Educational Initiatives Private Limited

Our Vision: Creating a world where children everywhere are learning with understanding.

Our Mission: Founded in 2001, Educational Initiatives Private Limited (Ei) is a first-of-its-kind PedTech leader. We leverage the twin levers of cutting-edge pedagogical research and technology-based solutions, to help students across different economies and demographics, learn with understanding. With over two decades of experience in the edtech space, our vast pool of student-data enables us to identify learning gaps and create a systematic shift in the way teachers teach and students learn.

Values:

1. Go Deep, Use Data, Remain focused: Promote data-driven decision-making that aligns with El's vision and mission.
2. Give and Demand high Standards: Give and demand high quality work and hold individuals accountable.
3. Radical Candour with Sensitivity: Sensitive communication balances between care and straightforward feedback to improve and grow.
4. Make an Impact: Always think of making an impact on someone. This could be on a child, colleagues, seniors, society or the ecosystem at large.
5. Think Big-Solve for Scale: Think of solutions that can be effectively applied on a larger, widespread level. Take calculated risks to push boundaries.
6. Own and Deliver Results: Own anything given to you and focus on measurable results in whatever you do. Take tasks to closure.
7. Innovate and Simplify: Innovate and think of new ways to bring fresh ideas or methods to existing tasks. Think simple and intuitive. Adopt lean practices that promote resource optimization.
8. Demonstrate Integrity: Always choose to take the honest, moral, and ethical path. Do not compromise.
9. Develop People: Always think of developing people and their well-being. Allow opportunities and promote inclusivity.

Kushark is a seasoned professional with over 18 years of distinguished experience in international business within the education and training sector. His expertise spans a spectrum of key areas including international business , new market entry, alliance management, corporate social responsibility (CSR), as well as B2B and B2G engagements.

Kushark's strategic acumen has been instrumental in facilitating successful market entries, orchestrating seamless setups, driving diversification initiatives, and spearheading global expansions within the realms of education and technology.

An alumnus of T. A. Pai Management Institute, Manipal, Kushark holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com), LL. B, and a Postgraduate Degree in Management. His academic background coupled with extensive practical experience underscores his ability to navigate complex educational landscapes with finesse and efficacy.

Mindspark’s vision to transform educational outcomes is championed by a team uniquely equipped to drive this initiative amidst other organisational priorities. At the helm is our Team Lead, Mr Kushark Jaiswal, a veteran in educational reform with over two decades of experience in implementing large-scale educational projects across India and the Global South. 

Supporting him is a multidisciplinary team of content developers, data analysts, and regional managers, each selected for their specialised skills and proven track records in their respective fields. This team is not only skilled in educational content creation but also adept at analyzing usage data to continuously refine and enhance the learning experience provided by Mindspark.

Importantly, our organizational structure allows for dedicated project teams who focus solely on Mindspark, ensuring that their efforts are not diluted by other initiatives. This specialized focus ensures that all team members are fully engaged with the project’s objectives and are not overextended by competing priorities within EI.

Additionally, EI’s leadership has instituted strategic planning sessions to ensure that all organizational activities are aligned and that resources are optimally allocated. These sessions help in preemptively addressing potential overlaps and conflicts in organizational priorities, thereby securing uninterrupted support for Mindspark.

To further bolster our project’s success, we have established an advisory board consisting of esteemed academicians, policymakers, and technology experts. This board regularly reviews project progress, offering insights that ensure our approaches remain at the cutting edge of educational science and technology application.

In conclusion, the Mindspark team, led by Mr Jaiswal, is not only well-positioned but has been deliberately structured to champion this audacious project. With a clear delineation of roles, strategic resource management, and an organisational commitment to educational innovation, the team is poised to implement Mindspark successfully, ensuring it significantly and sustainably enhances learning outcomes across diverse educational settings.

Ei Mindspark: Scaling Teaching at the Right Level with Pedagogy Rich, AI-Enabled Personalized Adaptive Learning Solutions.

Few children in Africa perform at their expected grade level and it is impossible for school teachers to handle the widely varying levels of ability and the heterogeneity in the classroom. As a result, low-performing students are permanently left behind (and possibly drop out) as they do not receive the academic support they need.

