Google Analytics |United States|www.analytics.google.com/analytics/academy/

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Empowering users with measurement and marketing tools.

What are the key trends you believe have the power to transform the way we learn?

The next big wave of innovation is looking like it will be driven by machine learning and understanding previously undetectable patterns in massive data sets. If we can aggregate enough data, machine learning has the potential to uncover patterns of learning behavior that can drive improvements in our course content and delivery. While personalization has always seemed to be on the horizon, machine learning may actually make it a reality, providing customized learning experiences based on individual preferences, goals, life situations, and other valuable user signals. This will rewrite many of the ways we interact with technology and provide much more human-seeming artificial intelligence. Our children may be learning with artificial agents and assistants that can answer all their questions or suggest new ways of looking at problems. The future may finally be here.

What should the rest of the world learn about EdTech in your country?

We have shifted into a culture where we continually engage with information throughout our day. The portability of online information and communication tools coupled with data signals used to tailor that information, means that we engage with content to an unprecedented degree. It has penetrated almost every facet of our lives. This offers a tremendous opportunity as educators to transform the way that users think about learning. Learning can now exist on a spectrum of diving deep into complex subject matter to lighter trivial learning on the go to the reinforcement of concepts throughout a user's day. We have also moved into a much more video-centric and gaming culture where our learners will increasingly expect specific formats and channels of learning that are deeply engaging. So we have the potential to teach users at any time on demand throughout their entire lives. Could we... dare I say, make learning fun?

Why is it important for all players in the EdTech ecosystem to continuously connect, network and learn from each other?

It's easy for educational technology and instructional design to get siloed, particularly in the corporate space (which is beholden to specific business goals) and academia (which can be out of touch with the learning practices of end users). But the different industries working to understand how technology supports learning from different angles have much to share. This provides a great opportunity to peer in on the work of others outside your discipline and glean insights from a new perspective. I strongly believe that platforms that are open, put users in charge of their data, and have APIs to collaborate intuitively with other systems will be those that are most successful.

How does your current role allow you to make a difference to education and learning space?

The Analytics Academy has a model of scalable education that uses thoughtful data collection to make strategic program and course design decisions. We would like to further this mission by using machine learning to help personalize course content to increase relevance and engagement for users.

Who would you like to meet at the event?

People with a vision for how machine learning can transform education.

When you think about joining London EdTech Week and EdTechXEurope Summit this year, what are you looking forward to?

This is my first year joining London EdTech Week, so I'm hoping to see some mind-blowing tech and ideas that help steer my own learning efforts at scale.

Join Chris and our 100+ thought leader speakers at EdTechXEurope 2018 on 19 June 2018 - reserve your place now >>