ListEdTech's Podcast

In this episode, we dig into a four-year analysis of Educause exhibitor data to uncover what's really shaping the future of HigherEd technology. Using vendor kiosk counts and total booth size from 2021 to 2025, ListEdTech's latest research reveals a sector in transition — shifting away from pandemic-driven solutions and returning its attention to core modernization.

We break down the biggest signals in the data: the surge of investment in Hardware, Cloud, and ERP platforms; the ongoing prioritization of Security; and why Artificial Intelligence is increasingly being woven into existing systems rather than emerging as a standalone product category. The findings suggest a maturing market defined by consolidation and strategic scaling, where fewer vendors are commanding larger footprints and competing to anchor expansive technology ecosystems on campus.

Join us as we unpack what these exhibitor trends mean for institutions planning their next tech moves — and for vendors fighting to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.

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 a fascinating analysis from a recent ListEdTech blog post by Justin Ménard, which examines the "early adopters" segment of the Product Adoption Curve in higher education. By tracking twenty institutions that consistently appear among the first to adopt new technologies across thirty product categories, the study identifies a core group of HigherEd's Tech Leaders.

Mostly small- to mid-sized institutions concentrated in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, these early adopters play an outsized role in shaping the sector. Their willingness to take risks helps vendors refine new products and sets benchmarks that influence adoption patterns nationwide. We explore who these institutions are, why their behavior matters, and what their leadership reveals about the future of EdTech innovation.

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 Anthology's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing—a strategic move aimed at reducing debt and streamlining the company's future. Once known for its aggressive acquisition strategy, Anthology is now reorganizing around its core Blackboard teaching and learning solutions. As part of the restructuring, Ellucian is likely to acquire Anthology's SIS/ERP business, while Encoura should take over its student success units, underscoring the limited overlap between product lines. We explore how years of rapid expansion led to a complex and overlapping portfolio, why financial restructuring became unavoidable, and what this means for current Blackboard customers facing both continuity and uncertainty in the marketplace.

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 a fresh analysis from ListEdTech that challenges the way we think about market saturation in education technology. Rather than seeing saturation as a static point, this discussion highlights how markets evolve over time — and why tracking both total adoption (X-axis) and new implementations (Y-axis) paints a more accurate picture. We explore the adoption patterns of Conferencing Systems, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and Student Information Systems (SIS) across both K-12 school districts and higher education, using data visualizations to reveal how events like COVID-19 or vendor announcements often drive replacements rather than genuine growth. Finally, we introduce the concept of a "saturation ratio," a new way for institutions and vendors to distinguish between growth and churn, and to better understand where each product category sits in its maturity cycle.

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 story of Thesis, a rising force in the Student Information System (SIS) market. Born from Unit4's SIS division in 2021, Thesis has quickly established itself as a cloud-first, SaaS-driven provider focused on the unique needs of small and mid-sized colleges and universities across the U.S., Canada, and the UK. We explore their flagship solutions (Thesis Student Management and Thesis Elements) and how they're built for speed, simplicity, and compliance. You'll hear how Thesis leverages financial stability, customer-driven innovation, and strong leadership to compete in a crowded market. We also look ahead at their expanding global presence, company culture, and vision for the future of higher education technology. Note: This episode was generated based on a blog post. While we aim to stay true to the original content, some details may be inaccurate. For the official version, please refer to the blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In this episode, we explore how higher education institutions uncover what technologies their peers are using—and why the process is often more complicated than it seems. From hallway conversations at conferences to fragmented online forums and professional networks, most discovery methods remain informal, incomplete, and biased. We discuss the challenges this creates for decision-makers and how these gaps can delay or distort technology adoption. Finally, we look at how ListEdTech addresses this problem by offering a comprehensive, structured data resource that delivers transparent insights into EdTech trends, helping institutions improve student experience, boost faculty productivity, and stay competitive.

Note: This episode was generated based on a blog post. While we aim to stay true to the original content, some details may be inaccurate. For the official version, please refer to the blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In this episode of the ListEdTech podcast, we explore why validating institutional data each year is not just a clerical task—but a critical process that underpins trust and clarity in the education sector. We break down how verifying the type of institution, degree offerings, enrollment numbers, and active status helps maintain a robust and reliable dataset that serves researchers, policymakers, and accreditation bodies alike.

Note: This episode was generated based on a blog post. While we aim to stay true to the original content, some details may be inaccurate. For the official version, please refer to the blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In this episode, we dive into the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in Learning Management Systems (LMS). Drawing from recent announcements at major industry conferences, we explore how Blackboard (Anthology), D2L (Brightspace), and Instructure (Canvas) are embedding AI into their platforms—each with a unique strategy. From personalized learning and accessibility improvements to career pathway guidance and deep institutional integration, these moves signal an AI-driven paradigm shift in higher education technology. But innovation comes with risks. We also unpack the idea of the "Winner's Curse," asking whether the very strengths that made these companies market leaders could become obstacles in the age of AI.

Note: This episode was generated based on a blog post. While we aim to stay true to the original content, some details may be inaccurate. For the official version, please refer to the blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In this episode, we dive into the often-overlooked challenge of technology system integration during university mergers. Drawing on ListEdTech's extensive database and industry insights from ERP Today and EdTech Magazine, we explore why larger institutions' systems almost always prevail, thanks to their scalability and robust infrastructure. We discuss how pre-merger alignment can smooth the transition, why legacy systems from smaller entities rarely survive—even when newly upgraded—and how mergers create a rare opportunity to modernize IT infrastructure and renegotiate vendor contracts. Join us as we unpack the high-stakes technology decisions that shape operational efficiency and set the stage for long-term institutional success.

Note: This episode was generated based on a blog post. While we aim to stay true to the original content, some details may be inaccurate. For the official version, please refer to the blog post on ListEdTech.com.

In this episode, we explore the major announcements from D2L Fusion 2025 and what they mean for the future of Brightspace. From the rollout of Lumi AI to Accessibility Plus, D2L is putting artificial intelligence at the center of its strategy—enhancing teaching, improving student support, and streamlining administrative work. We also look at the company's expanding global presence and its growing investment in corporate training, with new partnerships and tools designed for workforce learning. Tune in for a concise breakdown of how D2L is shaping a more scalable, accessible, and AI-driven learning ecosystem.

Note: This episode was generated based on a blog post. While we aim to stay true to the original content, some details may be inaccurate. For the official version, please refer to the blog post on ListEdTech.com.