Evaluating the impact of language learning & assessment

What we do

All of our products and services are designed to improve the lives of learners, teachers and wider society. In the Impact Team, our goal is to evaluate the outcomes of these products and services to find out if they have the impact intended. Our work is a key part of the ‘Impact by Design’ cycle (see diagram) and is underpinned by our Impact Framework.

In order to collect information on our impact, we implement monitoring and evaluation projects to measure products against a range of key performance indicators, and we also carry out more in-depth impact evaluation studies.

The outputs we produce (reports, case studies, infographics, blogs) explain the benefits of our products for their users, and also present data analysis which we use to improve our products.

Impact by Design
Design learning and assessments for positive impact	Informed by contemporary learning and assessment theories Underpinned by research and user needs
Monitor implementation and evaluate impact	Across different contexts and diverse learner groups Intended and unintended, positive and negative consequences
Provide recommendations and inform future design	Within Cambridge and implementing organisations At the classroom, school, and country levels

What is an impact evaluation study?

Impact evaluation studies are an in-depth investigation of the consequences of using our learning and assessment products on stakeholders. For example, an impact study might investigate the effects of an exam or a course on teaching and learning (‘washback’ or micro impact). Impact studies also aim to investigate the consequences of the product or service beyond the classroom, for example, on individual career/ life changes, and on educational systems and society (social impact or macro impact).