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. 2D AGO

    #304 Going Viral, with Dan Fitzpatrick

    Ever feel like education keeps moving forward, yet too many learners are still being left behind? Curricula feel disconnected from real life, assessment systems label students too early, while technology and AI are advancing faster than schools can adapt. The result is a growing gap between what learners need and what the system delivers. In this episode, Philippa Wraithmell speaks with Dan Fitzpatrick about his journey from teacher and education leader to becoming one of the most influential global voices on AI in education. The conversation explores how the emergence of ChatGPT became a major turning point, unlocking new possibilities for teachers, school leaders, and policymakers to improve efficiency, accessibility, and the overall quality of learning. Dan also reflects on the tension between risk and opportunity in AI, the importance of courageous decision-making, the role of leadership, and why schools must move beyond frameworks toward long-term visions grounded in the real needs of learners and educators. This discussion feels especially timely as we approach Bett UK 2026, where topics such as AI, educational leadership, ethics, accessibility, and the future of learning take centre stage on a global platform. Dan's ideas around "throwing your hat over the wall," making safe but bold experiments, and fostering collaboration across schools and industry align closely with Bett's spirit as a meeting place for innovators, educators, and policymakers shaping the future of education in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Listen to the full podcast episode for deeper insights, strategic reflections, and practical inspiration on AI in education. You are also invited to explore Bett UK and connect directly with cutting-edge innovation and thought leaders in EdTech via the official link: https://uk.bettshow.com/

    53 min
  2. JAN 2

    #302 The Secret Sauce: Why Children Still Need Humans in a Digital World

    In this episode, Philippa Wraithmell and Rob Hughes, co-founder of Tandem, explore a revolutionary approach to screen time that challenges the narrative of "parenting guilt" and passive consumption. Rob explains how Tandem leverages generative AI not to replace parents, but to act as a "tech for two" bridge that sparks creativity, co-creation, and shared reading moments. The conversation also addresses complex emotional challenges such as hospital visits and family separation. As they delve into the ethics of AI guardrails and the crucial difference between a "digital pacifier" and a tool for connection, Rob issues a stark warning about the current trajectory of child development and the very real danger that lies ahead if children are allowed to form their first emotional attachments to robots rather than humans. These vital conversations around ethical AI and the preservation of human connection sit at the heart of Bett UK 2026, the world's leading EdTech event, taking place from 21 to 23 January 2026 at ExCeL London. Bringing together more than 35,000 educators, policymakers, and innovators, Bett UK serves as an essential global stage to address the very warnings issued by experts like Rob, exploring how we can harness the latest innovations without compromising child development. Featuring 600+ exhibitors and hundreds of expert speakers, the event offers hands-on demos, Tech User Labs, and the Connect @ Bett programme to foster meaningful collaboration—ensuring that the future of learning, and themes such as AI in education and inclusion, remain focused on empowering human relationships rather than replacing them. Don't miss the opportunity to experience the innovations shaping the future of education firsthand and be part of this global conversation. For full details and registration, please visit: https://uk.bettshow.com/

    53 min
  3. 12/26/2025

    #301 A policy perspective on AI and equity: a fireside chat with Alina Sava

    In this episode, our host Philippa Wraithmell is in conversation with Alina Sava, a Senior Education Specialist at the World Bank, discussing Alina's journey in education and the transformative role of AI in the sector. She emphasizes the importance of equity in education, the necessity of lifelong learning, and the evolving curriculum that incorporates critical thinking. Alina highlights the need for governments to create frameworks for AI integration while ensuring that teachers remain central to the learning process. The discussion also touches on the potential digital divide in AI access and the importance of preparing students for an AI-driven world. Are you an educator or innovator interested in how technology is shaping the future of learning? Bett UK 2026 is the world's leading EdTech event, taking place from 21 to 23 January 2026 at ExCeL London. It brings together more than 35,000 educators, policymakers, education leaders, and EdTech innovators from around the world, alongside 600+ exhibitors and hundreds of expert speakers. Bett UK showcases the latest innovations in education technology, with hands-on demos, Tech User Labs, TableTalks, and the Connect @ Bett programme designed to foster meaningful collaboration between decision-makers and solution providers. With a strong focus on themes such as AI in education, inclusion, and the future of learning, Bett UK continues to be a key global platform for inspiration, insight, and transformative conversations in education. Come to Bett 2026 and listen to the full episode to explore what needs to change now and what the future of learning could look like if we get it right.

    40 min
  4. 12/12/2025

    #299 The AI Paradox: Why the World's Poorest Classrooms Are Adopting What the West Fears

    In many Western classrooms, the mobile phone is viewed as the "forbidden fruit", a primary source of distraction that must be banned, confiscated, or locked away in magnetic pouches. Teachers and parents alike are exhausted by the constant battle over "screen time," whilst struggling to engage students in an education system that hasn't evolved in decades. Lectures are often unengaging, leading students to drift away, yet we blame the device rather than the delivery. Is this prohibitive approach a catastrophic mistake? Stephen Hodges warns that Western nations risk being "digitally leapfrogged" by developing economies. In regions like rural Uganda or Brazil, the student's personal mobile is not a toy; it is a lifeline to quality education amidst a massive shortage of qualified teachers. By demonising the technology our children use most, we risk missing "the biggest opportunity in education that we've seen in millennia". Furthermore, focusing solely on restricting minutes creates unnecessary conflict at home, failing to teach the critical self-regulation skills young people desperately need. This episode of The EdTech Podcast offers a way forward by shifting the narrative from "Screen Time" to "Screen Purpose". Philippa Wraithmell sits down with three experts to explore how we can embrace technology rather than fight it: •    Stephen Hodges (Efekta): Reveals how AI teaching assistants on personal phones are solving the teacher shortage crisis and delivering personalised learning in emerging markets. •    Adam Huh Dam (Stick 'Em): Demonstrates how STEAM education is reaching the most remote areas using nothing but smartphones and internet access. •    Payal Patel (Digital Bridge): Provides actionable strategies for parents to build "digital confidence" and healthy boundaries at home without the conflict. Tune in to discover why the device in your pocket might just be the most powerful educational asset we have.

    1h 1m

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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