Edtech Insiders

Join Eric Swanson, Senior VP of Practice and Instructional Products, and Storey Sitwala, Senior Director of Product Management at Renaissance Learning, as they discuss the transformative role of EdTech. Discover how Renaissance Next is streamlining data for teachers and why personalization is key for both educators and students. They dive into the importance of unifying diverse educational tools and maintaining teacher autonomy in AI design. Learn about the synergy between UX and AI, enhancing educational outcomes through data-driven insights.

Rod Danan, Founder and CEO of Prentus, shares insights on bridging bootcamps to careers with community and coaching strategies to help job seekers thrive in an AI-driven world. Lars-Petter Kjos, Co-founder of We Are Learning, discusses how generative AI tools can revolutionize custom video content creation for educators. The conversation also touches on the impressive growth of OpenAI, AI regulation challenges, and innovative assessment methods, emphasizing how education and technology are evolving to meet the demands of a new generation.

Dr. Mike McKenna, Senior Advisor at Tuck Advisors and Chief Academic Officer in Pennsylvania, deep dives into the dynamic world of EdTech. He explores why 2025 could be pivotal for mergers and acquisitions in the sector. He highlights key purchasing trends for K-12 districts amidst funding challenges and discusses how smaller AI companies can better position themselves for acquisition. McKenna emphasizes usability as a critical factor for districts seeking AI tools, linking effective integration to real educational outcomes.

Juan Zavala, a Partner at New Markets Venture Partners, specializes in education technology investments. He discusses why sustainable, capital-efficient growth is crucial in EdTech, dismissing the allure of flashy valuations. Zavala highlights the significant market gap in the U.S. education system and the need for balancing profit with purpose. He also explains the importance of aligning incentives among stakeholders and how innovative models like Nexford University are reshaping education for better outcomes.

Dr. Margaret Honey, President and CEO of the Scratch Foundation, shares her expertise in leveraging digital technologies for children's education. She discusses how Scratch empowers kids through creativity and community, highlighting its impressive growth to over 46 million users. The conversation delves into the unique philosophy of learning that sets Scratch apart, AI integration to foster exploration, and the significance of sustainable models in educational platforms. Margaret emphasizes that true learning requires inspiration and a supportive environment.

Senan Khawaja, the CEO of Kollegio, discusses how AI is revolutionizing college admissions, making it more personalized for students. Connor Diemand-Yauman and Rebecca Taber Staehelin from Merit America dive into strategies for bridging the skills gap and creating accessible career pathways. They emphasize the balance of technology and personal coaching in education, addressing economic mobility and the evolving job market. The trio also tackles broader conversations around AI's transformational role in education, igniting critical debates on the future of teaching.

David Bleicher, Co-Founder and CEO of Jotit, is on a mission to revive handwriting in classrooms through innovative technology. He shares how his personal experiences inspired Jotit's creation and the essential cognitive benefits of handwriting in education. The discussion covers Jotit's unique multimodal learning approach, combining handwriting, typing, and voice. Bleicher also highlights the importance of simple design for tech adoption by teachers and his strategic partnerships with Google and Owl Ventures to enhance classroom learning experiences.

Sam Chaudhary, Co-founder & CEO of ClassDojo, discusses the transformative role of AI in education, emphasizing personalized tutoring and gamified learning. He touches on the growing concerns over academic integrity and the effectiveness of AI tools like Google’s Gemini for students. Chaudhary also highlights Utah as an emerging edtech hub and addresses the challenges posed by rising youth unemployment linked to AI advancements. His insights underscore the importance of community building and adapting education to thrive in an AI-driven future.

Justin Wenig, Founder and CEO of Starbridge, discusses how outdated procurement processes hinder EdTech innovation. He highlights the 'illusion of competition' in RFPs and shares tactics for startups to navigate these hurdles. Discover how AI is reshaping sales strategies and fostering transparency in public sector purchasing. Wenig offers insights on building relationships while integrating tech for effective outreach, ultimately envisioning a fairer procurement landscape that empowers new players in the education market.

MacKenzie Price, a Stanford grad and co-founder of 2 Hour Learning, discusses the critical role of motivation in education. She explains how AI can enhance personalized learning but emphasizes that technology alone isn't enough without human connection. MacKenzie describes how teachers are evolving into motivational guides, helping students build life skills alongside academics. She also unveils the exciting future of AI in education, focusing on immediate feedback and the alignment of learning with students' passions.