EdUp EdTech, hosted by Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson
EdUp EdTech, hosted by Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson
The EdUp EdTech Podcast
Welcome to EdUp EdTech, this podcast that explores the fascinating world of Educational Technology. In this digital era, the way we teach and learn is rapidly evolving, and this podcast is your go-to resource for staying ahead of the curve. Join Holly & Nadia, experts in the field of Educational Technology, as they delve into the latest trends, innovations, and breakthroughs in the intersection of education and technology. In each episode, they will bring you insightful conversations with founders, innovators, and influences in the field of EdTech and beyond.
118: Interview Insights - Navigating the Rounds and Questions of Job Interviews
Holly takes us on our journey and discusses the challenging (and anxiety-inducing) interview stages. By the end of this episode, you will feel comfortable and confident when stepping into the your next interview. Our journey starts with an understanding of the interview stages, from initial phone screenings to the final panel interviews. We kick off with the phone or video screening stage, discussing common questions like "Tell me about yourself" and "Why are you interested in this role?" We provide expert tips on how to formulate responses that not only highlight your skills but also demonstrate your fit for the position. Moving on to the first in-person interview, usually with a hiring manager or a team member, we cover questions like "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" and various scenario-based queries. This section is packed with advice on how to communicate your past experiences and achievements effectively. For those facing a technical or skill-based interview round, we dive into typical industry-specific questions and problem-solving tasks. This segment is particularly beneficial for listeners in fields such as software development, engineering, or finance. As we approach the final round, which often involves a panel interview or a meeting with higher management, we dissect in-depth questions about your career goals and how you align with the company's vision. We offer insights on articulating your long-term aspirations and potential contributions to the company in a compelling way. An integral part of our discussion centers on the questions you should ask your interviewers. From understanding team dynamics and company culture to clarifying role-specific challenges and expectations, we highlight how the right questions can not only provide you with important insights but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the organization. We wrap up the episode with general tips on interview etiquette, follow-up practices, and techniques to ensure you leave a lasting, positive impression. Whether you're starting your career journey or looking to make a significant move, "Interview Insights" is here to provide you with the tools and confidence needed to succeed in your next job interview. Download the Interview Pocket Guide!
Nov 27, 2023
25 min
117: From Consumer to Classroom: Swivl's Evolution with Co-Founder &
In this episode of EdUP EdTech, hosts Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson interview Brian Lamb, Co-CEO and Founder of Swivel. Lamb shares his journey from engineering and design school to the tech space, and how he and his co-founder accidentally discovered a need in the education sector. Swivel started as a consumer product company, but after receiving consistent orders from school addresses, they decided to focus on creating EdTech solutions. Swivel's main product is a device that turns a phone or an iPad into an automated camera person, allowing teachers to record their classes without the need for a camera operator. This has opened up new potential for video in education. Lamb also discusses the launch of their new product, the Mirror, a ruggedized system that uses AI to facilitate automated reflections and produce insights for teachers. He believes the future of EdTech lies in helping education adapt to the changing needs of students and society, particularly in strengthening metacognition and higher order thinking.
Nov 16, 2023
21 min
116: Empowering Learning Communities: A Conversation with Vince Jeong, CEO of Sparkwise
In this episode of we got to interview the amazing Vince Jeong, the co-founder and CEO of Sparkwise. Sparkwise is a group learning platform that aims to make professional development more engaging and impactful. It allows professionals to build skills and create a sense of community by practicing, discussing, and exchanging feedback in small groups. Jeong shares his journey as an immigrant from South Korea and how his experiences shaped his passion for education and professional learning. He also discusses the future of EdTech, emphasizing the importance of focusing on learners, not buyers, prioritizing learner experience over content, and building around human motivation and behaviors. Check out Sparkwise now!
Nov 14, 2023
23 min
115: Tech Meets Teaching: Inside the World of Teaching Tools with Michael McCreary
In this episode of EdUp EdTech, hosts Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson interview Michael McCreary, Co-founder of Teaching Tools. McCreary shares his journey from being a graduate student at Johns Hopkins to co-founding Teaching Tools with his sister, a professional software engineer. The company offers a range of tools designed to help instructors incorporate effective teaching practices into their classrooms. These include a basic lesson planning tool, an active learning library, and an AI-powered brainstorming tool. McCreary also reveals a new product in development that will allow instructors to send their syllabi to Teaching Tools and receive a pack of teaching materials for each lesson. He emphasizes that while AI is a powerful tool, it is not a magic solution and should be used in a constrained way to enhance the user experience.
Nov 9, 2023
32 min
114: Pawsitive Reinforcement: Petcademy's Impact on Pet Parents with Co-Founder & CEO, Bailey Schroeder
In this episode of Edup Ed Tech, hosts Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson interview Bailey Schroeder, CEO and Co-founder of Petcademy. Schroeder shares her journey from founding a company that enabled pet parents to earn money for their favorite rescue or shelter, to adopting a dog with behavioral issues, which led her to create Petcademy. The platform offers personalized training and behavioral support for pet parents, with a focus on positive reinforcement. Petcademy also provides a community for pet parents to connect and learn from each other. Schroeder emphasizes the importance of experimentation, keeping things simple, and looking for signals when starting a business. Looking ahead, Bailey sees the future of the pet industry moving towards deeper personalization and a holistic view of pet wellbeing.
