From Clickers to AI: Educating the Future with Darren Ward

Darren Ward

Summary:

In this episode, old friends Darren Ward and Andy Bennetts discuss their history and connections in the education and technology industry. They also talk about the evolution of education technology and the enduring mission to support teachers and students. The critical need for immediate data collection and analysis in educational settings is also emphasized, with a focus on providing timely data to facilitate student growth and school improvement. The transformative effects of technology, particularly clickers on student communication and engagement were also discussed.

The episode also covers the transformation of data collection practices in education technology, the company's evolution towards meeting district needs, and the challenges of managing siloed data in education. The potential implementation of AI technology for student feedback was also discussed, with an emphasis on maintaining a human element in the grading process. The meeting concluded with a discussion about the importance of servant leadership and impactful learning experiences, particularly the "All In" podcast, and the significance of fostering student confidence and engagement to enhance learning outcomes and empower future generations.

Throughout the episode, Darren and Andy emphasize the importance of a customer-centric approach, actively listening to customer pain points, and avoiding assumptions about user needs. They also express their passion for the positive impact technology can have on education and their desire to be influential and helpful to their customers, particularly schools, districts, and businesses. The conversation underscores the inevitability of technology's influence and the futility of trying to limit its progress, emphasizing the need to embrace and leverage it rather than resist its advancement.

Bio:                  

Prior to founding ALL In Learning, Darren was instrumental in creating and leading eInstruction’s sales team and marketing efforts. He worked at eInstruction for 17 years and led the sales team that propelled eInstruction’s explosive growth. He pioneered eInstruction’s viral marketing approach that generated wide-spread interest in eInstruction’s response pad technology and a fervent following at trade shows around the country. The educational consultants selling team that he led was one of the most successful sales organizations in the education marketplace. He brings that experience, expertise and passion to ALL In Learning.

The ALL In Learning team wants to partner with educators to make this become a reality and help teachers drive lasting progress for all students.

Darren is married to Amy and is the father of three sons. Darren earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Baylor University.

Links:

• https://www.allinlearning.com/