Send us a text Michelle Rhee is currently a Venture Partner at Equal Opportunity Ventures , investing in companies driving social mobility and impact. Previously, she served as Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of BuildWithin, a workforce learning platform transforming hiring and development, as well as CEO of StudentsFirst, an education advocacy nonprofit that successfully advanced 140+ pieces of new legislation across 18 states. Ms. Rhee was DC’s first Chancellor under Mayoral control of t...
Mar 10, 2025•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text This Week in Edtech, Alex Sarlin and guest host, Claire Zau explore the latest developments in education technology, from AI breakthroughs to new VR tools and evolving strategies of tech giants. ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:03:00] Preview of the ASU GSV Conference’s AI show and its impact on education innovation. [00:05:00] OpenAI’s partnerships with California State University and Estonia to scale AI in education. [00:09:00] ChatGPT reaches 400 million weekly active users, highlight...
Mar 07, 2025•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text An organizational and leadership development expert, Bjorn Billhardt has designed leadership development programs and collaborated with world-class institutions for two decades. Since 2015, Bjorn has been CEO of Abilitie, a provider of leadership development & mini-MBA programs. Abilitie’s programs have educated over 100,000 learners worldwide. Prior to founding Abilitie, Bjorn was Co-founder and CEO of Enspire Learning, Inc. Bjorn holds a BA from the University of Texas &...
Mar 03, 2025•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text This week in EdTech, Alex and Ben break down the latest trends in AI and EdTech. ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:03:27] Key takeaways from the Bay Area EdTech Summit. [00:04:55] BrainPop’s CEO change and what it signals for edtech. [00:06:29] The decline of gamification and shifting user engagement. [00:10:37] BrainPop’s business model and Lego’s long-term vision. [00:13:50] AI’s next leap—deep reasoning and memory-driven models. [00:17:56] Where edtech companies can still create real A...
Feb 28, 2025•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Pierre Dubuc is the co-founder and CEO of OpenClassrooms, the leading online education platform with about 300k students a month. The school offers unlimited access to hundreds of free courses, as well as complete 100% online training programs for some of today’s most sought-after careers. OpenClassrooms' courses and learning content are produced in-house, and follow a unique pedagogy which relies on scenario-based projects and mentoring from experts in their respective field...
Feb 24, 2025•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text This Week in EdTech, Ben Kornell and special guest co-host Libby Hills from the Jacobs Foundation and the Ed-Technical podcast break down a week filled with major AI breakthroughs, troubling education policy shifts, and key trends shaping the future of edtech. ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:04:53] 🔍 OpenAI launches Deep Research, a $200/month AI research tool. [00:12:06] 🐋 DeepSeek AI challenges US models, raising concerns about China’s progress. [00:17:24] 🏫 CSU offers 500K student...
Feb 19, 2025•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text In this special episode, Alex sits down with Adam Franklin , our very first guest on EdTech Insiders, who returns three years later with an exciting new venture. Adam is a former high school history teacher turned edtech entrepreneur. He previously taught at YES Prep Brays Oaks HS in Houston, TX and coached the varsity soccer team. Adam earned a masters degree in Learning, Design, and Technology from Stanford GSE in 2016 where he also served as a researcher and writer for the Stan...
Feb 17, 2025•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Jeff Maggioncalda served as the CEO of Coursera from June 2017 to January 2025, leading the company through remarkable growth to over 160 million learners and 7,000+ institutions, delivering high-quality learning content from top universities and industry leaders. Under his leadership, Coursera expanded its reach, navigated the pandemic, embraced AI-driven learning, and became a publicly traded company. Since recording, Coursera announced that Jeff has retired from the role, and G...
Feb 10, 2025•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Matt Kennard is the CEO of BetterLesson (which offers High-quality K-12 professional development for educators and administrators, ensuring successful districtwide implementation of HQIM.) and former CFO & Head of Operations for LearnZillion, a K-12 digital core curriculum provider. At LearnZillion, he oversaw the expansion of curricular offerings through partnerships with leading OER curriculum providers and led the company's sale to Weld North Education. Previously, Mat...
Feb 05, 2025•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Tigran Sloyan is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of CodeSignal , the leading skills platform empowering teams and individuals to discover and develop the skills that will shape the future. Tigran is a recognized voice in the industry—a TED speaker, active Forbes Technology Council member, frequent keynote, and contributor to major publications. He is passionate about the intersections of technology, education, and talent acquisition, and his innovative insights are regu...
Feb 03, 2025•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text This Week in EdTech, join Ben Kornell and special guest host Jomayra Herrera , Partner at Reach Capital , as they unpack the latest in edtech, AI, and education policy. ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:03:16] 🤖 OpenAI’s new O3 "reasoning" model sparks AGI debate. [00:07:14] 🏗️ OpenAI’s $500B Stargate Project aims to dominate AI infrastructure. [00:16:49] 📱 TikTok shutdown and divest-or-ban law shake up digital learning. [00:24:15] 🍎 U.S. schools add 121,000 staff in 2024 de...
Jan 31, 2025•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text 2024 was a remarkable year for EdTech, with advancements that redefined teaching, learning, and the role of technology in education. But what’s next? In Part 2 of our year-end special, Alex and Ben invite a panel of visionary leaders from across the EdTech ecosystem to share their reflections on 2024 and predictions for 2025. 🎙️ Featuring insights from: Jomayra Herrera , Partner at Reach Capital Amit Patel , Managing Director at Owl Ventures Ben Wallerstein , CEO & Co-Founder...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Happy New Year! Welcome to the first Week in EdTech episode of 2025! Join hosts Ben Kornell and guest co-host Matt Tower as they dive into the biggest stories shaping the education technology landscape, from AI innovations to major edtech funding and cybersecurity challenges. ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:03:16] 🌐 OpenAI introduces a feature enabling ChatGPT to handle reminders and to-dos. [00:05:04] 🔥 LA schools face closures and damage as wildfires disrupt education. [00:22:54] 🔐...
Jan 24, 2025•2 hr 42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Sara Leoni is the Founder and CEO of Ziplines Education , a career accelerator that partners with universities to deliver industry-recognized certificate courses that prepare professionals with the in-demand skills, knowledge and confidence for today’s tech-driven world. Jeff Sample was the Founder and CEO of Clicked , now the VP of Product for Ziplines Education. His background and unique perspectives as a transitioning Management Consultant and Adtech Executive led him to develo...
Jan 22, 2025•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Dr. Yair Shapira is the founder and CEO of NovoDia , an EdTech company innovating educational publishing through AI technology. Previously, he founded and led Amplio Learning to significant growth before its acquisition. With expertise in technology and educational tools, Yair is dedicated to enhancing educational equity and efficiency. He holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and is an active contributor to the EdTech community. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Nov...
Jan 20, 2025•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Jonathan Katzman , Director of Product Management at YouTube Learning, drives initiatives that leverage educational content across school, work, and life. Before joining Google, he served as the founding Chief Product Officer of Minerva Project, a pioneering university and ed-tech company offering accredited degrees and innovative curriculum design. Jonathan’s career includes leadership roles in successful startups and major tech companies, showcasing his expertise in education an...
Jan 17, 2025•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Yossi Matias , Vice President of Google and Head of Google Research, leads groundbreaking efforts in foundational machine learning, quantum computing, and AI for societal impact in education, health, and climate. A world-renowned AI expert, Yossi has pioneered conversational AI, driven Google Search innovations, and launched transformative initiatives like AI for Social Good and Google for Startups Accelerator. His work focuses on leveraging AI to address global challenges and imp...
Jan 16, 2025•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Shantanu Sinha , VP & GM of Google for Education, leads the development of tools like Google Classroom and Read Along, serving over 150 million educators and students globally. Previously, as founding President and COO of Khan Academy, he championed free, personalized learning on a global scale. Shantanu combines deep expertise in computer science, math, and cognitive sciences from MIT with strategic consulting experience from McKinsey. Jennie Magiera , Global Head of Educatio...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Benedict Gomes , SVP of Learning & Sustainability at Google, leads efforts to transform education and tackle global climate challenges. His organization develops tools like Google Classroom, ReadAlong, and YouTube-based learning platforms, empowering educators and learners worldwide. Ben also drives sustainability initiatives, including decarbonization and creating global environmental data solutions. Maureen Heymans , VP of Engineering, Learning & Sustainability at Google...
Jan 14, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text In this special episode, Edtech Insiders brings you to the heart of Google’s "Learning in the AI Era" event, held on 11/20/2024, in Mountain View, California. Hear exclusive interviews with the following Google leaders: Ben Gomes , SVP, Learning & Sustainability, Google Maureen Heymans , VP of Engineering, Learning & Sustainability, Google Shantanu Sinha , VP & GM, Google for Education Jennie Magiera , Global Head of Education Impact, Google Steven Johnson, E...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text SiSi (SiSi pronounced “See-See”) is a transformative all-in-one platform that brings together everything schools need—student records, learning tools, financials, admissions, communication, and more—into one simple, seamless system. Designed for educators, SiSi replaces the chaos of juggling multiple platforms with an intuitive solution that saves time, reduces complexity, and strengthens school communities. With features like AI-powered insights and automated processes, SiSi empo...
Jan 10, 2025•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Dr. David Yeager is the Raymond Dickson Centennial Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin . He earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University. His groundbreaking research focuses on the processes that shape adolescent development, examining how social cognitive factors interact with structural and physiological elements to influence youth trajectories. Dr. Yeager is also dedicated to uncovering ways to positively impact these psychological processes to enhance dev...
Jan 06, 2025•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Mark Angel is the CEO and Co-founder of Amira Learning , the company bringing the science of reading and AI together. Amira is the first intelligent reading assistan for teachers and is now working with two million students in all 50 states and 14 countries. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Amira Learning uses AI to revolutionize reading education. The importance of efficacy studies in edtech product adoption. Strategic partnerships for scaling AI-driven tools in educ...
Dec 30, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text 2024 was an incredible year for EdTech, filled with transformative shifts and groundbreaking innovations! In this special year-end episode, Alex and Ben dive into the defining trends of the year—from the ESSER funding cliff reshaping K-12 strategies to the rise of AI-powered learning tools. They also look ahead to 2025, making bold predictions about the future of education technology, including the potential of gaming, assessment overhauls, and micro-company innovation. Stay tuned...
Dec 26, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text With the holiday break just around the corner, join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell for a timely look at the latest developments in education technology. From exciting AI advancements to shifts in curriculum policy, this episode captures the key trends shaping the future of learning. ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:03:16] 🧠 OpenAI's New AI Tool "Sora" Makes Waves in Video Generation [00:06:01] 🎥 The Era of Multimodal AI: Google, Meta, and Microsoft Compete on Video an...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text As CEO and Co-Founder of Learnosity , Gavin Cooney still talks about the company he helped build over a decade ago with an infectious zeal. It’s easy to see why: what began as a project in a garden shed (a cliché maybe, but 100% true!) has matured into an internationally renowned tech company with a 200-strong crew of problem-solvers. Since Gav believes that all social ills can be remedied through education, his modus operandi is pretty simple: give education the standard of techn...
Dec 16, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Trish Sparks leads Clever as CEO. Previously she was VP of Customer Success and Sales. Trish came to Clever with a wealth of executive leadership experience at companies such as LinkedIn, where she scaled a global customer success organization, and at DemandBase, where she was Chief Customer Officer. As a North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholar, she started her career as a middle school teacher in Wake County Public Schools. Trish holds BS degrees in Business and Education as well...
Dec 09, 2024•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell in this Thanksgiving edition of "Week in Edtech" as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from groundbreaking AI innovations to edtech controversies and funding milestones. ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:03:16] 🧠 Edtech Insiders publishes AI tool market map with 300+ tools across 60 use cases [00:05:39] 🌐 Google AI Summit recap featuring LearnLM and Gemini’s memory feature [00:14:57] 🎥 OpenAI’s leaked Sora vide...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Laura K. Ipsen is president and chief executive officer of Ellucian , the leading technology solutions provider for more than 2,900 higher education institutions in more than 50 countries. She has more than 25 years of experience as a technology executive in Silicon Valley, driving transformation in the public and private sectors and spurring adoption of comprehensive solutions in high-growth industries at Oracle Corporation, Microsoft and Cisco Systems. Earlier in her career, Ips...
Dec 02, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Matt Given is an experienced education technology leader and the CEO of Seesaw , a groundbreaking learning experience platform designed for PreK-5 students. With over 20 years of experience in education and edtech leadership, Matt has held executive roles at Kaplan, Catapult Learning, and EdisonLearning. Known for his expertise in universal design for learning and his ability to bridge the gap between home and classroom, Matt is a driving force behind Seesaw's mission to crea...
Nov 25, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
