EdTech Scan Report: What can we actually see from the outside?

When selecting digital learning tools, educational institutions increasingly consider issues such as equity, artificial intelligence (AI), and effectiveness. But how visible is this information to the outside world? A new EdTech scan by the Learning Technology & Analytics research group shows that this information is often limited and fragmented.

The scan was conducted as part of the Evidence-informed evaluation of EdTech and focuses on 11 widely used EdTech tools in Dutch higher education. The study looks exclusively at publicly available information from 2025.

The findings show that while vendors do provide information, it is often difficult to find or incomplete. Rather than being presented clearly in one place, relevant information is scattered across multiple pages and documents.

Key findings

• Accessibility is addressed, equity less so
  Many tools describe how they support accessibility, for example for students with disabilities. However, broader approaches to equity are often less explicit. 
• AI: focus on compliance, less on how it works
  Vendors typically explain what their AI can do and how they comply with regulations. However, it is often unclear how algorithms function and how users can influence outcomes. 
• Limited evidence on effectiveness
  Strong research evidence is scarce. Instead, tools often refer to design principles or user experiences, meaning effectiveness largely depends on how the tool is used in practice. 

According to the researchers, it is possible to assess EdTech tools based on public information, but there are clear limitations. Relevant evidence may exist but is often not publicly accessible. The report therefore mainly provides insight into transparency and public accountability.

The findings highlight that selecting EdTech tools is more than a technical decision. It requires careful consideration based on partial visibility of information. Transparency from providers is therefore crucial for responsible use.

Download the report

The full report is available in both Dutch and English:

• Download the EdTech Scan Report (NL) 
• Download the EdTech Scan Report (EN)

For more information, please contact senior researcher Manika Garg at [email protected].