Workshops on turning brain science and research evidence into better EdTech
with Olav Schewe, PhD
Brain-Powered Design – Applying Neuroscience & Cognitive Psychology to Elevate Your EdTech
SINGAPORE | 15. OCT 2025 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Practical Information
Intended Audience: Education and EdTech leaders, founders, and product/program developers
Location: Central Singapore (venue to be confirmed)
Preparations: No preparation required
Organizer: Olav Schewe, International Centre for EdTech Impact
Participation Fee: SGD 75
Description
Over the past few decades, research in neuroscience and cognitive psychology has transformed our understanding of how the brain learns best—from the limits of working memory, to how the hippocampus consolidates knowledge during breaks, to how neurons form connections that store information in long-term memory. In this workshop, we’ll take a deep dive into the human mind—exploring working memory, long-term memory, the hippocampus, and the differences between declarative learning (facts and concepts) and procedural learning (skills such as languages or mathematics). You’ll gain a clear, scientifically grounded understanding of how learning happens in the brain and what that means for digital learning design. Then we’ll translate that science into actionable design principles for edtech and digital learning products—drawing on cognitive load theory, multimedia learning theory, and research on text, video, and other learning resources—to help you create educational solutions that truly maximize learning.
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Learning Objectives
Explain key brain processes involved in learning, including the roles of working memory, long-term memory, and the hippocampus.
Differentiate between declarative learning (facts and concepts) and procedural learning (skills and processes), and understand their implications for instructional design.
Apply cognitive load theory and related principles to structure content that maximizes learning efficiency.
Use evidence-based guidelines from multimedia learning theory and related research to design effective text, graphics, audio, video, and multimedia combinations.
Evidence That Counts – Proving Your EdTech’s Effectiveness with Research
SINGAPORE | 15. OCT 2025 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Practical Information
Intended Audience: Education and EdTech leaders, founders, and product/program developers
Location: Central Singapore (venue to be confirmed)
Preparations: No preparation required
Organizer: Olav Schewe, International Centre for EdTech Impact
Participation Fee: SGD 75
Description
Most edtech companies can share glowing testimonials from happy customers. But increasingly, buyers—especially large ones like school districts—want more than stories. They want proof that a product is truly worth the money and the time it takes to implement. Around the world, from the US to Australia to India, governments and institutions are setting evidence standards and emphasizing the need for research-backed educational products. So, how should edtech companies respond? How can they identify existing evidence that supports their program? How can they generate their own credible evidence—and use it not just to win contracts, but to improve their product and strengthen user trust? In this workshop, we’ll unpack the world of research evidence. We’ll explore the pros and cons of different research approaches, how to locate and interpret existing studies, and how to design your own—from observational or qualitative research to the “gold standard” of Randomized Controlled Trials, which top the US ESSA evidence hierarchy and similar frameworks worldwide.
Learning Objectives
Locate and interpret independent research relevant to an edtech product.
Identify and compare major types of research evidence and designs, including qualitative, quantitative, case studies, meta-analyses, and Randomized Controlled Trials.
Assess the strengths and limitations of different research approaches to critically evaluate existing studies or design their own.
Develop a simple logic model that links a product’s activities, intended outcomes, and supporting evidence.
Apply and communicate research findings to improve product design, build user trust, and influence educators, policymakers, and investors.
Your Mentor: Dr Olav Schewe
Olav Schewe, PhD, is an Oxford-trained learning scientist and co-author, with New York Times bestselling author Professor Barbara Oakley, of Learn Like a Pro—an international bestseller now translated into more than 20 languages.
As lead researcher at the International Centre for EdTech Impact and research affiliate at Harvard University’s Next Level Lab, he's involved in research evaluating different approaches and products, including a recent meta-analysis on the effectiveness of Kahoot!.
A strong believer in putting science to work, Olav partners with universities, companies and edtech creators to apply insights from the learning sciences to enhance teaching, learning, and product design.
Contact Olav at olav.schewe@eduevidence.org.