S3E15 | The Innovator's Mindset: D2L’s John Baker on Why EdTech Should Stop Solving Yesterday's Problems

In this exclusive episode of An Educated Guest, host Todd Zipper sits down with John Baker, the visionary Founder and CEO of D2L. John shares the remarkable 25-year journey of D2L, tracing its evolution from a student startup into a publicly traded global learning platform. The conversation explores the massive industry shift from simply managing content to building a "true perpetual learning platform" that serves K-12, higher education, and corporate clients. John argues that AI is the critical enabler—the final piece of the puzzle that will solve chronic issues like lack of personalization and high student failure rates, making models like competency-based education easier to implement than ever before. He provides a fascinating look at SkillsWave, discussing why employers are demanding stackable micro-credentials and why the future of education is less about the traditional degree and more about building skills for "more caring, more impactful work." John also addresses the challenge of AI-enabled cheating and offers a bold prediction for how personalization will redefine quality education in the next decade.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

• The Power of AI in the LMS: How D2L’s generative AI tool, LUMI, is already transforming the faculty workflow by automating assignment and quiz creation, freeing up time for human mentorship.
• Competency-Based Education (CBE): Why CBE, long seen as theoretical, is now poised for mainstream adoption, thanks to AI simplifying the difficult work of mapping skills and creating personalized pathways.
• The Global Advantage: Insights into how D2L achieved market leadership in countries like Singapore and Canada by obsessing over client problems and incorporating local innovations into its global product.
• Building Enduring Companies: John's advice on how a relentless focus on solving the client's biggest problem—and treating change as a constant—is the only sustainable strategy in EdTech.

About Our Guest:

John Baker is the Founder and CEO of D2L and the Executive Chairman of SkillsWave. He successfully led D2L through its IPO and remains a driving force in its strategic direction. He is recognized globally for his expertise in learning science, technology, and the future of work.