Edtech Insiders: Recent Episodes

Alex Sarlin

At Edtech Insiders, we interview founders, investors, operators, educators, and thought leaders about the future of education technology. You’ll hear from leaders across the education technology industry and learn about all of the important edtech trends happening globally.

Send us Fan Mail

Edna Martinson is the Co-founder and COO of Boddle Learning, a gamified K–6 learning platform used by millions of students to build confidence in math, literacy, and science. She is passionate about combining great game design with research-backed learning experiences that teachers and students love.

💡 5 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

Why Boddle was built to compete with video games.
How gamification drives learning and confidence.
What teachers want from classroom technology.
How AI is shaping Boddle's future.
The next evolution of personalized learning.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:18] How teachers fueled Boddle's growth.
[00:05:47] Designing games kids genuinely love.
[00:16:41] Why Boddle chose a 3D gaming experience.
[00:19:21] Evidence behind Boddle's learning impact.
[00:24:23] AI's role in content and personalization.
[00:33:20] Boddle's unique parent-funded model.
[00:41:50] The future of game-based learning.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they break down the biggest stories shaping AI, edtech investment, philanthropy, the future of work, and AI-powered learning.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:33] Bridges AI Summit brings district leaders together to discuss AI adoption, pilots, and edtech purchasing
[00:05:19] Imagi raises $4.5M with backing from OpenAI, Lovable, Will.i.am, Kahoot!, and ElevenLabs
[00:09:18] AI, cross-sector platforms, and portfolio consolidation drive edtech investment trends
[00:10:40] Gates Foundation leadership shakeup signals a new chapter for education philanthropy
[00:15:45] Gates Foundation and the future of philanthropy in an era of AI wealth
[00:20:30] OpenAI report explores how AI is expanding workers’ roles beyond traditional job boundaries
[00:21:00] OpenAI launches a campus leaders program to build student communities around AI tools
[00:31:00] Y Combinator calls for startups building personalized AI tutors
[00:37:35] Coursera invests $100M in a new AI-native learning company founded by Andrew Ng
[00:41:15] Time’s top edtech companies list sparks debate over how the industry is ranked

Plus, special guests:
[00:44:39] Kavitta Ghai, CEO and Co-founder of Nectir, on AI in higher ed and K–12, student outcomes, and privacy
[01:00:13] Aidan McDowell, Founder and CEO of UniqLearn, on personalized learning, career exploration, and student curiosity

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Inside Columbia's First EdTech Showcase, Alex Sarlin sits down with the founders and leaders behind the inaugural Columbia EdTech Showcase to explore the startups, ideas, and innovations shaping the future of learning from AI-powered discussion tools to health education, learning science, and content curation.

🎙️ Featuring insights from:

[00:01:56] Pete Novak, Founder, Columbians in EdTech
[00:14:48] Dan Wang, Co-Founder, CAiSEY
[00:32:43] Kyleigh Sudlow, Lead Engineer, Puberry
[00:41:22] Andrew Cohen, Founder & CEO, Brainscape
[00:57:32] Kai Wright, Founder, Tangramio

Disclaimer: Columbians in EdTech is an independent community for individuals affiliated with Columbia University. It is not an official program of, endorsed by, or affiliated with Columbia University. For more information, visit ColumbiansInEdTech.org.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Drew Bent leads Education at Anthropic, where he oversees education initiatives including Claude for Teachers. A former math teacher, Khan Academy engineer, and co-founder of Schoolhouse.world, Drew focuses on applying AI to improve teaching and learning.

Sandra Liu Huang is President of Learning Commons, where she leads the development of open AI datasets and learning science infrastructure for education. She previously held product leadership roles at Google, Facebook, and Quora.

💡 5 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

Why Anthropic built Claude for Teachers exclusively for educators.
How Learning Commons grounds AI in standards, curriculum, and learning science.
The role of open datasets, AI skills, and shared infrastructure in improving educational AI.
How Claude integrates with leading edtech tools through new connectors.
What's next for Claude for Teachers, including district partnerships and future AI capabilities.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:27] Why Anthropic chose to build AI for teachers first.
[00:05:50] How Learning Commons powers AI with standards and learning progressions.
[00:08:52] Inside Claude for Teachers' integrations with leading edtech platforms.
[00:14:41] Building open AI teaching skills and evaluation frameworks.
[00:17:26] How AI can support meaningful lesson differentiation.
[00:20:54] The vision for open educational AI infrastructure.
[00:22:42] What's next for Claude for Teachers, including district partnerships and research.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Julie Young is the Founding CEO of Florida Virtual School (FLVS), where she helped pioneer online public education and expand access to millions of learners. She later founded ASU Prep Digital and is the author of Say Yes: How Virtual Became Reality, continuing to shape the future of student-centered learning.

💡 5 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

How Florida Virtual School grew from a small pilot into a global model for virtual education.
Why putting students and not systems at the center changes everything about school design.
Lessons for driving innovation within public education while earning trust and support.
How ASU Prep Digital is blurring the lines between K-12 and higher education.
Why AI should be a catalyst for redesigning education, not simply automating existing practices.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:02:42] Why Julie wrote Say Yes and the philosophy that shaped her career.
[00:03:46] The origins of Florida Virtual School and overcoming skepticism about online learning.
[00:10:56] Building innovation inside public education without working against the system.
[00:23:09] How ASU Prep Digital is rethinking the transition from high school to college.
[00:32:01] Why AI challenges the very purpose of school and creates an opportunity to redesign learning.
[00:37:20] The rise of robotics, coding, and authentic assessment as the future of education.
[00:39:33] Julie's recommended books for educators and innovation leaders.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they discuss the latest developments in education technology, from growing AI skepticism in schools and major policy shifts to Anthropic's education strategy and conversations with founders tackling literacy and AI tutoring.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:05:49] New York City pauses AI procurement across its school system
[00:11:28] New study questions AI's impact on teaching quality and student engagement
[00:18:00] Norway introduces strict limits on generative AI for younger students
[00:21:41] Anthropic launches Claude for Teachers with major edtech partnerships
[00:23:27] Why partnerships and AI ecosystems may define the future of edtech
[00:30:52] How AI infrastructure could help smaller edtech companies compete
[00:33:31] Learning Commons and connected platforms point toward a more integrated edtech ecosystem

Plus, special guests:
[00:37:40] Louise Baigelman, Founder & CEO of Storyshares, on expanding adolescent literacy beyond the science of reading
[01:01:02] Ashish Bansal, Founder & CEO of StarSpark.AI, on building AI tutors that promote learning instead of answer-giving

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Michael Preston, Executive Director, Medha Tare, Senior Director of Research, and Liza Gak, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, are leading researchers focused on child-centered educational technology. Together, they are helping edtech organizations design better products by combining learning science, participatory co-design, and thoughtful approaches to AI.

💡 5 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

Why involving children early in product design leads to better edtech.
How the Joan Ganz Cooney Center's co-design methodology differs from traditional user testing.
What children's feedback reveals about AI tutors, reading buddies, and learning experiences.
Why learning science and child-centered design should guide AI-powered products.
Practical ways edtech teams can adopt co-design to build more engaging and effective learning tools.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:35] Introducing the Co-Design with Kids Toolkit and why child-centered design starts before user testing.
[00:06:22] How learning science and the Translating Literacy Research to EdTech framework shape stronger products.
[00:11:14] What participatory co-design actually looks like in practice.
[00:20:53] Surprising insights from children including why "less is more" with AI.
[00:24:15] How educators and product teams should think differently about AI in learning.
[00:31:53] Practical advice for bringing co-design into every stage of product development.
[00:39:20] What's next for AI, child-centered design, and the future of edtech.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Sue Khim is the Co-founder and CEO of Brilliant, the interactive learning platform that has helped millions of learners build deep understanding in math, science, and computer science. In this episode, she shares how Brilliant's new AI tutor, Koji, is designed to develop critical thinking rather than simply provide answers.

💡 5 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

Why the best AI tutors ask questions instead of giving answers.
How Brilliant applies active learning and game design to STEM education.
The philosophy behind designing AI that builds intelligence rather than dependence.
What personalization should look like in the next generation of AI tutoring.
Why learning should feel like a "climbing wall" instead of an answer machine.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:02:32] The origin story of Brilliant and its active learning philosophy
[00:05:31] Introducing Koji: an AI tutor designed to help students think.
[00:11:07] Why concentration, challenge, and flow are essential for learning
[00:15:48] Designing AI that guides students without giving away the answer
[00:19:40] Early reactions to Koji and why parents are embracing this approach
[00:25:30] What game design can teach us about building better learning experiences.
[00:35:05] Sue's vision for the future of personalized AI tutoring.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they cover major edtech acquisitions, the biggest AI announcements from ISTE, the future of assessment, and how AI is reshaping teaching and learning.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:04:15] ETS acquires ACT, reshaping the future of assessment and college admissions
[00:08:02] Handshake acquires Uplimit to expand AI upskilling and workforce learning
[00:11:55] The debate over screen-free learning and the rise of Yoto
[00:17:41] ISTE rebrands and launches a new Edtech Index
[00:19:07] Google unveils Gemini Notebooks and new AI tools for classrooms
[00:21:10] MagicSchool and Brisk expand their AI platforms for schools
[00:27:15] Microsoft survey finds AI adoption reaches 92% of students and 88% of educators

Plus, special guests:
[00:32:10] Karlo Young, CEO of Teachstone, on why human relationships remain the foundation of great teaching in the age of AI
[00:53:46] Tom Sayer, Co-founder and CEO of Ello, on building AI tutors that teach like great educators

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Smita Saxena is the Founder of Maestro, an AI coaching platform helping K-12 STEM teachers improve instruction and student outcomes. Alexia Lewis is an 8th Grade Algebra I teacher at KIPP Polaris and a Maestro coach whose students achieved remarkable gains using the platform.

💡 5 Things You'll Learn

How AI coaching saves teachers hours every week.
Why human coaching + AI outperforms either alone.
How AI supports differentiated instruction.
Using AI to turn assessment data into action.
Practical ways AI can reduce teacher burnout.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:02:22] What Maestro's human-in-the-loop AI coaching model is.
[00:04:21] Saving 4–8 hours a week on lesson planning.
[00:08:20] Why AI works best alongside teacher coaches.
[00:21:28] Using AI to simplify data analysis and reteaching.
[00:23:38] How AI-powered instruction led to dramatic student growth.
[00:29:08] Scaling teacher coaching through experienced educators.
[00:35:41] The biggest surprises from implementing Maestro.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and special guest host Daniela Pico, Head of Platform at Forum Ventures, as they discuss the AI backlash, workforce transformation, AI literacy, social media regulation, and the evolving future of education technology.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:37] Anthropic launches a $150M Claude Core fellowship program for AI workforce development
[00:09:09] Why organizations need AI implementation strategies and not just AI licenses
[00:15:13] The rise of dedicated AI teams and AI leadership inside organizations
[00:16:35] OECD and the European Commission introduce an AI literacy framework for K–12
[00:26:10] Bradley County Schools wins a $27M social media lawsuit against major tech platforms
[00:29:12] Why edtech should not be conflated with social media and screen time
[00:37:15] The decline of EdSurge and what it means for edtech journalism
[00:44:37] AI backlash grows as mainstream media shapes public perception
[00:49:29] Rebuilding trust in AI through thoughtful implementation and education

Plus, special guests:
[00:58:32] Dr. Ran Liu, Chief AI Scientist at Amira Learning, on the evolution of AI-powered reading tutors and the future of intelligent tutoring systems
[01:18:39] Antonio Pietri, CEO of PowerSchool, on rebuilding trust, strengthening cybersecurity, and the future of AI in K–12 education

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and special guest co-host Gemma Lenowitz Picot of Samvid Ventures as they break down the latest developments in AI, workforce development, edtech adoption, and education policy.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:26] OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic expand AI workforce training initiatives
[00:10:30] Data center investments create new opportunities for workforce development
[00:15:59] Anthropic launches Claude Core to help nonprofits adopt AI
[00:21:00] AI safety concerns raise questions about education-specific AI models
[00:27:23] Khanmigo tops the new EdTech AI Visibility Index
[00:33:40] Teacher requests for AI tools on DonorsChoose have tripled
[00:38:26] AI adoption may accelerate growth in microschools and school choice
[00:41:22] UK proposes banning social media access for children under 16
[00:42:37] UK expands AI tutoring access for low-income students
[00:50:18] Satya Nadella introduces the concept of AI-powered organizational learning loops

Plus, special guests:
[00:54:02] Tom ap Simon, President of Higher Education and Virtual Learning at Pearson, on AI readiness, career pathways, and workforce outcomes
[01:16:03] France Hoang, Founder and CEO of BoodleBox, on AI collaboration, financial literacy, and preparing learners for an AI-powered future

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Anthony Salcito is President & GM of Enterprise at Coursera, where he leads partnerships with enterprises, universities, and governments to build job-relevant skills at scale. Previously, he held leadership roles at Microsoft and Nerdy (Varsity Tutors), and has spent his career at the intersection of technology, education, and workforce development.

💡 5 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

Why skills are becoming the new currency in hiring.
How micro-credentials complement, not replace college degrees.
What AI-ready organizations do differently.
How the Coursera-Udemy merger expands learning opportunities.
Why lifelong learning is essential in the AI era.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:02:00] Anthony explains the vision behind the Coursera-Udemy merger.
[00:05:22] Why employers increasingly value micro-credentials alongside degrees.
[00:11:17] Technology doesn't drive transformation; people and culture do.
[00:20:40] Why the future isn't degrees or micro-credentials, it's both.
[00:28:01] What AI-first organizations do differently to build lasting skills.
[00:31:57] How Coursera evolved from MOOCs to workforce-focused learning.
[00:36:40] Global partnerships are expanding access to AI and job-ready skills.
[00:38:48] Anthony shares the edtech trends he's most excited about, including entrepreneurial mindsets and making technology "less obvious but essential."

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

George Siemens is the Chief AI & Innovation Officer at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and one of the most influential learning theorists in modern education. He is the creator of Connectivism, co-creator of the first MOOC, and a leading voice on how AI is reshaping learning, higher education, and knowledge itself.

💡 5 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

How AI is changing the architecture of knowledge and learning.
Why personal knowledge systems may become essential in the AI era.
What universities need to do to prepare learners for an AI-powered future.
How Connectivism applies to today's AI landscape.
Why human skills like judgment, wisdom, and sense-making matter more than ever.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:31] AI's impact on today's education system and what comes next
[00:06:41] Why leaders need hands-on AI experience.
[00:10:48] Why learners need a "second brain" that extends beyond graduation.
[00:14:16] The origins of Connectivism and its relevance in the AI age.
[00:20:11] Is AI an expert, a connector, or something entirely new?
[00:25:39] Why universities struggle to keep pace with change.
[00:29:05] The concept of "cognitive escalation" and the future of human work.
[00:31:49] How universities can evolve beyond knowledge transfer.
[00:36:49] How universities, startups, and AI labs can collaborate.
[00:43:09] Lessons from MOOCs and what they teach us about AI-enabled learning.
[00:50:46] George's prediction for AI agents and knowledge work over the next year.
[00:52:21] George's recommended voices and resources.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and special guest co-host Thomas Rodgers of Whiteboard Advisors as they explore the latest developments in AI, edtech policy, learning outcomes, cybersecurity, and the future of AI-powered education.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:39] Anthropic’s Claude Fable launch sparks discussion about the next generation of AI capabilities
[00:09:07] Meta launches a workforce academy initiative focused on data center and skilled trade careers
[00:17:47] The growing edtech and AI “techlash” raises questions about technology’s role in schools
[00:20:01] Why screen-time debates often overlook the quality of technology use in classrooms
[00:29:50] New NAEP results show recovery among 9-year-olds but continued challenges for older students
[00:30:38] Reading for fun among 13-year-olds continues its long-term decline
[00:33:23] Code.org rebrands as CodeAI, signaling a broader shift toward AI literacy

Plus, special guests:
[00:34:57] Yi Ng, Founder of Curiosities AI, on designing AI that builds curiosity, critical thinking, and communication skills
[01:11:23] Dr. Rob Abel, Former CEO of 1EdTech and Founder of EdTech Futures, on the Instructure Canvas breach, cybersecurity risks, and accountability in edtech infrastructure

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

In this special crossover episode, Edtech Insiders host Ben Kornell joins Allison Salisbury, author of The Humanist, for a wide-ranging conversation about AI, education, workforce development, and the future of learning. Together, they explore how AI could reshape assessment, personalized learning, school design, and the skills students will need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

💡 5 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

Why AI should be used to redesign education and not just make existing systems more efficient.
How assessment could shift from annual testing to continuous, actionable feedback.
The durable skills students need to succeed in a world of constant technological change.
What the personalized learning movement got right and wrong.
How AI, school choice, and new funding models could reshape the future of K-12 education.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:02:31] Ben shares why he's changed his view on AI-native companies and the future of edtech entrepreneurship.
[00:07:15] Why optimizing today's education system may be aiming too low
[00:09:00] The case for preparing students for 2076 instead of 1926.
[00:11:10] The enduring importance of critical thinking, collaboration, and learning how to learn.
[00:15:27] How AI could transform assessment and provide real-time insight into student learning.
[00:18:09] The biggest barriers to competency-based education at scale.
[00:22:43] Lessons from the first wave of personalized learning and what AI changes now.
[00:27:43] What an AI-native high school could look like.
[00:30:19] The opportunities and risks of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs).
[00:39:42] Ben's $200 million vision for rebuilding educational assessment
[00:41:48] Why teenagers may be the most overlooked innovators of the AI era.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and guest co-host Matt Tower of Whiteboard Advisors as they explore the latest developments in AI, workforce learning, edtech innovation, and literacy instruction.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:24] OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI prepare for potential IPOs
[00:07:45] Anthropic surpasses OpenAI in valuation as enterprise AI adoption grows
[00:08:59] Byju Raveendran’s legal challenges raise questions about edtech governance
[00:11:23] Handshake’s growth contrasts with Chegg’s struggles in the AI era
[00:14:03] Coursera, Udemy, and the future of AI-driven workforce upskilling
[00:19:10] The debate over AI’s impact on jobs, careers, and the labor market
[00:25:41] AI enables the rise of highly scalable one-person companies
[00:27:32] The emergence of “purple collar” jobs in the AI economy
[00:31:45] Why AI upskilling may be the biggest opportunity in education
[00:33:34] OpenAI expands higher education partnerships across major university systems
[00:38:33] Embedded learning and AI-powered skill development inside workplace tools
[00:40:48] Balancing educational technology benefits with screen-time concerns

Plus, special guests:
[00:42:12] Vikas Pota, Founder of T4 Education, on the Global EdTech Prize, educator-led innovation, and the opportunities and risks of AI in education
[00:57:30] Keri Dixon, CEO of Wilson Language Training, on the science of reading, structured literacy implementation, and AI as a tool to support effective teaching

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Lisa Gevelber is the founder and leader of Grow with Google, Google's economic opportunity initiative focused on helping people build skills, careers, and businesses. Through Google Career Certificates and AI training programs, she has helped millions of learners develop workforce-ready skills and navigate an increasingly AI-driven economy.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why AI fluency is becoming an essential workforce skill for every profession.
How Grow with Google is helping learners build practical AI skills at scale.
The growing role of AI credentials and certificates in higher education.
How universities are integrating AI training into student, faculty, and alumni learning.
Why lifelong learning and career mobility will be critical in the age of AI.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:10] The founding story of Grow with Google and its mission to expand economic opportunity through skills training.
[00:04:16] Lisa explains the difference between simply using AI and becoming truly AI fluent.
[00:06:20] How Google keeps AI training current through educator partnerships and bite-sized learning.
[00:08:06] The Google AI Professional Certificate and its ACE recommendation for college credit.
[00:10:14] How the University of Virginia is combining AI certificate learning with real-world small business impact.
[00:12:41] The rapid growth of Google's AI for Education Accelerator and the power of peer learning among institutions.
[00:14:24] Why flexible, industry-recognized credentials are becoming essential for career transitions and lifelong learning.
[00:17:08] Lisa shares where educators, students, and professionals can access Grow with Google resources.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they discuss the growing backlash against AI and screen time in schools, the launch of a federal education tax credit, promising new evidence for AI-powered remediation, workforce disruption from AI, and the future of higher education with Noah Pickus of Duke University.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:40] AFT shifts its position on AI and screen time in schools
[00:07:25] i-Ready faces growing parent backlash despite strong adoption and efficacy data
[00:13:36] New federal Education Freedom Tax Credit could accelerate school choice and supplemental learning
[00:17:46] Education savings accounts create new opportunities for edtech business models
[00:20:09] New research highlights AI's potential to help students catch up academically
[00:23:16] Guided practice emerges as a promising framework for AI-powered learning
[00:24:56] Survey finds 99% of executives expect AI-driven workforce reductions within two years
[00:31:29] Anthropic's rapid growth reshapes the competitive landscape for generative AI

Plus, special guests:
[00:35:39] Noah Pickus, Head of Global Strategy and Partnerships and Senior Advisor to the Provost at Duke University, on the Future Universities Alliance and reimagining higher education globally

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Sam Olivieri is the CEO of and has spent more than two decades expanding educational opportunity through leadership roles at GreatSchools, Entangled Solutions, and Guild Education. Daniel Halper is Co-Founder of Step Up Tutoring and leads Step Up AI Labs, where he develops AI-powered tools that help novice tutors deliver high-impact instruction at scale.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why Step Up Tutoring believes relationships and not AI alone drive student success
How AI can coach and support tutors instead of replacing them
The opportunity to transform federal work-study into a national tutoring corps
How Step Up uses AI to align tutoring with district curricula like Eureka Math
What it takes to scale high-impact tutoring affordably across the country

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:15] Sam Olivieri explains why tutoring remains one of education’s most evidence-based interventions.
[00:07:00] Daniel Halper shares how Step Up Tutoring launched during COVID as a grassroots volunteer movement.
[00:09:48] Daniel discusses why AI should support tutors rather than replace human relationships in learning.
[00:11:36] Sam outlines how federal work-study funding could help build a national tutoring corps.
[00:14:41] Daniel breaks down how Step Up’s AI tools support tutors before, during, and after sessions.
[00:18:52] Sam explains how AI evolved from tutor feedback into curriculum alignment and student mastery assessment.
[00:21:20] Step Up Tutoring shares its vision of providing every child in need with an effective human tutor supported by AI.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they explore the growing backlash against AI in education, the race to build AI-native learning systems, and the shifting future of edtech, workforce learning, and global education policy.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:18] Reflections and takeaways from this year’s ASU+GSV Summit
[00:05:16] Gen Z backlash against AI grows at college commencements
[00:08:06] China’s practical AI rollout contrasts with the U.S. race toward AGI
[00:15:09] Anthropic and Gates Foundation launch a $200M AI education partnership
[00:23:02] Debate over the future and business model of AI tutoring
[00:29:25] OpenAI expands its “Education for Countries” initiative
[00:37:28] New education tax credits could shift spending power to families
[00:42:15] Google, Meta, and Apple push AI glasses and XR learning forward
[00:48:40] AI simulations gain traction in workforce training
[00:51:06] Multiverse raises $70M for AI-driven workforce upskilling

Plus, special guests:
[00:55:51] Angel Chung, PhD Candidate at The Wharton School, on proactive AI tutoring systems and new research showing measurable learning gains for students using adaptive AI guidance
[01:18:08] David Rogier, Founder and CEO of MasterClass, on AI-powered learning, the future of higher education, and MasterClass Executive — developed alongside OpenAI & Chicago Booth to explore the future of AI-native business education.

Learn more here: https://www.masterclass.com/booth-ai

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Jason Katcher is the Global Education Channel Lead at Superhuman, where he focuses on scaling AI-powered productivity and communication tools across education through strategic partnerships. Previously at Google, Dropbox, and multiple edtech startups, Jason brings deep experience in education technology, AI adoption, and go-to-market strategy.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why schools need to move from “AI policing” to AI coaching
How Superhuman and Grammarly are rethinking writing in the AI era
What “show your work” looks like for AI-assisted writing
Why simple workflow tools often outperform flashy edtech products
How AI-native productivity platforms could reshape teaching and learning

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:02:53] Jason shares why partnerships are key to scaling edtech globally
[00:08:13] The story behind Grammarly’s evolution into Superhuman
[00:11:32] How “AI at the edge” brings tools directly into existing workflows
[00:13:50] Why AI writing should be treated as a “show your work” moment
[00:15:24] Jason explains why teachers are becoming “AI police” — and why that needs to change
[00:18:30] How students are increasingly using AI as a thought partner instead of a shortcut
[00:20:18] Superhuman’s vision for faculty-controlled AI guardrails in education
[00:24:09] Jason’s advice for edtech companies selling into schools during the AI transition
[00:28:41] Why the best edtech products solve simple workflow problems
[00:30:27] What’s next for Superhuman Go and AI-native productivity in education

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join host Ben Kornell for a special episode featuring leaders across digital literacy, AI-native schooling, student support, and curriculum innovation in K–12 education.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:10] Lisa O’Masta, CEO of Learning.com, on why digital literacy and AI literacy must start in elementary school
[00:18:34] Aaron Feuer, CEO and Co-founder of Panorama Education, reflects on building Panorama into a platform serving one in four U.S. students
[00:32:34] Larisa Hovannisian, Founder and CEO at Armenia Education Initiative, explains why Armenia is positioned to leapfrog legacy education systems
[00:43:50] Alexandra Walsh, Chief Product Officer at Amplify, discusses bringing classroom experience into product leadership

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Kumar Garg is the President of Renaissance Philanthropy, where he leads thesis-driven philanthropic funds focused on major global challenges. Previously, he worked in the Obama White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and helped build Eric Schmidt’s science and tech initiatives.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How AI is projected to impact jobs, with forecasts suggesting modest but meaningful workforce contraction
Why community colleges and skilled trades may see rising demand in an AI-driven economy
How “superforecasters” are being used to predict labor market shifts more systematically
What policymakers and educators should track to prepare for AI-driven disruption
How Renaissance Philanthropy is rethinking how capital flows into big, thesis-driven ideas

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:34] The origin of Renaissance Philanthropy and its thesis-driven funding model
[00:07:00] Why Kumar Garg built the Labor Automation Forecast Hub
[00:10:30] The role of super forecasters in predicting AI’s impact on jobs
[00:13:00] Key projections: job displacement, slower growth, and shifting career paths
[00:15:30] Community colleges vs. four-year degrees in the AI economy
[00:17:45] Why the future of work is a “big dislocation,” not a collapse
[00:21:00] How forecasts evolve and why trend direction matters more than exact predictions
[00:23:30] Reactions from policymakers and what data matters most
[00:26:18] The growing importance of regional workforce forecasting
[00:26:49] Kumar’s outlook on the future of philanthropy and deploying capital at scale

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Stephen Jull is the Global Head of AI and Educational Technology at Teach For All, leading efforts to connect educators with frontier AI labs. He’s joined by Maruf Hasan, a Bangladesh-based educator building AI tools in low-resource settings, and Sean McWeeney, a UK teacher focused on AI’s impact in high-need schools.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How teachers are moving from AI users to AI builders
Why the most impactful AI innovation is happening in classrooms, not companies
How global educator communities accelerate learning and innovation
The role of AI in supporting underserved students and closing learning gaps
Why teacher ownership is critical to the future of edtech

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:20] Introduction to Teach For All’s AI initiative and global educator community
[00:05:22] Stephen Jull on building partnerships between teachers and frontier AI labs
[00:08:16] Sean McWeeney on creating AI tools for marking and real classroom needs
[00:11:59] Maruf Hasan on using AI to support underserved students in low-resource settings
[00:14:51] How the AI community operates without centralized control and why it works
[00:18:30] Global collaboration: shared challenges across classrooms worldwide
[00:22:35] The power of community in turning non-technical educators into builders

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

At the Kira 2.0 launch event in New York City, Sarah Morin captures rapid-fire insights from educators, administrators, and edtech leaders reacting in real time to one of the most ambitious AI learning platforms to date.

🎙️ Featuring insights from:

Brandon Chitty, Executive Director of Innovations, Broken Arrow Public Schools
Brett Roer, CEO & Founder, Amplify and Elevate Innovation
Harl Roehm, CTE Teacher, Collierville High School
Jesse Lubinsky, Principal Evangelist, Adobe Education
Lance Key, Instructional Technology Coordinator, Putnam County Schools
Rachelle Dene Poth, Educator, Consultant & Attorney
Hannah Gurmankin, Special Education Teacher
Scott Brewster, Co-Founder, Hats & Ladders

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Ted Dintersmith is an education advocate, author, and filmmaker who has spent the past 15 years working alongside educators to rethink what learning should look like in the modern world. He has visited more than 200 schools across all 50 states, listening to teachers and students and studying approaches that prepare young people for real life beyond tests.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why school math focuses on skills that AI already does better than humans
The disconnect between “math in school” and “math in real life”
How standardized testing has narrowed our definition of intelligence
What meaningful, relevant math learning could look like in classrooms
Why making math practical and engaging can unlock student potential across backgrounds

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:44] Ted’s journey from tech investor to education advocate
[00:05:37] Why the rise of AI makes today’s math curriculum increasingly obsolete
[00:08:55] The “math of life” vs. the “math of school” disconnect
[00:12:55] The myth that current math instruction teaches critical thinking
[00:16:16] How test-driven systems reward speed over real understanding
[00:20:12] Why math should be integrated across subjects, not siloed
[00:22:52] Students see schoolwork as irrelevant and why that leads to disengagement
[00:25:07] A powerful classroom example: teaching probability through real-world context
[00:26:51] How relevance in math can close equity gaps in learning outcomes
[00:28:37] Ted’s vision for transforming math into a tool for purpose and real-world problem solving

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Steve Tapp is the CEO of ACT, a leading nonprofit assessment organization best known for the ACT college admissions test. With over 30 years of experience in assessments across education, professional certification, and workforce testing, he previously led PSI Services and Lifelong Learner Holdings, helping scale global assessment platforms.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

How AI is transforming the assessment lifecycle—from test creation to scoring.
Why fairness, validity, and human oversight still matter in AI-powered testing.
How ACT is expanding beyond college admissions into career readiness.
The potential of adaptive and personalized assessments.
Why bridging academic testing and workforce skills is the future of assessment.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:00:00] Steve Tapp on his 30-year career in assessments and joining ACT as CEO.
[00:03:00] AI as a “force multiplier” across the testing lifecycle.
[00:07:27] The opportunity for adaptive and personalized assessments.
[00:10:28] ACT’s broader mission beyond the college admissions test.
[00:15:46] The growing importance of measuring workforce-ready skills.
[00:18:30] How ACT’s WorkKeys connects education to real-world jobs.
[00:22:45] Tapp’s vision for the future of ACT in the AI era.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Chase Rigby is the CEO of Tassel, a platform modernizing graduation experiences for universities worldwide. A former Google PM and Chief Product Officer at Canopy, his career sits at the intersection of education, technology, and product innovation.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why graduation is a key (and overlooked) growth moment
How Tassel simplifies complex commencement logistics
Where AI improves the student and admin experience
How graduation drives alumni engagement and giving
Why Tassel helps students earn money at graduation

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:57] Graduation as a growth and marketing moment
[00:05:22] Unifying registration, tickets, and stage flow
[00:09:17] A student earns $3,500 via digital announcements
[00:11:53] Saving thousands of admin hours with AI
[00:14:18] The “cap-and-gown cartel” and outdated business models
[00:16:56] Better graduation to stronger alumni ties
[00:19:29] Disrupting the cap-and-gown model

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Ben Kornell and guest co-host Matt Tower, as they break down the biggest stories shaping AI, edtech efficacy, cybersecurity, and the future of work in education.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:33] Rapid rise of AI-generated “vibe coding” raises concerns about software vulnerabilities and cybersecurity risks
[00:02:44] ASU+GSV preview highlights the importance of relationships over deal-making at major edtech gatherings
[00:08:26] Anthropic’s Mythos model withheld due to its ability to uncover critical security flaws across systems
[00:11:37] Growing need for AI systems to defend against AI-driven cybersecurity threats
[00:14:18] Schools question edtech effectiveness amid too many tools and limited evidence of impact
[00:15:23] Debate over screen time intensifies as some classrooms move toward eliminating devices
[00:20:47] Discussion on whether smaller, more personalized school models better serve students
[00:26:08] OpenAI faces leadership changes and increasing competition from Anthropic and Google
[00:30:30] Big Tech’s varying levels of investment in education reshape the competitive landscape
[00:33:25] AI disrupts entry-level job markets, raising concerns about college graduate employment
[00:36:12] Future workforce will demand adaptability, entrepreneurship, and continuous learning

Plus, special guest:
[00:37:34] Yoon Yang, CEO and Co-founder of Pensive, on AI-powered grading and personalized tutoring in higher education

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Brandon Cardet-Hernandez is the Founder and CEO of Medley Learning, a platform building AI-powered scaffolding tools for multilingual learners. A former multilingual learner himself, Brandon has served as a teacher, turnaround principal, Boston School Committee member, NYC education advisor, and edtech leader. His work focuses on closing the access gap, not lowering expectations.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why education has an access gap, not just an achievement gap
The dangers of over-scaffolding and “AI slop”
How AI can embed rigor without lowering standards
A new workflow for supporting multilingual learners
Why implementation determines impact

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:58] Brandon’s journey and the educators who changed his life
[00:10:50] The “ELL trap” and lowering cognitive demand
[00:15:11] Student-controlled, embedded scaffolds in real time
[00:23:58] Why strong district champions matter for implementation
[00:27:24] AI’s promise: turning research into daily practice
[00:30:02] The risk of “AI slop” in classrooms
[00:31:52] Building AI policy around knowledge not fear

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Magdalena H. Gross of Mercoris a Stanford-trained scholar and a leader in AI education. With a unique ability to understand how people think, she helps experts translate deep human knowledge into AI-ready systems. She designs AI curricula and training programs that empower individuals and organizations, while also leading in community arts and muralism. Learn more about her work at www.magdalenagross.com.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How human experts actually train AI through structured thinking and feedback
Why making “invisible thinking visible” is key to both learning and AI development
The parallels between reinforcement learning in AI and how humans learn
How breaking down reasoning into steps improves both teaching and model performance
Why interdisciplinary thinking is essential for solving complex problems with AI

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:48] What “human data” really means: experts training AI through deep domain knowledge
[00:05:30] From binary labeling to reinforcement learning: how AI training now mirrors human learning
[00:07:47] Spiral curriculum at scale: how experts and AI both improve through repetition and complexity
[00:10:44] Cognitive modeling: making expert thinking visible to accelerate learning
[00:13:28] Breaking down reasoning: categorizing how humans think across domains
[00:16:28] Why interdisciplinary thinking drives breakthroughs in humans and AI
[00:18:58] The future of human data work: expanding alongside the growth of human knowledge

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Ben Kornell and special co-host Steve Shapiro, Founder of Finetune.AI, as they break down the biggest stories shaping AI, workforce disruption, K–12 policy, and the future of higher education.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:05:10] NVIDIA signals the shift from AI experimentation to a full-scale platform “land grab”
[00:08:19] Early signs of AI-driven productivity gains point to real workforce disruption
[00:13:16] Governments invest in AI retraining, labor upskilling, and workforce preparedness
[00:15:27] Apprenticeships emerge as a critical pathway as entry-level jobs decline
[00:17:17] AI “agent armies” could make one-person businesses more viable than ever
[00:19:23] Schools balance AI literacy initiatives with rising pressure for screen bans
[00:21:23] Debate grows over big tech’s responsibility in supporting education systems
[00:24:14] Media backlash questions edtech’s impact on student learning outcomes
[00:28:00] School choice expands rapidly, with mixed impacts across states
[00:32:09] ASU highlighted as a leading model for AI-ready higher education
[00:34:10] Edtech funding shifts to more deals with smaller check sizes
[00:36:01] Startups scale faster with less capital due to AI-powered development
[00:37:41] Optimism grows for edtech innovation over the next 12–24 months

Plus, special guests:
[00:38:59] Aaron Cuny, CEO of AI for Equity, on building AI leadership capacity in school systems
[01:06:39] Joshua Broggi, CEO and Founder of Woolf, on rethinking higher education with competency-based models

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Mindy Sjoblom is the Founder and CEO of OnYourMark, a research-backed virtual tutoring organization serving thousands of elementary students nationwide. Catherine Tierney is Head of Product and Program at OnYourMark, bringing deep experience from Match Education, MyCoach, and ThinkCERCA to the design of human-centered, evidence-based learning technology.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why AI works best as an insight layer rather than a replacement for human tutors
How OnYourMark scaled high-dosage tutoring while maintaining quality and consistency
What it takes to translate RCT-backed research into daily instructional practice
Where human judgment remains essential in AI-supported tutoring models
How the role of AI in learning may differ across age groups and contexts

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:02:38] Mindy Sjoblom on OnYourMark’s origins and scaling high-dosage tutoring post-pandemic
[00:05:59] Catherine Tierney on designing AI to strengthen—not replace—human relationships
[00:07:36] How RCT evidence and authentic learning data power OnYourMark’s AI tools
[00:12:04] Real-time feedback and why tutors want more visibility into their practice
[00:15:36] The tension between flexibility and fidelity when scaling tutoring across schools
[00:16:21] The future of AI-supported human tutoring and what the next five years may hold
[00:19:55] Why AI use in learning must look different for younger vs. older students
[00:22:20] What excites—and worries—Mindy and Catherine about AI in education today

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from OpenAI’s push into interactive learning to new research on AI efficacy, growing AI backlash, and rising cybersecurity threats in K–12 schools.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:05:30] OpenAI launches a new suite of 70+ interactive science and math learning experiences built on cognitive science and visual learning principles
[00:12:22] Stanford and SCALE release a meta-analysis of 800+ AI education studies finding only 20 with strong causal evidence of learning impact
[00:19:44] Growing backlash against AI, screen time, and edtech as public concern rises about technology’s impact on children and learning
[00:21:10] Clever report finds more than half of school districts have experienced cyberattacks and 81% believe AI is increasing cybersecurity risk

Plus, special guest:
[00:29:19] Oliver Page, Co-founder and CEO of CyberNut, on why K–12 schools are uniquely vulnerable to phishing attacks and cyber threats

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Rachel Book is an education leader at Lincoln Learning Solutions with over 20 years of experience in early childhood and student development. Charlie Thayer, Chief Academic Officer, brings 15+ years in online and blended learning, specializing in scalable, instructionally sound solutions.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The difference between generic AI tools and purpose-built AI for education
How AI can extend teacher capacity without replacing human instruction
Practical AI use cases that support both teachers and students
Why AI guardrails, safety, and age-appropriate design matter
The risks of AI shortcuts and the importance of building AI literacy early

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:15] Defining purpose-built AI vs. generic AI in education
[00:07:22] Real classroom AI use cases: data insights and teacher support
[00:09:48] AI for younger learners: voice, engagement, and curiosity
[00:12:20] What school leaders should look for in AI tools
[00:14:59] The biggest risks: AI replacing thinking and human interaction
[00:18:57] First reactions to Lincoln AI and the “wow” factor in classrooms
[00:20:29] How AI dashboards give teachers actionable insights
[00:21:50] Expanding teacher capacity through AI-driven visibility

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Josh Jones is the CEO of QuantHub, an edtech and workforce company advancing data and AI literacy across K–12, higher education, government, and enterprise. A serial entrepreneur and former data science consultant, Josh has spent decades helping organizations adapt to rapid technological change.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why AI education should focus on durable skills, not specific tools
How schools can adapt curriculum faster without sacrificing rigor
The difference between AI literacy and AI fluency
Practical guidance on student AI use, ethics, and assessment
What institutions must change to stay resilient in an exponential tech era

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:00] Why QuantHub was built to keep pace with accelerating AI change
[00:04:30] The mismatch between slow curriculum cycles and fast-moving AI
[00:06:40] Teaching meta-skills like critical thinking, ethics, and change management
[00:09:00] Mapping AI and data skills into existing K–12 and higher-ed standards
[00:11:45] Why banning ChatGPT creates more problems than it solves
[00:13:40] Institutions leading the way on clear, fair AI policies
[00:15:40] What schools must rethink to stay relevant over the next decade

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Dean Celaj is the Founder and CEO of GoTeacher, a platform helping school districts understand, manage, and enforce student data privacy. Previously, he founded Akademi.al, an education platform used by over 90% of students in Albania during COVID, and was named to Forbes 30 Under 30.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why most school districts are technically out of compliance with student data privacy laws
How “free” edtech tools create the biggest privacy blind spots
Why AI fundamentally changes the risk profile of student data
What risk-based management of AI tools means for responsible adoption in schools
The biggest mistakes edtech founders make when selling into K–12

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:02:34] Student data privacy is a capacity problem, not a policy problem
[00:03:00] Why districts often have DPAs for <10% of the tools students actually use
[00:05:56] How AI training on student data creates irreversible privacy risk
[00:07:30] Dean’s case for blocking risky AI tools by default in schools
[00:11:26] Why “move fast and break things” fails in K–12 edtech
[00:14:56] What gives Dean optimism about the future of AI, content, and assessment in education

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join Ben Kornell and guest host Matt Tower as they break down the biggest stories shaping K–12 policy, AI in education, edtech funding, and emerging school models.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:55] FBI raids LAUSD headquarters and Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s home, raising questions about federal investigations and possible ties to the AllHere scandal
[00:06:07] The hosts unpack whether the LAUSD probe is about vendor fraud, immigration tensions, or broader political conflict
[00:11:06] A provocative Economist headline fuels growing backlash against edtech and classroom screen time
[00:16:44] A deeper debate on what education reformers are actually advocating for beyond simply reducing screens
[00:19:49] Alpha School, small school models, and whether test scores have become the gateway to deeper learning innovation
[00:24:51] Google commits to training 6 million educators in AI, signaling a major investment in teacher-focused AI literacy
[00:29:23] Comparing Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic’s evolving strategies in the education market
[00:31:59] NationGraph raises funding in the procurement intelligence space as edtech infrastructure tools expand
[00:34:13] Southern states like Louisiana and Mississippi post notable academic gains, prompting questions about policy and funding models

Plus, special guest:
[00:37:27] Ariella Racco, Founder of CoLab Education, on building dedicated collaboration infrastructure for teachers in the AI era

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Greg Hartis the CEO of Coursera, bringing 25+ years of leadership and technology innovation from Amazon, where he helped develop Alexa and expand Prime Video globally. At Coursera, he leads the company’s mission to make learning more engaging, skills-focused, and accessible worldwide.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why skills are becoming the “atomic unit” of modern education.
How AI is reshaping learning experiences on Coursera.
The role of partnerships with universities and industry in scaling education.
Strategies for making learning modular, engaging, and career-relevant.
The importance of lifelong learning and continuous reinvention.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:53] Why Greg joined Coursera: combining mission, growth, and impact for learners.
[00:04:14] Lessons from Amazon: using AI and customer focus to enhance learning experiences.
[00:07:44] The shift to skills-focused learning: mapping courses to career outcomes.
[00:13:06] AI in education: personalized tutors, course builders, and interactive learning.
[00:14:08] The power of partnerships: connecting universities, industry, and marketplaces like Udemy.
[00:17:56] Skills as the new atomic unit: modular learning for accessibility and relevance.
[00:21:23] Key challenges for Coursera: moving fast enough to meet learner and industry needs.
[00:24:03] Greg’s advice: be a lifelong learner and continually reinvent yourself.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Ben Kornell and guest host Peter Stiepleman, host of The Imperfect Leader, as they explore AI in schools, screen-time policy, math reform, higher ed disruption, and the future of assessment integrity.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] Peter Stiepleman on leading with “ed, not tech” when implementing AI in schools
[00:06:33] Seattle-area student walkout over ChatGPT access sparks debate on AI in classrooms
[00:08:11] 26 states advance phone bans and K–5 screen-time legislation
[00:10:59] Khan Academy’s failed India rollout shows implementation, not tools, drives impact
[00:16:26] Whether global systems may leapfrog the U.S. in AI-powered education
[00:18:38] AI-supported speech therapy and reading intervention free educators for human connection
[00:20:55] Utah’s math overhaul ignites debate over data science, calculus acceleration, and rigor
[00:27:24] Rural districts innovate through regional collaboration and expanded course access
[00:29:14] Higher ed faces declining endowments, enrollment pressure, and early college expansion
[00:35:09] Anthropic co-founder argues AI will increase the value of humanities degrees

Plus, special guest:
[00:39:10] Brandon Smith, CEO of Integrity Advocate, on AI-driven cheating, proctoring reform, and protecting assessment integrity

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Priyank Chodisettiis the Co-founder and CEO of Workback.ai, an AI-powered platform helping edtech organizations achieve accessibility compliance faster and at scale. A repeat founder and former engineering leader at Coursera, Priyank brings firsthand experience navigating the complexity of WCAG standards and ADA requirements.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why ADA Title II’s digital expansion is a game-changer for edtech companies
How accessibility compliance impacts procurement—even for private vendors
What makes accessibility such a strong use case for AI and automation
Why traditional audits take months—and how AI can cut that to days
How continuous accessibility compliance can replace one-time checklists

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:02:28] What ADA Title II covers and why April 2026 is a critical deadline
[00:05:22] How non-compliant vendors can put schools and districts at risk
[00:08:56] Why accessibility audits traditionally take 11+ months
[00:12:28] Using AI to automate audits, remediation, and VPAT reporting
[00:18:02] The shift from annual audits to continuous compliance
[00:25:04] The human impact of accessibility beyond regulation
[00:28:59] How Workback’s free pilot helps teams see value in days
[00:32:33] Priyank’s perspective on how generative AI is reshaping edtech

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they unpack a fast-moving week in education. From AI-native curriculum battles and literacy leadership shifts to voucher surges and national AI pilots reshaping special education.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:48] ASU+GSV preview and the expanding global EdTech ecosystem
[00:06:25] The 2026 EdTech AI Map launches with 240+ companies
[00:07:14] Brisk introduces AI-powered curriculum integration
[00:09:04] The race to own the AI layer in schools
[00:13:10] Data ownership becomes the key AI battleground
[00:16:59] Kira 2.0 expands into a full AI-native LMS
[00:21:16] Texas ESA applications surge past 61,000
[00:30:20] UK launches $23M AI pilot for special needs
[00:33:40] Microsoft invests in AI teacher training
[00:34:59] Google expands Gemini in education
[00:35:57] UX emerges as EdTech’s new advantage
[00:36:43] The AI grad profile prioritizes human skills

Plus, special guests:
[00:38:33] Karl Rectanus, CEO of Really Great Reading, on literacy outcomes, science of reading implementation, and scaling impact
[01:02:22] Dan Meyer, VP of User Growth of Amplify on AI skepticism, social AI in math classrooms, and keeping learning human-centered

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Kathy Weston is one of the leading national experts on parenting, family life and parental engagement in children's lives. In 2018, she established Tooled Up Education, a holistic bank of evidence-based resources for whole-school communities. Tooled Up supports 166 schools in 8 countries, delivering bespoke CPD for educators as well as 'on tap' resource support for parents.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why parental dialogue is one of the strongest protective factors for children’s wellbeing
What the pandemic revealed about the strengths and gaps in home–school partnerships
Why “screen time” is the wrong lens for understanding children’s digital lives
How evidence-based parenting support improves both learning and mental health
How AI can support parents and educators—without replacing trust or nuance

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:00:00] Dr. Weston on why technology shouldn’t be scapegoated in children’s lives
[00:02:54] How the pandemic reshaped parent–school relationships
[00:07:52] Why parents, not schools alone, do the “heavy lifting” in education
[00:09:33] The problem with blanket screen time bans
[00:13:23] Real examples of digital tools supporting focus, learning, and wellbeing
[00:20:25] Introducing AI-powered support for parents inside Tooled Up Education
[00:23:23] Dr. Weston on why AI can reduce educator workload without harming pedagogy

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

As CEO of ISTE+ASCD, Richard Culatta focuses on shaping innovative learning leaders. He previously served as Rhode Island's Chief Innovation Officer and was appointed by President Obama to lead the US Department of Education's Office of Educational Technology. His book, Digital for Good, helps create conditions for healthy tech use.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why being “AI-ready” is about human skills—not technical ones
How AI can deepen learning, not just make education more efficient
Why questions are becoming more valuable than answers in the classroom
What role educators should play as AI reshapes teaching and assessment
How schools can model healthy, ethical, and empowering AI use for students

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:00] Richard Culatta introduces the Profile of an AI-Ready Graduate—and why none of the skills are technical
[00:05:35] Using AI to deepen learning rather than just speed things up
[00:07:59] How AI makes long-promised ideas like project-based and personalized learning finally practical
[00:10:57] Teaching in a world where questions matter more than answers
[00:13:49] Reframing digital citizenship around what students should do—not just what to avoid
[00:20:22] Why schools and edtech companies must communicate the why of technology to parents
[00:29:25] Culatta’s call to raise the bar on student experience and joy in learning

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin, joined by special co-host Mike Palmer, host of Trending in Ed, as they break down the biggest stories shaping AI, K–12 policy, higher education, and the global future of education.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:34] SchoolAI study shows teachers using AI for reasoning and inquiry
[00:09:58] Denver Public Schools blocks ChatGPT over safety and privacy concerns
[00:12:20] SoftBank invests another $30B in OpenAI as ads roll out
[00:13:24] Gemini and Anthropic lead the race for AI in education
[00:20:36] China launches nationwide AI literacy for K–12
[00:29:58] Most U.S. states still lack formal AI guidance for schools
[00:33:13] Phone bans spread rapidly across schools
[00:38:44] Higher ed enrollment rebounds but retention remains weak

Plus, special guests:
[00:46:19] Jeremy Smith, CEO and Co-founder of pega6, on one-year AI-first career accelerators
[01:11:29] Stewart Brown, K–12 Computer Science and AI Literacy Leader at Code4Kids, on CS as a core elementary subject

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Shangyup Kim is the CEO of ZEP QUIZ, the metaverse-based gamified K-12 learning platform. Built AI-driven tools that help teachers motivate students at scale and is expanding across Asia and the U.S. As a former ZEPETO leader, focusing on gamification, futuristic change, and education. Formerly built two Series B companies.

Jangwoo Bae is the business developer of ZEP QUIZ, a former English teacher and school administrator in Thailand during COVID-19. Recognized the need for educational tools that extend beyond traditional classrooms and the urgent necessity for digital transformation in schools, while preserving the fundamental values of learning.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why multiplayer mechanics drive deeper engagement than traditional quizzes
How ZEP QUIZ balances fun and pedagogy in classroom design
What teachers actually look for in game-based assessment tools
Lessons from scaling an edtech product across different markets
How AI could support real-time feedback and personalization in quiz-based learning

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:10] Why learning tools should feel social, not solitary
[00:08:45] The design choices behind ZEP QUIZ’s multiplayer experience
[00:15:30] What engagement really means from a teacher’s perspective
[00:22:10] Scaling ZEP QUIZ globally and adapting to classroom realities
[00:29:40] Shangyup and Jangwoo on where AI fits into game-based learning

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

John Gamba is Entrepreneur in Residence at Catalyst @ Penn GSE, where he mentors education entrepreneurs and leads the Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition. Over 17 years, the competition has awarded $2M to ventures that have gone on to raise more than $200M in follow-on funding, with a strong focus on equity and research-to-practice impact.

The 2026 Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition is now open for applications. The application is simple and due by February 11. Apply here.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

How the Milken-Penn GSE Competition supports high-impact edtech founders
Why research-to-practice is critical for scalable education innovation
How AI in education is moving from experimentation to institutional adoption
What it takes to center equity while building sustainable edtech businesses
Why learning outcomes matter more than funding or reach alone

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:02:15] The evolution of the Milken-Penn GSE Competition
[00:09:26] From AI pilots to learning-science-driven implementation
[00:13:35] Responsible AI and avoiding “AI junk food” in education
[00:25:42] Keeping equity at the core of edtech innovation
[00:29:44] Measuring real impact beyond capital raised
[00:39:54] Why AI benchmarks and standards are the next frontier
[00:44:36] How founders can engage with Catalyst and Catapult

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Nicole Jarbo is the CEO of 4.0 Schools, one of the nation’s leading platforms for early-stage education founders. A former KIPP teacher, Teach For America Corps member, and fintech founder, Nicole brings deep experience across classrooms, startups, philanthropy, and systems-level education change. She is also the host of the award-winning podcast Pitch Playground.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why education is facing an “imagination crisis” — and why technology alone won’t solve it
How 4.0 Schools supports founders beyond pilots to build durable, real-world impact
What successful education founders have in common across industries
Why “anti-scale but pro-impact” may be the right mindset for the future of education
How founders and educators can approach AI with greater intentionality and responsibility

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:15] Nicole Jarbo on defining meaningful innovation as imaginable, viable, and reachable
[00:06:24] Lessons from 15 years of 4.0 Schools on what makes founders succeed
[00:09:57] Why founder ecosystems matter more than one-time programs or pilots
[00:16:10] Education’s identity crisis and the system’s fear of trying something new
[00:26:37] How founders should think about AI, equity, and responsible adoption
[00:30:30] Why imagination—not infrastructure—is the missing piece in education reform
[00:37:15] Nicole on why education is the most important yet slowest-moving institution

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Dora Palfi is the Co-founder and CEO of imagi, an edtech company reimagining computer science education through creative coding and AI. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Dora has a background in neuroscience, human-computer interaction, and technology, and is a passionate advocate for equitable access to future-ready skills.

Special note: Free access to the Lovable × imagi collaboration has been extended through March 31, giving educators and students more time to explore professional AI tools in real classroom settings.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why creative coding can unlock computer science for students who don’t see themselves as “technical”
How imagi partners with cutting-edge AI tools like Lovable to bring real-world tech into classrooms
What “vibe coding” teaches students about AI literacy, prompting, and debugging
How AI enables truly cross-curricular learning across subjects like history, art, and storytelling
Why constraints, scaffolding, and design thinking are essential for meaningful AI-powered learning

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:02:40] Dora Palfi on how education and coding changed her life—and inspired imagi
[00:07:13] Why imagi partners with professional AI tools instead of building replicas
[00:10:55] Making AI classroom-ready: compliance, safety, and curriculum design
[00:19:05] “Constraints breed creativity”: reframing coding as a creative act
[00:21:03] Real classroom examples—from Harry Potter sorting hats to interactive art projects
[00:27:40] Vibe coding, entrepreneurship, and preparing students for an AI-native future

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they kick off 2026 with a wide-ranging Week in EdTech conversation covering tech backlash, AI in education, market consolidation, consumer learning tools, and major voices shaping the future of teaching and learning.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] Growing tech backlash around screen time, phone bans, and distrust of edtech.
[00:03:55] PowerSchool layoffs reflect private equity pressure and profitability focus.
[00:06:30] Layoffs highlight the human cost for educators working in edtech.
[00:09:04] Screen time skepticism reaches adult learning and professional assessments.
[00:10:52] Big Tech ramps up AI competition as Meta, Amazon, and Apple reposition.
[00:12:42] Consumer AI learning startups draw VC attention amid edtech valuation gaps.
[00:13:58] Funding: Obo raises $16M Series A for AI-generated, multimodal courses.
[00:17:16] UX, speed, and multimodality emerge as key edtech differentiators.
[00:19:10] Speechify secures NYC schools deal, blending accessibility with consumer-grade UX.
[00:21:08] Engagement-first consumer learning apps challenge traditional edtech models.

Plus, special guests:
[00:23:48] Eli Luberoff, Founder of Desmos Studio, on creative math tools and Desmos Professional.
[00:50:28] Rebecca Winthrop, Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Universal Education at The Brookings Institution, on how AI risks currently outweigh benefits for students without better guardrails.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Jamie Rosenberg is the Founder and Executive Chairman of ClassWallet, a fintech platform modernizing how public education funds are distributed to schools and families. A longtime social impact entrepreneur, he previously founded AdoptAClassroom.org and has spent over two decades focused on getting dollars closer to students.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why education funding breakdowns are often about infrastructure, not intent
How ClassWallet replaced reimbursement with real-time, compliant digital wallets
What it takes to run ESA and school choice programs at scale
How empowering teachers and families unlocks creativity and efficiency
Where AI and data can maximize the impact of every education dollar

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:02:31] Jamie’s journey from AdoptAClassroom to building ClassWallet
[00:09:07] Why reimbursement systems create massive friction in education funding
[00:13:55] How simple purchases (like pencil sharpeners) can unlock learning time
[00:22:35] ClassWallet’s role in scaling ESAs and the modern school choice movement
[00:33:01] What edtech founders need to know about accessing ESA-funded markets
[00:41:58] Why supplemental funding is critical for students with special needs
[00:47:12] How AI will shape compliance, recommendations, and impact measurement

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Henry Motte de la Motte is the Founder and CEO of EDGE Tutor, a global tutor outsourcing company supporting over 50 leading education and training organizations. Under his leadership, EDGE Tutor has scaled to 1,000+ teachers across 30+ countries, delivering millions of live tutoring sessions with a focus on quality, reliability, and human-centered learning.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why tutor reliability matters more than most EdTech's realize
How outsourcing enables high-quality tutoring at global scale
What makes matching tutors to learners actually work
How platforms use external tutor supply to handle peak demand
Why AI works best as support and not a replacement for human tutors

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:23] EDGE Tutor as behind-the-scenes tutoring infrastructure
[00:03:32] BPO lessons applied to education
[00:06:18] Reliability as the core of learning quality
[00:09:46] Cultural training across markets
[00:13:08] Why EDGE Tutor chose white-label over brand
[00:16:21] Diversifying tutor supply to reduce risk
[00:21:47] How COVID reshaped online tutoring
[00:25:14] A pragmatic take on AI tutoring
[00:30:00] The rise of hybrid human + AI models
[00:42:31] Consolidation coming to edtech

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

In Part 2 of our year-end reflections, Alex speaks with educators, founders, investors, and platform leaders about what 2026 may bring for AI and learning at scale.

