A new research initiative called the Global Education Research program will analyze and measure the impact of technology on students' educational experiences in various areas, ranging from first grade through higher education, both inside and outside the classroom.

The program is an initiative of computer maker Lenovo and was announced during Lenovo's recent 12th annual Think Tank education conference, hosted this year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Although educational institutions have embraced using technology such as laptops, multimedia materials, and interactive whiteboards over the past decade to help students develop 21st-century skills, streamline operations, and connect administrators, a more complete view of the role and impact of technology in all aspects of the learning environment is needed, the company says.

"We saw that there really have been no truly K-20 studies done on the efficacy of technology in all aspects of global education," said Michael Schmedlen, director of worldwide education at Lenovo.

The research also will benefit Lenovo's education customers and programs by helping to outline clear action and best practices for national, provincial, and local governments to improve their use of technology in education, the company said.

So far, there are three main participants in Lenovo's program. One is UNC-Chapel Hill's Center for Faculty Excellence .

The university's faculty center immediately will begin developing and evaluating new faculty development strategies necessary to support instructional innovation. Beginning in September, Lenovo will award grants to UNC faculty members to research the efficacy of technology in teaching, learning, and assessment.

"This collaboration with Lenovo allows us to advance the university's commitment to instructional quality. Improving student learning outcomes in higher education goes hand in hand with supporting instructors by providing them with the technologies and the tools they need," said Todd Zakrajsek, executive director of the Center for Faculty Excellence. "By mobilizing our talented faculty, we hope to contribute to an improved understanding about the efficacy of technology in teaching, learning, and faculty development."

Another participant is the Student Global Leadership Institute at Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii. This project will go live in July 2010 and will bring together eight top schools in the U.S. and China to foster a multinational online learning framework driven by technology. The institute will promote leadership development in academics and in public service for secondary school students and teachers and encourage international collaboration.

"This center will really focus on eLearning, or interactive online learning and collaboration," Schmedlen said. "Even though these schools are multilingual and [separated] across oceans, every student in these schools will convene once a year to produce one project on a topic they think is relevant. They will work together."