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 relations ..read more

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 la ..read more

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 U ..read more

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 sig ..read more

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 ..read more

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 applicab ..read more

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 a ..read more

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 desi ..read more

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 sav ..read more

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 ..read more