🎙️ Featuring insights from:

Shantanu Sinha, VP & GM, Google for Education
Katie Kurtz, Managing Director & Global Head of Youth & Learning, YouTube
Amit Patel, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Owl Ventures
Jomayra Herrera, Partner, Reach Capital
Jean-Claude Brizard, President & CEO, Digital Promise
Sunil Gunderia, Co-Founder & CEO, Stealth
Sofia Fenichell, Founder & CEO, Study Hall.AI
Soren Rosier, Founder, PeerTeach
Dan Carroll, Co-Founder, Clever
Juliette Reid, Director of Market Research, Reading Horizons
Amanda Bickerstaff, CEO, AI for Education

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Nolan Bushnell is the founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese and is widely known as the father of the video game industry. Dr. Leah Hanes is the CEO of ExoDexa, co-author of the ExoDexa Manifesto, and leads the Two Bit Circus Foundation, where she has impacted over 460,000 students through game-based and project-based learning.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why traditional schooling fails students who don’t learn at the “right” pace
How game design principles like flow and mastery can transform learning
The role AI can play in personalized, no-grades education
Why gamification efforts led by academics often fall short
What a “perfect school day” could look like in an AI-driven future

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:00] Nolan Bushnell on the throughline from Atari to education reform
[00:05:10] Dr. Leah Hanes on why learning by doing leads to deeper retention
[00:07:52] How AI enables true individualized learning inside ExoDexa
[00:12:16] Nolan on eliminating grades and batch-processing in education
[00:16:58] Why homeschoolers may lead the next wave of education innovation
[00:21:33] The science of “flow” and what makes learning feel addictive
[00:27:51] Leah’s vision for AI tutors, physical activity, and student agency
[00:29:30] Nolan’s radical take on VR, exercise, naps, and brain science in school

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Alex Sarlin, Ben Kornell, Michael Hornand Dhawal Shah as they break down major moves in online learning, AI, and higher education shaping the end of 2025.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] Coursera and Udemy announce a $2.5B all-stock merger forming a 175M-learner platform
[00:00:30] Michael Horn on Coursera’s growing leverage over university partners
[00:02:08] Ben Kornell explores Coursera’s potential to become a global university
[00:05:40] Dhawal Shah explains the financial motivations behind the merger
[00:09:54] Michael Horn compares the deal to the 2U–edX acquisition
[00:11:54] The hosts discuss channel power and aggregation in edtech
[00:16:49] Debate on Coursera’s acquisition strategy and platform future
[00:21:43] Dhawal Shah on why these businesses may perform better as private companies
[00:22:33] Ben Kornell outlines Coursera’s two paths: efficiency or AI-led reinvention
[00:30:24] Gaps in online learning around mentorship and advanced skills
[00:35:29] OpenAI’s latest release and rising competition with Google Gemini
[00:38:55] Why content and IP still matter in the AI era
[00:48:36] Purdue introduces an AI competency requirement for graduates

Plus, special guests:
[00:52:54] Isabelle Hau, Executive Director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, on human-centered and social AI in education

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

2025 was a defining year for AI in education. From rapid adoption to rising educator confidence and growing questions about what comes next.

In Part 1 of our year-end reflections and predictions, Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell revisit their 2025 reflections and look ahead to what 2026 may bring for EdTech, AI, and the future of learning.

🎙️ Featuring insights from:

Tom Vander Ark, Founder & CEO, Getting Smart
Bjorn Billhardt, CEO, Abilitie
Jacob Kantor, Founder & Chief DODO, JK K12 EDU
Arman Jaffer, Founder & CEO, Brisk Teaching
Ian McCullough, Founder & Principal, McCullough Marketing and Management
Jennifer Carolan, General Partner, Reach Capital
Andrew Goldman, EVP, HMH Labs

From educator adoption curves to Big Tech’s growing influence, this episode brings together operators, investors, and strategists to unpack what’s shaping education’s next chapter.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Rene Kizilcec is an Associate Professor at Cornell University, where he directs the Cornell Future of Learning Lab and leads the National Tutoring Observatory. His research focuses on learning science, AI in education, and the behavioral and computational factors that shape student success. His work has appeared in Science, PNAS, and other top journals.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

How the National Tutoring Observatory is building the largest dataset of real tutoring interactions.
What specific “tutoring moves” actually drive learning outcomes.
How AI models can be trained to use stronger pedagogical strategies.
Why education needs real benchmarks for measuring teaching quality in AI.
How simulation-based learning is transforming medical and language training at Cornell.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:00:00] Rene on aligning AI study tools with real pedagogy.
[00:02:33] Lessons from early MOOC research on equity and completion.
[00:05:58] How motivation and belonging interventions improved outcomes.
[00:10:57] The mission and structure of the National Tutoring Observatory.
[00:13:01] Why tutoring works—and why we haven’t known which moves matter.
[00:18:28] Tools for identifying tutoring moves across huge datasets.
[00:20:00] Using tutoring data to influence hyperscalers and AI product design.
[00:22:37] The need for robust benchmarks for AI tutoring quality.
[00:27:42] Why great tutors ask questions instead of giving answers.
[00:31:03] How tutoring data can improve AI models while preserving privacy.
[00:34:34] How tutoring providers can join the NTO consortium.
[00:37:16] Simulation-based learning with MedSimAI and Chitter Chatter.
[00:41:34] How AI-assisted development accelerates EdTech innovation.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Alex Sarlin, Ben Wallerstein, and Matt Tower for Week in Edtech, exploring OpenAI’s teacher certifications, kids’ online safety legislation, early literacy declines, college admissions pressures, and what remains irreplaceable in education as AI advances.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:00] OpenAI launches teacher certifications, expanding into K–12
[00:05:00] Big Tech credentials raise control and gatekeeping concerns
[00:07:55] Doubts emerge around certifying AI pedagogy
[00:12:40] Google and OpenAI intensify competition for schools
[00:14:15] Congress advances online safety bills affecting edtech
[00:19:15] COPPA changes threaten AI personalization
[00:24:05] Parent reading declines deepen literacy gaps
[00:26:45] Early childhood remains underfunded despite high impact
[00:31:15] College admissions lean further into yield management
[00:33:10] AI reshapes admissions essay review
[00:36:20] Trust in higher education continues to fall
[00:40:40] Education systems face pressure to adapt

Plus, special guests:
[00:45:30] Maya Bialik, Founder of QuestionWell, and Peter Nilsson, Founder of Athena Lab, on their book Irreplaceable: How AI Changes Everything (and Nothing) in Teaching and Learning

[01:11:16] Emily Gill, Co-Founder & COO of LEVRA, on AI simulations for human skills development

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

This special EdTech Insiders episode, recorded live at the World Schools Summit in Abu Dhabi, spotlights the Global EdTech Prize winners and finalists sharing how they’re scaling impact across K–12 learning, teacher AI workflows, and digital skills worldwide.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Abwaab’s AI-driven grading and human coaching model.
Brisk’s rapid global growth through workflow-embedded AI.
Matific’s adaptive, game-based math learning.
Arukay’s digital skills + SEL approach in LATAM.
Dukes Education’s human-centered prep for an AI future.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] Rapelang Rabana on Imagine Learning's system-level impact.
[00:02:44] Hamdi Tabbaa on Abwaab’s AI assessment breakthroughs.
[00:08:51] Arman Jaffer on Brisk Teaching instructional coherence vision.
[00:21:05] Craig Shotland on Matific’s adaptive learning + localization.
[00:37:08] Marcelo Burbano & Ana Ricaurte on Arukay’s digital skills + SEL
[00:53:18] Aatif Hassan on Dukes Education character, resilience, and future-ready schools.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Charlie Hopkins-Brinicombe is the co-founder of Trophy.so, a gamification infrastructure platform helping EdTech and wellness companies build engaging learning experiences in weeks, not months. With a background in product development and motivation design, Charlie focuses on creating scalable systems that boost retention, habit formation, and learner satisfaction.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why most gamification fails.
Which mechanics truly motivate learners.
How social features boost engagement.
How Trophy.so measures retention impact.
How AI can personalize motivation.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:07] How Trophy.so began.
[00:03:23] Why platforms reinvent gamification.
[00:05:02] The real value of streaks and badges.
[00:08:50] Trophy.so’s retention and impact tools.
[00:12:40] Gamification for both consumer and school EdTech.
[00:14:36] Key mechanics—achievements, streaks, leaderboards, leagues.
[00:17:47] The power of social and community challenges.
[00:22:20] Common gamification pitfalls.
[00:28:29] Engagement vs. actual learning outcomes.
[00:35:28] AI-driven, personalized motivation.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they break down the biggest shifts in global edtech. From PhysicsWallah’s major IPO to Google–OpenAI competition, higher-ed adoption of AI, and new benchmarks shaping the future of learning.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:07:00] PhysicsWallah’s IPO reshapes Indian edtech and signals renewed global momentum
[00:15:00] Google and OpenAI escalate the AI race with Gemini 3, Nano Banana Pro, and OpenAI’s “garlic” model
[00:31:00] Higher education shifts from AI resistance to AI integration across teaching and majors
[00:39:00] Rural districts test new connected learning models backed by major tech partners
[00:40:00] Learning Agency launches the first Education AI Leaderboard for model benchmarking

Plus, special guests:
[00:45:30] Andrew Carlins, Co-Founder & CEO of Songscription on AI-powered music transcription and access

[01:01:10] Eric Tao, Founder & CEO of MegaMinds, and Austin Levinson, Director of Learning at MegaMinds on immersive AI simulations for CTE and AI literacy

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Frank Wu is the Co-founder of Aibrary and a Harvard Kennedy School MPP graduate. He led 20+ edtech and AI investments at TAL, helped build Think Academy in the U.S., and previously taught 3M+ students.

Susan Wang is the Chief Growth Officer at Aibrary and a Yale and Harvard Business School alum. She led creator and product operations at TikTok and worked in strategy at TAL, with deep experience scaling edtech products.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

How AI is reshaping lifelong learning and adult skill development.
Why Aibrary turns trusted books into personalized, bite-sized audio.
How Idea Twin customizes learning using your goals and context.
How Aibrary blends learning with action to drive real-world application.
Aibrary’s long-term vision to build an AI-native university.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:01:00] Frank Wu on the fragmentation of adult learning.
[00:03:00] How AI is increasing the urgency for lifelong learning.
[00:08:22] Susan Wang on converting books into daily micro-learning.
[00:13:53] Why Aibrary grounds all content in trusted, authoritative sources.
[00:20:06] Personalization through goal-setting and AI agents.
[00:23:54] Applying ideas to real life as the core of true learning.
[00:29:39] Why Aibrary started with audio and when video is coming.
[00:33:29] The bridge from consumer learning to enterprise and micro-credentials.
[00:40:09] How future education will merge self-knowledge, world knowledge, and action.
[00:48:58] What’s next for Aibrary’s evolving AI learning companions.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Sonia Tiwari is a Children's Media Researcher focused on how characters shape learning experiences. With a background spanning animation, game design, and a PhD in Learning Design & Technology, she advises edtech and media companies on ethical, developmentally aligned character design. Her work has been featured at Stanford, Harvard, MIT, UNICEF, and the National Geographic Society.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How AI changes children’s relationships with characters.
What makes character design effective across media and education.
The risks and guardrails needed for AI companions.
How to use AI to support—rather than replace—creativity.
What ethical, developmentally aligned AI design looks like.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] Why children instinctively learn through stories and characters.
[00:02:03] How character design works in animation, games, and learning.
[00:07:14] The overlap and tension between entertainment and educational media.
[00:14:35] What happens when beloved characters become interactive AI.
[00:17:33] Turning existing IP into AI-native characters.
[00:21:00] Why interaction length and purpose matter for children's AI use.
[00:29:23] Why design is the fastest path to safer AI for kids.
[00:31:33] How AI tools can self-regulate for young learners.
[00:36:29] Whether entertainment characters can power better edtech.
[00:40:23] Using AI to enhance—not bypass—creative development.
[00:45:39] Teens creating AI characters and the potential risks.
[00:49:18] A framework for deciding when AI is actually needed.
[00:50:11] How industry–academia collaboration could raise quality in edtech.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Sarah Johnson is the CEO and President of Teaching Lab and Relay Graduate School of Education, leading their AI-enabled product innovation and educator preparation initiatives. She is joined by Teaching Lab Studio fellows: Riz Malik, creator of Coteach, a curriculum-aligned AI assistant for math teachers; Gautam Thapar, CEO of Enlighten AI, a personalized AI grading and feedback platform; and Louisa Rosenheck, co-lead of NISA and the Tangle & Thrive research project, focused on AI-powered instructional coaching and student engagement.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

Co-designing AI with teachers
Curriculum-informed AI boosts quality
AI scales coaching & grading
AI-centric classrooms & tool ecosystems
Teaching Lab–Relay expands R&D

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:12] Sarah on launching Teaching Lab’s AI studio
[00:07:47] Riz on curriculum-aligned AI for math
[00:10:50] Gautam on personalized grading AI
[00:16:44] Louisa on AI-supported coaching
[00:24:40] Educators building GPTs
[00:41:05] Spotlight on Studio projects:

Mathlyby Melanie Kong & Marie White
Writing Pathway by Sherry Lewkowicz & Phil Weinberg
Podsie by Joshua Ling

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they break down OpenAI’s unexpected launch of ChatGPT for K–12, Google’s accelerating AI momentum, and what these shifts mean for schools, teachers, and the edtech ecosystem.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:03] OpenAI unveils ChatGPT for K–12 educators—secure, curriculum-aware, and free through 2027
[00:03:02] The emerging AI Classroom Wars between OpenAI and Google across major U.S. districts
[00:07:36] Google’s big week: DeepMind tutoring gains and Gemini 3’s multimodal upgrades
[00:10:25] How district leaders will navigate growing community divides over AI adoption
[00:14:04] What OpenAI’s move means for MagicSchool, SchoolAI, Brisk, and other edtech players

Plus, special guests:
[00:19:26] Janos Perczel, CEO ofPolygence on scaling project-based learning with AI and why TeachLM trains models on authentic student–teacher interactions

[00:41:36] Dr. Stephen Hodges, CEO ofEfekta Education on AI-powered language learning for 4M students and early evidence of major test score gains

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

As a tech-first company, Tuck Advisors has developed a suite of proprietary tools to serve its clients better. Tuck was the first firm in the world to launch a custom GPT around M&A. If you haven’t already, try our proprietary M&A Analyzer, which assesses fit between your company and a specific buyer. To explore this free tool and the rest of our technology, visit tuckadvisors.com.

Send us a text

This special on-site episode of Edtech Insiders was recorded live at the Google AI for Learning Forum in London on November 14, 2024, where we sat down with leaders shaping Google’s next generation of learning tools, including Shantanu Sinha, VP of Google for Education, Tal Oppenheimer, Product Management Director, Google Labs & Learning, Julia Wilkowski, Pedagogy & Learning Sciences Team Lead, Google, and Maureen Heymans, VP & GM, Learning, Google. Together, they share how Google is designing AI-powered tools grounded in learning science and built to scale across classrooms worldwide.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

How Google is embedding AI into Classroom and Gemini.
How Learn LM’s pedagogy powers Google’s core models.
How tools like NotebookLM and Learn Your Way personalize learning.
How Google measures learning effectiveness.
What’s next for AI in education.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:01:36] Shantanu Sinha on putting educators in control of AI
[00:02:32] Gemini’s role inside Classroom
[00:06:53] The next wave of reasoning and multimodal AI
[00:09:36] Teachers creating simulations and learning artifacts
[00:14:42] Tal Oppenheimer on personalized textbooks in Learn Your Way
[00:17:29] Building learning features across Google surfaces
[00:35:03] Julia Wilkowski on Google’s five learning science principles
[00:41:43] Multimodal learning and educational video generation
[00:52:03] Maureen Heymans on using AI to enhance video-based learning

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

As a tech-first company, Tuck Advisors has developed a suite of proprietary tools to serve its clients better. Tuck was the first firm in the world to launch a custom GPT around M&A. If you haven’t already, try our proprietary M&A Analyzer, which assesses fit between your company and a specific buyer. To explore this free tool and the rest of our technology, visit tuckadvisors.com.

Send us a text

Brandon Busteed is the CEO of Edconic and a nationally recognized leader in work-integrated learning. Formerly President of Kaplan University Partners and Head of Education & Workforce Development at Gallup, he has spent his career building bridges between higher education and industry through research, innovation, and large-scale partnerships.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why work-integrated learning matters
Why employers say grads aren’t work-ready
Why internships don’t scale
How colleges can merge liberal arts with career prep
How AI bridges academic and job skills

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:00:00] The power of work-integrated learning for long-term outcomes
[00:02:49] How the education–workforce gap emerged
[00:05:54] Why so few students get quality applied learning experiences
[00:07:28] Debunking the liberal-arts vs. careerism divide
[00:13:51] The internship shortage and rise of “derivative internships”
[00:18:56] Edtech’s role in expanding work-based learning
[00:20:53] How virtual and industry immersion programs reshape higher ed
[00:24:44] Employers’ low confidence in graduate readiness
[00:26:17] Faculty externships as a bridge between academia and industry
[00:30:01] Co-designed learning between teachers and industry experts
[00:33:24] AI as a translator between academic and career skills
[00:42:12] Saxbys’ model of student-run campus businesses
[00:46:07] Expanding student awareness of career paths beyond the “top 10”

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

As a tech-first company, Tuck Advisors has developed a suite of proprietary tools to serve its clients better. Tuck was the first firm in the world to launch a custom GPT around M&A. If you haven’t already, try our proprietary M&A Analyzer, which assesses fit between your company and a specific buyer. To explore this free tool and the rest of our technology, visit tuckadvisors.com.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they unpack the breakthroughs and backlash following the Google DeepMind AI for Learning Forum in London—and what it means for the future of edtech.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:30] Google DeepMind’s AI for Learning Forum sets a new global tone for learning innovation
[00:06:58] Google’s “Learn Your Way” tool personalizes entire textbooks with AI
[00:08:12] AI video tools like Google Flow redefine classroom content creation
[00:13:40] Why this could be the moment for teachers to become AI media creators
[00:18:36] Risks of AI-generated video: deepfakes, disinformation, and youth impact
[00:22:19] Duolingo stock crashes over 40% amid investor fears of big tech competition
[00:23:52] Screen time backlash accelerates: parents turn to screen-free edtech
[00:26:14] Why physical math books and comic-style curricula are surging in demand
[00:27:35] A wave of screen-free edtech: from LeapFrog alumni to audio-first tools

Plus, special guests:

[00:28:51] Michelle Culver, Founder of The Rithm Project, and Erin Mote, CEO of InnovateEDU, on the psychological risks of AI companions, building trust in AI tools, and designing for pro-social relationships
[00:51:48] Ben Caulfield, CEO of Eedi, shares groundbreaking findings from their Google DeepMind study: AI tutors now match—and sometimes outperform—humans in math instruction, and how Eedi powers the future of scalable, safe AI tutoring.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal b

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

As a tech-first company, Tuck Advisors has developed a suite of proprietary tools to serve its clients better. Tuck was the first firm in the world to launch a custom GPT around M&A. If you haven’t already, try our proprietary M&A Analyzer, which assesses fit between your company and a specific buyer. To explore this free tool and the rest of our technology, visit tuckadvisors.com.

Send us a text

This special EdTech Insiders episode features the four Shark Tank winners from EdTech Week. Each founder shares how their breakthrough approach is transforming learning, teaching, and workforce development across K–12, higher education, and global training environments.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Lirvana Labs’ multilingual, trauma-informed AI companion.
Socrait’s voice-powered automation of teacher admin work.
Skillmaker.ai’s XR training that cuts years to days.
Glimmer’s personalized formative assessment and insights.
How these innovators are scaling impact across continents and industries.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:18] Christie Pang, CEO & Co-Founder of Lirvana Labs on Global AI learning companion & teacher “Mission Control”
[00:21:42] Jason Palmer, Co-Founder & President of Socraiton Turning teacher talk into structured data
[00:35:53] Robin Cowie, Founder & CEO of Skillmaker.aion XR & smart glasses accelerating technical training
[00:50:48] Neel Rao, Co-Founder & CEO of Glimmeron AI-powered personalized math scaffolding and insights

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

As a tech-first company, Tuck Advisors has developed a suite of proprietary tools to serve its clients better. Tuck was the first firm in the world to launch a custom GPT around M&A. If you haven’t already, try our proprietary M&A Analyzer, which assesses fit between your company and a specific buyer. To explore this free tool and the rest of our technology, visit tuckadvisors.com.

Send us a text

Rohan Mahimker is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Prodigy Education, a global leader in digital game-based learning.

Rohan launched Prodigy alongside his fellow Co-Founder and Co-CEO Alex Peters in 2011. Today, Prodigy’s flagship math game is used by more than 20 million 1st-8th Grade students and is one of the most popular supplemental classroom tools in the United States.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How a university project evolved into one of the world’s most popular math games
The secret behind Prodigy’s “motivation first” approach to learning
Why Prodigy’s freemium model reshaped EdTech’s business playbook
How the Prodigy State Challenge became the world’s largest math competition
Where AI and personalization fit into the future of game-based learning

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:24] Rohan on turning childhood gaming inspiration into Prodigy’s origin story
[00:07:29] How “motivation first” drives deeper math engagement
[00:13:09] The adaptive algorithm that personalizes every student’s learning path
[00:17:27] Innovating the freemium model to keep learning free for teachers and schools
[00:27:53] Inside the Prodigy State Challenge: 4.2M students and 70,000 schools
[00:31:04] Using AI for smarter content creation and future tutoring potential
[00:43:30] What’s next: expanding beyond math to English and global game-based learning

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

As a tech-first company, Tuck Advisors has developed a suite of proprietary tools to serve its clients better. Tuck was the first firm in the world to launch a custom GPT around M&A. If you haven’t already, try our proprietary M&A Analyzer, which assesses fit between your company and a specific buyer. To explore this free tool and the rest of our technology, visit tuckadvisors.com.

Send us a text

Mireia Torello is the CEO and co-founder of Aikreate, an EdTech company revolutionizing AI Literacy for students and educators worldwide. With a PhD in Earth Sciences and an Executive MBA from IESE Business School, Mireia brings a unique mix of scientific and entrepreneurial experience. She has led Aikreate through partnerships with schools, universities, and governments and has been recognized at top innovation forums like SXSW EDU and ASU+GSV’s Women in AI. Her mission: make AI accessible, ethical, and empowering for the next generation.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why AI literacy is a mindset, not just a skill
How educators can teach ethics, data, and creativity with AI
The importance of human skills in an AI-driven world
Ways to train teachers and students to learn AI together
How Aikreate is expanding global access to AI education

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:32] Teaching AI literacy as a mindset, not just a toolset.
[00:06:34] How Aikreate scaled from a local school to a global platform.
[00:08:37] Training students to solve problems in collaboration with AI.
[00:11:51] Why AI belongs across subjects—not in a separate class.
[00:13:06] Supporting teachers with approachable, synchronized training.
[00:23:57] Balancing safety, ethics, and student empowerment in AI use.
[00:42:01] Helping students become AI pilots, not passive passengers.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

As a tech-first company, Tuck Advisors has developed a suite of proprietary tools to serve its clients better. Tuck was the first firm in the world to launch a custom GPT around M&A. If you haven’t already, try our proprietary M&A Analyzer, which assesses fit between your company and a specific buyer. To explore this free tool and the rest of our technology, visit tuckadvisors.com.

Send us a text

Adam Mangana is the Co-Founder and CEO of Optima Ed, the first full-time VR homeschool backed by Meta. With over 15 years in edtech leadership, he’s pioneering immersive, AI-driven learning experiences that expand access to quality education and reimagine how, where, and why students learn.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Optima Ed blends classical education with cutting-edge VR technology.
Why the future of learning is immersive, individualized, and accessible.
The role of AI tutors and digital twins in supporting teachers and students.
How education savings accounts (ESAs) and policy innovation are enabling new school models.
Why Adam believes the next era of schooling will liberate learning and bring world-class education anywhere.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:37] Entering a cell, not just watching one — the power of immersive learning.
[00:07:36] Optima Ed brings top teachers to every home through VR.
[00:11:33] Solving online school loneliness with metaverse classrooms.
[00:16:25] Teachers gain flexibility to teach from anywhere in the world.
[00:20:07] ESAs and spatial computing are transforming school choice.
[00:43:56] AI-powered tutors enable personalized, multilingual learning.
[00:49:20] “Learning liberated” — Optima Ed’s mission for global access.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

As a tech-first company, Tuck Advisors has developed a suite of proprietary tools to serve its clients better. Tuck was the first firm in the world to launch a custom GPT around M&A. If you haven’t already, try our proprietary M&A Analyzer, which assesses fit between your company and a specific buyer. To explore this free tool and the rest of our technology, visit tuckadvisors.com.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they recap a post–New York EdTech Week full of highs and hard truths.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] Alpha School's backlash and what it reveals about AI-based education.
[00:06:58] EdTech’s new K–20 alliance with Microsoft and Google for responsible AI.
[00:10:09] The risks and lessons from Alpha School's rapid rise and fall.
[00:21:53] Chegg cuts 45% of staff amid AI disruption and market pressure.
[00:26:01] Kaplan launches AI tools built on 85 years of learner data.
[00:31:02] Mem0 raises $23M to build a universal AI memory layer.
[00:38:10] Cal State’s OpenAI deal sparks debate on Big Tech in higher ed.
[00:44:18] The media’s anti-AI narrative and its impact on innovation.

Plus, special guests:
[00:50:24] Rebecca Winthrop, Director of the Center for Universal Education at Brookings, and Jenny Anderson, award-winning journalist and co-author of The Disengaged Teen, on student agency, engagement, and the four learner modes.
[01:11:14] Justin Reich, Director of the MIT Teaching Systems Lab, on AI in Schools: Perspectives for the Perplexed and how educators can experiment safely with emerging AI tools.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

As a tech-first company, Tuck Advisors has developed a suite of proprietary tools to serve its clients better. Tuck was the first firm in the world to launch a custom GPT around M&A. If you haven’t already, try our proprietary M&A Analyzer, which assesses fit between your company and a specific buyer. To explore this free tool and the rest of our technology, visit tuckadvisors.com.

Send us a text

Joe Watt co-founded ECMC Group’s Education Impact Fund to back bold ideas expanding equity and opportunity in education. Today, he leads the Fund as Managing Director, shaping how patient, mission-driven capital creates lasting change. He’s joined by Atin Batra, a Director at the Fund, who leads investments across the learner journey, bringing a global venture lens and a deep focus on measurable outcomes that improve learner success.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How ECMC uses patient capital to drive measurable educational outcomes
The four stages of the learner journey guiding their investments
Why AI-resilient and AI-enhanced careers matter for the future workforce
What Workforce Pell means for career-connected learning access
How to balance vocational goals with critical thinking in higher ed

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:08] Joe on ECMC Group’s mission and fund origins
[00:10:59] Atin on measuring real learner impact
[00:15:33] Investing across the learner journey
[00:25:54] Building AI-resilient and ethical career pathways
[00:32:48] The promise and pitfalls of Workforce Pell
[00:44:15] Balancing vocational goals with critical thinking
[00:57:19] The importance of product velocity in edtech innovation

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

As a tech-first company, Tuck Advisors has developed a suite of proprietary tools to serve its clients better. Tuck was the first firm in the world to launch a custom GPT around M&A. If you haven’t already, try our proprietary M&A Analyzer, which assesses fit between your company and a specific buyer. To explore this free tool and the rest of our technology, visit tuckadvisors.com.

Send us a text

In this special episode, we spotlight the GESAwards, often called the “United Nations of EdTech,” with founder Avi Warshavskyof MindCET and three inspiring finalists from around the world. They share how they’re harnessing AI, rethinking prison education, and transforming music learning for millions of students.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why GESAwards are built on local partnerships
How AI levels the global EdTech playing field
Designing learning platforms for prisons
Music education’s link to wellbeing and STEM
How global collaboration fuels EdTech visibility

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:15] Avi Warshavsky on the GESAwards’ biggest achievement: global community
[00:04:34] How regional partners uncover hidden EdTech gems worldwide
[00:07:19] AI as an equalizer for startups in small markets

Finalist Interviews:
[00:12:02] Chen Berger, COO of StudyWise.io on AI for assessments & adaptive learning
[00:18:28] Jessica Hicklin, Co-founder of Unlocked Labs on Prison education reform
[00:31:18] Tom Gale, CEO of Solfeg.io on Music education for engagement & wellbeing

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Ednition helps EdTech companies reclaim rostering and own their integrations. Through its flagship platform, RosterStream, Ednition replaces costly data providers and complex internal infrastructure with direct, secure connections to any SIS or data source. The result: scalable integrations, lower costs, and seamless experiences for schools and districts of every size. With Ednition: Reclaim rostering. Own your integrations. Cut the cost.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology leading into NY EDTECH WEEK, from AI adoption in classrooms to major acquisitions and emerging trends across global EdTech.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:39] 85% of teachers and 86% of students used AI this year, sparking concerns about disconnection.
[00:05:21] Google’s Notebook LM and OpenAI apps mark the next phase of AI-driven learning.
[00:10:56] Campus acquires Sizzle AI to accelerate AI-powered associate degrees.
[00:17:46] “Combine or Die”: AI startups merge with delivery platforms to stay competitive.
[00:20:38] India’s EdTech resurgence with new investment from Google, Anthropic, and SpeakX AI.
[00:22:16] One in five teens report AI relationships, redefining digital social life.
[00:23:40] Computer science shifts from major to essential literacy for all students.
[00:28:15] AI’s rise mirrors the early internet era as it becomes part of everyday life.

Plus, special guests:
[00:33:56] Joy Chen, Enterprise Account Manager at HeyGen on how AI avatars are reshaping instructional design and interactive learning.
[00:59:55] Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, Author of Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist, on creativity, mentorship, and the role of technology in artistic education

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Ednition helps EdTech companies reclaim rostering and own their integrations. Through its flagship platform, RosterStream, Ednition replaces costly data providers and complex internal infrastructure with direct, secure connections to any SIS or data source. The result: scalable integrations, lower costs, and seamless experiences for schools and districts of every size. With Ednition: Reclaim rostering. Own your integrations. Cut the cost.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell with guest Anna Edwardsof Whiteboard Advisors as they unpack a packed week in education technology. From sweeping cell phone bans to AI reshaping classrooms and colleges, and celebrate a major milestone of 400 episodes of EdTech Insiders!

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] States expand K–12 phone bans over mental health
[00:04:29] Federal shutdown hits Title I, Head Start, ED
[00:06:28] ICE detains superintendent, raising compliance fears
[00:13:25] Why phone bans need digital-literacy support
[00:19:25] Higher ed faces international enrollment and funding drops
[00:28:41] Harvard grade inflation reignites rigor debate
[00:32:32] States pilot graduate profiles and competency shifts
[00:38:08] ChatGPT adds apps; Coursera leads edtech uses
[00:46:20] Key state and district policy trends

Plus, special guests:
[00:46:20] Jim Beasley, Co-founder & Technology Director and Maurie Beasley, Co-founder & Educator, AIEDPro, on AI PD and classroom pilots.
[01:16:32] Stacey Brook, Founder & Chief Advisor, College Essay Advisors on College EssAI and ethical AI for essays.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Ednition helps EdTech companies reclaim rostering and own their integrations. Through its flagship platform, RosterStream, Ednition replaces costly data providers and complex internal infrastructure with direct, secure connections to any SIS or data source. The result: scalable integrations, lower costs, and seamless experiences for schools and districts of every size. With Ednition: Reclaim rostering. Own your integrations. Cut the cost.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Send us a text

Deborah Howes is the President of Howes Studio and a pioneer in digital museum education. With over three decades leading EdTech programs at top cultural institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, the Art Institute of Chicago, and MOCA Los Angeles. She now helps museums and nonprofits transform analog learning into dynamic digital experiences.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn:

How AI is transforming museum archives and accessibility.
Why authenticity and trust matter in EdTech collaborations.
The power of open-access museum data for global learning.
How museum teaching methods can inspire better AI tutors.
What museums must do now to remain relevant in a digital world.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] The hidden power of museum and EdTech collaborations
[00:05:10] AI in museums: from ancient scrolls to image tagging
[00:11:40] Why AI isn’t learning from museum data, yet
[00:22:40] “Throw open the gates”: the case for open access
[00:31:50] How a MoMA partnership brought art into classrooms
[00:38:40] Howes’ advice for EdTech founders partnering with museums
[00:47:00] “Start with the experience, not the tech”
[00:57:30] The urgency: keeping museums relevant in the AI era

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Matt Tower as they break down the biggest headlines shaping the future of education technology. From OpenAI’s new video model to major EdTech funding rounds and the rise of curriculum-informed AI.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:56] EdTech Week 2025 preview at Columbia University featuring OpenAI’s education keynote.
[00:06:50] SETDA report: AI overtakes cybersecurity as top K–12 tech priority.
[00:09:05] OpenAI’s Sora 2 video model brings lifelike multimodal AI to education.
[00:14:10] Rise of AI actors like “Tilly Norwood” underscores new media literacy concerns.
[00:18:30] Code.org launches Hour of AI to expand AI literacy in schools.
[00:24:40] Debate: Is “learn to code” still essential in the AI age?
[00:29:30] Microsoft Copilot adds Study Mode with shareable learning tools.
[00:32:00] Anthology (Blackboard) bankruptcy exposes failed 2021 PE merger.
[00:38:10] Funding: LingoKids raises $120M; Outsmart (ex-Duolingo) raises $40M.
[00:43:50] National test score slump fuels “End of Thinking” education debate.
[00:46:10] Calls for clear new visions of learning in the AI era.

Plus, special guests:
[00:53:00] Sari Factor, Vice Chair & Chief Strategy Officer, and Jason Fournier, VP of Product Management for AI & Data at Imagine Learning, on curriculum-informed AI.
[01:04:00] Caleb Hicks, CEO & Co-founder of SchoolAI, on AI tutors and personalized learning.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Vanessa Castañeda Gill, CEO and Co-Founder of Social Cipher andLucy Stevens, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Social Cipher, lead a majority-neurodivergent team creating social-emotional learning video games that help neurodivergent youth build self-understanding and connections; inspired by Vanessa’s experiences as an autistic/ADHD Latina, their games and curriculum are now used in 200+ schools and therapy centers across 8 countries, earning recognition from Forbes 30 Under 30, MIT Solve, and the LEGO Foundation.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

Using games to build belonging and self-advocacy for neurodivergent students
Authentic representation and storytelling in SEL game design
Insights teachers and therapists gain from playtesting
The impact of a majority-neurodivergent team on product and mission
Connecting SEL games to IEP goals and today’s mental health needs

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:08] Vanessa on founding Social Cipher from her autistic & ADHD experience
[00:06:05] Lucy on designing nuanced neurodivergent characters
[00:12:37] Feedback from students and educators that changed the game
[00:18:21] Lessons from managing a majority-neurodivergent team
[00:26:25] Pairing the game with SEL curriculum in schools
[00:33:52] Why schools adopt games to solve urgent SEL challenges
[00:41:55] Tackling youth anxiety through meaning and belonging
[00:47:15] How Social Cipher views AI in education and gaming
[00:48:50] Using SEL games to support IEP goals

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Janak Panchal and Rishan Dutia are cofounders of CoGuide, an AI classroom assistant that plans lessons and runs live discussions in 30+ languages. Janak, a former assistant guide with 250+ socratic discussions sessions within the Acton Academy Network, built the first MVP. Rishan leads engineering and builds the Vision OS for hand-raising and participation analytics.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How a teacherpreneur and a student founder teamed up to build CoGuide
Why AI facilitation goes beyond lesson planning to live classroom discussions
How Vision OS tracks participation and supports teachers with actionable data
The balance between teacher augmentation and student privacy
Where Janak and Rishan see AI in classrooms heading in the next three years

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:12] Janak Panchal on turning classroom struggles into CoGuide’s first MVP
[00:04:18] Rishan Dutia on becoming one of the youngest edtech founders at 12
[00:05:55] How CoGuide evolved into Vision OS with live classroom facilitation
[00:09:51] Janak explains “standby mode” and real-time analytics for teachers
[00:11:17] Rishan on building privacy-first AI that works in 30+ languages
[00:16:03] Why CoGuide focuses on collaboration, not one-on-one AI tutoring
[00:27:39] Janak shares how CoGuide could reduce teacher burnout
[00:29:04] Rishan on augmenting, not automating, the teacher’s role

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they dive into the latest headlines shaping the future of education technology, from AI tutors and Gallup polls to new VR career pathways and the impact of phone bans in schools.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:38] Mashable compares AI tutors from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic
[00:10:45] Gallup poll shows confidence in K-12 at all-time low
[00:15:48] CZI launches Learning Commons open-source AI infrastructure
[00:20:41] CZI + Anthropic partnership expands AI tools for edtech
[00:23:31] Kahoot unveils new AI-powered study tools
[00:26:26] Phone bans spread in U.S. schools with positive results
[00:29:53] Higher ed faces declining international applications and demographic cliff

Plus, special guests:
[00:36:24] Nick Chen, Founder of PlayMath.org, on educational gaming and product lessons
[01:00:40] Jamie Candee, CEO of Edmentum, on career pathways, durable skills, and VR workforce prep

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

In this special episode, we spotlight the Global EdTech Prize 2025 with founder Vikas Pota of T4 Education and six inspiring finalists from around the world.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why educators (not investors) choose the winners
How AI, AR, and VR expand access to learning
Innovation across Brazil, Nigeria, India, MENA, and Ukraine
How schools and governments are becoming edtech leaders
The role of global collaboration in scaling impact

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:23] Vikas Pota on the prize vision

Finalist Interviews:
[00:17:54] Hamdi Tabbaa, CEO and Co-Founder of Abwaab
[00:32:42] Smita Deorah, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of LEAD School
[00:48:58] Anna Sydoruk, CEO ofOsvitoria
[01:02:43] Rapelang Rabana, Co-CEO ofImagine Worldwide
[01:15:37] Serdar Ferit, CEO of Lyfta
[01:28:05] Aniekeme Umoh, COO at The uLesson Group

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Julie Stewartand Scott Stewart, award-winning creators behind global children’s shows for Disney, Netflix, and Sesame Workshop, co-founded Nurturewith serial entrepreneur Roger Egan, former CEO of RedMart, and learning expert Musa Roshdy, a Minerva University alum and advisor at Transcend Network, to build future-ready skills through immersive play.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Nurture turns screen time into active learning
Why story and humor drive deeper engagement
How AI enables adaptive, personalized play
The power of using beloved characters for learning
Why fun and learning should never be separate

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] Julie Stewart on kids becoming heroes inside immersive stories
[00:02:30] Roger Egan’s shift from e-commerce to early childhood learning
[00:09:30] Scott Stewart on humor and engagement as core learning tools
[00:16:00] Julie Stewart on AI and the Model Context Protocol for storytelling
[00:24:00] The team debates AI tutors with personality vs. personality-free chatbots
[00:33:00] Musa Roshdy on preventing “learned helplessness” from childhood
[00:45:00] Nurture’s strategy to partner with iconic children’s brands
[00:50:00] Breaking the taboo that fun and learning can’t coexist

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Jean-Claude Brizard is President and CEO of Digital Promise, a global, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization focused on accelerating innovation in education. He is the former Chief Executive of Chicago Public Schools and Superintendent of Rochester, NY. Previously, he spent 21 years with the NYC Department of Education, serving as Regional Superintendent for 100+ schools and Executive Director for 400 secondary schools. He also served as Senior Advisor and Deputy Director at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, leading strategies to close racial and economic achievement gaps and supporting charter school growth.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Digital Promise’s focus on blending learning sciences, technology, and practice
Balancing national innovation with classroom realities
The impact of AI, quantum computing, and emerging tech on education
Preparing students for adaptable career pathways, not just jobs
Collaboration between philanthropy, government, and nonprofits to drive change

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:20] Digital Promise’s mission: teaching, learning, pedagogy, and assessment
[00:05:39] Strategic agility: linking national strategy with classroom practice
[00:07:28] Using a logic model to guide initiatives and goals
[00:09:53] Preparing schools for AI, quantum computing, and future tech
[00:13:10] Career pathways that foster adaptability over specific jobs
[00:16:11] Philanthropy vs. government: roles in education funding
[00:19:05] Digital Promise certifications for edtech founders
[00:22:28] Back-to-school advice: building coherent instructional systems

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they dive into the biggest stories shaping education technology this week:

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:04:32] OpenAI study shows teaching and tutoring are ChatGPT’s top global use cases
[00:10:50] Parents testify in Congress about risks of unsafe AI chatbots for kids
[00:19:38] Google announces “Learn Your Way” and AI video generation for YouTube
[00:22:47] Shift from SEO to AEO as answer engines reshape discovery
[00:26:39] UK secures $40B in AI investment and Indian edtech funding rebounds post-Byju’s
[00:29:23] Babbel launches AI voice trainer and McGraw Hill adds AI to ALEKS calculus
[00:31:09] Superintendent turnover rises while principals gain influence in EdTech decisions

Plus, special guest:
[00:34:29] Christine Cruzvergara, Chief Education Strategy Officer at Handshake, on redefining entry-level jobs in the AI era and launching the Handshake AI Fellowship

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Naria Santa Lucia is the General Manager of Elevate at Microsoft, where she leads global education, workforce, and skilling programs that have already reached over 100 million learners. With 20+ years of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and international organizations, she has partnered with the UN, World Bank, and Ministries of Education worldwide to advance AI, cybersecurity, and sustainability skills.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why Microsoft calls this a once-in-a-generation workforce moment
How Elevate combines global reach with local trust
Which AI and human skills will define the future of work
Why credentials are central to equity and career pathways
How public-private partnerships drive scale and impact

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:02:04] Why this is a unique moment for workforce development
[00:04:24] 70% of job skills may change by 2030
[00:07:55] Inside Microsoft’s Elevate global skilling initiative
[00:10:14] Public-private partnerships to scale AI education
[00:13:29] Teachers using AI and Copilot in the classroom
[00:18:50] Designing for users, developers, and organizations
[00:24:21] Credentials as signals of AI readiness
[00:28:11] Teachers in Jordan earning pay bumps with AI certifications
[00:33:17] The rise of human skills in the AI era
[00:37:19] Microsoft’s mission to empower every person and organization

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Dave Messer is a Product Manager on Google's Learning & Education team, leads product for emerging learning initiatives, including Learning Labs and Gemini. A former teacher with masters degrees in software engineering and education, he works with experts and the education community to build products that target real-world challenges for educators and students.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Google’s vision for AI in education
How multimodal learning makes concepts stick
Why student feedback shaped Guided Learning’s design
The role of learning science in AI models
How Google balances personalization, privacy, and classroom impact

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:24] Dave Messer’s journey from classroom teacher to Google PM
[00:02:31] Google’s vision: a personal tutor for every student, a TA for every teacher
[00:05:27] Multimodal learning in Guided Learning—diagrams, visuals, and YouTube videos
[00:14:16] Inside LearnLM, Google’s AI model infused with pedagogy
[00:19:33] Psychological safety and student agency in AI-driven learning
[00:23:15] Student feedback that inspired Guided Learning’s design
[00:27:13] How learning science principles like active learning and metacognition guide product design
[00:35:18] Personalization, data privacy, and the classroom of the future
[00:38:32] Educator concerns, student creativity, and the responsible use of AI

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Andrew Grauer is the co-founder and CEO of Learneo Inc., a leading productivity and learning platform that includes QuillBot, Course Hero, CliffsNotes, LitCharts, Scribbr, LanguageTool, and Symbolab. He also serves as CEO of QuillBot, an AI-powered writing and communications tool. Andrew launched Course Hero in 2006 while at Cornell University and has since grown Learneo into a global platform recognized as one of Inc.’s Best Led Companies.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The journey from Course Hero to Learnio’s EdTech portfolio
How QuillBot is reshaping AI-powered writing
The ongoing tension between learning, doing, and integrity
Why “translation” is central to AI across text and media
Andrew’s vision for the future of multimodal EdTech

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:27] Andrew Grauer shares the origins of Course Hero
[00:07:47] Building Learnio’s family of EdTech brands
[00:08:24] Why QuillBot stood out and was acquired in 2021
[00:14:18] Bridging learning and doing through AI-powered writing
[00:20:31] Lessons from two decades of integrity and plagiarism debates
[00:26:18] The multimodal future of QuillBot beyond text
[00:30:39] Translation as the core of AI’s power
[00:37:43] How AI can help learners move seamlessly from learning to doing

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and guest co-hosts Matt Tower of Whiteboard Advisors, & Kate Eberle Walker, CEO of Presence as they break down the latest headlines in education technology and from Big Tech’s AI push to the evolving future of school models.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] Kate Eberle Walker on parents’ concerns about AI chatbots and student mental health
[00:03:20] Apple integrates OpenAI and Gemini into Siri, reshaping the AI race
[00:04:15] Global AI shake-up: Microsoft shifts to Anthropic, Baidu gains ground, Google antitrust update
[00:14:45] Edtech funding slowdown and investor focus on regulated markets like special education
[00:18:07] OpenAI launches certifications for frontline workers; Google gamifies AI literacy with Stanford
[00:27:43] First NAEP results post-pandemic show continued learning loss and lack of political focus on academics
[00:39:01] Accountability challenges in education: attendance, wellness, and equity in public vs. private models
[00:43:46] Debate on Alpha Schools’ “two hours of AI per day” model and its implications for learning

Plus, special guest:
[00:50:17] Chris Walsh, Chief Product and Technology Officer of PBLWorks on scaling project-based learning

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

CT Turner is President of GED Testing Service and VP at Pearson’s Enterprise Learning and Skills division. A recognized leader in workforce development, he champions equitable economic opportunities for underserved populations. CT supports adult education and workforce initiatives, holding degrees from Indiana University and Wichita State University.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How the GED has evolved over 80 years to serve a changing learner population
The role of GED in bridging education, workforce, and economic opportunity
How technology, gamification, and AI are transforming GED preparation
Stories of GED graduates who turned barriers into breakthroughs
The future of skills-based pathways and credentials beyond the high school diploma

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:23] CT Turner’s journey from higher ed to leading the GED
[00:05:42] How GED bridges education, workforce, and opportunity
[00:09:08] Shifts from degrees to skills in today’s job market
[00:13:03] GED success stories from the U.S. and abroad
[00:16:10] Tech tools transforming GED prep, from AI to apps
[00:23:49] Higher persistence and pass rates with the GED app
[00:25:59] Gamification and nudges keeping learners engaged
[00:32:43] AI as a safe space for motivation and guidance
[00:37:28] Building direct pathways from GED to careers
[00:44:08] Future of contextualized tests and digital credentials
[00:48:19] Why “non-traditional” learners are now the norm

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Ivan Crewkov is the CEO and Co-Founder of Buddy.ai, the leading AI tutor for kids under 12, reaching over 20 million students annually from all over the world. Buddy is not just a chatbot. It’s an AI-powered talking animated character in a mobile app teaching English as a foreign language to students all over the world. Buddy is unique because it operates in a highly regulated environment where most off-the-shelf AIs like Chat GPT can't be used.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

From voice AI experiment to global learning companion
Building child-focused speech recognition in a regulated space
Blending gaming, storytelling, and education to engage kids
Buddy.ai’s growing adoption in classrooms worldwide
The future of Buddy.ai as a personalized, adaptive tutor

✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:11] Ivan Crewkov’s journey from building smart speakers to founding Buddy.ai.
[00:04:24] Designing Buddy.ai as more than a chatbot—a gamified, lovable learning companion.
[00:07:27] How kids around the world discover and champion Buddy.ai themselves.
[00:11:02] Expanding Buddy.ai into classrooms in Latin America and beyond.
[00:16:41] Building proprietary speech recognition for children where others struggled.
[00:20:56] Buddy.ai’s unexpected role in speech therapy for kids with special needs.
[00:25:50] Why Buddy is designed as a study buddy, not an authority figure.
[00:33:37] Using generative AI to accelerate content creation and storytelling.
[00:39:00] Guardrails for safe, child-centered AI companions.
[00:42:01] Lessons EdTech can learn from the entertainment and gaming industries.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they break down the latest shifts in education technology, from Google’s aggressive AI push to early childhood challenges and new federal initiatives.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:04:48] Google’s AI surge disrupts Duolingo with gamified language learning in Google Translate
[00:12:14] Google’s edge in practical AI tools versus the AGI race
[00:17:28] Competitive landscape across OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and predictions for Chinese challengers
[00:22:14] Presidential AI Challenge invites students to showcase projects nationwide
[00:24:01] 70% of parents oppose student data going into AI tools, raising regulatory concerns
[00:33:29] AI shifting from “what it is” to “how it enables” daily tasks and learning
[00:36:53] Uptake struggles in early childhood education despite universal pre-K expansion
[00:38:52] Oak National Academy opens curriculum API and University of Phoenix prepares for IPO
[00:40:53] Michael Horn highlights optimism for innovation inside and outside school systems

Plus, special guest:
[00:41:15] Karim Meghji, Chief Product Officerof Code.org on the Hour of AI, AI-powered teacher tools, and CS education for all students

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

In this special episode, we speak with Daphne Li, CEO of Common Sense Privacy, alongside leaders from Prodigy Education, AI for Equity, MagicSchool AI, and ClassDojo—recipients of thePrivacy Seal. Together, we explore how the edtech sector is tackling one of its biggest challenges: earning trust through responsible AI and data privacy practices.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The purpose of the Privacy Seal
How Prodigy builds trust through privacy-by-design
How AI for Equity supports schools balancing innovation and safety
How MagicSchool AI integrates privacy into teacher tools
How ClassDojo makes privacy core to its values

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:18] Daphne Li on why the Privacy Seal matters

🎙️ Recipients' Interviews:
[00:10:51] Ben Johnson, CTO of Prodigy Education on trust as edtech’s ultimate currency
[00:20:52] Aaron Cuny, Founder and CEO of AI for Equity on small district challenges
[00:38:48] Adeel Khan, Founder and CEO of MagicSchool AI on building trust through friction
[00:49:22] Tina Hwang, Head of Legal at ClassDojo on privacy as core values

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Abhay Gupta is the Co-Founder and CEO of Frizzle. He was Previously a Product Manager at Coinbase, where he drove $50M of incremental revenue, as well as Tesla, and Meta and helped scale an online e-learning platform to millions in revenue. He holds a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Economics from Vanderbilt University.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Frizzle saves teachers up to 20 hours a week
Why Agile Learning can transform student progress
The surprising comeback of pen-and-paper learning
How AI delivers personalized assignments at scale
What’s next for Frizzle in subjects and global expansion

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] Abhay Gupta on Frizzle’s mission to eliminate grading and lesson planning time.
[00:02:17] From Tesla and Coinbase to EdTech: Abhay’s journey.
[00:04:14] Frizzle instantly grades handwritten math worksheets.
[00:06:56] The story behind the name “Frizzle.”
[00:09:39] Applying product management to classroom workflows.
[00:12:22] Agile Learning: real-time feedback and personalization.
[00:17:46] Why schools are returning to pen and paper.
[00:22:19] Expanding Frizzle to new subjects and countries.
[00:29:26] The future of teaching with AI as a helper.
[00:41:19] How teachers and administrators can try Frizzle.
[00:42:07] The biggest AI trend: schools driving adoption.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Chong-Hao Fu is the CEO of Leading Educators, a national nonprofit specializing in comprehensive instructional improvement.

Over the past 14 years, he’s worked to scale exceptional teaching and leadership in some of the country’s fastest-improving districts while exploring how emergent technology like AI can bring new possibilities to instruction.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why instructional coherence is the backbone of school improvement.
How Leading Educators is integrating AI into lesson planning and professional learning.
The importance of keeping teachers in the “pilot’s seat” when using new technology.
How schools can build authentic, future-ready skills through civic and AI projects.
Why scaling innovation requires both coherence and continuous improvement.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:13] Leading Educators’ mission and unique research on instructional improvement.
[00:04:31] How coherence helped partner districts like Charleston achieve gains during COVID.
[00:07:47] Partnering with PlayLab and CZI to build AI tools rooted in high-quality curriculum.
[00:11:54] Redesigning school staffing and forming AI School Teams Collaborative.
[00:15:07] How teachers’ mindsets on AI shift when they get hands-on experience.
[00:30:07] Future-ready skills: pilots in Denver and Boston connecting AI, civics, and leadership.
[00:37:47] Why authentic, student-driven projects can transform both learning and teaching.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they navigate a week of heavy headlines in education technology—from AI risks and teen safety to global expansion moves by OpenAI and new research from Anthropic.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:20] AI panic in the headlines with concerns about teen mental health, suicide, and youth dependency [00:06:33] AI’s impact on job opportunities for new college graduates
[00:08:00] Comparing AI anxieties with past moral panics about video games, music, and social platforms [00:14:14] Why AI guardrails in school tools may be the edtech industry’s biggest value-add
[00:18:54] Bill Ackman’s New York Alpha School fuels debate over AI-driven education models
[00:22:20] The risk of Alpha School becoming the “face” of AI schooling for better or worse
[00:25:28] OpenAI expands globally with a new Head of Education in India and a potential UK-wide ChatGPT deal
[00:27:26] Anthropic’s higher ed report shows educators using AI more to augment than automate

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

While you spent thousands of hours studying math in high school, odds are you never use any of it. There is math that really matters – it’s just not covered in school. Just as Freakonomics made us rethink economics, Aftermathdoes the same for math. Today’s guest, Ted Dintersmith, is a bestselling author, education advocate, and former venture capitalist who believes math has been weaponized—and it’s time to set things right. If you’re curious about the math you missed, and how it can empower you, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why most high school math is irrelevant — and what truly matters instead
The impact of standardized testing on creativity and curiosity
How mathematical thinking can help students interpret real-world data
The role of AI in reshaping math learning and career readiness
Practical ways schools and parents can rethink accountability and purpose

✨ Episode Highlights

[00:02:29] Ted introduces Aftermath and the shift from formulas to ideas
[00:07:08] Why estimation skills matter more than test prep
[00:15:48] The hidden costs of standardized math testing
[00:26:12] AI and automation forcing a reset in math priorities
[00:39:39] Portfolios and creativity as new measures of learning
[00:50:21] Restoring creativity in schools inspired by Ken Robinson

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they dive into the biggest headlines shaping the future of education technology, from AI breakthroughs to new models of learning challenges.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:23] GPT-5 fallout and Altman’s vision for GPT-6
[00:08:14] AI risks: AGI fears, scams, misinformation
[00:14:37] Post-COVID learning gaps and inequities
[00:18:33] Students solving problems with AI
[00:21:42] AI updates from Google, Meta, Microsoft, Grammarly
[00:25:29] Higher ed: Minerva’s rise, enrollment, dropouts
[00:27:45] Micro-innovations from Stanford and student startups
[00:29:14] Funding shifts: early-stage gains, PE stress, Nintendo schools
[00:33:19] Cutting through AI hype cycles
[00:39:20] Schools banning phones for student wellness
[00:43:04] Big tech vs. local edtech visibility
[00:45:07] Blackstone exits $6B Cognita deal
[00:46:33] Pearson launches AI Study Prep

Plus, special guests:
[00:47:43] Brittany Miller, CIO and Executive Director at the Center for Outcomes-Based Contracting, on edtech-school partnerships
[01:10:31] Jahque Bryan-Gooden, Founder of My CRE Buddy on culturally responsive teaching with AI
[01:20:00] Jim Marggraff, CEO and Founder of Kibeam Learning on screen-free AI reading and learning tools

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Arun Saigal is the Co-Founder and CEO of Thunkable, the no-code platform where anyone — from students to startups to enterprise teams — can build powerful, native mobile apps. With an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and integrated Gen AI tools, Thunkable empowers creators to go from idea to real, publishable app without writing a single line of code. Arun has an S.B. and M.Eng. in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering from MIT and has held various leading roles at technology companies, including Quizlet, Khan Academy, Aspiring Minds, and Google.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

How Thunkable evolved from an MIT project into a global no-code platform.
The unique cycle between educational and enterprise use of Thunkable.
Ways students are building professional portfolios by publishing real apps.
The role of generative AI in accelerating creativity and problem-solving.
Why meeting learners “where they are” drives deeper engagement in EdTech.

✨ Episode Highlights

[00:02:27] The origins of Thunkable: from Scratch-inspired tools to no-code apps.
[00:05:23] How a platform for students became popular with Fortune 500 companies.
[00:10:15] Real classroom stories: from Spanish teachers to student entrepreneurs.
[00:18:31] The leap from “idea to real” and why mobile is the perfect entry point.
[00:23:39] Seeing your own app on your phone: the paradigm shift for students.
[00:31:43] Teachers building custom AI-powered apps for their classrooms.
[00:34:43] Combining AI features—speech, vision, LLMs—into powerful student tools.
[00:42:57] Lessons from Arun’s career at Quizlet, Khan Academy, and Google.
[00:50:12] The next wave of EdTech: custom learning, AI co-pilots, and empowerment.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin, Ben Kornell, and guest co-host Matt Tower from Whiteboard Advisors for a back-to-school edition of Week in EdTech, covering market shifts, Big Tech’s push into education, the GPT-5 rollout, and the rising challenge of deepfake abuse in schools.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:40] Back-to-school funding uncertainty and “back-to-basics” mentality
[00:06:40] B2C vs. B2B: consumer learning grows while institutions tighten
[00:09:31] Big Tech moves from infrastructure to competing in applications
[00:13:40] GPT-5 rollout backlash and prioritization of B2C users
[00:17:34] Rethinking schools’ role: raising the floor vs. raising the ceiling
[00:19:52] School choice and flexible student pathways through ESAs
[00:20:58] Proposal for an AI user Bill of Rights
[00:27:36] Media panic: critiques of AI in education from major outlets
[00:34:19] SoftBank executive buys stake in UK university
[00:38:10] Workforce training gap: Google and Microsoft invest billions
[00:39:12] Google’s Gemini leads in image and video generation

Plus, special guests:
[00:49:18] Evan Harris, President of Pathos Consulting Group, on deepfake abuse in schools and crisis response
[00:56:02] Becky Keene, author of AI Optimism, on AI literacy for teachers and classroom integration
[01:03:47] Max Spero, Co-Founder and CEO of Pangram Labs, on building future-ready schools with emerging tech

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insi

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Drew Bent leads Education as part of Anthropic'sBeneficial Deployments. He also co-founded the tutoring non-profit Schoolhouse.world with Sal Khan. Prior to that, he wrote code at Khan Academy, taught high school math, and has been tutoring students for over a decade. Drew has degrees in physics & CS from MIT, and an education master's from Stanford.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why Anthropic made education one of Claude’s first real-world focus areas
Insights from Anthropic’s Education Report on how students actually use AI
How Claude’s “learning mode” fosters Socratic dialogue and reduces “brain rot”
The tension between LLMs as answer machines vs. pedagogically sound tutors
What the future of AI tutoring, peer learning, and collaborative tools could look like

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:13] Drew Bent’s journey from teaching and tutoring to leading education at Anthropic
[00:02:50] Why education emerged as a top use case for Claude
[00:04:20] Findings from Anthropic’s Education Report: how students really use AI
[00:06:59] Claude and Bloom’s Taxonomy—strengths, gaps, and risks of cognitive offloading
[00:09:22] Building learning modes: shifting from answer machines to Socratic dialogue
[00:12:53] How Drew’s tutoring background informs AI product design
[00:17:26] The role of AI in fostering—not replacing—human-to-human learning
[00:21:00] Students’ call for “learning mode” to avoid brain rot
[00:26:41] Sneak peek: Anthropic’s upcoming learning mode for Claude Code

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Julia Stiglitzis the CEO and Co-Founder of Uplimit, an AI learning platform helping companies equip their talent with the skills of tomorrow. She previously was a Partner at GSV Ventures, where she invested and partnered with some of the most innovative entrepreneurs in edtech. Prior to GSV, Julia was one of the first hires at Coursera and led many groundbreaking initiatives, mostly notably as Vice President of Enterprise, where she founded and led Coursera's enterprise business, growing it from concept to over 1400 organizations across the globe.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

How AI is transforming corporate learning & development
The move from catalogs to custom AI academies
Why SMEs are becoming company instructors
The new role of L&D teams in an AI workplace
How rapid AI innovation drives upskilling

✨ Episode Highlights

[00:02:22] Julia on moving from teaching to Coursera and founding Uplimit.
[00:04:29] Pivoting from B2C courses to an AI-powered enterprise platform
[00:06:44] Introducing Uplimit’s suite of AI agents for program management, skill-building, and teaching assistance.
[00:12:32] How small L&D teams can create custom, interactive learning experiences at scale.
[00:18:35] Leveraging subject matter experts to teach and drive business-aligned learning.
[00:23:21] Building AI academies to enable entire organizations.
[00:27:39] Using AI for real-time sales enablement and rapid product updates.
[00:31:47] AI as a tool for making learning experiences more human, not less.
[00:33:54] Julia’s vision for achieving quality education at scale in the AI era.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and guest host Claire Zau of GSV Ventures as they unpack a huge week for AI in education, major edtech mergers, and new funding opportunities.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] Claire Zau on AI tutor memory, personalization, and data contamination risks
[00:01:58] Google Guided Learning Mode vs OpenAI Study Mode – Socratic AI tools compared
[00:14:07] Google Classroom integration and the personalization edge from LMS data [00:15:16] Instructure and OpenAI partnership as a counter to Google’s advantages
[00:25:20] GSV Summit and BETT merge to create the world’s largest edtech events network
[00:27:35] Acquisition roundup: Curriculum Associates, Top Hat, Alpha School, Torch
[00:31:44] VR and AI content creation with Praxis Labs, Torch, and Google Genie 3

Plus, special guests:
[00:34:04] Derwin Sisnett, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Cambiar Educationand CEO of Adaptive Commonson Cambiar Education’s Thrive Big Ideas Challenge
[00:54:39] Dr. Alan Bekker, Co-Founder and CEO of eSelf AIon scaling AI English tutors in Israel and building guardrails
[01:15:22] Andrea Pasinetti, Co-Founder and CEO of Kira on Kira Learning’s approach to AI-powered STEM education

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Amir Nathoois CEO of Outschool, a marketplace for live online classes for K-12 learners, and an advocate for expanding education access. Previously, he led product development at Square and co-founded Trigger.io, a platform for creating native mobile apps. Amir holds an MEng in Electrical and Information Sciences from The University of Cambridge and lives in San Francisco with his wife and two children.

