Evidence to Action: Using Data and Research to Drive Learning in EdTech Products

From Data to Impact: Using Data to Support Learning

Note: This course is the first in a series, with a research course and a learning analytics course to follow. Check back soon for more courses and complete all three to earn a certificate.

Many educators and EdTech innovators design excellent learning experiences with the learner in mind. Yet, too often, data is viewed mainly as a reporting tool for funders or external requirements. This introductory course reframes that perspective. It helps you see data as a learner-centered tool for reflection, iteration, and continuous improvement.

This course introduces the essential ideas, language, and practices that will prepare you to work confidently with evidence in your own context. You’ll learn how to interpret the signals already available in your programs, organize them through clear frameworks, and use simple, sustainable tools to improve the learning experience. Step by step, the course demystifies data and shows how small, evidence-informed adjustments can lead to meaningful gains in engagement, confidence, and outcomes.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Recognize how data and evidence can inform better learning design and decisions.
• Identify, organize, and evaluate learner data to ensure it is useful, valid, and ethical.
• Interpret learner signals and use simple methods to generate actionable insights.
• Apply data to drive continuous improvement and demonstrate meaningful impact.

Whether you’re a teacher, program manager, or EdTech designer, this course offers a practical and accessible introduction to using data for learning improvement giving you the foundation to move from collecting data to creating real impact.