Educational Software Applications

🎙️ Amplifying Learning Through Student Voice with Snorkl In Episode 268 of My EdTech Life, I had a great conversation with Jeff Plourd and Jon Laven, the founders of Snorkl, about their mission to transform education by harnessing the power of student's voice. Snorkl's innovative platform allows students to record verbal explanations of their problem-solving process, such as walking through how they determine the width of a rectangle, given its perimeter and length. By capturing students' spoken thoughts, Snorkl creates powerful tools for personalized learning and deeper engagement. Their AI analyzes each student's response and provides timestamped feedback, helping students solidify their understanding and catch their own mistakes. This technology supports students' individual learning journeys and empowers teachers with automatic scoring tools. Discover how Snorkl amplifies learning and transforms math education by giving students a voice.

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲! As part of my clinical training program, I got to experience something I’d only read about—𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺. Typically used for medical students, this space is now being recognized as equally beneficial for Clinical training for M.phil Clinical Psychology as well. And honestly, I can’t agree more! The simulation room is where you directly interact with high-fidelity mannequins( see the third image) These aren’t just your regular dummies—they breathe, move, speak, and even change their mood or symptoms. It feels like a real life setting. Supervisors, from behind a reflective glass in the control room, can adjust the scenarios on the go, making it as intense and real as possible( img. 1) Imagine counseling a pregnant woman talking about postpartum depression or handling a substance use patient or someone having a panic attack? with changing symptoms—every situation demands quick thinking and application of our skills. What made it even more fascinating was the reflective process. Cameras can record our interactions, and later, we can sit down to review, discuss, and reflect on what we did well, what could have been better, and how we can handle similar situations in the future. We also explored other spaces, like a skill-building room, debriefing room etc. where more situations can be played. The ability to change parts of the mannequins, such as simulating trauma or heart palpitations, added another level of detail to the training making it a real possible scenario where as psychologists we can be placed and given the responsibility to counsel not just the patient's but family members as well. One of the discussions during this session really stuck with me—a study showed that students who train partly in simulation rooms and partly in practical settings perform just as well as those who train entirely in practical settings. This makes the incorporation of simulation rooms into our curriculum such an exciting development as it not only gives us more opportunities to refine our skills but we can afford to make errors and learn through them. We know psychology is a multidisciplinary field. If this continues, simulation rooms can actually revolutionize skill-building among psychologists. By blending modern technology with psychological principles, we can create a stimulating yet active learning environment. I can't wait for it to become a permanent part of our training. 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚.

The Bertrand Education Group (B.E.G) believes education should be as adaptive as the students we serve. 🚀 "Every student learns differently, but our system treats them the same." This insight drove the development of PrepAI's personalized approach to education. Our Impact in the $187B EdTech Market: 1. Personalized Learning at Scale: - Tailored pathways for each learner - 23% improvement in academic performance - Adaptive content delivery - Real-time progress monitoring 2. Empowering Educators: - 37% initial efficiency gains for teachers - Reduced administrative workload - Enhanced instructional focus - Data-driven teaching strategies 3. AI-Powered Assessment Innovation: - Generate adaptive assessments 12x faster - Reduce manual workload by 79% - Comprehensive student insights - Continuous improvement metrics 4. Global Access & Economic Mobility: - Implementation across U.S. and Indian institutions - Cross-cultural adaptability - Democratized quality education - Pathways to opportunity regardless of background In partnership with Microsoft for Startups and Qatar Foundation, we're transforming education through technology that unlocks human potential. What educational challenges do you believe AI can help solve? Share your thoughts below. #EdTech #AI #Innovation #PrepAI #PersonalizedLearning #FutureOfEducation

GAMIFICATION UNLEASHED: When most people think of gamification in eLearning, they picture points, badges, and leaderboards. But the true power of gamification lies in meaningful choices and real consequences? Instead of just adding a game-like layer to an eLearning course, we should think about how we can use gamification to create immersive, decision-driven experiences. Branching scenarios are a prime example. They allow learners to make choices that affect the actual outcome of the scenario—providing a more engaging and personalized learning journey. It’s not just about making learning fun—it’s about creating a realistic simulation where every choice matters. This approach helps learners experience the impact of their decisions in a safe environment, which translates to better understanding and retention. In a recent project, I designed a branching scenario where learners navigated complex decision paths in a simulated environment. Each decision led to different consequences, mirroring real-life outcomes. This not only made the learning process more engaging but also deepened learners' understanding of the material. By focusing on the real-world application of decisions, gamification became a powerful tool for meaningful learning rather than just a decorative element. #Gamification #eLearning #BranchingScenarios

