Tech in EdTech

In this episode, Olivia sits down with Sara Leoni, CEO of Ziplines Education, to talk about what learners truly need: credentials that carry weight, hands-on simulations that reflect real work, not busywork, and support that builds confidence along the way. They dive deep into why higher ed is still stuck on outdated skill sets, what practical, long-lasting skills look like today, and why small bu...

Dr. Annalies Corbin, CEO of the PAST Foundation and author of Hacking School , brings an anthropologist’s lens to educational change. In this episode, she breaks down why many EdTech initiatives fail to stick, pointing to short funding cycles, lack of strategy, and cultural disconnects. For EdTech leaders aiming to build products that go beyond temporary fixes, her insights offer a clear path to l...

How do you protect a school from threats you can’t predict? Philip Selton, CEO of Lockdown Experts, unpacks the realities behind school safety technology - what works, what doesn’t, and what most people get wrong. From the fire alarm systems we take for granted to the rising debate around metal detectors, reinforced doors, and AI surveillance, this conversation dives deep into the practical, the e...

In this episode of Tech in EdTech, Sean Strathy sits down with Jason Kahn, Founder and Chief Science Officer at Mightier, to explore how digital play can power real emotional growth in children. They dive into timely topics like the urgency for SEL programs in schools, the impact of the pandemic on social development, the difference between gamification and true play, and how to design digital too...

Nathan Holbert, Associate Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, talks about the thoughtful integration of AI and other technologies into education. The conversation goes beyond AI’s “wow” factor to discuss how teachers, learners, and the broader school culture interact with new tools. The main thread is a call for intentionality and theoretical grounding when adopting AI. Rather than...

Juanita Soranno, Head of Impact at Cengage and founder of Code Connect, has an insightful discussion with Laura Hakala about delivering real impact in workforce education. Drawing from her personal experience as a workforce program participant, Juanita shares how Cengage measures impact through various metrics and shares essential insights into employer-aligned training, AI-driven skills mapping,...

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 ref...

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 A...

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 classroo...

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...

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 des...

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 edtec...

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 implement...

 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...

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 t...

 In this episode, Beatriz Arnillas, Vice President of Product Management at 1EdTech, and Parag Samarth, Chief Strategy Officer at Magic EdTech, discuss the TrustEd Apps initiative by 1EdTech. They discuss the program's evolution from focusing on data privacy to encompassing security, accessibility, and a new GenAI data rubric. Beatriz explains the importance of transparency, organizational pr...

Sunil Gunderia, Chief Innovation Officer at Age of Learning discusses the intersection of evidence-based and AI-driven learning with Dipesh Jain. Sunil emphasizes the importance of merging engaging learning experiences with proven effectiveness for both parents and students. He explains how AI is integrated into their platforms, highlighting the significance of domain expertise and data collection...

 In this episode, Parampreet Singh from Guardian Life joins Rishiraj Gera to explore the intersection of digital inclusion and corporate learning success. Parampreet shares insights from his thirteen-year journey, and highlights the importance of "born accessible" content and its benefits: inclusivity, compliance, and cost savings. He provides practical tips for integrating accessibility...

Stephanie Barber, Product Manager at Teaching.com joins Sean Strathy to discuss the transformative Science of Reading, exploring its impact on literacy education. Stephanie shares insights on EdTech product designs, building an intrinsic love of learning, and the role of human interaction. The podcast touches on AI integration, ethical considerations, and the future of impactful educational produc...

In this episode of Tech In EdTech, Eric Stano is joined by Maeve DuVally, author of "Maeve Rising - Coming Out Trans In Corporate America," to explore the challenges and opportunities associated with fostering an inclusive corporate culture. Maeve shares her experiences coming out as transgender in a prominent corporate setting, shedding light on the significance of corporate support str...

Join Acky Kamdar as he explores Global Competency Centers with Ashish Malhotra, Founder of Ampalyst LLC. In this episode, Ashish demystifies GCCs, discussing their benefits, challenges, and the essential components of a successful setup. From talent and change management to navigating political risks, Ashish provides actionable insights tailored for EdTech companies and publishers considering GCC...

Mark Deppe, Director of UCI Esports joins Sean Strathy as they explore the multifaceted world of esports in education and its potential to enhance student engagement and learning experiences. Mark shares valuable insights on the distinctive fusion of elite competition and academic excellence, highlighting the challenges within esports, and advice for individuals interested in initiating esports pr...

 In this episode, Sean Strathy and  Liz Lee, the Director of Online Learning at ISTE, discuss the integration of AI in classrooms. They explore the pandemic's influence on edtech, emphasizing the transition from reactive measures to inventive teaching techniques, and addressing educators' apprehensions regarding AI. Liz advocates for a cautious yet forward-thinking strategy in using AI&a...

This podcast episode features Kathleen Sestak and Greg Hannah, Director of Disability Services at Villanova University. They discuss the role of technology in supporting students with disabilities during the pandemic-induced shift to online learning. Greg shares Villanova’s initiatives for students with disabilities and the evolving landscape of student-driven assistive tech and urges collaboratio...