Welcome to Phase II of the Tools Competition!
During this phase of the competition, you will develop a proposal and budget detailing your tool or technology, its potential for impact and scale, adherence to track objectives and requirements, and incorporation of learning engineering principles. The submission deadline for Phase II proposals is January 16, 2025.
We are eager to support you with a variety of resources and virtual events to help you strengthen your proposal and receive feedback from competition organizers. Please reference this page regularly for updates. Make sure to also explore our blog for even more resources and insights!
Resources
These resources were developed to help you understand expectations for a high-quality proposal, offer important tips to keep in mind, and illustrate how previous Tools Competition winners reflect some key elements in their work.
- Rubrics – In Phase II, your proposal will be evaluated using key criteria as indicated in your track’s rubric. We recommend developing your proposal alongside the rubric and the opportunity’s objectives, addressing each component clearly and thoroughly. Access your track’s rubric on your appropriate track page:
- Tip Sheet – Based on our review of Phase I abstract submissions, we’ve compiled a tip sheet with suggestions to keep in mind as you develop your Phase II proposal. Please carefully review all tips and ensure they are reflected in your proposal. View the tip sheet here.
- How To: Your Learning Engineering Plan – With learning engineering at the core of the Tools Competition, a critical component of the Phase II proposal is a learning engineering plan that demonstrates your commitment to rapid-cycle continuous improvement and supporting research at scale. Learn more here.
- Safeguarding Edtech Users & Data Privacy – The Tools Competition prioritizes protecting edtech users and promoting responsible privacy and AI practices among competitors. We expect competitors to demonstrate how their tools uphold these standards and prioritize user safety. Learn more here.
- Accessibility & Equity – Equity has always been a key focus for the Tools Competition, and the 2025 competition introduces a new competitive priority for tools designed specifically to serve students with learning differences. Read on to learn how to design your tool with accessibility in mind.
Virtual Events
We’re hosting a number of interactive events to provide competitors with support as they develop their Phase II proposals. All events will be recorded and shared on this page following each event. Please note that these events are only intended for competitors invited to participate in Phase II of the competition.
- Phase II Info Sessions (December 3rd/times vary by time zone). Competition organizers will share more about the Phase II submission process and answer competitor questions. Register here.
- Safeguarding Edtech Users & Data Privacy Webinar (December 4th from 12-1pm EST). Competition sponsor, the Oak Foundation, edtech developers, and school leaders will share about the frameworks and best practices they follow to ensure users’ privacy and safety. Register here.
- Developing a Learning Engineering Plan Webinar (December 9th from 12–1pm EST). Caitlin Mills, Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota, will discuss the learning engineering plan requirements for competitors. Register here.
- “Ask a Researcher” Office Hours (December 12th from 1-2pm EST). Caitlin Mills, Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota, will host an informal office hours session to answer competitor questions about the learning engineering plan. Registration coming soon.
- Drop-in Group Office Hours. Our team will offer multiple informal office hours sessions to answer competitors’ Phase II proposal questions. Registration coming soon.
Please ensure you check this blog regularly for updates throughout Phase II of the competition.
