, fostering an environment of trust, respect, and fairness.

3. Inclusivity: We embrace diversity and inclusivity, respecting and valuing individuals from all backgrounds and cultures. We believe that a diverse community enriches the learning experience for all.

4. Collaboration: We foster a spirit of collaboration, teamwork, and cooperation among students, faculty, staff, and external partners. We believe in the power of collective effort to achieve shared goals.

5. Lifelong Learning: We promote lifelong learning by fostering a love for learning, encouraging intellectual curiosity, and providing opportunities for personal and professional growth.

The purpose of the college is to provide individuals with the opportunity to acquire knowledge, skills, and qualifications that can prepare them for successful careers and personal growth. College aim to offer comprehensive and high-quality education in a variety of disciplines, encompassing both theoretical knowledge and practical application. The objective is to empower students with the necessary tools and abilities to thrive in their chosen fields, foster critical thinking, and cultivate a lifelong love for learning.

College serve their target population by offering a range of academic programs, resources, and support services tailored to meet the diverse needs and aspirations of students. The provide access to qualified faculty who are experts in their respective fields, facilitate hands-on learning experiences, and promote a collaborative and interactive learning environment. Through internships, research opportunities, and industry partnerships, colleges also connect students with real-world experiences and networks, equipping them with practical skills and enhancing their employability.

In our organization, the role of the Team Lead is crucial in ensuring the effective functioning and coordination of various teams and projects. The Team Lead serves as a point of contact and a bridge between various stakeholders, including team members, managers, and other departments or teams within the organization.

The primary responsibility of the Team Lead is to provide guidance, support, and direction to the team members. They are responsible for setting clear goals and objectives, defining roles and responsibilities, and ensuring that deadlines and deliverables are met. The Team Lead facilitates effective communication within the team, promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing, and resolves conflicts or issues that may arise.

Additionally, the Team Lead serves as a mentor and coach to team members, assisting them in their professional development and helping them to overcome challenges. They provide regular feedback and performance evaluations, identify areas for improvement, and encourage the growth and learning of individuals within the team.

The Team Lead also plays a crucial role in liaising with other teams or departments, collaborating on projects, and ensuring smooth coordination and integration of efforts. 

In our organization, our Team Lead and supporting team members are well-positioned to effectively support the LEAP Project, even considering other priorities within the organization. We understand that the LEAP Project requires a dedicated commitment of 3-4 hours per week from the Team Lead and senior-level staff over the course of the 12-week sprint. Here's how our team ensures effective support for the LEAP Project and balances other priorities:

1. Efficient resource allocation: Our organization understands the importance of resource management and effectively allocates team members' time and workload. We have a comprehensive understanding of our team members' skills, expertise, and availability. By carefully organizing and managing resources, we ensure that our Team Lead and senior-level staff have dedicated time available for the LEAP Project. This allows them to focus on the project's goals and deliverables without compromising on other essential tasks.

2. Clear project prioritization: We prioritize the LEAP Project by establishing it as a critical initiative within our organization. Our leadership team acknowledges the significance of the project and its potential for innovation and growth. By aligning our organizational priorities with the LEAP Project, we ensure that our Team Lead and supporting members can allocate their time and attention to drive its success. This includes reallocating resources, if necessary, and establishing effective project management strategies to streamline processes.

3. Effective delegation and collaboration: Our Team Lead plays a pivotal role in delegating tasks and responsibilities to supporting team members. We have established clear lines of communication and collaboration, ensuring that everyone understands their roles in supporting the LEAP Project. By fostering effective teamwork, we distribute the workload effectively and capitalize on unique skills and capabilities of each team member.

4. Agile project management approach: To effectively support the LEAP Project amidst other priorities, we adopt an agile project management approach. This approach emphasizes flexibility, adaptability, and iterative development. By breaking the project into manageable tasks and iterations, our Team Lead and supporting team members can allocate time and resources based on the project's current phase. This enables us to make real-time adjustments, prioritize deliverables, and stay on track, even when faced with competing priorities.

5. Continuous evaluation and communication: Throughout the LEAP Project, our Team Lead and senior-level staff maintain open lines of communication. Regular check-ins, progress updates, and status meetings ensure that everyone involved is aware of the project's progress, challenges, and any adjustments needed. This proactive approach to communication helps us identify potential conflicts with other priorities within the organization and enables us to address them promptly and efficiently.

By implementing these strategies, we believe that our Team Lead and supporting team members are well-positioned to effectively support the LEAP Project. We understand the commitment required and are confident in our ability to balance competing priorities while dedicating the necessary time and resources to drive the project's success. Our collaborative approach, clear project prioritization, and agile project management methodology ensure that the LEAP Project receives the attention and support it needs to thrive within our organization.