High teacher absenteeism, a one-size-fits-all approach, rote learning, and limited support for struggling students create a vast disparity in learning levels within classrooms and across schools. This is especially true for students from poorer families, who often lack basic foundational skills. The situation is even more stark in tribal communities, where literacy rates can be 30-40% below the national average. The pandemic further exacerbated these inequalities due to limited access to digital technology and unpreparedness for remote learning.

The Root of the Problem: Traditional Methods Fall Short

Traditional education often struggles to cater to individual student needs. A single teacher managing a large class with diverse learning styles can't effectively personalize instruction. Rote learning, focused on memorization over understanding, fails to equip students with critical thinking skills. This leaves many students, especially those starting at a lower level, falling behind without the support they need to catch up.

Our Solution: Personalized Learning at Scale

Mindspark addresses these issues head-on by providing personalized adaptive learning (PAL) specifically designed for students in government schools. This innovative tool tailors learning to each student's individual needs, ensuring everyone is challenged appropriately.

Mindspark tackles the critical issue of unequal learning outcomes by providing a scalable, personalized learning solution for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. By empowering students, equipping teachers, and fostering transparency, Mindspark paves the way for a more equitable and effective education system for all.

Ei Mindspark is a personalized adaptive learning (PAL) tool that enables Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL). It is an inquiry-based and gamified platform that itemizes the local syllabus. It diagnoses student’s learning levels and offers interactive questions to help students learn concepts at their levels. These questions are based on two decades of research on common student misconceptions in languages and math. Mindspark caters for students with varying learning capacities. For students struggling with reading skills, it offers voiceovers for support, while it challenges higher-performing students with more complex questions. Mindspark also integrates AI to assist students in improving their reading comprehension and creative writing skills.

Implemented in schools, students access Mindspark individually in shared computer labs in their weekly timetables. Real-time dashboards empower teachers to monitor student usage, and their performance data, and identify areas for remediation. This proves valuable in resource-constrained public schools dealing with large class sizes and diverse learning levels. RCTs conducted by J-PAL have shown a linear correlation between usage and improvement in learning outcomes. Mindspark has undergone five different independent external impact studies. 

Administrators benefit from Mindspark dashboards, as they can oversee regional variations in learning outcomes and devise strategies for improving the overall education system. Therefore, Mindspark improves student learning outcomes via two pathways: (1) Directly by student usage and (2) Indirectly by enhancing teacher capacity. Mindspark also has sequential benefits, boosting student motivation and attendance rates.

Mindspark has shown comparable effects to TaRL in-school treatments as well as teacher monitoring and incentives interventions, yet has achieved results in less time. Unlike teacher-dependent TaRL initiatives, Mindspark scale-up is not contingent on quality human resources, and the layer of technology makes it scalable in any context.

Empowering Students Through Individualized Learning Paths:

• Accurate Assessment: Mindspark diagnoses a student's learning level, creating a personalized starting point.

• Adaptive Content: Interactive questions, based on decades of research on common misconceptions, address specific learning gaps.

• Differentiation for All: Struggling readers receive voiceover support, while advanced learners face progressively complex challenges.

• AI-Powered Support: Mindspark leverages AI to assist students in refining reading comprehension and creative writing skills.

Equipping Teachers to Make a Difference:

• Real-Time Data Insights: Dashboards provide teachers with a clear picture of student usage, performance data, and areas requiring attention.

• Targeted Instruction: This data empowers teachers to tailor their classroom instruction and offer targeted support to struggling students.

• Focus on Learning, Not Busywork: Mindspark frees up valuable teacher time by handling individualized instruction, allowing them to focus on fostering deeper understanding.

Beyond the Classroom: A Ripple Effect

Mindspark's impact extends beyond students and teachers, fostering positive change within the education system:

• Transparency and Accountability: Usage and learning data provide school administrators with insights to identify areas needing targeted support, promoting a more transparent system.

• Data-Driven Policymaking: Valuable research data from Mindspark usage informs future educational policies and interventions.

