Case studies on Team4Tech's impact through education technology and NGO collaboration
Approximately 30% of the world’s educators are employed by community-based NGOs that lack significant access to resources to build employability skills for their learners (UNESCO “Accountability in education” report, 2017).
The 2021 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report underscores the significant role of non-state actors in educating approximately 350 million learners worldwide. These organisations meet the unfulfilled needs in education and offer innovative opportunities for dedicated educators, free from restrictive administrative constraints.
Empowering NGOs through technology: Team4Tech's mission
Team4Tech, a nonprofit impact accelerator, recognises the crucial role of grassroots-level non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in transforming educational ecosystems for learners in under-resourced areas. By supporting NGOs in building digital literacy for their staff, integrating EdTech to boost core learning outcomes, and utilising project-based education, Team4Tech fosters the development of non-routine cognitive skills, such as critical thinking and creative problem-solving.
Asia Regional Hub: Collaborative technological solutions
Through its Asia Regional Hub, Team4Tech collaborates with 10 Strategic NGO Partners to implement technology solutions and training, supported by skilled employee volunteers and annual matching technology grants. Additionally, their online Community of Practice (CoP) offers free EdTech tools, resources, courses, workshops, and more to these partners and 68 other education-focused NGOs across 16 countries in the region.
Co-designing contextualised educational solutions
Team4Tech's programming uses human-centered design to co-create solutions with community-based education NGOs, ensuring technology solutions are contextualised and relevant for advancing education to employability. This values-first framework upholds five core values, emphasising equity and commitment:
- Inclusive:Designing opportunities for everyone to be both learners and teachers.
- Empathetic: Fostering open collaboration, enduring change, and humble partnerships.
- Agile:Employing a human-centered approach, continuously learning and improving through data-informed practices.
- Intentional: Driving every engagement towards impactful outcomes for partners.
- Responsible: Earning trust, developing relationships, leveraging opportunities, and following through on commitments.
Case study 1: Enhancing career guidance in India
In India, although 97% of students enroll in primary schools, only 27% pursue Higher Education, of which only 50% of these graduates are deemed employable. Team4Tech’s Asia Regional Hub accelerated the impact of the Learning Links Foundation (LLF) to address this issue. Through the collaboration of 10 skilled volunteers and LLF staff, they developed a career guidance app for students in Tamil Nadu, covering various subjects, colleges, locations, eligibility criteria, and a self-assessment tool to help students understand their preferences and inclinations.
Case study 2: Empowering rural women in Rajasthan
Barefoot College International (BCI) in rural Rajasthan aims to leverage solar energy in classrooms and train women to create solar-powered products. Team4Tech facilitated a project with 10 volunteers from Cadence Design Systems, collaborating with BCI staff to build solutions for community women and create a curriculum for children. Volunteers utilised Caption AI for video subtitles in native languages and trained community teachers to use software for creating instructional videos.
Conclusion: Amplifying NGO impact through technology and collaboration
NGOs worldwide are making significant strides in education, often relying on volunteers for support across various impact areas. Team4Tech’s highly scaffolded model engages diverse stakeholders (including skilled volunteers, donors, NGOs, and corporate partners), focusing on evidence-based practices and a human-centered design process. By accelerating impact for grassroots-level NGOs, Team4Tech enhances the quality of education for learners in under-resourced communities, ultimately preparing them for better job opportunities and brighter futures.
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