Drawing on a holistic view of the role of technology in education, WestEd leads research, evaluation, professional learning, and technical assistance that centers on the needs of students. We apply cutting-edge research about how children and adults learn to support educators and improve educational outcomes. Using an integrated approach, we collaborate with partners to develop high-quality recommendations, deliver action plans, and build evidence bases.
What We Do
Our research guides effective and equitable teaching and learning that uses technology in meaningful ways. We study, evaluate, and develop educational innovations across content domains.
Improving Outcomes in the Digital Age
We bring applied research expertise in cognitive and learning sciences to study emerging technologies, improve personalization, and build efficiencies.
Improving Tech-Enabled Learning and Engagement
Our team helps improve tech-enabled education that boosts learning, engagement, communication, and collaboration.
Applying Research to Support EdTech Development
We develop practical, student-focused, and high-quality products.
Enhancing Equity and Access in Computing Education
We strengthen teaching and learning in computing education and computational science. Learn more about how we align research and practice to increase equity.
Improving Teaching and Learning Through Research-Practice Partnerships
We apply research to educational content, develop new learning opportunities for students, and evaluate the efficacy of programs.
Our Approach
Throughout our work, we honor each partner and learner’s prior knowledge and expertise, understand the learning contexts in which they participate, and address systemic barriers to teaching and learning.
Learning should be enjoyable. Our work is learner-centered, grounded deeply in research on how children and adults learn, and built with our extensive experience with various types of technology.
We go beyond determining whether a practice or product leads to learning gains. Our researchers work to understand why, how, for what students, and in which contexts.