Lessons of the Year: What EdTech Industry Leaders Learned (and Learned!) in 2023

Managers are undoubtedly busy people, but they find time for education and self-education, which is becoming a necessity in the modern world. We spoke with experts from the EdTech industry to find out what they were studying in 2023 – both for professional growth and personal development. They shared the lessons and insights they learned from their personal and professional experiences over the course of the year.

The co-founder and director of development and research at the Profilum platform plays a key role in shaping and implementing product strategies. His experience and knowledge in technology help develop innovative solutions that meet user needs. The Profilum platform strives to offer unique experience and high efficiency in its field, thereby actively attracting the attention of its target audience.

In 2023, I studied psychometrics, philosophy, biology, and mathematics. These disciplines enriched my knowledge and skills, allowing me to more deeply understand the connections between human thinking, the scientific approach, and natural phenomena. Psychometrics helped me master methods for quantifying psychological characteristics, philosophy opened new horizons in understanding human values and morality, biology deepened my knowledge of living organisms and their interaction with the environment, and mathematics developed logical thinking and analytical skills. These subjects not only broadened my horizons but also became the foundation for further education and professional growth.

The main lesson is the ability to correctly assess your strengths and focus on goals that are realistically achievable. This allows you not only to avoid disappointment but also to effectively use your resources to achieve success. Setting reasonable and achievable goals is a key aspect of personal and professional growth.

This year, I attended the summer school on psychometrics, "Applied Psychometrics in Psychology and Education," organized by the HSE Center for Psychometrics and Measurement in Education. Psychometrics is one of my key specializations and forms the foundation of our career guidance products. During the course, we studied cognitive diagnostic modeling (CDM), a method used to create mathematical models that optimize the architecture and design of psychometric measurements. These models help effectively process data using various mathematical methods. The knowledge gained has practical application: CDM models allow us to develop more effective tools for our solutions and services, significantly improving the quality of psychometric analysis and assessment.

I completed a course on epistemology and philosophy, which allows me to gain a deeper understanding of various philosophical concepts, methods of cognition, and theories of evidence. This knowledge proves useful when working with information, constructing arguments and logic, and presenting one's position in negotiations. Understanding philosophical foundations promotes more effective interactions and informed decision-making.

I have always been interested in biology, as it is closely related to psychology, and I hold a degree in psychology from the Russian Academy of Sciences. I am also attracted to the humanities and natural sciences. This year, I took a course on cell biology and evolution. This course proved to be very useful and developmental, providing an opportunity to deeper understand the complexity of our organism. Studying biology allows you to understand the relationships between various sciences and deepen your knowledge of the foundations of life.

I took a course in mathematics, which includes elements of psychometrics, which is at the intersection of mathematics, psychology, and statistics. I chose a course in analytical geometry, which proved quite difficult, and I was unable to complete it. This confirms that there is always room for growth and development in every field of knowledge.

This year, even without targeted training, I began exploring interactions with neural networks and tools based on large language models. There remains significant potential for mutual learning and development in the field of artificial intelligence. This allows for deepening knowledge and skills in working with modern technologies, opening up new possibilities for applying AI in various fields.

I regularly practice English to maintain and improve my language proficiency.

From personal experience, I can conclude that it is important to accurately assess your capabilities to avoid losing focus and focus on achieving the most realistic and effective results. In our business, we have conducted many experiments this year, and now is the time to focus on best practices and their development. This year has once again highlighted the importance of finding the right balance, clearly defining goals, and effective teamwork.

This year, I attended the summer school on psychometrics, "Applied Psychometrics in Psychology and Education," organized by the HSE Center for Psychometrics and Measurement in Education. Psychometrics is one of my main specializations and serves as the foundation for the development of our career guidance products. As part of the training, we studied cognitive modeling (CDM), which is a set of mathematical models that facilitate the effective organization of measurement architecture and design in psychometrics. These models enable data processing using various mathematical methods, making their knowledge particularly valuable for practical applications. The use of CDM significantly improves the toolkit for our solutions and services, ultimately contributing to more accurate and high-quality analysis in psychology and education.

I completed a course in epistemology and philosophy, which allows me to more deeply analyze various philosophical concepts, methods of cognition, and theories of evidence. This knowledge significantly improves my skills in processing information, argumentation, and logical construction. It also helps me more effectively present my position in negotiations, which is especially important in a professional environment. Understanding these aspects of philosophy helps me make informed decisions and conduct high-quality, reasoned discussions.

