Tech in EdTech

Christine Looser, Senior Academic Director of Minerva Project, shares insights on transforming higher education through active, skills-based learning and institutional partnerships. She discusses Minerva’s innovative approach, which prioritizes  "durable, transferable skills" rather than just technical knowledge. The discussion also addressed AI’s role in education, the importance of reflection in learning, and strategies for overcoming institutional resistance to change. With a focus on student success and global adaptability, this episode offers valuable takeaways for higher ed leaders looking to modernize their programs.

Anna Edwards, Co-founder and Chief Advocacy Officer of Whiteboard Advisors discusses current trends and future directions in education policy and technology. She shares insights on federal education policy changes, state-level innovations in accountability measures, and the growing emphasis on career and technical education (CTE) through public-private partnerships. The conversation explores how AI is being integrated into K-12 education, both as a teaching tool and as a subject for student literacy, and the importance of data infrastructure in education technology.

In this episode, Matthew Kennard, CEO of BetterLesson, discusses transforming professional development in education. Matthew shares how districts can move beyond one-off training days to create ongoing support for teachers, even with limited budgets. He highlights the need to use data to guide decisions, tailoring learning to teacher needs, and practical ways to connect training with real classroom results. The conversation explores how technology and emerging tools can support more responsive and impactful professional learning strategies.

In this episode, Dan Cogan-Drew, Co-founder and Chief Academic Officer at Newsela, shares insights on how technology can genuinely support teachers and make learning more engaging for students. Dan discusses AI in education, explaining how it can be a useful tool when thoughtfully applied, and shares practical advice for school leaders on trying new tools without overwhelming teachers or students.

In this episode, Dr. Dax Parcells, Ed.D., Chair of Education, Psychology, and Sociology at Palm Beach State College, shares his experience integrating AI into higher education. He discusses the impact of Gen AI on teaching, academic integrity, and critical thinking while highlighting personalized learning and learner engagement. Dr. Parcells also explores the role of AI in curriculum design, the importance of faculty development, and how publishers and edtech can bridge gaps by embedding AI tools into their offerings to better support faculty and learners across disciplines.

Sam Nelson, Director of Technical Curriculum at Multiverse, discusses the intersection of technology and curriculum design in the context of apprenticeships and workforce training. Sam offers valuable advice on balancing industry-specific skills with pedagogical best practices, the importance of using AI and new technologies thoughtfully to enhance learning, and the critical role of curriculum design in driving successful workforce development.

Morgan Camu, Head of Programs at Outschool.org, dives deep into the world of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and their impact on edtech in this episode. She offers unique insights into how these programs are changing families' approach to education. Learn from Morgan's experience about the challenges and opportunities ESAs present for edtech providers and gain valuable advice for edtech companies looking to serve ESA-eligible families. 

This episode of the Tech in EdTech podcast features an insightful conversation with Dr. Sambhavi Chandrasekhar, Global Accessibility Lead at D2L, and Rishi. Dr. Chandrasekhar shares her extensive experience and insights on the evolution of accessibility in edtech. She discusses the role of AI in enhancing accessibility tools, the importance of inclusive ecosystems, and best practices for implementing AI-driven accessibility. The conversation also delves into challenges and opportunities in integrating DEI principles, evolving accessibility standards, and the importance of including diverse users, particularly those with disabilities, in every stage of AI development to ensure accessibility.

 In this episode, Chris Zhang, Senior Solutions Architect at AWS Elemental joins Rishiraj Gera in a conversation about multilanguage automatic captions and audio dubbing for live events. Chris discusses his career and current role, focusing on making live events more accessible using AI and automatic speech recognition (ASR) technologies. The conversation covers the technical aspects of embedding captions and the broader implications for EdTech, emphasizing inclusivity and improved user experience. Chris also advises educators to leverage modern AI tools to reduce costs and logistical challenges, ultimately, making content more accessible to a global audience.

In this episode, Kelly Rizk, Director of Learning Experiences, Slooh joins Olivia Lara-Gresty in a conversation about effective STEM learning and how to design STEM products that are engaging and accessible for all students. They emphasize hands-on, inquiry-based learning and the importance of representation in STEM education. Kelly highlights AI's role in accessibility and urges leaders in the education space to prioritize student engagement and creativity when designing STEM learning products.