EdUp EdTech, hosted by Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson

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!

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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.