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How R&D Infrastructure for Postsecondary Education Could Unlock New Advances

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Bibliographic Details
Title: How R&D Infrastructure for Postsecondary Education Could Unlock New Advances
Language: English
Authors: Rebecca Griffiths, Digital Promise, Empirical Education Inc., Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Source: Digital Promise. 2026.
Availability: Digital Promise. 1001 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 935, Washington DC 20036. Tel: 202-450-3675; e-mail: contact@digitalpromise.org; Web site: https://digitalpromise.org/
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 18
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Research and Development, Postsecondary Education, Educational Research, Research Tools, Longitudinal Studies, Technology Uses in Education
Abstract: Despite decades of recognition that postsecondary education lacks a robust empirical research base, systemic barriers--including faculty autonomy, non-standardized assessments, and siloed student data--continue to impede large-scale instructional innovation. While the proliferation of digital learning platforms offers unprecedented data streams, proprietary control and privacy concerns have historically stymied their use for the public good. This paper articulates a vision for a modern postsecondary R&D infrastructure designed to bridge these gaps. By examining initiatives within the SEERNet research network--such as Arizona State University's Learning@Scale data warehouse and the Terracotta and OpenStax Kinetic experimental tools--the author demonstrates how integrated, multidimensional datasets and open-access research instruments can lower barriers to rigorous experimentation in authentic learning environments. The paper further explores the role of Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) and standardized data taxonomies in balancing student privacy with the need for generalizable insights. Ultimately, the author calls for an ethos of openness and public investment in research infrastructure to prevent the privatization of educational insights and to foster a culture of continuous, evidence-based improvement in higher education.
Abstractor: As Provided
IES Funded: Yes
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED678876
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED678876
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PubType: Report
PubTypeId: report
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  Data: How R&D Infrastructure for Postsecondary Education Could Unlock New Advances
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  Data: Digital Promise. 1001 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 935, Washington DC 20036. Tel: 202-450-3675; e-mail: contact@digitalpromise.org; Web site: https://digitalpromise.org/
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  Data: Despite decades of recognition that postsecondary education lacks a robust empirical research base, systemic barriers--including faculty autonomy, non-standardized assessments, and siloed student data--continue to impede large-scale instructional innovation. While the proliferation of digital learning platforms offers unprecedented data streams, proprietary control and privacy concerns have historically stymied their use for the public good. This paper articulates a vision for a modern postsecondary R&D infrastructure designed to bridge these gaps. By examining initiatives within the SEERNet research network--such as Arizona State University's Learning@Scale data warehouse and the Terracotta and OpenStax Kinetic experimental tools--the author demonstrates how integrated, multidimensional datasets and open-access research instruments can lower barriers to rigorous experimentation in authentic learning environments. The paper further explores the role of Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) and standardized data taxonomies in balancing student privacy with the need for generalizable insights. Ultimately, the author calls for an ethos of openness and public investment in research infrastructure to prevent the privatization of educational insights and to foster a culture of continuous, evidence-based improvement in higher education.
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  Data: 2026
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PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=ED678876
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      – Text: English
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