Edtech Insiders

Dr. David Yeager, Raymond Dickson Centennial Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, discusses powerful insights into motivating adolescents. He unveils the Mentor Mindset framework, emphasizing high expectations paired with robust support. Listeners learn about essential drivers of success like belonging and purpose, and the impact of relatable role models. Yeager also highlights the importance of strategic interventions and warns about the safety of EdTech tools, calling for collaborations to enhance youth's educational experiences.

Mark Angel, CEO and Co-founder of Amira Learning, discusses how AI is revolutionizing reading education by personalizing learning experiences for diverse students, including ELLs and those with dyslexia. He emphasizes the significance of efficacy studies to build trust in edtech and shares insights on strategic partnerships to scale AI tools. The conversation also tackles privacy and equity concerns surrounding AI and presents an optimistic vision of AI addressing the global literacy crisis. Mark offers essential advice for entrepreneurs on focusing metrics and cultivating team culture.

2024 brought transformative shifts in EdTech, driven by the ESSER funding cliff and the explosion of AI innovations. The hosts discuss the growing influence of Big Tech on education and reflect on major milestones within the community. Looking forward to 2025, they predict a revolution in assessments, emphasizing personalized learning and the role of parents in shaping education. There's also an exciting exploration of AI-driven gaming and the rising need for practical, career-focused learning in higher education.

Join Alex Linley, Co-CEO of Cappfinity, and Henrik Appert, Founder of Magma Math, as they delve into transformative trends in education. They discuss the innovative capabilities of OpenAI’s Sora and the competitive race among tech giants in developing multimodal AI. The impact of Texas's new curriculum policies and declining public school enrollment on EdTech is explored. Linley highlights a shift towards skills-based hiring, while Appert shares insights on improving math education through AI, showcasing new opportunities in the evolving learning landscape.

Gavin Cooney, CEO and Co-Founder of Learnosity, dives into the transformative power of AI in education. He discusses how Learnosity's innovative tools help reduce teacher workloads, particularly through efficient essay scoring at an impressive cost of one cent per essay. Cooney emphasizes the importance of specialized EdTech solutions over general AI tools, aiming to enhance, not replace, educator feedback. With a mission to empower 40 million learners, he shares his vision for the future of assessment in the evolving landscape of education.

Trish Sparks, CEO of Clever and former middle school teacher, discusses her journey from the classroom to leading a platform serving 28 million students and teachers. She highlights the critical role of digital identity systems in education, protecting student data while simplifying tech access. Sparks shares insights from Clever's 'Classroom of the Future' report, revealing AI's rapid adoption in schools and its potential to ease teacher workloads. She also addresses cybersecurity challenges in K-12 and Clever's innovative solutions to safeguard learning environments.

In this insightful discussion, Brett Waikart, Co-founder and CEO of Skillfully—a pioneer in skills-based hiring—shares his vision for transforming recruitment. He dives into the rise of generative AI and its role in evaluating candidates more effectively. The conversation also touches on the implications of recent fraud allegations in edtech, Amazon's major investments in AI, and the ethical debate surrounding OpenAI's leaked content. Waikart emphasizes the importance of focusing on skills over traditional resumes to foster a more equitable hiring landscape.

Laura Ipsen, the President and CEO of Ellucian, shares her insights on the evolving landscape of higher education technology. She discusses how AI is reshaping student engagement and retention, revealing findings from Ellucian's latest AI survey that highlight both excitement and skepticism. Ipsen explores the shifting definitions of ROI for degrees amidst rising tuition and the importance of innovative learning strategies. She also addresses the role of technology in alleviating FAFSA challenges, emphasizing the need for data-driven solutions that enhance accessibility and institutional efficiency.

Matt Given, the CEO of Seesaw and an edtech leader with over 20 years of experience, dives into how Seesaw creates a unique 'learning loop' connecting teachers, students, and families. He discusses the platform's evolution from a simple communication tool to a robust learning experience, especially after its COVID-19 transformation. Highlighting the integration of AI, he reveals how it enhances teacher workflows while keeping education human-centered. Matt also emphasizes the importance of inclusive design and feedback in shaping effective learning tools.

Arman Jaffer, Founder and CEO of Brisk Teaching, shares insights on his AI tool that personalizes instruction for educators, streamlining administrative tasks. Formerly with the White House, he emphasizes the evolutionary role of AI in enhancing student engagement. Joining him is Emily Bennett, Principal Investor at Owl Ventures, who discusses investment strategies in AI-focused edtech. They explore the future of personalized learning, the challenges for edtech startups in fundraising, and the integration of AI into daily teaching workflows.