Justin Dentis the founding Executive Director of Outschool.org. Justin was previously the Founder and Executive Director of Ethos, a nonprofit that provided career education to 18,000 low-income, first generation, or minority students annually. An active voice in the dialogue around education equity, Justin's writing has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and he's appeared on Fox Business, CNBC and Cheddar.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why personalized learning remains elusive in traditional education systems
The overlooked frictions families face when given more choice
How Outschool uses a marketplace model to serve diverse learner needs
The role of community and trust in enabling educational autonomy
How AI and tech can simplify decision-making for families

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:00] Amir explains how traditional education systems block personalization
[00:06:00] Justin breaks down the real friction points for low-income families
[00:11:00] How Outschool’s variety increases motivation and access
[00:16:00] Why free resources don’t always lead to usage
[00:23:00] Community-driven guidance as a key to family engagement
[00:28:00] Outschool’s approach to neurodivergent learners
[00:34:00] Systemic flaws in standardization and learning lanes
[00:41:00] ESAs and why trusting families is essential
[00:45:00] Preventing marketing dollars from skewing family choices
[00:49:00] How AI can help families navigate education options

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts +

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Katy Knight is President and Executive Director of Siegel Family Endowment, where she leads bold, systems-focused philanthropy at the intersection of technology and society. Since 2017, she has advanced equity, flexible funding, and inquiry-driven grantmaking grounded in the scientific method, and centered on reframing big questions and learning alongside grant investments.

Dr. Allison Scott is CEO of the Kapor Foundation, leading work at the intersection of racial justice and technology. She drives research, programs, and advocacy to expand equity in tech and entrepreneurship. A national PI on major CS equity grants, she also co-leads CSforCA, advancing access to K-12 computer science across California.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why AI literacy isn’t enough for future-ready students
Coding vs. computer science vs. computational thinking
How philanthropy can modernize education
The surprising role of “unsexy tech” in schools
Real paths to public-private collaboration in edtech

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:04:40] Allison Scott on AI and tech equity
[00:06:39] Katy Knight on Siegel’s AI readiness
[00:11:06] Barriers to equitable CS education
[00:14:15] Rethinking school systems for CS reform
[00:25:46] Tech overload fears for kids
[00:30:52] Philanthropy’s bet on public interest tech
[00:51:49] Why backend tech matters in schools
[00:52:46] The risk of ed workforce disruption

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they break down a pivotal week in EdTech, from AI breakthroughs to Roblox’s education push and the future of personalized learning.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:00:33] Quizlet report shows 85% of students and nearly 90% of teachers using AI, with different adoption patterns.
[00:02:24] International Math Olympiad highlights AI’s reasoning advances, earning a gold medal and raising assessment questions.
[00:11:16] OpenAI agents and AI-native browsers signal a major shift in tech workflows and task automation.
[00:16:58] Roblox launches a centralized learning hub featuring educational games from Google, Sesame, and others.
[00:20:55] Pearson unveils an AI and XR innovation lab, sparking debate on whether incumbents can truly innovate.
[00:29:13] U.S. Department of Education outlines new AI funding priorities for instruction, tutoring, and career navigation.
[00:36:12] Preply challenges Duolingo with “Better Duo” campaign, framing human vs. AI tutoring as a key market battle.
[00:37:31] McGraw Hill IPO and new funding rounds for Honor Education and Galaxy Education mark a busy week in EdTech finance.

Plus, special guests:
[00:39:50] Brad Carson, President of Americans for Responsible Innovation on AI policy and its impact on education.
[01:04:44] Ryan Trattner, CTO and Co-Founder of StudyFetch on personalized learning tools and their rapid user growth.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Vijay Thakkar is a visionary entrepreneur, educator, and the CEO & Co-founder of FotonVR. He’s transforming the way children learn by bringing immersive Virtual Reality experiences into classrooms around the world. With a deep passion for innovation in education, Vijay has pioneered immersive Virtual Reality solutions designed specifically for school learning.

Nisha Panchal is the Head of Global Business Development at fotonVR. With a strong focus on international business development and global expansion, Nisha plays a pivotal role in bringing fotonVR’s innovative classroom technology to schools across the world.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How VR transforms abstract science concepts into tangible, engaging experiences
Why localization and customization are key for global adoption of EdTech
Measurable academic improvements linked to immersive learning
How VR and AI are merging to create adaptive, real-time educational experiences
What the future of globally connected VR classrooms looks like

✨ Episode Highlights:[00:03:44] Vijay on bringing immersive science experiences to 450+ schools globally
[00:06:52] Nisha explains how VR content is localized for different countries and curricula
[00:10:14] Entering a leaf: How VR makes photosynthesis unforgettable
[00:15:53] Making electricity flow visible: VR helps students see the invisible
[00:19:48] Inspiring the next generation: A child decides to be a scientist after a space simulation
[00:23:39] Balancing scientific accuracy with storytelling for maximum engagement
[00:28:49] Integrating AI into VR for adaptive, conversational learning experiences
[00:32:01] The vision of global multiplayer VR classrooms with real-time collaboration
[00:37:26] Tackling the digital divide with government partnerships and mobile AR
[00:42:00] Building volcanoes in the classroom: A mixed reality future for immersive teaching

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify +

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlinand Claire Zau, a Partner and AI Lead at GSV Venturesas they explores the latest developments in education technology, from AI agents to teacher co-pilots, talent wars, and shifts in global AI strategies.

✨ Episode Highlights

[00:00:00] AI teacher co-pilots evolve into agentic workflows.
[00:02:15] OpenAI launches ChatGPT Agent for autonomous tasks.
[00:04:24] Meta, Google, and OpenAI escalate AI talent wars.
[00:07:38] Privacy guardrails emerge for AI agent actions.
[00:10:20] ChatGPT pilots “Study Together” learning mode.
[00:14:40] Teens use AI as companions, sparking debate.
[00:19:58] AI multiplies both positive and negative behaviors.
[00:29:11] Windsurf acquisition saga shows coding disruption.
[00:37:18] Teacher AI tools gain value through workflow data.
[00:42:48] DeepMind’s rise positions Demis Hassabis as key leader.
[00:45:32] Google offers free Gemini AI plan to Indian students.
[00:49:39] Meta builds massive AI data centers for digital labor.

Plus, special guests:
[00:52:42] Matthew Gasda, a writer and director, on how educators can rethink writing and grading in the AI era.
[01:13:30] Marc Graham, founder of Spark Education AI, on using AI to personalize reading and engage reluctant readers.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Tammy Wincup has served for over 25 years as a business executive at the intersection of technology and education. Tammy is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Securly, the leading digital safety and wellness company serving over 22,000 K-12 schools globally to keep students safe, secure, and ready to learn.

Before Securly, Tammy was a partner at Rethink Education, an impact venture fund investing in global education technology. For almost a decade, Tammy was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at EVERFI, a leading education technology company. She also served as the President of Revolution Foods and the Founding President of Protocol, a media company covering the intersection of technology and policy.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why Securly sees digital safety as a shared responsibility between schools, families, and communities
How schools can implement AI without compromising student privacy
What real-time data from 40% of U.S. schools reveals about device use, social media, and AI trends
Why human-in-the-loop systems matter for student mental health monitoring
The emerging role of CTOs as strategy leaders in K-12 districts

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:29] Tammy Wincup explains Securly’s mission to protect students across digital environments
[00:04:42] How classroom management and device use connect to digital wellness
[00:09:20] Phone bans lead to 30% spikes in school device usage
[00:14:16] What Securly learns from 40% of U.S. K-12 schools
[00:16:08] Why Tammy urges districts: “Don’t block AI — manage it transparently”
[00:24:31] Using anonymous trends to flag real student wellness risks
[00:34:03] How AI puts school tech leaders back in strategic roles
[00:46:20] Tammy’s go-to sources for spotting big edtech shifts

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from AI showdowns to immersive learning pilots and funding updates.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:00] OpenAI announces $28M K-12 AI training initiative with AFT, UFT, and Microsoft
[00:04:34] Gallup-Walton poll reveals 68% of teachers lack AI training despite high usage
[00:07:11] OpenAI takes a bottom-up approach as teachers criticize Google’s AI rollout
[00:23:41] Meta forms Superintelligence Labs, aggressively hiring AI talent across the industry
[00:36:17] Senate blocks AI regulation ban, states retain power to legislate AI in education
[00:37:31] Higher Ground Education files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, prompting edtech funding debate
[00:42:05] Honor Education raises $38M to enhance asynchronous social learning
[00:42:45] Teaching Lab merges with Relay Graduate School of Education to scale AI-aligned PD

Plus, special guests:

[00:44:17] Josh Reibel, CEO of Dreamscape Learn and Dr. Jennifer Cruz, Superintendent of the Pendergast Elementary School District discuss VR and immersive learning with Dreamscape Learn
[01:46:15] Eduaide.Ai founders Thomas Thompson and Thomas Hummel on empowering teacherpreneurs with AI

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

In this special episode, we speak with the founder of Edthena and five outstanding educators who were honored as 2025 Teacher Leader Impact Award winners. Each guest shares how they’re shaping the future of professional learning, using technology in smart and supportive ways, and leading from the classroom and beyond.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why teacher leadership goes beyond classroom walls.
How video coaching and AI are transforming PD.
What real educators want from edtech tools.
Creative ways teachers are building community and sharing practice.
How teachers use tech to boost resilience, reading, and student engagement.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:22] Adam Geller, Founder of Edthena, on designing teacher-first technology
[00:10:06] Why Edthena launched the Teacher Leader Impact Awards

Teacher Interviews:

[00:17:54] Betsy Springer, Instructional Coach at Gull Lake Virtual Partnership, on virtual instructional coaching, teacher visibility, and learning walks
[00:29:08] Wavell Blades, Deputy Head of British International School of New York, on how his school builds belonging and tracks student citizenship through tech
[00:38:49] LeeAnn Caradine, Teacher at Scandia Elementary in Travis Unified School District, on introducing coding, typing, and 3D printing to young learners
[00:50:44] Davina Lyons, Educator & Founder of Rising Resilience, on supporting student and teacher resilience post-pandemic
[01:06:22] Qingyan Kang, 3rd Grade Mandarin Teacher at Broadway Elementary in Venice, on leading in a bilingual immersion program with cross-cultural collaboration

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify +

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Sam Whitaker is the Senior Director of Social Impact and Institutional Development at StudyFetch, an all-encompassing AI learning platform for students. His primary focuses are bringing advanced AI education to underserved communities around the world and developing safe and responsible K-12 AI solutions.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How StudyFetch is redefining AI as a learning tool, not a shortcut.
The story behind Sparky, the AI tutor designed for real engagement.
Why AI literacy is becoming essential for K-12 students.
What a million student interactions reveal about how AI is used for learning.
How StudyFetch is expanding access to AI education from North Philadelphia to Uganda.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:08] What makes StudyFetch different from generic chatbots
[00:06:47] Sam on why AI literacy should be taught like reading and math
[00:09:09] Why AI must be implemented despite hesitations: “If we wait, we lose.”
[00:12:32] Explaining the difference between using AI to learn and learning AI itself
[00:15:29] A third-grade use case for prompting skills with Sparky the tutor
[00:23:46] The tension between growth and staying true to learning principles
[00:32:55] The big reveal: findings from over a million StudyFetch conversations
[00:38:52] Why students prefer step-by-step help in math and STEM subjects
[00:42:34] On making AI a true equalizer in education, not a divider

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell with guest Jacob Kantor as they explore a transformative Week-in-Edtech, from Google’s AI-powered classroom revolution to major political shifts affecting schools nationwide.

Episode Highlights:

[00:03:17] Google launches 50 AI tools for educators through Classroom and Gemini
[00:05:47] Startup funding threatened as Google expands free AI features
[00:13:41] Google solidifies K-12 dominance, pushing out AI competitors
[00:24:51] OpenAI and Microsoft fund new AI training hub for 400,000 teachers
[00:33:22] Survey finds 60% of teachers using AI, saving nearly 6 hours per week
[00:36:22] Federal government freezes $6B in school funding, including EL programs
[00:38:17] ICE raids linked to 30% rise in school absences among Latino students
[00:43:32] Families turning to private edtech as school trust declines
[00:46:49] ISTE highlights include Amplify, Brisk, Quizziz rebrand, Meta’s school mode
[00:50:34] Edtech Insiders WhatsApp group emerges as top source for breaking news

Plus, special guests:

[00:51:36] Matt Dalio, Founder of Endless Studios on teaching real-world skills through student-designed video games
[00:53:56] Anne Trumbore, author of The Teacher in the Machine, on AI, learning platforms, and the future of teaching

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Matt Miller is the CEO and Co-Founder of OKO Labs, an innovative EdTech company developing human-centric, pro-social AI to power collaborative learning in K-12 classrooms. With a background as CTO and VP of Labs at Amplify Education and VP of Product at Flatiron School, Matt brings deep technical expertise and a passion for leveraging technology to solve real-world educational challenges. Holding BS and MS degrees in Computer Science and Intelligent Systems from Columbia University, Matt co-founded OKO in 2020 to address the critical need for scalable, engaging, and equitable small-group learning solutions, starting with a focus on math intervention. He leads OKO's mission to foster not only academic growth but also essential skills like teamwork and communication, driven by a commitment to evidence-based practices and rigorous R&D.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why small group learning is a critical—and underserved—area in K-12 education
How OKO uses AI to foster real-time collaboration and discourse among students
The benefits of integrating AI to support, not replace, educators
How rigorous research and efficacy studies shaped OKO’s product design
Insights into OKO’s 30x classroom growth and founder-led sales strategy

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:07] Origin of OKO: Solving the challenge of small group instruction
[00:05:17] Using AI bots to facilitate collaborative student learning
[00:10:18] What a typical AI-powered OKO math session looks like
[00:14:47] Research partnership with WestEd shows strong early results
[00:19:42] Making efficacy a sales advantage in founder-led growth
[00:25:59] Combining grant funding and equity to scale responsibly
[00:31:37] Defining a new edtech category: small group AI instruction
[00:36:22] Future plans for subject expansion and deeper SEL integration
[00:40:14] Vision for AI-enabled, pro-social, human-centered classrooms

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify +

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell for a thought-provoking summer edition of Week in Edtech, featuring headline debates on AI in education, a rare look into PBS KIDS’ funding crisis, and grassroots innovation in ocean learning from Ecuador.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:16] MIT study raises alarms about AI's impact on student thinking
[00:07:42] AI cheating scandal hits national debate championships
[00:12:33] Teachers vent frustration as AI disrupts classroom dynamics
[00:14:45] Educators face a crossroads: ban AI or embrace it as a teaching tool

Plus, special guests:

[00:19:09] Sara DeWitt, SVP & General Manager of PBS KIDS, on funding cuts, educational media, and AI experiments in public broadcasting
[00:41:38] José Francisco Ochoa Ordóñez, Co-founder of Academia del Oceano, on democratizing ocean education through hybrid EdTech in Latin America

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Jerome Pesenti is the founder of Sizzle AI, an AI-for-learning company whose mission is to make learning amazing for everyone. Jerome has worked in AI for the past 25 years, including as VP of AI at Meta, co-CEO of BenevolentAI, VP at IBM Watson, and co-founder of Vivisimo (sold to IBM).

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Sizzle AI uses bite-sized, adaptive learning to help students study more effectively.
Why Jerome left big tech to tackle educational challenges with AI.
The evolving role of homework and assessments in the age of generative AI.
How AI can personalize learning paths and study plans for individual learners.
The future vision for AI as a lifelong learning companion across school, work, and personal interests.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:21] Sizzle AI turns study guides into personalized learning paths.
[00:03:10] Jerome shares why he left Meta to focus on AI for learning.
[00:05:45] Test prep mode boosts readiness with smart study plans.
[00:06:51] Students love Sizzle for making hard content manageable.
[00:08:18] Gamification features are coming soon to enhance engagement.
[00:09:16] Why Sizzle chose a direct-to-learner approach over schools.
[00:11:00] AI shows steps, not just answers, to promote real learning.
[00:14:36] AI can assess student readiness, not just complete tasks.
[00:17:29] Future of testing: both AI-assisted and AI-free formats.
[00:20:14] Sizzle already supports learning beyond the classroom.
[00:23:04] The role of personality in AI study companions.
[00:25:03] Using data to drive learning science at scale.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

For this Week in EdTech Part 2, Alex Sarlin interviews two visionary founders tackling early education and classroom AI from the ground up—with a focus on teacher support, inclusive innovation, and practical AI implementation.

[00:02:12] Yesi Sevilla, CEO of CHALK on why early education must start with supporting teachers
[00:30:55] Ed Buckley and Marlee Strawn, Co-founders of Scholar Education on how AI-powered dog bots support students and teachers

🎧 Missed Part 1? Go back to hear the latest edtech headlines from AI to college guidance gaps.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Matt Tower as they explore the evolving edtech landscape—from rising AI use to old-school solutions for modern challenges.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:00:20] Banning AI boosts student engagement and brings back handwritten assessments
[00:03:23] Gallup finds AI use in the workplace has doubled in two years
[00:06:15] OpenAI’s college push sparks backlash over trust and cheating concerns
[00:09:30] Professors turn to blue books and flipped classrooms to fight AI plagiarism
[00:13:20] Meta’s $15B investment in Scale AI reshapes the AI training data market
[00:21:40] Poor sleep linked to tech use and lower student performance, says new data
[00:29:01] Study finds most students rely on parents for post-high school plans—and parents don’t know the options

➡️ Go to Part 2 to listen to the guest interviews this week

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Eric Swanson currently holds the position of Senior Vice President of Practice and Instructional Products at Renaissance Learning. In this capacity, he works with educators, technologists, and researchers to build best-in-class practice products and experiences that improve academic outcomes for students and educators. Working with the Renaissance Next, myON, Accelerated Reader, Lalilo, and Freckle teams, as well as our Math and Literacy product portfolios and new product ventures, Eric ensures the practice and instruction product strategy, roadmaps, and Go- to-Market activities fit within Renaissance and with our customers’ needs.

Storey Sitwala is Senior Director of Product Management at Renaissance. Throughout her career, she has focused on the challenge of how to scale insight-driven best practices for educators. She has spearheaded and developed innovative solutions across education nonprofits, school systems, and within the education technology sector, leveraging her expertise in information science, data visualization, psychology, and user experience design.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Renaissance Next streamlines data for teachers
The strategy behind Renaissance’s edtech acquisitions
Personalization for students, teachers, and leaders
Responsible AI use in education
Why teacher autonomy stays central in AI design

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:04] Eric on Renaissance’s acquisitions journey
[00:09:17] What Renaissance Next is and why it matters
[00:12:42] Designing dashboards for different users
[00:20:21] What beta testing revealed about real teacher needs
[00:23:30] Balancing AI support with teacher control
[00:32:06] Partnering with core curriculum providers
[00:38:05] Renaissance’s AI ethics and governance
[00:46:28] The future: personalization and faster prototyping

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify +

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from AI breakthroughs to high-stakes funding rounds and institutional shifts in AI strategy.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:45] OpenAI’s $10B Annual Run Rate: ChatGPT drives unprecedented growth
[00:05:12] Anthropic CEO criticizes proposed 10-year ban on state AI regulation
[00:08:04] Google.org Accelerator: New cohort tackling generative AI for good
[00:10:17] News Sites Struggle as Google AI Summarizes Content
[00:13:33] Zuckerberg’s Meta Bets Big: $14B stake in Scale AI and ‘Superintelligence’ team
[00:17:02] Microsoft’s Plan to Rank AI Models by Safety
[00:19:20] Apple Research Paper Questions AI’s Reasoning Power
[00:21:46] Harvard Gets Backing in DEI Lawsuit from Ivies, Alumni
[00:24:09] Education Secretary Suggests Harvard May Regain Federal Grants
[00:26:48] Ohio State Requires AI Fluency Across All Students
[00:30:20] IXL Learning Acquires MyTutor to Expand Global Tutoring Reach
[00:32:55] CodeHS Acquires Tynker to Bolster K-12 CS Content
[00:35:30] Grammarly Secures $1B in Non-Dilutive Funding for M&A

Plus, special guests:

[00:38:12] Rod Danan, Founder of Prentus, on bridging bootcamps to careers with community and coaching
[00:46:10] Lars-Petter Kjos, Co-founder and CPO of We Are Learning, on building generative AI tools for educators to create custom video content at scale

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Dr. Mike McKenna is the Senior Advisor at Tuck Advisors and also serves as the Chief Academic Officer for one of the largest school districts in Pennsylvania. With deep expertise in curriculum development, special education, and teaching and learning, Mike brings a proven track record of building inclusive, high-impact academic programs. In addition to his work in K-12 education, Mike has extensive experience in higher education and has also served as an advisory board member for multiple edtech startups and non-profits. At Tuck Advisors, Mike applies his diverse expertise to support education-focused M&A.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why 2025 may be a defining year for EdTech mergers and acquisitions
Key trends driving K-12 district purchasing decisions in today’s uncertain funding climate
How small AI companies can strategically position themselves for acquisition
What districts really need from AI tools—and why usability is everything
How Tuck Advisors supports EdTech founders in mapping their growth and exit strategies

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:11] Mike McKenna shares his background in education and M&A
[00:03:37] K-12 districts face funding uncertainty and demand for innovation
[00:06:12] Tuck Advisors focuses on long-term client relationships and timing
[00:10:41] EdTech founders weigh bootstrapping vs. M&A for market access
[00:12:33] AI usage in classrooms is rising but remains mostly surface-level
[00:15:24] Integration and workflow impact are key for AI adoption in schools
[00:17:17] Many AI startups are better suited for acquisition than solo growth
[00:20:28] Access to student data is crucial for impactful AI solutions
[00:22:41] School districts seek data convergence and AI-enhanced insights

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Juan Zavala joined New Markets Venture Partners in 2019 and is a Partner. He is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and executing new investment opportunities as well as supporting existing portfolio companies and firm operations. He serves as a Board Director for Brains and Motion Education, Nexford University, and CreatorUp, and as a Board Observer for App Academy, BetterLesson, Censia, Climb Credit, Concentric Educational Solutions, Datapeople, Motimatic, and Regent Education. He is also actively involved with Mantra Health and Acceleration Academies.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why sustainable, capital-efficient growth beats flashy valuations in education technology.
How NMVP evaluates impact and efficacy before making investments.
The challenges and strategies of scaling edtech companies within slow-moving educational systems.
Why aligning incentives across stakeholders—from district leaders to entrepreneurs—is key to success.
How AI fits into edtech’s future and why infrastructure partnerships may outlast flashy standalone tools.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:18] From private equity to impact investing in edtech
[00:04:52] Only 15% of the U.S. is well-served by education—huge market gap
[00:05:51] Balancing mission and money in edtech investing
[00:11:30] Why VC might not be right for every founder
[00:16:36] Insights from NMVP portfolio companies like Nexford and BetterLesson
[00:27:22] CreatorUp as a case study in workforce and content innovation
[00:36:37] The importance of aligning with existing school infrastructure
[00:42:54] AI in edtech: picks and shovels, not gold rushes
[00:48:12] Why most edtech exits fall below $300M
[00:54:23] Creating shared success across founders and investors

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newslet

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Dr. Margaret Honey joined the Scratch Foundation as the organization’s President & CEO in January 2024. She is widely recognized for her work using digital technologies to support children’s learning and brings decades of non-profit leadership experience and expertise to the Scratch Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, Dr. Honey led the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) for 15 years, where she leveraged the museum as a platform for innovation in STEM education and developed NYSCI’s distinctive Design-Make-Play approach to STEM learning. A graduate of Hampshire College with a doctorate in developmental psychology from Columbia University, Margaret Honey has helped to shape the best thinking about learning and technology with special attention to ensuring that all young people have access to high-quality creative learning opportunities.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Scratch empowers children through creativity, coding, and community.
The history and growth of Scratch into a global platform with over 46 million users.
The unique philosophy of learning that sets Scratch apart from traditional edtech tools.
How Scratch is approaching AI integration to foster exploration and child agency.
Why sustainable, mission-driven models are essential for educational platforms.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:27] “There’s no learning without inspiration.”
[00:03:59] Scratch hits 46 million users and 21.5 million new sign-ups in 2024.
[00:06:51] Scratch empowers kids with agency and creative coding.
[00:07:47] Global education shifts toward creativity and problem-solving.
[00:13:50] 35 million studios show Scratch’s thriving peer-to-peer community.
[00:18:29] “It would be impossible to do now what Scratch did then.”
[00:24:34] Scratch explores AI as a tool for creativity, not instruction.
[00:32:29] A museum exhibit inspires a child: “I have superpowers.”
[00:34:15] Rethinking education to match the pace of technological change.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify +

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from AI breakthroughs to new VC investments and edtech reports.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:10] Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn says AI is more scalable than teachers, sparking debate on the future of educators
[00:10:45] Google I/O 2025 introduces Gemini 2.5, Project Astra, and real-time AI translation with broad implications for edtech
[00:18:30] OpenAI launches Codex, a cloud-based AI assistant transforming coding education and developer workflows

Plus, special guests:

[00:33:40] Senan Khawaja, Co-founder & CEO at Kollegio, on using AI to reimagine and personalize the college admissions process

[00:51:04] Rebecca Taber Staehelin & Connor Diemand-Yauman, Co-Founders & Co-CEOs of Merit America on bridging the skills gap with affordable tech career pathways

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

David Bleicher is the Co-Founder and CEO of Jotit, a company on a mission to bring handwriting back to the forefront of education in the digital age. By blending proven learning methods with advanced technologies, Jotit enhances student outcomes and executive functioning in the classroom.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why handwriting remains essential in today’s tech-driven classrooms.
How Jotit integrates handwriting, AI, and executive function tools for students.
The multimodal learning approach and its benefits for diverse learners.
Innovative features Jotit provides to empower teachers in digital classrooms.
Insights into building strong partnerships with Google and Owl Ventures.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:30] David Bleicher introduces Jotit: blending traditional handwriting with advanced technology.
[00:03:00] How David’s personal mission to help his son Uri inspired Jotit’s creation.
[00:08:16] The cognitive benefits of handwriting and its irreplaceable value in education.
[00:11:00] Jotit's multimodal approach: handwriting, typing, voice—all in one platform.
[00:14:45] Tools for teachers: streetlight control, lockdown mode, and real-time classroom interactivity.
[00:18:30] Why simplicity in classroom tech design is critical to teacher adoption.
[00:21:43] Redefining digital classrooms with tailored tech—not repurposed entertainment devices.
[00:23:07] Strategic partnerships: How Jotit collaborates with Google and Owl Ventures for scale and impact.
[00:26:30] Jotit's future and David’s continued mission to impact millions through foundational learning tools.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from AI in classrooms to workforce shifts and EdTech innovation across the globe.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:16] Ezra Klein podcast brings AI and education to mainstream conversation
[00:07:20] Alex and Ben compare and critique GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, and other AI tools
[00:09:28] Utah emerges as a leading hub for EdTech startups and innovation
[00:12:21] New AI bundles help educators explore tools like Superhuman and Perplexity
[00:13:19] Surge in media coverage on cheating, lawsuits, and educator use of AI
[00:16:17] Lawsuit filed against professor for using AI-generated content in class
[00:18:00] Concerns grow about students using AI tools to bypass cognitive learning
[00:23:10] Direct-to-student AI sparks debate about academic integrity and design
[00:25:20] Google plans to roll out Gemini to students under 13
[00:29:41] AI enables hands-on science learning like virtual frog dissections
[00:33:43] AI compared to electricity as foundational infrastructure for the future
[00:36:09] Rising youth unemployment signals early impact of AI-driven disruption
[00:38:57] Major firms lay off workers while shifting strategy toward AI adoption
[00:40:34] EdTech must define and prepare students for new AI-native job roles

Plus, special guest:

[00:41:22] Sam Chaudhary, Co-founder & CEO of ClassDojo on tutoring, gamified learning, and community building

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

This is a very special episode featuring our sponsor, Starbridge. Justin Wenig, Founder and CEO of Starbridge, joins us to discuss how school spending creates barriers to EdTech innovation. Justin previously co-founded Coursedog, scaling it to over 300 institutions and a nine-figure exit. With Starbridge, he’s now helping EdTech businesses navigate public sector procurement using AI to identify and close their best-fit leads.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why broken procurement processes are blocking EdTech innovation.
The “illusion of competition” in RFPs and how incumbents stay ahead.
The hidden rules of public sector procurement.
Practical go-to-market strategies for EdTech startups trying to break through.
How AI is reshaping sales, procurement, and personalization in EdTech.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:05:16] The hidden “unwritten rules” of school purchasing that keep new companies out.
[00:13:17] Why most RFPs aren’t competitive and how this harms innovation.
[00:23:26] Justin’s blueprint for redesigning the school procurement system.
[00:29:50] How Starbridge uses AI to help EdTech companies find and close the right leads.
[00:34:48] The future of sales: AI-powered outreach vs. human relationship building.
[00:43:09] Can AI finally bring fairness and transparency to public sector purchasing?

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

MacKenzie Price is a Stanford grad, mom of two, and the Co-Founder of 2 Hour Learning - a revolutionary learning platform that harnesses the power of AI to give kids a 1:1 personalized learning experience. Her students excel in academics while spending most of their day learning life skills that set them up for future success. She founded the first Alpha School ten years ago in Austin, Texas and now has eight schools, with others opening in the fall.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why motivation is the missing key in EdTech.
How AI enables personalized, mastery-based learning.
The new role of teachers as motivational guides.
How to build life skills alongside academics.
What’s next for AI in education—and why it’s exciting.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:19] MacKenzie on Founding Alpha Schools to create a better model for her own children.
[00:06:36] Why tech alone can’t drive student success without human connection.
[00:12:54] How Alpha Schools deliver two hours of academics and a full day of life skills.
[00:21:56] Teachers become motivational coaches, not just content experts.
[00:28:11] The power of AI to connect learning with students’ passions.
[00:38:05] Rethinking assessments: AI makes feedback immediate and actionable.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from AI breakthroughs and policy shakeups to new funding rounds and workforce shifts shaping the future of learning.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] Silicon Valley debates the rise of “AI Slop” and the impact of vibe coding.
[00:03:36] Columbia student suspended for AI cheating tool raises $5.3M to commercialize it.
[00:04:56] Anthropic’s Drew Bent explains why code literacy now means editing AI-generated code.
[00:08:09] 200 CEOs and Code.org push for mandatory AI classes in high school.
[00:11:13] Federal government’s role in AI education policy under debate.
[00:14:04] Duolingo plans to replace contract workers with AI, triggering backlash.
[00:20:42] Higher ed faces political attacks; Harvard and Columbia push back.
[00:23:32] K-12 faces teacher shortages and $4.5B in proposed federal funding cuts.
[00:35:21] Google’s AI Overviews cut search click-through rates by 34.5%.

Plus, special guests:

[00:36:08] Brian Malkin, Co-Founder & CEO of Rang, on rewards programs to improve K-12 attendance.
[00:50:29] John Marshall, CEO of BrainFreeze, on AI safety and transparency in schools.
[01:12:31] Scott Nadzan, Vice President of Product Marketing and Strategic Communications at Panopto, on AI-generated video and the Elai acquisition.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Mike Yates is a Senior Designer at Teach for America's Reinvention Lab, with over a decade of experience at the intersection of technology and learning. A former classroom teacher and founding member of Alpha School, he now leads the Lab’s AI initiatives, creating workshops, coaching educators, and prototyping innovative AI solutions. Mike has built partnerships with organizations like Playlab AI, Google, and Snapchat, and remains dedicated to helping educators navigate the future of learning through practical, human-centered approaches.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why teachers don’t need to “speak Silicon Valley” to embrace AI.
How AI hackathons and poetry slams are making AI learning more human and fun.
The concept of “AI Dexterity” and why it’s critical for future-ready educators.
How rebel educators are building their own AI tools to solve real classroom problems.
Why sometimes the best AI training happens on a plane or at a coffee shop!

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:08] Mike Yates’ journey from TFA rejection to leading its AI initiatives
[00:04:45] What teachers really want from AI—and why most solutions miss the mark
[00:07:28] AI at the human level: “You don’t have to speak Tech Bro to get on this train"
[00:14:05] From poetry slams to fashion design—creative ways educators are learning AI
[00:18:30] How rebel teachers are building their own EdTech tools after budget cuts
[00:23:37] Why AI as a trickster and debate partner makes learning more fun
[00:26:59] A sneak peek at the Reinvention Lab’s new initiative: Arcade AI

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join host Alex Sarlin alongside special guest co-hosts Ben Wallerstein and Anna Kimsey Edwards, Co-Founders of Whiteboard Advisors, as they break down:

[00:03:00] Trump’s AI Executive Order launches cross-agency education task force
[00:05:00] 27 states already advancing AI education policy
[00:07:00] Workforce EO targets 1M AI-related apprenticeships
[00:10:00] Accreditation EO pushes competition and student outcomes
[00:14:00] “Beyond Degrees” report urges non-degree pathways
[00:21:00] Edtech funding hits record low in Q1 and Q2, says HolonIQ
[00:23:00] ESSER cliff and political uncertainty stall school spending
[00:28:00] Falling enrollment squeezes K-12 budgets nationwide
[00:30:00] Duolingo adds 150 AI-generated cross-language courses
[00:30:45] Google Audio Overview now available in 50 languages
[00:31:00] Panorama acquires AI writing tool Class Companion, Kollegio raises seed round for AI college advising
[00:32:30] Anthropic forecasts AI-only employees within a year
[00:36:00] Israel announces national rollout of AI tutors in schools

Plus, special guests:

[00:36:45] Anna Iarotska,CEO & Co-founder of Robo Wunderkind, unveils the first K–5 AI Literacy Curriculum
[00:50:55] Julia Dixon, Founder & CEO of ESAI, reflects on her Shark Tank debut and democratizing admissions advising
[01:02:00] Tigran Sloyan, Co-Founder & CEO of CodeSignal, shares how TED Talks are becoming interactive learning journeys

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify +

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Betsy Corcoran and Dr. Jeremy Roschelle co-host the Future Fluent podcast, where they explore how learning is changing in the age of AI. Betsy is the cofounder of EdSurge and now leads Lede Labs, advising education leaders. Jeremy is a leading learning scientist and Executive Director of Learning Science Research at Digital Promise. Together, they bring decades of journalism and research experience to their shared mission: redefining literacy and learning in a world transformed by AI.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

What “future fluency” means in the age of AI
Why social connection is central to learning with AI
How AI can empower generalist educators and students
The importance of co-designing tools with teachers
What deep knowledge—not just critical thinking—requires today

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:04:00] Launching Future Fluent: a podcast to ask better questions about AI and learning
[00:07:00] Literacy redefined: engaging with the world through many channels
[00:09:00] Mike Yates' AI poetry experiment builds confidence in creativity
[00:13:00] Using AI to support comprehension for young readers
[00:19:00] Post-COVID lesson: data proves teachers’ impact
[00:25:00] AI can’t replace deep knowledge or human insight
[00:30:00] Playlab AI helps generalist teachers act like specialists
[00:33:00] Colorado students use AI to create a voter guide chatbot
[00:36:00] Re-centering AI on human flourishing, not machine potential
[00:42:00] Real co-design starts with real educator problems

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

In this special episode, we go behind the scenes of the Edtech Insiders GenAI K-12 Education Market Map, a first-of-its-kind framework connecting real classroom needs to AI-powered tools. Co-created by Alex Sarlin, Laurence Holt, Jacob Klein, and the Edtech Insiders team, this evolving resource helps educators, entrepreneurs, and researchers make sense of a fast-changing landscape.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why the GenAI Education Map focuses on pedagogy and learning needs over tools
How to identify "white space" opportunities for AI in education
What makes AI feedback and teacher coaching some of the most promising use cases today
How to move beyond the 5% of students typically served by EdTech
Why "team teaching with AI" might be the next big frontier

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:36] Holt & Klein introduce the origin story of the Generative AI Use Case Map
[00:03:29] Starting with teaching and learning needs, not tech capabilities
[00:06:03] Why learning science and research-backed practices still aren't reaching scale
[00:11:11] How and why the GenAI Map was built as a living, evolving framework
[00:15:20] Imagining “team teaching” between human educators and AI assistants
[00:20:16] The 5–10% problem: Why most EdTech tools miss the broader population
[00:23:18] Personalization, motivation, and redefining what success in school can look like
[00:30:05] From tool overload to comprehensive suites: the shifting EdTech landscape
[00:34:12] AI-enabled feedback loops that support both teachers and learners
[00:39:00] What’s ready for scale now—and what still needs real breakthroughs
[00:44:55] Risks and red flags: from dopamine loops to student dependence on AI
[00:48:35] Will GenAI in education be incremental or transformative?

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify +

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Levi Belnap is the CEO of Merlyn Mind, where he has been instrumental in driving the company's vision and growth since joining in 2019. Before assuming his current role, Levi served as Chief Strategy Officer for nearly four years and later as Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to Merlyn Mind, Levi built an impressive career in business development and entrepreneurship. He worked for Defy Ventures, served as Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Wyzant, and co-founded FindIt, where he served as CEO. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a BA in Political Science and received his MBA from Harvard Business School. He currently resides in Houston, Texas, where he continues to lead Merlyn Mind in transforming educational technology.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How voice AI is helping teachers regain control of the classroom
Why AI should be invisible, not overwhelming, for educators
Real classroom impacts: higher engagement, fewer disruptions
How multi-language support is changing access to tech
The future of AI in education: enabling, not replacing, teachers

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:20] Levi Belnap’s journey to leading Merlyn Mind
[00:02:36] What Merlyn Mind’s voice AI actually does in classrooms
[00:04:19] Evolving AI strategy: Before and after ChatGPT
[00:07:29] How teacher needs drive real edtech innovation
[00:09:23] A day in the life of a "Merlyn-enabled" teacher
[00:17:16] Voice AI’s impact on student focus and behavior
[00:25:46] New Spanish-language capabilities at Merlyn Mind
[00:36:59] Why embedding AI in real workflows is the future of edtech

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from ASU+GSV insights to AI model releases, international edtech innovations, and federal policy shake-ups.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:45] ASU+GSV recap and post-conference energy
[00:04:48] Strategic AI integration gains traction
[00:05:56] Edtech market braces for consolidation
[00:08:45] Linda McMahon engages at ASU+GSV
[00:10:18] Challenges merging CS and AI in schools
[00:13:16] Harvard pushes back on federal DEI demands signals sector shift
[00:23:21] Yuanfudao launches next-gen AI tutor
[00:28:20] OpenAI releases GPT-4.1 with huge upgrades
[00:30:25] Google and Claude enhance AI tools
[00:33:56] Brisk wins GSV Cup and raises $15M
[00:35:20] Big funding rounds hit across edtech
[00:37:56] Global expansion and tutor startup funding

Plus, special guest:

[00:38:27] Collin Earnst of the Ed-tech Leadership Collective on building edtech leadership

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Vikas Pota is an entrepreneur and investor in education and digital businesses that seek to address some of the sector's intractable challenges and to advance education quality and opportunity. He is the founder of T4 Education, the Global EdTech Prize and the World's Best School Prizes. He is the Executive Chairman of the Education Leaders Forum, where he convenes the CEOs and leaders of many of the world’s biggest and most influential education businesses to advance their growth. Vikas is also the Founder of Inicio Partners, an executive search firm dedicated to helping education institutions, technology companies, and social impact organisations find their best leadership talent. He has previously led the rebrand of a major education business, built a corporate venture capital fund, and run a philanthropic foundation.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why storytelling—not policy—is the key to transforming education.
How the Global EdTech Prize centers educators in judging impact.
The ripple effect of education prizes on national policies.
What makes edtech truly scalable and impactful.
A thoughtful take on AI’s role in education and society.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:21] Vikas Pota’s vision for global education reform
[00:02:34] Launching the educator-judged Global EdTech Prize
[00:04:36] How prizes drive innovation and influence policy
[00:07:32] Elevating teacher status through the Global Teacher Prize
[00:09:07] “Policy no longer moves the needle”—Obama’s leadership lesson
[00:12:08] Who should apply for the prize—and why it matters
[00:16:33] AI in education: Asking what we should do, not just what we can

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 P

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Robert Barnett co-founded the Modern Classrooms Project, which has empowered 80,000+ educators in 180+ countries to meet every learner’s needs. Before that he taught math, computer science, English, social studies, and law, from the middle-school to university levels, at public and private schools in the U.S. and Switzerland. He graduated cum laude from Princeton University and Harvard Law School; speaks English, French, and Spanish; and lives in Washington, DC. His book, Meet Every Learner's Needs, comes out in February, and he hopes his two young children will learn in Modern Classrooms someday!

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Modern Classrooms transforms the “operating system” of schools
Why teacher-created videos are more powerful than polished content
The case for paper-based mastery checks in a tech-driven world
Rob’s take on AI tools—and why teacher-facing AI holds promise
How to truly personalize learning while keeping it personal

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:27] Rob’s journey from overwhelmed teacher to instructional leader
[00:03:46] What’s wrong with today’s classroom model—and how to fix it
[00:07:54] Inside a Modern Classroom: self-paced, human-centered learning
[00:13:33] Paper beats screens—for fast, meaningful feedback
[00:14:25] The power of personal: making your own instructional videos
[00:17:46] Tech should amplify, not replace, teacher-student relationships
[00:20:26] Why AI needs clearer use cases in classrooms
[00:26:59] Chronic absenteeism demands a new instructional model
[00:34:51] AI avatars: promising or uncanny? Rob weighs in
[00:39:32] Rob’s new book Meet Every Learner’s Needs—a guide for redesigning instruction

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

In this special episode, EdTech Insiders hits the floor at ASU+GSV 2025—one of the world’s premier EdTech conferences—for rapid-fire conversations with the leaders reshaping learning. From AI-native campuses to multilingual agents and human-centered R&D, we go behind the scenes with the innovators driving the future of education.

🎙️ Featured Guests:

Siya Raj Purohit, Go-to-Market Lead for Education at OpenAI @ [00:01:25]
Maureen Heymans, GM of LearnX at Google @ [00:19:16]
Brandon Hurter, Chief Strategy Officer at Element451 @ [00:31:19]
Auditi Chakravarty, CEO of AERDF @ [00:39:21]
Jim Van Voorhis, VP of Education at Glean @ [00:45:09]
Summer Long, Co-Founder & CMO of Cathoven AI @ [00:54:10]
Yasmin Barkett, CEO and Founder of ROYO @ [01:02:47]
Mike Yates, Senior Designer at Teach For America’s The Reinvention Lab @ [01:08:12]
Julia Kelleher, Head of Market Development at WorldQuant Learning @ [01:18:09]
Adele Smolansky, CEO and Founder of AI-Lear

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Tom Vander Ark is an advocate for innovations in learning. As CEO of Getting Smart, he advises schools, districts, networks, foundations, and learning organizations on the path forward. Tom is the author of Getting Smart, Smart Cities That Work for Everyone, Smart Parents, Better Together, The Power of Place, and Difference Making at the Heart of Learning. He has published thousands of articles and papers through GettingSmart.com and LinkedIn.

Previously he launched one of the first edtech venture funds, was president of the X-Prize Foundation, served as the first Executive Director of Education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Tom served as a public school superintendent in Washington State and has extensive private sector experience. He serves on the board of Digital Learning Institute, Latinx Education Collaborative, Mastery Transcript Consortium, and Getting Smart Collective and advises schools, impact organizations and edtech startups.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why education systems struggle to sustain innovation
How nonprofit governance supports lasting change
The transformative potential of platform networks
Why AI shifts learning from preparation to contribution
What keeps Tom optimistic about EdTech’s future

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:04:50] From retail exec to education reformer—Tom’s origin story
[00:07:03] Why governance challenges cause schools to revert to the mean
[00:10:11] The rise of platform networks and their power to scale learning
[00:14:48] AI and the shift from intelligence to agency in learning
[00:16:15] High school as a launchpad for real-world contribution
[00:21:01] “We’re automating bad pedagogy”—Tom on today’s AI tools
[00:25:16] Bright spots: Watershed, Open School, and SparkNC
[00:27:54] Tom’s advice to EdTech founders: “This is the most important work in the world”

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify +

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Kees Bol is the CEO of 2U, a global leader in education technology that expands access to affordable, career-relevant learning in partnership with the world's top universities, institutions, and industry experts. As CEO, Bol oversees all aspects of 2U's business while driving its long-standing mission: to provide learners worldwide with life-changing higher education that unlocks potential, fosters social mobility, and enhances economic security. Before joining 2U, he was the CEO of Boundless Learning, a global online program management business. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles as Chief Marketing Officer at Strategic Education and Senior Vice President of Marketing, Enrollment, and Retention for Pearson's K-12 virtual school division. Bol got his start at McKinsey & Company and honed his strategic expertise at Capital One. Originally aspiring to be a scientist, Bol earned a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Harvard University. Now that their three children are grown and have left the home, Bol and his wife are enjoying life as empty nesters in Washington, D.C.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why 2U is doubling down on microcredentials and short-form learning.
How strategic acquisitions like edX and GetSmarter shape 2U’s long-term vision.
The evolving role of AI in both content delivery and internal operations at 2U.
How 2U positions itself as a growth and innovation partner for universities.
Why traditional degrees and microcredentials are no longer on separate tracks.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:04:52] The evolving role of 2U as a force multiplier for university partners
[00:08:57] How 2U helps universities stay agile in a rapidly changing education market
[00:10:42] Strategic insights on 2U’s major acquisitions – edX, Trilogy, and GetSmarter
[00:14:22] Why microcredentials are on the rise and how AI is accelerating the trend
[00:19:15] Three ways AI is impacting 2U: productivity, process, and product innovation
[00:22:42] A new kind of learning assistant: How AI is improving student engagement
[00:26:20] Advice for university leaders facing demographic and political uncertainty
[00:30:29] Kees Bol’s 5-year vision for 2U: growth, innovation, and high-impact education
[00:33:01] The blurring line between degrees and

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Pierre Le Manh, PMP, has been serving as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Project Management Institute since September 2022. A global executive with a multicultural background and experience in leading companies across multiple knowledge industries, he has a proven track record of delivering results and guiding organizations through complex transformations and globalization. Before joining PMI, he served as CEO for North America and as Global Deputy CEO at Ipsos. Pierre played a crucial role in transforming Ipsos from a primarily European-focused organization with $700 million in revenue in 2004, to a $2.5 billion global industry leader by 2021, and in growing the company to more than 18,000 employees operating in 90 countries, successively leading various regions and global business lines.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How AI is reshaping project management and upskilling
Why PMI is betting big on personalized, AI-powered learning
The difference between managing AI projects vs. using AI in projects
How PMI maintains the PMP as a global gold standard
The potential of collective intelligence in professional education

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:20] Pierre Le Manh’s path to PMI and passion for global professional education
[00:05:02] How the skills economy is reshaping lifelong learning and certification
[00:08:36] PMI’s multi-format approach to personalized learning at scale
[00:11:20] Leveraging ChatGPT and PMI Infinity for AI-driven upskilling
[00:18:15] AI’s dual impact: Transforming project work and enabling AI project leadership
[00:23:39] Why PMI sees AI project management as a distinct and certifiable skillset
[00:32:48] AI-powered translation and localization to scale global learning
[00:46:47] Unlocking collective intelligence through a connected professional network

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Brent Bushnell is an entrepreneur and engineer focused on experiences for entertainment and learning. He's the founder of Two Bit Circus, a live entertainment company that builds and exhibits all-ages, social attractions. He’s chairman of the non-profit Two Bit Foundation which uses games and play to inspire students about invention. Brent is a Sir Edmund Hillary Fellow, a supporter of Clowns Without Borders and publishes on social media @brentbushnell.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Brent’s journey from arcade builder to education innovator unfolded.
The origin and impact of the STEAM Carnival and how it helped reframe STEM learning through art and play.
Why clean waste is a powerful, untapped resource for hands-on learning in schools.
How DIY arcade cabinets are empowering students to learn CAD, electronics, business—and earn income.
The exciting future of immersive learning with escape rooms, virtual reality, and AI-guided experiences.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:33] How a viral OK Go music video accidentally sparked an education movement
[00:04:49] “STEAM not STEM”: Why art is essential to innovation
[00:08:45] Inside the Two Bit Foundation’s clean waste model and its success in LAUSD [00:13:10] The Open Source Arcade Project: A full-spectrum STEAM learning experience
[00:21:26] The evolution of the maker and open-source movements
[00:27:58] How AI can bridge the gap for students lacking tech or coding skills
[00:34:25] New venue in Santa Monica: Turning entertainment spaces into learning spaces

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they break down a pivotal week of AI announcements, edtech disruption, and education policy shifts.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] China introduces AI education for 6-year-olds, sparking urgency for U.S. to respond
[00:05:23] OpenAI teases a creative writing model as Google and Anthropic push into coding AI
[00:07:59] Gemini Canvas and Deep Research go free, redefining educational productivity tools
[00:11:09] Copyright clash: OpenAI wants to train on protected content, creatives push back
[00:14:02] Gemini’s UI outpaces OpenAI with real classroom use cases
[00:17:54] Chain of Draft from Zoom cuts AI costs by 90% and mimics human note-taking
[00:18:34] Baidu, Alibaba launch emotion-reading and multi-modal AI models in China
[00:20:50] Manus, China’s autonomous AI agent, sparks global interest in multi-agent systems
[00:23:36] U.S. vs. China: centralized AI strategy meets decentralized innovation culture
[00:27:57] U.S. Education Dept. shutters Office of Ed Tech, leaving a national guidance gap

Plus, special guests:

[00:30:11] Annie Chechitelli, CPO at Turnitin, on launching Clarity for ethical student AI use
[01:03:49] Sara Mauskopf, CEO & Co-founder of Winnie, on expanding into K-12 and the rise of school choice

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Lawton Smith is a literacy advocate focused on adolescent reading engagement and the co-founder and CEO of Literal (LiteralApp.com). Praised as a “game changer”, a “Top Tech for Advanced Learners of ELA”, and awarded a rare five stars out-of-five for “Student Engagement” by Common Sense Media, Literal is an all-in-one digital reading platform for modern classrooms that is fundamentally changing what it means to read books on screens.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why reading scores have declined for over a decade
How Literal makes classic texts engaging through chat-based formats
The impact of long-form reading on soft skills and mental health
How AI is used to scaffold texts with translation, rephrasing, and leveling
Why playful, personalized reading boosts student engagement

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:17] What Literal is and how it's addressing the reading crisis
[00:04:45] Key factors behind the long-term decline in reading
[00:09:45] Adapting books to match students’ media habits
[00:16:20] Lawton’s personal journey losing and regaining reading focus
[00:23:12] Turning novels into chat conversations with avatars
[00:32:56] Expanding the Literal library beyond public domain
[00:36:31] How AI powers Literal’s reading support tools

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

In this special episode, we sit down with three innovative Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) students who are exploring cutting-edge applications of AI in education.

Michael Chrzan is a Master’s student and Dean’s Fellow in the Education Data Science program at Stanford. A former Master Teacher in Detroit, he taught Mathematics and AP Computer Science for seven years. His research uses machine learning to predict large-scale school closures and inform equitable decision-making.

Matías Hoyl is a Computer Science graduate from Chile and an edtech entrepreneur who has founded two startups focused on improving learning through technology. He led a coding bootcamp for women in Latin America, helping them launch tech careers. At Stanford, he is researching AI applications in education, including synthetic student simulations and AI-generated teaching tools.

Samin Khan is an AI researcher specializing in K-12 and higher education and currently an AI Research Scientist at Kiddom. His work focuses on developing AI models for curriculum development, lesson planning, and grading. At Stanford’s Education NLP Lab, he researches dialogue-based pedagogy and student engagement using large language models.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How AI-powered predictive modeling can help districts plan for school closures.
The potential of synthetic students to improve assessment design and instruction.
How AI is supporting teachers with curriculum implementation and real-time feedback.
Why AI tutors may not improve student learning outcomes as expected.
The risks and opportunities of AI in education, especially for equity and accessibility.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:06:07] Michael Chrzan on using machine learning to predict school closures.
[00:10:51] Samin Khan on AI’s role in lesson planning and teacher feedback.
[00:16:37] Matías Hoyl on simulating student learning with AI-powered models.
[00:24:09] Balancing AI research with real-world edtech applications.
[00:31:39] The importance of data, bias, and transparency in AI for education.
[00:46:11] Will AI improve or widen equity gaps in education?

😎 Stay updated with Edtech I

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

This Week in Edtech, Ben Kornell and guest co-host Matthew Rascoff, Vice Provost for Digital Education at Stanford University, break down the latest headlines shaping education, technology, and policy. From major federal education cuts to AI’s growing role in schools and higher ed, this episode unpacks the forces reshaping learning today.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:06:02] U.S. Department of Education lays off 30% of staff.
[00:12:07] Education research funding faces uncertainty.
[00:17:26] 80% of teachers now use AI in lesson planning.
[00:18:57] 82% of K-12 schools report cyber incidents.
[00:21:26] Stanford’s new policy bans banning AI in student work
[00:28:07] AI’s future in education—Matthew Rascoff’s “Humanity in the Loop” framework.
[00:36:11] Duolingo shares its company playbook.
[00:42:12] AI-driven public education data and procurement.
[00:44:11] Sanoma’s latest acquisition in AI-powered learning.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Michelle Rhee is currently a Venture Partner at Equal Opportunity Ventures, investing in companies driving social mobility and impact. Previously, she served as Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of BuildWithin, a workforce learning platform transforming hiring and development, as well as CEO of StudentsFirst, an education advocacy nonprofit that successfully advanced 140+ pieces of new legislation across 18 states. Ms. Rhee was DC’s first Chancellor under Mayoral control of the 50,000-student public school district. She also founded The New Teacher Project to help public school districts and states recruit and train teachers for hard-to-staff schools.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How alternative pathways and skills-based hiring are reshaping the future of education and work.
The role of AI in connecting young people to meaningful careers beyond the traditional college route.
Why potential over credential is becoming a powerful investment thesis for workforce startups.
The investment opportunities in workforce development and non-college track solutions.
How education savings accounts (ESAs) and innovative partnerships might transform K-12 education.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:51] The shift from college-for-all to workforce readiness.
[00:05:42] Why skills-based hiring is the future of work.
[00:07:29] Investment opportunities in alternative education paths.
[00:10:20] Using AI to connect young people to careers.
[00:12:10] Stepful's success in accelerated healthcare training.
[00:15:43] The impact of new education policies on K-12.
[00:19:37] AI and ESAs as tools to future-proof education.
[00:20:38] Michelle Rhee's career advice for the next generation.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

This Week in Edtech, Alex Sarlin and guest host, Claire Zau explore the latest developments in education technology, from AI breakthroughs to new VR tools and evolving strategies of tech giants.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:00] Preview of the ASU GSV Conference’s AI show and its impact on education innovation.
[00:05:00] OpenAI’s partnerships with California State University and Estonia to scale AI in education.
[00:09:00] ChatGPT reaches 400 million weekly active users, highlighting its growing role in education.
[00:12:00] Google’s Co-Scientist tool and Career Dreamer aim to personalize learning and career pathways.
[00:23:00] Chegg’s lawsuit against Google raises questions about AI’s impact on SEO and business models.
[00:27:00] Anthropic’s new 3.7 model introduces hybrid reasoning with implications for education.
[00:33:00] Meta’s renewed push to integrate VR in classrooms to boost engagement.
[00:36:00] Microsoft’s Muse model generates real-time gameplay environments for learning simulations.
[00:39:00] The potential of AI-driven simulations for personalized and immersive education.
[00:46:00] Claire’s advice for EdTech entrepreneurs on integrating AI effectively.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

An organizational and leadership development expert, Bjorn Billhardt has designed leadership development programs and collaborated with world-class institutions for two decades. Since 2015, Bjorn has been CEO of Abilitie, a provider of leadership development & mini-MBA programs. Abilitie’s programs have educated over 100,000 learners worldwide. Prior to founding Abilitie, Bjorn was Co-founder and CEO of Enspire Learning, Inc. Bjorn holds a BA from the University of Texas & an MBA from Harvard Business School.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in this Episode:

How AI is transforming leadership training through real-time simulations.
Why business education should focus on judgment, not just knowledge.
The power of AI in social learning and group collaboration.
How AI can enhance professional skills like hiring and management.
The growing impact of mini MBAs in corporate education.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:37] Why leadership is about judgment and the future of MBA programs.
[00:05:43] AI-powered simulations and decision-making in training.
[00:10:38] Adaptive AI in professional development and business training.
[00:16:48] AI’s potential to enhance social learning and collaboration.
[00:22:20] AI as an assistant for hiring, management, and leadership.
[00:33:32] The rise of mini MBAs and alternative business education.
[00:36:00] Why transfer skills matter more than memorization.
[00:38:35] Final thoughts on AI’s future in leadership development.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

This week in EdTech, Alex and Ben break down the latest trends in AI and EdTech.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:27] Key takeaways from the Bay Area EdTech Summit.
[00:04:55] BrainPop’s CEO change and what it signals for edtech.
[00:06:29] The decline of gamification and shifting user engagement.
[00:10:37] BrainPop’s business model and Lego’s long-term vision.
[00:13:50] AI’s next leap—deep reasoning and memory-driven models.
[00:17:56] Where edtech companies can still create real AI value.
[00:19:14] The rise of AI-powered learning companions.
[00:22:36] The edtech job market squeeze and hiring slowdowns.
[00:23:45] ASU GSV, AI in game development, and upcoming events.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Pierre Dubuc is the co-founder and CEO of OpenClassrooms, the leading online education platform with about 300k students a month. The school offers unlimited access to hundreds of free courses, as well as complete 100% online training programs for some of today’s most sought-after careers. OpenClassrooms' courses and learning content are produced in-house, and follow a unique pedagogy which relies on scenario-based projects and mentoring from experts in their respective fields.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How degree apprenticeships are replacing traditional internships.
Why AI is reshaping both education and job training.
What’s holding the U.S. back from scaling apprenticeships.
How OpenClassrooms integrates education with real jobs.
The future of career-focused learning and credentialing.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:18] Pierre Dubuc shares how OpenClassrooms evolved from an online coding hobby.
[00:04:22] The disconnect between higher ed and employment – and how to fix it.
[00:07:17] Why paid apprenticeships are more effective than internships.
[00:09:33] A real success story: From high school graduate to six-figure career.
[00:14:10] Breaking down the barriers to apprenticeship adoption in the U.S.
[00:21:36] How AI is accelerating job placement and training.
[00:29:41] AI-powered learning companions help students stay on track.
[00:34:37] OpenClassrooms is making job training count for college credit.
[00:37:18] Pierre’s vision for an integrated education-to-employment system.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

This Week in EdTech, Ben Kornell and special guest co-host Libby Hills from the Jacobs Foundation and the Ed-Technical podcast break down a week filled with major AI breakthroughs, troubling education policy shifts, and key trends shaping the future of edtech.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:04:53] 🔍 OpenAI launches Deep Research, a $200/month AI research tool.
[00:12:06] 🐋 DeepSeek AI challenges US models, raising concerns about China’s progress.
[00:17:24] 🏫 CSU offers 500K students free ChatGPT Pro access.
[00:24:29] 📉 NAEP data shows continued COVID learning loss, with state disparities.
[00:29:23] ⚖️ Trump administration cuts federal education research contracts.
[00:37:19] 💸 FEV Tutor shuts down due to ESSER funding cliff.
[00:41:56] 💡 BrightEye Ventures’ report highlights European edtech funding trends.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

In this special episode, Alex sits down with Adam Franklin, our very first guest on EdTech Insiders, who returns three years later with an exciting new venture.