Nov 7, 2023
30 min
113: Unlocking Student Engagement: A Live Dive into Yellowdig with CEO Shaunak Roy
In this live demo, Shaunak Roy, founder and CEO of Yellowdig an EdTech company, showcased the platform's features and functionalities. Yellowdig is a tool designed to enhance student engagement and learning in higher education institutions. It allows students to create and share content, fostering a sense of community and active participation in the learning process. The platform also provides data to instructors, helping them understand student engagement levels and improve course delivery. Yellowdig integrates with learning management systems, making it easy for instructors to implement. The company is also exploring the use of AI to enhance the platform's capabilities.
Nov 3, 2023
58 min
112: From Teachers to Tech Innovators: The Success of ScreenPal with Ben Wellington and Sarah Eiler
In this episode of Edup Ed Tech, hosts Holly Owens and Nadia Johnson interview Ben Wellington, Director of Sales, Customer Service and Support, and Sarah Eiler, Community Engagement Coordinator at ScreenPal. Both guests share their journeys from being classroom teachers to working in the EdTech space. They discuss the transition from Screencast-O-Matic to ScreenPal, highlighting the expanded features of the platform, including a mobile app, a hosting solution, and video messaging. They also mention the recent release of the LTI 1.3 integration and the upcoming grade sync feature. Both Wellington and Eiler express optimism about the future of EdTech, emphasizing the importance of human connection and the potential for technology to bring joy back to learning.
Nov 2, 2023
33 min
111: Leveling Up Education - Taylor Shead's, Founder and CEO of Stemuli, Game-Changing Approach to Bridging Skills and Careers
In this episode of Edup Ed Tech, hosts Holly Owens and DaNadia Johnson interview Taylor Shead, the founder and CEO of Stemuli, an educational technology company. Shead shares her journey from aspiring to be a reconstructive plastic surgeon to becoming an entrepreneur in the EdTech space. She explains that Stemuli is focused on addressing the US workforce shortage by engaging students in education and aligning their credentials with future job requirements. The company combines education and career pathways into a video game, providing personalized learning experiences and career recommendations. Shead also discusses the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in their product design and predicts that the future of EdTech will involve lifelong learning applications that follow individuals throughout their educational journey.
Oct 31, 2023
23 min
98: From Passion to Impact: Literacy Learning with Learning A-Z President Lisa O'Masta
Episode Overview In this episode, we chat with the president of Learning A-Z, Lisa O'Masta. Lisa shares her journey in the EdTech industry, emphasizing her passion for education and her commitment to supporting students and teachers. She discusses the company's focus on K-6 literacy resources and its mission to provide teachers with the tools they need to be effective in their classrooms. Lisa also highlights the company's new products, including Foundations A-Z, which is built on the Science of Reading, and Writing A-Z. Looking ahead, Lisa predicts that artificial intelligence (AI) will play a significant role in the future of EdTech, not to replace teachers, but to provide them with more time and opportunities to create meaningful connections with students. About Lisa O'Masta  Lisa O’Masta is the president of Learning A-Z, an educational technology company that’s delivering digital learning resources to thousands of teachers and students across the world through its robust technology platform offerings. As an innovative change agent and leader in the K-12 education market, Lisa brings over 20 years of leadership experience in product management, marketing, product development, team development, P&L management, customer experience, and operational excellence to dynamic organizations seeking to change and grow. Be sure to connect with Lisa on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ AND Follow Learning A-Z on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠! ____________________________ Connect with the hosts: ⁠Holly Owens⁠ & ⁠Nadia Johnson⁠ EdUp EdTech - We make EdTech Your Business! Thanks for tuning in! Thanks for joining us on today’s episode of EdUp EdTech! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please visit⁠ our website⁠ and leave us a rate and review to help us reach even more fantastic audience members like you. Don’t forget to⁠ check out our website⁠,⁠ visit us on⁠⁠ LinkedIn⁠, or hang out with us on⁠ Facebook⁠ or⁠ Instagram⁠ to stay up-to-date on the latest EdTech happenings.
Oct 30, 2023
25 min
110: From Tech Support to Ed Tech Visionary: Anna Poli on iSpring's Evolution and the Future of Digital Learning
In this episode of EdUp EdTech we got to chat with the amazing Anna Poli, a Senior Instructional Designer at iSpring Solutions. Anna shares her journey from technical support engineer to instructional designer, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and growth. She discusses the various features of iSpring, including its user-friendly platform for creating interactive e-learning courses and its robust feedback system. Anna also reveals upcoming features, such as improved social learning aspects and new integrations with other platforms. She concludes by sharing her vision for the future of ed tech, emphasizing the potential of AI, VR, and social interaction in transforming education.
Oct 26, 2023
35 min
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