The ETS AI Research Labs: A user-obsessed approach to innovation R&D

Educational technology can only meaningfully support learners if it's based on sound research and development, and if it is user-obsessed - a ground principle of the ETS AI Research Labs that were launched at the beginning of October. 

The Labs expand the application of ETS’s mission to advance quality and equity in education for learners worldwide 

by cultivating, and constantly reinforcing deep connections with users to develop AI-powered solutions that enable efficient, effective, and equitable teaching, learning, and assessment experiences. 

The capabilities and prototypes developed in the Labs will help ETS to engage with learners early in their educational journey, support their learning progressions, and provide reliable insights to inform critical decision-making along the way.  

The ETS AI Research Labs 

With the world changing rapidly around us, the future of education is near impossible to predict. Yet, what is constant now, and in the future, is that technology is only useful to the extent that it supports six fundamental user needs: efficiency, flexibility, insights, efficacy, equity, and ethical use of AI. To undertake the development of solutions that meet those needs, three inaugural Labs have been established. 

• The Natural Language Processing Lab develops capabilities that enable automation in assessment, learning, and tool development; and engines that support recommendations and interventions. The Lab prioritizes responsible application of AI and expands on ETS’s existing AI scoring thought leadership into adjacent areas. 
• The Personalized Learning and Assessment Lab constructs automated environments built on cognitive learning models that enable and empower users through targeted progressions powered by adaptation capabilities. Dynamic, actionable insights provide individualized supports for learners and recommendations for educators. 
• The Language Learning, Teaching, and Assessment Lab applies empirically based language learning theories and models to the development of personalized solutions that provide ongoing support for educators and learners worldwide.    

The Labs leadership team oversees agile teams within the Labs. Teams are comprised of learning and research scientists, engineers, instructional designers, and user experience researchers and designers who combine ETS’s world renowned educational research with cutting edge technology and apply it to delight and engage users.    

A user-obsessed R&D framework 

From ideation through minimally viable solution, a user-obsessed framework guides Lab R&D. Innovation teams cultivate deep empathy for all users in the value chain. From understanding their needs, through co-designing effective prototypes, to rapid, iterative testing, users are more than central to the development process – they’re partners throughout. 

The Labs apply the following framework: 

• Define and engage users. Each of the users in the value chain is defined, and a representative sample are engaged so their needs can be uniquely considered.  
• Build empathy. User journeys and needs are captured from their perspective - in the context of their experiences, beliefs, and values. 
• Watch, listen, and learn. During co-design, users drive ideation with development teams acting as facilitators - watching how users would approach a solution, listening to why they make the choices they do, and learning from their experiences.  
• Apply theory practically. In development, scientists apply the principles of how people learn most effectively to the solutions that users have ideated while continually engaging users to test whether their needs are being met. 
• Validate and iterate. Before launch, researchers analyze qualitative and quantitative user data captured in testing to validate whether the solution is meeting user needs and iterate where improvements can be made. 
• Stay connected. Post-launch, teams regularly evaluate whether all users have been defined, continue researching with users, and iterate often. 

Help us meet your needs 

The ETS AI Research Labs are always looking for employers, administrators, educators, parents, and learners to partner with us on our efforts. Please reach out if you’d like to lend your perspective to the R&D of innovative technology-enhanced teaching, learning, and assessment solutions.  

Come join us!

If you're interested in creating research-based, user-obsessed solutions consider joining us in the Labs. We're still searching for dynamic leads for the NLP and Personalized Learning and Assessment Labs, as well as for innovative teammates within the Labs - check out the ETS careers page for opportunities!