There are so many super cool EdTech startups right now. The list goes on and on, and nearly every one of them is making a tragic mistake, a mistake that corporate LMSs and content vendors made about 15 years ago.
Nearly every EdTech company seems to believe that they can live in isolation. EdTech companies must find a way to share data and experiences and content and workflows. APIs are great, and most of this new breed do have an API, but it’s completely impractical to expect that these companies will build to suit each and every distinct API for sharing experiences and data, etc.
- When Aspen goes from 5th grade to 6th grade, will her experiences in elementary school follow her?
- When Amelia dominates Princess Math on Saturday morning, will her teacher know that she’s mastered single digit addition on Monday morning?
- Will the state of California be able to take their students’ history and granular experiences with them when they’re forced to buy a less expensive student management system?
It’s time for EdTech to embrace a shared language for communicating these experiences, and you better believe I have the right answer for them.