A few years ago, I worked with an online education platform facing challenges with student engagement. While they had a significant number of users enrolling in courses, they struggled with low participation rates in course discussions and activities, leading to a decline in course completion rates. The platform needed to identify the causes behind low engagement and implement strategies to encourage more active participation. Improving Student Engagement Using Data Analytics 1️⃣ Analyzing Engagement Data We began by analyzing user interaction data, focusing on metrics such as time spent on the platform, participation in discussions, video completion rates, and quiz scores. Using SQL, we aggregated the data to identify patterns and pinpoint where students were losing interest. SELECT student_id, course_id, AVG(time_spent) AS avg_time_spent, COUNT(discussion_post_id) AS posts_made, AVG(quiz_score) AS avg_quiz_score FROM student_activity GROUP BY student_id, course_id; 🔹 Insight: We identified that students who interacted with course discussions and quizzes had higher completion rates, while others dropped off quickly. 2️⃣ Building a Predictive Model We then created a predictive model to determine which students were at risk of disengaging based on their activity patterns. The model incorporated features such as time spent on the platform, participation in discussions, and progress through the course material. # Pseudocode for Predictive Model def predict_student_engagement(student_data): model = train_engagement_model(student_data) predictions = model.predict(student_data) return predictions 🔹 Insight: This model helped us flag students who were likely to disengage early, allowing for timely interventions. 3️⃣ Implementing Engagement Strategies Based on insights from the model, we implemented strategies such as sending personalized emails with reminders, offering incentives for completing activities, and increasing interaction opportunities through live Q&A sessions. # Pseudocode for Engagement Follow-Up def send_engagement_reminder(student_data): if model.predict(student_data) == 'at_risk': send_email_reminder(student_data) 🔹 Insight: Personalized engagement and incentives led to an increase in student participation. Challenges Faced Identifying meaningful engagement metrics that were predictive of success. Finding the right balance between engaging students without overwhelming them. Business Impact ✔ Student engagement improved, leading to higher completion rates. ✔ Retention rates increased, as more students continued with courses. ✔ Revenue grew, driven by more active and satisfied students. Key Takeaway: By analyzing user activity and leveraging predictive analytics, businesses can identify disengaged customers early and implement strategies to improve engagement and retention.

How Two Language Teachers Are Using Tech to Boost Engagement (And You Can Too!) At Mayfair Middle/High School, French teacher Dorah Fauben and Mandarin teacher Cheri Luo are transforming language learning without adding prep time. Their secret? ViewSonic’s ClassSwift. Here’s how it’s working for them (and could for you!): ✅ No More Passive Learning → Students join instantly via QR codes or Google Classroom—no logins, no hassle. → Quizzes, timers, and buzzers turn reviews into game-like challenges. ✅ Real-Time Feedback = Smarter Teaching → See what students grasp—or don’t—live. → Adjust lessons on the fly with polls, word clouds, and annotations. ✅ AI That Saves Time → Auto-generate differentiated quizzes in seconds. → Get innovative suggestions to reinforce tricky grammar or vocabulary. ✅ Data That Justifies Your Methods → Track participation for IEPs and support meetings. → Auto-reports help showcase growth to admins and parents. 💬 Dorah’s take: “ClassSwift isn’t just fun—it gives me actionable insights without extra work.” 👉 Want to see it in action? https://lnkd.in/gmkrpMep #EdTechThatWorks #LanguageTeachers #StudentEngagement #ClassSwift #NoMoreGradingMarathons.

How Did You Learn First Aid? Was your first aid training a series of PDF slides and "click next" videos? Did it feel like information was flying past without sticking? First aid is one of the most critical skills anyone can have, yet traditional learning methods alone often fail to make it truly memorable. That’s why complementing these methods with experiential learning is key to transforming understanding into long-lasting knowledge. Custom-made simulations are an excellent way to enhance first aid training by providing highly tailored, realistic scenarios that closely align with specific needs or environments. These experiences engage learners deeply, allowing them to practice critical skills in context. However, the challenge lies in scalability—custom simulations are often expensive to develop, requiring significant time and resources to create. Additionally, they may lack repeatability, as once the simulation is completed, it can be difficult to modify or adapt without incurring further costs. This makes them a valuable but sometimes impractical option for organizations looking to train large groups or sustain long-term learning initiatives. Balancing customization with accessibility is key to making first aid training both impactful and sustainable. The solution to bridging the gap lies in supplementing high-quality simulation training with interactive, contextually relevant no-code platforms that empower educators—not developers—to design active learning engagements. These platforms allow educators to create customized scenarios that are flexible, scalable, and cost-effective while maintaining high engagement levels. By integrating features that force learners into retrieval practice, these tools reinforce knowledge retention and application in a meaningful way. These images showcase a new approach to first aid training, guiding learners through a series of carefully aligned learning outcomes. Each scenario is designed to provide hands-on, contextually relevant, and interactive experiences that push beyond the traditional PDF, video, or PowerPoint slide, but not replace these modalities. The beauty of this method lies in its variety—offering learners critical thinking opportunities that are thought-provoking, immersive, and highly engaging. From scanning a room to identify PPE, to interacting with AI avatars about legal responsibilities, to prioritizing actions in life-saving scenarios, these experiences make first aid training unforgettable and impactful. What’s even more exciting is how easily these simulations can be designed by educators using no-code platforms. With these tools, teachers and trainers can create tailored, active learning engagements without needing advanced technical expertise. By combining real-world context, interactivity, and accessibility, this approach ensures that first aid education becomes a dynamic, learner-driven process that empowers participants to act with confidence when it matters most.

