• Interview with David King, CTO of Flywire, a company that provides software solutions for student financial services. The interview discusses the company’s history, evolution, and its current focus on addressing challenges faced by universities, such as the need to automate processes, improve student recruitment and retention, and streamline the student financial experience. David also highlights Flywire's commitment to technological innovation, particularly in the realm of mobile-first design and AI integration. He emphasizes the company's mission to simplify the financial journey for students and parents, from enrollment to endowment, including the digitization of 529 payments and the introduction of a third-party invoicing product.
  • Introduction and BackgroundDavid King, CTO
  • Challenges and Transformations in Higher Education
  • The Role of Technology and Innovation
  • Addressing Financial Literacy and Student Transitions
  • Expanding Services and Future Innovations
  • Addressing Key Pain Points and Future Roadmap
    
    
• Podcast Transcript
  
  

• AI Audio Overview - new experimental AI feature from Google's NotebookLM.

• Interview with Ethan Webb, Founder & CEO of Mindsmith, a next-gen eLearning authoring tool that uses generative AI to make it easy to create and share learning content. We discuss:
  • Ethan Webb, CEOFounders' inspiration & background
  • Mindsmith's competitive advantages
  • Serves corporate, higher education, and K12 audiences
  • Engages instructional designers and learners
  • Turns instructional designers into course architects
  • eLearning industry challenges
  • Generative AI: creating and sharing content
  • LMS integration using advanced SCORM via Mindsmith Cloud
  • Embeds interactive learning widgets
  • What's next? Mindsmith's future roadmap

• Podsafe music selection
  • Voices  of Insight - created using Udio

• Interview with Linda Bonnar, Co-founder & Director of Content at Upstrive. "Get stronger results for students, staff, and your school through deeper insights and evidence-based tools." See Video Podcast Version. We discuss:
  • Linda's educational backgroundLinda Bonnar
  • Her initiation into incorporating coaching into the classroom
  • The evolution of the Upstrive app
  • Upstrive's targeted demographics: primary, secondary, and higher education
  • Enabling students to anonymously communicate their emotions to teachers via Upstrive
  • Utilization of emojis by students to depict their current mood within Upstrive
  • Enhancement of student and teacher well-being through Upstrive
  • Provision of resources supporting student well-being, such as lesson plans, activities, and videos
  • Challenges encountered in utilizing technology to address student and teacher well-being
  • Linda's vision for the future development of Upstrive

• Podcast Transcript generated using AI by Podsqueeze*

• All You Need is Love - Mike Leite

• Interview with Misty Reinhardt, Director of Product Management for Scribbles Software. "Streamline Student Records and Enrollment and Engage Students and Families Through One Accessible, Cloud-based System."

• Podsafe music selection
  • Aurora Borealis Expedition by Asher Fulero

*Podsqueeze was used to generate the transcript of my podcast. My links to Podsqueeze include referral links. If you decide to try it out using those links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the podcast, allowing me to continue providing valuable content. 

Use this code: 10OFF3MONTH at Podsqueeze to get 10% off.

• This is an audio and YouTube interview with Jerome Pesenti, Founder of Sizzle AI. Jerome discusses his extensive AI background as former VP of IBM Watson and VP of AI for Meta/Facebook. He left Meta after 4 years to start Sizzle. "Sizzle AI is the future of learning - a free AI tutor for everyone." We discuss:
  • Jerome's background in AI and previous startupsJerome Pesenti
  • Sizzle's vision for a more personalized and engaging learning experience
  • Current audience of Sizzle (high school, middle school, college)
  • Monetization plans for Sizzle
  • Importance of embracing AI in education while addressing responsibility and regulation
  • Optimism about the future of AI and its role in enhancing productivity
  • Comparison of Sizzle to Khan Academy's AI-powered tutor
  • Technology behind Sizzle, including the use of ChatGPT and tools for complex calculations
  • The user interface of Sizzle, including OCR for word problems and step-by-step solutions
  • Sizzle's aim to provide an enjoyable and engaging learning experience
  • Feedback on homework and personalized learning plans
    
    Play YouTube Version
    
• Podcast Transcript generated using AI by Podsqueeze
  
  
• Podsafe music selection
  • Both Sides Now by Debbie Poryes Trio - Jazz Pianist, Composer, Teacher & Vocalist

*Podsqueeze was used to generate the transcript of my podcast. My links to Podsqueeze include referral links. If you decide to try it out using those links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the podcast, allowing me to continue providing valuable content. 

Use this code: 10OFF3MONTH at Podsqueeze to get 10% off.

• Interview with Dan Lenard, President of World Voices, the only non-profit international industry trade organization for voice actors. We discuss:
  • The importance of finding the right voice to help create engaging elearning coursesDan Lenard
    
  • Voice actors' role in conveying complex information, cultural literacy, and sounding natural
  • Advocating for faculty to enhance teaching skills with a good audio setup, emphasizing a human touch
  • The delicate balance of editing to maintain a natural, human-sounding voice
  • AI voice synthesis, downplaying its threat to professional voice actors
  • Benefits of professional voiceover in higher education, recommending proper recording techniques
  • New classroom technology in lecture capture, wireless body mics  
  • Podcasting basics and the importance of proper recording technique
    
    

• Podcast Transcript generated using AI by Podsqueeze
  
  
• Podsafe music selection
  • "Jingle Bells" by Natalie Brown - soulful vocalist/songwriter with a dynamic, multi-octave vocal range

*Podsqueeze was used to generate the transcript of my podcast. My links to Podsqueeze include referral links. If you decide to try it out using those links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the podcast, allowing me to continue providing valuable content. 

