1EdTech’s Learning Impact Awards recognize projects that harness the power of collaboration and open standards

 

BURLINGTON, Mass., June 11, 2025 — Groundbreaking, student-focused solutions took center stage at the 2025 Learning Impact Awards, hosted by 1EdTech® Consortium. Recognizing the most innovative and effective applications of educational technology, this year’s awards celebrated advancements that streamline access, empower learners, and drive equitable outcomes across the education ecosystem.

Top honors were awarded in each of the program’s three categories, with one category resulting in a tie, reflecting the impressive range and impact of the submissions.

  • Educational Insight, Attainment, and Planning
    • WGU Achievement Wallet, submitted by Western Governors University and iQ4, empowers learners to showcase their verified and self-asserted skills, connects them with career opportunities and helps to navigate the future of work. The wallet equips learners to understand, build upon and communicate their skills in ways that increase opportunity and support lifelong learning.
  • Teaching and Learning Innovation
    • Expanding Course Materials Access: The Value, Impact, and Influence of Flexible Access at UCLA, submitted by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and VitalSource, streamlined the university’s course materials program, making the materials more affordable and accessible while also preserving student choice. The program showed measurable improvements in student engagement and learning at UCLA.
  • Learning Environment Infrastructure
    • Bridge Builder: OneRoster API Integration with Ed-Fi ODS, submitted by Michigan DataHub and LearningMate/DoubleLine, streamlined roster synchronization so students and teachers can access learning resources on day one, while also providing real-time insights into student progress.
    • LMS Assessment Project, submitted by Anglia Ruskin University, integrates assessment management through the LMS, and has shown consistent experiences for learners while also saving thousands of administrative and academic hours.

“The level of competition reached a new high this year. Not only were this year’s submissions extraordinary in their sophistication and impact, but we also reduced the number of awards given in order to amplify the achievements of the awardees,” said Curtiss Barnes, CEO of 1EdTech. “I strongly encourage everyone to explore all of our finalists’ projects. They embody the core mission of the Learning Impact Awards by demonstrating how open standards and purposeful innovation can lead to improved learning outcomes and a more integrated digital learning ecosystem for everyone.”

The Learning Impact Awards program, led by 1EdTech Consortium, recognizes projects that harness the power of collaboration and open standards to improve access, equity, and student success across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning environments. The winners were selected from 17 finalists after presentations in front of edtech professionals who represent the entire 1EdTech community. The projects are also evaluated by Learning Impact conference attendees and the edtech community at large. A complete list of finalists and more information on the winners can be found on the Learning Impact Awards page of the 1EdTech website.

In addition to recognizing and celebrating innovations through the Learning Impact Awards, 1EdTech also recognizes contributions by individuals and organizational members throughout the year.

The 1EdTech Leadership Awards recognized individuals who went above and beyond in promoting and contributing to 1EdTech’s work. The awards went to:

  • Professor Tsuneo Yamada from 1EdTech Japan Society and Open University of Japan for championing the 1EdTech Japan Society as a leader of technology providers and educational institutions across the country.
  • Shefali Dhar from the University of Georgia for dedicating her time and talents to working on several 1EdTech standards, including Edu-API™, Caliper Analytics® and digital credentials. 
  • Debbie Durrence from Gwinnett County Public Schools for her leadership across 1EdTech, including serving on the board of directors, and helping to spearhead partnerships with new technology providers and non-profit organizations.
  • Nicole Englebert from Oracle for serving the 1EdTech community with dedication and insight, helping strengthen partnerships and serving on 1EdTech’s Board of Directors since 2022.

The Community Excellence Awards went to member organizations that are working tirelessly to overcome challenges with innovations and strategies that improve teaching and learning. The awards went to:

  • Indiana University, for its years of leadership across several 1EdTech projects and initiatives, including digital credentials, data standards and digital learning. 
  • Clayton County Schools, for their advocacy and use of the OneRoster® Standard and Security Self-Assessment Rubric.
  • National Heritage Academies for its use of CASE® and OneRoster across its network, spanning nine states.
  • Educational Testing Service (ETS), for its support of QTI® over the last 20 years, including the recent QTI 3.0 standard and its added accessibility features.

Cito also received 1EdTech’s Partner Advocacy Award for creating open-source tools that promote open standards and advocate for the adoption and certification of 1EdTech standards across Europe.

The annual Technical Excellence Award, recognizing one member’s significant and sustained participation in 1EdTech’s technical work, went to Steve Brawn from Oracle. Brawn was instrumental in driving the Edu-API specification from vision to reality.

Finally, 1EdTech celebrated the 48 individuals who completed the TrustEd Apps Certified Leader Program, a professional certification designed for education and technology leaders to develop a high-level understanding of the effective implementation of 1EdTech open standards and their impact on instruction. 

1EdTech will also host the Learning Impact Europe Conference, September 23-24, 2025, in Delft, Netherlands.

About 1EdTech

1EdTech® Consortium is a global community committed to building an integrated foundation of open standards that make educational technology work better for everyone. Our mission is to reduce complexity, accelerate innovation, and expand possibilities for learners worldwide. Our members represent K-12, primary, secondary, and postsecondary education, workforce and corporate learning, and technology and service providers. Together, we create and evolve community-developed technical standards and practices that support learner success throughout the lifelong learning continuum. Our organization gives a voice to all stakeholders working to improve education. 1EdTech hosts the Learning Impact Conference, Digital Credentials Summit, Learning Impact Europe Conference, and other engagement opportunities to advance the leadership and ideas that shape the future of learning. Visit our website at 1edtech.org.