In this live demo, Kavitta Ghai, the CEO and co-founder of Nectar, showcases Nectar AI, their newest product. Nectar AI is an AI assistant that can be customized for classrooms, providing personalized help and feedback to students. The AI assistant can be integrated into the LMS and is FERPA and COPPA-compliant. It can access uploaded documents and use general or limited knowledge from GPT-4 to answer student questions. The goal is to create an accessible and engaging learning experience for every student.

In this episode, Holly discusses the topic of transitioning into a career in learning and development (L&D), specifically in instructional design. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being intentional and strategic in the career transition process. She suggests five key steps to take before applying for roles in the L&D industry: 1) identify what you want in a role, 2) determine which sector of L&D you want to work in (e.g., education, corporate, government, freelance, etc.), 3) conduct research on the roles and responsibilities within your chosen sector, 4) develop relationships with professionals in the field, and 5) explore resources and learning opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge. Holly also advises against expecting immediate results and emphasizes the need for perseverance and genuine connections in the industry. This fabulous episode is sponsored by iSpring Solutions! Go check out all their products ⁠⁠⁠ispringsolutions.com ⁠⁠⁠and use the code HOLLY-OWENS-SUITE for 10% off your purchase.

In this episode of Edup Ed Tech, we interviewed Dr. Katie Wolfe-Burelson and Marissa Gilbert from Anderson University. They discuss the Instructional Design and Learning Technology program at the university. The program is a 30-credit hour, 100% online master's degree that offers courses on various topics such as instructional design, online learning, mobile learning, and media development. The program also emphasizes collaboration, both between students and with instructors, and provides opportunities for students to connect with the greater instructional design community. The hosts also ask whether a master's degree is necessary for success in instructional design, to which the guests respond that while it is not always required, a master's degree provides a strong foundation and helps individuals think about learning differently. The program at Anderson University is constantly evolving and is looking to offer courses on emerging topics such as AI in learning. This fabulous episode is sponsored by iSpring Solutions! Go check out all their products ⁠⁠ispringsolutions.com ⁠⁠and use the code HOLLY-OWENS-SUITE for 10% off your purchase.

In this episode of Edup Ed Tech, we interviewed Spencer Sharp, a Talent Specialist at Field Pros Inc., who specializes in recruiting for the ed tech industry. Sharp shares his journey from being a STEM teacher to entering the ed tech industry and eventually becoming a recruiter. He discusses the qualities he looks for in candidates, including the ability to pivot, confidence, and soft skills. Sharp also emphasizes the importance of understanding the recruiting process and the challenges that come with it. He advises job seekers to market themselves differently and to stay informed about the latest trends in the ed tech industry. He also encourages companies to have a clear and respectful recruitment process. This fabulous episode is sponsored by iSpring Solutions! Go check out all their products ⁠ispringsolutions.com ⁠and use the code HOLLY-OWENS-SUITE for 10% off your purchase.

In this episode of Edup Ed Tech, hosts Holly Owens and DaNadia Johnson interview Dr. Phil Hickman, the CEO and founder of Plabook, an innovative reading technology that uses artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and speech recognition to help children learn how to read. Dr. Phil shares his extensive background in education, from being a teacher, counselor, school psychologist, assistant principal, principal, to superintendent in some of the largest school districts in the nation. He discusses the challenges in education, particularly the fact that 75% of fourth graders in the United States read below grade level, and how this inspired him to create Plabook. The tool provides personalized recommendations of activities and games tailored to a student's deficits, helping them strengthen their skills. Dr. Phil also shares his vision for the future of ed tech, highlighting the potential of mixed reality and augmented reality in classrooms. This fabulous episode is sponsored by iSpring Solutions! Go check out all their products ispringsolutions.com and use the code HOLLY-OWENS-SUITE for 10% off your purchase.

In this episode, Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson delve into the intricacies of LinkedIn optimization, emphasizing the critical nature of establishing a polished professional profile. Key recommendations include utilizing a professional photo and cover image, crafting a compelling headline, and specifying your location. The hosts also advocate for featuring a portfolio or website link in the designated section. They caution against sharing proprietary content, suggesting a shift towards more generic language and the removal of excessive branding. Additionally, the conversation highlights the significance of industry certifications, with specific endorsements for ATD's instructional design certification, Robin Sargent's IDOL Courses Academy, and Luke Hobson's Instructional Design Institute. They underscore that constructing an effective LinkedIn profile is a gradual process that demands both time and dedication, especially when finding a new role.

