We can’t talk about how to prioritize Human Intelligence in education without placing learners at the center of the conversation. Unfortunately, in the race to bring new ed tech products to market, the involvement of youth in research and product development is often overlooked or an afterthought. Given the dizzying pace of development happening with generative AI capabilities right now, it may be more tempting than ever to crank out new tools without taking time to consult youth in the process.
This oversight not only limits the potential of new products but also contradicts the very essence of student-centered learning. The Human Intelligence Movement can play a critical role in guiding ed tech leaders to bring student voices into every stage of product development. Let’s start with defining our why and then look at some examples of how to make it happen.
Why is Centering Student Voice in Product Development So Important?
As we look to define why this is so essential, let’s walk the talk and start by asking a young person. According to Niku Sedarat, a recent high school graduate, “it’s critical to include students in the development of AI-powered educational tools because ultimately, students are the experts in their lived experiences and need to take the driver’s seat when it comes to shaping AI-powered educational resources that impact their learning and growth.”
Indeed, students are the end-users of educational technology. Their daily interactions with these tools provide invaluable insights that we, as adult developers, might overlook. By including students in the development process, we gain authentic perspectives on usability, engagement, and effectiveness that no amount of adult speculation can match.
“Students have firsthand experience with their own learning processes and challenges, allowing them to provide valuable insights into how these tools can accommodate various learning styles, backgrounds, and disabilities”
– Ava Shropshire, Student
Ava Shropshire, a college student who began working as a teen advisor for Alongside, an ed tech company focused on mental health, while still in high school, echoes this sentiment. “Students have firsthand experience with their own learning processes and challenges, allowing them to provide valuable insights into how these tools can accommodate various learning styles, backgrounds, and disabilities,” Shropshire says.
Promoting Student Agency & Digital Citizenship
When we include students in the development process, we’re not just creating better products, we’re empowering students. This involvement sends a powerful message: their voices matter, their opinions are valued, and they have the power to shape their learning environment. This sense of agency can lead to increased engagement and motivation, as students feel more connected to the tools they use.
Kyle Nacci, product manager for Alongside, has firsthand experience with the benefits of student involvement. “Our teen advisors and interns have been an invaluable resource for us as we’ve developed our app,” Nacci says. “Last year’s summer interns gave tons of feedback that we’ve referred back to throughout the year as we’ve made decisions about what new features to build.”
Additionally, involving students in tech development nurtures their digital citizenship skills. It provides them with a deeper understanding of how technology is created and implemented, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility in the digital world they inhabit. By participating in the development process, students learn valuable skills in collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving. This hands-on experience can inspire students to pursue careers in education, technology, and innovation.
Bridging the Generation Gap
The digital natives we’re designing for often have a fundamentally different relationship with technology than adult developers. By involving students, we bridge this generation gap, ensuring our products resonate with their technological expectations and learning styles. Students bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that can transform how we approach educational technology.
Nacci underscores this by saying, “Working closely with teens in the product research and design process has made me much more intentional in my own processes as a product manager.”
Student involvement helps ensure that ed tech products remain relevant and aligned with current educational needs and preferences. This can lead to higher adoption rates and more effective implementation in classrooms. When students feel that their voices are heard and their ideas are valued, they are more likely to engage with and advocate for the technology they helped create.
8 Ways to Include Students in Product Development
There are many ways to include students in the design and development of ed tech tools. Here are 8 ideas to inspire you.
1. Student Advisory Boards
Create student advisory boards that meet regularly to provide feedback on product concepts, prototypes, and features. These boards should represent diverse student populations to ensure inclusivity.
2. Classroom Beta & UX Testing
Partner with schools to conduct beta testing in real classroom environments. Gather feedback through surveys, focus groups, and observation of student interactions with the product. This approach ensures that the tools are tested in the environments where they will be used, providing authentic feedback on their effectiveness and usability.
3. Student-Led Design Challenges
Organize design challenges where students can propose ideas for new features or even entirely new ed tech products. This not only provides valuable insights but also encourages creativity and problem-solving skills. These challenges can be structured as competitions or collaborative projects, with opportunities for students to present their ideas to developers and educators.
“We were all blown away with what our interns were able to create in just two weeks,” says Nacci of a product design challenge he engaged in with teens. “One of the teams pitched adding a mood tracker to our app and we decided to do just that, referring back to their ideas and designs as we built it.”
4. Student Internships
Offer internships to high school students interested in technology and education. These students can work alongside development teams, providing a constant stream of student perspectives throughout the development process. Internships can be structured to include mentorship, hands-on projects, and opportunities for students to contribute to real-world products.
5. Collaborative Workshops
Host workshops where students, teachers, and developers come together to brainstorm, prototype, and refine ideas. These collaborative sessions can spark innovation and ensure alignment with classroom needs. By bringing together diverse perspectives, these workshops can lead to more comprehensive and effective solutions.
6. User Experience (UX) Testing with Students
Conduct regular UX testing sessions with students of various ages and abilities. Observing how students naturally interact with the product can reveal usability issues and inspire improvements. This iterative process ensures that the final product is user-friendly and meets the needs of its intended audience.
7. Student Feedback Loops
Implement in-app feedback mechanisms that allow students to easily share their thoughts and suggestions while using the product. Regularly review and act on this feedback. This continuous loop of feedback and improvement ensures that the product evolves to meet the changing needs of students.
8. Student-Created Content
For content-heavy platforms, involve students in creating, curating, or reviewing educational content. This ensures the material resonates with their peers and reflects student interests. Student-created content can add authenticity and relevance to the platform, making it more engaging for users.
Overcoming Challenges
While the benefits of student involvement are clear, implementation can present challenges. Here are some strategies to address common hurdles:
- Privacy and Safety: Develop clear guidelines and obtain necessary permissions to ensure student safety and data privacy. This includes obtaining parental consent, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and implementing robust data protection measures.
- Scheduling: Be flexible in scheduling activities to accommodate students’ academic commitments. This may involve coordinating with schools to schedule sessions during free periods or after school hours.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Make conscious efforts to involve students from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and learning needs. This ensures that the product is inclusive and meets the needs of all users.
- Managing Expectations: Clearly communicate to students how their input will be used and manage expectations about the impact of their contributions. Providing feedback on how their suggestions have been implemented can reinforce the value of their input.
- Bridging Knowledge Gaps: Provide students with the necessary background information and support to contribute effectively. This may include training sessions, informational materials, and ongoing mentorship.
The Future of EdTech Development
As we move forward, the inclusion of student voices in ed tech development should not be seen as a novel approach, but as an essential standard practice. By embracing students as co-creators, we not only improve our products but also contribute to a more inclusive, innovative, and student-centered educational ecosystem.
“Feeling like our voices and identities are accounted for in the education tools we use, makes us feel like WE are accounted for,” Sedarat says.
The future of Human Intelligence lies not in creating educational products for students, but in creating them with students. As ed tech developers, we have the opportunity – and the responsibility – to empower the next generation of learners by valuing their input and empowering them as active participants in their own learning journeys.
Post written by Margot Toppen