Felix Weiß is the co-founder and driving force behind to teach | thea GmbH. His mission is to support teachers through AI-powered educational content and empower students with personalized learning experiences. Felix’s passion for EdTech began during his teacher training, where he not only gained experience as an educator but also ventured into entrepreneurship by founding small businesses. The pivotal moment came in 2018 when he teamed up with his childhood friend, Marius Lindenmeier, to explore innovative solutions for education. With Marius’s expertise in computer science and media informatics complementing Felix’s teaching background, the duo created a powerful synergy. Felix is a strong advocate for equal opportunities and educational fairness. Through to teach, his goal is to become a global leader in AI-driven educational content, delivering lasting impact for both teachers and learners.
In a recent interview with Digital First Magazine, Felix Weiß discussed his experience with education and technology. He shared his views on EdTech transformation, the effectiveness of EdTech solutions, EdTech and learning technologies, and many more.
What do you think are some of the most significant advancements in educational technology in recent years?
Undoubtedly, the biggest advancements in educational technology in recent years stem from the integration of AI and machine learning into education. Tools like our to teach platform empower teachers by streamlining lesson planning and delivering personalized content with efficiency. Cloud-based solutions have also democratized access to educational resources, making learning possible anytime, anywhere. Particularly noteworthy are adaptive learning systems, which cater to individual strengths and weaknesses, and the growing impact of gamification, which makes learning more engaging and motivating.
How has EdTech transformed traditional learning methods and education systems?
EdTech has accelerated the shift from one-size-fits-all education models to personalized learning pathways. With digital tools like to teach, educators can address the unique needs of their students more effectively. Additionally, digitization has expanded traditional classrooms into hybrid models, seamlessly combining online learning with in-person instruction. Rather than replacing traditional methods, EdTech has enhanced them with interactive and dynamic approaches that foster digital learning and demonstrably improve outcomes.
What role do personalization and adaptive learning play in the effectiveness of EdTech solutions?
Personalization and adaptive learning are the cornerstones of modern EdTech solutions. They allow teaching to be tailored to the unique needs of every student. At to teach, we use AI to create lesson plans and materials customized to the standards, curriculum and students’ individual skill levels. This not only increases the effectiveness of teaching but also motivates learners by providing content that aligns with their interests and level of progress.
Here’s a practical example:
A math teacher is planning a lesson on fractions. With to teach, the teacher can adapt the material for different ability levels:
- Struggling students: The platform generates simplified exercises with relatable examples to foster understanding.
- Average students: It suggests standard tasks to reinforce concepts through practice.
- Advanced students: It offers challenging problems, such as real-world applications of fractions in word problems.
Additionally, the teacher could incorporate interactive tools like online quizzes or gamified elements automatically generated by to teach to boost student engagement. Results are analyzed to provide feedback on correct and incorrect answers, helping all students grow at their own pace without adding extra workload for the teacher.
By combining this approach with fobizz PD courses, educators can learn how to seamlessly integrate personalized content into their lessons, maximizing the impact of adaptive learning.
What new trends do you think will shape the future of EdTech and learning technologies?
Future developments will be driven by technologies like generative AI, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR), which create immersive learning experiences. Another emerging trend is the deeper integration of learning analytics to track students’ progress and needs in real-time.
Additionally, connecting EdTech with social and emotional learning (SEL) approaches will open new possibilities for more holistic education. The goal is not just to teach academic knowledge but also to develop students’ emotional and social skills—essential for thriving in an increasingly complex, interconnected world.
For instance, to teach could provide interactive tools like collaborative digital whiteboards or polling features to foster teamwork and visualize how different perspectives come together. These tools enable students to work collectively, reinforcing their collaboration skills while engaging with content in meaningful ways.
How will artificial intelligence and machine learning impact the EdTech sector in the coming years?
AI and machine learning will drive the evolution of EdTech by helping teachers analyze learning data and proposing tailored learning paths. Platforms like to teach already demonstrate how AI can simplify administrative tasks like lesson planning. In the future, AI will play a greater role in addressing educational gaps through features like automated translations and personalized support for underserved students. This will promote equity by granting access to high-quality learning materials, regardless of socioeconomic background, language, or individual needs.
How can EdTech foster inclusion and create equal learning opportunities for all students?
EdTech has the potential to make quality education accessible to everyone. Digital platforms like to teach provide content in diverse formats, from interactive exercises to printable worksheets. AI enables differentiated assignments tailored to individual needs, while technologies like speech recognition and accessible design support inclusivity. For example, to teach offers supplementary materials in simplified language to ensure content is easily understood by all learners.
What efforts are being made to ensure EdTech is accessible to learners from diverse backgrounds?
At to teach, we prioritize user-friendly design and flexibility, ensuring the platform can be used regardless of technical expertise. We collaborate with educators to make sure solutions fit various school systems and social contexts. Partnerships with education ministries and funding programs are key to bridging digital divides and making technology accessible to more learners.
How important is professional development for teachers to effectively use EdTech tools?
Teacher training is critical for unlocking the full potential of EdTech. At to teach, we focus on intuitive tools that require minimal training, complemented by tutorials and support. Future-oriented professional development should equip teachers with not only technical skills but also pedagogical strategies for effectively integrating technology.
Since early 2024, to teach has been part of fobizz, a leading provider of teacher professional development courses and AI tools in German-speaking countries. This partnership enhances our ability to combine innovative technology with targeted professional development, boosting the quality and sustainability of EdTech solutions.
How do you assess the effectiveness and impact of EdTech solutions on student learning outcomes?
The effectiveness of EdTech is evident in its ability to boost both learning motivation and outcomes. Feedback from educators highlights that our platform supports better differentiation and more flexible lesson planning. In the long term, students benefit from individualized learning content that promotes their development. To measure success, we rely on regular feedback from educators and usage analytics.
What metrics or methods are commonly used to evaluate the success of EdTech implementations?
We use a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. On the qualitative side, we gather direct feedback from educators about their experiences with to teach. Quantitatively, we analyze data on usage frequency, time savings, and user satisfaction. Additionally, long-term studies on learning outcomes and student engagement are essential for comprehensively assessing EdTech’s impact.