April 24, 2023

038 Robots & Pencils Grow EdTech with Ryan Gialames

52 minutes

Welcome back for another brilliant interview on the EdTech Speaks podcast where we interview Ryan Gialames, an experienced edtech product and design leader as Head of Product for Robot & Pencils’s education technology. He is responsible for launching edtech products, such as Student Apps, and bringing them to market while also driving the future innovation of these products. Although Ryan’s background started in theatre and filmmaking, he now uses those skills to engage with educators, designers, and technologists to create innovative learning experiences.

Today, Ryan shares how Robots & Pencils provides students with a seamless, customized experience that supports each learner’s unique needs. Powered by Salesforce, their Student Apps integrates backend systems, including CRM, SIS, and LMS platforms, under a user-centered frontend. This technology is a breakthrough in the educational technology field as its unique method of consolidating all student data eliminates the data silos that normally impede the ability of staff to support students.

Ryan says, "A one size fits all approach no longer works for today’s learners pursuing higher education. They’re juggling demands involving finances, jobs, family members, and other personal issues. Each person has different needs, goals, and prior knowledge to be accounted for. Often, these individuals care less about degree titles and more about learning specific, in-demand skills that will get them where they want to go."

To answer those varying needs, Robots & Pencils has helped to design and build a variety of accessible, inclusive, and customizable learning experiences that support learners of all types. As a whole, they provide solutions and...