• Prioritizing Cost-Effective Solutions: Mindspark's success as a proven and affordable program can guide policymakers in prioritizing effective education technology solutions.

Mindspark is one of the most rigorously tested EdTech software in the world:

• In 2016, J-PAL conducted an RCT of Mindspark in 5 after-school centers in Delhi with 619 students. Students using Mindspark scored 0.37 SD and 0.23 SD higher in math and Hindi, respectively, in just 4.5 months. 
• Post the first RCT’s success, Global Innovation Fund (GIF) sponsored an in-school rollout in 40 treatment government schools with 6500 students in Rajasthan. Between 2017-2020, J-PAL ran another RCT where Mindspark students scored 0.21 SD and 0.23 SD higher in math and Hindi, respectively. This was achieved at less than a third of the cost of the Delhi centers and in public schools . The learning gains are estimated to equal 0.78 additional years of schooling and a 5-15% improvement in income for a child exposed to Mindspark. 
• Mindspark was involved in the world’s largest Development Impact Bond (DIB) supported by the UBS Optimus Foundation in 2019, with 14,000 students. An evaluation of this intervention found a 5x increase in math and language scores for Mindspark students relative to control groups, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, making Mindspark the top performer among 4 education service providers in the same DIB.
• Bharat EdTech Initiative, led by Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, aims to drive EdTech access and adoption. In 2022, 55,531 students across 5 states showed learning gains of 1.8x and 1.5x in language and math, compared to a control group. This intervention was highly cost-effective as 'home-based' and community-led model was used. 
• IDInsight’s evaluation in 2014 found students using Mindspark scored 0.20 SD higher than those who did not. 
• Large scale A/B tests are underway to create a scalable Mindspark model for government schools. An assessment of a report card information treatment showed a 4-minute weekly usage increase and a 6% activity rise in the treatment group (sample: 170 schools & 19,992 students)

Refer note on Mindspark's evaluations: http://t.ly/MHORK

The research and studies conducted on Mindspark have provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of our solution and have significantly informed our work moving forward.

Firstly, the multiple studies conducted across the world have consistently shown that teaching at the right level (TaRL) and computer-assisted personalized learning are effective approaches to bridging learning gaps, especially in capacity-constrained contexts. Mindspark, drawing on TaRL approaches, dynamically customizes learning material based on each student's ability level, effectively overcoming barriers faced by teachers in catering to multiple learning levels. This evidence has reinforced our belief in the efficacy of personalized learning solutions like Mindspark in addressing the diverse learning needs of students.

Furthermore, the independent evaluations conducted by organizations such as J-PAL, IDInsight, and IPE Triple Line have provided robust evidence of Mindspark's positive impact on student learning outcomes. These evaluations have demonstrated significant improvements in math and language scores among students using Mindspark compared to control groups. The findings also highlighted the effectiveness of Mindspark in targeting low-achieving students and narrowing learning gaps, particularly in middle schools where traditional interventions have shown limited success. This evidence has validated our approach and encouraged us to further scale and refine our intervention strategies.

Additionally, the studies evaluating Mindspark in different settings and contexts, such as after-school centers, government schools, and rural areas, have provided valuable insights into the scalability and adaptability of our solution. The positive results observed across diverse settings underscore the versatility of Mindspark and its potential to address learning challenges across various demographics and regions. This understanding has guided our efforts to tailor and implement Mindspark effectively in different educational environments, ensuring maximum impact and reach.

Overall, the data collected from these research studies have reaffirmed the efficacy and potential of Mindspark in improving learning outcomes for students, especially those from underserved communities. Moving forward, we remain committed to leveraging these insights to continuously enhance and optimize Mindspark, thereby empowering more students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

Ei recognizes the importance of strengthening the evidence base of our solution, Mindspark, to further validate its effectiveness and inform future decision-making. While existing research and evaluations have provided valuable insights into the impact of Mindspark on student learning outcomes, there are specific areas where we seek to enhance the evidence base.

