Overview
ISO/IEC TR 4339:2022 - "Information technology for learning, education and training - Reference model for information and communications technology (ICT) evaluation in education" - defines an abstract model and an indicator-system framework for evaluating ICT in learning, education and training (LET). The technical report supports evaluation and quality-assurance processes across education domains (K‑12, vocational, higher and continuing education) by describing ICT service levels, indicator categories and guidance for data collection, performance monitoring and decision support.
Key topics
- Abstract model & principles: A three-tier indicator model (core, optional, extended) built on the principles of scientificity, operability and sustainable development to ensure indicators are relevant, collectible and adaptable.
- Five evaluation dimensions:
- ICT infrastructure (hardware, connectivity, network)
- Digital resources (teaching, learning and research materials)
- Application of ICT in teaching and learning (teacher capability, pedagogical use)
- ICT‑based management (management information systems, portals)
- Guarantee mechanism (policies, funding, talent and support)
- Indicator types:
- Core indicators: indispensable, universally applicable measures for schools and regions.
- Optional indicators: tailored to education types (basic, vocational, higher, continuing).
- Extended indicators: locally defined measures to capture regional priorities and innovations.
- Practical indicator examples (candidate indicators listed in the report): average school exit bandwidth (Mbps/school), proportion of classrooms with projectors, proportion of computer classrooms, quantity of digital resources per student (GB), teachers’ use of ICT activities, presence of ICT management systems, proportion of ICT investment in education expenditure, number of full‑time ICT staff, virtual simulation usage, digital research platforms, e‑card system functions.
Applications
- Policy and strategy development: informs national and regional education ICT strategies and benchmarking.
- Quality assurance & accreditation: supports school- and system-level evaluation processes and reporting.
- Operational monitoring: guides data collection, performance monitoring and decision support for administrators.
- Research & comparative studies: enables consistent description and comparison of ICT development levels across regions and institution types.
- Who will use it: government education agencies, school district administrators, school leaders, ICT managers, third‑party evaluators, researchers and consultants involved in educational technology evaluation.
Related standards
- Referenced context: ISO/IEC 40180 (Reference Framework for the Description of Quality Approaches - RFDQ) is cited in the report introduction as complementary background for quality approaches in LET.
- The report has no normative references, and was prepared by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 36 (Information technology for LET).
Keywords: ISO/IEC TR 4339:2022, ICT evaluation in education, indicator framework, ICT infrastructure, digital learning resources, ICT‑based management, education policy, quality assurance.