In this discussion, Holly provides advice on how to navigate job descriptions when applying for roles in instructional design or the learning and development (L&D) field. She emphasizes the importance of identifying the sector you want to work in, such as corporate, education, government, ed tech, or nonprofit. Holly also suggest that applicants should not be deterred if they don't meet 100% of the qualifications, as many companies are open to candidates who meet 60-70% of the criteria and are willing to learn. She also recommends using LinkedIn for job searches, but advises going directly to a company's website for the most up-to-date job postings. She also suggest using higheredjobs.com for those interested in transitioning from K-12 to higher education roles. The episodes concludes by encouraging applicants to leverage their existing LinkedIn network and to research potential employers thoroughly.

In this episode, hosts Holly Owens and DaNadia Johnson interview Kevin Farmer, the founder of ReBeL, an EdTech platform that aims to revolutionize the education system. ReBeLuses AI to create a personalized learning experience for each student, tailoring the content to their interests and learning style. The platform also serves as a hub for educators, parents, and students to connect and collaborate. Farmer believes that the future of education will be student-driven and will look vastly different from today's model, with technology playing a significant role in this transformation.

In this episode, we got to interview Josh Kamrath, CEO of Bongo, an EdTech company that uses video assessment to help learners demonstrate skills or competencies. Kamrath shares his journey from being the first employee of Bongo to becoming its CEO. He discusses the role of AI in education, particularly in facilitating personalized learning and validating learners' knowledge. Kamrath also highlights the importance of data privacy and security in EdTech, and how Bongo ensures both. He envisions a future where universities are held more accountable for what they teach and its real-world applicability, and where corporate learning can demonstrate a return on investment.

In this episode of Edup Ed Tech, hosts Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson interview Regnault Sanders, the founder and CEO of Schoolconomy. Sanders shares his journey from being a student to becoming the founder of an EdTech company. He explains that School Economy is a student success software that rewards students for positive behavior, which has led to increased engagement and a decrease in behavioral referrals. The platform also involves parents by notifying them when their child has done something positive. Looking ahead, Sanders reveals that School Economy will soon be available as a web app and that they have partnered with the Texas Legends NBAG League team. In the long term, Sanders hopes to enrich each student's educational journey by providing guidance on college applications and choosing a major.

In a fabulous demo, Anna Poli, a senior instructional designer with iSpring, demonstrated the capabilities of iSpring's suite of tools. The tools include a demo of IPR, a tool that allows users to create interactive content, and iSpring Space, an online course builder and sharing service. Poli also highlighted the tool's AI capabilities, which can suggest course titles, create course outlines, write assignments, create quiz questions, and simplify language. The AI also supports multiple languages. Poli also demonstrated how to create a course portfolio, an important tool for instructional designers to showcase their skills and work. The portfolio can be shared with colleagues for collaboration or with clients for review. Go sign-up for your FREE trial today and save 10% off by using the code:  HOLLY-OWENS-SUITE at check out.

Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson discussed their experiences transitioning into instructional design and ed tech roles. They emphasized the importance of knowing what you want to do, conducting thorough research, and networking. They also highlighted the value of freelancing to gain experience and build a resume. They recommended using Teal, a job search platform that helps track applications and provides resources for job seekers. They also suggested spending 20 minutes a day on job searching to avoid burnout. This episode is sponsored by iSpring Solutions. Check out the iSpring Suite 11 and save 10% off by using the code:  HOLLY-OWENS-SUITE at check out.

In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with the visionary Luis Malbas, the brilliant mind behind the Training, Learning Development Community and Conference (TLDC). Join us as we delve into Luis's inspiring journey, from his early days in video stores and manufacturing to becoming a trailblazer in the e-Learning Guild and ultimately founding TLDC to address crucial gaps in the learning and development (L&D) industry. Join us in this enlightening conversation with Luis Malbas as we explore the past, present, and future of learning and development. Whether you're an educator, industry professional, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of education, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration. Tune in now!

In this episode of EdUp Ed Tech, host Holly Owens interviews Dr. Lauren Sanchez Gilbert, CEO of BellXcel. Gilbert shares her journey from being a special education teacher to leading an EdTech company. BellXcel is unique in the EdTech space as it serves the out of school time area, aiming to enhance how, where, and when children learn. The company offers a management system and curriculum for out of school time, helping schools better manage their operations. Gilbert also discusses the company's research-based approach, partnering with third-party entities to validate the impact of their programs. Looking ahead, BellXcel plans to develop a more robust payment system and a fitness program featuring former Olympians. Gilbert believes the future of EdTech will involve embracing AI to enhance learning experiences.