I have been interested in biology since childhood, as it is closely related to psychology, a field in which I received my education at the Institute of Psychology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. I am also attracted to the humanities and natural sciences. This year, I completed a course on cell biology and evolution, which proved to be very useful and developmental. It allows me to gain a deeper understanding of the complexity of the human body and its biological processes.

As part of my general development, I took a course in mathematics, which proved useful for understanding psychometrics, which lies at the intersection of mathematics, psychology, and statistics. I chose a course in analytical geometry, which, frankly, turned out to be quite difficult, and I was unable to complete it. This highlights that there are always areas of knowledge and skills that can and should be developed.

This year, although I had no formal training, I began to master interaction with neural networks and tools based on large language models. This training was an important step in understanding the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The field of AI opens up broad horizons for further study and collaborative learning, which allows not only to improve skills but also to expand the horizons of technology application in various fields.

I regularly study English to maintain and improve my level of proficiency.

From personal experience, I can conclude that it is important to accurately assess your strengths to avoid defocusing and focus on achieving the most realistic and effective results. This year, we conducted many experiments in business, and now it is time to focus on best practices and develop them. This year again emphasized the importance of finding the right balance, clearly formulating goals, and effective teamwork. Optimizing processes and focusing on results will help achieve sustainable growth and success.

The Business Development Director at Skyeng and Skysmart plays a key role in the strategic growth and promotion of educational services. The main task is to identify new opportunities for business expansion, analyze the market and develop effective strategies. This position requires project management skills, as well as innovation and creative problem-solving. A key aspect of the job is interaction with various teams and partners, which contributes to improving the quality of the educational process and attracting new clients. The experience and professionalism of the Business Development Director contribute to strengthening Skyeng and Skysmart's positions in the competitive online education market.

In 2023, I studied best practices in business and parenting. My experience helped me understand how to effectively manage my time and resources to achieve my goals in both my professional and family life. I realized the importance of work-life balance, which contributes not only to career success but also to family harmony. Knowledge of modern management trends and child-rearing methods allowed me to improve my skills and become more competent in both areas. This combination of knowledge makes me more adaptable and successful in a rapidly changing world.

The main lesson is that you can't relax and it is important to always maintain two business areas. This allows you to diversify risks and identify new opportunities for growth. Constant attention to various aspects of your business helps you adapt to changing market conditions and remain competitive. Therefore, it's important to develop multiple strategies simultaneously, which contributes to stable growth and increased profits.

During the year, I completed several training courses that combined personal and professional development. This experience allowed me to deepen my knowledge in various areas and develop the skills necessary for a successful career. I focused on training that facilitated both personal growth and professional development.

Training at Vasily Alekseev's mastermind (Like Center). There, market players met to share experiences. For example, there were meetings dedicated to conducting fair promotions for clients without false price increases, as well as how to organize various campaigns with customer care and interesting, engaging mechanics. At such meetings, in addition to "live" knowledge, you also gain a wonderful environment and networking opportunities, which are always valuable in a busy work schedule.
Training with business coach Irina Bova. It was about both professional and personal development. Thanks to the training, I was able to look at business from a different perspective, which helped us refine and change the vector of our strategy.
Polina Maltseva's course for parents. This was a real find, because I really want to effectively combine the roles of a top manager and the mother of a three-year-old! For me, this was valuable training that relieved a lot of anxiety and gave me simple and quickly applicable tools for parenting without emotional breakdowns. I always want everything in life to be super-systematic and high-quality. In general, parenting training is a very important part of education.

The most important lesson of this year is that you can't relax and you need to simultaneously develop two areas of business. The first area involves maintaining the effective operation of existing marketing tools, such as promotion channels, sales funnels, and content. The second area involves constantly searching for new opportunities, testing hypotheses, and developing alternative product solutions. This also includes exploring related industries or similar markets in other countries. This approach to business development provides a reliable "Plan B," which can prove critical if something goes wrong in the first area.

In my opinion, we didn't have a properly developed strategy. We assumed that all possible changes in commerce had already occurred. The effective operation of our marketing channels led to us becoming somewhat complacent. As a result, when difficulties with one of our main channels arose in March-April of this year, it became a significant challenge for us. I am sincerely grateful to the team for our ability to quickly adapt, find new solutions in a short time, and achieve results that exceeded expectations. Now we always focus on projects called "new tracks" to refine our approaches and minimize risks.

Over the course of the year, I completed a number of training programs that combined elements of personal and professional development. These courses not only helped me improve my skills in my field but also contributed to a profound transformation in my personal life. I learned new time management methods, productivity techniques, and the psychological aspects of interacting with people. This experience became an important milestone on my path to self-improvement and professional growth.

