EdTech People

About EdTech People

The past, present and future of technology in education. Each episode features a chat with someone who makes it happen. Hosted by Matthew Setchell

Publisher

Matthew Setchell

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Mar 2022

Latest episode

30 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

42 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Sept 2026

   6.2 The Platform Mix

   Apple, Google and Microsoft all have a place in schools—but the real edge comes from knowing when to combine them, when to simplify, and when to look beyond the sales pitch. Jack Marshall and Matthew Setchell explore the practical reality of edtech today: from getting hands-on with school IT to navigating AI, device management, filtering, and what works in the classroom. They start with why leaders need to stay connected to the work on the ground, then discuss conferences that offer genuine learning, the realities of configuring Halo, and why AI features can feel more impressive in a demo than in everyday use. In this episode, they discuss: Why schools may not need to choose between Google and Microsoft How Chromebook cost, management, and accessibility factor into device decisions What Google Class Tools and ChromeOS Flex can offer schools The practical considerations around iPads, Macs, Intune, Entra, filtering, and device management Where Microsoft Copilot in education is useful—and where the experience still needs work The conversation also goes beyond technology. Jack and Matt reflect on learning through experience, the value of having trusted colleagues when things go wrong, and why strong teams make it easier to take thoughtful risks, learn from mistakes, and keep moving forward .A candid conversation for school IT leaders, technicians, and anyone making technology decisions in education.

2. 

   15 Sept 2026

   S6:1 Surviving September

   Survive September: the IT lessons schools cannot afford to miss September hits hard for edtech and IT teams, and this conversation gets straight to the point: how to survive the chaos, keep projects moving, and stop the same avoidable problems from happening again. Matt and Jack unpack the realities of back-to-school season, where summer delivery turns into September firefighting fast.Matt and Jack get honest about the pressure points that hit hardest in education IT— incomplete handovers, missing passwords, fragile legacy systems, and the endless challenge of taking over new schools or new environments with limited context. Jack brings the perspective of moving from a cloud-first world into a hybrid one, while Matt shares what it really takes to support multiple schools, multiple teams, and multiple moving parts without losing control. You’ll discover: Why password management is not optional, especially when people leave or go off sick How to separate project support from business-as-usual support so issues do not get lost in the handover Why a technical plan, delivery plan, and proper closeout documentation matter more at scale than ever How SOPs, screen recordings, and central documentation turn tribal knowledge into something a whole team can use Why AI, APIs, and automated data mapping are becoming essential for understanding systems, identity flows, and licensing across schools Matt also shares how his team is building a live portal that brings together data from systems like Intune, Google, Halo, HubSpot, Bob HR, and more, giving customers and internal teams visibility over devices, licences, onboarding, and procurement. Jack adds a smart angle on identity mapping, single sign-on, and using Claude to help build a clearer picture of where schools are now and where they need to get to.The bigger message is simple: if you do not know what you have, where it lives, and how it talks to everything else, you cannot make good decisions, save money, or move safely to cloud. And if you are in the middle of that September scramble, this episode offers something better than theory—it gives you perspective, practical frameworks, and a reminder that you are not the only one in the middle of it.Perfect for IT leaders, edtech teams, MSPs, and school tech staff who need a realistic reset on documentation, handover, automation, and strategy. If September feels like chaos, this one will make you feel a lot less alone.

3. 

   17 Jul 2026

   Who’s Really Watching the Devices?

   In this end-of-season episode of EdTech People, Matt and Jack reflect on the often-overlooked pressure faced by school IT teams during the summer, when major upgrades, migrations and preparations take place before staff and pupils return. The main discussion focuses on the 2026 updates to Keeping Children Safe in Education, particularly the growing importance of effective filtering and monitoring. They explore the need for annual reviews, clear senior leadership accountability, staff training and stronger understanding of how safeguarding systems are configured and used. They also discuss emerging risks including AI-generated intimate images, deepfakes, misogyny, harmful online behaviour and the limitations of monitoring on personal or unmanaged devices. The conversation then broadens into the challenges of BYOD, iPads and one-to-one device programmes. Matt and Jack argue that school-managed devices provide stronger safeguarding, greater equity and more consistent access to learning, but only when supported by the right leadership, training and implementation. The episode closes with reflections on education’s lost momentum since the pandemic, the continuing value of technology in improving life chances, and, inevitably, the frustrations of school printers.

Who has been a guest on EdTech People

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• James Paveley
• Brett Griffin
• Carl Curless
• Chris Byers

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

244

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

13 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

28

Social presence

0

YouTube

66

Engagement

60

Contact EdTech People

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about EdTech People