From Research-First to Capacity Building: The Evolution of EdTech with Karl Rectanus

More Than a Test

On this episode of More Than a Test, Laura Glaab sits down with Karl Rectanus, the creator of LearnPlatform, to discuss the challenges and rewards of making a difference in education. Coming from a family of educators, Rectanus recognized the need to make a big impact in education due to the industry's significant equity challenges. He shares his story of creating LearnPlatform and how it became a game-changing EdTech effectiveness system used by school districts and states to vet products for compliance with student data privacy laws. Additionally, they discuss the importance of understanding and analyzing evidence and effectiveness in real-world settings to make informed decisions for students and learning.

Rectanus also talks about the transformation in education transpiring due to new tools and technology improvements, and how his company is a capacity-building and change management organization that works with schools, districts, and institutions.

Tune in to hear about the fascinating world of education technology and how LearnPlatform is at the forefront of evidence-building and helping educators and students succeed.

Timestamps

[00:02:37] EdTech enables lifelong learning for success.

[00:06:56] Education evidence building with technology integration.

[00:11:39] Education funding requires evidence-based interventions.

[00:16:52] Effectiveness vs efficacy in classroom engagement.

[00:19:24] Education transforming with AI as the catalyst.

[00:24:51] LearnPlatform: tracking EdTech effectiveness, efficiently.

[00:31:32] Research approach and credibility for a business idea.

[00:36:06] Teacher turned startup founder joins Instructure for growth.

[00:39:34] Focus on student and teacher, not regulation.

[00:42:50] Three generations, summer road trips, love reading.

Connect with Karl Rectanus

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krectanus/

Website: https://learnplatform.com/

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About More Than a Test

Our goal is to take a hard look at the shortcomings in literacy education and tech while still finding a sense of hope in what's possible in education through learning and technology.

Our guests include non-profit leaders, tech CEOs, state and district leadership, research leaders from top institutions, and a few teachers with stories that might bring you to tears.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JWhVG2nXZfC3FxOviFoR0

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-test/id1685012543

Listen on Other Platforms: https://more-than-a-test.captivate.fm/

About Amira Learning

Amira is the world’s first intelligent reading assistant that provides personalized tutoring to students at school, after school, or at home. Students working with Amira experience significant improvements in their reading fluency.

About your Host, Laura Glaab

Laura Glaab is a VP of Strategy at Amira Learning. She is a lifetime educator following behind educator parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

She's worked as a teacher and leader in public, private, and charter schools in places as far as India and as close to home as Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees from Stanford, the University of Wyoming, and Kellogg School of Management.

She thinks everyone should read Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw and the entire Piggie and Elephant Collection by Mo Willems.

Connect with Laura

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab/

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