Edtech Insiders

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 Demand by Jeremy Bailenson

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 Vijiasingam is 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/ai
Dr. 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.

1. John Danner, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Project Read
2. Catalin Voss, Co-Founder and CTO at Ello
3. Christian Byza, CEO and Co-Founder of Learn.xyz
4. Courtney Monk, Co-Founder and COO at Schoolytics
5. Gautam Thapar, Co-Founder and CEO of Enlighten AI
6. Shweta Gandhi, Co-Founder and CEO of Strived.io
7. Brandon Grusd, Co-Founder of Ethiqly AI

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Ben and Alex discuss:

1. AI + EDU Conference Replays held last October 26, 2023 are now live on the Edtech Insiders Youtube Channel.

2. Stanford Accelerate Edtech Impact Summit

3. Biden's AI Executive Order

• For AI in general
• Data Privacy
• Education

4. Edtech Noon closes $41 million Series B - Wamda

5. Interview with guest Christian Byza of Learn.xyz

6. 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:
Techcrunch
learnprompting.org

In this episode of Week in Edtech, Ben and Alex discuss:

1. Recap of the Edtech Insiders October Events:

• AI+EDU Conference 730+ Registrants and 70%+ Attendance Rate held virtually
• Edtech AI Founders Forum and Happy Hour in San Francisco

2. Biden's AI executive order coming Monday, October 30th.

• Sweeping new Biden order aims to alter the AI landscape

3. Edtech Events:

• AI dominates Educause conference
• ASU+GSV Air Show on April 13-15, 2024

4. 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.

5.  American Federation of Teachers partners with AI identification platform, GPTZero

6. DALL·E 3 is now available in ChatGPT Plus and Enterprise

7. Blueprint Prep Introduces the First and Only AI-Powered MCAT Tutor

8. K-12:

• Dozens of states sue Instagram-parent Meta over 'addictive' features and youth mental health harms

9. Higher Ed:

• Undergraduate enrollment up for the first time since 2020
• Undergraduate enrollment increases after years of decline

10. 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

11. 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:
Midjourney
Khanmigo by Sal Khan
Lex Fridman podcast
Reddit
Hacker News