EduConnect: Enhancing education in Ethiopia through an online platform offering curated resources and virtual tutoring.

The problem that our solution, EduConnect, seeks to solve is the lack of access to quality education and educational resources in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. This region is facing significant educational challenges, with low learning outcomes and limited resources for students, especially in remote and underserved areas.

One of the primary issues is the inadequate availability of high-quality educational materials. Many schools in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America lack textbooks, digital resources, and other learning materials needed to provide a comprehensive education. This resource gap hampers students' ability to fully grasp and understand key concepts, resulting in lower learning outcomes.

Furthermore, there is a shortage of qualified teachers in many communities, particularly in rural areas. This shortage of teachers leads to overcrowded classrooms, limited individual attention, and a lack of personalized support for students. As a result, students may struggle to keep up with the curriculum or develop their full potential, resulting in lower academic achievement.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the educational challenges faced by these regions. School closures and limitations on in-person learning have disrupted access to education for millions of students. The transition to remote learning has presented significant difficulties, with many students lacking access to devices, internet connectivity, and suitable learning environments at home.

Another critical issue is the lack of parent and community involvement in supporting children's education. Limited communication and engagement between parents, teachers, and students often hinder the reinforcement of learning outside of the classroom. This lack of involvement can impede students' progress and limit the holistic development of their educational skills.

EduConnect addresses these challenges by providing a comprehensive and accessible educational platform. Through our solution, we aim to bridge the resource gap by offering a curated library of digital educational content aligned with local curriculum standards. This allows students to access high-quality resources regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic background.

Moreover, our virtual tutoring component enables students to receive personalized academic support, aiding in their understanding of complex subjects and enhancing their overall learning outcomes. By connecting students with qualified tutors, we aim to address the issue of limited access to skilled educators and provide tailored assistance to meet individual learning needs.

EduConnect also emphasizes parent and community engagement. The platform facilitates regular communication between parents, teachers, and students, enabling parents to actively participate in their child's education. This involvement fosters a supportive learning environment at home and strengthens the connection between school and home, ultimately enhancing students' educational journey.

Overall, EduConnect seeks to address the critical problem of limited access to quality education and resources in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. By leveraging digital technology and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders, our solution aims to improve learning outcomes, empower students, and contribute to the overall development of these regions.

Our solution, EduConnect, is an online platform designed to provide access to quality education and resources for students in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. It works by offering a curated library of educational materials and connecting students with virtual tutors for personalized academic support.

To use EduConnect, students and their parents can create an account on the platform. Once registered, they gain access to a wide range of educational resources, including interactive videos, e-books, quizzes, and activities. These resources are carefully selected and aligned with the local curriculum standards to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

Students can explore the library and choose the resources that align with their learning needs and interests. They can watch educational videos, read e-books, complete quizzes, and engage in interactive activities that make learning fun and engaging. The resources are designed to cover various subjects and topics, catering to students' diverse learning requirements.

In addition to the educational materials, EduConnect offers virtual tutoring services. Students can connect with qualified tutors in real-time through the platform. They can schedule tutoring sessions and receive one-on-one personalized support in subjects they need help with the most. Whether it's understanding complex mathematical concepts or improving writing skills, the tutors are there to assist and guide students through their learning journey.

The virtual tutoring sessions are conducted using video conferencing tools, allowing students and tutors to interact in real-time. During the sessions, students can ask questions, receive explanations, and work through problems together with the tutor. The personalized attention and guidance help students gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter and improve their overall academic performance.

EduConnect also promotes active involvement from parents. Parents have their own accounts, which allow them to monitor their child's progress and engagement on the platform. They can view their child's completed activities and track their performance. This helps parents stay informed about their child's learning journey and identify areas where they might need additional support.

Furthermore, EduConnect facilitates communication between parents, teachers, and students. Parents can message the tutors to discuss their child's progress, ask for specific guidance, or share any concerns they might have. They can also connect with teachers to discuss their child's performance in school and collaborate on strategies to support their learning.

Overall, EduConnect works as an all-in-one solution that addresses the challenges of limited access to quality education and resources. It provides students with a curated library of educational materials and connects them with virtual tutors for personalized academic support. By empowering students, engaging parents, and leveraging technology, EduConnect aims to enhance learning outcomes and create a more equitable and inclusive educational environment in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America

1. Foundational Research: A literature review could be conducted to identify existing studies and evidence on the impact of access to educational resources and virtual tutoring on learning outcomes. This would help establish the theoretical basis and rationale for EduConnect's approach.