Training at Vasily Alekseev's mastermind (Like Center). There, market players met to share experiences. For example, there were meetings dedicated to conducting fair promotions for clients without false price increases, as well as how to organize various campaigns with customer care and interesting, engaging mechanics. At such meetings, in addition to "live" knowledge, you also gain a wonderful environment and networking, which is always valuable in a busy work schedule.
Training with business coach Irina Bova. It was about both professional and personal development. Thanks to the training, I was able to look at business from a different perspective, which helped us work out and change the vector of our strategy.
Polina Maltseva's course for parents. This was a real find, because I really want to effectively combine the roles of a top manager and the mother of a three-year-old! For me, this was valuable training that relieved a lot of anxiety and gave me simple and quickly applicable tools for parenting without emotional breakdowns. I always want everything in life to be super-systematic and high-quality. In general, parenting training is a very important part of education.

The main lesson I learned from my experience this year is that you can't relax. It is important to simultaneously develop two areas of business. The first area is related to maintaining the effectiveness of existing marketing tools, sales funnels, content, and other processes. The second area focuses on constantly searching for new opportunities—testing hypotheses, developing alternative product solutions, and analyzing other industries and markets, including international ones. This second area will serve as a reliable "Plan B" in case difficulties arise in the first area.

In my opinion, we didn't have the necessary planning in this area. We assumed that all possible changes in commerce had already occurred. The effectiveness of marketing channels led to a certain complacency. When issues with one of the key channels arose in March-April of this year, it became a significant challenge. I am grateful to the team for our ability to quickly adapt, find new solutions in a short time, and achieve even better results than before. Now we regularly conduct an analysis of projects called "new track", which allows us to be ready for any changes in the market.

The head of digital products in the educational ecosystem "Samoletum" is responsible for strategic management and Developing innovative solutions in education. His responsibilities include creating and implementing digital products that promote effective learning and improve the quality of educational services. He actively works to integrate modern technologies and methodologies aimed at improving the educational process and meeting user needs. The team under his leadership develops and implements projects that provide access to high-quality educational resources and tools.

In 2023, I studied industrial engineering and indigenous thinking. These areas help develop skills in interacting with artificial intelligence and deepen understanding of the cultural characteristics and traditions of indigenous peoples. Studying industrial engineering allows you to create effective queries for generating high-quality content, and indigenous thinking contributes to a deeper understanding of human interaction with the environment. This knowledge is important in the modern world, where technology and cultural aspects play a key role in the development of society.

The main conclusion: the problem of hallucination, characteristic of large language models, can be successfully solved.

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This year, I have delved deeper into prompt engineering, drawing on courses, personal experience, and the work of my team. In addition, I have explored "native" thinking, holistic and narrative thinking, as well as alternative perceptions of time. For this, I have drawn on Tyson Yankaporta's book "Talking in the Sand: How Native Thinking Can Save the World." This combination of knowledge and practical experience has allowed me to see new horizons in the application of these concepts.

Prompt engineering has become a key element in the transition to a new type of instructional design and educational experience that includes interaction with large language models. We are developing artificial intelligence, specifically an AI tutor that uses these models to improve the educational process. Prompt engineering skills are required to effectively configure and use large language models. It took me about two and a half months to master this skill. Indigenous thinking and a non-standard holistic approach are important aspects of my professional experience. I am actively involved in the development of thinking, teach systems thinking, and develop games aimed at improving it. My interest in new practices related to these topics is constantly growing. A book about Indigenous thinking left a deep impression on me. Through interactions with representatives of Australian cultures, I was able to deepen my knowledge and better understand this unique approach to thinking. During my studies this year, I made important conclusions about working with large language models. These models, such as GPT and LLaMA, have significant limitations that hinder their use in knowledge that requires precision and clarity. We identified numerous problems associated with "hallucinations," where models generate incorrect information. Researching these aspects has become the main focus of my work. We have made significant advances in this area by developing multi-agent systems based on knowledge graphs and two-layer prompt engineering. These approaches significantly minimize the likelihood of hallucinations when interacting with large language models, making them more robust for educational purposes. This breakthrough represents a significant achievement, as it opens new horizons in digital instructional design. In this context, the teacher can act as a digital twin or use artificial intelligence based on large language models. This allows for more interactive and personalized educational processes, increasing learning effectiveness and adapting to individual student needs. Using such technologies in an educational environment can significantly change the approach to learning, making it more accessible and engaging.