Use this code: 10OFF3MONTH at Podsqueeze to get 10% off.

• In this episode, Rod shares his experience using MagicSlides and SlidesGPT to generate slide decks when he was recruited to teach a new course on podcasting. He notes the pros and cons of AI-generated slides, emphasizing the essential differences between these two generative AI slide tools. In the video version of this podcast, he presents a screencast of how each tool handles the prompt: "What are the pros and cons of AI-generated slides." Rod discusses:
  • Comparisons between MagicSlides and SlidesGPTWatch YouTube Version
  • Features and capabilities, including text input, automatic image selection, content conversion, and customization options
  • MagicSlides' ability to generate slide decks from YouTube videos, PDFs, and web pages
  • SlidesGPT's ability to generate speaker notes
  • Pros and cons of using AI-generated slides, including efficiency, time-saving, customization, limited creativity, potential errors, and bias
  • Cost comparison of using these tools

• Links*
  • MagicSlides 
    • MagicSlides' Deck on Pros and Cons
  • SlidesGPT
    • SlidesGPT's Deck on Pros and Cons
      
      
• Podcast Transcript generated using AI by Podsqueeze
  
  
• Podsafe Music Selection
  • "Stress" (song and flash animation) by highly caffeinated Jim Infantino of the band Jim's Big Ego.

*MagicSlides and SlidesGPT did not pay me for this article. They are not a sponsor, and I paid for my own subscriptions. My links to MagicSlides and Podsqueeze include referral links. If you decide to try them out using those links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the podcast, allowing me to continue providing valuable content. 

Podcasters can use this promo code: 10OFF3MONTH at Podsqueeze to get 10% off.

• Interview with Jonas Gyalokay, Co-Founder of Airtame. Airtame is a pioneering force in streamlining wireless screen sharing and powering seamless collaboration. We discuss:
  • Jonas' entrepreneurial journey addressing screen sharing needsJonas Gyalokay
    
  • Evolution of wireless screen sharing
  • Targeting K-12 and higher education sectors
  • US market entry via successful crowdfunding
  • Streamlining wireless presentation category
  • Goal: Simplifying screen use, eliminating source switching
  • Collaborating with partners for specialized functionalities
  • Overcoming K-12 school engagement challenges
  • Mission: Enhancing seamless collaboration on expansive surfaces

• Interview Transcript
  
  
• Podsafe music selection
  • Fuzzy Freaky (summertime) by David Byrne from the Visible Man Album

• Interview with Cameron Stoker, Founder & CEO of SpeechCloud. "SpeechCloud is an all-in-one customizable teaching tool that ends the classroom tech struggle." We discuss:
  
  
  • Cameron Stoker, CEOCameron's background and involvement with SpeechCloud
  • Overview of what SpeechCloud does for instructors
  • Features that distinguish SpeechCloud from other products
  • Importance of behavior in teaching and learning
  • Technical aspects of SpeechCloud
  • Compatibility with learning management systems (LMS)
  • Addressing challenges with traditional teaching methods
  • Upcoming features and benefits of SpeechCloud for teachers and students
  • Future development plans and affordability of SpeechCloud
  • Value of a free plan and the importance of user feedback.
    
    
• Interview Transcript
  
  
• Podsafe music selection
  • Concerto No. 2 in G Minor (Summer) from the CD entitled "The Four Seasons by Vivaldi" by the American Baroque Orchestra. 

• Interview with Darren Catalano, CEO of HelioCampus. "HelioCampus powers the data insights of the most forward-thinking colleges and universities to make their strategic mission and vision a reality." We discuss:
  
  Darren Catalano, CEO
  • Data analytics for decision-making and stakeholder requests.
  • Enrollment forecasting, student risk scoring.
  • Empathetic outreach: at-risk students.
  • Assessment, credentialing, financial intelligence solutions.
  • Data-driven decisions in admissions and financial aid.
  • Pricing strategies, generative AI integration.
  • Holistic approach for mission and financial sustainability.
    
    
• Interview Transcript (Beta)
  
  
• Podsafe music selection
  • A Passage Of Life by Kitaro

• Interview with Rob Abel, CEO of 1EdTech Consortium (formerly IMS Global Learning Consortium). 1EdTech is "focused on expanding access to edtech innovation in support of breakthrough and evolving educational models in K-12, Higher Ed, and corporate education." We discuss
  • Rob's backgroundRob Abel
  • IMS Global transition to 1EdTech
  • Growth of membership
  • Standards, certifications, code libraries, reference implementations
  • Trusted app ecosystem 
  • Digital credentials
  • Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR)
  • ~900 members
  • Open Badges (formerly from Mozilla)
  • Blockchain
  • Digital micro-credentials 
  • Richer transcripts
  • Alumni offerings
    
    
• 1EdTech Learning Impact Conference in Anaheim, CA - June 5-8

• Podsafe music selection
  • Air on G String by J.S. Bach performed by UK’s Brunswick Duo