Adam is a former high school history teacher turned edtech entrepreneur. He previously taught at YES Prep Brays Oaks HS in Houston, TX and coached the varsity soccer team. Adam earned a masters degree in Learning, Design, and Technology from Stanford GSE in 2016 where he also served as a researcher and writer for the Stanford History Education Group. In 2017, he joined Nearpod, then a Series A startup, to help lead the content arm of the business where he stayed through their $650M acquisition by Renaissance in 2021. In early 2024, Adam left Nearpod to join the Teaching Lab Studio as a fellow to build out innovative products at the intersection of AI and Education, with StudyBuds, a teachable agent practice platform, being his primary focus.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How AI-powered teachable agents help students learn by teaching.
Why AI can boost engagement and deeper learning in classrooms.
The limitations of multiple-choice assessments and AI’s role in fixing them.
How AI can co-create with students instead of just giving answers.
Why venture studios like Teaching Lab Studio are investing in AI-powered learning.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:18] Adam Franklin’s journey from teacher to edtech founder.
[00:06:46] How teachable agents create interactive student practice.
[00:12:39] Training AI to “not know” and learn from students.
[00:16:56] The Pokémon effect—why students love training AI characters.
[00:22:57] Why students outsource thinking and how AI can change that.
[00:31:23] StudyBuds aligns with curricula to support teachers.
[00:37:20] Inside Teaching Lab Studio’s unique edtech venture model.
[00:44:48] The future of AI in education and multimodal learning.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Jeff Maggioncalda served as the CEO of Coursera from June 2017 to January 2025, leading the company through remarkable growth to over 160 million learners and 7,000+ institutions, delivering high-quality learning content from top universities and industry leaders. Under his leadership, Coursera expanded its reach, navigated the pandemic, embraced AI-driven learning, and became a publicly traded company.

Since recording, Coursera announced that Jeff has retired from the role, and Greg Hart will succeed him as the CEO.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

How Coursera is evolving its AI-powered content to serve not just developers but also everyday professionals using AI in their jobs.
The role of generative AI in transforming the accessibility and personalization of online learning.
Insights into Coursera’s latest AI-driven initiatives, including personalized tutors and automated content creation.
The changing landscape of workforce upskilling and how Coursera is adapting to meet employer demands.
Jeff Maggioncalda’s vision for the future of online education and the integration of AI in learning.

✨ Episode Highlights

[00:00:37] Coursera’s evolving role in edtech.
[00:04:21] How Coursera expanded to over 1,000 AI-related courses and the shift toward workplace AI adoption.
[00:10:45] The role of generative AI in democratizing education and personalizing learning at scale.
[00:15:22] The challenge of balancing AI innovation with academic rigor and credibility.
[00:22:30] How AI-driven career certificates are helping professionals transition into new roles.
[00:29:50] Predictions on the future of AI in education—Jeff’s perspective on what’s coming next.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Matt Kennard is the CEO of BetterLesson (which offers High-quality K-12 professional development for educators and administrators, ensuring successful districtwide implementation of HQIM.) and former CFO & Head of Operations for LearnZillion, a K-12 digital core curriculum provider. At LearnZillion, he oversaw the expansion of curricular offerings through partnerships with leading OER curriculum providers and led the company's sale to Weld North Education. Previously, Matt led strategic M&A activity for iHeartMedia as the Director of Liquidity and Corporate Development. With a background in finance, strategy, and technology, Matt has held roles at Banc of America Securities, Investcorp Technology Partners, Rackspace, and TJX Companies. He holds a B.A. from Yale University in History and Political Science. Matt found his way into edtech in 2017 based on his desire to utilize his hard-earned expertise to build incredible businesses that make a difference in the lives of students and educators.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The impact of High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) on K-12 education.
How structured professional learning improves teacher retention and student success.
The role of AI and data-driven decision-making in optimizing education systems.
Why schools must embrace Career and Technical Education (CTE) and skills-based learning.
How educators are regaining control in shaping the future of EdTech.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:28] Matt’s journey from finance to leading Better Lesson in professional learning.
[00:05:47] How Better Lesson helps schools implement effective teacher development.
[00:09:03] The HQIM movement and its role in improving curriculum quality.
[00:11:42] The shift towards skills-based learning and Career and Technical Education.
[00:16:36] Better Lesson’s acquisition of ABLE to enhance scheduling and resource use.
[00:24:21] Why data-driven decision-making is critical for education leaders.
[00:30:01] How AI and machine learning can improve education without increasing workload.
[00:36:52] The growing influence of educators in shaping the future of EdTech.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on: +

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Tigran Sloyan is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of CodeSignal, the leading skills platform empowering teams and individuals to discover and develop the skills that will shape the future. Tigran is a recognized voice in the industry—a TED speaker, active Forbes Technology Council member, frequent keynote, and contributor to major publications. He is passionate about the intersections of technology, education, and talent acquisition, and his innovative insights are regularly featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Morning Brew, and more. Before co-founding CodeSignal, Tigran was part of the technology management team at Google, where he spearheaded initiatives like Google Hangouts for Education and Google Login for sectors like Travel and Publishing.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How AI and simulations are transforming skills-based hiring and eliminating resume bias.
Why resumes are outdated and how companies can move toward more accurate and fair assessments.
The role of Bloom’s Two Sigma Problem in shaping CodeSignal’s AI tutoring innovations.
How Generative AI is enabling real-world, high-fidelity skill simulations for non-technical roles like sales and leadership.
Why universities struggle to keep up with fast-changing skills and how private sector partnerships can fill the gap.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:10] From Google to CodeSignal, Tigran Sloyan’s journey into skills-based hiring.
[00:05:42] Why resumes are a poor hiring signal and what should replace them.
[00:11:38] Hands-on learning vs. passive learning and the power of AI-driven practice.
[00:15:16] AI-powered simulations for training sales, leadership, and technical roles.
[00:24:11] Can AI replace executive coaches and leadership mentors?
[00:30:15] Why traditional universities struggle to keep up with changing skill demands.
[00:41:17] AI-driven skills assessments as an alternative to applicant tracking systems.
[00:49:46] The need for collaboration in solving the global skills gap.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts +

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

This Week in EdTech, join Ben Kornell and special guest host Jomayra Herrera, Partner at Reach Capital, as they unpack the latest in edtech, AI, and education policy.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:16] 🤖 OpenAI’s new O3 "reasoning" model sparks AGI debate.
[00:07:14] 🏗️ OpenAI’s $500B Stargate Project aims to dominate AI infrastructure.
[00:16:49] 📱 TikTok shutdown and divest-or-ban law shake up digital learning.
[00:24:15] 🍎 U.S. schools add 121,000 staff in 2024 despite declining enrollment.
[00:31:12] 🎓 Biden cancels $4.5B in student debt and bans Ashford U CEO.
[00:38:00] 💰 Leeds Equity Partners acquires Learnosity, boosting AI-driven assessment.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

2024 was a remarkable year for EdTech, with advancements that redefined teaching, learning, and the role of technology in education. But what’s next?

In Part 2 of our year-end special, Alex and Ben invite a panel of visionary leaders from across the EdTech ecosystem to share their reflections on 2024 and predictions for 2025.

🎙️ Featuring insights from:

Jomayra Herrera, Partner at Reach Capital
Amit Patel, Managing Director at Owl Ventures
Ben Wallerstein, CEO & Co-Founder at Whiteboard Advisors
John Higginson, Chief Technology Officer at Curriculum Associates
Karl Rectanus, Chairperson, Industry Council at EDSAFE AI Alliance
Andrew Goldman, EVP at HMH Labs

From the transformative power of AI to global innovation, workforce readiness, and the evolving funding landscape, these thought leaders bring invaluable perspectives to the table.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:23] 🤖 Jomayra on AI’s evolution: from experimentation to proven outcomes.
[00:07:00] 🌍 Amit explores global EdTech opportunities and demographic shifts.
[00:13:43] 📉 Ben Wallerstein on the impact of ESSER funding expiration in 2025.
[00:44:06] 📱 John highlights mobile learning’s dual role and voice AI advances.
[01:01:50] 🌎 Karl's bold predictions: leapfrogging global innovation in EdTech.
[01:03:08] ✍️ Andrew explains how generative AI meets high-quality content.

🎧 Want to hear Alex and Ben's reflections and predictions? Listen to Part 1 here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1877869/episodes/16321195

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on: +

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Happy New Year! Welcome to the first Week in EdTech episode of 2025! Join hosts Ben Kornell and guest co-host Matt Tower as they dive into the biggest stories shaping the education technology landscape, from AI innovations to major edtech funding and cybersecurity challenges.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:16] 🌐 OpenAI introduces a feature enabling ChatGPT to handle reminders and to-dos.
[00:05:04] 🔥 LA schools face closures and damage as wildfires disrupt education.
[00:22:54] 🔐 PowerSchool data breach exposes student and staff data, raising cybersecurity concerns.
[00:29:55] 🎓 $4.2 billion in student loans canceled for 150,000 borrowers under Biden’s plan.
[00:41:44] 💼 Element451 secures $175M for its AI-first CRM and student engagement platform.

Plus, special guests:
[00:44:22] 🎙️ Emily Lai, VP of Learning Impact Measurement at Pearson, discusses how AI tools improve study habits & learning outcomes and the Pearson end-of-year AI report.
[00:56:15] 🎙️ Adele Smolansky, CEO of AI-Learners, explains how AI Learners is enhancing accessibility in education.
[01:06:42] 🎙️ Dominik Mate Kovacs,CEO at Colossyan, explores the future of AI-driven video and personalized learning.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Sara Leoni is the Founder and CEO of Ziplines Education, a career accelerator that partners with universities to deliver industry-recognized certificate courses that prepare professionals with the in-demand skills, knowledge and confidence for today’s tech-driven world.

Jeff Sample was the Founder and CEO of Clicked, now the VP of Product for Ziplines Education. His background and unique perspectives as a transitioning Management Consultant and Adtech Executive led him to develop experiential learning products via work simulations to help close the work experience gap, and upskill tens of thousands of learners in tech adjacent career paths.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Ziplines Education and Clicked are addressing the experience gap in career readiness.
Why experiential learning and real-world simulations are key to workforce preparation.
The importance of industry-recognized credentials and their integration with academic institutions.
Insights into the acquisition process and how it aligns two learner-focused companies.
The role of confidence and real-world artifacts in empowering learners to succeed in interviews and careers.

**✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:07:39] How Ziplines Education partners with universities to integrate industry certifications for learners.
[00:15:08] Jeff on bridging the experience gap.
[00:28:44] The role of real-world tools like Salesforce, Tableau, and Google Analytics in preparing learners for jobs.
[00:37:08] Measuring learner success with confidence metrics and employer feedback.
[00:41:34]** Sara and Jeff reflect on the acquisition process and lessons learned about aligning values and strategy.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Dr. Yair Shapira is the founder and CEO of NovoDia, an EdTech company innovating educational publishing through AI technology. Previously, he founded and led Amplio Learning to significant growth before its acquisition. With expertise in technology and educational tools, Yair is dedicated to enhancing educational equity and efficiency. He holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and is an active contributor to the EdTech community.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How NovoDia is transforming educational publishing through AI-driven solutions.
The role of generative AI in creating dynamic, engaging, and adaptive learning materials.
Why current curriculum models fail to meet diverse classroom needs and how AI can fill the gaps.
How NovoDia enables districts and teachers to customize curricula to meet local and individual requirements.
What the future holds for AI-powered tools in education, from multimedia lessons to personalized learning experiences.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:26] Yair shares his journey from Amplio Learning to founding NovoDia.
[00:05:37] The unique challenges of using AI in education and meeting pedagogical rigor.
[00:11:01] How NovoDia addresses the mismatch between district-purchased curriculum and teacher needs.
[00:18:22] Customizing curricula with AI to support diverse student populations and regional standards.
[00:30:43] Enhancing engagement with multimedia tools and interactive content in classrooms.
[00:37:55] The evolving role of AI in education and NovoDia’s vision for the future.
[00:44:04] Ensuring pedagogical accuracy with AI systems and human SMEs.
[00:46:59] Resources and advice from Yair on staying ahead in the fast-moving EdTech space.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Jonathan Katzman, Director of Product Management at YouTube Learning, drives initiatives that leverage educational content across school, work, and life. Before joining Google, he served as the founding Chief Product Officer of Minerva Project, a pioneering university and ed-tech company offering accredited degrees and innovative curriculum design. Jonathan’s career includes leadership roles in successful startups and major tech companies, showcasing his expertise in education and technology.

Lisa Gevelber, Founder of Grow with Google and CMO for the Americas Region at Google, leads the $1 billion initiative that has empowered over 10 million Americans with skills to advance their careers. She also created Google Career Certificates, which have enabled significant upward mobility for half a million global job seekers. Recognized by Forbes Future of Work 50 in 2022, Lisa is a champion for equity and inclusion, leading efforts like Google for Startups to support underrepresented founders worldwide.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How YouTube Learning is empowering creators and engaging learners globally.
The impact of Grow with Google and Career Certificates on workforce transformation.
How AI-driven tools are reshaping personalized learning and career training.
Insights into YouTube’s active learning features, including AI tutors and assessments.
The role of global partnerships in creating equitable access to education and jobs.

✨ **Episode Highlights:

[00:02:19] Jonathan on YouTube Learning’s global reach and its role as “school” in many countries.
[00:10:11] How active learning tools like AI tutors and quizzes are transforming YouTube’s educational experience.
[00:22:05] Lisa shares the vision behind Grow with Google and its impact on millions of learners.
[00:31:24] Insights into Google Career Certificates as an alternative pathway to well-paying jobs.
[00:41:50] Discussion on AI's role in workforce training and economic mobility.
[00:54:32]** The future of education: blending informal learning with credentialed pathways.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts +

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Yossi Matias, Vice President of Google and Head of Google Research, leads groundbreaking efforts in foundational machine learning, quantum computing, and AI for societal impact in education, health, and climate. A world-renowned AI expert, Yossi has pioneered conversational AI, driven Google Search innovations, and launched transformative initiatives like AI for Social Good and Google for Startups Accelerator. His work focuses on leveraging AI to address global challenges and improve lives on a global scale.

Obum Ekeke, Head of Education Partnerships at Google DeepMind, champions equitable access to AI education and fosters diversity in the tech industry. An OBE recipient for his contributions to computing and inclusion, Obum has led initiatives that have reached millions of learners worldwide, including founding Google Educator Groups in over 60 countries. His mission is to prepare students and educators for the future by making AI knowledge accessible and impactful for all.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Google Research is driving breakthroughs in generative AI and education.
The global impact of LearnLM and other AI-powered educational tools.
The role of AI in promoting equity and accessibility in education.
Insights into Google DeepMind’s Experience AI program and talent pipeline.
The future of personalized learning and AI literacy for students worldwide.

✨ **Episode Highlights:

[00:02:19] Yossi on AI’s transformative potential in education, health, and climate.
[00:09:46] Obum shares how Experience AI empowers teachers and students globally.
[00:19:24] Discussion on LearnLM’s development and its focus on pedagogy.
[00:29:22] Insights into how AI is making personalized learning a reality.
[00:41:50] Reflections on the importance of equitable access to AI education.
[00:55:36]** Envisioning a future where AI-driven tools enhance both teaching and learning.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Mus

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Shantanu Sinha, VP & GM of Google for Education, leads the development of tools like Google Classroom and Read Along, serving over 150 million educators and students globally. Previously, as founding President and COO of Khan Academy, he championed free, personalized learning on a global scale. Shantanu combines deep expertise in computer science, math, and cognitive sciences from MIT with strategic consulting experience from McKinsey.

Jennie Magiera, Global Head of Education Impact at Google, is a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and advocate for equity in education. At Google, she focuses on elevating marginalized voices and creating empowering tools for teachers and learners. A White House Champion for Change and ISTE Impact Award Winner, Jennie brings extensive experience as a teacher, district leader, and digital learning innovator.

Steven Johnson, Editorial Director of NotebookLM and Google Labs, is a bestselling author of 14 books on innovation and technology, including Where Good Ideas Come From. An Emmy-winning television host and tech entrepreneur, Steven shapes tools that redefine learning and research while advocating for the power of collaboration in driving transformative ideas.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How AI enhances tools like Google Classroom and Read Along.
The impact of NotebookLM on personalized research and learning.
Creative ways educators worldwide are integrating AI into classrooms.
How AI supports teachers by saving time for deeper human connections.
The future of assessment and personalization with AI.

✨ **Episode Highlights:

[00:02:19] Shantanu on AI in Google Classroom and teacher superpowers.
[00:09:46] Jennie shares inspiring AI use cases from global educators.
[00:19:24] Steven explains how NotebookLM is transforming research.
[00:29:22] Discussion on LearnLM and personalized pedagogy.
[00:41:50] Insights into NotebookLM’s podcast-style audio feature.
[00:55:36]** How AI enables creativity and emotional engagement in learning.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spot

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Benedict Gomes, SVP of Learning & Sustainability at Google, leads efforts to transform education and tackle global climate challenges. His organization develops tools like Google Classroom, ReadAlong, and YouTube-based learning platforms, empowering educators and learners worldwide. Ben also drives sustainability initiatives, including decarbonization and creating global environmental data solutions.

Maureen Heymans, VP of Engineering, Learning & Sustainability at Google, oversees AI integration into tools like Search, YouTube, and Classroom to democratize access to quality education. She collaborates across teams to pioneer personalized learning technologies while leading sustainability initiatives that harness AI to address climate challenges and drive impactful global solutions.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Google is revolutionizing learning with products like Google Classroom, ReadAlong, and Learn About.
The role of AI in creating personalized tutors for students and teaching assistants for educators.
Insights into Google’s efforts to make sustainability a core part of its mission through AI and partnerships.
How Google collaborates across teams to integrate pedagogy into AI tools like LearnLM.
The vision for equitable access to personalized education worldwide, powered by AI.

✨ **Episode Highlights:

[00:02:18] Ben shares how AI is transforming education and Google’s vision for supporting learning globally.
[00:03:48] Discussing the importance of multimodal learning tools and products like NotebookLM and YouTube.
[00:19:24] Maureen reflects on how project-based learning and the pandemic inspired her focus on education.
[00:37:16] Explaining LearnX’s collaborative approach to driving learning innovations across Google’s ecosystem.
[00:46:16] Introducing Learn About, a new AI-driven conversational tool combining pedagogy with the power of the web.
[00:53:30]** Envisioning a future where AI makes high-quality, personalized education accessible to billions globally.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts +

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

In this special episode, Edtech Insiders brings you to the heart of Google’s "Learning in the AI Era" event, held on 11/20/2024, in Mountain View, California. Hear exclusive interviews with the following Google leaders:

Ben Gomes, SVP, Learning & Sustainability, Google
Maureen Heymans, VP of Engineering, Learning & Sustainability, Google
Shantanu Sinha, VP & GM, Google for Education
Jennie Magiera, Global Head of Education Impact, Google
Steven Johnson, Editorial Director of NotebookLM and Google Labs
Yossi Matias, Vice President, Google & Head of Google Research
Obum Ekeke, Head of Education Partnerships, Google DeepMind
Jonathan Katzman, Director, Product Management, YouTube Learning
Lisa Gevelber, Founder, Grow With Google & CMO, Americas Region

and audience members:

Isabelle Hau, Stanford Accelerator for Learning
Libby Hills, Jacobs Foundation
Kristin Fracchia
Adele Smolansky, AI-Learners
Ishan Gupta, Paper

From AI-powered learning to tools transforming education, this episode explores the future of EdTech.

The full interviews with each guest will be posted daily this week. Stay tuned for deeper insights from these inspiring leaders!

✨ **Episode Highlights:

[00:02:55] Ben Gomes' insights into AI-driven tools like Read Along and personalized learning.
[00:09:28] Maureen on integrating AI into classrooms and bridging in-class and at-home learning.
[00:19:24] Shantanu's reflections on AI-generated content and its implications for education.
[00:21:30]** Jennie on educator

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

SiSi (SiSi pronounced “See-See”) is a transformative all-in-one platform that brings together everything schools need—student records, learning tools, financials, admissions, communication, and more—into one simple, seamless system. Designed for educators, SiSi replaces the chaos of juggling multiple platforms with an intuitive solution that saves time, reduces complexity, and strengthens school communities.

With features like AI-powered insights and automated processes, SiSi empowers teachers, administrators, and families to focus on what matters most: helping students thrive. It’s the ultimate partner for modern schools looking to work smarter and embrace the future of education.

Joined by Rico Chow the Chief Product Officer, Jett Wolper the Founder and CEO of Sisi and Brandon Porterfield, Co-Principal of Hope International Academy Okinawa.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Sisi’s design simplifies school management for all stakeholders.
Challenges and opportunities in the international school market.
The role of AI in improving efficiency and engagement.
Real-world examples of Sisi streamlining school workflows.
How Sisi envisions leveling the playing field in education technology.

**✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:00] The challenge of building an all-in-one platform: “We do this not because it’s easy, but because it’s difficult.”
[00:03:25] Designing for global, culturally diverse school contexts.
[00:06:45] How Sisi reduces time-consuming tasks for schools.
[00:11:15] The pitfalls of fragmented systems and the power of true integration.
[00:18:30] Importance of user feedback and community engagement in product development.
[00:25:40] AI’s role in reducing teacher burnout and improving student outcomes.
[00:32:55] The impact of user-friendly design in international schools.
[00:40:30]** Vision for supporting under-resourced schools with streamlined tools.

If you'd like to see SiSi in action, they’ll be partnering with IFIP at BETT ExCeL London 2025!

IFIP—the International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners—is an incredible organization leading the charge for inclusion on a global scale. Just this year, they co-hosted the Global Inclusive Schools’ Forum at UNESCO in Paris. Definitely check them out.

If you’re attending BETT, stop by the London

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Send us a text

Dr. David Yeager is the Raymond Dickson Centennial Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. He earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University. His groundbreaking research focuses on the processes that shape adolescent development, examining how social cognitive factors interact with structural and physiological elements to influence youth trajectories. Dr. Yeager is also dedicated to uncovering ways to positively impact these psychological processes to enhance developmental and educational outcomes for young people. As co-Principal Investigator of the National Study of Learning Mindsets, the Texas Mindset Initiative, and the Texas Behavioral Science and Policy Institute, Dr. Yeager is at the forefront of efforts to translate cutting-edge psychological research into practical strategies for educators and policymakers.

He is also the author of 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People, a book that distills the latest insights on how to inspire and empower the next generation.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How the adolescent brain processes motivation and why this is key to unlocking their potential.
The core principles of the Mentor Mindset framework: high standards paired with high support.
Why belonging, purpose, and respect are critical drivers of adolescent success.
How short, strategic interventions can have lasting impacts on student resilience and achievement.
The role of EdTech tools in motivating youth and the potential pitfalls of AI-driven advice.

✨ **Episode Highlights:

[00:02:51] Dr. Yeager’s path from teaching to research leadership.
[00:04:34] What the Mentor Mindset is and why it works.
[00:08:46] How short interventions create long-term impact.
[00:14:08] Understanding the adolescent brain and motivation.
[00:17:35] The traits of great mentors: tough but supportive.
[00:25:59] The power of role models and near-peer influences.
[00:35:50] Addressing fear and fostering aspiration in youth.
[00:41:40] AI’s role in motivating and supporting students.
[00:45:26]** A call for ethical AI in education technology.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

None

Send us a text

Mark Angel is the CEO and Co-founder of Amira Learning, the company bringing the science of reading and AI together. Amira is the first intelligent reading assistan for teachers and is now working with two million students in all 50 states and 14 countries.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Amira Learning uses AI to revolutionize reading education.
The importance of efficacy studies in edtech product adoption.
Strategic partnerships for scaling AI-driven tools in education.
Tackling privacy and equity concerns with emerging AI tools.
A vision of AI’s role in solving the global literacy crisis.

**✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:15] The origin story of Amira, blending AI innovation with edtech experience.
[00:03:46] How the reading coach adapts to diverse learners, including ELLs and dyslexic students.
[00:07:40] The role of efficacy studies in building trust and demonstrating impact.
[00:09:53] Advice for districts navigating the surge of AI tools in classrooms.
[00:14:53] Optimistic vision of AI addressing the literacy crisis.
[00:18:43] Importance of scale and data in driving AI-based educational solutions.
[00:20:49]** Key advice for entrepreneurs: focus on metrics and team culture.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

2024 was an incredible year for EdTech, filled with transformative shifts and groundbreaking innovations!

In this special year-end episode, Alex and Ben dive into the defining trends of the year—from the ESSER funding cliff reshaping K-12 strategies to the rise of AI-powered learning tools. They also look ahead to 2025, making bold predictions about the future of education technology, including the potential of gaming, assessment overhauls, and micro-company innovation.

Stay tuned for Part 2, coming in January, where Alex and Ben will share predictions from thought leaders across the EdTech space to kick off the new year!

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:00:43] 🎄 Kicking off the year-end special with reflections on a transformative 2024.
[00:01:38] 📉 ESSER funding cliff and its implications for K-12 EdTech investments.
[00:02:17] 🚀 The Cambrian explosion of AI and its impact on innovation and startups.
[00:04:02] 🤖 AI in K-12 education: challenges, successes, and lessons from the field.
[00:06:24] 🗺️ Big Tech’s growing influence on education and learning models.
[00:08:03] 🎉 Reflecting on EdTech Insiders' major milestones and community highlights.
[00:11:46] 🎮 Predictions for AI-driven gaming and real-time multimodal learning tools.
[00:13:21] 📊 The coming assessment revolution and its transformative potential.
[00:18:55] 🎓 Higher education’s pivot toward career-focused, practical learning models.
[00:23:20] 💼 Workforce learning shifts: upskilling for productivity in a competitive market.
[00:27:02] 🤔 AI agents and their transformative potential in education and beyond.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

With the holiday break just around the corner, join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell for a timely look at the latest developments in education technology. From exciting AI advancements to shifts in curriculum policy, this episode captures the key trends shaping the future of learning.

**✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:16] 🧠 OpenAI's New AI Tool "Sora" Makes Waves in Video Generation
[00:06:01] 🎥 The Era of Multimodal AI: Google, Meta, and Microsoft Compete on Video and Agents
[00:08:05] 🔍 Who’s Winning the AI Wars? Exploring AI Specialization
[00:18:14] 🏫 Texas Education Agency’s New Curriculum Policies – What It Means for EdTech
[00:25:55] 📉 Declining Public School Enrollment: Implications for K-12 and EdTech
[00:27:05] 🌍 Global EdTech Trends: European VCs Raise Big Funds Amidst U.S. Challenges
[00:28:27] 🚀 $175M Investment in AI for Higher Education by Element451
[00:32:13] 💼 Workforce Upskilling Revolution: SaaS Startups Receive Major Investments
[00:33:40]** 📊 EdTech Year-End Reports Show Optimism in AI-Driven Upskilling

**Plus, special guests:

[00:35:33] 🎙️ Alex Linley, Co-CEO of Cappfinity, discusses the future of skills-based hiring and education.
[00:54:34] 🎙️ Henrik Appert, CEO of Magma Math**, shares insights on their award-winning math platform and recent $40M funding round.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

As CEO and Co-Founder of Learnosity, Gavin Cooney still talks about the company he helped build over a decade ago with an infectious zeal. It’s easy to see why: what began as a project in a garden shed (a cliché maybe, but 100% true!) has matured into an internationally renowned tech company with a 200-strong crew of problem-solvers. Since Gav believes that all social ills can be remedied through education, his modus operandi is pretty simple: give education the standard of technology it deserves.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Learnosity empowers EdTech platforms with AI-driven assessment tools.
The transformative role of AI in reducing teacher workloads and enhancing feedback.
What makes Learnosity’s essay-scoring tool uniquely efficient and cost-effective.
The importance of specialized EdTech solutions versus general AI tools.
Gavin’s vision for the future of AI and assessment in education.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:23] Gavin Cooney shares Learnosity’s global impact: 40M users and 19B questions delivered annually.
[00:03:38] How AI-driven essay scoring saves teachers hours of grading time each week.
[00:06:48] Learnosity’s cutting-edge AI achieves unmatched scoring accuracy at just one cent per essay.
[00:10:25] Why Learnosity focuses on enhancing teacher feedback rather than replacing educators.
[00:13:54] The balance between general AI tools and Learnosity’s specialized capabilities.
[00:18:10] Learnosity’s strategic pivot to invest heavily in AI development and innovation.
[00:24:02] Gav’s optimistic outlook on AI as the “100-year wave” reshaping education.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Trish Sparks leads Clever as CEO. Previously she was VP of Customer Success and Sales. Trish came to Clever with a wealth of executive leadership experience at companies such as LinkedIn, where she scaled a global customer success organization, and at DemandBase, where she was Chief Customer Officer. As a North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholar, she started her career as a middle school teacher in Wake County Public Schools. Trish holds BS degrees in Business and Education as well as an MBA from Meredith College. After living in the Bay Area for 20 years, Trish now resides in Chapel Hill, NC.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Clever has grown to serve 28 million students and teachers across the U.S.
The role of digital identity platforms in securing and simplifying education technology.
Insights from Clever’s “Classroom of the Future” report on AI adoption in education.
How AI and automation are reducing teacher workloads and improving teaching conditions.
Clever’s innovative cybersecurity solutions tailored for K-12 schools.

✨ **Episode Highlights:

[00:02:47] Trish’s journey from teaching to leading Clever and her passion for EdTech.
[00:04:54] The critical role of identity platforms in protecting student data and facilitating digital learning.
[00:08:04] Key findings from Clever’s “Classroom of the Future” report
[00:09:41] The rapid adoption of AI in EdTech and its evolving role in education
[00:11:12] Cybersecurity challenges in K-12 schools and Clever’s solutions to mitigate risks.
[00:14:44]** Exciting EdTech trends, from addressing teacher shortages to advancing student data protection.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell in this Thanksgiving edition of "Week in Edtech" as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from groundbreaking AI innovations to edtech controversies and funding milestones.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:16] 🧠 Edtech Insiders publishes AI tool market map with 300+ tools across 60 use cases
[00:05:39] 🌐 Google AI Summit recap featuring LearnLM and Gemini’s memory feature
[00:14:57] 🎥 OpenAI’s leaked Sora video generator sparks ethical debates
[00:18:08] 📚 TikTok’s study tools trend raises concerns about gamified learning
[00:27:38] 💰 Amazon invests $4 billion in Anthropic to deepen AI ties
[00:32:10] ⚖️ AllHere founder charged with fraud impacts trust in edtech startups
[00:40:53] 🏫 MIT, UT, and others announce free tuition for low-income families

Plus Special Guest:
[00:46:02] 🎙️ Brett Waikart, Co-founder & CEO of Skillfully, discusses skills-based hiring and future of work.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Laura K. Ipsen is president and chief executive officer of Ellucian, the leading technology solutions provider for more than 2,900 higher education institutions in more than 50 countries. She has more than 25 years of experience as a technology executive in Silicon Valley, driving transformation in the public and private sectors and spurring adoption of comprehensive solutions in high-growth industries at Oracle Corporation, Microsoft and Cisco Systems. Earlier in her career, Ipsen also held leadership roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Acer America, and Hitachi Data Systems.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How AI is transforming higher education, from predictive analytics to enrollment success.
Insights from Ellucian’s latest AI survey, highlighting adoption challenges and opportunities.
The evolving value of a four-year degree in a tech-driven job market.
How technology can alleviate FAFSA challenges and improve financial aid accessibility.
The potential of a holistic, data-driven approach to student engagement and success.

**✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:45] Laura Ipsen on Ellucian’s AI survey and industry readiness for AI adoption.
[00:12:30] Demonstrating the ROI of degrees through skill alignment and data insights.
[00:18:50] The importance of SaaS and data integration for institutional efficiency.
[00:25:40] Addressing FAFSA challenges with technology-driven financial aid solutions.
[00:32:15] Using AI to predict and address student needs and improve retention.
[00:40:10] How the Journey platform connects education to lifelong career success.
[00:48:20]** Revolutionizing higher ed productivity through AI-driven administration.

Resources Mentioned:

Ellucian AI Survey
Student Voice Report
EdUp Experience Podcast
Paul LeBlanc’s Work on AI in Higher Ed

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Matt Given is an experienced education technology leader and the CEO of Seesaw, a groundbreaking learning experience platform designed for PreK-5 students. With over 20 years of experience in education and edtech leadership, Matt has held executive roles at Kaplan, Catapult Learning, and EdisonLearning. Known for his expertise in universal design for learning and his ability to bridge the gap between home and classroom, Matt is a driving force behind Seesaw's mission to create accessible and engaging learning tools.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Seesaw connects teachers, students, parents, and administrators through its unique “learning loop.”
The evolution of Seesaw from a communication tool to a robust learning experience platform.
How AI enhances teacher workflows on Seesaw while keeping the focus on human-centered learning.
The role of inclusive design and feedback from over 100,000 teacher ambassadors in shaping Seesaw’s products.
The future of edtech tools in streamlining resources and fostering human connections in classrooms.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:22] Streamlining teacher workflows and improving classroom outcomes with Seesaw.
[00:03:13] Reflections on 25 years in edtech and the evolution of digital learning tools.
[00:07:16] Universal design for pre-readers and special populations.
[00:11:38] Seesaw’s COVID-19 transformation and post-pandemic innovations.
[00:16:45] Digital portfolios tracking student progress over time.
[00:29:20] Teacher ambassadors shaping product development with real-world feedback.
[00:36:14] Cautiously integrating AI for fluency assessments and translation.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Arman Jafferis the founder and CEO of Brisk Teaching. Brisk is an AI tool that helps educators personalize their instruction and save hours of time on administrative tasks.

Emily Bennettcurrently serves as a Principal investor at Owl Ventures.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Brisk Teaching’s AI tools streamline teacher workflows and enhance instructional efficiency.
The vision for AI in edtech, focusing on student-centered, adaptive learning through tools like Brisk Boost.
Key insights into Owl Ventures’ investment strategy in AI-focused edtech solutions.
The critical factors for edtech startups navigating the current funding landscape.
The future of student-facing AI in education and its impact on teaching and learning.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:00:22] How AI enhances insights into student thinking for improved instruction.
[00:01:49] Brisk Teaching's AI tools streamline teacher workflows with automation.
[00:05:09] Owl Ventures' perspective on investing in high-impact AI edtech.
[00:07:20] Brisk’s integration into teachers’ daily workflows across platforms.
[00:13:03] The shift toward student-focused AI for personalized learning.
[00:20:35] Use case for Brisk Boost’s interactive student tutoring aligned with learning objectives.
[00:30:26] Practical advice for edtech entrepreneurs on navigating the funding landscape.

✨ EdTech Insiders+ Members' Exclusive:

Don’t miss the overtime episode with Arman & Emily, where they go beyond the main conversation to discuss:

Advice for founders on building impactful edtech products
Sustainable business models for AI in education
Essentials for creating responsible, student-focused AI

Subscribe to EdTech Insiders+ to access this exclusive content, get first dibs on event announcements, tickets and more!

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell for a post-election edition of "Week in Edtech," featuring insights from Anna Edwards and Ben Wallerstein of Whiteboard Advisors.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:16] 🇺🇸 New trends in education policy post-election
[00:04:42] 🏛️ Why state policies will shape the future of K-12 education
[00:08:10] 💸 The looming financial gap for districts as ESSER funds expire
[00:10:57] 🏢 Republicans’ potential plans to restructure or abolish the Education Department
[00:19:50] 📉 Navigating a shifting landscape and finding opportunities in state funding
[00:28:32] 🛠️ Rising focus on workforce readiness and career pathways
[00:33:55] 📈 A move toward flexible, formative assessment models in K-12
[00:36:08] 🤖 Anna Edwards on AI's expanding role in K-12 education
[00:42:04] 🚀 Federal policies open doors for flexibility and innovation in education

Plus Special Guests:
[00:55:33] 🎙️ Kavitta Ghai, CEO of Nectir, discusses how AI is transforming student support and boosting engagement in higher education

[01:18:41] 🎙️ Lindsay Dworkin, SVP of Policy and Government Affairs atHMH, shares insights on adapting edtech strategy amidst policy changes

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Chuck Cohn is the Founder, Chairman & CEO of Nerdy (parent company of Varsity Tutors). Chuck founded the company in 2007 during his junior year of college after experiencing frustration finding the personalized help he needed for a calculus course. He spent his early career working in energy & power investment banking at Wells Fargo Securities (Wachovia) and healthcare private equity at Ascension Ventures, an $800M AUM private equity fund. Chuck bootstrapped Nerdy before leaving his private equity role to focus on growing Nerdy full-time at the end of 2011.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Varsity Tutors scaled from a startup to a public company and the evolving business model for reaching individual and institutional customers.
The critical role of “high-dosage tutoring” in overcoming learning loss and why regular, personalized sessions outperform on-demand solutions.
How AI tools are enhancing personalized education by creating adaptive lesson plans and optimizing tutor-student matching.
The challenges and strategies in transitioning from direct-to-consumer to B2B in the K-12 education sector.
The future of AI in tutoring, including real-time translation and adaptive content, and how it’s reshaping the role of human tutors.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:07] Chuck’s founding story of Nerdy and his vision for accessible tutoring
[00:05:20] Scaling Varsity Tutors from individual tutoring to institutional partnerships.
[00:07:27] Early entrepreneurial lessons from bootstrapping and finance
[00:13:17] Ensuring quality through effective tutor-student matching.
[00:16:45] Why high-dosage, relationship-based tutoring drives better outcomes
[00:24:10] Balancing logistics with personalization in tutoring.
[00:30:46] Chuck’s outlook on sustainable tutoring post-ESSER funding
[00:35:00] How AI enhances personalization and tutor matching at Varsity Tutors
[00:41:03] Consistent tutoring's impact on improving school attendance
[00:50:06] The promise of real-time language translation for ELL students.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Mark Miller is the founder and Managing Director of Good Harbor Partners (GHP), a boutique M&A advisory firm specializing in the education technology and publishing sectors. With over 20 years of experience as an edtech entrepreneur and advisor, Miller has a proven track record in guiding Pre-K-12, Higher Education, and Workforce clients through strategic growth, fundraising, and successful exits. A co-founder of LearnLaunch and a dedicated member of Cornell’s Entrepreneurship Advisory Board, Miller is widely respected for his contributions to the edtech ecosystem and frequently shares his insights as a speaker at industry events.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How to decide when to stay and grow or pursue an acquisition.
The importance of a clear capital strategy in today’s funding landscape.
Key factors edtech entrepreneurs should consider at major inflection points.
How AI developments are influencing the edtech M&A landscape.
Challenges in securing sustainable funding for K-12 and higher ed amid economic uncertainties.

✨ **Episode Highlights

[00:03:13] From Cornell to edtech, winning a business plan competition to building companies
[00:10:18] Creating 'Take Note' as an early publishing venture at Cornell
[00:19:51] Transition to M&A, guiding entrepreneurs on growth and exit decisions
[00:26:19] Profitability and sustainability as essentials in today’s edtech
[00:32:17] Common pitfalls in capital strategy and valuation for startups
[00:47:27] AI and M&A, how big edtech views acquisitions in the AI market
[01:03:10]** Key resources from top thinkers in edtech policy and strategy

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Libby Hills co-leads the Jacobs Foundation’s global EdTech investment portfolio, focusing on the intersection of technology, research, and education. With over 15 years in education, including roles in teaching, tech leadership, and charity boards, she also co-hosts the Ed-Technicalpodcast. Libby holds degrees in Education and Social Business from Oxford and LSE.

Owen Henkel is an AI in Education researcher at the University of Oxford, specializing in natural language processing for foundational literacy and numeracy. He leads the R&D team for Rori, a chatbot for personalized math tutoring on low-cost mobile phones, and co-hosts Ed-Technicalwith Libby. Owen has a dual MBA/MA from the University of Michigan and is completing his Ph.D. at Oxford.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The future of AI-powered tutoring and its potential impact.
Key components that make tutoring effective.
Jacobs Foundation’s approach to cost-effective hybrid AI-human models.
Current limitations of AI in understanding student learning.
New UK government initiatives supporting AI in education.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:00:22] Generative AI’s limitations in understanding student learning.
[00:00:57] Carnegie Mellon’s AI-human hybrid tutoring model.
[00:04:37] Four pillars of effective high-dosage tutoring.
[00:08:17] History and evolution of intelligent tutoring systems (ITS).
[00:11:26] Rori, a math tutoring chatbot for underserved regions.
[00:17:18] Hybrid models reducing tutoring costs and training needs.
[00:24:42] AI modeling new thinking processes for students.
[00:26:35] UK government-backed AI content hubs and resources.
[00:31:32] Raising minimum quality standards in education with AI.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the political and technological currents reshaping education, from college ROI and student loans to AI’s expanding role in higher ed.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:04:28] 🗳️ Election’s Impact on Education Policy
[00:12:11] 🎓 Debating the Value of College Amid Rising Costs
[00:15:12] 📉 Freshman Enrollment Sees Largest Drop Since Pandemic
[00:18:02] 🛠️ SchooLinks Raises $80M to Expand Career Pathways
[00:27:01] 🤖 Half of Higher Ed Adopting AI Tools for Outcomes
[00:37:05] 🕹️ AI Chatbot Linked to Teen Suicide Raises Alarms
[00:45:18] 🌍 Meta Orion & Apple Vision Pro Bring XR Back to Spotlight
[00:48:46] 📊 Anthropic’s AI Now Performs Autonomous Computer Tasks

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Roosh X is an investment arm of Roosh Investment Group.
Nathan Maynard is the CEO and Founder of HighFive, a company using mobile technology to foster connected school communities and reduce recidivism for negative classroom behaviors. With over 11 years of experience as a youth worker, teacher, and school administrator, Nathan co-authored the best-selling book "Hacking School Discipline," and is a global thought leader in reimagining discipline practices in education.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Highfive uses technology and empathy to reshape school discipline.
The importance of creating a sense of belonging to reduce negative behaviors.
Nathan's journey from youth worker to edtech entrepreneur and thought leader.
The impact of AI on real-time behavioral interventions in schools.
How Highfive is expanding its reach across the U.S. with new partnerships and funding.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:46] Introduction to Nathan Maynard and Highfive’s mission to transform school discipline.
[00:03:34] Building connected school communities to reduce negative behaviors.
[00:05:43] How real-time technology supports teachers in managing discipline
[00:08:13] From "Hacking School Discipline" to scaling Highfive’s impact
[00:21:26] Using AI to address systemic bias and improve behavioral insights
[00:24:34] Highfive’s expansion strategy across key U.S. states.
[00:27:55] Partnership with Roosh X to support growth and mental health initiatives.
[00:34:22] Promoting positive behavior with Highfive's virtual "high fives" system.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest in education technology, AI developments, and key edtech funding moves.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:53] 🗽 Recap of New York EdTech Week, highlighting key themes and vibrant energy from the event.
[00:04:37] 📈 Discussion on the rise of micro companies, with lower barriers leading to a surge in niche startups.
[00:12:36] 🤝Convergence between philanthropy and EdTech, focusing on how partnerships can drive sustainable models.
[00:17:28] 💰 PhysicsWallah's $400-500 million IPO plans could reshape EdTech, positioning it to overtake Byju's as India's leader.
[00:21:22] 🤖 Controversial use of AI in Nevada to reclassify at-risk students, sparking debates on resource allocation.
[00:22:07] ⚖️ Broader implications of AI in decision-making, raising questions about existing policies and resource management.

**Plus special guest:

[00:25:12] 🎙️ Shauntel Garvey, Co-Founder and General Partner atReach Capital😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!**

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Brian Shaw is the CEO of Discovery Education, a global leader in educational technology that reaches over 45 million students and 4.5 million educators across 100+ countries. With a background in finance and corporate strategy from his roles at Red Ventures and Time Warner Cable, Brian has extensive experience in M&A and business integration. At Discovery Education, he drives innovation through acquisitions and partnerships, delivering impactful digital learning solutions.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Discovery Education builds lasting school partnerships
AI-powered tools transforming assessments for teachers
Career Connect bridging classrooms and real-world careers
The role of acquisitions in driving innovation and growth
Adapting to budget shifts and consolidation in EdTech

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:13] Brian Shaw explains Discovery’s mission to drive learning outcomes
[00:03:47] Discussion on interoperability with school systems
[00:05:25] EdTech consolidation and how Discovery stays ahead
[00:08:59] AI assessment generator making custom assessments easy
[00:11:25] Career Connect helping students explore careers early
[00:15:01] Identifying the right companies to acquire
[00:19:35] The importance of communication after acquisitions
[00:23:02] Advice for startups building relationships with Discovery

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Auditi Chakravarty is CEO of AERDF (the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund). AERDF applies Advanced Inclusive R&D to find potentially transformative teaching and learning solutions that can scale, centering on the assets, strengths, and needs of Black and Latino learners and all learners experiencing poverty. Auditi also chairs the Board of Bottom Line, a national college access and success organization, and is a venture partner with LearnLaunch Accelerator. A former high school English teacher, Auditi holds a BA in English and M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How AERDF models inclusive research by engaging students, educators, and researchers throughout the design process.
Why centering Black, Latino, and low-income learners in R&D creates solutions that benefit all students.
How AERDF’s three programs—EF+Math, Reading Reimagined, and Assessment for Good—are driving impact in education.
The challenges of breaking silos between research, practice, and product development in education.
The potential of AI to accelerate equity in education—and why it’s crucial to align it with evidence-based practices.

✨ **Episode Highlights:

[00:01:51] Introduction to AERDF’s mission inspired by DARPA’s innovation model
[00:03:58] Centering Black, Latino, and low-income learners in R&D for solutions that benefit all students
[00:09:45] Building cross-sector collaboration to bridge gaps between research and practice
[00:22:22] Teachers feel ownership when involved in the co-design process
[00:30:25] Why edtech solutions must align with evidence to serve underserved communities effectively
[00:46:53] Creating an ecosystem of funders to support risk-taking and innovation in education
[00:48:31]** AI as an accelerant for good or bad, depending on how it is used and supported by evidence

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Stephen Jull was the COO/CFO and co-founder of GeoGebra GmbH (acquired by BYJU’S in 2021), and a limited partner at Emerge Education. With a PhD from Cambridge and over two decades of experience in EdTech, Stephen has led transformative projects in mathematics, STEM education, and AI-driven learning at a global scale. He is also the former interim CEO of Epic! and a dedicated advisor to high-growth EdTech startups.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How AI, human tutors, and learning communities can reshape the outdated education system.
The role of technology in addressing teacher shortages, especially in STEM fields.
Insights on creating inclusive AI to support neurodiverse learners.
Key takeaways from Stephen’s experience building GeoGebra into a global education powerhouse.
How emerging technologies like AI are set to revolutionize global education systems.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:00:22] Stephen Jull on the need for personalized learning to update outdated education systems.
[00:03:31] Stephen’s journey from teaching in remote Canada to founding GeoGebra.
[00:06:54] Lessons from GeoGebra's growth and advice for EdTech founders
[00:11:10] Insights into BYJU'S acquisition and its impact on global EdTech
[00:12:50] AI, human tutors, and learning communities transforming education
[00:15:32] The importance of inclusive AI for neurodiverse learners.
[00:21:26] Global leaders and regions driving AI innovation in education.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Katie Kurtz is Managing Director and Global Head of Youth and Learning at YouTube where she is responsible for developing the ecosystem to engage, inform, and educate kids, teens, and adults. Katie joined YouTube in 2019 after serving as Chief Product Officer at Noodle Partners, an online program manager designing and building fully online degree programs for universities. Previously she was Senior Vice President and National Sales Manager for Higher Education at Cengage Learning. Prior to that Katie was Vice President of Business Development at adaptive learning pioneer Knewton, where she led the platform's partnership strategy for three years.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How YouTube has become one of the largest learning platforms globally.
The new educational features on YouTube, including quizzes, key concepts, and AI conversational tutors.
Insights into YouTube’s Study Hall program, allowing students to earn college credits.
The delicate balance between entertainment and education that creators must maintain.
The future of AI and machine learning in shaping YouTube’s educational experiences.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:32] Katie Kurtz discusses her career path from Knewton to YouTube
[00:05:29] The rise of YouTube as one of the largest global learning platforms
[00:06:29] New educational tools on YouTube, including quizzes and AI-driven tutors.
[00:10:16] Study Hall: YouTube’s program helping students earn college credits.[00:18:06] YouTube’s “Player for Education” and its benefits for teachers and classrooms.
[00:21:31] The role of AI in transforming education on YouTube.
[00:24:02] Katie reflects on YouTube's responsibility as a leading educational platform.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest in education technology, AI developments, and key edtech funding moves.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:05:12] 👩‍🏫 OpenAI raises $6.5B and launches OpenAI Academy
[00:09:05] 📚 Google’s $120M AI Education Fund and NotebookLM tools
[00:15:03] 🦜 Duolingo’s AI strategy and record stock prices
[00:22:05] 📉 Udemy lays off hundreds and shifts to lower-cost regions
[00:25:40] 💰 Prof Jim raises $1.5M to expand AI-generated video content
[00:29:13] 🤖 AI-generated celebrity videos teaching math and science
[00:37:16] 💼 David Banks resigns as NYC Schools Chancellor
[00:45:11] 💸 TEAMology raises $1.2M for mental health; Hello Wonder raises $2.1M for safe browsing

Plus special guest:
[00:52:00] 🎙️ Jason Palmer, Former Democratic Presidential Candidate & Co-Founder of TOGETHER!, on education reform, AI, and the future of learning.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Oliver Page is the Co-founder & CEO at CyberNut. Starting his journey as a teenage founder of NutKase Accessories, Oliver scaled the business to 60 countries before transitioning to cybersecurity. Now, with CyberNut, he focuses on providing schools with gamified, easy-to-use cybersecurity training. He is also an Angel Investor, and Startup Advisor.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why schools are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks.
The real cost of ransomware attacks on schools.
How phishing emails are exploiting vulnerabilities in education.
Key strategies for implementing cybersecurity training in schools.
The role of AI in the future of school cybersecurity.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] Introduction and Oliver Page’s journey from EdTech to Cybersecurity
[00:02:45] Shocking statistics: phishing and ransomware attacks in schools
[00:07:12] Why traditional cybersecurity solutions aren’t working for schools
[00:10:50] How CyberNut’s training helps schools avoid cyberattacks
[00:16:20] The role of AI and evolving cyber threats
[00:20:00] What makes an effective cybersecurity solution for schools
[00:27:30] Best practices for protecting schools from ransomware
[00:33:15] How phishing training can improve school cybersecurity
[00:39:00] The future of personalized cybersecurity training in education

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Tal Havivi is the Managing Director of R&D at ASCD + ISTE, focusing on initiatives to improve the health and effectiveness of the EdTech market. He leads research around high-quality EdTech design, programs focused on improving evaluation processes in school systems, and supports EdTech providers. Previously, he led Education Strategy at Amazon Business focused on improving education procurement. He also has experience working at edtech startups and in K-12 administration.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How the role of evidence in EdTech has evolved over the last decade and why it’s more critical than ever.
The importance of teacher usability in EdTech tools and how it impacts learning outcomes.
What ISTE and ASCD’s initiatives are doing to create a more rigorous evaluation framework for EdTech products.
The five quality indicators used to assess EdTech solutions: Usability, Interoperability, Accessibility, Data Privacy, and Research Basis.
How EdTech providers can bridge the gap between research and practical application in schools.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] Introduction to Tal Havivi and his role at ASCD & ISTE.
[00:02:59] The coalition behind EdTech’s five quality indicators.
[00:05:41] How evidence-based EdTech has evolved post-pandemic
[00:09:11] Why teacher usability is crucial for EdTech success.
[00:15:55] ISTE’s 2025 plan to prioritize validated EdTech vendors.
[00:19:37] Challenges in bridging research and practical EdTech solutions.
[00:29:38] The future of EdTech evaluation and quality standards.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from AI breakthroughs to new VC investments and edtech reports.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:16] 🧠 OpenAI’s New Reasoning Model - ChatGPT o1 (Strawberry)
[00:07:20] 📚 AI's Role in Education - Practical Use Cases
[00:14:03] 👩‍💻 Common Sense Media Report on AI Use Among Teens: 70% of teens are using generative AI, with disparities in how different demographics use the technology
[00:17:42] 🏫 Schooling in America Report - Declining Parent Trust: 64% of parents believe K-12 education is heading in the wrong direction, driven by safety concerns and tech gaps
[00:24:51] 💡 Owl Ventures leads a $6.9M investment in Brisk Teaching
[00:33:40] 📈 AI Optimism in Schools - Clever Report: Teachers' concerns about AI making their jobs harder drop from 48% to 18% in the last year.
[00:37:15] 💸 AllHere Files for Bankruptcy

Plus special guests:

[00:41:22] 🎙️ Abby Coyle and Katie Gracey, Co-founders of ClassBankdiscuss how ClassBank teaches financial literacy through a digital school currency system and their recent $1M pre-seed funding.

📢 ClassBank is Hiring! They're looking for a School Partnerships Lead to help expand their impact in classrooms across the country. Check out the role here.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Jennifer Holland is the Director of Program Management at Google for Education. With over 17 years at Google, she has been a pivotal figure in the development of Google for Education and Google Classroom. Jennifer has played a key role in shaping the tools that have transformed teaching and learning in K-12 and higher education.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The history and inspiration behind Google Classroom and its early adoption in schools.
How Google Classroom helped streamline teachers' workflows and reduce time spent on administrative tasks.
The evolution of Google for Education, including the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and shifts in the education landscape.
How AI is driving new innovations in Google Classroom, helping to elevate teachers' roles while personalizing learning.
The global impact of Google Classroom and how the team integrates feedback from teachers around the world to continually improve the platform.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] Jennifer Holland on Google’s mission: "more teaching, less teching."
[00:02:28] The inspiration behind Google Classroom’s development.
[00:03:50] A second-grade class inspired Classroom’s early design.
[00:08:45] Google's strong support for education fueled Classroom’s creation.
[00:11:35] AI’s role in enhancing personalized learning in Classroom.
[00:17:14] Classroom’s global reach and adaptation for low-connectivity areas.
[00:21:04] Jennifer reflects on 10 years of Classroom and its evolution through COVID-19.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a text

ThinkHumanTV delivers evidence-based emotional skills training and assessment by integrating with major streaming sites like Netflix and Disney+. The platform employs a research-based training methodology and curricula developed by our founding team of Columbia cognitive scientists. The methodology involves explicitly teaching emotion science principles in a systematic manner and illustrating these concepts by leveraging popular media.

ThinkHumanTV is one of the winners of the 2024 Tools Competition.Ilya Lyashevsky, Co-founder and CEO of Affectifi, which created ThinkHumanTV. Faculty member at Columbia Teachers College with a background in cognitive science and social-emotional learning.

Melissa Cesarano, Co-founder and President of of Affectifi Inc (ThinkHumanTV), cognitive scientist, and professor at Columbia University. Expert in coaching and consulting for students and media companies.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How ThinkHumanTV uses Netflix and Disney+ to teach emotional intelligence.
The science behind emotion-based learning and cognitive appraisal.
The importance of reflection in building emotional competence.
The vision for achieving universal emotional literacy using AI.
Insights into the National Science Foundation-funded research behind ThinkHumanTV.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:30] Introduction to ThinkHumanTV and its impact in the edtech space.
[00:07:50] The experience of learning emotional intelligence while watching streaming content.
[00:14:00] How emotion science improves social-emotional competence in older learners.
[00:19:27] Sneak peek into ThinkHumanTV’s future mobile and second-screen experience.
[00:14:46] Winning the Tools Competition and its impact on ThinkHumanTV’s growth.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Jomayra Herrera is a Partner at Reach Capital, where she leads investments in companies like Guild Education and Handshake. She is passionate about diversity in venture capital, serving on the board of SomosVC to promote Latino representation.

Lyman Missimer is the former Head of M&A and Partnerships at Newsela, where he led key acquisitions, including Formative. Now at Owl Ventures, Lyman focuses on corporate development and strategic investments in EdTech.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The biggest EdTech challenges and opportunities driving investments and acquisitions.
How AI is transforming education and what it means for schools and EdTech companies.
Strategic choices between building, buying, or partnering in today’s market.
The increasing importance of non-academic outcomes like mental health tools in K-12.
Why trust and relationships are crucial for successful exits in EdTech.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:56] EdTech investment trends focus on solving labor shortages and mental health.
[00:07:10] M&A driven by data consolidation, build, buy, or partner decisions.
[00:14:46] Trust and relationships are key in successful M&A.
[00:17:00] Go-to-market approaches differ for various EdTech tools.
[00:20:25] AI is a tool; strong models and data ensure success.
[00:22:39] AI adoption in education needs proper educator training.

🎉 Special Event: StartEd’s EDTECH WEEK 2024!

Don’t miss the #1 EdTech event in NYC, celebrating its 10th anniversary from October 8-10, 2024! With 200+ speakers, exclusive networking, and discussions on the latest in EdTech, it's a must-attend.

Tickets are selling fast—register at https://bit.ly/edtechweek-register and use promo code INSIDERS2024 for 20% off your general registration ticket to join us in NYC!

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Join Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell, as they explore the most critical developments in the world of education technology this week!

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:25] 💰 OpenAI in Talks for $100B Valuation, 200M Weekly Active Users, Considers Higher-Priced Subscriptions
[00:15:18] 🖼 Google launches Gems and Imagen 3
[00:18:53] 🐝 Anthropic CEO predicts hive-mind AI, partners with Amazon for Alexa revamp; Claude for Enterprise: 500K context window, GitHub integration, and enterprise-grade security
[00:35:04] 🎓 PhysicsWallah’s ‘Alakh AI’ making education accessible in India, expands 4x in UAE
[00:38:50] 📚 AI could revolutionize dyslexia intervention and drive educational gains
[00:43:42] 🎓 Yale announces $150M for leadership in AI
[00:46:36] 💻 U.S. Higher Ed Faculty increasingly reliant on digital course materials

Plus special guest:
[00:52:34] 🎙️ Kumar Garg, President at Renaissance Philanthropy

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Join Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell, as they explore the most critical developments in the world of education technology this week:

🎯 Rumors about OpenAI's "Project Strawberry"
📰 ChatGPT now includes Wired, Vogue, and The New Yorker
🤝 New AI fund by GitLab Foundation, Ballmer Group, and OpenAI
🔊 Google launches Gemini Live to rival ChatGPT
👨‍🏫 Sal Khan says teachers matter more than tech at EduTECH 2024
🤖 California partners with NVIDIA to enhance AI education
⚠️ MIT releases a comprehensive AI risk database
📉 Softbank-backed Paper cuts 45% of head office jobs
🚀 Go1 CEO change and IPO plans ahead

Plus special guests:

Dr. Steve Ritter, Founder and Chief Scientist at Carnegie Learning
Christopher Kahler, Co-founder and CEO at Kinnu

Stay updated with the latest Edtech news and innovations. Subscribe to Edtech Insiders podcast, newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn!

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Dr. Paul J. LeBlanc is the Board Chair for Human Systems, a new AI and Education company he co-founded with noted researcher George Siemens.

Until June 2024, he served as President of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). He remains at SNHU as a researcher, writer, and advisor. Under the 20 years of Paul’s direction, SNHU has more grown from 2800 students to over 250,000 and is the largest non-profit provider of online higher education in the country, and the first to have a full competency-based degree program untethered to the credit hour or classes approved by a regional accreditor and the US Department of Education.

Paul is considered one of America’s most innovative educators. In 2012, the university was #12 on Fast Company magazine’s “World’s Fifty Most Innovative Companies” list and was the only university included. Forbes Magazine has listed him as one of its 15 “Classroom

Revolutionaries” and Washington Monthly named him one of America’s ten most innovative university presidents. He was named 2022 Citizen of the Year in his home city of Manchester, NH.

In 2018, Paul won the prestigious IAA Institute Hesburgh Award for Leadership Excellence in Higher Education, joining some of the most respected university and college presidents in American higher education. He is a frequently requested speaker internationally and often quoted in the media. He is the author of Students First: Equity, Access, and Opportunity in Higher Education (2021), winner of the 2022 Phillip E. Frandson Award for Literature, and Broken: How are Social Systems Are Failing Us and How We Can Fix Them (2022).

He served as Senior Policy Advisor to Under Secretary Ted Mitchell at the US Department of Education, working on competency-based education, new accreditation pathways, and innovation. He also served on the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s Board on Higher Education and Workforce, the AGB President’s Council, the NEASC (now NECHE) Commission, and the Board of the American Council on Education, which he chaired, as well as various corporate boards and advisory committees.

Paul will step down from his current role on June 30th to lead Human Systems, a new AI and Education start up co-founded with George Siemens and funded by SNHU.

Paul’s family immigrated for an impoverished rural farming community in Canada, settled in the Boston area; the youngest of five, he was the first in his extended family to graduate from college. His wife Pat is an attorney, now retired, and they have two daughters. Emma is a Rhodes Scholar with a D.Phil from Oxford and will soon graduate from Yale Law School. Hannah has a PhD from Stanford and is a History teacher at the Francis Parker School in San Diego. Paul is a passionate traveler, having visited over 65 countries and all 7 continents, rides motorcycles (too fast), reads a lot (too slow), and is most excited about becoming a first-time grandfather in June.

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a Text Message.

Join Alex Sarlin and guest host, Matt Tower, as they explore the most critical developments in the world of education technology this week:

🧠 OpenAI's ChatGPT 5 is Coming
🚪 High-Level Departures at OpenAI
🚫 AI Detection Technology Still Unreleased
🦙 Meta Launches LLAMA 3 and AI Studio
🤝 Google Hires Character.AI Co-founders
🎓 Community Colleges Band Together on AI Education
🔗 Instructure Canvas Integrates AI Across Platform
👩‍🏫 Heeyo's AI Chatbot Aims to Be Kids' Interactive Tutor
🍐 Pear Deck’s New Instant AI-Generated Lessons
🛠️ Pluralsight’s AI Assistant Iris
🌍 Neuberger Berman Nears $15B Deal for Nord Anglia Education
🚀 Uplimit Announces $11M Series A Led by Salesforce Ventures
🗣️ Fluently’s AI-Powered English Coach Secures $2M Seed Round

Upcoming Event:

📚 Book Club with FOHE: Discussion on Sal Khan’s new book Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That’s a Good Thing)Stay updated with the latest Edtech news and innovations. Subscribe to Edtech Insiders podcast, newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn!

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

None

Send us a Text Message.

Prashant Raizada is a serial entrepreneur deeply committed to changing the status quo in education, future of work & sustainability. He was part of the founding team of Infosys BPM, playing a key role towards a $2B exit. Later, he built EnglishUp as Brazil's 3rd largest but most loved online English learning platform as a flagship corporate venture of Macmillan-Holtzbrinck group. Leveraging his tenure at McKinsey & Co, Prashant has advised multinational corporations globally on digital transformation. He has spent the last 14 years building businesses in Ed-tech across Asia, LATAM, Europe and the US and co-founded his latest initiative Lumi.Network along with his son Nikhil and with Prof Shen at Stanford University. It is an AI-augmented platform empowering 10-25-year-olds to shape their future by building AI, Entrepreneurship & Innovation skills to confront global challenges. Prashant is a practicing monk and uses meditation to enhance the quality of his leadership and life.

Recommended Resources:
🔗 LinkedIn 🎧 In YOUth We Trustpodcast hosted by Prashant Raizada

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a Text Message.

Andrew Goldman joined HMH in 2024 when HMH acquired Writable, where he, as Co-Founder and CEO, oversaw business and product strategy. Andrew joined HMH as the EVP of HMH Labs, a newly formed division that pursues innovative product development through a highly cross-functional team structure. Previously, he was the Founder and CEO of Subtext, Inc., a collaborative learning company that was acquired by Renaissance Learning. Before entering the EdTech industry, Andrew was the CEO and Co-Founder of Pandemic Studios, a leading game development studio that was ultimately acquired by Electronic Arts. Andrew received his BA in Political Science from Brown and earned his Master’s in Human-Computer Interaction from NYU. Andrew was a member of the U.S. Olympic sailing team in 1988.

Recommended Resources:📚 Edtech:The AI Educatorby Dan Fitzpatrick, Ethan Mollick🎧 Podcast:Founders 🚀 Venture: 20VC

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a Text Message.

Join Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell, as they explore the most critical developments in the world of education technology this week:

🌐 Microsoft’s investigation into service outages following CrowdStrike chaos
🤖 What to expect from OpenAI's upcoming GPT-5 release
💼 Instructure's $4.8 billion acquisition by KKR
💸 2U's strategic moves amidst bankruptcy and what it means for the industry
📊 NWEA's latest research on COVID academic recovery and its implications
📉 The future of school enrollment trends and their impact on education
📝 Changes to the ACT exam and what it means for students

Plus special guest, 2024 Tools Competition Winner: Tyto Online by Lindsey Tropf, Founder & CEO of Immersed Games

Upcoming Event:

📚 Book Club with FOHE: Discussion on Sal Khan’s new book Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That’s a Good Thing)Stay updated with the latest Edtech news and innovations. Subscribe to Edtech Insiders podcast, newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn!

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

None

Send us a Text Message.

Kevin Leem is the CFO of Mathpresso, operator of the globally recognized AI-powered learning platform, QANDA, which serves over 90 million users. QANDA provides AI tutors that offer personalized support to students anytime, anywhere, enhancing their learning experiences. The platform also equips teachers with AI teaching assistants to improve teaching efficacy and student tracking. Driven by the belief that personalized, high-quality 1:1 tutoring is the most effective form of education, Mathpresso is dedicated to making such experiences universally accessible through technology.

Kevin brings strategic and operational expertise from his roles at Morgan Stanley Private Equity and Credit Suisse, backed by a strong foundation in Finance and Accounting from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is deeply passionate about using technology to overcome educational inequalities, aiming to ensure that all students have access to top-tier educational resources, irrespective of their financial or geographical circumstances.

Recommended Resources:📰 GSV: AI & Education by Claire Zau

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a Text Message.

Joe Connor is the CEO & Founder of Odyssey, a company that partners with state agencies to administer school choice programs. Odyssey currently serves over 140,000 students by helping them access more than $400 million in state funding for education. Joe started his career as a teacher and school leader at the KIPP and Rocketship Education school networks. After working in schools for several years, Joe attended law school where he focused his research on private school choice and education policy. Joe practiced litigation while advocating for education choice, including working on Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, a landmark school choice case. Joe previously founded SchoolHouse, a private school network before founding Odyssey. He has also worked as legal counsel for Match Education, AltSchool, the Notre Dame Ace Academies, and Primer. Recommended Resources:
💰 Odyssey resources on ESAs
🌐 Edchoice.org

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a Text Message.

Join Alex Sarlin and guest host, Claire Zau, Partner at GSV Ventures, as they explore the most critical developments in the world of education technology this week

🎙️ Andrej Karpathy’s New Venture: AI assistants for education
🚀 Meta’s Largest Llama 3 Model Launch
🔍 Anthropic’s Push for Third-Party AI Evaluations
🍓 OpenAI’s new AI model under code name 'Strawberry'
💸 AI Investment Bubble: Navigating a $600B market shift
📉 LAUSD's $6M AI Chatbot Controversy
🤖 $2.3M Contract between the New Hampshire Department of Education and Khan Academy
📘 U.S. ED Issues Guidance for AI Edtech Developers
📊 Quizlet’s AI Survey: Higher education leads AI adoption
📈 Tyton Partners Report on Digital Learning Tools
🏫 KKR emerges as front-runner for Instructure Buyout
🎓 Salesforce AI Tools for HigherEd
💡 $20M Opportunity@Work Grant from MacKenzie Scott

Plus special guests, Chris Hess, Director of AI Product Management at Pearson and Mark Naufel, Founder/CEO of Axio AI **Upcoming Events:

📺 Live Webinar: Solving EdTEch Problems with a UX Mindset** with Nicole Gallardo, Founder at Founders Who UX and Alex Sarlin (Thursday, August 1, 2024, 1-2pm ET / 10-11am PT)

📚 Book Club with FOHE: Discussion on Sal Khan’s new book Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That’s a Good Thing)

Stay updated with the latest Edtech news and innovations. Subscribe to Edtech Insiders podcast, newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn!

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

None

Send us a Text Message.

Scott Kirkpatrick is CEO of BrainPOP, a leading brand in the U.S. edtech supplemental market whose learning solutions are beloved, trusted, and grounded in research and the science of learning. During his tenure, BrainPOP was acquired by KIRKBI A/S, the family-owned holding and investment company of the LEGO® brand. Scott joined BrainPOP from General Assembly, where he served as president and chief operating officer. Under his leadership, General Assembly experienced exponential growth and was subsequently acquired by The Adecco Group, the largest human capital company in the world. Prior to GA, Scott served as president of The Princeton Review and successfully facilitated its acquisition by IAC. He also served as executive vice president of strategy and marketing and president of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s technology division, Riverdeep. Prior to Houghton Mifflin, he was a strategy consultant at The Parthenon Group and The Callidon Group (now Oliver Wyman). Scott holds a BS in economics & management from the United States Coast Guard Academy. After graduation, he served as an officer in the Coast Guard as a ship navigator, financial analyst, and an aide to former U.S. President Bill Clinton. After his military career, he went on to earn an MBA from The MIT Sloan School of Management.

Recommended Resources:
📑 PISA Study 🧑‍💻 BrainPOP Blog

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a Text Message.

As Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS at PBS, Sara DeWitt is responsible for the strategic direction of a dynamic media service that supports the entire ecosystem in which children learn, including parents, teachers and the community.

Ms. DeWitt leads a cross-disciplinary team charged with content production, digital development, multi-platform asset distribution, educational product creation and marketing and communications for PBS KIDS, the #1 children's educational media brand.

DeWitt previously served as Vice President of PBS KIDS Digital, leading innovative strategies that built educational experiences for kids across media platforms. Having spent over 20 years in public media, she has played an integral role in the digital transformation of PBS KIDS. DeWitt has overseen the pbskids.org website, PBS KIDS streaming video services, and the PBS KIDS portfolio of educational apps for children and caregivers.

Under her leadership, PBS KIDS has produced award-winning games and apps, AR experiences, podcasts and second screen technologies; developed a learning analytics platform to better understand children's learning gains through gameplay; and established itself as a gold standard in children’s digital privacy and security.

DeWitt is a regular speaker on the subjects of digital privacy, games and learning, and has authored academic papers and editorials on children’s media and its educational impact. She gave a widely shared TED Talk debunking myths about screen time, and has presented at high-profile conferences such as SXSW, Games for Change, CES, the Grace Hopper Celebration and the Atlantic Education Summit. Through speaking engagements and panels, she has lent her voice to important conversations about career and family, and inspiring young girls to aim for careers in the sciences. In 2014, she was named one of the top 42 Women Leading in Education by the USC Rossier School of Education, and she also was recognized with Cynopsis Media’s Top Women in Digital Award in 2016 and 2017. Most recently, DeWitt was honored with the 2020 Hedy Lamarr Award for Innovation in Entertainment Technology.

Prior to joining PBS, DeWitt worked as a preschool teacher and as a field researcher studying media habits of children in rural areas. DeWitt holds an MA and a BA in English from Stanford University, as well as a certificate from the university’s Children Society and Public Policy Curriculum.

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a Text Message.

Join Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the most critical developments in the world of education technology this week:

📈 Nvidia's stock buybacks expected and rumors on a French anti-trust suit
🔍 Instructure Acquires Scribbles acquisition impact
🤖 Apple joins OpenAI board
📰 TIME and OpenAI content collaboration
📊 LAUSD and AllHere whistleblower reports
🏛️ SCOTUS ruling impacts US Dept of Education
📋 TPS and regulatory updates from Phil Hill

Stay updated with the latest Edtech news and innovations. Subscribe to Edtech Insiders podcast, newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn!

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a Text Message.

In this episode, Steve Daly, CEO of Instructure, discusses the major announcements from InstructureCon 2024, including new developments in Canvas and other products, the integration of AI features like discussion summaries, multilingual support, and smart search, and Instructure’s plans to support lifelong learners through partnerships with Parchment and Scribbles, enhancing student mobility and demonstrating competencies with rich credentials.

Highlights:📢 Major new developments in Canvas and Instructure products
🤖 AI features: discussion summaries, multilingual support, and smart search
🎓 Supporting lifelong learners with Parchment and Scribbles
🚀 Enhancing student mobility and reducing friction in education
📜 Rich credentials to demonstrate competencies and skills

Stay updated with the latest Edtech news and innovations. Subscribe to Edtech Insiders podcast, newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn!

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a Text Message.

Dr. Ethan Mollick is an Associate Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he studies and teaches innovation and entrepreneurship, and also examines the effects of artificial intelligence on work and education. He is the Co-Director of the Generative AI Lab at Wharton. His academic papers have been published in top management journals and his research has been covered by CNN, The New York Times, and other leading publications. His newest book on AI, Co-Intelligence, is a NYT Bestseller.

Dr. Lilach Mollick is the Co-Director of the Generative AI Lab at Wharton. Her work focuses on the development of pedagogical strategies that include artificial intelligence and interactive methodologies. She has worked with Wharton to develop a wide range of educational tools and games used in classrooms worldwide. She has also written several papers on the uses of AI for teaching and training, and her work on AI has been discussed in publications including The New York Times and Vox. She advises companies and organizations on the advantages and risks of AI in teaching.

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a Text Message.

Join Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the most critical developments in the world of education technology this week:

🤑 Prosus Zeroes Out Its 9.6% Stake In BYJU’s
📊 New LearnPlatform by Instructure Report Finds Increases in More Unique Digital Tools Accessed by K-12 Institutions, Students, and Teachers
🏫 LAUSD/Allhere issues
💬 Speak raises $20M - US, Language Learning - Buckley Startup Fund, OpenAI Startup Fund, Khosla Ventures
🧠 MEandMine raises $4.5M - US, Mental Health - K5 Global
📉 Chegg cuts 23% of workforce, 441 employees

Plus special guests, Elyas Felfoul of WISE, Arijit Raychowdhury of Georgia Institute of Technology, and Lindsay Jones of CAST
Don’t forget to subscribe to Edtech Insiders for more updates and insights from the forefront of educational technology!

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a Text Message.

Rebecka Peterson, the 2023 National Teacher of the Year, is a math teacher who loves stories.

Rebecka has taught high school math classes ranging from intermediate algebra to Advanced Placement calculus, for 11 years at Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Amid a difficult first year of high school teaching, she found the “One Good Thing” blog. She credits daily posting there to helping her recognize the beautiful and positive experiences occurring in her classroom, which inspired her to stay in the profession. She has since contributed 1,400 posts to the blog. As Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, she has visited teachers across the state to highlight their important work through the Teachers of Oklahomacampaign.

As National Teacher of the Year, Rebecka plans to use her platform to highlight teachers’ stories of the good that’s happening in education. Teaching is a profession that affords creativity, autonomy and purpose, and Rebecka believes that highlighting the stories of joy happening in classrooms across the country will help encourage current teachers and attract new educators to the profession.

Rebecka is a proud immigrant of Swedish-Iranian descent and lived in several countries around the world as her parents traveled as medical missionaries. Her own experience with supportive teachers who celebrated her diversity and math abilities informs Rebecka’s efforts to create a supportive and accessible classroom for students. She values listening to students’ stories as a way to better understand them and elevate their voice.

Before joining the faculty at Union High School, Rebecka taught for three years at the collegiate level. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of South Dakota. She lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her husband, Brett, and son, Jonas, and she enjoys reading, crafting and playing board games.

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Send us a Text Message.

Joel Podolny is co-founder and CEO of Honor Education. Prior to starting Honor Education, Joel was a Vice President at Apple and the founding Dean of Apple University, where he reported directly to Steve Jobs and Tim Cook and oversaw learning in areas such as leadership, management, and company culture. Before that, Joel served as Dean and Professor of Management at the Yale School of Management. He previously held chaired professorships at Harvard Business School and the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Recommended Resources:
🗞️ Edtech Insiders 📰 Honor Education Newsroom 🖥️ Columbia University Online Learning

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Join Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the most critical developments in the world of education technology this week:

🎓 OpenAI introduces ChatGPT Edu for universities
🔍 Google AI Overviews visibility drops significantly
🌐 Google’s NotebookLM goes global with enhanced features
📱 Apple’s major announcements at WWDC 2024: Apple Intelligence, Siri makeover and more
💼 Bain Capital to acquire PowerSchool in a $5.6B deal
🇨🇳 Alibaba invests $27M in an AI-powered education start-up
📉 BlackRock slashes Byju’s valuation to zero
💡 Imagine Learning acquires AI-powered CueThink
🤝 University of Tennessee and ASU’s $11.5M collaboration
📊 Doowii secures $4.1M for AI-driven data analytics in education

Plus special guest, Paul Gollash, Senior Vice President of K-16 at ETS

Don’t forget to subscribe to Edtech Insiders for more updates and insights from the forefront of educational technology!

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Dr. Jeremy Roschelle, Executive Director of Learning Science Research at Digital Promise, conducts research on the future of learning with technology. Dr. Roschelle is Fellow of the International Society of the Learning Sciences, with >100 publications, 25,000 citations, and 10 patents. Dr. Roschelle serves as a subject matter expert on Artificial Intelligence to the U.S. Department of Education and on the Advisory Committee for Education at the National Science Foundation. He actively communicates to broad audiences about how findings and insights from research can shape the future of technology use in education.
Recommended Resources:
🔗 Dan Meyer 🔗 EDSAFE AI Alliance 🌐 TeachAI 🔗 Ethan Mollick
🌐 Stanford HAI

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for Education Entrepreneurs. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work just as hard as you do.

Mark Heaps is the Chief Technology Evangelist at Groq® where he leads a diverse team focused on innovative and creative AI solutions with demo applications enabled by the Groq LPU™ Inference Engine. Mark is a longtime technology evangelist who has worked with Adobe, Google, Apple, and others on various projects ranging from digital imaging to AI systems used in some of the most popular applications today. He is passionate about democratizing AI in service of advancing human agency and loves exploring how the next generation of technology end-users will interact with conversational AI. Mark is also a die-hard foodie obsessed with finding the world's best pizza – so far a hole-in-the-wall joint in Croatia (is there any other kind?) is in the lead.

Recommended Resources:
🌐 groq.com ☁️ GroqCloud 📑 groq.com/docs

Join Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the most critical developments in the world of education technology this week:

🚨 OpenAI announces a new safety board, strikes a $250M content deal with News Corp, and begins training its next flagship AI model
🚀 Anthropic unveils a new method to map large language models
💻 New AI-enhanced Chromebooks are launched for educators
🤝 Microsoft partners with Khan Academy to develop AI educational tools
📉 Guild Education lays off a quarter of its workforce
📊 An edtech firm seeks $515M in Abu Dhabi’s first 2024 IPO
💡 Praktika raises $35.5M for AI avatar language learning
📈 NCAA agrees to a $2.8B settlement for athletes over NIL rights

Don’t forget to subscribe to Edtech Insiders for more updates and insights from the forefront of educational technology!

Tory Patterson is the co-founder of Owl Ventures and is actively involved with all facets of the firm. As one of the early pioneers in the next generation of leading EdTech companies, Tory has led investments in some of the most successful companies in the sector. As a lead investor and board member he has played a hands-on role helping leading edtech companies across all facets of development including core definition and measurement of value proposition, sales & distribution, hiring, funding and eventual paths to successful exit.

Prior to Owl Ventures, Tory was a Partner at Catamount Ventures where he founded and ran one of the venture industry’s first education investment practices. Tory is a Pahara-Aspen Education Fellow and an Edmund Hilary Global Impact Fellow. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Williams College and an M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Recommended Resources:
🌐 owlvc.com ✉️ tory@owlvc.com

Shantanu Sinha is the VP and GM of Google for Education. In addition to bringing Google products like Workspace to schools, Shantanu and his team build educational products such as Google Classroom, which helps over 150 million students, teachers and education leaders across classrooms around the world, and new experiences such as Practice Sets and Read Along, that demonstrate the power of artificial intelligence for teaching and learning.

Before Google, Shantanu was the founding President and Chief Operating Officer at Khan Academy, where he teamed up with college roommate Sal Khan to build an organization that helped make personalized learning globally accessible and free. Shantanu is also a founding board member of Khan Lab School, where all three of his children attend school.

Shantanu has leveraged his strategy and operations expertise from his time at McKinsey & Company, along with his background in computer science, math, and brain cognitive sciences from MIT, to make an impact in an area he is most passionate about: education. Follow @ShantanuKSinha.

Recommended Resources:
📚 Google Keywordblog 🌐 Google for Educationwebsite 🔗 @Shantanu Sinhaon Linkedin,@ShantanuKSinhaon X

Join Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore pivotal topics in this Week in Edtech episode:

🔍 OpenAI's rumored new search engine to challenge Google
🤖 Key findings from Stanford University's 2024 report on AI advancements and challenges
🍎 Apple's development of AI chips and new AI features in the iPad Pro
🏆 Essential traits that define successful founders, according to Jennifer Carolan of Reach Capital
📚 Concerns on AI in Education

Plus special guests, Jason Levinof WGU Labs and Brian Ashton & Van Christman of BYU-Pathway Worldwide.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Edtech Insiders for more updates and insights from the forefront of educational technology!

Recommended Resources:Western Governors UniversityAccelerator Pitch Competition Winner ReleaseWGU Labs Social Impact Evaluation Framework

Today we’re talking to Kunal Dalal and Wes Kriesel, who are administrators of AI and Innovation at the Orange County, CA, Department of Education, where they support AI education and integration for 28 school districts in California.

Kunal Dalal merges education and AI, driving human-centered AI integration at the Orange County Department of Education. Educated at Oberlin, Harvard, and UC Berkeley, he's evolved from school principal to headphone entrepreneur to tech educator. Dalal's entrepreneurial and community efforts, alongside his AI-focused initiatives like "The A.I. Parent" book, AI Days, and "100 Conversations in 100 Days about AI," showcase his dedication to enriching education with AI, advocating for an empowered, collaborative learning community.

Wes Kriesel is an Administrator of AI and Innovation at Orange County Department of Education. In his work at OCDE, Wes built Orangejuice.ai, where he shares stories from around Orange County about AI in Education. In addition, Wes is the producer for “Squeeze the D.AI”, the Orangejuice.ai podcast that covers AI in public education. Three guiding values for Wes’ work are: inclusiveness, storytelling, and innovation. Wes enjoys photography, his dogs, his Jeep, and spending time with his wife – in reverse order of importance.

Recommended Resources:
📚 orangejuice.aiblog by Wes Kriesel 🤖 Ethan Mollick,Amanda Bickerstaff 📖 Klara and The Sunby Kazuo Ishiguro

Klara and the Sun: A novel

Join Alex Sarlin and guest host, Matthew Tower, Founder of etch.club as they explore pivotal topics in this Week in Edtech episode:

🌟 The TIME Edtech 100: Showcasing the leaders shaping the future of education
🧠 Microsoft's groundbreaking release of Phi-3, the smallest AI model to date
📱 The exciting new mobile app from Anthropic
💻 Penn Engineering's pioneering online Master’s Degree in AI - a first in the Ivy League
📉 The turbulent times at Chegg following their latest earnings report and leadership changes, alongside Coursera's financial updates

Plus special guest, Louisa Rosenheck, Director of Learning Design at Kahoot!

Don’t forget to subscribe to Edtech Insiders for more updates and insights from the forefront of educational technology!

Missed the live panel at SXSW EDU? Tune in to our special episode where Ben Kornell of Edtech Insiders hosts a compelling discussion with AI thought leaders Amanda Bickerstaff of AI for Education, Charles Foster, and Steve Shapiro from Finetune. Since ChatGPT's launch in November 2022, these trailblazers have been integrating generative AI into educational contexts, pioneering new approaches and solutions.

Revisit their insightful conversation on the innovative applications they're spearheading, and the exciting opportunities and significant challenges ahead for educational technology. This recorded session offers valuable perspectives for educators, tech enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the future intersection of AI and education. Don't miss out on these expert insights—perfect for those keen on understanding where education technology is headed next!

Danny King is the CEO and Co-Founder of Accredible, a global digital credentialing platform that serves certificates and badges on behalf of MIT, Harvard, Google, Skillsoft, IEEE, GMAC, McGraw Hill and over 1,000 others. He founded the company in 2012 with Alan Heppenstall, with the vision of becoming the world's first truly verifiable repository of human capital. Over the years he has built a high performing organization fueled by the belief that individuals should be evaluated holistically, and organizations should take advantage of every technology to better identify the most capable team members. Today, Accredible is building the world's backbone infrastructure for credentials, empowering individuals around the globe to choose educational and career pathways that maximize their expected return on investment in terms of time, money and satisfaction.

Recommended Resources
🌃 edtech after darkby Tony Wan 📚 Accredible Blog

Join us as we sit down with three high school seniors who are Research Assistants at the Stanford Deliberative Democracy Lab. They share their insights on the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its effect on youth today. In this episode, our guests discuss how AI is currently shaping their lives and education, their concerns and hopes for the future of AI, and their ideas for policies and tools to help young people navigate these changes.
Siya Verma of Quarry Lane School, focused on global public policy, technology policy, and economics.
Sophie Yang from Lynbrook High School, passionate about economics, public policy, and law.
Dev Krishnamoorthy from Saratoga High School, interested in computer science and political science.

Listen as Siya, Sophie, and Dev discuss how their work and academic interests inform their understanding of AI's role in shaping future policy and education frameworks!

Join Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore pivotal topics in this Week in Edtech episode:

👓 Meta's new VR OS strategy—will it create a new tech rivalry?
🤖 The growing role of AI in Meta's apps: innovation or irritation?
🏆 Age of Learning earns a spot in TIME's Top EdTech Companies of 2024
💼 Anthology raises $250M for strategic growth in EdTech
🌱 Insights from EdtechX founder on the future of educational funding

Plus special guests, Rebecca Kockler of Magpie LiteracyandKristen Huff & Amelia Kelly of Curriculum Associates and SoapBox Labs

Don’t forget to subscribe to Edtech Insiders for more updates and insights from the forefront of educational technology!

Jonathan Libov is the CEO & Founder of Antimatter Systems which seeks to bridge the gap between how students learn in the classroom and how people learn in the real world using a suite of modern AI tools for formative assessment, like student-created memes, text message conversations and socratic dialogue with LLMs. Antimatter has recently launched the pilot of their Universe Program, which gives students the opportunity to teach the world and learn how to lead online. Before founding Antimatter in 2021, Jonathan has spent his career in and around startups as a product executive and investor.

**Recommended Resources:

🤖 Replitby Amjad Masad 🤖 Synthesis**by Chrisman Frank

Elyse Klaidman, after 22 years at Pixar leading creative and educational programs, is now the CEO of X IN A BOX, where she leverages her background as an artist, educator and leader.

Prior to co-founding X IN A BOX in 2020, Tony DeRose led the computer graphics research group for much of his 23 years at Pixar. He is passionate about project based learning and has been very active in the Maker Movement.

Brit Cruise, Chief Learning Officer at X IN A BOX and creator of educational content and products, launched his career with the YouTube channel Art of the Problem, leading to working at Khan Academy and partnerships with NASA, Google, and Disney/Pixar.

Dennis Henderson, VP of Education and Strategy at X IN A BOX, leverages his role as Executive Director of Manchester Youth Development Center to drive social justice through project-based education, promoting social mobility and economic opportunities.

**Recommended Resources:

📖 Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull & Amy Wallace
📺 Art of the Problem Youtube Channel by Brit Cruise
📖 The Children's Machine: Rethinking School In The Age Of The Computer**by Seymour Papert

The Children's Machine: Rethinking School In The Age Of The Computer

Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration

Join Alex Sarlin and guest host, Alberto Arenaza, Co-founder at Transcend Network as they explore pivotal topics in this Week in Edtech episode:

👩‍🏫 The latest in K-12 challenges and digital threats,
📚 Biden’s big moves in student debt relief,
🌐 Duolingo’s strategic expansion into China's booming Edtech market,
🔧 The fierce competition in AI chip technology among Nvidia, Google, and Intel,
🎓 Insights on workforce trends affecting college graduates,
💼 Significant funding and M&A activities shaking up the sector.

Plus special guests, Hayley Spira-Bauer and Ysiad Ferreiras from Fullmind.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Edtech Insiders for more updates and insights from the forefront of educational technology!

Jeff Wetzler has been on a quarter-century quest to transform learning opportunities. Blending a unique set of leadership experiences in the fields of business and education, he’s pursued this quest as a management consultant to the world’s top corporations, as a learning facilitator for leaders around the world, as Chief Learning Officer at Teach For America, and most recently, as co-CEO of Transcend, a nationally recognized innovation organization.

Jeff earned a Doctorate in Adult Learning and Leadership from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Brown University. He is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and is an Edmund Hillary Fellow. He lives in New York with his wife, two children, and their puppy.

Recommended Resources:

AskApproach.com
How to Get the Honest Input You Need from Your Employees - HBR article by Jeff Wetzler
AskApproachInstagram

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Alex and Ben discuss:

1. AI

Business Schools Are Going All In on AI
Educators divided over AI's impact
AI concerns grow even as more teachers adopt the technology

2. BigTech

Microsoft's $100 billion 'Stargate' datacenter for OpenAI may be AI's 'Star Wars' moment
OpenAI Unveils A.I. Technology That Recreates Human Voices
OpenAI built a voice cloning tool, but you can’t use it… yet

3. K-12

Kids Missing school at an alarming rate
A New Federal Taskforce Targets Cybersecurity in Schools

4. Edtech

Edtech funding hits new low
Bijal Shah named Guild CEO, Rachel Carlson goes public with health concerns

5. M&A & Funding

Modal Announces $25 Million Series A to Upskill Employees in AI

Special Guest:

Alexa von Tobel, Founder, Managing Partner at Inspired Capital

Gabi Immelman is the founder and CEO of edtech start-up , Mindjoy, a platform for STEM teachers to 10x their impact for boundless classroom learning through unleashing student curiosity with the power of AI tutors.

With Mindjoy, teachers can transform lessons they love and know using the power of AI to create engaging digital first learning experiences for their students. A former Reggio-educator turned EdTech founder with experience working globally in Africa & USA. Mindjoy is the third company she has founded - her first being a stick-on tattoo parlor at the beach where we used to go for summer vacation when I was a child.

Carine Marette is the co-founder and co-CEO of Kritik, an online peer-to-peer interactive learning platform designed for professors to engage students in a twenty-first-century way. Through a gamified experience, Kritik allows students to develop higher-order thinking skills from creating assignments as well as analyzing and evaluating peer submissions. In addition, students will develop the skills necessary to deliver feedback to their peers through our feedback-on-feedback system. They are using AI and artificial intelligence to increase the reliability of peer assessment and save instructors time.

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Alex and Michelle discuss:

1. AI

OpenAI is pitching Sora to Hollywood
- on a Hollywood charm offensive before launching its Sora video generator
AI May Be Coming for Standardized Testing
Teachers Desperately Need AI Training. How Many Are Getting It?

2. BigTech

Spotify Throws Its Hat in the Edtech Ring

3. K-12

K-12 Hybrid Schooling Is in High Demand
Steve Daly from Instructure on “Learning Deserts”
LAUSD bets big on AI chatbot “Ed"

4. Edtech

GoStudent, now profitable
McGraw Hill Introduces ALEKS Adventure

5. Higher Ed

Universities Build Their Own ChatGPT-like Tools

6. M&A & Funding

Packback Raises Funding From PSG Equity
GG4L Secures $18M In Capital Funding
Cornerstone Acquires Talespin
Smartschool raises $1.5M for AI test prep

Special Guest:

Betsy Corcoran, Lede Labs

Julia Dixon is the Founder and CEO of ESAI (pronounced [ES] + [AY] + [EYE]), the first-of-its-kind generative AI platform for college applicants and young professionals. As a former college advisor, Julia saw a major inequality emerging as only the wealthiest families could afford resources for their students to stand out and get into the most competitive colleges and universities. She created ESAI to help level the playing field, so students of all backgrounds and resources could have a fair shot at telling their unique stories.

Recommended Resources:
Rebecca Jennings, VoxEmbeddedby Kate LindsayZineby Matt Klein

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Alex and Ben discuss:

1. AI

OpenAI ChatGPT + Humanoid Robot = Figure01
NVIDIA Launches Latest AI Chips and Software at Developer Conference
Apple in talks with Google to embed Google Gemini behind AI features in the iPhone
Apple Quietly Launches First Multimodal AI Model, MM1
Elon Musk and xAI open-source Grok

2. K12

Ed launches in LAUSD

3. Higher Ed

The SAT Is Coming Back At Some Colleges. It’s Stressing Everyone Out.

4. Workforce

Udacity is acquired by Accenture

Special Guests:

Pat Yongpradit, Code.org&TeachAI
Quinn Taber, Immerse

When Alejandro Gibes de Gac was 7, his family immigrated to the US seeking educational opportunities for their children. His parents’ tireless efforts enabled Alejandro and his sister to overcome their circumstances and pursue their dreams. Alejandro published two books by 14 and was admitted to Harvard by 16.

After graduating from college, Alejandro joined Teach For America and became a first grade teacher in Philadelphia. There he became frustrated that the school system treats marginalized parents as liabilities, rather than as assets. Alejandro founded Springboard Collaborative more than a decade ago to close the literacy gap by bridging the gap between home and school. Springboard runs out-of-school time programs that help teachers and parents team up to improve reading outcomes for 35K+ students across the country.

While continuing to lead Springboard, Alejandro recently co-founded the edtech startup Paloma. Paloma harnesses AI to unleash parents’ untapped teaching potential. Their mobile web app helps marginalized families build and sustain a habit: 15 daily minutes of short-burst tutoring at home. (Imagine parents sitting with their kids and engaging in curriculum-aligned instruction every night.) By the time students enter middle school, families that do their Daily 15 throughout elementary school will have given their kids the equivalent of an entire extra year of school!

Alejandro’s career is guided by a singular objective: to close the opportunity gap by making parent-teacher collaboration standard practice in American education.

Recommended Resources:Lenny's Newsletter

Andrew Sachs is a retired successful tech entrepreneur with a passion for wanting to make the world a better place for others. With three wonderful kids and a teacher-wife, Andrew saw how school and university were not preparing our youth with the needed technical, soft and leadership skills they needed to thrive in today’s quickly changing world. Having benefited from excellent teachers and continuous learning in the context of high-performing global project teams in his professional career, he’s now dedicated to providing that same opportunity for aspiring youth all over the globe regardless of income or place of birth. Andrew founded Nobel Navigators which has grown from 6 youth leaders in 2019 to thousands across 142 countries in 2024.

Emine Naz Can is a change agent passionate about helping youth get the skills needed to succeed in work in life. Co-founder of Paridoc Academy to help 100+ Turkish youth learn and grow during the pandemic. Internship in Nobel Learning where she has developed sales, negotiation and networking programs to help youth around the world get free learning to the technical, soft skills and leadership skills needed in work and life. Halil Kale Science HS graduate, enrolled at Bahcesehir University as an aspiring engineer. Ready to change the world.

Recommended Resources:Edtech InsidersBroken: How Our Social Systems are Failing Us and How We Can Fix Them by Dr. Paul LeBlanc

None

Edtech Insiders joined the first Common Sense Summit on America's Kids and Families hosted by Common Sense Media at Pier 27 in San Francisco on January 28–30.

The conference brought together advocates, researchers, youth leaders, policymakers, and other experts to take stock of America's kids and families and explore solutions to the most pressing issues across four core topic areas: kids and technology, youth mental health, early childhood education, and K–12 education.

In this special episode (Part 2), Alex and Ben interviews:

Margaret Spellings, former U.S. Secretary of Education
Rajen Sheth, CEO & Co-founder of Kyron Learning
Richard Buery, CEO at Robin Hood
Alex Briscoe, Principal at California Children's Trust

Special Episode: Postcards from Common Sense Summit on America's Kids and Families (Part 1) here:

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Alex and Ben discuss:

1. AI

Claude 3 Opus by Anthropic
- Inside the Funding Frenzy at Anthropic, One of A.I.’s Hottest Start-Ups
Google partners with Reddit in AI content licensing deal

2. Big Tech

Nvidia reaches $2T market cap
- Nvidia Hardware Is Eating the World
- "Don't Learn to Code, But Study This Instead..." says NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang

Special Guests:

Kelly Sia, President of Curriculum Associates
Malia Burns, CEO of OpenSeat, Faiza Jackson, Clinical Advisor of Open Seat
Erin Mayhood CEO of Mentor Collective

Tom Sayer is the Co-Founder and CEO of Ello, the world's first virtual reading coach that works with real books.

Before Ello, Tom was the head of impact and adoption programs at Google for Education, where his team was responsible for ensuring that Google tools were used effectively in classrooms worldwide. He is on the advisory board of Education Reimagined, the movement builder of learner centered education. He has also worked as an intelligence officer, a product manager, founded an EdTech company (with Catalin), and has built a mini-golf course in Cambodia. Tom graduated from Cambridge University with first-class honors in maths and psychology and has an MBA and MA (Education) from Stanford. He has won the Lamor prize at Cambridge, the Queen’s medal at Sandhurst, the Intelligence top student award, and was a Siebel Scholar at the GSB. He loves running, rugby, and lives with his wife and son in Pennsylvania.

Recommended Resources:

GSV: AI & Education by Claire Zau
What is Learner-centered Educationby Education Reimagined

Edtech Insiders joined the first Common Sense Summit on America's Kids and Families hosted by Common Sense Media at Pier 27 in San Francisco on January 28–30.

The conference brought together advocates, researchers, youth leaders, policymakers, and other experts to take stock of America's kids and families and explore solutions to the most pressing issues across four core topic areas: kids and technology, youth mental health, early childhood education, and K–12 education.

In this special episode, Alex and Ben interviews:

Nicholas Kristof, Author and New York Times columnist
Steve Youngwood, CEO of Sesame Workshop
Attorney General of California, Rob Bonta
John Deasy, President of the Bezos Family Foundation
Carla Small, CEO at EarlyBird Education

Special Episode: Postcards from Common Sense Summit on America's Kids and Families (Part 2) here:

Max Azarov is an experienced entrepreneur in the IT industry. He graduated from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) where he studied at the School of Physics and Mathematics, and he holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts.

Max built his career in IT product management and software development across Russia and the USA, working for Cyber Vision, Digital 5, Google and LG Electronics. As a product manager for Google, Max was responsible for the global product as well as the Russian/CIS markets (Google Search and Google Maps). Products in his portfolio generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue. This experience was crucial for Max’s skills as a team leader and software developer, but he always wanted to use his IT knowledge to build his own business. In 2013, Max launched his first startup with Dmitry Malin: Cloudike, a cloud storage solution (white label) for carriers and service-providers, such as Vodafon, Vestel, and others.

His IT background, along with a passion for the EdTech industry gained from teaching English to his own children, led to the idea of a digital English learning platform. In 2017, Max co-founded Novakid in Silicon Valley (USA) with Dmitry Malin.

NovaKid is a Series B EdTech startup ($41,5M raise) and was ranked at #105 on the 2023 Inc 5000 list of the fastest growing companies in America (1st in the education category). This online English as a Second Language learning platform for children aged 4 to 12 has delivered over 14 million English lessons for kids since inception in 2017.

Recommended Resources:Edtech InsidersGSV N2KBrighteyeTechCrunch

Edtech Insiders joined the first Common Sense Summit on America's Kids and Families hosted by Common Sense Media at Pier 27 in San Francisco on January 28–30.

The conference brought together advocates, researchers, youth leaders, policymakers, and other experts to take stock of America's kids and families and explore solutions to the most pressing issues across four core topic areas: kids and technology, youth mental health, early childhood education, and K–12 education.

In this special episode, Alex and Ben interviews Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Ben and Alex discuss:

1. AI

OpenAI Completes Deal That Values the Company at $80 Billion
OpenAI’s Sora
- Rivals In The Works—Including From Google And Meta

2. Edtech

Online course provider 2U faces doubts it can continue

3. PreK-12

Unleashed Brands to Acquire Sylvan Learning

4. Reports

Reach Capital’s 2023 US EdTech Funding Report
Oppenheimer Report

Special Guest:

Matt Sherman, Founder and CEO atLSAT Lab

Robyn Cook is the Chief Academic Officer for Aauti School, a online digital science curriculum powered by AI. She’s an experienced education professional who has served as served as a Director of Curriculum and Instructional Supports, a STEM and Science Content specialist, and a chemistry and biology teacher, dedicated to transforming K-12 education through innovative curriculum development and instructional leadership.

Robyn is responsible for driving and communicating Aauti’s instructional strategy. She ensures pedagogical coherence of Aauti School’s tools along with being a key executor of Aauti’s go to market strategy. Robyn, also, works closely with Aauti’s partnering districts to ensure teachers and students' needs are being met.

Recommended Resources:Opportunity Mythby TNTP

Edtech Insiders joined the first Common Sense Summit on America's Kids and Families hosted by Common Sense Media at Pier 27 in San Francisco on January 28–30.

The conference brought together advocates, researchers, youth leaders, policymakers, and other experts to take stock of America's kids and families and explore solutions to the most pressing issues across four core topic areas: kids and technology, youth mental health, early childhood education, and K–12 education.

In this special episode, Alex and Ben interviews Hillary Clinton.

Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton served as the First Lady of the United States to the 42nd President, Bill Clinton. She went on to become a U.S. Secretary of State and U.S. Senator from New York. In the 2008 election, Clinton was a leading candidate for the Democratic Presidential nomination.

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Ben and Alex discuss:

1. AI

Google Launches AI Opportunity Initiative For Europe; Announces €25M Funding To Support AI Skills Development

2. Edtech

India
- ASU GSV Emeritus Event in India
- PhysicsWallah’s FY23 Profit Tanks 91% To INR 90M
- Deborah QuazzoandMichael Moeon BYJU's
- Deborah Quazzo follow-on investments in India
- How Eruditus survived the evisceration of edtech
Duolingo is largest language platform in the world

3. K-12

Tyton Partners’ ‘Investing in Tomorrow’ Research Reveals a $100,000 Per Student Impact of High School Financial Education

4. Higher Ed

Savvas Learning Company Acquires Outlier.org

5. M&A

Google acquires Edlyft
SchoolStatus Announces Acquisition of SchoolNow
Quantum5 acquires Trivie / US, Assessments

Special Guests:

Adeel Khan, Founder at MagicSchool AI
Gary Eimerman, Chief Learning Officer at Multiverse

Mari Nazary is the Chief Experience Officer at Bloom Institute of Technology, formerly known as Lambda School, Mari has dedicated over 15 years to transforming the landscape of online education. She believes in making education a universal key, accessible and effective for all, without the financial burden often associated with higher learning.

Mari's journey in EdTech began with her role at Rosetta Stone, where she developed the company’s first online classroom experience. Her passion for instructional design and product development led her to impactful positions at Education First, Voxy, and DataCamp. In these roles, she spearheaded the expansion of learning products, significantly impacting millions of learners worldwide.

At BloomTech, Mari has been instrumental in redefining the education experience. Her initiatives include building a proprietary platform, reducing the cost per learner, and incorporating an AI tutor, significantly enhancing the learning process and improving outcomes. She oversees critical aspects like product development, data management, instructional design, operations, and customer support, with a focus on results-driven learning experiences that cater to a diverse range of students.

Mari's background as the daughter of Afghan immigrants in Queens, NY, has profoundly influenced her perspective on education. She holds degrees in classics, Spanish, and linguistics and is a fervent advocate for making tech careers accessible to those traditionally underserved by higher education. Living in Washington, D.C., Mari continues to challenge the status quo, ensuring that education paves a direct path to greater opportunities and success.

Recommended Resources:AI for EducationblogLenny’s Podcast

Edtech Insiders joined the first Common Sense Summit on America's Kids and Families hosted by Common Sense Media at Pier 27 in San Francisco on January 28–30.

The conference brought together advocates, researchers, youth leaders, policymakers, and other experts to take stock of America's kids and families and explore solutions to the most pressing issues across four core topic areas: kids and technology, youth mental health, early childhood education, and K–12 education.

In this special episode, Alex and Ben interviews Sal Khan.

Sal Khan is the founder and CEO of Khan Academy, a nonprofit educational organization that offers free lessons in math, science and humanities, as well as tools for parents, teachers and districts to track student progress. Khan Academy is piloting an AI guide called Khanmigo that is a tutor and teaching assistant.
Sal Khan founded Khan Academy in 2008. Khan Academy is a nonprofit educational organization with 220 employees. In addition to math, they offer free lessons in the sciences and humanities. Outside of the Khanmigo pilot, more than 500 public school districts and schools across the United States partner with Khan Academy (up from nine before the pandemic). Khan Academy is used in more than 190 countries and is available in more than 50 languages. They have more than 160 million registered users worldwide.

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Ben and Alex discuss:

1. AI

OpenAI partners with Common Sense Media to collaborate on AI guidelines
Edsafe AI Fellowships

2. Big Tech

Senate blasts tech CEOs over child safety

3. Workforce

upGrad To Open 100 Experience And Learning Centers, Commits INR 1,000M

4. PreK-12

Byju’s Says Investors Don’t Have Voting Right To Remove Founder From Edtech Group

5. K-12

Zum Raises $140M
Instructure Completes Acquisition of Parchment

6. HigherEd

Shaq is joining Sam Altman in backing a $29 million community college startup

Special Guests:

Sohan Chouhury, Flint
Erin Mote,InnovateEDU and Zac Chase, US DOE

Recommended Resources:

2024’s National Educational Technology Plan
- Story Map
- Appendices - Office of Educational Technology

Disclosure: InnovateEDU was a member of the consortium that developed the 2024 National Educational Technology Plan.<

Nick Hernandez is the CEO and Founder of 360Learning, a leading advisor and investor in the SaaS technology industry, and the author of Collaborative Learning: How to Upskill from Within and Turn L&D into Your Competitive Advantage.

Nick founded 360Learning in 2013 and has since grown the company into a leader in the EdTech sector. In late 2021, Nick and his team secured $200m in funding from Sumeru, SoftBank, and Silverlake for 360Learning to continue their mission of championing upskilling from within through collaborative learning. He is based in Paris, France. Recommended Resources:

Lex Fridmanpodcast
The Logan Bartlett Showpodcast

Lydia Logan is the Vice President of Global Education and Workforce Development, Corporate Social Responsibility at IBM, where she leads IBM's community and university skilling initiatives that create more inclusive and effective schools and workforces. Her programs help fulfill IBM’s pledges to skill 30 million people worldwide by 2030, and to train two million learners in AI through 2026, particularly those from historically underresourced, underserved, and underrepresented communities.

She also develops and manages strategic global partnerships with IBM's clients, non-profit organizations, government, and content and curriculum developers that relate to education and career readiness.

For this role, she applies her decades of leadership and programmatic expertise in the realms of philanthropy, education, public policy, and economic development. These experiences inform the strategic development and execution of acclaimed global career readiness programs, particularly IBM SkillsBuild.  

Prior to IBM, Lydia successfully spearheaded education initiatives while serving in senior leadership roles at Verizon, the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, and Kimsey Foundation.

In addition, she was VP and executive director of the Institute for a Competitive Workforce at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where she led national policy and program initiatives to improve education and workforce development.

Earlier in her career, she led Chiefs for Change, a national membership organization of Chief State School Officers.

Recommended Resources:IBM SkillsBuildPrincipled Instructions Are All You Need for Questioning LLaMA-1/2, GPT-3.5/4by John Bailey
Tools Competitionby Schmidt Futures

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Ben and Alex discuss:

1. AI

Chegg, Duolingo, Coursera Stocks Swoon as Goldman Warns of Threat From AI
Coursera’s CEO announced that Coursera users signed up for an AI course every minute of 2023

2. Edtech

It’s a good time to invest in early-stage edtech, investors say
Byju’s seeks new funding at less than $2 billion valuation, a 90% drop

3. K-12

National Ed-Tech Plan Outlines How Schools Can Tackle 3 Big Digital Inequities
Michael Bloomberg donates $250M to open 10 healthcare-focused high schools in Boston, Charlotte, Durham, Houston, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, Demopolis, and Northeast Texas

4. Higher Ed

OpenAI announces first partnership with a university
Northeastern partners with Multiverse, granting transfer credit to apprentices who complete Multiverse’s analytics program

5. Big Tech

Microsoft makes its AI-powered reading tutor available for free. Will integrate it with Canvas
Google announces new AI-powered features for education

Special Guest:

Jacob Kantor and Brett Roer, EDLIT: Empowering Districts through Learning, Innovation, & Technology

Ryan Craig is a Managing Director at Achieve Partners and was formerly an MD at University Ventures. Ryan’s commentary on where the puck is going in education and workforce regularly appears in the biweekly Gap Letter, Forbes, and Inside Higher Education. He is the author of the book Apprentice Nation: How the "Earn and Learn" Alternative to Higher Education Will Create a Stronger and Fairer America(2023). He is also author ofA New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College (2018), which describes the critical importance of last-mile training and the emergence of bootcamps, income share programs, staffing and apprenticeship models as preferred pathways to good first digital jobs and was named in the Wall Street Journal as one the Books of the Year for 2018. Ryan’s first book was College Disrupted: The Great Unbundling of Higher Education (2015), which profiles the coming shift toward competency-based education and hiring. Ryan is a co-founder of Apprenticeships for America, a national nonprofit dedicated to scaling apprenticeships across the U.S. economy and is a senior fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute.

Previously, Ryan led the Education & Training sector at Warburg Pincus. His prior experience in higher education was at Columbia University. Ryan also founded and built Wellspring, a national network of boarding schools and summer camps for overweight and obese children, adolescents, and young adults. He began his career at McKinsey & Co.

Ryan received bachelor's degrees summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Yale University, and his law degree from the Yale Law School.

Recommended Resources:Gap LetterApprenticeships for America

A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College

College Disrupted: The Great Unbundling of Higher Education

None

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Ben and Alex discuss:

1. AI

Duolingo Sheds Some Human Workers As AI Threatens To Upend The $65 Billion Translation Industry
Moral Panic of “Will Chatbots teach your children” is starting up:
- “Will Chatbots Teach Your Children”
- Your Child’s Favorite Teacher May Soon Be a Chatbot
- Two of Your Predictions for 2024 and Why They Are Probably Not Correct

2. Edtech

HolonIQ Removes 13 unicorns from its Edtech Unicorns list
FETCis next week!

3. Workforce

Indian Company Upgrad Education to Acquire Udacity for $80 Million, According to Local Media

Special Guest:

John Rogers, Partner at TPG Rise Fund

Lauren McCann is the head of Figma for Education. She started her career in the classroom, as a middle school English teacher in Hyderabad, India. Before joining Figma, Lauren led product marketing for Google’s core education products including Google Classroom, Google Meet, Google Workspace for Education (Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms, Drive, Jamboard) Google Assignments, Read Along, and more. At Figma, Lauren and her education team are working to bring Figma into more classrooms globally.

Recommended Resources:Tactically, Figjamby Alice KeelerHidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Thingsby Adam Grant

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Ben and Alex discuss:

1. AI

GPT Store Opened. What does this mean?
South Korea's MathGPT Sets a New World Record in Mathematical Performance
US Congress Introduces “AI Literacy” Bill

2. PreK12

As Enrollment Declines, Districts Consider Closing Schools

3. K12

Skipping School: America’s Hidden Education Crisis

4. Higher Education

Claudine Gay & Higher Ed’s Crisis. Is it just PR & Politics or is it a deeper issue?
The new FAFSA is meant to make applying for college aid easier, but not everyone can access it yet

5. Other

Immerse Raises $5M, Goes on “The View”

Special Guest:

Anna Iarotska,Co-founder & CEO at Robo Wunderkind

Dr. Maria Armstrong is the Executive Director of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS). Her career in education includes serving as a teacher, school counselor, assistant principal, principal, director of English Language Learners, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, superintendent, and as an educational consultant for the Puerto Rico Department of Education leading the department’s Hurricane Maria Recovery efforts. Prior to working in education, Dr. Armstrong worked in the Biotech industry and is committed to ensuring that students are college, career and life ready.

Pedro Martinez was named Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer in 2021, the first Latino in the city’s history to hold the position outside of an interim capacity. Martinez has more than 30 years of experience in the private, nonprofit, and public education sectors. He has previously served as superintendent of the San Antonio Independent School District, superintendent in residence for the Nevada Department of Education, and superintendent of the Washoe County School District in Reno, Nevada. Martinez was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and came to Chicago with his family at the age of five in search of a better life. He credits the education he received in Chicago Public Schools with changing the trajectory of his life

Recommended Resources:World Education SummitNot every Chicago school offers algebra in middle school. CPS is working to change that.by Chalkbeat
Virtual Academy by Chicago Public Schools (CPS)

Louise Baigelmanis the founder and CEO of Storyshares, a mission-driven literacy organization focused on engaging and empowering readers and writers of all levels. Before starting Storyshares, Louise was a reading and writing teacher, middle school EL coordinator, and literacy specialist, working with students from preschool through high school. Louise was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list, the International Literacy Association’s 30 Under 30 list, and she has received awards from the Library of Congress, Teach for America, Milken Penn GSE, and Reimagine Education for her work with Storyshares. Louise holds a B.A. in English & Psychology from Cornell University, and an M.A. in Education from Boston University.

Recommended Resources:Sold a StorypodcastFuture of Educationby Michael Horn

2023 was an amazing year for Edtech!

In this super-sized episode, Ben and Alex review top trends from the year that was and make some predictions for 2024.

Also, we asked some of our favorite guests (and Edtech C-suiters) to give their thoughts on what we can expect to see in 2024.

Ian Chiu, Managing Director at Owl Ventures
Jomayra Herrera, Partner at Reach Capital
Sunil Gunderia, Chief Innovation Officer at Age of Learning
Hanna Celina, Co-founder and CPO at Kinnu
Amit Patel, Managing Director at Owl Ventures
Gemma Lenowitz, Program Director at Samvid Ventures
Shiren Vijiasingam, Chief Product Officer at Instructure
Sohan Choudhury, Co-founder & CEO at Flint

Dr. Yenda Prado is an edtech researcher, educator, and author, whose work focuses on exploring the social uses of emerging edtech to support children’s inclusion across complex learning environments.

She has written and advised on inclusive technology use in education and media for diverse organizations including the U.S. Department of Education, PBS Kids, and the University of California.

Dr. Prado also serves as a Ready to Learn Consultant Advisor for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In this role, she has advised on various projects including research and development for Lyla in the Loop – a children’s animated series highlighting critical and computational thinking skills - which will debut February 5 2024 on PBS KIDS.

As the former Emerging Technologies Impact Fellow at the U.S. Department of Education, Dr. Prado supported the development of national edtech policy and investigated emerging technology trends for the Office of Educational Technology. In this role, she developed the EdTech Evidence Toolkit to amplify policies, practices, and resources that support evidence-building activities for effective edtech adoption in schools.

She is currently finishing writing a first-authored book for MIT Press titled “Voices on the Margins: Inclusive Education at the Intersection of Language, Literacy, and Technology” - which will be released Spring 2024.

Previously, Dr. Prado served as a research fellow with PBS KIDS, an education researcher with the UC Irvine Digital Learning Lab, and as an ESL teacher and reading interventionist in California libraries and schools.

Yenda holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Irvine, an Ed.M. in Education from Harvard University, and a B.A. in Psychology from Stanford University.

Recommended Resources:Voices on the Margins: Inclusive Education at the Intersection of Language, Literacy, and TechnologyBy Yenda Prado and Mark Warschauer
Common-Sense Evidenceby Nora Gordon and Carrie ConawayCAST

Kai Frazier is a former educator and the founder and CEO of Kai XR, designed to close the opportunity gap in under-resourced communities.

The KaiXR platform, which uses AI and metaverse technologies, is being used by kids in grades 5-8 in schools, as well as juvenile detention centers, to take virtual college tours, learn about advances in science like CRISPR, and teach kids about historical figures like the late Dr. Huey P. Newton of the Black Panther Party.

Before creating Kai XR, Kai worked with several museums such as the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as well as the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, specializing in digital strategy and content creation.

Kai also served as an entrepreneur in residence at the Kapor Center for Social Impact Techstars' Social Impact cohort sponsored by Cox Enterprises, and T-Mobile's Immersive Accelerator. Her work has been featured by Forbes, The U.S Department of Education, NBC, the Steve Harvey Show & more.

Recommended Resources:LinkedinTransition from Teaching to Your New Career Opportunityby Kai Frazier
Snapchat

In this special episode of Edtech Insiders, Phuong Do interviews eight edtech companies at the Edtech Asia Summit 2023 held earlier last month in Bali, Indonesia.

Adriel Yong from Ascend Angels
John Tan from Doyobi
Minsam Kim from RiiiD
Raphael Nolden from Amy.app
Ryan O'Hare from Keypath Education
Ruby Nguyen from Curieous
Sandeep and Gaurav from Kaizenvest
Vu Van from ELSA

Kenzie Butera Davis is the CEO and founder of Maro, a pediatric mental healthcare and education app. She recently won the ASU+GSV Pitch competition.

As a veteran of the startup industry, Kenzie has supported 70+ healthcare, consumer and B2B SaaS startups from launch to growth acceleration to funding. Prior to founding Maro, Kenzie spent 4+ years composing an academic thesis on the implementation of health education in the US while conducting customer discovery. Her current venture, Maro, is one of the leading companies in pediatric healthcare innovation, as awarded by Oracle Cerner and Children's National Hospital.

Recommended Resources:Rock HealthDigital Health Buzz ChalkbeatEdweek Market Brief

Todd Mahler is the Chief Product Officer at Edmentum. For over 25 years Todd has led the development of educational technology products for the nation’s leading publishers and is proud to have impacted the lives of millions of students. As Chief Product Officer for Edmentum, Todd drives product strategy for Edmentum, ensuring their solutions meet the needs of the educators and students they serve. Prior to Edmentum, Todd served as Chief Product Officer for Apex Learning and has held senior leadership positions with McGraw Hill Education, Redbird Advanced Learning, and Six Red Marbles. Todd holds a Master’s degree in Education from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy & Astrophysics from Villanova University.

Dr. PJ Caposey is a dynamic speaker and a transformational leader and educator. PJ began his career as an award-winning teacher in the inner-city of Chicago and has subsequently led significant change in every administrative post he has held. PJ became a principal at the age of 28 and within three years was able to lead a small-town/rural school historically achieving near the bottom of its county to multiple national recognitions. After four years, PJ moved to his current district, Meridian CUSD 223, as superintendent and has led a similar turnaround leading to multiple national recognitions for multiple different efforts.

PJ is a best-selling author and has written 10 books for various publishers. His work and commentary has been featured on sites such as the Washington Post, NPR, CBS This Morning, ASCD, Edutopia, the Huffington Post, and was featured in a Global Leaders Forum thinkpiece alongside the likes of General Petraeus and General McChrystal. He works in the Education Department of three universities, including within the Ivy League, and in a myriad of capacities with the Illinois Principal's Association including Principal Coach and author of the first complete stack of MicroCredentials offered in Illinois.

Recommended Resources:Academic I - Ground Rules on AI by EdutopiaInstitute for Educational Innovation

Chris Parrish is Co-Founder and President of Partnerships at the leading experiential learning company, Podium Education. At Podium, Chris led the launch of The Global Tech Experience, an industry redefining digital program that enables students to build skills and experience by working on projects directly with organizations like Intel, The Grammy’s and charity:water. Podium currently partners with 55 universities across the world and will support 10,000 students in 2023. His work has been featured in Fortune Magazine, Forbes, InsideHigherEd and TechCrunch. Chris and Podium are based in Austin, TX.

Recommended Resources:Jeff SelingoETCHby Matt Tower
Higher Ed Trades

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Ben and Alex discuss:
1. Big Tech:

Gemini - Google’s largest and most capable AI model.
2U faces upcoming existential changes- Helpful analysis from Phil Hill on the financial challenges 2U is up against as their stock continues to get hammered in the public markets.

2. Assessment:

States are radically changing testing requirements in both red and blue states
All Yale students get As

3. Politics:

University Presidents royally blow it in Congress
Oakland Educators Hold Unauthorized Teach-in Supporting Palestinians
AP African American Studies

4. Legacy of Paul LeBlanc

Southern New Hampshire University President Paul LeBlanc to Step Down after Transformative 20 Years of Leadership

5. Future of Work

Nolej raises a $3M Seed
Carnegie Learning Announces LiveHint AI
Curriculum Associates Expands Student-Focused AI Capabilities with Purchase of SoapBox Labs

Special Guests:

Jared Grusd, Co-founder ofEthiqly
Gavin Cooney, CEO of Learnosity

Märt Lume is the co-founder of Futuclass, a company building curriculum-aligned Virtual Reality games to enrich natural science education for secondary school students.

With a 15-year journey across Vancouver, Denver, Lviv, Berlin, and Tallinn, Märt has designed gaming, enterprise, and educational software. Notably, in Vancouver he was the first employee of Glitch game, which eventually became known as Slack.

A pivotal moment in 2017 introduced him to VR, sparking the realization that immersive technologies, coupled with learning via layered game mechanics, hold the key to transformative human learning experiences. This revelation fueled the inception of Futuclass, which now elevates chemistry and physics classes in over 10% of Estonian schools, earning praise from students and educators alike.

Drawing wisdom from years of close collaboration with schools, Futuclass has expanded its offerings into the comprehensive Futuclass School Kit. This turnkey solution equips schools with hardware, software, teacher onboarding, mentoring, and best practices, igniting students with excitement for learning through VR. Futuclass School Kit is also launching partner apps, seamlessly integrating VR lessons into subjects like art, design, social studies, music, and physical education.

Märt's recognition includes the "Friend of Education 2022" title at Estonia's esteemed Teacher's Gala, acknowledging his contributions to numerous EdTech startups and initiatives. He is also an advisor and angel investor to 20+ companies at the moment, with a focus on EdTech and XR.

Recommended Resources:The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everythingby Matthew Ball
“We Met in Virtual Reality”documentary
Edtech EstoniaVR Chat

The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everything

Nikil Ragav is the CEO and founder of inventXYZ.
Nikil studied Electrical Engineering & Business at Penn/Wharton and interned at Intel, Google, Microsoft before starting inventXYZ. In college, he ran inventathons for middle and high school students to learn to build and code real products. He worked with schools in rural PA then remotely across the US to teach CS and electronics.

For his work, Nikil was awarded Penn’s President’s Innovation Prize to start inventXYZ. NFL player Travis Kelce tweeted he was sponsoring a STEM lab for underserved kids in Kansas City. Nikil tweeted at him, and eventually inventXYZ moved to KC to help design and run the STEM lab.

Now, inventXYZ makes it painless for middle and high schools across the country to teach 100% of their students Computer Science and AI even if they don’t have a dedicated teacher.

Nikil has published a paper on teaching AI in K12 w/ Johns Hopkins researchers: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nai/ti/pre-prints/content-22.4nw Recommended Resources:inventXYZ: Preparing Students for the Future of Work
inventxyz.comEvaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in
Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studiesby US DOE
Bite-sized Way to Understand Learning Science

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Ben and Alex discuss:
1. Big Tech:

Meta launches “Seamless” LLM for speech-to-speech translation. Multi-modalinnovation
Meta’s Instagram also made news in all the wrong ways
Higher Ed:
StraighterLine Partners with Acadeum to Offer College Course Sharing
In Other News...
U.S. Department of Education Holds Off On New Rules for Third-Party Servicers… For Now
Curriculum Associates Acquires SoapBox Labs
ParentSquare Acquires Remind
2U finances unveiled by Phil Hill, doesn't look good
Portland Teachers Strike Ends after a month and nobody is happy
Congress (Tom Cotton) pushing a ban on cell phones in school

Special Guests:

Sara Mauskopf from Winniediscuss Early Childhood Education
Candice Faktor from Discodiscuss Community Powered Learning

Maria Barrera, is a Stanford-educated engineer and founder & CEO of Clayful. She is committed to addressing the youth mental health crisis. Born in Colombia and understanding the pressures of adversity, she leverages her experience from her pioneering role on Nearpod's founding team to create impactful solutions in education.

Through her tireless research and collaboration with a diverse team of experts, Maria developed Clayful, offering accessible, preventative mental health resources to families of all socio-economic statuses. Her dedication to training a diverse mental health workforce and establishing partnerships with schools has already impacted thousands of students across the country. Recommended Resource:
Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hardby Dan and Chip Heath

Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard

Per Borgen is the CEO and co-founder of Scrimba (YC S20), an interactive code-learning platform with over a million users worldwide. He’s also a web developer and coding instructor. Per's passion is to help people change their careers and lives through learning how to build software, just as he did at age 29.

These days, he leads Scrimba's AI Engineering initiative. The company has partnered up with Hugging Face and LangChain to create tutorials and courses that help web developers learn how to build AI-powered apps. Through these partnerships, Per get a front-row seat at how these AI infrastructure companies lay the groundwork that the rest of the industry builds on top of.

Recommended Resource:Latent Space: Rise of the AI Engineer

Anurupa Ganguly is the founder & CEO of Prisms. She founded Prisms to scale a new world teaching model where students learn core math and science concepts spatially, physically and steeped in important real world contexts. Prisms targets bottleneck topics that are often memorized in lieu of deeply understood -- leading to huge gaps and drops offs over time in STEM. Anurupa and her team are transforming math education in the US by rapidly deploying the next generation of spatial computing devices across US K-12 districts, training teachers to integrate problem-driven learning with VR into core curriculum, and working with district leadership to rapidly improve joy, confidence and proficiencies in the modern math and science classrooms. She began her career as a math & physics teacher and later served in leadership roles across the Boston Public Schools, NYC DOE, and Success Academies. She holds degrees in EECS from MIT, and an EdM from BU. Her life's mission is to empower an equitable workforce in STEM.

Recommended Resource:Experience on Demandby Jeremy Bailenson

Experience on Demand: What Virtual Reality Is, How It Works, and What It Can Do

This is a special episode focusing on two major leader ship changes in technology and their ramifications for Edtech: Sam Altman being released from OpenAI and hired by Microsoft, and Chip Paucek being replaced as CEO of 2U.

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Ben and Alex discuss:
Artificial Intelligence:

Executive Order on AI includes mandate that Education Department roll out guidance on the way schools should use AI technologies
OpenAI launches Agents (“GPTs”)
OpenAI introduces custom AI assistants called “GPTs” that play different roles
My North Star for the Future of AI
Forget ChatGPT — Extractive AI Is the Real Game-Changer for Teachers, Students
Rosalyn Launches StableSight, an Exam Proctoring AI That Counters Generative AI Use and Cheating Rings

K-12:

Home Schooling’s rise from fringe to fastest growing form of education
Instructure acquires Parchment for ~$800M
Byju’s in Talks to Sell US Unit Epic for $400 Million to Joffre
Teachers and K-12 Education

Higher Ed:

The False Binary in Higher Ed
Changes to university research Carnegie ratings
Universities can’t accommodate all the computer science majors
Facing Pressure on Enrollment, Will Colleges Support More Transfer Students
This Obscure College Major Commands $100K Within Four Years

Workforce:

Udemy 2024 workforce trends report

Special Guest:Johann Zimmern, Education Strategy Lead at Zoom featuring Zoom One for Education

Shiren Vijiasingamis the Chief Product Officer at Instructure, the leading learning platform and maker of Canvas. Shiren has built global software products for millions of users, for over 2 decades, with more than half of his time in education. He previously served as Chief Product Officer, both at Newsela, a K-12 content platform, and before that at General Assembly, the pioneer of career transformation education. He has a master’s degree in interactive media from Quinnipiac University and a bachelor’s degree in communications from St. Cloud State University.

Recommended Resources:Instructure.com/aiDr. Jordan Nguyen’s website

In this special episode of Edtech Insiders, Sarah Morin interviews seven founders of AI education companies at the AI Founders Forum held earlier last month in San Francisco.

John Danner, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Project Read
Catalin Voss, Co-Founder and CTO at Ello
Christian Byza, CEO and Co-Founder of Learn.xyz
Courtney Monk, Co-Founder and COO at Schoolytics
Gautam Thapar, Co-Founder and CEO of Enlighten AI
Shweta Gandhi, Co-Founder and CEO of Strived.io
Brandon Grusd, Co-Founder of Ethiqly AI

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Ben and Alex discuss:

AI + EDU Conference Replays held last October 26, 2023 are now live on the Edtech Insiders Youtube Channel.
Stanford Accelerate Edtech Impact Summit3. Biden's AI Executive Order
For AI in general
Data Privacy
Education
Edtech Noon closes $41 million Series B - Wamda
Interview with guest Christian Byza of Learn.xyz6. Funding Rounds/M&As
Slooh raises $5M
Instructure acquires Parchment for $800M
Bibliu acquires Texas Book Company
Vector Solutions acquires PATHWAYos
Rise In acquires Blockbeam

Today we’re speaking with Yvonne Soh and Jim Wagstaff, the co-founders of Noodle Factory, an AI-powered teaching and learning platform based in Singapore.

Before co-founding Noodle Factory, Yvonne Soh spent many years in adult education, working closely with different companies to incorporate technology to improve learning outcomes. Previously, Yvonne worked in product, product marketing, and solution development roles at Dell Technologies and F5 Networks.

Dr. Jim Wagstaff co-founded Noodle Factory, is also the co-founder of Jam Factory and a founding board member of Up 2 Speed–companies that focus on corporate training. Jim began his career at Dell Technologies, Brocade Communications, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise in various sales, pre-sales, sales management, channel management, general management, and executive roles. Most recently, Jim was Vice- President and General Manager of Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s data storage business in the APJ region.

Jim earned both his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Liverpool (UK). His ongoing research focuses on how organizations harness the power of digital capabilities to better serve customers, students, and users. Jim has also earned his post-doctoral diploma in academic practice from the University of Liverpool in coordination with the Fellowship for Higher Education in the UK, where his ongoing work includes action research concerning the use of generative AI in teaching and learning.

Recommended Resources:Techcrunchlearnprompting.org

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Ben and Alex discuss:

Recap of the Edtech Insiders October Events:
AI+EDU Conference730+ Registrants and 70%+ Attendance Rate held virtually
Edtech AI Founders Forum and Happy Hour in San Francisco
Biden's AI executive order coming Monday, October 30th.
Sweeping new Biden order aims to alter the AI landscape
Edtech Events:
AI dominates Educause conference
ASU+GSV Air Show on April 13-15, 2024
State of AI Report 2023: a 160+ page report covering trends across research, industry adoption, politics and safety of AI. Nathan Beinach’s director cut (a snapshot of key themes and ideas)here.
American Federation of Teachers partners with AI identification platform, GPTZero6.DALL·E 3 is now available in ChatGPT Plus and Enterprise7. Blueprint Prep Introduces the First and Only AI-Powered MCAT Tutor8. K-12:
Dozens of states sue Instagram-parent Meta over 'addictive' features and youth mental health harms
Higher Ed:
Undergraduate enrollment up for the first time since 2020
Undergraduate enrollment increases after years of decline
Big Tech:
Slack takes week off for upskilling
Multiverse cuts jobs in move away from school-leaver apprenticeships
Duolingo Previews Its Multi-Subject Future at Duocon 2023
Snap partners with edtech company Inspirit to bring its AR tech to 50 US schools
Interview with guest Erin Mote, CEO of InnovateEDU
SIIA puts out AI principles

In this episode, join us for an insightful exploration into the ever-evolving landscape of education technology and innovation.

Gautam Tambay, the CEO and founder of Springboard, provides a comprehensive look at the dynamic bootcamp industry. He shares valuable insights into Springboard's innovative three-pronged approach, catering to individual learners, businesses, and academic institutions, highlighting the success and impact of this multifaceted model.

Additionally, our conversation with Kyle Wallgren, CEO of Edsoma, sheds light on the remarkable journey of an entrepreneur making significant waves in the edtech sphere. Having recently drawn attention during New York Edtech Week, Kyle's innovative approach, particularly in the domain of early reading, has been noteworthy. The episode delves into Kyle's transition from a non-edtech background to impactful work within the industry and explores the exciting endeavors facilitated by the backing of a high-profile investor, Shaquille O'Neal.

Join us for a captivating discussion featuring industry visionaries, sharing their insights, experiences, and the future of education technology. Get inspired by the innovative trajectories and forward-thinking strategies embraced by these influential figures in the world of edtech. Subscribe now!

Honorlock is an online test proctoring service that combines AI software like computer vision with decision making of live test proctors.

Paul Morales leads Honorlock’s software and operations technology initiatives with a “security-first” approach. Paul believes that Information Security and Privacy are of the utmost importance in both professional and personal environments.

Jordan Adair is the VP of Product at Honorlock. Jordan began his career in education as an elementary and middle school teacher. After transitioning into educational technology, he became focused on delivering products designed to empower instructors and improve the student experience.

Recommended Resources:MidjourneyKhanmigoby Sal KhanLex Fridman podcastRedditHacker News

Maia Glikman is a Los Angeles based producer whose body of work spans numerous areas of the entertainment industry. Highlights as an executive include several years at ABC Network, Lucasfilm and Sony Pictures Television. Maia is the CEO of GoKidGo, Inc. and Never Ever Productions, female led ventures developing exceptional IP for children and adults respectively. As a creative producer, Maia’s mandate is the production of high-quality content that resonates with today’s audience, most especially those that champion female and underrepresented voices. Most recently, R.L. Stine’s Story Club, produced by GoKidGo, has been selected as a Best of the Best finalist for "Best Podcast” at the 2022 Cynopsis Awards.

Matt Hammersley is the Co-Founder and CEO at Novel Effect, Inc. Novel Effect is an award-winning mobile app that follows along during story time with interactive music, sound effects, and character voices creating magical moments when you read aloud with your child. They are on a mission to empower educators, parents, and kids to connect and engage with each other and books. Their unique form of storytelling brings the story to life, engaging and capturing the imaginations of children and their grown-ups. They believe every child is full of potential and that more well-read children in the world will create a better future for us all!

Recommended Resources:Get ready to explore the future of education! Join Edtech Insiders for a virtual conference featuring 30+ of the top voices shaping the future of Al + Education. A full day of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking! Register now here: AI+EDU Virtual Conference

Rebecca Kantar serves as Vice President of Education and Director of the Roblox Community Fund at Roblox Corporation (NYSE: RBLX), a technology platform bringing the world together through play. Rebecca is responsible for growing Roblox’s education vertical into a self-sustaining ecosystem of outstanding educational content creators, bringing deeper learning curricular materials to educators and students. Roblox Education connects educational organizations with extraordinary Roblox developer studios through Roblox Community Fund grants.

Rebecca came to Roblox in 2020 when Roblox acquired Imbellus Inc., a simulation-based assessment technology company Rebecca founded and led. Rebecca founded Imbellus with conviction that better educational assessments would drive deeper teaching and learning and in turn, more students graduating ready for adulthood. In delivering operational, fair, valid, and reliable assessments at scale, Imbellus demonstrated the potential for simulation-based assessments to measure deep thinking skills in high-stakes workforce and educational contexts. Rebecca led Imbellus in raising over $23M, signing multimillion-dollar development contracts with Fortune 500 corporations and in completing successful M&A transactions with Roblox Corporation and McKinsey & Company. Prior to launching Imbellus, Rebecca founded an expert network that Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG) acquired in 2012.

Rebecca serves as a Vice Chair of the Museum of Science Board of Trustees, where she serves on the Campaign Cabinet and as Vice Chair of the Trustee Nominating Committee. Rebecca has served as an advisor to the Common Application and to the MA Common Start Coalition. Rebecca grew up in Newton, MA and currently lives in Massachusetts.

Links:Roblox's educational partner site, for organizations or developers interested in building experiences in various subjects - including well-being, social/emotional learning on Roblox: https://education.roblox.com/partners/

Recommended Resources:Whiteboard Advisorsnewsletter
COVID-19 Policy Update by John Bailey
Emily in Your Phonenewsletter to stay up to date on state of public school happenings
Nice White Parentspodcast

Get ready to explore the future of education! Join Edtech Insiders for a virtual conference featuring 30+ of the top voices shaping the future of Al + Education. A full day of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking! Register now here: AI+EDU Virtual Conference

Dustin Ramsdell is an EdTech content creator and influencer who aims to drive meaningful conversations with top leaders in the Higher Ed field. His show, The Higher Ed Geek Podcast, explores all the nuances of higher education, with a focus on innovative technology and practices from his fellow professionals. Dustin also currently works as the Community Engagement Lead at Pathify. He loves craft beer, good pizza, and sustainability. Dustin lives happily in Delaware with his wife, Jenn, and their daughter, Ellie.

Recommended Resources:Student Success Eventby Times Higher Education and Inside Higher Ed
November 7–9, 2023
University of California, Los AngelesGet ready to explore the future of education! Join Edtech Insiders for a virtual conference featuring 30+ of the top voices shaping the future of Al + Education. A full day of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking! Register now here: AI+EDU Virtual Conference

Ben Strouse oversees Gen-Z Media, the studio behind the biggest middle-grade and family podcast mysteries and adventures. Its slate of more than 20 shows includes “Six Minutes,” the most downloaded family drama in history and a big classroom favorite, the Peabody Award winning classic “The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel,” and its current hit, “Nightingale”, in which three teens with cancer find a portal in the hospital basement leading to another world. GZM Shows focuses exclusively on producing smart and purposeful digital programming created specifically to impact and engage tweens, teens and family audiences.

Recommended Resources:gzmclassroom.comweareteachers.comlist of podcasts

Get ready to explore the future of education! Join Edtech Insiders for a virtual conference featuring 30+ of the top voices shaping the future of Al + Education. A full day of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking! Register now here: AI+EDU Virtual Conference

David Shacklette is the Product Manager for the Harvard Skills Lab, a Schmidt Futures funded research initiative and startup that designs performance-based assessment tools that can be used by universities, businesses, and individuals to provide a clearer picture of the foundational skills (sometimes called “soft skills”) required for individuals and teams to succeed in the labor market.

Prior to joining the Skills Lab, David has held product roles at Fortune Magazine, where most notably he launched and scaled Fortune’s first education vertical (fortune.com/education) in partnership with 2U, and has previously held a variety of operational and leadership roles in venture capital and early-stage startups in the Bay Area.

David holds a Master’s degree in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University, where he focused on topics in the fields of Educational Neuroscience and AI.

Recommended Resources:https://www.skillslab.dev/game-libraryForked Lightningby David Deming

Get ready to explore the future of education! Join Edtech Insiders for a virtual conference featuring 30+ of the top voices shaping the future of Al + Education. A full day of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking! Register now here: AI+EDU Virtual Conference

Amanda Bickerstaff is the Founder and CEO of AI for Education. A former high school biology teacher and EdTech executive with over 20 years of experience in the education sector, she has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that AI can offer. She is a frequent consultant, speaker, and writer on the topic of AI in education, leading workshops and professional learning across both K12 and Higher Ed. Amanda is committed to helping schools and teachers maximize their potential through the ethical and equitable adoption of AI.

Recommended Resources:One Useful Thing by Prof. Ethan Mollick

Get ready to explore the future of education! Join Edtech Insiders for a virtual conference featuring 30+ of the top voices shaping the future of Al + Education. A full day of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking! Register now here: AI+EDU Virtual Conference

Andrew Cohen is the founder & CEO of Brainscape, a web & mobile education platform that helps millions of people study more efficiently. Brainscape allows students of all ages to create, share, and find great “smart flashcards” for any subject, and to study them using a fun, social experience that is scientifically proven to boost learning results.

Before starting Brainscape, Andrew worked as an international economist (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), eLearning curriculum developer (Satori Consulting and United Nations), and government corruption fighter (World Bank). He holds a Masters degree in Instructional Technology from Columbia University and is obsessed with optimizing human development using cognitive science.

Recommended Resources:Brainscape websiteBrainscape mobile appBrainscape AcademyBrainscape YouTube

Get ready to explore the future of education! Join Edtech Insiders for a virtual conference featuring 30+ of the top voices shaping the future of Al + Education. A full day of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking! Register now here: AI+EDU Virtual Conference

Jessica Tenuta is the Chief Product Officer and Cofounder of Packback, where she works with engineering, design, and support teams to design a product experience that fuels student curiosity and builds more confident writers. Outside of her time at Packback Jessica is the cofounder and creative director of Play Together, a Chicago-based non-profit art-and-music label that produces limited edition collaborations between a visual artist and a musical artist, with proceeds benefiting a selected Chicago arts education program. Jess has been featured in Forbes, the Chicago Sun Times, Fast Company, the Techweek 100, TEDx, and Chicago Inno.

Packback is an award-winning learning platform for improving writing, critical thinking, and motivation skills. Unlike generative AI models, which power tools like ChatGPT and can be used to generate complete passages of text on behalf of a user, Packback uses AI to coach students to build their critical thinking and writing skills.

Recommended ResourcesDrive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink

Get ready to explore the future of education! Join Edtech Insiders for a virtual conference featuring 30+ of the top voices shaping the future of Al + Education. A full day of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking! Register now here: AI+EDU Virtual Conference

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

In this episode, we discuss:

AI

Pipeline Perspectives: Trends From 280+ Generative AI Edtech Tools
EdTech Companies Are Racing to Build a GitHub Copilot for Teachers
Teachers Are Going All In on Generative AI

K12

2023 SETDA State of Edtech Report
Curriculum Associates Report: State of Student Learning
Common Sense: 2023 State of Kids Privacy
Clever's Classroom of the Future Report

Higher Ed

Admissions Officers Reflect on a Transformative Year

Byju's

Byju’s hid $533 million in hedge fund once run from a Miami pancake shop, lenders allege

Funding:

- Learn.xyz secured $3M in seed round, now posted on Product Hunt

- Curipod raised $4.6 million in seed funding.

- Correcto secured €6.5 million to elevate Spanish writing skills with AI

- ELSA raises $23M

- Mathpresso raises $8M

- Swap Language raises $2.15MGet ready to explore the future of education! Join Edtech Insiders for a virtual conference featuring 30+ of the top voices shaping the future of Al + Education. A full day of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking! Register now here: AI+EDU Virtual Conference

In this special episode of Week in Edtech, we speak to two leaders in the K12 space using AI to support teachers and learners:

Deepanshu Arora, Founder and CEO of Toddle Learning

Toddle's mission is to help teaching teams around the world do their best work. More specifically, Toddle is an end-to-end solution for all your teaching and learning needs. Teaching teams use Toddle for curriculum planning, assessments, student portfolios, projects, progress reports, classroom management, family communication and much more.

Vivek Ramakrishnan, Co-Founder of Project Read

Built by teachers and AI experts from Stanford, Project Read is an ambitious effort to make personalized reading support accessible for all kids, regardless of income. Accessible in browsers on mobile, tablet or desktop.

Get ready to explore the future of education! Join Edtech Insiders for a virtual conference featuring 30+ of the top voices shaping the future of Al + Education. A full day of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking! Register now here: AI+EDU Virtual Conference

James Grant is co-founder of MyTutor, the UK’s leading online tutoring platform, working with hundreds of thousands of students and 1,500 public schools across the UK and US. Their vision is to make life-changing tutoring available to all. They are the largest partner on the UK’s National Tutoring Programme, have a carefully vetted, 20,000 strong tutor community and have raised $40m in funding. MyTutor’s programs are proven to deliver 2.5x the progress for students in their tutored subjects. James was recognised in Forbes 30 under 30’s 2018 list for MyTutor’s social impact.

Recommended Resources:The Art of Learningby Josh WaitzkinLearning How to Learnby Barbara Oakley PhD

Get ready to explore the future of education! Join Edtech Insiders for a virtual conference featuring 30+ of the top voices shaping the future of Al + Education. A full day of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking! Register now here: AI+EDU Virtual Conference

The Art of Learning: A Journey in the Pursuit of Excellence

Learning How to Learn: How to Succeed in School Without Spending All Your Time Studying; A Guide for Kids and Teens

Bodo Hoenen is the founder of Dev4X, and a cofounder of NOLEJ, a generative AI for education. He is a collective intelligence scientist and serial entrepreneur whose previous startup’s include an LMS that he sold to Google. Since then, he’s been developing a Super Collective Intelligence, an AI-Human collaboration engine to rapidly accelerate the rate at which we can learn and innovate. Recommended Resources:Lex Fridman podcastChatGPTBardBingGet ready to explore the future of education! Join Edtech Insiders for a virtual conference featuring 30+ of the top voices shaping the future of Al + Education. A full day of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking! Register now here: AI+EDU Virtual Conference

This episode features interviews with

Johann Malawana of Medics Academy
Jen Mendelsohn and Mara Koffmann from Braintrust Tutors

Check out the Edtech Insiders AI+EDU Conference!

We also cover:

UNESCO's AI Competencies for Teachers
Byju's effort to repay repayment through selling acquisitions
Flint raises money for edu-LLMs, and Imbue for agents
Americans losing faith in College ROI
K12 Literacy Scores forcing shift to Science of Reading

John Failla is the CEO and co-founder of Pearl, a research-based tutoring platform that streamlines operations, reports actionable data, and improves outcomes for Pearl’s many tutoring partners. Pearl works with states, districts, and private tutoring companies. John is also a Founder-In-Residence at University of Richmond - Robins School of Business and was the Founder & CEO at Trilogy Mentors.

Recommended Resources:Blogby Pearl
National Student Support AcceleratorIllinois Tutoring InitiativeGet ready to explore the future of education! Join Edtech Insiders for a virtual conference featuring 30+ of the top voices shaping the future of Al + Education. A full day of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking! Register now here: AI+EDU Virtual Conference

Kimberly Nix Berens, Ph.D., is a scientist-educator and Founder of Fit Learning. She co-created a system of instruction based in behavioral science and the Technology of Teaching, which has transformed the learning abilities of thousands of children worldwide.

Fit learning programs use virtual instruction to target areas a wide range of skills: early learning skills, basic classroom readiness, phonemic awareness, reading fluency, comprehension, inferential language, basic and advanced mathematics, logical problem solving, grammar, and expressive writing.

From her early beginnings in a broom closet at the University of Nevada – Reno, Dr. Berens has helped grow Fit Learning to an organization with more than 30 locations worldwide.

She recently published her first book, Blind Spots: Why students fail and the science that can save them.

Recommended Resources:Project Follow ThroughPeakby Anders Ericsson
Talent is Overratedby Geoff Colvin

Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else

Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise

In 2022, Heather Combs was appointed CEO of StraighterLine, one of edtech’s fastest growing companies and the leading provider of high-quality, affordable, online courses that helps learners earn college credit and meet their professional goals. Heather has led the company through its first acquisition of ChildCare Education Institute, one of the largest online training providers for early childhood education professionals. This acquisition is the company’s first step to significantly expand its course offerings and grow the company.

Heather brings more than two decades of experience in scaling high-growth companies. Before StraighterLine, she served as chief commercial officer and chief operations officer of the digital product development company 3Pillar Global, where she led operations, marketing, and strategic growth initiatives. Before 3Pillar, she led revenue strategy and product management as the chief business development officer at the HR Certification Institute, was the chief sales officer at Hanover Research, and spent 13 years at Corporate Executive Board, business advisory firm that was acquired by Gartner in 2017.

Heather was named a 2018 “female disrupter” of the software development world by Medium and is dedicated to women in leadership. She is a founding member of Chief, a network to connect and support women executive leaders, and a member of the advisory council for STEM for HER, an organization that empowers girls and young women to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.

StraighterLine provides high quality, low cost online courses that prepare students for success. StraighterLine combines a $99 a month course subscription with guaranteed credit pathways to accredited degree programs to save up to 60% on the total cost of a degree.

Recommended Resources:Using ROI for Strategic Planning of Online Educationby Kathleen Ives and Debroah SeymourWhat We're Readingby Whiteboard Advisors
Jeff Selingo booksEdTech Thoughtsby Matthew Tower

Other Notes:StraighterLine gets to the point where they can offer "courses for credit" not "accredited courses". Technically their courses are not "accredited" but they transfer for college credit at accredited institutions.

Guests: Dr. Deepak Sekar and Maria Walley of Prof Jim

Prof Jim Launches Reelbooks 2.0 - AI Now Achieves Parity with Human Instructors

AI Edtech Companies Rising

Atypical AI raised $4M in pre-seed to continue shaping the future of learning and assessment
Sizzle AI raised $7.5M in seed for their tutoring chatbot for middle and high school STEM courses, led by Owl Ventures
Course Hero Launches "AI Academy" to Help Educators Navigate Role of AI in the Classroom
Q2 Earnings Roundup - EdTech Generative AI (GSV)

ChatGPT in Schools

More schools want your kids to use Chat GPT. Really.
Kids Are Going Back to School. So Is ChatGPT

K12

Gen Z’s Declining College Interest Persists — Even Among Middle Schoolers
The rise of the virtual teacher: the remote trend that some US parents aren’t even aware of

Higher Ed

The charade of ‘test-optional’ admissions
University of Michigan to offer AI tools to U-M community

Additional Funding and M & A

Creatively Focused Raises $3M to Keep Special Educators From Leaving the Classroom
MagicSchool Raises $2.4M to Fight Teacher Burnout Using Artificial Intelligence
Layoffs from Cuemath

Marco DeRossi is the CEO and founder of WeSchool, a leading Italian EdTech startup

Founded in 2016, WeSchool is an online collaborative learning platform that is designed to be easy to use- it already enables 1.7 million students and 230.000 teachers to amplify their learning experience by leveraging digital tools.

WeSchool recently closed a 6.4M€ Series A funding round to scale their technology and enter new markets.

Recommended Resources:
Visible Learningby John Hattie

Visible Learning

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Ben and Alex discuss:

Edtech Investment Cooling
EdTech investment cooling in 2023 but growth outlook remains strong
It’s been a bumpy 6 months for Edtech — are smoother roads ahead?
K12: Private Schools, School Choice and ESAs + Edtech vs. Burnout
Private School Choice is Booming. Here’s What It Means for Education Companies
Florida teachers are worried new policies could get them fired — or even criminally charged
New Survey: Majority of Teachers Cite Edtech as Key to Supporting Diverse Learners While Reducing Workloads
HE: Online Here to Stay, Legacy Admissions on the Chopping Block?
Lawmakers urge Education Department to help end legacy and donor admissions
Public Higher Education Is Becoming More and More Inequitable
Two-thirds of colleges are adding online programs, survey finds
AI Beat
Code.org, ETS, ISTE, and Khan Academy Launch Free AI Professional Learning for Teachers
Who Should Be Regulating AI Classroom Tools?
Rounds and M & A
ClassWallet Closes $95 Million
SchoolStatus Announces Acquisition of ClassTag

Dr. Satya Nitta is the CEO and co-founder of Merlyn Mind, a deep tech generative AI company working on natural language interfaces and voice computing. He was previously the global head of AI solutions for learning at IBM Research and led teams in the development of conversational systems, speech recognition, and natural language understanding.

Dr. Nitta received his PhD in Chemical Engineering and holds over 100 US patents, as well as having published over 40 publications and received over 5,000 citations of his technical work. He was named as the IEEE Ace "Innovator of the Year" as well as one of the “top 50 movers and shakers of Education” by WISE and has received several technology awards for his work.

Recommended Resources:Dissociating Language and Thought in Large Language Models: A Cognitive Perspectiveby Kyle Mahowald, Anna A. Ivanova, Idan A. Blank, Nancy Kanwisher, Joshua B. Tenenbaum, Evelina Fedorenko

Sam Walderis a violinist, computer engineer, and the co-founder and CEO of Trala, which he founded as an undergraduate at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Trala is a tech-powered online music school. Founded in 2017, their mission is to make world-class music education accessible to every single person on Earth.

With over 600,000 downloads and violin students in 193+ countries, Trala has received support from top musicians and investors at Duolingo and LinkedIn. Trala closed an $8M Series A in March 2023, putting their total funding at $15M.

Recommended Resources:Edtech Founders

Note: While Trala does have an incredible partnership with Joshua Bell, he's not currently a Trala instructor.

Step into the exciting world of education technology with EdTech Insiders! Join hosts Alexander Sarlin and Ben Kornell in this engaging episode as they bring you the latest news and trends from the education technology landscape.

🏆 Winners and Losers of the Week: Discover the standout companies and initiatives making waves in the Edtech industry. Alex and Ben provide their expert insights into who's emerging victorious and who's facing challenges in the dynamic world of education technology.

📢 Supreme Court's Landmark Decision: Dive into the groundbreaking ruling by the Supreme Court on race-based admissions. Explore how this decision could reshape diversity initiatives and admission strategies in higher education. Explore the potential impact on a shifting educational landscape.

🤖 AI Integration in K-12: Uncover the revolutionary role of AI in K-12 education. Learn about the challenges and opportunities educators encounter when implementing AI tools in classrooms. From innovative language learning platforms like Laura to cybersecurity education with Secure Code Warrior, witness how AI is revolutionizing learning.

💰 Funding Roundup Highlights: Gain exclusive insights into the latest edtech funding rounds and emerging startups. Explore notable investments in companies such as Tomorrow University's remote-first approach, Data People's data-driven recruitment, and the innovative language learning platform by Promethean AI.

Whether you're an educator, tech enthusiast, or someone eager to stay informed, EdTech Insiders provides you with valuable insights into the ever-evolving world of education technology. Tune in and become part of the conversation shaping the future of education and technology.

Edtech Winners of the Summer:
- Kahoot! gets $1.72B Buyout
- Duolingo continues to beat the market
- GoStudent raises $95 (some debt) to expand
- Ukraine-based Preply raises $70M (some debt)

Edtech Bummers of the Summer:
- Paper conducts layoffs
- Byju's negative press after board walkouts, despite AI rollout

Edtech Partnerships of the Summer:
- Instructure to distribute Khanmigo through Canvas AI App Marketplace
- Newsela acquires Formative to expand assessment capabilities
- Coursera and UT System launch system wide "Career Academy" microcredentials

The biggest story in Higher Ed (the end of affirmative action) and K12 (continued backsliding of outcomes in the face of politicization), the AI beat, funding round-up and more!

Kristina Ishmael is the Deputy Director at the US Office of Educational Technology (which we’ll call the Office of Edtech, or the OET), part of the US DOE. She is an educator, learner, advocate, and agent of change. As the leader of the Office of Ed Tech, she executes the office mission of developing national edtech policy that enables everywhere, all-the-time learning and supports digital equity and opportunity.

Before the OET, Kristina was the Sr. Research Fellow on New America’s Teaching, Learning, & Tech team where she advised on the inclusive technology portfolio and incorporated digital equity and culturally responsive and sustaining education.

Kristina was also the Digital Learning Specialist for the Nebraska Department of Education where she led professional learning and advocated for school librarians. This experience granted her a unique perspective on leveraging educational technology in urban, suburban, and rural school systems. Kristina started as an early childhood and elementary teacher of emerging bilingual students in Omaha, Nebraska.

Recommended Resources:Office of Edtech (OET) official websiteEdTech Evidence Toolkitby OETAI Report by OETNational Educational Technology Planby OET

Dr. Martyn Farrows is the CEO of SoapBox Labs, the global leader in voice AI technology for children. Martyn joined SoapBox Labs in 2017 as Chief Operations Officer to lead operations, business development, and strategic partnerships. He was appointed to the CEO role in May 2021.

Founded in 2013, SoapBox Labs is an equity-centered, privacy-by-design voice AI company that powers accurate and equitable voice experiences for children of every accent, dialect and stage of development.

By the end of June 2023, SoapBox had powered the practice, screening, and assessment tools of over 50 global education companies and delivered more than 80 million learning experiences for young students. SoapBox is the first AI company to be certified for Prioritizing Racial Equity in AI Design by Digital Promise and the Edtech Equity project.

Martyn holds a PhD in European Politics and has more than 25 years experience in edtech and AI for children, with a particular focus on data privacy and ethical approaches to leveraging AI in the classroom.

Recommended Resources:Soapbox Labs BlogAI in Educationby Getting SmartDigital Promise

Ben Whately is the Chief Strategy Officer and co-founder of Memrise. A psychologist by education, with a Masters in Experimental Psychology from Oxford where he focused on neural networks and computational modeling of human learning, Ben has spent the last 15 years looking at ways to learn and teach languages.

While at Oxford, Ben became fascinated by how we learn languages. In the past, he’d always been able to pass language exams, but would find himself totally unable to actually use the language abroad. While studying psychology, he formed a theory for why this is, and Memrise has been a journey of bringing that theory into reality. He believes that people fundamentally learn languages to connect with other people or because they are enamoured of the culture of that language, and Memrise strives to embody this experience of connection.

Building on his neuroscience and language acquisition background, Ben pioneered the use of LLMs to create the world’s first AI language partner using GPT-3 technology, Membot. Ben is also a prolific angel investor, investing in and advising more than 50 companies in the UK startup ecosystem, with a focus on AI, machine learning and climate tech.

Recommended Resources:Language Learning on Memrise

Michael Chasen is the co-founder and CEO of Class Technologies Inc., the maker of Class. He is an entrepreneur who has dedicated his career to improving the way people live and learn.

Most notably, Chasen served as co-founder and CEO of Blackboard Inc., a pioneering edtech company with software used by over 20,000 institutions in more than 70 countries by 20 million teachers and learners worldwide.

Recommended Resources:The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell
Outliers: The Story of Successby Malcolm GladwellMalcolm Gladwell PodcastFreakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
Freakonomics Podcast

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Outliers: The Story of Success

Charles Abelmann is the director and producer of the short documentary English Hustle. He is an educator with a background in research, policy and practice. Earlier in his career, he worked at the World Bank managing education projects in a wide number of countries including China and Mongolia. He has also led public and private schools including being the Director at the Laboratory Schools at the University of Chicago while also having an appointment at the university as a lecturer. He currently is a filmmaker and an executive coach certified by the International Coaching Federation and holds an M.A and Ed.D. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Recommended Resources:English Hustleon englishhustle.org
English Hustle on newday.com
English Hustle on Vimeo

Ellie Bertani is the President and CEO of the GitLab Foundation, with the mission of improving lifetime earnings and economic mobility of workers worldwide. With a background in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors, she brings a shared value, cross-sectoral approach to drive sustainable impact.

Prior to joining the GitLab Foundation, Ellie spent ten years in the private sector, with roles at Wells Fargo and Walmart. Much of her work focused on frontline worker economic stability and mobility, and included work on instant access to earned pay, scheduling predictability, removing hiring barriers, and developing internal learning and career pathing programs. In 2020 Ellie was awarded Walmart’s highest recognition, the Sam Walton Entrepreneurship Award, for the development of LiveBetterU, the largest free educational benefits program in the US, and Walmart’s most successful diversity & inclusion program.

Earlier in her career, Ellie spent nearly ten years in the nonprofit and public sector, including positions with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the U.S. State Department, Third Sector Capital Partners, and Rotary International. She received her Master of Public Administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and her MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.

Recommended Resources:A Time to Buildby Yuval Levine

A Time to Build: From Family and Community to Congress and the Campus, How Recommitting to Our Institutions Can Revive the American Dream

Sacha Litman is a core member of the Public Sector practice at Boston Consulting Group and the global lead for analytics in education, employment, and welfare (EEW) for that practice. Sacha is an expert in talent gaps, higher education turnarounds, pricing, and student financing.

Sacha advises higher education, employer, and state leaders on building education/employer partnerships that close talent supply/demand gaps in order to improve students' employment outcomes; employer talent acquisition costs and retention; higher education enrollment, brand perception; financial sustainability; and states' ability to attract and retain talent and employers. He has extensive experience in pricing and analytics, and designs models such as outcomes-aligned student financing, financial aid optimization, HR/workforce analytics, and schedule optimization.

Sacha is a former edtech founder and CEO, with the entrepreneurial skills to build pioneering new approaches. Before joining BCG, he was the leader of Public Sector Advanced Analytics for McKinsey & Company, and CEO of the education analytics firm Measuring Success.

Recommended Resources:
A Turnaround for Higher Ed in the US by Sacha Litman, Tyce Henry, J. Puckett, and Lina Bankert
Why Student Financing Must Align with Outcomesby Sacha Litman, Claudia Newman-Martin, Matt Beckett, and John Pineda
How Higher Ed and Employers Can Partner to Power Talent Pipelines by Sacha Litman, Lane McBride, Tejus Kothari, Claudia Newman-Martin, Ruth Ebeling, and Frank Breitling

For over two decades, Chicago Scholars, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leadership development organization, has empowered nearly 6,000 high-performing, under-resourced students to overcome systemic barriers to success in college. Chicago Scholars is the largest education nonprofit in Chicago, a city of over 2.5 million. In addition to its wraparound support for Chicago-based students, Chicago Scholars has created REACH Pathways, a first-of-its-kind app designed to connect top talent with professional opportunities in ways that feel less like homework and more like a video game.

Jeffery Beckham, Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer at Chicago Scholars and co-CEO of Reach Pathways. Jeffery is a community leader, artist and tech-entrepreneur known for advancing the fight for equity for youth and marginalized communities throughout the United States. Jeffery lives by the quote: “To whom much is given, much is required.” He strives to support traditionally underserved youth, working as a mentor with the 100 Black Men of Chicago, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity INC. and other Chicago programs. Jeffery is also a self-taught painter and uses his art to advocate for social and economic justice. His work has been on display around the world.

Brooke McKean, the President at Chicago Scholars and co-CEO of Reach Pathways, has over a decade of executive-level experience in fast-paced and start-up environments, in addition to experience managing teams in 12+ countries. Brooke is an expert in change management and has developed dozens of systems, policies, and infrastructure across all areas of operations, including IT, HR, finance, data systems, and beyond. Brooke believes in service-oriented and values-based leadership to ensure that Chicago Scholars embodies the values that define its programs to “be the change.”

Recommended Resources:TED-EdTwitter spacesYoutubeStorybirdFinding Nonprofit Sustainabilityby Brooke MckeanDr. Raj Chetty's Research

Clay Colarusso is the CMO and SVP of Digital Strategy at American Student Assistance, a national non-profit changing the way kids learn about careers and navigate a path to postsecondary education and career success.

Clay and his team focus on creating transformational digital experiences to support today’s youth in the development of their post-high school education and career plans. They recently launched ASA’s latest digital resource, EvolveMe™, which helps teens in middle and high school gain critical life and career skills and earn rewards along the way.

Recommended Resources:
Gen Z is Struggling: 5 Things They Need For A Bright Future by Tracy Brower, PhD

In this final Week In Edtech until August, we cover:

London EdtechX and ISTE

Reading/Math Crisis :

NAEP Results, Times
- “Achievement declined across lines of race, class and geography. But in math, especially, vulnerable children — including Black, Native American and low-income students — experienced bigger drops.”
- “The percentage of 13-year-olds who reported reading for fun has also declined. Last fall, 31 percent said they “never or hardly ever” read for fun, compared to 22 percent in 2012.”
Post: National test scores plunge, with still no sign of pandemic recovery
- “The average math score is now the same as it was in 1990, while the average reading score is the same as it was in 2004.”
74: NAEP Scores ‘Flashing Red’ After a Lost Generation of Learning for 13-Year-Olds
U.S. history scores hit all-time low among 8th graders

Byju’s:

Byju's auditor Deloitte, three board members sever ties with embattled edtech startup
Deloitte, three board members quit edtech giant Byju’s

AI (Alex and Ben)

Workera launches Generative AI and ChatGPT assessments
Online Learning Firm Nerdy Says Ai Is Writing 30% Of Its Software Code The Business Journals
CreatorUp Launches its Redesigned Learning Store with Courses for Creators, Upskilling them for New Job Opportunities, including in Generative AI

Dan Whiteis founder and CEO of Filament Games, an educational game company that’s been breaking ground in game-based learning for 18 years.

Dan believes that good gameplay and good learning are complementary rather than oppositional forces. An alumnus of Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Dan earned an M.S. in Education Technology under seminal learning game scholars Drs. Kurt Squire and James Paul Gee. Prior to founding Filament in 2005, Dan worked as a teacher, an instructional designer, and a game developer. Dan’s passions include learning games, sustainability, mindfulness, and modernizing institutional education.

Recommended Resources:What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy by James Paul Gee
Ai Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order by Kai-Fu Lee
Is the world getting better or worse? A look at the numbersby Steven Pinker

What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy. Second Edition: Revised and Updated Edition

Ai Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order

Bridgette Leslie is the Co-Founder, CEO of IEP&Me, Inc. Bridgette had spent her career as a special educator, focusing on creating inclusive classrooms, fostering self-awareness advocacy with her students, and triggering innovation in several school settings. As an entrepreneur, she's been accepted into the ODX Accelerator, achieved a NewSchools Venture Fund grant, and recently completed the Techstars JP Morgan Chase Female Founders Catalyst program.

Mario Vasilescu is co-founder of Readocracy, an online learning platform that makes all the content you consume count. Readocracy includes a knowledge profile that quantifies and showcases your passions, private insights like a “Fitbit for your information diet”, and social features that reward people for being well-informed. With his team, they are on a mission to create a future where how we feed our minds matters just as much as how we feed our bodies.

Mario is a robotics engineer turned designer, digital strategist, and now founder obsessed with media ecology. Prior to entering the world of startups, he led digital innovation projects and digital literacy campaigns for national organizations in Canada and France. He is based in Toronto.

Melda Akin is the CEO and founder of D14.AI and STEM training organization Sirius Labs.

D14.AI provides an AI-driven software platform for healthcare clinics, gyms, and logistics companies to optimize their workforce and manage business operations in an easy, secure and affordable way. Before launching D14.AI into Dubai’s burgeoning tech start-up scene, Akin was a software developer, system analyst, lecturer in computer and software engineering departments, project manager and the youngest director of an international tech company.

Melda Akin graduated from BSc Computer Engineering, and MSc in Intelligent Engineering Systems, focusing on Artificial Intelligence. Akin is the first woman in the world to organize and conduct AI and machine learning training for women in the MENA region. collaborating with the Cyber Defense and Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Akin has won many awards for her work: she was selected among 200 candidates as one of the eight best female-founded start-ups in the Middle East and Africa region by Standard Chartered Bank, as well as a ‘New Entrepreneur of the year 2020’ by Gulf Capital, one of the Top 10 Women Behind Middle Eastern Tech Brands list by Forbes Middle East in both 2021 and 2022, and as one of the best seven women in tech entrepreneurship in Turkey by Microsoft.

Finally, Melda Akin serves as a mentor for the United Nations & for the UAE's NAMA Women Advancement organization.

Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business by Erin Meyer

The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business

Kim Smith is the founder of LearnerStudio, an equity-focused education investment studio being incubated inside Cambiar Education.

She is also the founder and CEO of the Pahara Institute, a national nonprofit that aims to identify, strengthen, and sustain diverse high-potential leaders who are transforming public education.

Immediately prior, she was co-founder of Bellwether Education Partners. Earlier in her career she was a founding team member at Teach For America, created an AmeriCorps program serving community-based leaders in youth development, led a trade show start-up, and did a stint in online learning at Silicon Graphics.

After completing her MBA at Stanford, she co-founded the NewSchools Venture Fund, a philanthropy focused on catalyzing a bipartisan, cross-sector community of entrepreneurial change agents for public education.

Kim was featured in Newsweek’s report on the “Women of the 21st Century” as “the kind of woman who will shape America’s new century.”

Recommended Resources:The Persuaders: At the Front Lines of the Fight for Hearts, Minds, and Democracy by Anand Girardharas
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt

The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion

None

Anada Lakra is the co-founder and CEO of BoldVoice. Her mission is to empower every non-native English speaker to fulfill their potential through confident English. . BoldVoice is an app that helps learners to improve their English speaking clarity and confidence through videos from Hollywood accent coaches and instant feedback from speech artificial intelligence.

Previously, Anada built and launched 5 products (1 IPO, 1 exit via acquisition) in both enterprise and consumer, across verticals including retail, entertainment, and recruiting. She was recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 in Education, and holds a BA from Yale and MBA from Harvard Business School.

Recommended Resources:How You Say It: Why You Talk the Way You Do―And What It Says About You by Katherine D. KinzlerAtomic Habitsby James Clear

How You Say It: Why You Talk the Way You Do―And What It Says About You

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

Ryan Craig is a Managing Director at Achieve Partners and was formerly an MD at University Ventures. Ryan’s commentary on where the puck is going in education and workforce regularly appears in the biweekly Gap Letter,Forbes, and Inside Higher Education. He is the author of the upcoming book Apprentice Nation: How the "Earn and Learn" Alternative to Higher Education Will Create a Stronger and Fairer America(November 2023). He is also author of A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College(2018), which describes the critical importance of last-mile training and the emergence of bootcamps, income share programs, staffing and apprenticeship models as preferred pathways to good first digital jobs and was named in the Wall Street Journal as one the Books of the Year for 2018. Ryan’s first book was College Disrupted: The Great Unbundling of Higher Education (2015), which profiles the coming shift toward competency-based education and hiring. Ryan is a co-founder of Apprenticeships for America, a national nonprofit dedicated to scaling apprenticeships across the U.S. economy.

Previously, Ryan led the Education & Training sector at Warburg Pincus. His prior experience in higher education was at Columbia University. Ryan also founded and built Wellspring, a national network of boarding schools and summer camps for overweight and obese children, adolescents, and young adults. He began his career at McKinsey & Co.

Ryan received bachelor's degrees summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Yale University, and his law degree from the Yale Law School.

College Disrupted: The Great Unbundling of Higher Education

A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College

Al Kingsley has over 30 years’ experience in educational technology and digital safeguarding.

For the last 25 years Al has been the Group Managing Director of NetSupport, an international software company developing market-leading software solutions used by over 18 million customers, designed to support the effective use of instructional technology in classrooms alongside eSafety technologies to safeguard students online.

Al writes for a range of international titles on all aspects of education, with a particular focus on Digital Strategy, the use of EdTech, Blended Learning, Safeguarding and broader strategic planning.

He is the author of “My Secret Edtech Diary” and “My School Governance Handbook” and the co-host of the “EdTech Shared” podcast.

Recommended Resources:The Innovator's Dillema: The Revolutionary Book That Will Change the Way You Do Businessby Clayton M. Christensen
Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learnsby Clayton M. Christensen

My Secret #EdTech Diary: Looking at Educational Technology Through a Wider Lens

None

The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book That Will Change the Way You Do Business

Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns

Sheryl Cababa is a multi-disciplinary design strategist with more than two decades of experience and has worked extensively in human-centered design within the social impact space. She specializes in developing tools and methods for designers to expand their mindsets beyond user-centered design, anticipate unintended consequences, and engage in systems thinking. Some of her recent work with the Gates Foundation includes leading student voice research to inform the K-12 Balance The Equation Grand Challenge, working with Gates Foundation teams to provide equity-centered technical assistance to their grantees. She’s worked with IKEA, Microsoft, frog design and at Substantial, A hybrid-first Insights, Design + Development Studio, where she is the Chief Design Officer. Her newest book, Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers, came out in Feb 2023; you can find a link to it in the shownotes for this episode .

Recommended Resources

Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers
Gholdy Muhammad, Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy

Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy

In this Week in Edtech, Ben and Alex talk about the rise of open-source LLMs and what it means for education, Sam Altman's Congressional testimony and coming AI regulations, and systemic changes affecting the entire Edtech venture landscape.

We also speak to Hussainatu (Hussa) Blake, who leads Edtech and Workforce for the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation about global AI and Edtech

We check in with Arman Jaffer, Tom Whitnam and Corey Crouch, the founding team of the powerful AI Teaching tool Brisk Teaching.

Adrian Ridner is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Study.com and an industry leader in education technology.

Adrian has created the leading online learning platform in the world at delivering a personalized learning experience to students and teachers from grade school through college and beyond. Adrian has spent the past two decades bringing together academic experts across all subjects, with the leading technologists and learning scientists to build the most innovative micro-learning platform with the sole purpose to eliminate the most common educational barriers and make education accessible.

Adrian has been committed to advancing personalized and engaging learning at scale for students of varying needs and diverse backgrounds to help level the playing field. Study.com's short video lessons and online courses help students achieve their educational goals and degrees needed to unlock economic opportunities. As an Argentine immigrant, Adrian is particularly proud that Study.com helps students, teachers and parents in the U.S. and around the world. He gets excited about each learner that shares their personal story, from every corner of the globe, about how Study.com empowered them to achieve their education and career dreams.

In 2017, Adrian launched the Working Scholars® program as an accelerated pathway to a bachelor's degree offering flexibility, convenience and little to no student debt for working adults. The program has expanded nationally to dozens of cities, uplifting underserved communities one college graduate at a time. Adrian is very proud of the impact Working Scholars is having and humbled that is was named CA Non-Profit of the Year.

Audrey Wisch is the CEO and Co-Founder and Curious Cardinals, a global community where K-12 students discover and pursue their passions, build confidence, and unlock their greatest potential with the guidance of college mentors they aspire to be.

Audrey started Curious Cardinals as an undergraduate at Stanford University; after teaching her first workshop on mass incarceration to high school students at the start of the pandemic, Audrey decided to mobilize her most ambitious peers at Stanford and beyond to join her in teaching the topics they were passionate about to K-12 students and serving as their near-peer mentors.

Since then, Audrey has taken time off from Stanford to pursue Curious Cardinals full time, now a community of over 400 college mentors mentoring students around the world. The company has raised $6.8 million in seed funding led by Anthos Capital and Audacious Ventures, and has been featured on CNN and Bloomberg. Audrey was also recognized in the 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 Education and Youngest category.

Recommended Resources

Curious Cardinal student Matthew’s video game that he has been building with mentors over the past two years can be seen here and a video of Matthew + his parents here.
Failure to Disrupt by Justin Reich
System Error by by Rob Reich, Mehran Sahami andJeremy M. Weinstein
Infinite Game by Simon Senak

Curious Cardinals is Hiring!

Lucy Chen is hiring for two roles on my team.

Both work directly with the most amazing part of Curious Cardinals: our mentors, a community of the most passionate and ambitious college students in the world!

1. Mentor Success Manager (mid-level)

Looking for a system-minded ops person with strong learning background to scale our current ways of supporting mentors and preparing mentors to teach.

2. Mentor Talent & Community Manager (entry- OR mid-level)

Looking for a passionate community person to recruit and curate the mentor community. Strongly prefer someone with prior experience managing both virtual and in-person communities.