Imagine walking into a bookstore…📚 And every single book on the shelf was chosen just for you...based on your role, your goals, and what you’ve explored before. That kind of experience? It feels relevant. Engaging. Maybe even a little exciting. Now, imagine your learning platform worked like that. That’s the power of personalisation in L&D And it’s what separates content people ignore…from learning that sticks, scales, and drives performance. Here’s why personalisation matters more than ever: 🚫 One-size-fits-all learning doesn’t cut it anymore. Traditional training often delivers the same content to everyone, regardless of skill level, experience, or career goals. And when it doesn’t feel useful? People check out. 📊 The data backs it up: - 72% of employees feel more engaged when content aligns with their role - Personalised learning improves retention by up to 60% - Companies prioritising personalisation see a 55% increase in engagement This isn’t a tweak - It’s a complete shift in how learning needs to work. Here's what high-performing L&D teams are doing differently👇 They’re not pushing generic content anymore. They’re building adaptive, tailored learning experiences — built around the learner, not the course. Here’s what that looks like: ⚡Dynamic Learning Paths Journeys that evolve as learners grow, adjusting to their job, skill level, and career ambitions. ✨AI-Powered Content Recommendations Smart platforms (like Thirst 🧡) analyse skill gaps, engagement patterns, and goals to surface the right content at the right time. 📈 Real-Time Progress Tracking It’s not just about course completions. It’s about tracking skill growth, retention gains, and business impact…in real terms. Today’s employees expect the same experience from their learning platform as they get from Netflix, Spotify, or Duolingo. If your L&D strategy still treats everyone the same, it’s already falling behind. But when learning feels relevant, timely, and personal? ✔️ Employees engage ✔️ Skills develop faster ✔️ And learning starts delivering actual ROI The future of learning isn’t about more content. It’s about the right content, delivered to the right person, at the right time...that’s personalisation! And it’s how modern L&D wins. How are you personalising learning right now? Or is it something you're still exploring? Drop a comment 💬👇 #LearningAndDevelopment #PersonalisedLearning #AIinLearning #FutureOfWork #SkillsDevelopment #EmployeeEngagement

Why traditional language learning often fails: Too many language courses still rely on outdated, passive learning methods—endless grammar drills and lectures that leave participants bored and disengaged. ❗️But language is meant to be lived, not just memorized.❗️ At Swedish for Professionals, we’ve flipped the script. With our flipped classroom approach, participants get the grammar up front—through engaging, studio-recorded videos and interactive exercises—so that when they join us live, it’s all about applying what they’ve learned. Our blended learning approach combines real-world activities like debates, games, and negotiations, so they’re not just learning—they’re living the language. 🔥Because sitting in a classroom shouldn’t feel like a chore. It should feel like an experience.🔥

As 2025 approaches, AI will continue to play an important role in reshaping education over the next year. We’ve only scratched the surface of AI's potential to augment and personalize the classroom experience. Next year (and beyond), AI and emerging technologies will evolve the educational landscape by creating more accessible, personalized and dynamic learning opportunities. Here are a few areas I’m watching as we continue innovating and developing AI-powered edtech tools: ⭐ Generative AI for Personalized Learning: Gen AI will evolve to support adaptive content creation and dynamic curriculum development. As AI learning assistants advance, learning materials will be adapted and tailored to individual student needs, learning preferences and styles, including:   ▪️  Multimodal learning: To align with personalized learning styles, we could see greater demand for multimodal learning supported by AI (e.g. learning through text, images, video, audio, etc.).   ▪️  Dynamic curriculum: Based on AI-driven insights from individual learning needs, curriculum will become more dynamic – continuously updating and refining content based on real-time data and feedback from individual learners.   ▪️  Language Translation and Multilingual Learning Tools: Advanced translation capabilities will enable seamless communication across different languages, which ensures educational content is accessible and relevant to a diverse global audience. ⭐ AI-Enhanced Assessment and Feedback: We’ll continue to see AI tools support basic assessment functions like instant grading, feedback and predictions on student outcomes. However, as more students use AI in their coursework, assessment will evolve beyond these core functions and focus more on the students’ process in developing the final product versus the final product itself (i.e. grading how a student prompted the AI system). ⭐ Immersive Learning via AR/VR and the Metaverse: Creating immersive learning environments (where students can engage curriculum through interactive simulations and labs) has the potential to enhance the understanding of complex subjects and connect learners to collaborate more effectively. Additionally, immersive learning technologies like AR, VR and the Metaverse make education more accessible by providing new learning pathways and upskilling opportunities to enhance skills. The education system has tremendous opportunity to embrace new technologies and innovation that will push learning to new heights and reach more learners. I’m excited to continue innovating, evolving and pushing the boundaries of edtech in 2025. What technologies do you believe will have the greatest impact on education next year? #BigIdeas2025 #AI #EdTech