The Edtech Podcast

The Edtech Podcast

The mission of The Edtech Podcast is to improve the dialogue between 'ed' and 'tech' through storytelling, for better innovation and impact. The Edtech Podcast audience consists of education leaders from around the world, plus startups, learning and development specialists, bluechips, investors, Government and media. The Edtech Podcast is downloaded 2000+ each week from 145 countries in total, with UK, US & Australia the top 3 downloading countries. Podcast series have included Future Tech for Education, Education 4.0, and The Voctech Podcast, Learning Continued, Evidence-Based EdTech, and AI in Ed: Our Data-Driven Future series on AI. Send your qs and comments to @PodcastEdtech, theedtechpodcast@gmail.com, or https://theedtechpodcast.com/ or leave a voicemail for the show at https://www.speakpipe.com/theedtechpodcast

  1. 1D AGO

    #313 Bett: Lightening the Admin Load, Strengthening Human Connection

    In this episode, we explore the intersection of technology, scalability, and human connection. We begin with Peter Lancet from My Trencher, who discusses the "numbers game" university career services face. He explains how his platform provides an "operational layer" that allows small teams to support thousands of students, moving from reactive advice to strategically identifying and assisting those most at risk. The conversation then deepens with Doug Delpha, a Professor at the University of Strasbourg and AI Engineer. Doug advocates for a return to the "Aristotle and Plato" style of mentorship, arguing that while teachers must become AI-proficient, their primary role is to be a protected human figure who can handle sensitive student crises that chatbots simply cannot. Crucially, Doug also issues a wake-up call regarding digital sovereignty, challenging international institutions to build "elasticity" into their systems rather than relying blindly on American infrastructure that could be impacted by geopolitical shifts or outages. We then turn our focus to the administrative side of inclusion with Andy Bell from Trellis. A winner of the CivTech award in Scotland, Andy shares how his team is using AI to alleviate the paperwork burden in Special Educational Needs (SEND) departments. By transcribing meetings and automatically creating first drafts of child plans, Trellis is helping councils and teachers reclaim valuable time, allowing them to focus less on administration and more on the students who need them most. Ready to learn more about the future of learning? This episode is proudly sponsored by Everway and Edmentum. Discover how they are transforming education by visiting https://www.everway.com/ and https://www.edmentum.com/.

    1h 1m
  2. JAN 25

    #310 From Reading to Robotics: Transforming Assessment at Bett

    We begin this episode with Andrew from the National Literacy Trust, who unveils the "National Year of Reading" campaign in response to a sharp decline in reading enjoyment among children. Andrew argues that in an AI-first world, literacy is more vital than ever, and shares how connecting texts to students' passions from gaming to sports can rekindle their "reader identity." Next, Connor Gaitley from Edmentum shifts the focus to "career-connected learning." Connor discusses how tools like Major Clarity are helping students explore diverse future pathways whether university or apprenticeships ensuring that education meets every learner where they are and closes no doors. We then explore practical AI tools for the classroom with Will from RedPen AI, a former teacher who turned his frustration with workload into innovation. Will explains how his platform bridges the gap between handwritten work and digital assessment, acting as a "second pair of eyes" to track progress without requiring 1:1 devices. Finally, Liz Crawford from Kahoot! joins us to discuss the platform's evolution from a simple quiz tool to an enterprise-ready learning ecosystem. Liz highlights their new AI generation features, deep integration with LMS platforms, and the 200+ independent research studies proving their impact on student outcomes. Although Bett UK 2026 has come to a close, the innovation continues. Visit https://uk.bettshow.com/ to explore the highlights and stay connected with the community. This episode is proudly sponsored by Edmentum – visit them at https://www.edmentum.com/ – and by Edruption, powering the future of learning at https://edruption.com/.