Introduction: Join us on EdUp EdTech as we chat with Kavitta Ghai, the brains behind Nectir. Kavita introduces Nectir, a game-changing platform that teams up with Learning Management Systems (LMS) to transform the way we learn. In this episode: 1. Getting to Know Nectir: - Kavita gives us the lowdown on Nectir's mission and how it's reshaping education for the better. 2. Opening Up Educational Access: - Discover how Nectir is breaking down barriers by making educational resources accessible to everyone, creating an inclusive learning space. 3. Building Community with AI: - Dive into Nectir's unique AI-powered classroom back channel, designed to build a sense of community among students and reimagine the traditional learning experience. 4. Meet Soma - Your AI Teaching Assistant: - Learn about Soma, Nectir's AI teaching assistant, and how it uses course materials to answer student questions, offering personalized support. 5. Adaptable for Any Setting: - Nectir is flexible! Kavita explains how it seamlessly fits into different educational environments, from K-12 to higher education. 6. Affordable Learning Solutions - Worried about the cost? Kavita shares that Nectir is budget-friendly, at just $1 per student per month, making quality education accessible to all. 7. Tune In and Explore Nectir - Don't miss out! Tune in to discover how Nectir is shaping the future of education, whether you're a teacher, student, or just passionate about learning. This EdUp EdTech episode is your ticket to understanding how Nectir, led by CEO Kavitta Ghai, is making waves in educational technology. With its focus on accessibility, community, and AI-driven learning, Nectir is a standout platform shaping the future of education. Tune in now for a fascinating glimpse into the world of Nectir!

In this episode of EdUp Ed Tech, hosts Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson interview Stuart Grey, Founder of Student Voice, a company that uses machine learning to analyze student feedback. Grey, who has a background in aerospace engineering, discusses his transition into the education sector and his passion for teaching. He shares his optimism about the potential of AI in education, suggesting it could free up educators to focus on the human aspects of their roles. Grey also explains how Student Voice works, analyzing free text comments from students to help educators improve their courses. He emphasizes the importance of empathy in deploying these tools and suggests that the future of education will involve more human interaction, facilitated by AI.

In this episode of EdUp EdTech, hosts Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson interview the CEO and Co-founder of Buzly, Srinjay Verma. Buzly is an EdTech tool that started as a student-to-student connection platform during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has since evolved into a tool that helps higher education institutions engage with students before they arrive on campus and keep them engaged throughout their time at the institution. Srinjay discusses the importance of community in higher education and how Buzly helps to foster this. He also touches on the future of EdTech predicting a rise in AI tutors and personalized learning.

In this episode of Edup Ed Tech, the hosts interview Aaron King, a solutions engineer at Blackboard Anthology and the owner of Snack Size Learning. Aaron shares his journey from being a rapper and music producer to becoming an instructional designer and e-learning developer. He discusses the importance of personalization and competency-based learning in the future of education. Aaron also highlights the role of technology, such as AI and Universal Design for Learning, in enhancing the learning experience. He emphasizes the need for educators to meet learners where they are and provide tools and technology that align with their goals and preferences. Aaron concludes by mentioning his upcoming book, "No One Starts At Zero," which explores how life experiences can be used to level up. It's time to tune in now!

In this episode we interviewed Keith Look, the Vice President of Education Solutions at ⁠Territorium⁠. Keith shares his journey into the EdTech space, starting with his experience setting up internet access in a library in Philadelphia. He discusses the need for a better way to capture and represent students' skills and abilities, leading him to the field of EdTech. Keith then explains the work of Territorium, which focuses on moving learners to employment based on verified skills. Territorium offers a comprehensive learner record credential wallet that analyzes and profiles learners' skills, helping them identify their level of qualification and the gaps they need to fill. The platform also assists learners in conducting job searches based on their skills. Keith emphasizes the importance of connecting education to the real world and helping learners understand the value of their skills. He also discusses the future of education and EdTech, highlighting the need for a universal definition of skills and the evolution of transcripts and resumes into more verifiable and provable representations of capabilities.

Join us in the exciting Season 4 premiere as we delve into the world of Ed Tech with a special guest, Joe Ferraro, the Vice President of Revenue at Hypothes.is. Discover the journey of Joe's 15 years in the education space, from working in admissions to pioneering virtual science labs. Learn about Hypothes.is, a social annotation tool that transforms the way students and educators collaborate on digital documents in real time. Explore the impact of active reading, community building, and the unique features that set Hypothes.is apart in the Ed Tech landscape. Plus, get insights into safeguarding student data and ensuring privacy in the digital learning environment. It's time to tune-in to this amazing episode!