ListEdTech's Podcast

Is the EdTech market truly "full," or are we just looking at it the wrong way? In this episode, we dive into ListEdTech's analysis of market saturation as a segmented reality. Using a new visualization of market breadth vs. velocity, we explore why a product category can be a "displacement game" for a subset of the market while remaining an "expansion frontier" for another one.

We discuss how abandoning a monolithic view of the market allows vendors and investors to regain pricing power and identify strategic opportunities hidden within the data.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

Educational technology is entering a new phase. For years, scale and connectivity defined success. Today, the real advantage is shifting toward something deeper.

In this episode, we explore the move from network effects to cognitive effects in EdTech. As platforms like LMSs and SISs accumulate years of learning data, they begin to develop long-term memory about how individual students think, study, and progress. That accumulated understanding creates a powerful "cognitive moat" — one that makes switching platforms harder and personalization more valuable.

We unpack what this shift means for institutions, vendors, and learners alike. From predictive intelligence to personalized learning paths that follow students across life stages, the future of EdTech may depend less on infrastructure and more on knowing the learner. The platforms that win won't be the biggest. They'll be the ones that understand students best.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In this episode, we dive into the technological priorities shaping higher education in 2026. While artificial intelligence dominates headlines, universities are quietly focused on foundational infrastructure—identity management, network security, and core system modernization. We explore the "stability paradox," where digital transformation has shifted from a visionary goal to a day-to-day operational necessity, driven by reliability, regulatory compliance, and the 2026 legal deadline for digital accessibility. Along the way, we uncover the gap between high-level strategic ambitions and the mission-critical technical work that keeps campuses running smoothly.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

This episode breaks down the latest shifts in Identity and Access Management (IAM) across North American campuses. We explore Microsoft Entra's market dominance and the steady decline of legacy solutions like Shibboleth. Learn how smaller vendors are pivoting toward AI-readiness and why institutions are ditching standalone tools for unified security fabrics. Tune in to discover how cloud-native platforms are becoming the essential foundation for the modern digital campus.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In today's episode, we're breaking down the "Tipping Point" of the Student Information System (SIS). For decades, local, on-premises servers were the backbone of school administration. But the data is in, and the verdict is clear: the cloud is the new standard.

We explore why the education sector has reached a point of no return. It's not just about flashy new software; it's about a massive wave of legacy migrations as K-12 and higher education institutions race to maintain their technological relevancy.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In this episode, we unpack ListEdTech's RFP Trends & Market Priorities – December 2025 Update, an analysis of five years of RFP activity across Higher Education and K–12. Drawing on thousands of procurement records from 2020 to 2025, the report reveals how institutional priorities are evolving as the market moves beyond pandemic-driven urgency.

We explore why K–12 remains highly active in Student Information System modernization, while HigherEd institutions are taking a more cautious approach, focusing on CRM and career readiness solutions. The episode also examines broader market signals pointing to a shift toward long-term stability, security, and back-office optimization heading into 2026, and why RFPs remain one of the most reliable indicators of where institutions are truly committing resources.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In this episode, we explore Student First, a modern Student Information System founded in 2021 by EdTech veteran David Meek. Built from the ground up to address growing frustration with aging, expensive SIS platforms, Student First takes a clean-slate approach using a modern SaaS architecture with no legacy constraints. Designed specifically for non-traditional institutions such as career colleges, online programs, and globally oriented campuses, the platform emphasizes multilingual and multi-currency support, rapid implementation, and transparent pricing. We discuss how its mobile-first design, adaptive framework, and evergreen upgrades allow institutions to onboard in as little as four months, and why Student First is gaining traction among small to mid-sized institutions seeking agility, lower operational overhead, and student-centric workflows.

The episode image was taken from the Student First website (studentfirst.com).

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

This episode breaks down the key insights from the Instructure Roundtable at EDUCAUSE 2025, where leaders from major universities explored how AI is reshaping higher education. Rather than replacing human interaction, AI is emerging as a catalyst for connection—automating routine tasks so faculty can focus on mentorship and meaningful engagement. We look at shifting student expectations for seamless, digital-first learning, the rise of microcredentials, and how institutions are preparing for a future defined by personalized, lifelong learning. The message is clear: innovation should strengthen the human heart of education.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In this episode, we unpack the evolving landscape of the North American K-12 Student Information System (SIS) market in 2025—a space marked by both maturity and disruption. While long-time leader PowerSchool continues to dominate with nearly a quarter of the market, competitors like FACTS SIS and Infinite Campus are reshaping regional dynamics and challenging legacy dominance. Behind the scenes, waves of mergers and acquisitions, the rise of AI-driven analytics, and state-level migrations such as North Carolina's shift to Infinite Campus signal a new era of transformation. As growth slows and replacement cycles define strategy, the SIS market is moving beyond compliance toward data-intelligent ecosystems—where interoperability, insight, and innovation will decide who thrives next.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.

The K–12 website landscape is transforming fast. Once a fragmented field of niche vendors, the Content Management System (CMS) market has rapidly consolidated — with Finalsite and Apptegy now powering more than 40% of North American school district websites. In this episode, we unpack how this shift is reshaping communication, accessibility, and accountability in education.

From AI-driven automation to the growing demand for ADA and WCAG compliance, we explore the trends that now define platform decisions. Districts are also moving beyond simple web publishing, seeking all-in-one ecosystems that integrate sites, notifications, and parent messaging under a single, unified platform.

Tune in to understand what this consolidation means for schools, vendors, and the future of digital communication in K–12 education.

Note: This episode is based on a blog post from ListEdTech.com and was created using Google Notebook LM. While we strive to remain faithful to the original content, some details may differ. For the authoritative version, please consult the original blog post on ListEdTech.com.