Evidence matters – especially when it challenges simple assumptions.
Last week, edisconet had the opportunity to take part in the Closing Event of the Lighthouse EdTech Evidence-Oriented Initiative at Jacobs House in Zurich. The initiative, supported by the Jacobs Foundation and coordinated by EPFL LEARN together with the EdTech Collider, brought together Swiss EdTech companies, schools and academic partners to examine how educational technology creates real-world value.
Together with the University of Zurich, Prof. Dr. Sascha Schneider and PhD candidate Agnese Nanni, we presented the results of the study: “Designing for agency: How AI features and student choice shape engagement in digital learning environments.”
The study explored how students’ choice of final-assignment format and an AI-supported learning environment influence motivation, engagement, emotional experience and learning outcomes.
One important insight: choice alone did not directly increase motivation, engagement or test performance. But the results showed a more nuanced and, in our view, highly relevant picture. During the learning activity, students’ positive activation and satisfaction increased. Choice was also associated with more positive emotional experiences when working with the platform, which in turn related to higher intrinsic motivation and engagement.
For edisconet, this reinforces an important principle: meaningful learner agency is not created through isolated options alone. It emerges from the overall learning experience – a well-designed platform-environment, flexibility in working with content, opportunities for creative expression, collaboration and thoughtful AI support.
We are very grateful to Agnese Nanni and Prof. Dr. Sascha Schneider at the University of Zurich for the rigorous research collaboration, and to EPFL LEARN, the EdTech Collider and the Jacobs Foundation for creating a framework in which EdTech innovation can be tested, questioned and improved through evidence.
We look forward to translating these learnings into even more engaging, collaborative and learner-centered digital learning experiences.