We aim to conduct more rigorous and comprehensive studies to further evaluate the long-term impact of Mindspark on student learning and academic performance in the African continent. Presently, all RCTs have been undertaken within the Indian context specific to public school learning nuances in the Indian state of Rajasthan, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Futher, these evaluations have demonstrated positive short-term gains spread over 2 to 4 years, longitudinal studies are needed to assess the sustainability of these outcomes over time and to identify any potential fade-out effects. 

We recognize the importance of conducting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in diverse contexts and populations to strengthen the generalizability of our findings. While existing evaluations have focused on specific regions and demographic groups in India, conducting RCTs in a broader range of settings will help validate the scalability and adaptability of Mindspark across different educational environments in Mozambique and South Africa. By including diverse populations within these countries, such as students from rural areas, low-income communities, and marginalized groups, we can better understand the effectiveness of Mindspark in addressing the learning needs of diverse student populations in a new continent.

Additionally, we aim to incorporate more robust methodologies, such as quasi-experimental designs and propensity score matching, to minimize bias and confounding factors in our research studies. By employing rigorous research methodologies, we can ensure the reliability and validity of our findings, thereby strengthening the evidence base of Mindspark.

Furthermore, we seek to expand the scope of our research to include a broader range of outcome measures beyond academic performance, such as socio-emotional development, digital literacy, and 21st-century skills. By assessing a comprehensive set of outcomes, we can gain a more holistic understanding of the impact of Mindspark on students' overall learning and development.

We foresee two kinds of dissemination in the African context: 1) Results regarding the impacts of scaling up the Mindspark in public schools; 2) Results from research on effective pedagogy in low‐income settings. Accordingly, the research questions are:

1. How to scale the program from 20 schools to 1/3rd of all schools in South Africa and Mozambique? What are the product and operational changes that should be made?
2. What are the implementation and processes employed to mitigate challenges in different locations? 
3. What are some new misconceptions that were not catalogued before and how are students currently learning these concepts? 

Formative Research Outputs:

• Needs Assessment: Conducting a comprehensive needs assessment to understand the specific learning challenges and needs of our target student population. This will involve gathering data through surveys, interviews, and observations to identify areas where personalized learning can make the most significant impact.
• Prototype Development: Based on the needs assessment findings, we will develop prototypes of our personalized learning intervention. These prototypes will include digital learning platforms, instructional materials, and assessment tools designed to address identified learning gaps and support individualized learning pathways.
• Pilot Testing: Conducting small-scale pilot tests of the prototypes in real-world classroom settings. This will allow us to gather feedback from students, teachers, and other stakeholders on the usability, effectiveness, and feasibility of the intervention.
• Iterative Design: Using the feedback from pilot testing to iteratively refine and improve the prototypes. This may involve modifying content, adjusting user interfaces, or incorporating new features based on user preferences and performance data.

Summative Research Outputs:

• Impact Evaluation: Conducting a rigorous evaluation of the effectiveness of the personalized learning intervention in improving student outcomes. This will involve collecting data on student engagement, academic achievement, and other relevant indicators before and after the intervention to assess its impact.
• Data Analysis: Analyzing the data collected during the impact evaluation to identify patterns, trends, and correlations related to student learning outcomes. This analysis will help us understand the extent to which the intervention is achieving its intended goals and identify areas for further improvement.
• Report Writing: Summarizing the findings of the impact evaluation and data analysis in a comprehensive report. This report will document the key findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on the research findings, providing valuable insights for future implementation and scale-up efforts.

Overall, our desired outputs for the LEAP Project sprint include evidence-based insights and actionable recommendations to inform the continued development, refinement, and scaling of our personalized learning intervention. Through a combination of formative and summative research activities, we aim to create a robust and effective solution that meets the needs of our target audience and drives meaningful improvements in student learning outcomes.

Below are the key steps we will take to ensure the effective utilization of these outputs:

1. Prototype Refinement: Based on the feedback received during pilot testing, we will iteratively refine and improve our prototypes of the personalized learning intervention. This will involve incorporating suggestions from students, teachers, and other stakeholders to enhance usability, effectiveness, and relevance in South Africa and Mozambique, along with the possible locations of Gambia, Uganda and Ghana.

