Clarifying impact
In this part we describe what impact is and why it matters.
What is evidence and impact and why do they matter for edtech?
EdTech companies have a responsibility beyond profit and growth—they're tasked with making a real difference in the lives of students and teachers. True impact is measured by educational outcomes, not just user numbers. That's where evidence comes in. Evidence is about demonstrating measurable impact - and this is key to driving long-term success and scalability in the EdTech space.
Why is this important?
By grounding your solution in rigorous research that examines your impact over time, you not only enhance its alignment with national curricula and the real needs of teachers and schools, but also position it at the forefront of the market. Evidence of the impact will help you understand how to improve your product’s design, ensuring it delivers meaningful educational outcomes rather than just user engagement. This focus on impact—such as changes in behavior, attitudes, or learning—sets your product apart and can also boost your chances of securing funding and strengthening your global market position
Ultimately, prioritizing evidence helps EdTech companies shift from merely reaching users to truly impacting their learning journeys.
KEY TERMS
Impact
Impact refers to the short- or long-term effects of an intervention (e.g. the use of the EdTech product over five years) on the target population and includes both intended and unintended consequences that can be positive or negative. While effect refers to the immediate, measurable changes from the use of an EdTech solution, impact encompasses the broader, long-term consequences.
“Impact management is the process of identifying the positive and negative impacts that an enterprise has on people and the planet, and then reducing the negative and increasing the positive”. -Impact Frontiers
So, impact can be both positive and negative, intended or unintended and in this Playbook, we show you how to maximize your intended positive impact on users.
Evidence
Evidence refers to the proof or factual information derived from a systematic research and evaluation concerning an EdTech’s impact. Evidence can include analysed data, reports or studies that demonstrate the impact of educational technology interventions on the process or outcomes of student learning, teacher practices, and institutional influence.
