Edtech Insiders

Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell
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At Edtech Insiders, we interview founders, investors, operators, educators, and thought leaders about the future of education technology. You’ll hear from leaders across the education technology industry and learn about all of the important edtech trends happening globally.

  1. The Math We Teach vs. The Math We Need with Ted Dintersmith

    -3 J

    The Math We Teach vs. The Math We Need with Ted Dintersmith

    Send us Fan Mail Ted Dintersmith is an education advocate, author, and filmmaker who has spent the past 15 years working alongside educators to rethink what learning should look like in the modern world. He has visited more than 200 schools across all 50 states, listening to teachers and students and studying approaches that prepare young people for real life beyond tests. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:  Why school math focuses on skills that AI already does better than humans  The disconnect between “math in school” and “math in real life”  How standardized testing has narrowed our definition of intelligence  What meaningful, relevant math learning could look like in classrooms  Why making math practical and engaging can unlock student potential across backgrounds ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:44] Ted’s journey from tech investor to education advocate [00:05:37] Why the rise of AI makes today’s math curriculum increasingly obsolete [00:08:55] The “math of life” vs. the “math of school” disconnect [00:12:55] The myth that current math instruction teaches critical thinking [00:16:16] How test-driven systems reward speed over real understanding [00:20:12] Why math should be integrated across subjects, not siloed [00:22:52] Students see schoolwork as irrelevant and why that leads to disengagement [00:25:07] A powerful classroom example: teaching probability through real-world context [00:26:51] How relevance in math can close equity gaps in learning outcomes [00:28:37] Ted’s vision for transforming math into a tool for purpose and real-world problem solving 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

    32 min
  2. Steve Tapp of ACT on Bridging Academic Assessment and Workforce Readiness

    20 AVR.

    Steve Tapp of ACT on Bridging Academic Assessment and Workforce Readiness

    Send us Fan Mail Steve Tapp is the CEO of ACT, a leading nonprofit assessment organization best known for the ACT college admissions test. With over 30 years of experience in assessments across education, professional certification, and workforce testing, he previously led PSI Services and Lifelong Learner Holdings, helping scale global assessment platforms. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode How AI is transforming the assessment lifecycle—from test creation to scoring.Why fairness, validity, and human oversight still matter in AI-powered testing.How ACT is expanding beyond college admissions into career readiness.The potential of adaptive and personalized assessments.Why bridging academic testing and workforce skills is the future of assessment.✨ Episode Highlights [00:00:00] Steve Tapp on his 30-year career in assessments and joining ACT as CEO. [00:03:00] AI as a “force multiplier” across the testing lifecycle. [00:07:27] The opportunity for adaptive and personalized assessments. [00:10:28] ACT’s broader mission beyond the college admissions test. [00:15:46] The growing importance of measuring workforce-ready skills. [00:18:30] How ACT’s WorkKeys connects education to real-world jobs. [00:22:45] Tapp’s vision for the future of ACT in the AI era. 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

    29 min
  3. Why Graduation Is Higher Ed’s Most Overlooked Growth Lever with Chase Rigby of Tassel

    13 AVR.

    Why Graduation Is Higher Ed’s Most Overlooked Growth Lever with Chase Rigby of Tassel

    Send us Fan Mail Chase Rigby is the CEO of Tassel, a platform modernizing graduation experiences for universities worldwide. A former Google PM and Chief Product Officer at Canopy, his career sits at the intersection of education, technology, and product innovation. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why graduation is a key (and overlooked) growth moment  How Tassel simplifies complex commencement logistics  Where AI improves the student and admin experience  How graduation drives alumni engagement and giving  Why Tassel helps students earn money at graduation✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:57] Graduation as a growth and marketing moment [00:05:22] Unifying registration, tickets, and stage flow [00:09:17] A student earns $3,500 via digital announcements [00:11:53] Saving thousands of admin hours with AI [00:14:18] The “cap-and-gown cartel” and outdated business models [00:16:56] Better graduation to stronger alumni ties [00:19:29] Disrupting the cap-and-gown model  😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

    27 min
  4. Week in Edtech 4/8/26: Anthropic’s Mythos Sparks AI Security Concerns, EdTech Efficacy Debate Intensifies, Screen Time Backlash Grows, OpenAI Faces Pressure, AI Reshapes Entry-Level Jobs, Higher Ed Adapts, and More! Feat. Yoon Yang of Pensive