2. Training and Capacity Building: We will develop training programs and materials to build the capacity of teachers and other educators in implementing the personalized learning intervention. This will include providing guidance on how to use the digital learning platforms, instructional materials, and assessment tools effectively to support individualized learning pathways for students, as defined by the insights from the evaluation.

3. Implementation Planning: Using the findings from the needs assessment and pilot testing, we will develop detailed implementation plans for scaling up the personalized learning intervention across target schools or districts. This will involve identifying implementation barriers and developing strategies to address them, such as providing technical assistance, securing resources, and engaging stakeholders.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation: We will establish robust monitoring and evaluation systems to track the implementation of the personalized learning intervention and measure its impact over time. This will include collecting data on key performance indicators, conducting regular assessments, and analyzing trends to identify areas for improvement and optimization.

5. Continuous Improvement: We will foster a culture of continuous improvement within our organization, where feedback from stakeholders and data-driven insights are used to inform ongoing refinements and adaptations to the personalized learning intervention. This may involve conducting periodic reviews, soliciting feedback from end-users, and staying abreast of emerging research and best practices in the field.

6. Scaling and Expansion: As evidence of the effectiveness of the personalized learning intervention accumulates, we will explore opportunities to scale up and expand its reach to new regions, schools, or populations. This may involve forging partnerships with government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private sector stakeholders to mobilize resources and support for scaling efforts.

For our organization, the long-term outcomes include:

1. Refined and Validated Solution within the African context: By the end of the sprint, we aim to have a refined and validated version of our personalized learning solution that is ready for wider-scale implementation. This includes having evidence of its effectiveness in improving student learning outcomes, and insights into its usability, feasibility, and scalability.

2. Enhanced Organizational Capacity in a new region: Through LEAP, we seek to strengthen our organization's capacity to develop, implement, and evaluate innovative education solutions in Africa. This involves building expertise in areas such as instructional design, technology integration, data analysis, and project management.

3. Strategic Partnerships: We aim to establish strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, schools, non-profit organizations, and technology providers. These partnerships will be instrumental in supporting the scaling and sustainability of our personalized learning solution, as well as in leveraging additional resources and expertise.

4. Increased Visibility and Recognition: Participation in the LEAP Project provides an opportunity to showcase our organization's innovative work and impact in the field of education. We anticipate that successful completion of the sprint will raise our profile within the education community and attract attention from funders, investors, and potential collaborators.

5. Long-Term Sustainability: Ultimately, our goal is to ensure the long-term sustainability of our personalized learning solution beyond the duration of the LEAP Project sprint. This involves developing strategies for funding, capacity building, partnership development, and advocacy to support ongoing implementation and growth.

For our solution, the outcomes include:

1. Improved Student Learning Outcomes: The primary objective of our personalized learning solution is to improve student learning outcomes, including academic achievement, critical thinking skills, and socio-emotional development. Over the long term, we aim to see measurable improvements in these outcomes among the students who engage with our solution.

2. Equitable Access to Quality Education: Our solution is designed to address disparities in access to quality education by providing personalized learning experiences tailored to the individual needs and preferences of each student. We aspire to create more equitable opportunities for learning and academic success, particularly for underserved and marginalized populations.

3. Scalability and Reach: Through the LEAP Project sprint, we aim to develop a scalable and replicable model for delivering personalized learning that can be adopted and adapted in diverse contexts around the world. Our goal is to reach a wide audience of learners, including those in remote or resource-constrained settings, and to make a meaningful impact on their educational trajectories.

4. Data-Driven-Decision-Making: A key feature of our solution is its use of data analytics to inform instructional design, monitor student progress, and guide decision-making at both the individual and organizational levels. Over time, we expect to see improvements in the quality and utility of these data-driven insights, leading to more informed and effective educational practices.

5. Positive Social and Economic Impact: Ultimately, we envision our solution contributing to positive social and economic outcomes for individuals, communities, societies as a whole. By empowering learners with the knowledge, skills confidence they need to succeed in school and beyond, we aim to create a brighter future for generations to come.