Edtech Insiders

Nicole Jarbo, CEO of 4.0 Schools and host of the Pitch Playground podcast, dives into the educational imagination crisis. She argues that technology alone won't drive reform; instead, innovation must be imaginable, viable, and reachable. Nicole highlights the importance of nurturing founder ecosystems for lasting impact rather than one-off pilots. She stresses responsible AI adoption and urges educators to embrace new ideas to combat systemic stagnation, insisting that imagination is the key to a brighter educational future.

Dora Palfi, Co-founder and CEO of imagi, is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree with expertise in neuroscience and human-computer interaction. In this discussion, she explores the transformative power of creative coding in education, especially for non-technical students. Dora explains how imagi partners with advanced AI tools like Lovable to enrich curriculum and foster AI literacy. She highlights the innovative concept of 'vibe coding' and shares inspiring classroom examples, showcasing how coding can spark creativity across diverse subjects.

Eli Luberoff, the founder of Desmos Studio, creates engaging digital math tools while Rebecca Winthrop, from the Brookings Institution, leads research on global education. They dive into the ongoing tech backlash around screen time and the impact of recent PowerSchool layoffs on educators. Eli shares insights on Desmos' evolution and their focus on user creativity, while Rebecca warns that AI risks overshadow current benefits for students, urging a careful approach to its integration in education.

Jamie Rosenberg, the Founder and Executive Chairman of ClassWallet, shares insights on transforming education funding. He discusses how bureaucratic hurdles hinder dollars from reaching students and how ClassWallet's digital wallet streamlines this process. Rosenberg highlights the importance of empowering teachers and families to enhance creativity in learning. The episode delves into the scaling of Education Savings Accounts and the crucial role of AI in improving compliance and funding outcomes. A must-listen for those invested in education innovation!

Henry Motte de la Motte, Founder and CEO of EDGE Tutor, leads a global tutor outsourcing initiative that powers over 50 education organizations. He discusses the importance of tutor reliability, and how outsourcing can enhance the quality of education worldwide. The conversation also delves into the impact of COVID on online tutoring and the effective integration of AI with human-supported learning. Additionally, he highlights strategies for cultural training and the need for scalable teaching solutions across diverse markets.

Join Jean-Claude Brizard, Sofia Fenichell, Amit A. Patel, and others as they predict the future of AI in education by 2026. Brizard discusses the shift from basic tools to engaging learner-centric assessments. Fenichell forecasts AI-driven tutors enhancing reading and testing, while Patel emphasizes the need for consistent AI performance to build trust. Rosier highlights peer tutoring through micro-assessments. The conversation also covers AI literacy’s rise and the importance of balancing technology with the central role of teachers in the classroom.

Nolan Bushnell, the father of the video game industry and founder of Atari, teams up with Dr. Leah Haynes, CEO of Exodexa and advocate for game-based learning. They explore how traditional schooling fails diverse learners and why game design principles can enhance education. Topics include the potential of AI for personalized learning, the drawbacks of academic gamification, and the impact of homeschooling on innovation. They envision a perfect school day filled with AI tutors, physical activity, and student-led projects for deeper engagement.

Isabelle Hau, Executive Director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, delves into the transformative potential of human-centered AI in education. She discusses how AI can support learners with disabilities, fostering inclusivity through differentiation. Hau introduces concepts like relational intelligence and pro-social AI, emphasizing collaborative learning experiences. She also highlights the Create+AI Challenge aimed at enhancing educational methods and previews the upcoming Stanford AI & Education Summit, a pivotal moment for the future of learning.

Tom Vander Ark, founder of Getting Smart, dives into automation's effects on education goals, advocating for AI literacy. Bjorn Bilhardt, CEO of Abilitie, forecasts radical changes in higher education driven by AI. Jacob Cantor, from JK K12EDU, shares insights on K-12 engagement and the potential of conversational AI. Jennifer Carolan from Reach Capital highlights a shift towards micro-schools and applied assessments. Andrew Goldman from HMH Labs points to the rapid rise in teacher adoption of AI, focusing on outcomes and interdisciplinary collaboration.

In this engaging conversation, Rene Kizilcec, an Associate Professor at Cornell and director of the Future of Learning Lab, explores the transformative power of AI in education. He discusses how the National Tutoring Observatory aims to build the largest dataset of tutoring interactions to identify effective teaching moves. Kizilcec emphasizes the need for robust benchmarks to measure AI tutoring quality and reveals insights on how questioning can enhance student engagement. He also shares innovative simulation-based learning projects at Cornell that hold great potential in education.