    11 AVR.

    Week in Edtech 4/8/26: Anthropic’s Mythos Sparks AI Security Concerns, EdTech Efficacy Debate Intensifies, Screen Time Backlash Grows, OpenAI Faces Pressure, AI Reshapes Entry-Level Jobs, Higher Ed Adapts, and More! Feat. Yoon Yang of Pensive

    Send us Fan Mail Join hosts Ben Kornell and guest co-host Matt Tower, as they break down the biggest stories shaping AI, edtech efficacy, cybersecurity, and the future of work in education. ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:00:33] Rapid rise of AI-generated “vibe coding” raises concerns about software vulnerabilities and cybersecurity risks [00:02:44] ASU+GSV preview highlights the importance of relationships over deal-making at major edtech gatherings [00:08:26] Anthropic’s Mythos model withheld due to its ability to uncover critical security flaws across systems [00:11:37] Growing need for AI systems to defend against AI-driven cybersecurity threats [00:14:18] Schools question edtech effectiveness amid too many tools and limited evidence of impact [00:15:23] Debate over screen time intensifies as some classrooms move toward eliminating devices [00:20:47] Discussion on whether smaller, more personalized school models better serve students [00:26:08] OpenAI faces leadership changes and increasing competition from Anthropic and Google [00:30:30] Big Tech’s varying levels of investment in education reshape the competitive landscape [00:33:25] AI disrupts entry-level job markets, raising concerns about college graduate employment [00:36:12] Future workforce will demand adaptability, entrepreneurship, and continuous learning Plus, special guest: [00:37:34] Yoon Yang, CEO and Co-founder of Pensive, on AI-powered grading and personalized tutoring in higher education 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

    1 h 1 min
  5. AI Without the “Slop” with Brandon Cardet-Hernandez of Medley Learning

    6 AVR.

    AI Without the “Slop” with Brandon Cardet-Hernandez of Medley Learning

    Send us Fan Mail Brandon Cardet-Hernandez is the Founder and CEO of Medley Learning, a platform building AI-powered scaffolding tools for multilingual learners. A former multilingual learner himself, Brandon has served as a teacher, turnaround principal, Boston School Committee member, NYC education advisor, and edtech leader. His work focuses on closing the access gap, not lowering expectations. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why education has an access gap, not just an achievement gapThe dangers of over-scaffolding and “AI slop”How AI can embed rigor without lowering standardsA new workflow for supporting multilingual learnersWhy implementation determines impact✨ Episode Highlights: [00:01:58] Brandon’s journey and the educators who changed his life [00:10:50] The “ELL trap” and lowering cognitive demand [00:15:11] Student-controlled, embedded scaffolds in real time [00:23:58] Why strong district champions matter for implementation [00:27:24] AI’s promise: turning research into daily practice [00:30:02] The risk of “AI slop” in classrooms [00:31:52] Building AI policy around knowledge not fear  😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

    35 min
  6. AI Doesn’t Learn Alone: Dr. Magdalena H. Gross of Mercor on Human Intelligence

    30 MARS

    AI Doesn’t Learn Alone: Dr. Magdalena H. Gross of Mercor on Human Intelligence

    Send us Fan Mail Dr. Magdalena H. Gross of Mercor is a Stanford-trained scholar and a leader in AI education. With a unique ability to understand how people think, she helps experts translate deep human knowledge into AI-ready systems. She designs AI curricula and training programs that empower individuals and organizations, while also leading in community arts and muralism. Learn more about her work at www.magdalenagross.com. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: How human experts actually train AI through structured thinking and feedback  Why making “invisible thinking visible” is key to both learning and AI development  The parallels between reinforcement learning in AI and how humans learn  How breaking down reasoning into steps improves both teaching and model performance  Why interdisciplinary thinking is essential for solving complex problems with AI ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:48] What “human data” really means: experts training AI through deep domain knowledge [00:05:30] From binary labeling to reinforcement learning: how AI training now mirrors human learning [00:07:47] Spiral curriculum at scale: how experts and AI both improve through repetition and complexity [00:10:44] Cognitive modeling: making expert thinking visible to accelerate learning [00:13:28] Breaking down reasoning: categorizing how humans think across domains [00:16:28] Why interdisciplinary thinking drives breakthroughs in humans and AI [00:18:58] The future of human data work: expanding alongside the growth of human knowledge  😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