This year, I've been exploring prompt engineering, drawing on courses, personal experience, and the work of my team. Along the way, I've been learning about indigenous thinking, holistic approaches, narrative thinking, and a non-standard perception of time, which became possible thanks to Tyson Yankaporta's book, "Talking in the Sand: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World." This synthesis of knowledge allows me to better understand how innovative approaches can help solve modern problems.

Prompt engineering has become an important tool for me in the transition to a new type of instructional design and educational experience that involves interacting with large-scale language models. We are developing artificial intelligence in the form of an AI tutor that uses these language models to improve the educational process. Setting up such models requires a specific prompt engineering skill, which took me about two and a half months to master. This experience has significantly improved the effectiveness of interactions with AI and educational outcomes.

I am actively engaged in the study of Aboriginal thinking and holistic approaches, which relates to my work in systems thinking and game development to support it. I am interested in new practices related to these topics. A book on Aboriginal thinking left a significant impression on me, and interactions with representatives of Australian cultures deepened my understanding of this unique approach.

This year, I learned valuable lessons studying large-scale language models. These models, such as GPT and LLaMA, have serious limitations that make them difficult to use in knowledge-intensive fields like education. One of the main problems is hallucination, when a model generates incorrect or non-existent information. In my research, I focused on understanding the conditions under which these hallucinations occur, as well as methods for mitigating them. We have achieved significant results by developing multi-agent systems based on knowledge graphs and applying two-layer prompt engineering. These approaches significantly reduce the likelihood of hallucinations and improve the accuracy of working with large language models.

This is a significant breakthrough that opens new horizons in digital instructional design. Within this concept, the teacher can act as a digital twin or artificial intelligence based on a large language model. Such innovations improve the interaction between learners and educational content, offering adaptive and personalized learning approaches. Digital twins and AI are able to analyze students' needs and offer customized solutions, making the learning process more effective and accessible.

The CEO and co-founder of the educational project "Lectorium" is actively involved in the development educational initiatives and the creation of high-quality content for online learning. The Lectorium project aims to provide accessible and engaging educational materials, thereby enhancing the knowledge and skills of a wide audience. Thanks to innovative approaches and modern technologies, Lectorium is becoming an important tool in the field of online education, offering users a variety of courses and lectures from leading experts.

In 2023, I delved deeper into the publishing industry. This experience allowed me to better understand the fundamental processes and nuances associated with publishing materials. I explored various aspects, including text editing, working with authors, and selecting a target audience. The knowledge gained this year will help me effectively create and promote content in the publishing industry.

Neural networks have the potential to radically change business processes, but they have not yet reached their maximum effectiveness. Integrating neural network technologies into business can significantly increase productivity, improve decision-making, and optimize workflows. However, it's important to understand that this technology is still evolving, and its capabilities will expand over time. Companies that begin using neural networks now will be able to capitalize on this transitional phase and remain competitive in the future.

This year, I immersed myself in culinary tourism. I visited places like Yakutia and Pyatigorsk, and also rode the book train from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, giving lectures in major cities. I was amazed that in each of them, you could taste excellent tom yum, a testament to the influence of globalization on gastronomy. However, the local cuisine is also impressive in its diversity and quality. An important aspect of my travels was meeting interesting people in the library and publishing industries. I noticed that this field has little overlap with educational and outreach online projects, which opens up new opportunities for development and collaboration. This could truly become a new growth area in the cultural and educational environment.

This year, neural networks and related services have become a true revolution in business processes. Many companies are looking to optimize current stages of their work, such as writing texts, preparing applications, compiling grant reports and glossaries. However, when I discovered that videos can now be edited simply by editing text, I realized this was only the beginning of significant changes. We are on the threshold of true innovations that have the potential to radically change the way we do business and improve its efficiency.

This year, I've been actively pursuing culinary tourism. I visited Yakutia and Pyatigorsk, and also rode the book train from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, giving lectures in major cities. I was amazed that in each of them, you could try excellent tom yum, confirming the influence of globalization on cuisine. However, the local cuisine is also impressive in its diversity and flavor. The most valuable thing about these trips is the opportunity to meet interesting people from the library and publishing sectors. I noticed that this field has virtually no overlap with educational and outreach online projects, which opens up new prospects for development and collaboration.

The main surprise of this year is the potential of neural networks and services based on them to completely transform business processes. Currently, many companies are looking to optimize existing workflows, such as writing texts, preparing applications, compiling grant reports, and creating glossaries. However, when I saw that video editing was now possible using just text editing, I realized that the real breakthrough in this area was yet to come. Neural networks open up new horizons for automating and simplifying complex tasks, which can ultimately lead to significant efficiency gains and cost savings in business.