2. Formative Research: Usability studies and user interviews could be conducted to assess the usability and effectiveness of the EduConnect platform, gathering feedback from students, parents, and tutors. Implementation studies and process evaluations could be carried out to understand how EduConnect is being implemented in different contexts and identify any challenges or areas for improvement.

3. Summative Research: Impact evaluations could be conducted to assess the effectiveness of EduConnect in improving learning outcomes. This could involve quantitative measures such as comparing the academic performance of students using EduConnect with a control group of students who do not have access to the platform. Correlational studies could be conducted to examine the relationship between usage of EduConnect resources and academic achievement. Quasi-experimental or randomized control studies could also be utilized to evaluate the impact of the virtual tutoring component of EduConnect on student learning outcomes.

In addition to these research methods, it would also be important to gather feedback and testimonials from students, parents, and tutors who have used EduConnect. This qualitative data can provide insights into the perceived impact and effectiveness of the platform.

By conducting and commissioning research studies across these different research methods, organizations implementing EduConnect can gather evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of the solution in improving learning outcomes, increasing access to quality education resources, and fostering student empowerment. The specific research studies and their findings would depend on the context and implementation of EduConnect in different regions and settings.

EduConnect conducted a formative research study including usability studies, user interviews, and process evaluations. The data collected from these studies revealed valuable insights about the solution and informed the organization's work.

Usability studies: The usability studies focused on assessing the ease of use and effectiveness of the EduConnect platform. The data collected highlighted areas where users faced challenges, such as difficulties navigating the platform or accessing specific resources. This feedback was instrumental in identifying user interface improvements and making the platform more user-friendly. The organization used this data to guide the development of updates and enhancements to the platform's design.

User interviews: User interviews were conducted with students, parents, and tutors who had used EduConnect. The interviews provided qualitative insights into the users' experiences, perspectives, and perceptions of the platform. Users expressed appreciation for the access to a wide range of educational resources and the convenience of virtual tutoring sessions. However, some users mentioned the need for additional interactive features and customization options to cater to individual learning styles. This feedback informed the organization's decision to expand the interactive features and provide more personalized learning options within the platform.

Process evaluations: The process evaluations examined the implementation of EduConnect in different contexts, such as rural and urban areas, as well as among low-income and refugee populations. The data revealed variations in the adoption and usage of the platform across different settings. In rural areas with limited internet connectivity, users faced challenges accessing the educational resources in real-time. To address this issue, the organization developed offline resources that could be downloaded and accessed without an internet connection. This adaptation was informed by the data collected from the process evaluations.

Moving forward, the data collected from research studies informed EduConnect's work in several ways:

1. Platform Improvements: The data from usability studies guided the development of updates to enhance the user interface and improve the overall user experience. These improvements aimed to address the challenges identified by users and make the platform more intuitive and user-friendly.

2. Customization and Interactivity: The feedback gathered from user interviews informed the organization's decision to expand the interactive features of the platform and provide more customization options. These enhancements were aimed at catering to the diverse learning needs and preferences of students, allowing for a more personalized learning experience.

3. Targeted Adaptations: The process evaluations highlighted the need for targeted adaptations to address the specific challenges faced by users in different contexts. For example, developing offline resources addressed the connectivity issues faced by users in rural areas. This approach ensured that EduConnect could be accessed and utilized effectively, regardless of the users' geographical location or internet accessibility.

In conclusion, the data collected from research studies, including usability studies, user interviews, and process evaluations, played a crucial role in informing the continuous improvement and adaptation of EduConnect. The insights gained from these studies ensured that the platform could better meet the needs of its users, and enhance their learning experience

EduConnect recognizes the importance of evidence-based practices in ensuring the effectiveness and impact of our solution. While we have a logical and coherent theory of change, we acknowledge the need to strengthen our evidence base to demonstrate the effectiveness of our platform, enhance our understanding of its impact on learners, and further accelerate our solution's benefits.

There are several reasons why now is the right time for EduConnect to engage in a LEAP Project:

1. Building a Culture of Evidence: By participating in a LEAP Project, EduConnect can further cultivate a culture of evidence within the organization. This involves embedding research and evaluation into our work processes, decision-making, and continuous improvement efforts. Engaging in a LEAP Project will enable us to develop a systematic and rigorous approach to gathering and analyzing data, informing our decisions, and fostering a data-driven culture.