Failure to Disrupt: Why Technology Alone Can’t Transform Education

The Infinite Game

System Error: Where Big Tech Went Wrong and How We Can Reboot

In this Episode, Guests:

Nishaad Balachandran of Avathon Capital on Private Equity for Edtech
Kavitta Ghai of Nectir on the launch of Soma, their new AI community tool

Big Story:

Byju's Properties Raided by Indian Authorities
Explained: Why Edtech start-up Byju’s is facing heat from ED

Other articles discussed:

Teachers Feel Growing Obligation to Incorporate ChatGPT
California bill proposes 50% school staff salary hike over 7 years
Bias in AI: Do Chatbot Tutors Work Better When They're Upbeat — and Female?
Unionization Efforts Spread Through Higher Education As Colleges Double Down

News Covered:

MICROSCHOOLING:

New Research Reveals The Breadth And Impact Of The Microschooling Movement Forbes

INDIA: THE HAVES AND THE HAVE-NOTS

Unacademy To Be Profitable At Group Level In April: CEO Gaurav Munjal Upstart
Ed-tech Firm Simplilearn Plans Acquisitions, Expansion Amid Funding Winter :Business Standard
upGrad to expand Study Abroad programme in Africa, South-East Asia and Middle EastThe Hindu Business Line
Edtech Startup BrightChamps Makes Third Acquisition, Enters B2B Arena The Economic Times
Woes Of The Funding Winter Continue To Jitter Indian Edtechs; Are There Any Hopes Of Revival?INC42

EVIDENCE IN EDTECH AND LEARNING LOSS

EdTech Evidence Toolkit by the Office of Education Technology: Supporting Schools’ Use of Evidence to Guide EdTech Adoption | US Department of Education
COVID-19 Hit Schools Unequally, But Data Shows Learning Recovery Is Equally Slow Edsurge

SKILLS-BASED HIRING LEADS TO HIGHER ED EXPERIMENTATION

Students Want More Workplace Skills From Colleges. Will Higher Ed Adjust? |EdSurge
As ‘Skills-Based Hiring’ Becomes All The Rage, These Education Leaders Want To Overturn A 117-Year-Old Way Of Measuring Students’ Experiences-Forbes
Colleges Push 3-year Degrees As Enrollments Fall, Costs RiseThe Washington Times
More Than 40 Million Americans Have Now Attended College Without Earning A DegreeForbes

Perry Kalmusis the co-founder of Akala, which is leveling the playing field for college admissions by providing best-in-class college advising to learners who would not have been able to afford it through technology. Before Akala, Perry ran the Princeton Education Network for over a decade together with his co-founder Barbara - who is also his mother. Together, they have helped over 15,000 students achieve their dreams of attending college.

Recommended ResourcesYour College-Bound KidpodcastThe Privileged Poorby Anthony Abraham JackWhere You Go Is Not Who You’ll Beby Frank BruniLord of the Rankingsby Malcolm Gladwelllesshighschoolstress.com

The Privileged Poor: How Elite Colleges Are Failing Disadvantaged Students

Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania

Amy Bevilacqua is a Managing Partner of Green Street Impact Partners. With over 30 years of experience at the intersection of the education, media and technology sectors, she has an abiding passion for advancing innovation and scaling education companies that deliver on learner-centered missions. Amy believes in impact investing in the future of education.

Ashley Chiampo is the Chief Learning Officer at the Emeritus Institute of Management, an online learning company. Shehas over 20 years of experience supporting people and organizations to reach learning goals and achieve greater effectiveness. Her background includes working with CXOs and senior leaders in small private companies, international development organizations, and multi-billion dollar publicly traded organizations. She focuses on creating and delivering meaningful learning experiences that can impact learner’s lives. Ashley also holds an Adjunct Faculty position at Asia School of Business in Kuala Lumpur, an affiliate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prior to Emeritus, Ashley Chiampo ran an executive coaching company, New Global Mind and worked at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Ashley is a trained group facilitator and a certified executive coach with over 2000 hours of coaching practice. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) granted by the ICF. Previously she was a management consultant for the Boston Consulting Group and a mechanical engineer for PTC. Ashley holds an MBA degree from the Wharton School, an MS in Mechanical Engineering from MIT and a BA from Brown University.

In this special "live" (or at least, unedited and recorded the same day it is published) episode, Ben and Alex discuss the growing narrative that Edtech company Chegg is 'the first victim of ChatGPT', which has caused a 40% reduction in its stock price this week, and its implications for the sector.

Chuck Cohn is the Founder, Chairman & CEO of Nerdy (parent company of Varsity Tutors). Chuck founded the company in 2007 during his junior year of college after experiencing frustration finding the personalized help he needed for a calculus course. He spent his early career working in energy & power investment banking at Wells Fargo Securities (Wachovia) and healthcare private equity at Ascension Ventures, an $800M AUM private equity fund. Chuck bootstrapped Nerdy before leaving his private equity role to focus on growing Nerdy full-time at the end of 2011.

Anthony Salcito, Chief Institution Business Officer, leads Varsity Tutors for Schools and is responsible for Nerdy’s efforts to support institutions as they work to transform learning opportunities for students and educators across a range of offerings. Prior to joining Nerdy, Anthony served as Vice President of Worldwide Education at Microsoft. In this role, he was responsible for driving Microsoft’s education engagement and relationships globally, including long-term partnerships with schools, universities and other public sector customers. Throughout his Microsoft career, he helped launch many of the company’s cornerstone education programs and is recognized as a champion for teachers and a global education thought leader.

Fadl and Nexford University are on a mission to solve the world's biggest challenge: education. As a next-generation university, Nexford is set to positively impact millions of lives globally.

Nexford’s two core principles are:

• A lack of education is the root cause of most global challenges; and
• People should be able to access economic opportunities, irrespective of physical location

Nexford is partnered with Microsoft, IBM and LinkedIn – who provide tools, courses and programmes to enrich the learning experience. Nexford also uses machine learning and AI to create a data and skills-driven curriculum designed to match employers’ needs.

Fadl became an entrepreneur at 18, and has 20 years’ experience founding digital marketing and technology businesses. He founded and managed the MENA region's leading digital engagement agency - its clients included: Fortune 500s, US State Department, International and government organizations.

Kemi Akinsanya-Rose brings more than 20 years of consulting, operations, strategy, marketing, and education technology experience to Cambium. Kemi provides expertise in these areas to help Cambium develop leadership capabilities, scale business opportunities, and accelerate overall performance. Kemi is instrumental in leading Cambium’s overall and business unit objectives in organizational and talent strategy, diversity efforts, program development, and financial operations to expand our nationwide impact on student achievement and teacher professional development.

Kemi earned her bachelor’s degree in economics from Northwestern University, her Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business, and a master’s degree in education leadership from the Broad Center at the Yale School of Management. Prior to joining Cambium, Kemi managed a global portfolio of client relationships across various industries where she provided bespoke strategic consulting services, served as the Chief Operating Officer & Chief Diversity Officer of EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning), and was the Chief Information Officer at the nation's largest school district, New York City Department of Education.

Tiffany Green is the founder of Uprooted Academy™, an Edtech platform designed to give students courage, confidence, and competitiveness in the college application process. Tiffany is a Black, first-generation Edtech founder merging mental health and college access. She is also an adjunct faculty of undergraduate and graduate psychology and serves as a licensed therapist and college counselor for the world’s only high school that travels the globe. Tiffany earned her graduate degree in counseling psychology from Howard University and became a licensed psychotherapist.

Focusing on her passion for understanding and helping alleviate educational anxiety for students, the college readiness program incorporates mental well-being and social-emotional learning while affirming identity and providing the "cheat code" hidden from low-income, first-generation applicants could be vital in minimizing the social capital, opportunity, and wealth gap.

Rebecca Agostino is the Vice President of Learning at Multiverse, leading the program, coaching and intervention teams for the US region.

Previously, she was the founding principal of Freedom Prep High School, a college-preparatory school in Camden, New Jersey, and a special educator in New York City. Rebecca graduated as a Robertson Scholar from Duke University with a BS in Economics; she earned a Master of Teaching from Fordham University and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Marni Baker Stein is Coursera’s Chief Content Officer, where she oversees the company’s content and credential strategy and partner relationships. Marni has more than 25 years of experience in producing and scaling online and hybrid education programs.

Previously, she was provost and chief academic officer at Western Governors University, where she leads WGU’s academic programs, faculty, and teams. She drives the university’s focus on student success.

Prior to WGU, she served as chief innovation officer for the University of Texas System’s Institute for Transformational Learning. She also worked as the senior associate dean of Columbia University’s School of Continuing Education, where she oversaw the school’s academic portfolio and was responsible for the development, design, and evaluation of all online and hybrid programs.

In August 2016, Stein was selected by the Department of Education to serve as a member of the National Technical Working Group charged with using technology to transform higher education through the expansion of the 2016 National Educational Technology Plan.

Stein has a Ph.D. in teaching, learning, and curriculum from the University of Pennsylvania.

We speak with legendary Edtech investor Jennifer Carolan, Managing Director of Reach Capital, and cover topics like:

ASU GSV Takeaways

Ben and Alex discuss some of the big takeaways from ASU GSV: Gen AI, Skills-based hiring and assessment + shorter runways & potential for consolidation

AI Tools continue to Proliferate in Edtech:

Edtech is going crazy for AI (Josh Bersin)
Chegg announces CheggMate, the new AI companion, built with GPT-4
Schoolytics: Building an AI Co-teacher for every classroom
Brainly Announces Beta Access to New AI Features
HiLink Unveils AI-Powered Lesson Planning Feature Purpose-Built for Educators
Labster Announces Automatic User Experience Upgrade to its Virtual Science Lab Simulation EdTech Platform
Workera launches Generative AI and ChatGPT benchmarking

The Edtech Websites That Power LLMs Like ChatGPT

Inside the secret list of websites that make AI like ChatGPT sound smart
We unpack, via WaPo, which Edtech tools are being used to train Large Language Models
Wikipedia (#2)
Scribd (#3)
Coursera (#12)
Instructables (#15)
Wikihow (#41)
Edweek (#91)
Youtube (#104)
Edweek Blogs (#182)
Quizlet (#1,447)
Udemy (#5165)
Skillshare (#14,528)
Course Hero (#15,996)
Pearson (#16,709)
Unacademy (26,507)
Chegg (75,565)
Kahoot (133,209)
Byju’s (330,315)
Duolingo (#507,900)
Khan Academy (#570,781)
Edx (#646,320)

Guild Rebrands and Expands

Guild Unveils New Brand and Product, Evolving Beyond Education to Accelerate Career Mobility for America’s Workforce

Lori Stirling is the Senior Vice President of Advancement Strategy at Affinaquest, a SaaS solution that empowers higher education and non-profit organizations to boost revenue and fundraising, enhance constituent engagement, and drive operational efficiencies through data.

Advancement RM is Affinaquest's CRM software built on the Salesforce platform to meet the complex needs of Advancement teams. It is designed to improve fundraising and build stronger relationships by creating a seamless donor experience.

On this Week in Edtech, we discuss:

1.ChatGPT Beat

ChatGPT Will Not Replace Teachers But Could Act As A Teaching Assistant *
NetEase Youdao Launches ChatGPT Model for Educational Scenario
Why We Need to Ban ChatGPT in Elementary Schools *
Is AI-enabled ChatGPT a boon or a bane for the edtech industry? *
Why some college professors are adopting ChatGPT AI as quickly as students
Ed tech experts urge caution on ChatGPT’s student data privacy *
K-12
These States Have the Most 'Underqualified' Teachers Stepping in to Fill Open Positions
Governors Are Pushing for New Spending on K-12. Here’s What’s in Their Plans
Higher Ed
2U sues Education Department over third-party guidance
Americans Are Losing Faith in College Education, WSJ-NORC Poll Finds
How America Started to Fall Out of Love With College Degrees
More than a third of community college students have vanished
ASU GSV is next week!

In this episode, we speak to special guest Kian Katanforoosh, whose company Workera just raised a $23.5M Series B.

We also talk about:

AI Push and Pull

Call for a pause on AI training met with skepticism
Ed tech experts urge caution on ChatGPT’s student data privacy
Italy blocks ChatGPT over privacy concerns
Hello Dolly: Democratizing the magic of ChatGPT with open models

Higher Ed's Price Hikes in the Face of Uncertainty

Ivy League tuition costs over $80K
A look at trends in college consolidation since 2016
Rising Tuition? It’s Not About Sticker Prices
Why are prices rising more for lower-income college students than their higher-income peers?
The Power of Microcredentials and America’s Higher Education Dilemma

TikTok Ban Debate

TikTok hearing: CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies before US Congress amid looming ban – as it happened

Luben Pampoulov's Evaluation of Public Edtechs

Learning with Copilots

Big Haircut for Byju's Valuation

Some Investors Cut Byju's Valuation (from $22B to $11B)
Byju's Raising $700M on Original $22B Valuation

Junaid Mubeen is a mathematician turned educator who has spent over a decade working on innovative learning technologies, reaching students of all ages and abilities from around the world as Head of Product and Director of Education at Whizz Education, and COO of Write the World.

Junaid has a DPhil in Mathematics from Oxford and a Masters in Education from Harvard, where he studied as a Kennedy Scholar. Junaid is also the author of “Mathematical Intelligence: A Story of Human Superiority Over Machines”, and is currently working with bestselling science author Simon Singh on developing the world's largest online maths circle, parallel.org.uk. He once earned fleeting fame as a Countdown series winner.

Junaid's Recommended Resources:

Parallel by Simon Singh (Online math universe for ages 10-16)
The End of Education by Neil Postman

The End of Education: Redefining the Value of School

Join us at ASU GSV!

This week on the pod:

1) Big Tech Goes All in On AI

Launch of Google Bard
Adobe launches Firefly generative A.I., which lets users type to edit images
Microsoft launches Loop, a Notion competitor
ChatGPT in Education:
Where Is the ‘AI Conundrum’ in Education Headed?
We Can’t Keep ChatGPT Out of the Classroom, so Let’s Address the ‘Why’
Inside the Quest to Detect (and Tame) ChatGPT

2) Pearson sells OPM Division/OPM Regulation

Pearson Sells Its OPM Business (PhilOnEdTech)
When universities slap their names on for-profit coding boot camps

3) How Has COVID Changed Public Schooling?

Public School Enrollment Dropped by 1.2M During the Pandemic
New Mexico terminates 1:1 online tutoring contract with Paper
5 pandemic-era technologies schools don’t want to give up

4) Skills-Based Hiring On the Rise

Accredible Announces the Launch of Skills Pathways
REPORT: How Skills Are Disrupting Work
Global Survey of 37k School Students Reveals Desire to Modernize Education

5) The Myth of Education as an Equalizer: Book Review

The Myth of Education as Equalizer

Funding/M&A:

BREAKING: Workera's $23m Series B
Glider AI raises $10M
Almentor raises $10M
Trala Raises $8 Million
AG5 raises €6 million
Upduo raises $4M
Maqsad Secures $2.8 Million
VitalSource Acquires Akademos
Quottly Joins Parchment

Jess Weems Thibault is the VP of Growth at HireEdu, a talent recruitment firm dedicated to the Edtech industry.

Jess is also an educator, marketer, and entrepreneur, who has an MBA from the University of Wisconsin, a master’s degree in Secondary Science Education and a Bachelor of Science in Resource Economics and Plant & Soil Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Before moving into marketing and growth leadership, Jess spent over a decade working with middle and high school aged youth in various capacities and giving herself a crash course in small, creative business management.

Recommended Resources:

To Sell Is Human, Daniel Pink
Lindsay Reno's Transitioning Teachers (into Edtech)
GSV N2K Newsletter
Matthew Tower, Edtech Thoughts

To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others

ChatGPT 4

Hear from Kristen DiCerbo, Chief Learning Officer at Khan Academy, about Khanmigo
Duolingo Max
Readlee
Paper
Barnes and Noble
PhotoStudy

Global Edtech

LEAD Completes Acquisition Of Pearson’s India
upGrad crosses 22,000 job placements
Edtech startup uLesson starts an Open University
The Rise of EdTech In SEE

John Gamba is a serial entrepreneur and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, John Gamba, Jr has been dedicated to transforming education for most of his career. In 1999, John co-founded PACE – The Partnership for Academic and Community Excellence. PACE was the first school-to-home communications network, connecting thousands of schools to millions of homes nationally and was eventually sold to Blackboard, an international industry leader in education.

John currently serves as Entrepreneur in Residence and Director of Innovative Programs at Penn’s Graduate School of Education. In this role, John mentors education entrepreneurs, helps incubate new EdTech ventures and oversees the Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition, which has awarded millions of dollars to world-wide education ventures.

Thaddeus Reichley has over twenty years of teaching and leading in public, charter, and independent schools. He has designed curriculum, led faculty through challenging times, done strategic development, and built highly productive teams. Thaddeus is completing an EdD at USC and is in the midst of writing his dissertation about student engagement in online environments.

Recommended Resources

Alan November, Who Owns the Learning?
John Doerr, Measure What Matters
Stanford + Emeritus' Collaboration

Who Owns the Learning?: Preparing Students for Success in the Digital Age (Essentials for Principals)

Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs

Varun Gulati is the CEO and co-founder of Koalluh, a startup which makes reading & writing more engaging by empowering kids to make & share quality, illustrated children's stories using AI.

Varun is a former public school teacher, and a product & engineering leader. He co-founded, scaled, and sold his first company, UClass as CTO & Head of Product. Most recently, Varun led the Product & Growth teams at Mystery Science, the fastest-growing K-12 science supplemental in the U.S.. The products he has built have reached tens of millions of students. Varun is also an ex-Googler and former Teach For America corps member.

Recommended Resources

Ben's Bytes on Substack on AI
Education and The Significance of Life by Jiddu Krishnamurthi

John Edelson founded homeschooling platform Time4Learning in 2013 in his living room and remains the president today. Over 360,000 students have now benefited from Time4Learning. He also created Time4Writing, VocabularySpellingCity, and Science4Us. His company was run independently until joining Cambium in 2018.

He has extensive expertise working with various educational software, diversified entertainment, and technology companies. He was the producer of the Sony PlayStation game, Croc, Legend of the Gobos, which went Platinum. After college, he spent two years in West Africa in the Peace Corps. He is a proud father of three. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale and an MBA from Harvard.

In this special, UNEDITED version of Week in Edtech, Ben, Alex and special guest co-host Matt Tower discuss:

1) The sudden demise and federal takeover of Silicon Valley Bank and what it means for Tech, Banking and Edtech.

News:

Jenna Smialek and Alan Rappeport of NYT
Eric Wallerstein et al. of WSJ
Daniel Taub of Bloomberg

Takes

Kevin Roose of NYT
Matt Levine of Bloomberg
Noah Smith of Noahpinion

2) Discuss the rumors of ChatGPT4 launching next week with AI-created video

Microsoft will launch ChatGPT 4 with AI videos next week | Digital Trends
New Study Reveals Only 1 in 10 Global Workers Have In-Demand AI Skills
Grammarly expands beyond proofreading with AI-powered writing

3) Herald the Launch of Non-Profit ai.edu with 50 partners across tech and ed

Partners include Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, Verizon, Intel, TFA and many more

4) Unveil the (secret) purchase of top Education App Photomath by Google

Matt reports on this in Edtech Thoughts
You can also read about it in Croatia Week

5) Discuss the on-the-ground happenings at SxSW EDU

Department of Ed launches new OPM Restrictions

Insider Higher Ed on this
Phil Hill on this (here too)
U.S. Department of Education Launches Review of Prohibition on Incentive Compensation for College Recruiters

Teen girls in mental health crisis, blowback toward big tech

NPR: 10 things to know about how social media affects teens' brains
Nearly 1 in 5 Teen Girls ‘Engulfed’ In Wave of Sexual Violence; Many Suicidal
Record Levels of Sadness in Teen Girls, CDC Reports - The New York Times

Covid Relief fund cliff is coming

Time Is Running Out for Colleges to Spend COVID-19 Relief Funds

ChatGPT- Things are moving faster than we can anticipate

Most sites claiming to catch AI-written text fail spectacularly | TechCrunch

Guest co-host this week: Zaza Kabayadando

Topics This Week Include:

New Federal Guidance for Higher Ed Fallout
- Education Dept. Shocks Ed-Tech Experts and Colleges With Expansion of Oversight
AI Continues to Polarize Educators
- AI bots can seem sentient. Students need guardrails
- Is ChatGPT the future of cheating or the future of teaching?
- Adapt, evolve, elevate: ChatGPT is calling for interdisciplinary action
GSV Goes to India
- GSV + Emeritus India Summit: Women entrepreneurs lead conversations on gender funding gap; call for critical changes to foster women entrepreneurs
Edtech Startup Ecosystem in Africa
- Co-Creation Hub’s edtech accelerator puts $15M towards African startups | TechCrunch
- African tech startup funding reaches new record
State of Edtech Report
- Found Here

ChatGPT, Pt. 1: APIs
OpenAI launches an API for ChatGPT, plus dedicated capacity for enterprise customers | TechCrunch
Introducing Q-Chat, the world’s first AI tutor built with OpenAI’s ChatGPT | Quizlet

ChatGT, Pt 2: Ramifications of ChatGPT

The evolution of ChatGPT will fuel the future of higher education, says Udacity's Sebastian Thrun
Will ChatGPT Make Students Turn Away From Homework-Help Services? | EdSurge News
Federal Guidelines on TPS Delayed
Department of Education Delays Guidance on TPS Expansion
Interesting Acquisitions
IXL Learning Acquires Teachers Pay Teachers, the World's Largest Platform for Educator-Created Content
Paper™ acquires MajorClarity to Create a Comprehensive Career & College Readiness Platform
Education services company Perdoceo acquires coding bootcamp school Coding Dojo for $52.8M
TikTok Launches New Edtech Platform GeniusJoy for Math
TikTok's parent ByteDance is building a new 'AI-based' edtech platform called GeniusJoy and is hiring in Los Angeles and Singapore
From TikTok to Trigonometry: Could ByteDance Corner the Market on Edtech?

Funding Rounds

New Markets Venture Partners Raises Over $160 Million
Chinese platform Nowcoder raises $50m
StudentFinance secures $41m for ISAs in Europe
Moroccan KOOLSKOOLS raises $960,000

In this special episode, we speak to four of the seven finalists for the SxSW EDU Launch competition:

Sari of Kide Science
Nick Suwyn of Promineo Tech
Varun Gulati and Christie Chu of Koalluh
Kavindya Thenakoon of Tilli

Andrew Shewbart is an edtech executive and board member who spent more than two decades working in the digital and offline education management and training industry throughout Asia.

As EVP and Board Member of ALO7, China’s largest digital publisher and B2B content solutions provider, Andrew oversaw digital curriculum development and provided English Language Learning (ELL) guidance for the entire company and the 10,000 schools that utilized ALO7 products.

ALO7 revolutionized the way children, parents, and teachers participate in the ELL process by providing a communicative and task-based learning platform and content.

ALO7 and its curriculum were designed to increase confidence and stimulate children’s interest in learning English through the use of engaging materials and content in class, at home, or on the road. ALO7’s Genius English series was a CODiE award finalist for Best ESL, ELL or World Language Acquisition Solution.

Andrew is the lead consultant for CCTV’s educational English programming, and an internationally renowned expert on children’s ELL production, teaching theory, practical teaching, and using technology to empower teachers, children, and parents in the digital age.

Andrew's Recommended Resources: - "I feel in the edtech space, books become outdated as soon as they are published, so I prefer blogs or news aggregators. GSV N2K EDU is a great source of up to date news on edtech"

Kian Katanforoosh is the CEO and cofounder of Workera.ai, the skills intelligence platform redefining how enterprises understand, develop, and mobilize talent. Workera empowers organizations to stay ahead by unlocking the skills data needed to drive innovation. Enterprises get an objective pulse of their innovation skills through a configurable skills ontology, using AI-powered measurement of data, AI, software, cloud, and cyber skills at an atomic-level.

Kian is also a lecturer at Stanford University, where he teaches Deep Learning in the Computer Science department with Prof. Andrew Ng. Kian has been acknowledged for his teaching excellence by Stanford with the Walter J. Gores Award, Stanford’s highest teaching award, and the Centennial Award for Excellence in teaching.

Additionally, Kian is a founding member of deeplearning.ai and he co-created the Deep Learning Specialization on Coursera with Andrew Ng. From 2014 to 2016, Kian co-founded and co-led Daskit, a French start-up developing in-classroom ed-tech solutions for universities.

Kian's Recommended Resources

To learn more about cutting edge AI, try:

Learning through Tiktoks
Follow AI company CEOs, founders and researchers on Linkedin and Twitter, and see who they follow. People like:
- Andrew Ng
- Andrej Karpathy
- Demis Hassabis
- Yann LeCun
- Jeremy Howard
- Ian Goodfellow
- Ruslan Salakhutdinov
- Whole slew of companies and CEOs here
AI Reddit goes deeper on research
- r/ArtificialInteligence/ (yes, with 1 "l")
- r/MachineLearning/
- r/ChatGPT
- r/OpenAI/

For more Technical training, go on AI conference websites to look at award-winning papers. This includes conferences like:

ICLR
ICML
NeurIPS

On this super-sized episode of "This Week in Edtech":

We talk to Guests Audrey Witters of Stanford GSB and Mike Malefakis of Emeritus about the Emeritus/Stanford collaboration to bring localized executive education from Stanford to the world
And hear from Amy Jenkins, COO of Meadow, about their plans to improve tuition transparency and streamline payments.

Ben and Alex also dig into:

ChatGPT and Edtech coming together
- PhotoStudy announces ChatGPT-like Chatbot for Math Textbooks and their Publishers
- Who Owns the Generative AI Platform? | Andreessen Horowitz
DARPA for Education
- Is a ‘DARPA for education’ finally happening?
Culture Wars Continue in US Schools
- The College Board Strips Down Its A.P. Curriculum for African American Studies - The New York Times
- BBC: Revised AP African American Studies class drops controversial topics after criticism
- AP African-American studies: Syllabus changed after Florida 'woke' claims - BBC News
Teacher/Mental Health Professional Shortages as the ESSER Cliff nears
- 63% of educators consider leaving profession | K-12 Dive
- The funding cliff for student mental health
Phoenix moving to Arkansas?
- University Of Arkansas May Acquire For-Profit University Of Phoenix - Which Is Good News

Funding:

Corporate Training platform Gemba raises $18M in Series A
Math VR company PrismsVR Raises $12.5M from Andreesen Horowitz
Swiss curriculum delivery platform Evulpo raises $8.3M
Indian LMS Provider Saarthi Pedagogyraises $3.7M Pre-series A
Healthcare training platform Re:Course AIraises £3.4m in seed funding

Siya Raj Purohit is the Global Edtech & Workforce Development Lead at Amazon's AWS Marketplace and a General Partner at Pathway Ventures. She’s an operator-investor in the Edtech and Future of Work sectors who helps grow & invest in companies that drive economic mobility through innovative models of earning, learning, and community building.

Siya is an edtech veteran and a true insider, as an early employee at Udacity & Springboard, a graduate of Harvard GSE’s TIE program, and an author; she published her first book: “Engineering America” while she was an undergraduate at the University of Texas at Austin.

Resource Recommendations from Siya

Matt Tower's Ed Tech Thoughts newsletter
The work of business professor and author Adam Grant

In this special episode, we speak to Beth Havinga, Managing Director of the European Edtech Alliance, and Rhys Spence, Head of Research at Brighteye Ventures, about the state of European Edtech.

Both organizations have recently released fascinating reports about the state of Edtech:

European Edtech Funding Report 2023 (Brighteye Ventures)
European Edtech Map: Insights Report (European Edtech Alliance)
European Edtech Map (European Edtech Alliance)

Beth Havinga is the Managing Director of the European EdTech Allianceand the EdSAFE AI Alliance.Beth represents the EEA both in the EdTech Roundtable of the European Commission and UNESCO’s Broadband Commission. Beth has considerable experience developing interoperability standards frameworks, and represents Germany as head delegate to the European Committee for Standardization of Interoperability for Learning Technologies and EdTech. In addition to creating her own consulting firm, Beth has taught in schools, managed education software and publishing houses, founded two startups, and worked in over 45 countries to develop digital structures and strategies.

— Rhys Spence is Head of research at Brighteye Ventures.He researches geographic and product market trends, as well as supports the portfolio with business-related themes, including international expansion, marketing, HR, ESG and impact. Before Brighteye, he worked in UK education policy research, specialising in the early years and latterly edtech.

In this week's Week in Edtech, Ben and special guest co-host Hailey Carter:

1) Talk to Salwa Muhammad of Fourthbrain.ai about the upcoming 3-day workshop with Andrew Ng and other AI Education leaders

2) Discuss "Study Hall", new Youtube/ASU/Crash Course Collaboration (Youtube Blog)

3) Take note of a recent survey that expresses doubt about Edtech leaders (Edweek)

4) Compare Recent Reports on the State of Edtech Funding
- Reach Capital (US)
- Brighteye Ventures (Europe)
- Inc42 (India)

5) Explore the Push for the $60K Minimum Teacher Salary in the US (Edweek)

6) Look at the Race to Adapt to a ChatGPT World (Forbes, NYTimes) and Quill and CommonLit's Free Tool to Detect Cheating

Laurel Taylor is the founder, CEO, and driving force behind Candidly (previously known as FutureFuel.io).

Her mission is to address the unmet — and urgent — market need for smart solutions that support individuals and families through every step of the planning, borrowing, and repayment experience. Candidly works towards this goal by creating trusted, intelligent and comprehensive solutions that enable Americans to reap the rewards of that investment so they can build financial wellness and wealth.

About Candidly:

Candidly exists to crush student debt for America's 44M borrowers. On average, Candidly shave $15k and half of a decade off of a user's student loans, through a personalized Student Debt FinHealth platform that optimizes repayment plans, automates the management of unruly student loans, and gamifies rewards points and spare change across the household.

Resources:- Get Candidly Blog on the Secure 2.0 Act (which Laurel calls "the most important workplace innovation since the 401(k)"

On this Week in Edtech:

We speak to Mateo Elvira of Elvira Media about Edtech content marketing, and how to utilize storytelling to stand out from the crowd, as well as...
ChatGPT:
- We discuss both the prediction that ChatGPT will create a new Edtech boom...
- ...and the backlash to tech, including mass bans of both ChatGPT at large school districts and Tiktok at universities
Big Tech:
- We discuss the controversial layoffs at Google and Microsoft and whether it might breed new entrepreneurs in edtech ...
- ...and Reed Hasting's one-two punch of donating to Minerva University and then stepping down as Netflix CEO
XR/VR/AR
- Prisms VR launches in the Meta Store
- ASU-incubated Dreamscape Learn gets $20M in funding
2023 Predictions from our friends at Transcend
- The 2023 predictions from Transcend founders Alberto Arenaza and Michael Narea
Funding Rounds
- Hack The Box raises $55M
- Sana raises $34M
- Dreamscape Learn raises $20m
- WorkIndia raises $12M
- Supermom raises $6M
- Equalture raises $2.7M
Mergers and Acquisitions
- Noodle acquires Hubble Studios
- 7 Mindsets acquires BASE Education +

Welcome back to our Weekly Round-up of Edtech news across the industry!

Our top stories this week:

1) Companies Becoming Platforms through Consolidation- HMH acquires school testing non-profit NWEA
- Instructure (maker of the Canvas LMS) acquires evidence platform Learnplatform
- Zoom launches 'Essential Apps' including Kahoot! and Prezi
- Jack McDermott of Chegg on consolidation in Edtech

2) Edtech Winter creating CEO turnover- Upgrad CEO Arjun Mohan resigns
- Newsela CEO Matthew Gross leaves, Pep Carrera from Nearpod takes helm
- Udemy CEO and Board Chair retires, is replaced by Head of Udemy Business
- Inspera changes CEO

3) Seattle schools suing big tech
- Seattle schools are suing TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and YouTube for causing mental health crises

4) Student Financial Aid Startup Frank Being Sued by J.P. Morgan Chase- After J.P. Morgan Chase acquired Frank for $175 million to better compete with Fintech companies, Jamie Dimon and co are now suing the company, alleging that Frank invented 4+ million fake users to close the sale.
- Ben: "the FTX of Edtech."

5) Edtech Conference Season is Underway
- GSV announces its "GSV 150" and the "Elite 200"
- SxSWEdu announces its launch contest participants

Funding Rounds

LEAD School becomes Unicorn, acquires Pearson's K-12 Business in India
Toddle raises $17 million
Eduvanz raises $12.6M
Schola raises $10M
Howdy extends series A

Dr. Deepak Sekar is an inventor and entrepreneur. Over the last decade, he has been granted 192 patents, making him one of the more prolific inventors in the world today.

You may know him from his role as Founder and CEO of Chowbotics, which built the world's first fresh food-making robot named “Sally.” Sally now operates in over 250 locations worldwide. Under Sekar’s leadership, Chowbotics was named among the food trends of 2019 by The New York Times and listed as one of the world’s most innovative companies by Fast Company. Chowbotics was acquired by DoorDash in 2020.

Around that time, Sekar watched his daughters grapple with pandemic-induced online classes and felt something should be done about it. So, he co-founded Prof Jim to help transform e-learning.

When he’s not in Silicon Valley coercing his family to test his latest brainchild, he’s most likely climbing some distant mountain in a quest to push his limits (or at least, get out of the house!). He holds a B. Tech. from IIT Madras, and a M. S. and Ph.D. from the Georgia Institute of Technology, all in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

In this episode, we ask some of our favorite guests (and Edtech C-suiters) to give their reviews of Edtech in 2022 and what we can expect to see in 2023.

Karl Rectanus, CEO of LearnPlatform on Edtech Evidence in 2023 (2:54)
Sarah Mauskopf, CEO of Winnie on Childcare and Teaching in 2023 (20:22)
Maria Barrera, CEO of Clayful on SEL and COVID funding in 2023 (29:46)
Sunil Gunderia, CIO of Age of Learning on Early Childhood Edtech (46:58)
Anthony Kim, CLO of Scholarus Learning on AI and Learner Engagement in 2023 (59:24)
Norma Padron, CEO of EmpiricaLabs on Workforce Development in 2023 (1:19:34)

2022 was a consequential year for Edtech. Join us as we review some of the top trends of the year!

In this super-sized episode, Ben and Alex review top trends from the year that was and make some predictions for 2023.

We discuss:

The "Edtech winter" for startups worldwide, with a renewed focus on profitability
The crash in Chinese edtech and the continued rise for India, Europe and other regions.
Increasing consolidation in the sector through mergers and acquisitions
The rise (and fall?) of the online tutoring sector
The politicization of k12 schooling in the US
K12 staffing shortages and their effect on Edtech
The opportunity to address pandemic learning loss
The ROI crisis for university degrees and the rise of industry credentials and college alternatives
Sea changes for higher ed, including enrollment decreases, closures, focus on adult learners, the rise of test-optional policies, and more
OPMs expanding their reach and competing to be the lifelong learning solution
Workforce learning on the rise
How the Education-as-a-benefit model survives an economic downturn and evolutions of the talent war
The past and future of the educational multiverse, VR/AR/XR, AI, and Web3.0

In Part 2, several of our top guests from the year weigh in on their reviews and predictions! Stay tuned.

This episode features special guest Joshua Broggi of Woolf University, the first global collegiate higher education institution that allows education organizations to join as member colleges and offer accredited degrees.

In this episode we discuss:

1) Higher Education's Sea Change (Axios)
- Changes coming to higher ed from many directions- testing, rankings, enrollment woes, hybrid courses and more. How can Edtech best support HE in a time of great pressure and change?

2) Credential Engine's Annual Report
- In a world with over 1mm credentials available, how can Edtech help learners sort out which will work best for them?

3) There’s a Reason There Aren’t Enough Teachers in America. Many Reasons, Actually. (NY Times)
- The teacher shortage is leading to some new policy ideas, like a $60k minimum wage for teachers- Ben says it should be more like $100K.

4) Edtech’s brightest are struggling to pass (TechCrunch)
- Edtech stars like Outschool, Bloomtech (formerly Lambda School) and Pluralsight continue to shed jobs and seek profitability

5) Course Hero creates parent company Learneo - Course Hero takes a page from Google/Alphabet and creates an umbrella organization to manage all its acquisitions

Funding and M&A:

Mathspresso raises $70m Series C
Sana Labs raises $34M series B
Uolo raises $22.5M
Career Foundry raises 5M Euros
Zeraki raises $1.8M
McGraw Hill acquires Medical Training platform Boards & Beyond

Late Breaking news:

Instructure acquires LearnPlatform (!) To be discussed next week)

Heather Shen is the CPO and co-founder of Praxis Labs. As graduate students at Stanford, Shen and classmate Elise Smith, 30, bonded over their mutual interest in helping companies and institutions do a better job at diversity and inclusion training. They came up with the idea for Praxis Labs, a startup that can deliver diversity training using either VR headsets, mobile phones, laptops or desktops. Heather is a member of the Forbes 30 Under 30 List for Education. Heather has also worked as a management consultant, an electrical engineer for Microsoft’s Hololens, and in Crew Systems at NASA. Heather holds a Master’s of Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.

Mekayla Castro is the Head of Curriculum at Praxis Labs, where she drives curriculum and content development and partners with the product team to create immersive experiences and impactful learning tools and pathways. Mekayla was formerly a Senior Behavioral Scientist and Head of Learning Experience Design at Edtech Unicorn BetterUp, which provides coaching services to enterprise clients, and was the Director of Global Leadership and Learning at American Express. Mekayla earned her Ph.D in Social-Organizational Psychology from Teachers College Columbia University.

Dr. Yair Shapira is the founder and CEO of Amplio. Following two decades as an executive in successful start ups, he founded Amplio to help the millions of children with special needs maximize their potential, starting with his son, who stutters. His previous roles include executive positions in sales, marketing, business development and R&D. Dr. Shapira holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and speech processing from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.

Luann L. Purcell, Ed.D. was the Executive Director of the international Council of Administrators of Special Education, Inc (CASE), a division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) for 18 years. Dr. Purcell has 48 years of educational experience, as a general education teacher at both high school and middle school level, teacher of students with emotional and behavioral disorders, and assistant superintendent for pupil services for 18 years in a school district with 27,000 students.

Judy Rich, EdD, CCC-SLP, is currently a speech-language pathologist (SLP) as well as an education consultant and lecturer at The University of Texas. She worked in public schools for 35 years as a campus SLP, program specialist for speech and language services, special education director, executive director, and assistant superintendent for student services.

Angelica Morgan was most recently a Senior Curriculum Engineer at 2U and a research intern at CAST, the Center for Applied Special Technology working on the Center on Inclusive Technology in Education Systems (CITES) project. She will received her Ph.D in learning design and technology from North Carolina State University in December with a research focus on the use of technology for special education students.

Kate Eberle Walker is an education industry leader, author, and working mom with more than 20 years of experience managing, advising, acquiring, and investing in high-profile education companies. Currently, Kate is the CEO of Presence, the leading provider of teletherapy services for children with diverse needs.

Previously, Kate was CEO of The Princeton Review and Tutor.com, and she managed strategy and investments for Kaplan, Inc. She has served on several education-focused boards, including Babbel, Barnes and Noble Education, Prospect Schools in Brooklyn, NY, and Testing Mom. Kate is a contributor at Fast Company and Forbes, and she is the author of The Good Boss: 9 Ways Every Manager Can Support Women at Work.

Recommended Resource:

Good Talk by Mira Jacob

Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations

The Good Boss: 9 Ways Every Manager Can Support Women at Work

This Week, we cover:

McKinsey Reports on Edtech
Five Trends to Watch in the Edtech Industry
Owl Ventures
Owl Outcomes Report
Online Tutoring
Schools across the U.S. have turned to Paper’s online tutoring. Some worry it’s falling short
Mental Health Hiring Crisis in Schools:
Schools struggle to staff up for youth mental health crisis | AP News
Schools struggle to hire more mental health professionals for students | PBS NewsHour
Edx + Emeritus
edX Teams Up with Emeritus to Fuel International Expansion
2U Learning Platform edX Partners With Emeritus for Overseas Expansion | MarketScreener
Law Schools Ditch the US News and World Report
Why Six Top-Ranked Law Schools Left U.S. News in the Dust This Week
Yale Law School’s Revolt of the Elites | The New Republic
Opinion | Are the U.S. News College Rankings Finally Going to Die? - The New York Times
Law schools reject 'U.S. News' rankings
Test-Optional Movement Grows
Test-Optional Momentum Grows As ABA Panel Votes To No Longer Require Law Schools To Use LSAT
Over 1,830 colleges are test-optional for fall 2023 admissions | Higher Ed Dive
What Does an SAT Score Mean in a Test-Optional World?

Younes Mourri is the CEO and Founder of Livetech.ai, a course platform that offers low-cost high quality instructor-led courses in high-demand technical subjects. Younes is the co-creator many of the most popular artificial intelligence MOOCs, including Andrew Ng’s Artifical Intelligence class and Deeplearning.ai’s Natural Language Processing specialization.

Younes holds a Master’s and Ph.D in Artificial Intelligence from MIT and a Master’s in Statistics from Stanford, where he has taught Deep Learning and Applied Machine Learning.

Resources:

The Batch (weekly newsletter) from Deeplearning.ai
Kian Katanforoosh, founder of Workera
Andrew Ng, Co-founder of Coursera and Deeplearning.ai

On this Week in Edtech:

1) A16z on Edtech

Andreessen Horowitz is 'betting heavily' on edtech

2) Layoffs in Tech...

Latest layoffs: Companies making cuts
Thousands of tech workers were laid off last week

3) ...and Edtech

Ed Tech - LayoffsTracker
Coursera announces layoffs
Unacademy cuts 10% of jobs
Brainly Fires Employees

4) Indian Edtech is Messi

BYJU'S unveils Lionel Messi as Global Brand Ambassador
Will Offline Push Help Unacademy, BYJU’S & Co Beat Edtech Blues?
upGrad Earmarks $30 Million For Offline Expansion

5) Return on Investment for Traditional Education vs. "Upskilling"

Emeritus Shows Upskilling Results in Pay Raises and Career Advancements
Gen Zers don’t see the point in getting a degree: how to fix the ROI of college(Aaron Rasmussen)
Three steps to assess ROI for higher education
Graduate students question career options

On this Week In Edtech, we talk to:

Mohammed Almadani, CEO of Classera, a gamified and personalized LMS for emerging markets that raised $40M this week
Matthew Rascoff, Vice Provost for Digital Education at Stanford University, and the Stanford Online Team about their Pandemic-Era Online Learning Strategy

We also cover:

Election Season in the US

Why National Advocates Are Getting More Involved in School Board Elections
At Center of MI Election, a School Choice Measure Few Residents Have Heard About
Why All Eyes are Now on the Often Ignored Texas Board of Education Races

Cohort-Based Courses and Course Creators

Professional Mode for Meta Creators Goes Global
Maven’s a16z-backed live learning platform pivots from creators to experts
The recent 14% gain must have brightened CEO Greg Smith's week, Thinkific Labs Inc.'s (TSE:THNC) most bullish insider

International Edtech

India
- In a shakeup: What is the future of edtech in India?
- Indian math EdTech firm Bhanzu eyes expansion to Southeast Asia, Middle East
- EdTech sector sees spate of M&A deals (Hindu Business Line)
Latin America
- 2022 Latin America EdTech 100
- Defining the Educational Landscape: Trends and a Look to the Future (HolonIQ in Mexico)
- JD Duarte highlights the rising position of Latin America for startups and new business

Funding:

Edtech firm Classera raises $40 million in round led by PIF's Sanabil
Pixaera raises €5.7 million (Immersive Play Based Learning)
Eight Times Eight raises $5 million in pre-seed funding (Chess Education)
AlmaBetter Secures Funding To Offer More Upskilling Courses To Students

In this episode, we speak with Joe Connor of Odyssey, which raised a $4.75M dollar seed round this week to help districts and families use flexible education funding sources, like Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and microgrants.

Ben and Alex also discuss:

1) Elections & Education: The Rise of Education Polarization

Is College Worth It? Voters Are Split. (Five Thirty Eight)
How the Diploma Divide Is Remaking American Politics (New York)
‘There Are Two Americas Now: One With a B.A. and One Without’ (NYTimes)
Award-Winning Teachers Are Pushing Back Against Attacks on ‘Honest Education’ (Edweek)

2) Stanford's Pandemic-Fueled Pivot to Online Education

Review of Stanford’s ‘emergency remote teaching’ and learning explores lessons learned from the pandemic (Stanford)

3) Edtech Mega-VC Michael Moe on the Metaverse

Virtual Reality and the History and Future of Education in the Metaverse (EIEIO: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Education, Impact and Opportunity)

4) Gates foundation pivots to Math as NAEP scores underscore crisis

Student math scores are down from pre-COVID levels, the National Report Card finds (NPR)
Why the Gates Foundation Is Investing $1.1 Billion in Math Education (Edweek)
NAEP ‘Nation’s Report Card’ Shows Steep Fall in Math Scores (Edsurge)
How Do Schools Come Back From ‘Catastrophic’ Drops in Math, Reading on NAEP? (Edweek)

5) Digital Surveillance and Monitoring in Schools and Children's Right to Privacy

Kids Are Back in Classrooms and Laptops Are Still Spying on Them (Wired)
Surveillance Education Cycle: Finding Ways to Protect Privacy in Schools (Random Lengths News)
New Polling Finds Parents and Educators Overwhelmingly Support Technology Designed to Keep Students Safe Online (GoGuardian PR)

In this episode, we speak to Claire Chen of Stanford GSB and Brighteye Ventures, who just put out the brand new report, Understanding the Edtech Content Landscape.

We also discuss:

1) Video & Tiktok in Education

Revyze is building the TikTok of educational videos (Techcrunch)
Kids content to remain ad-free on Netflix (Kidscreen)
Consumers turning from SVOD to AVOD and FAST (Digital TV Europe)

2) College Environment Shifts, In Part Due to Decreased Enrollment

As Enrollments Decline, Colleges Respond With Technology, New Curricula And Business Partnerships (Forbes)
Why College is like House of Dragons (Inside Higher Ed)
A Surge in Young Undergrads, Fully Online (Inside Higher Ed)

3) Learning Loss in K12

Study: $190B in ESSER funds ‘insufficient’ to curb learning loss (K12 Dive)
Cambium Study on Learning Loss (Cambium)

4) Indian Edtech

Byju's Raises $250M in Fresh Funding (TechCrunch)

Guest Julia Stiglitz, CEO of CoRise and former GSV partner

The Massive Lego/Brainpop acquisition
- Lego Acquires Brainpop - WSJ
Questioning the ROI for Higher Ed
- Ranking 4,500 Colleges by ROI (2022)
- How liberal arts colleges are adding work-focused courses students want
Byju's Layoffs/Edtech in India
1. Byju’s cuts 2,500 jobs
2. Post-Pandemic World Poses Existential Challenge to India’s Edtech Sector
Online Ed Research
- What researchers learned about online higher education during the pandemic

Funding:

Adda247 ($35M)
CLASSUM ($11M)
Fizz ($4.5M)
Halp ($4M)
Ludenso ($1M)
Marathon (Undisclosed Seed)

Mergers and Acquisitions:

KIRKBI A/S (Lego) Acquires BrainPOP (BusinessWire)
Google Acquires BrightBytes (

In this episode, we speak to Greg Toppo and Jim Tracy, co-authors of Running with Robots: The American High School’s Third Century from MIT Press, available at Amazon, Bookshop or wherever you get your books!

Greg Toppo is a journalist with more than 25 years of experience, most of it covering education. He spent 15 years as the national education reporter for USA Today and was most recently a senior editor for Inside Higher Ed. From 2017 to 2021, he was president of the Education Writers Association.

Jim Tracy is Senior Advisor at Jobs for the Future (JFF) and Senior Scholar of the Center for Character and Social Responsibility at Boston University's Wheelock School of Education. He has been head of several independent schools, as well as a college president.

Recommended Resources:

Teaching Machinesby Audrey Watters
The Game Believes in You: How Digital Play Makes Kids SmarterbyGreg Toppo

The Game Believes in You: How Digital Play Can Make Our Kids Smarter

Teaching Machines: The History of Personalized Learning

Running with Robots: The American High School's Third Century

In this episode, guest host Matt Tower of Edtech Thoughts and Alex discuss:

The Possible "Second Boom" of the Edtech Investing Market as per Brighteye
The evolution of Edtech: Activity in private and public markets | Dealroom.co
Edtech’s honeymoon might be over, but expect a second boom | TechCrunch

2) Addictive Game Mechanics Used For Good

Opinion | I Make Video Games. I Won’t Let My Daughters Play Them. - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Roblox jumping into ads in effort to diversify beyond virtual goods (cnbc.com)

3) Dark Web Hackers Attacking LAUSD

Hackers Release Data Stolen From Los Angeles Schools in Ransomware Attack - The Wall Street Journal (subscription model) - 2 October 2022
Cyber Gang Posts Los Angeles Students’ Sensitive Data on Dark Web After Hack - The 74 - 3 October 2022
Los Angeles schools’ data leaked after ransomware attack - K-12 Dive - 3 October 2022

4) The Continued Rise (and funding) of Social Emotional Learning

Applications open for $280M in school mental health supports - K-12 Dive
Investors Remain Bullish On Social And Emotional Learning (forbes.com)
Little Otter Health making acquisition and back to school kit

5) Big Tech and Edtech Working Together

Futurelearn Partners with Microsoft
Springboard approved by Amazon Career Choice

Plus Fundraising:

Ocelot - $117M
CoRise - $8.5M
Bibliu - $5.5M (of a $15M round)

In this episode, we talk to some of the standout stars of the StartEd New York Edtech Week conference.

Sari, Kide Science (character-based online learning from Denmark!)
Nikita Gupta, Symba (internship and apprenticeship management)
Matthew Evans, Julius (job training for green economy jobs)
Rachel Jordan, TeachFX (measuring pedagogical 'talk' in the classroom)

Warning: This was a crowded event, and the audio quality of the interviews can be spotty at times.

In this short episode, we talk to Jamie Poskin, CEO and founder of TeachFX, about TeachFX's new $10mm funding round and how the company is finding a completely new source of classroom data in the 'talk' that happens in both online and in-person classes.

Acky Kamdar is the CEO of Magic EdTech and Magic Finserv. He is a technology entrepreneur and an investor in the fields of digital technologies, blockchain, machine learning, AI and NLP. Acky has over 25 years of experience in Process Management, Technology Solutions, and Outsourcing services at companies like Genpact, Headstrong, Compaq Computers and the HCL group. Currently, he also serves as General Partner at Solmark, a NY-based entrepreneurs equity fund.

Recommended ResourcesEconTalk, podcast by Russ Roberts
Educated by Tara Westover

Educated: A Memoir

Recommended ResourcesShaped, blog by HMH
Educator Confidence Report by HMH

Greg Bybee is the Co-Founder and CEO of Avela Education and the Co-Founder of PoliScribe.

Greg was an early employee at NovoEd where he ultimately ran every business function from marketing to business development and customer success, and ultimately helped sell the company to Fidelity.

Previously, he was a Fellow at NewSchools Venture Fund, the first product manager at Coursera, an advisor to Renren’s expansion into education, the lead for VMware’s vCloud Suite launch, and a strategic counselor to Fortune 500 executives at McKinsey & Company. He's also an advisor and mentor to several education organizations and tech startups, including Vendition, Veery, HiCounselor, and Rutgers University

Avela's mission is to increase equitable access to education. Avela offers a modern application and enrollment system for schools, districts, and mission-driven organizations, which focuses on empowering families and enabling data driven decisions.

Recommended ResourcesExpanding Access to High-Quality Schools report by Center for American Progress
Who Gets What ― and Why by Alvin Roth
School District RFPs archive

Who Gets What ― and Why: The New Economics of Matchmaking and Market Design

Guest: Fadl Al Tarzi, Founder & CEO @ Nexford University

Online University Nexford will use $8M to plug affordability and relevance gaps in education

Topics This Week:

Ads in Education
- The next chapter for Learning on YouTube
- Roblox jumping into ads in effort to diversify beyond virtual goods
SPACS & Aging Unicorns
- London Looks to Un-Meme the SPAC Market
- A Sober Look at SPACs
College Chaos
- Malignant by Scott Galloway
- College Student Transfers Declined By Nearly 300,000 During Pandemic
- Oberlin Says It Will Pay $36.59 Million to a Local Bakery
- The Post-Pandemic College Campus as a Design Challenge
- France hits 400,000 international student mark after record growth
- Stanford Law to offer 'income share' financing as law school costs soar
Religion & Education
- In Hasidic Enclaves, Failing Yeshivas Flush With Public Money
- Yeshiva University doesn't have to recognize LGBTQ student group for now, Sotomayor rules
Funding + M&A
- 3 in 10 Education Companies Secured VC or Made Acquisitions Over the Last Year
- Virtual Internships raises $14.3M
- uDocz raises $2M
- Hone raises $30M
- Tract raises $7M
- Docquity raises $44M
- Edupia raises $14M
- Code First Girls raises £4.5M
- Citizens Financial Group acquires College Raptor
- Lepaya acquires vCOACH
- Orenda Education Merges with Think Together

Check out our Newsletter@ https://edtechinsiders.substack.com/

Shravan Goli has been the Chief Product Officer and Head of Consumer Revenue at Coursera since 2018. Shravan came to Coursera with over 20 years of experience of building products and leading companies. He has built products at Microsoft and Yahoo, been the CEO of Dictionary.com, and was most recently President of tech job marketplace Dice (part of public company DHI Group Inc).

Coursera was launched in 2012 by two Stanford Computer Science professors, Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, with a mission to provide universal access to world-class learning. It is now one of the largest online learning platforms in the world, with over 100 million registered learners globally.

Coursera partners with over 275 of the world’s top universities (Yale, University of London, Penn) and industry educators (Google, Meta, IBM) to offer courses, Specializations, projects, certificates, and degrees. Over 7,000 businesses, government entities, and campuses have used Coursera’s enterprise offering to provide job-relevant online education to their employees, citizens, and students.

Recommended ResourcesA New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College by Ryan Craig

A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College

Guest: Anjuli Gupta, Head of Academic Partnerships @ Outlier.org

MasterClass's Co-Founder Takes on the Community College Degree
Outlier.org & Golden Gate University Reinvent Affordable College with Degrees+

Topics This Week:

LAUSD Cyberattack
- Los Angeles Schools Hit with Ransomware Attack
- FBI joins probe into LAUSD cyberattack
Learning Loss & Pandemic Recovery
- Plunging NAEP scores signal a long and difficult road to recovery
- 7 charts highlighting the pandemic’s impact on 2022 NAEP scores
- U.S. School Closures Leave Students Behind.
- Experts Say Kids Are Far Behind After COVID; Parents Shrug. Why the Disconnect?
Around the World
- China Liberal Education acquires Wanwang Investment Limited
- Vitru Limited acquires Rede Enem
- Entrepreneurship and Education across Africa
- Byju's to raise $500M @ $23B valuation + Ministry of Corporate Affairs Inquiry
XR Grows
- Metaversity is in Session as Meta and Iowa’s VictoryXR Open 10 Virtual Campuses
- Oxford University Press partners with Immersify Education to create interactive learning modules
Funding + M&A
- Glints raises $50M
- Learnsoft raises $17M
- Astro raises $13M
- LumiQ raises $5M
- EarlyDay raises $3.25M
- Discovery Education acquires Pivot Interactives
- Unacademy acquires Gate Academy
- Edlio acquires SchoolInfo
- Scholastic acquires Learning Ovations
- XanEdu acquires PLC Associates

Check out the Edtech Insiders Newsletter @ https://edtechinsiders.substack.com/

Lisa Jiang has a long career at the heights of edtech; she was most recently the head of Remote Learning at Facebook, after 4 years as a senior director of product at New York’s Flatiron School, a leading bootcamp provider and 6 years at Google, where she was a product manager and lead for education for Google Hangouts.

Joe Burgess was the first hire at Flatiron School and worked his way up to the VP of Education, where he led the education product and delivery teams across four disciplines both online and in Flatiron’s eight campuses.

Together, they are the co-founders of Ribbon Education, which is building software to help student-facing staff scale their impact to serve more learners and improve outcomes in adult education.

Recommended ResourcesPhil Hill's blog
Michael FeldsteinRobert Ubell's books
Learners' Success Guild & blog by Ribbon Education

Guest: Ish Baid, Founder & CEO @ Virtually

Check out Ish’s podcast:Reshaping Education

Topics This Week:

Duolingo Math
- Join the waitlist to test their new math app!
- Takes by Forbes, The Verge, & Fast Company
College Enrollment Shifts
- 2020-21 IPEDS Data: Profile of Mid-Pandemic 12-Month Enrollments
- As More Stressed-Out Students Consider Dropping Out, Surgeon General Pushes College Leaders to Ramp Up Support
- Which School Has The Most Expensive College Tuition In 2023?
- One state offers lessons in how to cope with the college enrollment crisis
- Around 25% surge in popularity of hybrid learning amongst study abroad aspirants
Public Teacher Workforce
- 5 Big Technology Challenges Teachers and Administrators Will Face This School Year
- How Bad Is the Teacher Shortage? Depends on Where You Live.
- America’s new “national teacher shortage” is neither new nor national
- Nearly 70% of LA teachers have seriously considered quitting, study finds | US education
Career Education
- ‘Academic Career Plans’ Have Students Exploring Careers as Early as Kindergarten
- New Poll From Third Way Shows Voters Want Accountability For Career Education Programs
Funding + M&A Highlights
- Crunchbase: Edtech Funding Falls Sharply
- France launches fund endowed with 500 million euros
- Upkid raises $1.7 million
- ETU receives Strategic Growth Investment
- VUIHOC raises $2 million
- Nazara acquires WildWorks kids IP ‘Animal Jam’
- Renaissance Acquires Illuminate Education
- Alchemy acquires ChainShot
- Akili raises $163 million in “blank-check” merger

T. Nicole Tucker-Smith, founder and CEO of Lessoncast, helps schools implement professional learning initiatives focused on inclusive leadership and teaching practices, culturally responsive pedagogy, and equity best practice. Tucker-Smith was an assistant principal charged with planning professional development (PD) for a turnaround middle school in the Baltimore County Public Schools when she realized that traditional PD methods were not going to lead to transformational results. This PD redesign led to the Lessoncast process - providing customized teacher learning experiences that capture the impact on classroom practice.

Founded in 2011, Lessoncast offers its platform technology to schools, districts, consultants, and teacher education programs. With the unique Lessoncast video format and interactive PD modules targeting specific teaching practices, educators engage in professional learning that is tailored for their individual needs and aligned with their community's goals. Tucker-Smith also leads the Jumpstart PD Network, a community of educators who access flexible PD options to engage in high-quality professional learning experiences that fit their needs, budget, and capacity. She has served as a teacher, supervisor of parent support services, principal, and systemwide coordinator of professional development and training for Baltimore County Public Schools and as a faculty member for Johns Hopkins University School of Education. She is the co-author of Supercharge Your Professional Learning: 40 Concrete Strategies that Improve Adult Learning.

Recommended ResourcesCaste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
DecentertheTeacher on Instagram

Caste (Oprah's Book Club): The Origins of Our Discontents

Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions

Topics This Week:

Student Loan Forgiveness
- NYT + Inside Higher Ed
Valuations
- ”Stars Through Thunderstorms”
Accelerator News
- Y Combinator cuts startup batch size by 40% amid economic downturn
- Crunchbase: 2,000 Tech Layoffs in 2022
Higher Ed & K12 Enrollment
- These Colleges and Universities Are Reporting Record Size Freshmen Classes + UC program seeks to re-enroll adults who stopped out
- Hopeful but careful: Parents and teachers address new school year
- Higher ed must build on what we learned during the pandemic
- States Where Public Schools Are Losing the Most Students
- Labor Disputes Threaten Start of New School Year
Funding + M&A
- Sunstone raises $35M
- GrowthSpace raises $25M
- Microverse raises $4M
- ITHAKA raises $2.5M
- Ready Player Me raises $56M
- BrightCHAMPS Acquires Schola
- Nerdy Acquires Codeverse

Sunil Gunderia is the Chief Innovation Officer at Age of Learning, a leading education technology innovator with a mission to help children everywhere build a strong foundation for academic success and a lifelong love of learning. He oversees the company’s innovation strategy and has led the development, distribution, and implementation of its research-proven educational programs for students prekindergarten through second grade.