The head of pedagogical internship programs at Skillbox is a key figure, Responsible for the development and implementation of educational programs. Their job is to ensure high-quality practical training for students, which includes creating curricula, interacting with teachers, and coordinating the educational process. This specialist also analyzes student feedback and current educational trends to continuously improve programs. At Skillbox, we strive to provide our students with the most effective and modern learning methods, which makes the role of the Director of Pedagogical Internship Programs especially important for achieving high educational standards.

In 2023, I studied ethics, delving into the philosophical concepts and moral principles that influence our behavior and decision-making. Ethical standards play a key role in shaping social relations and personal views. During my studies, I analyzed various approaches to ethical dilemmas and their application in modern conditions. Understanding ethics helps not only in the professional sphere but also in everyday life, promoting the development of critical thinking and responsibility.

The main lesson is that in a multitasking environment, you need to find ways to focus on one task at a time. This helps increase productivity and work quality, while also minimizing stress. Focusing on a single activity helps you better organize your time and resources, which in turn leads to more effective results. It's important to recognize that multitasking can be distracting and reduce efficiency, so it's worth focusing on the practice of focusing on specific goals.

I took Arseniy Kumankov's course on moral values and the ethics of social life. This is important because our world is becoming increasingly fragmented and complex, and how we interact with others is becoming more important. Our agreements are based on ethical principles, as well as on ideas of what is right and fair. Discussing these issues is essential for shaping a healthy society. The course emphasizes the state of ethics in the modern world. We explored the differences in ethical theories that influence everyday events and learned to discuss ethics and fairness even with those with whom we disagree and with those whose opinions we don't know. This fosters a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and strengthens social connections.

As educational program creators, we must continually reflect on the ethical meanings and values we infuse into education. Our work directly impacts the formation of future identities and the people with whom they will interact. In the EdTech sector, ethical considerations are particularly important, especially in the context of the use of data and student digital footprints. We must consider how ethically we can achieve educational goals using data on how students learn, their individual characteristics, and ways to improve learning. This issue requires careful consideration, as it affects not only educational outcomes but also ethical norms in the field of technology.

This year, I learned an important lesson: in a world of multitasking, it sometimes makes sense to focus on one task per day or even for several days. This allows us to delve deeper into the issue and find the optimal solution. I also realized that anticipating future trends that will remain relevant in five to ten years is key. Users will always be interested in fresh and relevant content, so it's essential to develop strategies to maintain its relevance. Furthermore, there's a constant demand for rapid career change, necessitating the development of effective methods to facilitate the rapid achievement of goals. I completed Arseniy Kumankov's course on moral values and the ethics of social life. This area is of paramount importance in today's increasingly fragmented and complex world. In the context of globalization and social change, the ways we negotiate with others are becoming increasingly important. These agreements are based on ethical principles and our notions of what is fair and proper. It's important to discuss these issues to shape the society we live in. The course covers the current state of ethics, teaching us to recognize differences in ethical theories that influence everyday events. It also helps us learn to engage in dialogue about ethics and justice, even with those with whom we may disagree and with those whose opinions we haven't previously heard. This approach promotes civic consciousness and improves communication in society.

Educational program creators must constantly analyze the ethical meanings and values we invest in education. We shape not only knowledge, but also the personalities of future generations. The importance of ethics in EdTech also manifests itself in issues of data use, that is, the digital footprint. Here, many aspects must be considered. For example, how ethical is the pursuit of educational goals when we rely on data on the learning process and individual characteristics of students to guide them towards success? This question requires our attention and a thoughtful approach to ensure that technology serves the benefit of students and contributes to their development.

This year, I learned an important lesson: when multitasking, it is worth focusing on one task per day or even for several days. This allows us to delve deeper into the problem and find an effective solution. I also realized that the key trends will be those that will remain relevant in the future, in five to ten years. For example, users will always be interested in fresh and relevant content. This raises the question of how to ensure that information is constantly updated. Additionally, there is a constant demand for rapid career changes, which requires developing methods to make this process as efficient as possible.

To increase the visibility of your content in search engines, it is important to use keywords and phrases that are relevant to the topic. Ensure the text is easy to read and contains useful information for users. Optimize headings and subheadings to attract attention and include keywords.

Publish regularly to keep your content relevant and engaging. Use internal and external links to improve navigation and increase your site's authority. Don't forget about meta tags and descriptions, which are also important for SEO.

Creating high-quality content that answers user questions and solves their problems will help you achieve high rankings in search results. Diversify formats by adding images, videos, and infographics to make the material more attractive and informative.

Lessons of the Year: What EdTech Industry Leaders Learned (and Learned!) in 2023

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