    21 min
  7. Week in Edtech 3/18/26: NVIDIA’s Agentic AI Land Grab, ASU’s AI Playbook, AI Literacy vs Screen Bans, School Choice Expansion, Edtech Funding Shifts, and More! Feat. Aaron Cuny of AI for Equity & Joshua Broggi of Woolf

    27 MARS

    Week in Edtech 3/18/26: NVIDIA’s Agentic AI Land Grab, ASU’s AI Playbook, AI Literacy vs Screen Bans, School Choice Expansion, Edtech Funding Shifts, and More! Feat. Aaron Cuny of AI for Equity & Joshua Broggi of Woolf

    Send us Fan Mail Join hosts Ben Kornell and special co-host Steve Shapiro, Founder of Finetune.AI, as they break down the biggest stories shaping AI, workforce disruption, K–12 policy, and the future of higher education.  ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:05:10] NVIDIA signals the shift from AI experimentation to a full-scale platform “land grab” [00:08:19] Early signs of AI-driven productivity gains point to real workforce disruption [00:13:16] Governments invest in AI retraining, labor upskilling, and workforce preparedness [00:15:27] Apprenticeships emerge as a critical pathway as entry-level jobs decline [00:17:17] AI “agent armies” could make one-person businesses more viable than ever [00:19:23] Schools balance AI literacy initiatives with rising pressure for screen bans [00:21:23] Debate grows over big tech’s responsibility in supporting education systems [00:24:14] Media backlash questions edtech’s impact on student learning outcomes [00:28:00] School choice expands rapidly, with mixed impacts across states [00:32:09] ASU highlighted as a leading model for AI-ready higher education [00:34:10] Edtech funding shifts to more deals with smaller check sizes [00:36:01] Startups scale faster with less capital due to AI-powered development [00:37:41] Optimism grows for edtech innovation over the next 12–24 months Plus, special guests: [00:38:59] Aaron Cuny, CEO of AI for Equity, on building AI leadership capacity in school systems [01:06:39] Joshua Broggi, CEO and Founder of Woolf, on rethinking higher education with competency-based models 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized o Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

    1 h 30 min
  8. Keeping Tutoring Human in the Age of AI with Mindy Sjoblom and Catherine Tierney of OnYourMark

    23 MARS

    Keeping Tutoring Human in the Age of AI with Mindy Sjoblom and Catherine Tierney of OnYourMark

    Send us Fan Mail Mindy Sjoblom is the Founder and CEO of OnYourMark, a research-backed virtual tutoring organization serving thousands of elementary students nationwide. Catherine Tierney is Head of Product and Program at OnYourMark, bringing deep experience from Match Education, MyCoach, and ThinkCERCA to the design of human-centered, evidence-based learning technology. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode Why AI works best as an insight layer rather than a replacement for human tutorsHow OnYourMark scaled high-dosage tutoring while maintaining quality and consistencyWhat it takes to translate RCT-backed research into daily instructional practiceWhere human judgment remains essential in AI-supported tutoring modelsHow the role of AI in learning may differ across age groups and contexts✨ Episode Highlights [00:02:38] Mindy Sjoblom on OnYourMark’s origins and scaling high-dosage tutoring post-pandemic [00:05:59] Catherine Tierney on designing AI to strengthen—not replace—human relationships [00:07:36] How RCT evidence and authentic learning data power OnYourMark’s AI tools [00:12:04] Real-time feedback and why tutors want more visibility into their practice [00:15:36] The tension between flexibility and fidelity when scaling tutoring across schools [00:16:21] The future of AI-supported human tutoring and what the next five years may hold [00:19:55] Why AI use in learning must look different for younger vs. older students [00:22:20] What excites—and worries—Mindy and Catherine about AI in education today 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

    28 min
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À propos

At Edtech Insiders, we interview founders, investors, operators, educators, and thought leaders about the future of education technology. You’ll hear from leaders across the education technology industry and learn about all of the important edtech trends happening globally.

Informations

  • Créateur
    Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell
  • Années d’activité
    2021 - 2026
  • Épisodes
    454
  • Classement
    Tout public
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Edtech Insiders
  • Site Web de l’émission
    Edtech Insiders

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