Age of Learning has been recognized as one of the most innovative companies in edtech for its research-based, highly scalable learning products that are built to advance positive educational outcomes and address inequities in learning. The company’s flagship program, ABCmouse, is the leading digital education brand for young children in the U.S., and its expanding portfolio of offerings includes Adventure Academy, ABCmouse English, and the personalized, adaptive learning programs for schools, My Math Academy and My Reading Academy.

To-date, Age of Learning has helped educate more than 50 million children worldwide.

Today, Sunil also serves on the Board of Trustees at the Children’s Institute, an LA-based non-profit that provides early education and services to help transform the lives of children and families affected by poverty. He also sits on the advisory boards of Edtech Evidence Exchange, Digital Wellness Lab, and Educating All Students Alliance, and served on the Editorial Advisory Board for the “Handbook of Research on Innovative Approaches to Early Childhood Development and School Readiness.”

Prior to Age of Learning, Sunil was the General Manager of Mobile at The Walt Disney Company, overseeing mobile strategy, product development, distribution, and partnerships globally. Sunil also founded Gunderia Advisors, where he advised numerous early-stage technology companies on strategy, product, and execution.

Recommended ResourcesChristensen Institute
Small Talks, newsletter by Isabelle Hau
End of Average by Todd Rose

The End of Average: How We Succeed in a World That Values Sameness

Guests: David Harris, OpenStax at Rice University & Justin Weinberg, Aktiv Learning

Topics This Week:

Back to School, But Media Narratives Say Education Is in Trouble
- Teacher Shortage
- Local School Grades Plummeting
- HMH report: education is not an appealing field
Value of Higher Ed in Question
- Why Americans are increasingly dubious about going to college
- Higher Ed Must Change or Die
- A New Vision for College Excellence
- The Shrinking of Higher Ed
- Cardona Speech
- Feds cancel $4B in ITT Tech loans
Potential Solution? Increasing Modularity in Higher Ed
- Company steps in to ease transfer credit friction
- Indicators of Higher Education Equity in U.S.
- What Works in K12
Learning on TikTok & YouTube
- Teens, Social Media and Technology 2022
- TikTok Teachers
The Edtech Space in 2022
- EdTech isn’t special anymore and that’s a good thing.
- 7 investors discuss why edtech startups must go back to basics to survive
- 23 Most Promising Edtech Startups in 2022

Funding + M&A

CreatorDAO raises $20M
FundamentalVR raises $20M
Junto raises $5M
Sphere raises $4.3M
Harver acquires Pymetrics
Prometric a

Gauthier Van Malderen is the co-founder and CEO of the University Digital Library Perlego. Gauthier decided to start Perlego as a Cambridge student after realizing how many people were having problems financing their textbooks. In 2017, he decided to found a subscription service to provide all the textbooks a student would need, in eBook form, at an affordable price.

Perlego raised $50 million in March (out of $75M total funding) to expand its business after seeing its platform boom through COVID-19. The London based startup currently has 400,000 paying subscribers who get all-you-can-read access to some 850,000 titles — textbooks, fiction and other literature that students are assigned as coursework at universities and other higher-learning institutions. It works with 5,000 education publishers, including Cengage, Routledge, Cambridge University Press, Elsevier and Harvard University Press. That catalog makes Perlego the largest online textbook subscription service in the world. Perlego has won 26 awards including Europas Best Edtech, Virgin Voom and the KPMG pioneer award.

Recommended ResourcesBrighteye Venturesenablinginsights blog by Adam Black

Topics This Week:

Fall Election Cycle
- Va. Gov. Youngkin faces second suit over teacher tip line
- Democrats Cede ‘Party of Education’ Label to GOP
2022 CHLOE 7 Report
- Announcement + PDF
- Online learning leaders think fully in-person will be a rarity
Big Tech vs. Udemy
- Amazon Launches Udemy Competitor
- Facebook Working on a Udemy Competitor?
Metaverse
- Harvard Metaverse in Education Report
- Deloitte Metaverse Report
- AppLovin wants to buy video game maker Unity for $20 billion
Funding + M&A
- upGrad raises $210M and acquires Exampur
- Jodo raises $15M
- Territorium raises $4.4M
- Kide Science raises $1M
- Achievable raises $650K
- Prometric LLC acquires Finetune
- EducationDynamics acquires EDU First

Josh Chernikoff is an educational entrepreneur and small business advisor. For the last 14 years, he has founded and grown two successful educational enrichment programs serving hundreds of thousands of students in 85 schools across six states. He now runs Cascade Communications, an edtech advisory. Josh and his team at Cascade are, above all, content and relationship experts in the educational space, leveraging email communication and live relationship roundtables to engage the entrepreneurs and businesses with key education decision makers. He also hosts two entrepreneurship and Edtech podcasts - How I Broke That and Breaking the Grade.

Recommended Resources@brianbeers

@thejustinwelsh

@dickiebush

@JasonRBradwell

@justingordon212

@nathanbaugh27

Welcome to Season 2 of This Week in Edtech!

Guest: Matthew Tower, Principal @ Workshop Venture Partners

Subscribe to Matt’s weekly newsletter @ https://matthewtower.substack.com/

Topics This Week:

Byju’s
- Layoffs, debt, litigation!?
Bearish OPMs
- Phil Hill: ”The brutal spring and summer for OPMs & MOOCs”
- Zovio sells OPM business to University of Arizona Global Campus
- 2U Layoffs + tuition share agreements
Funding Landscape
- HolonIQ – Global Edtech Funding 2022 H1
Metaverse
- College in the metaverse is here. Is higher ed ready?
- Time Magazine cover + Meta ads
- Classdojo raises $125MM
Crypto & Web3
- Pearson plans to sell its textbooks as NFTs
- DAOs - the new LLCs?

Also check out our weekly newsletter @ https://edtechinsiders.substack.com/

Jonathan Finkelstein is the CEO of Credly, one of the leading organizations in the credentialing space for education technology around the world. Credly is a Pearson business. Previously, as founder of LearningTimes, he helped mission-driven organizations produce and launch innovative online programs, products and platforms that impacted the lives of millions of users. He was also a co-founder at HorizonLive, which was acquired by Blackboard, and author of Learning in Real Time. He's a frequent author and speaker on digital credentials and the future of work.

Recommended ResourcesHow I Built This, podcast hosted by Guy Raz
Human Work In the Age of Smart Machines, book by Jamie Merisotis
How to Tell a Story, book by The Moth
Resources Page, curated by Credly

Human Work In the Age of Smart Machines

Sophie Ruddock is a former impact investor and consultant with 10+ years experience across the private, public and non-profit sectors. She is one of the founding members of Multiverse, a tech company building an outstanding alternative to college. She spent the last 4 years growing Multiverse’s delivery operations in the U.K, before moving onto leading their expansion to NYC as GM North America.

Recommended ResourcesThe Job, a weekly newsletter by Paul Fain

Troy Williams is a Managing Director at Achieve and University Ventures. Troy leads both firm’s investments in education technology companies, including AdmitHub, EverTrue, Examity, Motimatic, Packback and Ready Education.

Prior to UV, Troy was a senior executive at Macmillan where he was CEO of Macmillan Enterprise Solutions and President of Macmillan New Ventures. Previously, Troy founded and served as CEO of Questia Media, an early ebook company. Prior to Questia, He was previously employed in the mergers and acquisitions practice at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York.

Recommended Resources
Better Money Better World, podcast by Daniel Pianko

Alec Levin is the co-founder and CEO of Learners. Learners, formerly known as UXR Collective, started as a small meetup in Toronto and has become an online learning platform for researchers and designers around the world. Before Learners Alec worked in product and user research at a number of Toronto-based startups including Thalmic Labs, Finaeo, and Meta.

Recommended ResourcesEconomic Facts and Fallacies by Thomas Sowell

Economic Facts and Fallacies, 2nd edition

Melissa Jones leads Technical Programs for Shopify, focused on empowering the Research and Development teams with the technical skill and support they need to be successful. She oversees onboarding, leadership development, communications and early talent initiatives for engineering and the other R&D disciplines. Prior to joining Shopify, Melissa served in leadership roles at General Assembly, Code.org and Adobe.

Alison Evans Adnani is the senior program lead for the Dev Degree team at Shopify. Dev Degree is a work-integrated learning program that combines Shopify developer skills with a university degree. She has had a rich career in software development, education and learning. Alison started her technology career as an intern and is a passionate advocate for experiential learning opportunities.

Recommended ResourcesWork-integrated learning companies to watch out for:

Kibo School (listen to our interview with CEO Ope Bukola here)
Multiverse (interview with North America's GM Sophie Ruddock coming soon)
Alura

Praxis Labs: a New York-based company offering diversity, equity and inclusion training through immersive learning and VRTechKnowCon: an annual conference to bring together peers from various companies to compare notes and share best practices about technical training, documentation, and learning in the workplace, available virtually through a Slack group

Guest: Quinn Taber, Founder & CEO @ Immerse

Topics This Week:

Politics Heat Up
- Colleges aren’t prepared for Roe’s fall
- Schools Are Spending Billions on High-Tech Defense for Mass Shootings
- 'Don’t Say Gay’ bills will make it harder for teachers to support students
- The public cost of private schools
- Education Department Approves $8 Billion in Public Service Loan Forgiveness
ISTE
- A Call For ‘A Major Infusion of Joy’
- Teachers Are Reminded of the Value They Bring to Ed-Tech Companies
A Growing Edtech Landscape
- Class Technologies CEO: 'The education landscape has forever changed'
- The edtech top 50 — emerging companies for higher education
Layoffs Continue
- Startup layoffs – the art of reinvention and a MasterClass in change
Funding + M&A
- Leap, JobGet, Wilco, Neol, Cinematic Health Education, Kibo School
- GoGuardian Acquires TutorMe, Degreed Acquires Learn In

Andrew Baird is the President & CEO of the global hub of Education For Employment (EFE-Global). Andrew brings to EFE more than twenty-five years of experience in advancing private sector-led strategies to create inclusive employment and livelihoods around the world - including in several countries where EFE operates. He is a strong advocate for women’s economic employment, and promoting entrepreneurship. He co-founded the Global Center for Youth Employment, a membership-based organisation devoted to developing collective solutions to the challenges of youth employment. He has held leadership positions in a range of organisations in the field and home offices of RTI International, Making Cents International, and the Peace Corps.

For those interested in engaging with EFE as a mentor, or lending their expertise to the youth EFE serves, reach out at info@efe.org.

To discuss edtech solutions to address the youth employment and education challenges faced in the MENA, reach out to abaird@efe.org.

Recommended ResourcesMiddle East Focus, a podcast by the Middle East Institute

Substitute Teachers Lounge
Finally, a podcast for substitute teachers. We have things to discuss too!
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Future of Humanity
Discuss the impact of emerging new technologies and economic and political landscape in...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Guest: Victoria Ransom, Founder & Co-President ofPrisma

Topics This Week:

Higher Ed Adapts?
- Dartmouth College eliminates undergraduate student loans and replaces them with scholarship grants
- Higher Ed Invests in Student Success Tech – Is It a ‘New Golden Age’ or Just Vague Talk?
- McKinsey: Technology is shaping learning in higher education
- Americans support student loan forgiveness, but would rather reign in college costs
Livestreaming against a Teacher Shortage
- General Catalyst Leads $40 Million Investment in Elevate K-12
- Elevate K-12 to Address Growing National Teacher Shortage
Unacademy & Upgrad
- Can Edtech Replace Classroom Teaching?
- Education Unicorn Upgrad Doubles Valuation With Murdoch Funding
Phyllis Lockett on “Ed3”
- How Web3/Ed3 And Immersive Technologies Signal A New Era For K-12 Education
Funding
- CoachHub, TestGorilla, VR Pioneer, Prenda, Tango, Velocity Career Labs, Metacrafters.io, Pok Pok

Doing It Disabled
Join Catalina and Haley as they take on the world - disabled.
Listen on: Spotify

Eat Sleep Nerd
Listen in on the geeky conversions of three life-long nerds.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Substitute Teachers Lounge
Finally, a podcast for substitute teachers. We have things to discuss too!
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Patrick Ward is the Vice President of Marketing at Rootstrap, a digital studio that provides UX/UI design, app and web development and staff augmentation to a variety of companies, including major edtech companies like Masterclass and Emeritus. In this conversation, we’ll talk about the marketing and technology strategies that top edtech companies use to grow, as well as the future of alternative education.

Recommended ResourcesSection4 Blog by Professor Scott Galloway
Education IT Reporter by Scott E. Rupp

Doing It Disabled
Join Catalina and Haley as they take on the world - disabled.
Listen on: Spotify

Eat Sleep Nerd
Listen in on the geeky conversions of three life-long nerds.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Guest Charles Shilling, President, Enterprise Business - US, Europe & Canada @ Emeritus

Topics this week:

Teacher Shortages at the End of the School Year
- Overworked and underappreciated, teachers are burning out
- Cardona: Americans Shouldn't be Surprised by Teacher Shortage
Work-Based Learning
- Google partners with Figma to bring design tools to student Chromebooks
- The Uncertain Pathway from Youth to a Good Job
Metaverse/VR?
- What Will Learning in the Metaverse Look Like?
- Meet the Metaverse: A New Frontier in Virtual Learning
Prescient/Sentient AI
- Google Sidelines Engineer Who Claims Its A.I. Is Sentient
- No, Google's AI is not sentient
Student Loans and The Value of College
- U.S. Closer to Canceling All Federal Student Loan Debt?
- Biden Officials Hint At Another Extension, Potentially Tied To Student Loan Forgiveness
- Student-Loan Forgiveness Will Help Narrow America’s Racial Wealth Gap, But Others Call It ‘Costly And Ineffective’
- As Student Engagement Falls, Colleges Wonder: ‘Are We Part of the Problem?’
Funding + M&A
- CareAcademy, Papercup,

Smart People Podcast
Learn some cool stuff about health, business, & more. Better yourself in the process!
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Twisted Teachers
What would you do if you weren't afraid? Jen and Kim are long-time friends who started...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Kavitta Ghai is the Co-Founder and CEO of Nectir, a communication platform for higher ed that uses instant chat to build a community in every class. Kavitta founded Nectir in 2018 during her time as a student at UC Santa Barbara, and has since raised over $2.25M to bring communication infrastructure to every campus and classroom out there. Her goal is to make quality education accessible to every student around the globe.

Nectir is a communication platform for higher education that connects the campus by building a virtual community in every classroom. It was built hand in hand with instructors and students to ensure that everyone has exactly what they need to make learning more accessible. With over 100 campuses adopting Nectir in just the last few months, it’s clear that this tool is the future of social education.

Recommended Resources
"Talk to 10 people every week. Find 10 people who you want to be your customers or your users and just talk to them. I guarantee you, give it three months, and you will learn so much that you could start 10 companies out of those conversations. That is the best way to break into edtech or any industry that you want."

Guest: Philip Cutler, CEO @ Paper

Topics This Week:

Metaversities
- With Money From Facebook, 10 Colleges Turn Their Campuses into ‘Metaversities’
Guild & Oprah
- Guild Education Reaches $4.4B Valuation As Labor Market Demands Continue – And A Downturn Threat Rises
Apprenticeships
- Multiverse nabs $220M at a $1.7B valuation
Sanoma in Italy
- Sanoma acquires Pearson’s local K-12 learning content
Beyond Byju’s
- PhysicsWallah becomes unicorn with $100M Series A
- Cuemath Doubles its Valuation with $57M funding
- Scaler readies $50M M&A arsenal
More Funding + M&A!
- Go1, Edrolo, Ethena, Odilo, Bibliu, Prisms VR, Talently, Kira Learning, Learnoverse, UniApp, & Simplify
- ServiceNow – Hitch, Riverside Insights – Aperture Education

Wisdom.MBA
Business insights from MBA students, professors, alums and successful entrepreneurs.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

The History Desk
The podcast for history lovers or enthusiasts. Long-ranging historical topics covered...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Sarah Toms is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Wharton Interactive. She is a serious games expert and demonstrated thought leader in the educational technology field, fueled by a passion to find and develop innovative ways to make every learning environment active, engaging, more meaningful, and learner-centered.

Sarah has built transformative gaming platforms for education from the ground up, like Wharton Interactive’s award winning Alternate Reality Courseware platform. And she and her team are building the most innovative catalog of ARC games-based courses on the planet. Sarah has spent more than twenty years as a leader in the technology sphere, and was an entrepreneur for over a decade, founding companies that built global CRM, product development, productivity management, and financial systems. In addition, Sarah is coauthor of The Customer Centricity Playbook, the Digital Book Awards 2019 Best Business Book. And she is dedicated to supporting women and girls in the technology field, cofounding WIT@Penn, and through her work with the Women in Tech Summit and techgirlz.org.

Recommended ResourcesLearn Better: Mastering the Skills for Success in Life, Business, and School, or How to Become an Expert in Just About Anything by Ulrich Boser
Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error by Kathryn Schulz
Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise by Anders Ericsson and Robert Poole

The Customer Centricity Playbook: Implement a Winning Strategy Driven by Customer Lifetime Value

Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise

Learn Better: Mastering the Skills for Success in Life, Business, and School, or How to Become an Expert in Just About Anything

None

Topics This Week:

Edtech Funding Landscape
- Why Some Investors Say Edtech ‘Doom and Gloom’ Overhyped
- Unacademy tells employees to focus on profitability at all costs to ‘survive the winter’
College Enrollment
- College Enrollment Drops, Even as the Pandemic’s Effects Ebb
- Credential Train Is Leaving the Station—Get on Board
- If Students Had Their Way, Hybrid Learning Would Be Here To Stay
Tech as Content
- Teaching AI to All Students
- ITE and Microsoft Collaborate to Equip over 4,000 Students with Responsible AI Skills
- Why children around the world need crypto education
- Code.org to Offer Equity-Minded AP Computer Science Curriculum Nationwide
Indian Edtech Shrinks
- Byju Raveendran Set to Focus on US Market as India’s EdTech Dries Up
- Byju's to divert focus on global businesses as Indian market is shrinking
- The Curious Case of BYJU's and WhiteHat Jr's Sudden Downfall
Funding + M&A
- SkillePointe secures $2.25M in Series B
- Learnfully raises $2M
- Safe School raises $2M
- Zovio sells TutorMe to GoGuardian for $55M
- Roblox to partner with medically-prescribed video game

Erin Mote is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of InnovateEDU, a non-profit that brings together leaders in education and technology to design and develop breakthrough models and tools to help ensure that all students graduate from high school ready to succeed in college and careers of their choosing. Erin is also the co-founder of Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School and has served in an advisory capacity to the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Obama Administration’s Global Development Innovation Policy, and the State Department’s TechCamp program.

Recommended ResourcesMade to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip and Dan Heath
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

None

Man's Search for Meaning The Classic Tribute to Hope from the Holocaust

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

Guest: Jeffrey Cohen, CEO of FullBloom

Topics This Week:

Class Technologies Acquires Blackboard Collaborate
- $210M Deal
- PhilOnEdTech Take
Metaverse
- Mercedes Bent on why Metaverse isn’t Over-hyped
- World Economic Forum: the future of education is in experiential learning & VR
- Virtual Is the New Reality for M.B.A. Students
- Invact Metaversity cancels first cohort
Big Tech in Ed
- Facebook Working on a Udemy Competitor?
Declining Enrollment at Public Schools
- NYT ‘Seismic Hit’ Take
Funding + M&A
- Fundraising in a Downturn? + Emerge Summit 22
- Masterschool raises $100M
- Torch raises $40M
- Parallel Learning raises $20M
- FoondaMate raises $2M
- 6 Bit Education raises £800K
- Knowunity raises €10M
- Amplify Acquires Desmos
- Genius Group Acquires E-Squared

Sophie Brickman is the author of the new book “Baby, Unplugged: One Mother’s Search for Balance, Reason and Sanity in the Digital Age”, all about how parents can try to navigate the world of technology. Sophie Brickman is a writer, reporter and editor based in New York City. Her journalistic work has appeared in The Guardian, The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The San Francisco Chronicle, the Best Food Writing compilation, and the Best American Science Writing compilation, among other places.

Recommended ResourcesThe Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction by Megan Cox Gurdon

Baby, Unplugged: One Mother's Search for Balance, Reason, and Sanity in the Digital Age

The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction

1. Brutal Year for EdTech

It’s Been A ‘Brutal’ Year for Public Education Companies

2. Major Breaking News: Byju’s in Talks to Buy Chegg or 2U

India’s Byju’s Eyes Chegg or 2U as It Weighs US Acquisition
Scott Galloway’s edtech startup, Section4, lays off a quarter of staff

3. Advertising and Marketing over Education in College Spend

GAO Report on Online Program Managers Was Only a Start

4. K-12 Beat: California Community Schools

California set to launch hundreds of community schools with $635 million in grants

5. Funding + M&A

Amplify buys Desmos Curriculum (link)
Animoca moves into Education (link)
Cornerstone Acquires Edcast (link)

GAME: Sign of the Apocalypse or Put Down Your Betting Chips?

Online M.B.A.s Overtake Residential Programs
National EdTech Plan Getting First Refresh Since 2017
ACT Study Finds Grade Inflation in High School GPAs over the Past Decade
Student Loan Borrowers Don’t Deserve ‘Forgiveness.’ They Deserve an Apology

Louisa Rosenheck is the Director of Pedagogy at Kahoot!, one of the largest and most influential gamified edtech companies in the world.

Louisa is also an ed tech designer with a passion for game-based learning and playful pedagogies, and teaches educational technology at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she earned her Master’s degree in the Harvard TIE program. Previously, she was the co-founder of MIT’s Playful Journeys lab, and a researcher at the MIT Education Arcade. She was also a classroom teacher, having taught preschool and teaching English in China.

Recommended Resources

Resonant Games: Design Principles for Learning Games that Connect Hearts, Minds, and the Everydayby Eric Klopfer, Jason Haas, Scot Osterweil and Louisa Rosenheck
Lego Foundation Reports
Learning, Education & Games: 100 Games to Use in the Classroom & Beyond by Karen Schrier
We the Gamers: How Games Teach Ethics and Civics by Karen Schrier
Design Justice: Community-Led Practices to Build the Worlds We Need by Sasha Costanza-Chock
Lifelong Kindergarten by Mitch Resnick

We the Gamers: How Games Teach Ethics and Civics

Design Justice: Community-Led Practices to Build the Worlds We Need (Information Policy)

Topics This Week:

Higher Ed’s Commodification and Decentralization
- Upskilling Trend Brings Coupons, ‘Flash Sales’ and Other Marketing Gimmicks
- edX’s Role After 2U Acquisition
- The Future Of Learning Is Radically Decentralized
K-12
- LAUSD makes 'historic' $50M investment to address digital divide
- Union pushback on Meta
- Twitter sale shows us why edtech companies should be accountable to schools
- TikTok May Be More Dangerous Than It Looks
Workforce Development
- Unpaid Internships vs. Work-Based Courses.
- Why MIT was right to reinstate the SAT
Layoffs amid a Looming Recession
- Brutal week of layoffs - OnDeck along with Vedantu, Unacademy, Whitehat Jr & Lido Learning
- 800 WhiteHat Jr Employees Resign
Funding + M&A
- Educapital, Manara, Skillmatics, iNurture, Rise Up, Magnify Venture, ForeignAdmits, Pando, Byju’s

Jordan Adair is the Vice President of Product at Honorlock, an online proctoring platform dedicated to maintaining academic integrity. Jordan began his career in education as an elementary and middle school teacher. After transitioning into educational technology, he became focused on delivering products designed to empower instructors and improve the student experience.

Honorlock is an assessment integrity service that combines AI & live test proctors to make online proctoring simple, easy, and human.

Resources:

Creating an Anxiety-Free Proctoring Experience

Guest: Ashley Andersen Zantop, CEO & Chairman of Cambium Learning Group

Topics This Week:

Google Grow Good?
- Training now free for 500 workers at every U.S. business
Student Debt Cancellation
- Broad cancellation could backfire
- We should cancel student debt, but only for some
- Income caps + Online certificate programs
Kinder-Crisis?
- Reading recovery's long-term effects
- ECD going downhill
- The pandemic erased a decade of public preschool gains
Returning to Offline
- Vedantu slashes course costs
- Online learning going away in Virginia and Maryland schools
- Online exam cheating is up
Funding + M&A
- Allen Career Institute, Glorang, Inspired Education Group, Galena
- Pearson, Snap! Mobile, upGrad

Eli Bildner is a Senior Director at Guild Education, where he helps to provide opportunity for America’s workforce through education and upskilling, all funded by employers.

Eli was also the co-Executive Director and co-founder of Rivet School, a non-profit which simplifies college by pairing an accredited online degree with real-world supports, such as a personal coach, financial aid, a community of peers, career planning, emergency funds, tech support and coworking spaces.

Eli also led international growth and was a product manager at Coursera, and earned his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Recommended ResourceNoahpinion- Noah Smith's Substack

Guest: Stratsi Kulinski, President of NewU University

International Bubble?
- New Oriental Education, Unacademy, BYJU's
Metaverse
- Meta, Fidelity, Athenaverse, Immerse, Moonhub
Adult Learning
- Udemy's Global Workplace Learning Index
Mental Health Data
- CDC report, Securly, LeanLab, SMART Technologies + Kooth
Funding + M&A
- Zenda, Newton School, Blue Sky, Vivfy, 9jacodekids, Aztec Software
- Akadasia, Veranda, WGU Labs, Genius Group

Mario Vasilescu is co-founder of Readocracy, an online learning platform that makes all the content you consume count. Readocracy includes a knowledge profile that quantifies and showcases your passions, private insights like a “Fitbit for your information diet”, and social features that reward people for being well-informed. With his team, they are on a mission to create a future where how we feed our minds matters just as much as how we feed our bodies.

Mario is a robotics engineer turned designer, digital strategist, and now founder obsessed with media ecology. Prior to entering the world of startups, he led digital innovation projects and digital literacy campaigns for national organizations in Canada and France. He is based in Toronto.

Resources:

Amusing Ourselves to Death, by Neil Postman

Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business

Guest:

Amar Kumar - Founder & CEO @ KaiPod Learning

Topics:

Online Tutoring
- Data + Efficacy
- Schools Pay Millions for Tutoring
a16z START
- American Dynamism
Three Year Degrees + Loans
- Black women are uniquely burdened by student debt
Funding + M&A
- Galena, WeeCare, NeighborSchools, Handshake, SkillStorm,iNeuron,Jenzabar, Entourage

In this second part of the Postcards from ASU GSV mini-series, we talk to a wide variety of amazing Higher Ed and workforce entrepreneurs about their companies, what they're seeing at the ASU conference, and what they're seeing in the field at large.

1) Manny Smith, CEO of Edvisorly, a platform to support community college students who are transferring credit
2) Fadl, CEO of Nexford University, a next-generation, online university that costs $150 a month
3) John Katzman, Edtech legend and Founder/CEO of Noodle Partners, an next-generation online program management company
4) Gautam Tambay, Co-Founder and CEO of Springboard, on online technical bootcamp with mentoring and a job guarantee
5) Manish Maheshwari, Founder and CEO of Invact Metaversity, a fully immersive university for business subjects that can be accessed via VR or computer
6) Kirill Slavkin, Co-founder and COO of Annoto, which turns passive video content into a social learning experience
7) Obi Felten, Founder and CEO of Flourish Labs, a peer-based mental health startup that trains college students to support others with similar conditions
8) Anthony Reo, Co-founder of Bunch.ai, which offers mobile microlearning opportunities for millennial and Gen-Z managers

Svenia Busson is a global Learning Innovation explorer who has traveled through 19 countries to identify the most innovative technological teaching and learning practices, which she captured in her recent book, ‘Exploring the Future of Education’.

Svenia is also a major network builder in Europe, having co-founded both Edtech France, an industry association representing 400 startups in France, and the European Edtech Alliance, representing more than 2400 startups across Europe.

Svenia is now raising a new edtech focused VC fund and is going to invest in European edtech entrepreneurs.

Recommended Resources

European Edtech Alliance Newsletter
Svenia's Book, ‘Exploring the Future of Education’
Brighteye Ventures Newsletter and Medium
Emerge Edtech Insights Medium and Newsletter

Guest:

Mehrad Yaghmai - Co-Founder of Qureos

Qureos raises $3M to grow its learn to earn platform

Topics This Week:

Employers start to lighten debt load for learners
- Fund Debt-Free Education Programs
- End unpaid internships
- Free tuition lures low-income students
K-12 schools in US face multiple challenges
- Staffing Shortages + Universal school meals
- 1 in 4 superintendents likely to quit soon
- Why American Teens Are So Sad
- California K-12 enrollment plunges
LearnPlatform releases Top 40 Report
- EdTech Top 40 Mid-Year Report
- K-12 EdTech Tool Report
Funding + M&A
- Labster
- Sales Impact Academy
- Kaleidoscope
- Pursuit
- August Schools

In this special episode, Edtech Insiders hits the road and travels to San Diego for the ASU GSV conference, the biggest and most influential Edtech conferences in the US.

Rather than a single interview, this episode contains no less than EIGHT short 'hallway' interviews with all variety of amazing Edtech and education founders and influencers.

This episode focuses on innovators in the PK12 space; part two will focus on Higher Ed and workforce innovators.

John King Jr., former Secretary of Education for the US under President Obama and candidate for Governor of Maryland
Sara Mauskopf, the CEO of Winnie, a daycare and preschool marketplace with millions of users
Aditya Kaddu, Founder and CEO of Edstruments, a leading school budget planning platform
Gavin Cooney, CEO of Learnosity, a leading assessment platform
Maria Berrera, CEO and Founder of Clayful, a text based coaching platform for SEL
Vishal Goenka, Founder and CEO of 2Sigma School, which offers accredited CS courses for high school students.
Yair Shapira, Founder and CEO of the Amplio Special Education Learning Platform
Yaki Dayan, the Founder and CEO of Edtech Israel and Neurotech Solutions

Beth Porter started her career in the mathematics classroom before moving into edtech with Mathsoft and Pearson, where she was a VP of software product management. She was an VP of product at Edx in the heady MOOC days of 2014-2015, has consulted, taught at MIT and Boston University, and is most recently, the co-founder of two Edtech companies- Esme Learning, where she is the President and COO and Riff Analytics, which was acquired by Esme Education in December 2021.

Esme Learning offers executive education courses from top universities including MIT, Cambridge and Oxford, offered through AI-powered recommendations.

Riff Analytics is an analytics platform that uses voice data collected during video calls to show how people interact, measure engagement, and determine the split of speakership, among other metrics.

Recommended ResourcesThe Gap Letterby Ryan Craig of Achieve Partners (newsletter)

On this week in Edtech, we are delighted to have guest host Matthew Tower to cover the top stories of the week:

Topics This Week:

EdTech @ ASU+GSV
- Ed On The Edge: Deborah Quazzo On About What To Expect At ASU+GSV 2022
What’s the Future of ETS and Standardized Testing?
- A New Leader for ETS - Amit Sevak
- MIT Reinstates SAT/ACT Requirement
Crumbling School Infrastructure
- This school wasn't built for the new climate reality. Yours may not be either
- Pods, Microschools and Tutors
Byju’s World Cup
- The Growth of Football in India
- Byju’s tried-and-tested sports sponsorship goals get bigger with FIFA
Funding + M&A
- Osso VR Raises $66 Million to Broaden Access to Surgical Education for Healthcare Professionals
- WorkRamp nabs $40M to expand its corporate learning platform
- Learn In Secures $10 Million in Series A Funding to Help Companies Build Talent Academies for Deeper and Engaging Skill Development
- Student-built degree progression platform raises $11 Million to empower students and solve higher education's major challenge

Guest:

Michael Vilardo - Founder + President @ Subject

Video Learning Startup To Tackle Post-Pandemic Education
Subject Raises $29.4 Million in Series A Led by Owl Ventures

Jeanette Cheah is an award-winning education technology and business leader based in Melbourne, and raised across the US, Japan and Australia. As CEO & founder of HEX, she’s dedicated to transforming young people into the innovators the world needs tomorrow and seeing the next generation of talent thrive.

HEX prepares students for the fast-changing global workforce with the tech and design skills they need to close the future skills gap shortage – and the entrepreneurial mindsets employers want using programs that are immersive, seriously fun, and academically aligned.

Previously, Jeanette spent 14 years building innovation solutions, marketing strategies and digital products for some of Australia’s corporate giants including ANZ, AXA, AMP and Origin Energy.

Recommended ResourcesShoe Dog by Phil Knight

Shoe Dog

Karl Rectanus is an educator, serial entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of LearnPlatform, a mission-driven "for benefit" corporation, where he leads a team of educators, researchers and technologists committed to expanding equitable access for students.

LearnPlatform is an Edtech effectiveness system working to deliver safe, equitable, cost-effective learning for districts, states and their partners such as solution providers. Learnplatform’s technologies are used by over 8,000 schools serving more than 7 million students across the United States.

Recommended Resources

#edchat or #superintendentchat on Twitter to put your finger on the pulse of what's going on in schools and states
Edweek
Hechinger Report
Edtech Digest

Outschool
- How Outschool won the pandemic
Master’s Degree Pricing Soars
- Ryan Craig on MasterCrash
Web3 and Education
- Jomayra Herrera on Learning, Earning, and Web3
University Rankings Don’t Add Up
- Columbia Professor Challenges U.S. News & World Report College Ranking
- The University in Ruins
M&A
- Nigerian Edtech Startup Klas Secures $130k
- Video Learning Startup Raises $29m to Tackle Post-Pandemic Education
- Edtech startup Leverage Edu pockets $22m in Series B round
- Perlego raises $50M

Ope Bukola was a product manager at Amplify Education and a product lead for Google Classroom for four years before branching out as an entrepreneur in 2020.

She founded a company to build African tech talent, was a founding member of Level, a multiracial network that invests in businesses led by Black women, and joined the Board of Zeta, a network of high-performing charter schools in the Bronx.

Most recently, Ope is the co-founder and CEO of Kibo School, which offers affordable, high-impact Computer Science degrees to students in Sub-Saharan Africa. Recommended ResourceRest of World: Reporting Global Tech Stories

Sergio Monsalve is a Founding Partner of Roble Ventures, a venture capital investing firm based in Silicon Valley that invests in human enablement technologies: solutions that help human progress.

Sergio is also visiting professor at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education and Business. In both roles, he is focused on the “Future of Work and Learning” and on developing technology innovations and entrepreneurship.

Sergio has been on the board and/or an investor of various companies in this area of focus, including Udemy ($3B), Adaptive Insights (Sold to Workday for $1.6B), Ubits, Slang, and Kahoot! Before he started his investing career, he was an entrepreneur and also held various roles in high-growth technology companies like eBay.

Sergio holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor of science degree in management sciences and engineering from Stanford University. Sergio is originally from Mexico and is very active helping aspiring Latinx entrepreneurs and VC’s.

Recommended Resources

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Peak by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool

Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise

Outliers: The Story of Success

Topics This Week:

NSVF and Others Receive Funding from MacKenzie Scott for General Operating
- Here’s Who MacKenzie Scott Donated To So Far In February
- MacKenzie Scott Makes Historic Gift to NewSchools Venture Fund
Edtech Metrics and Skepticism
- Edtech Companies Must Place Learning Ahead of Revenue and Engagement
- Who is the Theranos of Education?
- Edtech firm Zovio (ZVO) fined $22 million for false advertising, misleading students
Amazon expands Career Choice
- Amazon’s Employees Can Go to College, Free. What’s in It for Higher Ed?
- Amazon Partners With 140 Colleges And Universities To Expand Free Tuition Program
Funding, M&A
- Byju’s founder backs startup in $800 million funding at $22 billion valuation
- Medway raises $15 million Series A from Softbank and seven other funds
- Edtech startup FourthRev raises $11.2 million Series A to bridge the digital skills gap
- From coding school to career acceleration platform, Italy’s Epicode strives for expansion with €10 million
- Chipper Raises $5.6M to Eliminate Student Loan Debt and Combat the Latinx Funding Gap
- Course Hero scoops up Scribbr for subject-specific study help
- Classplus set to score $80 Mn in Series D round
- Cialfo extends series B to $60m, Tiger Global leads $20 mn fund raise in edtech firm Cialfo

Guest: Ryan Stewart - Secretary of Education @ New Mexico Public Education Department

1. International Women’s Day (“Break the Bias”)

Top 200 Women who are leading Global EdTech Startups. – HolonIQ
Supercharger Edtech Female Founders
Erase All Kittens signs distribution deal with Tesco

2. Russia becomes a true pariah state for education

Colleges cut financial ties to Russia
European University Association Kicks Out Russian Universities
Hundreds of Medical Students Trapped in Ukraine

3. Continued Rise of Work-Integrated Training

Work Shift Explainer: A new language for CS degrees - Work Shift
Employers Are Changing How They View Training.
Is Competency-Based Education an Idea Whose Time Has Come?

4. Funding and Policy

Education Department clarifies rules on income-share agreements
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Tops 100,000 Borrowers
High-poverty schools get only small boost in budget deal

5. India India India

India top nation to get edtech patents
Edtech Eruditus gets $350 million
Edtech startups bridging the education gap in non-metro cities
M & A
Reforge Raises $60M
Clearlake to buy edtech firm Discovery Education
Daybreak earns (Series) A+

Josh Owens is the CEO and co-founder of Boost, a personal notification assistant for students on their smartphone.

Josh was formerly the CEO of Supplykick, a growth-stage online marketplace retailer, has been a gubernatorial candidate for the State of Indiana, and has taught economics at Butler University and Indiana University.

Boost connects directly to a student's Canvas account, and is designed to be easy & effective to use with no new work for administrators, instructors, or students; students who use Boost are 3% more likely to pass their class, they earn 4% higher grades, and they are 6% more likely to turn in any given assignment.

Recommended Resources

Boost Efficacy Research Reports
Why Aren't Text Message Interventions Designed to Boost College Success? by Benjamin Castleman, UVA
Nudge by Cass Sunstein and Richard Thaler

Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness

Eduflow is rapidly becoming one a best-in-class LMS, including a cutting edge peer grading system that both saves instructor time and provides learning opportunities for learners and graders alike.

David Kofoed Wind, the CEO of Peergrade and Eduflow describes his unusual journey from university teaching to edtech in Copenhagen, Denmark, and how Eduflow is working to make online, asynchronous collaborative learning into a new paradigm for education.

We also talk about Artificial Intelligence, and David is one of the rare people who both deeply understands AI and does not necessarily believe that it solves all core education problems; he states how a fully AI-based grading system would simply deprives learners from the educational experience of grading others' work.

David's Recommended Resource25 Years of Edtech by Martin Weller

25 Years of Ed Tech (Issues in Distance Education)

Topics this week include:

The Impact on Education of the War in Ukraine
- 7.5 million children & youth with education disrupted
- Students rally to support Ukraine
- EdTech Startups in Ukraine
- Top 10 Ukrainian EdTech Startups to Look Out for Amid War
- MIT Ends Program in Russia
- Ukraine invasion underscores value of higher ed
Funding Rounds
1. Disco, Toronto-Based CBC platform, gets $15mm series A from GSV and others
2. EdTech startup Tutored by Teachers raises over $10m
3. Edtech Luca Raises a $3 Million Pre-seed Round and Starts Operations in Mexico
4. Singapore edtech Genius Group files for $40M US IPO
5. EdTech startup Vygo raises £1.5m to accelerate global borderless education support
6. Founders of Zerodha, Cred, others invest $1.7m in edtech platform Kalvi
Google Dedicates $100mm Career Fund toward New Forms of Education and Certification
1. Google Creates $100 Million Fund for Skills Training Program
2. Interview with Leila Makarechi - Chief Business Officer @ Merit America, the non-profit that is one of the first recipients of Google's investment
Interview with Guest:
1. Justin Weinberg - Co-founder & CEO @ Aktiv Learning
  - Aktiv Learning has recently renamed itself (from 101edu), released a new mobile first math curriculum and continues to build world class platforms dedicated to active learning.

What can Listeners Do:

DONATE TODAY! to Education Cannot Wait
Hire Upwork developers from Ukraine
Donate, partner or volunteer to do mock interviews with Merit America

Our guest this week is Jomayra Herrera - Partner @ Reach Capital, talking about Web3.

Higher Ed Beat
- A pathway out of intergenerational poverty - Paul Quinn College offers admission to students and family members
- U.S. House expands Pell Grants but excludes online ed
Mobile Education
- State of the mobile education market 2021
Byju's Becoming an Edtech Flagship
- Byju’s acquires Austrian math app GeoGebra in €100M Deal
- Byju’s broadens play from edtech with brick-and-mortar tuition centers
- Can the EdTech Boom last?(Economist)
Robograders
- PROOF POINTS: a smarter robo-grader
M&A Roundup
- Veritas Capital to acquire Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Mediahuis Ventures leads €3.4m investment round in edtech company Tomorrow's Education
- Workwhile raises $13m series A led by Reach Capital

Post-recording Update:

How the tech industry is responding to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine | TechCrunch
A podpourri of learning options: pods, hubs, and microschools in the wake of the Pandemic
Will edtech investments reach $10b in 2022?
EdTech startup Tutored by Teachers raises over $10M

Jomayra Herrera is a partner at Reach Capital, one of the leading edtech venture capital firms, where she supports entrepreneurs that develop technology solutions for challenges in education from early childhood through future of work.

In this conversation, we talk about education investing and life as an Edtech VC, as well as about Web3 and education and how it could increase equity and diversity in the crypto space.

Resources

Learning Earning and Web3: Why I'm Jumping In by Jomayra Herrera
The Raging 2020s by Alec Ross

The Raging 2020s: Companies, Countries, People - and the Fight for Our Future

Topics This Week:

Education Stocks Take a Hit
- 306 global education stocks lost $120B of value in 2021, down 40%
- Edtech Stocks hit a steep learning curve
Potato Head Becomes a Digital Therapist
- PresenceLearning partnered with Hasbro to bring beloved characters & classic games to therapy platform
Funding + M&A Round-up
- Munic-based Edurino raised €3.35M to advance digital learning for kids
- Former Twitter India head Manish Maaheshwari’s Invact Metaversity raises funds @ $33M valuation
- Why these Udemy execs left to build a better Udemy
- Paper secures $343M CAD with US schools drawn to its remote tutoring tech
Evidence as a Service
- GUEST: Karl Rectanus - Co-founder & CEO @ LearnPlatform
- LearnPlatform releases subscription to help solutions providers lower costs, build EdTech evidence that districts & states trust
Homeschooling
- GUEST: Kelly Young - Founder & CEO @ Prenda

Post-Recording Updates:

Edtech is luring students to cheat with fake answer sites
Edtech company Cengage names publishing vet as CTO
Edtech market to reach S288B USD by 2031 (comprehensive research by FMI)
Educators have some pointed advice for tech companies building the metaverse

Joshua Wöhle is the CEO of UK-based Edtech company Mindstone, a platform that helps people learn faster, remember more and get things done.

Previously, Joshua was Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer at SuperAwesome, the biggest kids technology company in the world, which was acquired by Epic Games in the summer of 2020. Joshua is an EdTech enthusiast, advisor and Investor.

Mindstone is a platform that allows users to automatically create the best learning pathways from content available online (articles, podcasts, videos, you name it) to help learners reach your learning goals, while at the same time inserting elements of discovery to bring the joy back into learning.

Unusually among Edtech companies, Mindstone has received both VC funding and crowdfunding, which we discuss in this episode.

Our guest this week:

Alberto Arenaza, Edtech Insider Extraordinaire and Cofounder of Transcend Network and author of the Transcend Newsletter

Featured Resource

Check out the amazing new Edtech Dash with over 25,000 Edtech companies
- Brighteye & Dealroom release open access EdTech dashboard

Topics covered this week:

Higher Ed & Government
- House passes College Transparency Act
- Free community college is “Off the Table”
Personalized Learning gets (Social) Emotional
- CZI connects students & teachers via “Along”
- Promise of personalized learning for EdTech startups
  1. Wayfinder
  2. Learnfully
  3. Empowerly
2022 EdTech Valuations- Ripe for Repricing?
- EdTech hits a steep learning curve
Edtech Acquisitions
- Cengage Group to acquire Infosec for $190.8 million
- Studytube acquired Springest & closed $30m series B
- GoStudent acquired Seneca Learning & Tus Media Group
- Brightchamps acquired Education 10x
- Aviso Retention acquired by Watermark Insights after 10 years of bootstrapping
- Modern Campus acquired Signal Vine
Book Bans Threaten Intellectual Freedom
- Voters of Tomorrow to distribute copies of ‘Maus’ and ‘Beloved’ in Texas and Virginia

This week, we sat down with Jonathan Finkelstein, CEO of Credly, which was acquired by Pearson this week for $200m, and with Rhys Spence, lead author of the recent Europe Edtech Funding Report 2022.

HEADLINES:

COVID beat Interesting linkedin post by a teacher caught our eye. There was also a series of articles on Edsurge and elsewhere about life as a COVID principal, pandemic brain science, and student mental health. Big theme of ‘no way to go back’ .

2. Project Kitty Hawk takes offUNC’s $97M Plan to Reach Adult Online Learnershopes to become an alternative to traditional OPM providers and a way to create 120 online programs over the next years,.

New data shows Gen Z prefers alt pathways for higher edA Survey of American high schoolers found that:
45% prefer programs they can complete in two years or less—a significant shift from pre-pandemic levels.
Nearly 70% want on-the-job training like apprenticeships and internships during their college experience.
86% of those surveyed say they feel pressure—from parents, teachers, and society at large—to pursue that specific pathway, even if it’s not the right choice for them
Funding Rounds
Spain-based Domestika, an online platform for creatives, received a $100m round at a $1.3b valuation, becoming the latest Edtech Unicorn.
Fourthrev, a UK-based career accelerator program, announced an $8m Series A.
Singapore-based college application platform Cialfo received a $40m funding round.
Indian Upskilling platform Scaler Academy received a $55 million funding round
Indian edtech Wise raised $5m
Arabic “EdTech platform Playbook announces that it has closed pre-seed funding with $700,000.

Post-Recording Updates:

Studytube acquires Springest & closes $30m series B
GoStudent acquires Seneca Learning & Tus Media Group

Eva Brown is the author of “The Next Right Step: From Teaching to Edtech”. Eva was a classroom teacher for many years before transitioning into Edtech with Scholastic, HMH and now at Formative. Eva runs a consultancy at Eva Brown Consulting to help transitioning teachers take the next right step in their careers.

Recommended Resources for Transitioning Teachers

Jeff Patterson, CEO of gaggle shares weekly lists of edtech job openings.
Linkedin Learning Courses on Edtech (such as this or this)
Coursera courses on online learning (such as this, this or this)
HolonIQ's overview of Edtech and their 2021 Global Learning Landscape

Edtech Job Boards

Edsurge Job Boards
Reach Capital Edtech Job Board
Owl Ventures Edtech Job Board
GSV Edtech Job Board
Learn Capital Job Board
Brighteye Edtech Portfolio Openings (Europe)
JoinEdtech.org

The Next Right Step: From Teaching to EdTech

Topics This Week:

1) Labor Shortages Loom in K12

Almost half of all teachers are thinking of leaving their jobs
Particularly hurting struggling readers

2) College Enrollments Dropping, Higher Ed Making Digital Shifts

Colleges have seen the biggest drop in enrollment in 50 years
Some are adapting to a new future with Hybrid College Classrooms

3) School Districts Getting more Cyberattacks and Ransomware

Cyberattacks on school districts getting more frequent across the country
Georgia to provide cybersecurity platform to all schools
Experts are recommending more preparation and more attention be paid despite limited resources
The 2020 K12 Cybersecurity Act is intended to help

4) Mergers and Acquisitions

Soapbox labs partners with McGraw Hill
Literati Acquires Follett Book Fairs

5) Omicron Stimulus Money Being spent on Virtual Tutoring

Back to School, but Still Learning Online (NYT)

NOTE: A few important things happened this week after recording, which can be read below and will be covered in next week's episode.

1) Spain-based Domestika, an online platform for creatives, received a $100m round at a $1.3b valuation, becoming the latest Edtech Unicorn.
2) Fourthrev, a UK-based career accelerator program, announced an $8m Series A.
3) Brighteye Ventures put out its 2022 European Edtech Funding Report. Breakdown from Brighteye head of research here.
4) Singapore-based college application platform Cialfo received a $40m funding round.
5) Singapore-based personalized coaching and mentoring platform Ascend Now received a $2.1m seed round.

In this Week in Edtech, we cover:

1) Lawsuit Alleging Price-Fixing at Top Universities
- NY Times

2) Phil Hill's Coverage of the Shrinking Non-Profit University Ecosystem
- Phil on Edtech

3) India cracks down on OPM providers in Higher Ed
- Times of India
- Economic Times

4) LEAD Becomes the First Indian Edtech Unicorn of 2022 with a $100m round
- The News Minute
- Techcrunch

5) Around the World
- US: GSV Elite 200 Edtech companies Released
- UK: MyTutor acquires coding platform Fire Tech
- Africa: Egyptian Edtech Orcas Raises Round, $10M Future of Learning fund from Future Africa
- LATAM: Ubits raises $25m to create the Netflix of corporate training

6) Education Labor Force
- 74Million: Report shows that there is no 'big quit' in education, but specialized positions are still hard to fill

We also play a game of 'fill in the blank' with questions like "University Presidents should feel _________ given the barrage of negative recent headlines about legacy Higher Ed" and take questions live from the On Deck Ed Tech fellowship.

Stanford education professor Mitchell Stevens on developing a science for working learners for the NSF to improve research and outcomes for those outside of the traditional higher education system.

Mitchell Stevens is a sociologist of higher education at Stanford University and the co-director of the Stanford Pathways Lab with John Mitchell.

Report Links

Here is a link to the full report
Read the list of contributors to the report.
Sign up for a live event on January 19th to discuss the report (also here).

Resources Recommended by Professor Stevens1. The Education Trap, Christina Groeger
2. Teaching Machines: The History of Personalized Learning, Audrey Watters

Teaching Machines: The History of Personalized Learning

The Education Trap: Schools and the Remaking of Inequality in Boston

This Week in Edtech, we focus on

1) Labor Shortages and COVID Contingency Plans
- California Community Colleges Go Online, along with most UC Campuses and Duke
- Staff shortages led to Louisville's school district going back online

2) Edtech VC Firm Owl Ventures Launches 3 Edtech Funds worth over $1B
- Crunchbase
- WSJ
- Economic Times (India)

3) Y Combinator Announced It Would Offer $500K to Companies
- This raises the bar for early stage funding
- New Edtech Accelerators are popping up, like ODX, Workshop Venture Partners, Blue Meridian and Sesame Ventures

4) Around the World
- Europe: Edtech unicorn GoStudent became the highest valued Edtech in Europe with a $300M+ Round
- China: New Oriental Revealed 60,000 Layoffs and 80% Revenue Loss (Bloomberg)
- India: Inc42's Yearly report came out reporting $4.7 Bn in Indian Edtech investing

5) The GSV Edtech 150 was released.

NOTE: After this episode was recorded, a few more interesting developments occurred:

1) Indian edtech LEAD became the first Unicorn of 2022
2) Ellucian bought CampusLogic
3) Modern Campus bought SignalVine
4) School Loan Provider Navient Lost a $1.85B Lawsuit
5) Chinese language Edtech Lingoace completed a $100M funding round

Edquity is an emergency financial assistance platform for college students that is distributing $50 million per quarter.

Founder David Helene is a college financing wunderkind who is committed to keeping low-income college students enrolled; in this episode, we dive deep into how edtech can help support equity in higher education.

Resources that David recommends:

Paying the Price by Sara Goldrick-Rab
Automating Inequality by Virginia Eubanks

Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream

Automating Inequality: How High-Tech Tools Profile, Police, and Punish the Poor

Ben and Alex discuss How US Schools are Opening and Closing and Opening, The Merging of Edtech Platforms with Content Providers, The Mental Health Crisis in Schools, Chegg's Lawsuit by Investors, and Edtech's Huge Year and the Global Landscape Shift.

We also predict the number of IPOs and Unicorns in 2022, look at the LatAm Edtech market, and do a Deep Dive on GSV Partner Luben Pampaoulov's Medium post on how we get to the first trillion dollar Edtech company through LTV.

RESOURCES:

NYTimes: "With No School in Sight, Chicago Families Grit Their Teeth"
Axios: Blackbaud buys Everfi for $750 million, in ESG push
Edsurge: To Help Fight a Mental Health Crisis in Schools, Community Groups Step In
Inside Higher Ed: Chegg Accused of Cheating Investors
HolonIQ's Global Edtech Venture Capital Report

In this special episode, Alex and Ben Kornell of Cambium Education, Altschool and Altitude Learning talk about some of the major trends in Edtech in the milestone year of 2021 and predictions for 2022.

Trends covered include:

COVID Fueled Disruption and Edtech Acceleration
Labor Shortages in Schools and Teacher Burnout
Nationwide Mental Health Crises for School-Age Children
Major Edtech Mergers and Acquisitions
Edtech Matures as a Technology Sector (From Edu-slow to Techno-speed)
New Edtech Unicorns and IPOs
Employers Dip Their Toes and Start to Change the Center of Gravity for Edtech
Rise of Indian and European Edtech and Slowdown in Chinese Edtech
The rise of CBCs and the "Educreator" (Teacher-Influencer-Creator Economy)
The Future of the Gap Year

In this episode, we talk to Elizabeth Madariaga and Michael Karsh, production and edtech veterans and co-founders of Edios Media.

Edios Media is the instructional design and video production studio behind many of the most successful online courses in the world, including:

All four Google Career Certificates (the largest MOOCs in 2021)
INSEAD's Blockchain Revolution Specialization on Coursera
Courses from Facebook, AWS, Paradigm, Salesforce, Lyft and C3.ai

In this episode, we talk about what makes compelling online video, how to prep and structure an incredible online course, how to provide effective 'gateway learning' to beginners, the power of reminding users 'why' they're learning, filming during a pandemic, and how storytelling principles can be best used in education.

Resources

Axios (specifically, the Jobs section)
Institute for the Future of Education from the Tecnológico de Monterrey
Also, check out the Edios Media blog for deeper dives into some of the topics covered here, including storytelling and remote production.

In this episode, we speak to Nikki and Dan Gusz, the sibling entrepreneurial team behind career coaching startup Lloyd.

Lloyd's mission is to provide career coaching at scale and at affordable prices to those who may not otherwise have access to it. With support from WGU Labs, Lloyd offers 'career services as a service' to education institutions of all kinds, from individual course creators to bootcamps to universities.

Resources

Dan and Nikki recommend the publications and tweets of these entrepreneurial thought leaders:

John Danner
Elizabeth Yin (@dunkhippo33) on Twitter

In this episode of Edtech Insiders, we speak with Amy Amner Jenkins, Head of Schools at Outschool.

Previously, Amy was the Chief Operating Officer of Education Elements, an associate partner at NewSchools Venture Fund, a co-founder of an after school program that combines soccer and literacy, and a teacher with Teach for America. Amy holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

In this conversation, Amy and I chat about how Outschool became one of the fastest growing edtech companies during the pandemic, how teachers are using their teaching skills to create side hustles or even full time jobs teaching online, and how Outschool is beginning to work directly within schools to expand learning opportunities.

ResourcesAmy recommends:

Following school district leaders on Twitter
Feedspot Weekly as an aggregator of edtech news
Start with the Why by Simon Sinek

Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action

In this episode, we speak to Ben Kornell of Cambiar Education, who was most recently the CEO of Altschool as it was acquired by Higher Ground Education in 2021.

Ben is a longtime edtech executive with educational roots- five years in the classroom - as well as experience in healthcare, and he speaks in this episode about how we might borrow some of the best practices in healthcare to improve education, as well as how to scale the educational practices of the best teachers in every school.

Resources:Ben names several innovative companies in this podcast including:

Crimson Education: an international small-group based high school, based in New Zealand)
Third Space Learning: a high-dosage tutoring platform based in Sri Lanka)

Book and Blog Recommendations:

Work by Thich Nhat Hahn
Class Clowns by Jonathan A. Knee
The Flight of a Butterfly or the Path of a Bullet?: Using Technology to Transform Teaching and Learning by Larry Cuban
Larry Cuban's Blog "Larry Cuban on School Reform"

Class Clowns: How the Smartest Investors Lost Billions in Education (Columbia Business School Publishing)

The Flight of a Butterfly or the Path of a Bullet?: Using Technology to Transform Teaching and Learning

Work: How to Find Joy and Meaning in Each Hour of the Day

In this episode, we talk to Adam Franklin, Sr. Product Manager for Content at K12 platform Nearpod.

Adam explains his journey from high school classroom teacher to curriculum developer to edtech product manager, as well as what it's like building and curating a world-class content library to get teachers the resources they need.

We also talk about an age-old k12 edtech dilemma: how to get big enough to sell to school districts while staying agile enough to respond to your end users.

Adam's Recommendations for those interested in Edtech:

Orbiting the Giant Hairball: A Corporate Fool's Guide to Surviving with Grace by Gordon Mackenzie
Measuring What Matters by John Doerr and Larry Page
Hooked by Nir Eyal
Stratechery Blog by Ben Thompson
Jen Carolan (@jencarolan) on Twitter
Buzzfeed's article "How Edgenuity Failed Students During the Pandemic"

Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products

Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs

Orbiting the Giant Hairball: A Corporate Fool's Guide to Surviving with Grace

In this pilot episode, we interview edtech investor Atin Batra, founder and general partner at Twenty Seven Ventures, also knows as 27V, a venture firm devoted to education and the future of work.

Atin talks about his journey to edtech, his interest in founders who really understand the problems, and how some of the best and most collaborative learning happens outside of traditional schools.

27 Ventures has invested in Fiveable, Edlyft, Topknot, 101Edu, Edgi, New Campus, and many other startups that are looking to transform education. We talk about several of these startups in this episode.

Atin's Recommended Resources:

Winners Take All by Anand Giridharadas
The Sensor Tower Mobile Data Report (Q2 2021)

Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World

Education technology is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. At Edtech Insiders, we talk to the founders, operators, educators, researchers, business leaders, and thought leaders who know the industry inside and out. This new series explores the intersection of education, technology, and business by talking to those making it happen. While most education technology podcasts focus on “how” to use education in the classroom, Edtech Insiders is about the trends, products, and business models that power the global Edtech revolution. Edtech Insiders is hosted by Edtech veteran Alex Sarlin, product manager and learning engineer for leading Edtech companies like Coursera, 2U, Skillshare, Scholastic, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Check us out, share, like, and subscribe! Also, check out the Edtech Insiders newsletter on Substack.