Abstract
This article analyzes the intersection between neo-liberal educational reforms and educational technology in the Israeli education system, through a study of the policy work of an edtech research and development unit in Israel named MindCET, which operates a startup accelerator and other activities and programs. Based on ethnographic research from the first two years of MindCET’s operation (2013–2014) alongside analysis of interviews and publications, I explore the edtech sector discourse and practices expressed by MindCET and the ways in which it attempts to promote educational reforms based on technologies, methods, and reasoning from the techno-business world. The article traces the disruption logic of MindCET–which evolved from disruptive innovation business theory–and how this logic is manifested in MindCET’s activities and educational policy work. I claim that MindCET’s policy work is implemented not by promoting in-system change, but rather through its disruption mode: a set of activities that distribute connections, ideas, possibilities, and experiences that are intended to create conditions and mindsets for willingness for disruptive change in education.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 20-32 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Learning, Media and Technology |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jan 2021 |
Keywords
- Edtech
- R&D
- disruptive innovation
- education policy
- intermediary organization
- neo-liberalism
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Education
- Media Technology