Kris Rockwell on the Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast

Schools are adopting more edtech than ever, but it is not always clear whether students are actually learning more.

In a follow-up conversation on the Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast with Danny Bauer, Piper Director of Product, Kris Rockwell, explores a growing tension in education: schools continue to adopt new edtech tools at a rapid pace, yet more technology is not always translating into deeper learning for students.

Much of today’s digital learning environment is designed around engagement. Students click, scroll, and interact in ways that signal attention. But Rockwell raises an important question. If engagement is being driven by design loops and constant stimulation, how much of it is actually leading to understanding and long-term skill development?

The conversation moves beyond screens and explores the difference between simulation and real-world experience. Digital tools and AI environments can be powerful entry points into learning, but Rockwell argues they are not enough on their own. Students still need hands-on, physical experiences to connect ideas to practice. Without that balance, learning can remain abstract and disconnected from real application.
As AI becomes more present in both classrooms and careers, the expectations placed on learners are shifting. Rockwell suggests the focus is moving away from producing answers and toward defining problems, evaluating outputs, and thinking critically in environments where answers are increasingly automated.

At the center of the conversation is a question every educator is now facing. Are we designing learning experiences that prioritize interaction with technology, or understanding beyond it?

Click here to listen to the full conversation with Kris Rockwell on the Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast. 

Missed the first conversation? Listen to Episode 1 here: