Personalized Learning and the Role of Technology for the Future of Education with Arun Saigal

More Than a Test

On this episode of More Than a Test, host Laura Glaab is joined by guest Arun Saigal to delve into the importance of decision-making, the power of community in product development, and the potential of EdTech and AI. Arun shares his own journey of choosing a career path, highlighting the significance of committing to a decision and trusting your gut.

He also discusses the impact of block-based programming in learning to code and building mobile apps. Arun explains how his company, thunkable, stands out by focusing on academic research in an educational context and involving the community in the development process. The team values feedback and suggestions from users, often choosing them as design partners to ensure new features meet their needs. They've witnessed users of all ages successfully use Thunkable to create apps for various purposes.

Timestamps

[00:06:38] People of all ages can use thunkable to build their own apps, even those in their seventies. The platform allows users to address unique issues and create a wide range of solutions. Overall, if users have a good understanding of common app patterns, thunkable can support and facilitate their app development process.

[00:11:55] Building tools for kids to code, from scratch to mobile apps, based on user feedback.

[00:15:16] Research, community, support: keys to success.

[00:19:05] Arun discusses the shortage of software engineers and the increasing demand for their skills.

[00:24:03] AI replacing jobs is a reasonable fear. However, it can also be viewed as an opportunity for growth and learning.

[00:27:06] Do something. Fear of failure holds back success.

[00:33:41] Mentors provided valuable guidance and advice to Arun.

[00:39:42] EdTech is exciting and transformative with AI.

[00:47:18] Choose a path, and stick with it.

[00:49:31] Two great book recommendations for understanding processes.

Connect with Arun Saigal

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

Website: https://thunkable.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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Visit Amira Learning: https://www.amiralearning.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amira-learning

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Amira-Learning-App-100064672554061/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmiraLearning

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