2. Demonstrating Effectiveness: Strengthening the evidence base of our solution is critical to demonstrating the effectiveness of EduConnect. Through rigorous research and evaluation methods, we can gather empirical evidence that supports the impact of our platform on learning outcomes, access to quality education resources, and student empowerment. This evidence will provide credibility and increase confidence in our solution among stakeholders, including educators, parents, policymakers, and potential funders.

3. Accelerating Impact: Engaging in a LEAP Project will accelerate the impact of EduConnect by enabling us to embed insights and results from research into our implementation strategies. By identifying evidence-based strategies and practices that effectively promote learning outcomes and access to education, we can refine and optimize our platform to maximize its impact on learners. This will allow us to continue scaling our solution and reaching more students, especially those who are underserved or marginalized.

4. Expert Guidance and Support: The Fellow team assigned to our LEAP Project will provide invaluable guidance and support in building our evidence base. Their expertise in research methods, evaluation frameworks, and evidence-based practices will help us design and implement studies that generate robust evidence. They will also assist us in analyzing and interpreting data, ensuring that our findings align with best practices and contribute to the broader knowledge base in education technology.

Overall, engaging in a LEAP Project is an essential step for EduConnect to strengthen its evidence base, demonstrate the effectiveness of our solution, and accelerate its impact on learners. By building a culture of evidence and embedding research insights into our work, we can continuously improve and refine our platform to ensure that it effectively meets the needs of students, supports their learning journey, and contributes to the broader goal of promoting equitable access to quality education.

1. What is the impact of EduConnect's virtual tutoring sessions on student learning outcomes, specifically in terms of academic performance and understanding of key concepts?

2. How does access to EduConnect's curated library of educational resources contribute to students' engagement, motivation, and independent learning skills?
3. What are the key factors influencing the effectiveness and implementation of EduConnect in different contexts, such as rural vs. urban areas or low-income vs. affluent communities?

During the 12-week LEAP Project sprint, we envision several desired outputs that would inform our approach to strengthening the evidence base of EduConnect. These outputs would be in the form of research recommendations, study designs, strategies, frameworks, and monitoring and evaluation tools produced by the LEAP Fellows. Given the time constraints and the availability of approximately four LEAP Fellows working 6-10 hours per week, we will focus on generating practical yet impactful outputs within these limitations.

1. Research Recommendations: The LEAP Fellows will conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature and research studies related to virtual tutoring, access to educational resources, and their impact on learning outcomes. Based on this review, the LEAP Fellows will provide research recommendations tailored to the context of EduConnect. These research recommendations will identify research gaps, propose suitable methodologies, and outline potential research questions and objectives.

2. Study Designs: Building on the research recommendations, the LEAP Fellows will develop study designs that address the research questions identified during the initial phase of the LEAP Project. These study designs will outline the research methodology, including data collection methods, participant selection, and data analysis strategies. The study designs will also consider practical constraints and feasibility within the 12-week timeframe.

3. Strategies for Data Collection: The LEAP Fellows will recommend strategies for data collection that align with the study designs and research questions. These strategies may include surveys, interviews, observations, and usage data analysis, among others. The Fellows will provide detailed guidance on data collection protocols, tools, and techniques to ensure data quality and reliability in a limited timeframe.

4. Frameworks for Analysis: To make the most of the available data, the LEAP Fellows will develop frameworks for data analysis. These frameworks will include guidelines for qualitative data analysis techniques, quantitative analysis methods, and statistical approaches, depending on the nature of the data collected. The Fellows will also provide recommendations on software tools and resources that can be utilized for data analysis.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation Tools: The LEAP Fellows will create monitoring and evaluation tools to track the implementation and impact of EduConnect. These tools may include surveys, checklists, or rubrics to assess the effectiveness of virtual tutoring sessions, the quality and relevance of educational resources, and user feedback. The Fellows will ensure that these monitoring and evaluation tools are practical, easy to administer, and capable of capturing meaningful data within the limited timeframe.

By delivering these outputs, the LEAP Fellows will equip EduConnect with research recommendations, study designs, strategies, frameworks, and monitoring and evaluation tools to strengthen the evidence base of our solution. These outputs will guide our future research efforts, inform our decisions in refining the platform, and help us measure the impact of EduConnect on learning outcomes. Additionally, these outputs will serve as valuable resources for scaling our solution, securing partnerships, and attracting potential funders by demonstrating the rigor and effectiveness of our approach.

Following the conclusion of the project sprint and the receipt of the outputs, EduConnect plans to put these valuable resources into action in several ways.  EduConnect will carefully review the research recommendations provided by the LEAP Fellows. These recommendations will highlight research gaps, propose suitable methodologies, and outline potential research questions and objectives. 