    59 min
  3. JAN 23

    #309 Bett UK 2026: Bringing Joy to Digital Assessment

    We open this episode with Vicky Merrick, who shares insights from her groundbreaking pilot projects on collaborative assessment. Vicky explains how "comparative judgment" is revolutionizing subjective subjects like Art and Music, allowing teachers to achieve high statistical reliability by comparing student work rather than deciphering complex rubrics. Following Vicky, Mark House from RM broadens the discussion to the "global conundrum" of assessment in the age of AI. Mark argues that we must "measure what we treasure" rather than letting technology dictate values, emphasizing the importance of local context such as honoring rural community values and addressing the disconnect between passing exams and possessing the skills employers actually need. Rounding out the conversation, Nici Foote passionately advocates for bringing "joy" back into learning and ensuring digital inclusion. Nici discusses how tools like Canva are leveling the playing field for neurodiverse students even making complex tasks like timetabling fun and challenges the narrative around phone bans. Instead of bans, she suggests building "analogue communities" for balance while teaching authentic digital skills, and calls for affordable resources to support Teaching Assistants (TAs), whom she identifies as the "missing link" in special education. Ready to experience the innovation firsthand? Make sure to check out what is happening at Bett UK 2026 at https://uk.bettshow.com/. This episode is proudly sponsored by Everway – visit them at https://www.everway.com/ – and by Edruption, powering the future of learning at https://edruption.com/.

    1h 4m
  4. JAN 23

    #307 AI, Wellbeing, and Inclusion at Bett UK 2026

    We kick off this special episode with Lord Jim Knight, who shares his powerful perspective on the "moral panic" surrounding technology in schools. Rather than banning devices, Lord Knight advocates for a more nuanced approach balancing safety with agency and explores how AI can revolutionize assessment through methods like the "viva" to support lifelong learning and inclusion. Next, we sit down with Jez and Jon from YouHQ to discuss their journey from a simple goal-setting idea to a comprehensive wellbeing platform used in nearly 200 schools globally. They reveal how their tool has evolved into a critical safeguard, helping schools identify "invisible" students who are struggling, while also empowering young people to track their sleep, mood, and personal goals. Finally, we are joined by Paddy from Everway, one of our sponsors, to talk about their commitment to "cradle to grave" inclusion. Paddy explains how Everway is ensuring that the accessibility tools students rely on in school like read-aloud and dictation are available in high-stakes exams and carry through to the workplace, truly leveling the playing field for neurodiverse individuals throughout their lives. Ready to experience the innovation firsthand? Make sure to check out what is happening at Bett UK 2026 to join the global community of educators transforming the future. This episode is proudly sponsored by Everway – visit them at https://www.everway.com/ – and by Edruption, powering the future of learning at https://edruption.com/.

    53 min
  5. JAN 22

    #306 Google at Bett: Gemini 3.0 Transforms Education

    Live from the floor of Bett UK 2026, we sit down with Shantanu, who leads product and engineering for Google for Education, to discuss how AI is moving from "promise to practice" in classrooms worldwide. Shantanu reveals how Google is prioritizing educator control and student data privacy while rolling out powerful tools like Gemini 3.0, which is now accessible for free to education institutions. From the "LearnLM" initiative that fine-tunes models with learning science to new features in Google Classroom that can turn content into audio lessons, we explore how technology is being designed to meet the unique pedagogical needs of schools. We also dive into the transformative potential of personalization and accessibility, hearing how tools like NotebookLM allow users to convert complex research into podcasts or slide decks that suit their learning style. Shantanu shares insights from global pilots—including one in Northern Ireland where educators saved up to 10 hours a week—and discusses the importance of AI literacy resources like the gamified "AI Quest" for younger learners. Whether you are an educator looking to save time or a leader navigating the ethics of AI integration, this conversation offers a deep look into the future of the Google Workspace ecosystem. Ready to experience the innovation firsthand? Make sure to check out what is happening at Bett UK 2026 at https://uk.bettshow.com/ to join the global community of educators transforming the future. This episode is proudly sponsored by Edmentum – visit them at https://www.edmentum.com/ – and by Edruption, powering the future of learning at https://edruption.com/.

    24 min

About

The mission of The Edtech Podcast is to improve the dialogue between 'ed' and 'tech' through storytelling, for better innovation and impact. The Edtech Podcast audience consists of education leaders from around the world, plus startups, learning and development specialists, bluechips, investors, Government and media. The Edtech Podcast is downloaded 2000+ each week from 145 countries in total, with UK, US & Australia the top 3 downloading countries. Podcast series have included Future Tech for Education, Education 4.0, and The Voctech Podcast, Learning Continued, Evidence-Based EdTech, and AI in Ed: Our Data-Driven Future series on AI. Send your qs and comments to @PodcastEdtech, theedtechpodcast@gmail.com, or https://theedtechpodcast.com/ or leave a voicemail for the show at https://www.speakpipe.com/theedtechpodcast