EdTech product inspo

I find myself widening my personal definition and category of “EdTech” more and more. Just for fun, wanted to share a few products out there that support learning in a way that I admire. Most of these have a non-digital aspect to them. I think we can learn so much from the analog world, and really should be finding ways to push people back into it.

I am not affiliated in any kind of way. Just sharing my curiosities.

I have watched my son work with a single Clixo set all year and he still seems to find new ways to build with it. I love the packaging, minimal space requirements, and how it tells a fun builders story through its brand identity.

Board just launched. Though this is arguably more in the entertainment category, I am noticing myself applaud things that get people together in real life, face to face. In my mind, this facilitates playing in-person and teaches collaboration. Which nowadays, is not always a given. Also, not to mention that much can be learned through playing games individually. Here is an interesting behind-the-scenes work told by the lead designer.

I continually come back to this product as one leading the charge in beautiful digital learning experiences. The combo of art, interaction design, and learning experience design is so fun to watch. This is the only one on the list that is a purely digital experience.

The Yoto player is another favorite in our house. I try to infuse as much language as possible into the little developing minds of my kids. And I also want them to have so much fun with some kind of tactile, physical, music + story collection experience. They have a wallet of cards that they are collecting, and have agency to choose them most of the time. I love watching what they choose. And the app companion is so useful for me as a parent. I love how the experience is divided up this way.

“Stage-based play for your child’s developing brain.” I am trying to put my finger on what it is. Idk what it is. The beauty, the ease, the reusable nature, the wood, the genius behind aligning kits to developmental milestones (something every parent is trying to wrap their mind around)… I just applaud what’s going on here. And wish it could be accessible to anyone.

I think the through-line with all/most of these is a number of things:

• Beautifully crafted

• Inspiring brand

• Effective

• Fun

• Has a physical element

• For the betterment of people

→ What has been inspiring you lately?