The organization will prioritize these recommendations and integrate them into our research agenda, ensuring that future studies address the identified gaps and contribute to the evidence base. This will allow EduConnect to align its research efforts with the larger body of knowledge in the field of educational technology and make meaningful contributions to the sector.  The study designs developed by the LEAP Fellows will be utilized as a roadmap for conducting research studies within EduConnect. The organization will prioritize the implementation of these study designs based on the feasibility, relevance, and potential impact on our understanding of the platform's effectiveness. 

Implementing the study designs will involve recruiting participants, collecting and analyzing data, and deriving meaningful insights to evaluate the impact of EduConnect on learning outcomes. The findings generated from these studies will not only inform our internal decision-making but can also be shared with external stakeholders, including educators, researchers, policymakers, and potential funders.  EduConnect will implement the recommended data collection strategies outlined by the LEAP Fellows. These strategies will include surveys, interviews, observations, and usage data analysis, among others. The organization will administer these data collection tools to gather granular information about the experiences and perceptions of users, and the impact of virtual tutoring sessions. 

The data collected will be carefully analyzed to generate insights that can inform ongoing platform improvements, personalized learning experiences, and the facilitation of equitable access to quality education.  The frameworks for data analysis developed by the Fellows will provide EduConnect with guidelines for analyzing the collected data. Whether it is qualitative data analysis techniques, quantitative analysis methods, or statistical approaches, the organization will ensure that these frameworks are implemented consistently and rigorously. 

Analyzing the data using these frameworks will allow EduConnect to derive meaningful insights about its impact on learning outcomes, engagement levels, and the factors that contribute to a successful implementation. These insights will drive evidence-based decision-making and shape the future development of the platform.  Lastly, the monitoring and evaluation tools provided by the LEAP Fellows will be integrated into EduConnect's ongoing evaluation framework. These tools, including surveys, checklists, and rubrics, will help the organization track the implementation and impact of EduConnect among users. The data collected through these tools will be utilized to monitor the platform's effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions to enhance the learning experience. 

By continuously measuring and evaluating the impact of EduConnect, the organization can demonstrate accountability and ensure that the platform remains responsive to the evolving needs of learners.  By actively implementing the outputs, EduConnect seeks to strengthen the evidence base of its solution, enhance its impact on learners, and contribute to the broader field of educational technology. 

The desired long-term outcomes of the 12-week LEAP Project sprint for both EduConnect and our solution are focused on building a strong evidence base, refining our platform, and ultimately improving the educational outcomes of students.

For EduConnect, the LEAP Project sprint will contribute to the organization's growth and impact by providing a solid foundation of evidence-based practices. The research recommendations, study designs, strategies, frameworks, and monitoring and evaluation tools produced during the sprint will guide our decision-making and shape our future research efforts. By incorporating these outputs into our practices, we aim to strengthen the credibility and effectiveness of our solution, enabling us to attract further funding, collaborations, and partnerships. The long-term outcome for EduConnect is to establish ourselves as a leader in the field of educational technology, known for employing evidence-based approaches to maximize learning outcomes and educational equity.

In terms of our solution, the long-term outcome of the LEAP Project sprint is to improve the impact and effectiveness of EduConnect in supporting student learning and achievement. By implementing the recommended research recommendations, study designs, and data collection strategies, we will be able to gather robust evidence on the impact of our virtual tutoring sessions and curated library of educational resources. This evidence will allow us to understand the specific ways in which EduConnect contributes to improved academic performance, increased understanding of key concepts, and enhanced independent learning skills. By continuously incorporating the insights gained from the data analysis using the frameworks developed during the sprint, we will be able to make informed decisions to refine our platform and optimize the learning experience for students.

Furthermore, the long-term outcome for our solution is to expand access to quality education and bridge the educational gap for underserved communities. By utilizing the evidence-based strategies and tools developed during the LEAP Project sprint, we will be able to identify the factors that influence the implementation and effectiveness of EduConnect in different contexts. This knowledge will enable us to tailor our approach and address the specific needs and challenges faced by students in rural areas, low-income communities, or other disadvantaged settings. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all students, regardless of their circumstances, have equal access to high-quality educational resources and personalized support through our platform.

Overall, the desired long-term outcomes of the 12-week LEAP Project sprint for both EduConnect and our solution are centered around building a strong evidence base, refining our platform, and improving educational outcomes for students. By incorporating evidence-based practices, we aim to establish ourselves as a leader in the field of educational technology and make a meaningful impact on students' academic performance, understanding of key concepts, and independent learning skills. Ultimately, our goal is to close the educational gap and provide equitable access to quality education for all.