S3E12 | A Founder's Journey: Matthew Pittinsky on Blackboard, Parchment, and the Future of Ed-Tech

In this fascinating episode of An Educated Guest, host Todd Zipper sits down with Matthew Pittinsky, a true pioneer in education technology. Matt, the co-founder of Blackboard and former CEO of Parchment, shares his incredible journey from the dawn of the internet to the age of AI. He takes us back to 1997 to reveal the core problem he and his co-founder, Michael Chasen, were trying to solve with Blackboard and how that platform became a ubiquitous force in online learning.

The conversation then pivots to his time at Parchment, where he saw a new opportunity to disrupt the antiquated process of academic credentialing. Matt discusses his vision for a digital credential that is more than just a list of courses and grades—one that truly represents a student's skills and competencies. He offers a compelling take on the student debt crisis, the future of the four-year degree, and why he believes the integrity of the credential is the most important mission of any university. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the history of EdTech, the future of credentials, and how AI will fundamentally change how we learn and what we teach.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

• The LMS Defined: A clear and concise definition of what a learning management system is, its pros and cons, and why it has remained relatively unchanged for over two decades.
• The Power of the Digital Credential: An exploration of how a student-managed digital record of learning and skills could solve a myriad of problems, from college admissions to skills-based hiring.
• AI's Role in EdTech: Matt shares his optimistic view on AI as a "sustaining" force that can make learning more efficient and a "disruptive" force that could reorder the entire EdTech landscape.
• A "Crawl, Walk, Run" Approach to Innovation: Matt's pragmatic advice for universities on how to innovate with technology without disrupting their core mission.
• A Bold Prediction: Matt's vision for an AI agent that will serve as an omnipresent guide for students, helping them navigate their education and career pathways.

About Our Guest:

Matthew Pittinsky is an EdTech pioneer and the co-founder of Blackboard, where he served as CEO and Chairman. After earning a Ph.D. from Columbia University's Teachers College, he went on to become the CEO of Parchment, a global leader in digital credentials. Matt is also an active angel investor and a respected thought leader in the education technology space.