EdTech Connect Ep. 77 — Stephen Laster: From Harvard to Panopto - Scaling EdTech That Matters
Date: March 6, 2026
Host: Jeff Dillon
Guest: Stephen Laster, CEO of Panopto
Episode Overview
This episode features Stephen Laster, a renowned edtech leader whose journey spans executive roles at Harvard Business School, McGraw Hill, D2L, Ellucian, and now Panopto. Laster discusses the evolution of digital learning, shares lessons from his personal and professional journey, and explores how Panopto is shaping the future of scalable, accessible, AI-driven education. Central themes include putting learners first, the importance of experimentation, AI’s real value in education, and sustaining innovation in shifting institutional landscapes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Personal Journey: Dyslexia, Technology, and Empathy
[01:55 – 03:54]
- Laster’s early struggle with undiagnosed dyslexia deeply informs his passion for edtech.
- Technology, starting with an Apple II, allowed him to transition from a “failing student to a student” by enabling him to demonstrate his ideas in ways traditional instruction did not support.
- Quote:
“I took to [the Apple II] like unbelievably, to the point where I wrote a spell checker and a word processor for it... and really went from being a failing student to a student because I was able to get my ideas out through technology.” — Stephen Laster [03:33]
2. Leadership Lessons from Campus to Vendor Side
[05:17 – 06:49]
- Time at Harvard Business School and Babson cemented a customer-centric mindset.
- The “preciousness” of the teaching moment and the lack of room for error in academia guide his approach to building edtech products.
- Quote:
“Few people get an education to be technologists... They get an education to make an impact.” — Stephen Laster [05:57]
3. What Panopto Is & Its Expanding Role
[06:49 – 08:00]
- Initially developed at Carnegie Mellon, Panopto captures live lectures and learning materials, enables asynchronous review and reflection, and integrates seamlessly with major LMSs.
- Its value is heightened for visual and auditory learners.
- Quote:
“We’re able to take what happens in the classroom, review it, reflect on it and learn from it on our own time, in our own place... [This] adds to the richness of an experience for a student.” — Stephen Laster [07:41]
4. Human-Centered, AI-First Pedagogy
[08:00 – 09:56]
- Laster refines the “AI-First” claim: Panopto is “human-centered AI-first,” focusing on AI as a tool to expand learning rather than replace human interaction.
- AI supports by automating content creation (e.g., avatar-based video from flat materials), generating knowledge checks, providing feedback/analytics, summarizing, and translating.
- Panopto’s philosophy: Pedagogy remains core; AI is leveraged to do tasks that restore time and focus to educators and learners.
- Quote:
“We know teaching and learning are innately human, but technology can help scale it. And it’s at that apex that we infuse our AI into those workflows.” — Stephen Laster [09:43]
5. Institutional Knowledge Sharing & Scaling
[09:56 – 11:50]
- Beyond being a classroom resource, Panopto is now a knowledge-sharing hub, connecting not just students, but alumni and institutional stakeholders.
- Collaboration with Anthropic: Moving from basic search to AI-powered content recommendations and knowledge pathway curation.
- Focus: Empower institutions to leverage their validated, curated resources.
6. Current Trends Laster Finds Exciting
[11:50 – 13:31]
- The cost of creating engaging digital content is dropping, increasing access and room for innovation.
- Interoperability (led by organizations like OneEdTech) is making powerful learning experiences easier to assemble.
- Delivery of knowledge is shifting toward “just-in-time” and informal learning in smaller, more digestible chunks.
- Quote:
“We are making it easier to deliver ideas visually and through audio and in smaller chunks so that we’re able to drive more informal learning or just-in-time learning.” — Stephen Laster [12:58]
7. Remaining Gaps and Barriers in EdTech
[13:31 – 15:09]
- Core critique: Insufficient time and support for faculty development—innovation is impeded by time constraints, not just technology limitations.
- Panopto’s strategy: Maintain focus on visual and auditory learning, drive ease of use, and support partnerships.
- Quote:
“I think this is a time issue, frankly... Are we given the people that we charge with delivering the education enough breathing room and time to innovate to be the best that they can be?” — Stephen Laster [14:37]
8. Managing Innovation in Complex Institutions
[15:09 – 17:06]
- Laster’s “deliberate experimentation” approach: Take smart risks with clear goals, accept some failures, learn, and iterate.
- Case studies: Online MBA at Babson, HBS Online—both started as entrepreneurial experiments with strong administrative backing.
- Quote:
“It’s about smart risk-taking. And... being very clear on the goals.” — Stephen Laster [16:35]
9. Macro Trends in Higher Ed & Corporate Learning
[17:06 – 18:58]
- Corporate learning requires rapid upskilling—Panopto’s role is to empower people to stay relevant, which is now a cornerstone of organizational success.
- In higher ed, cycles of experimentation and adjustment are now essential.
- Both sectors must break down large goals into smaller, actionable pieces.
10. Overcoming Resistance to Tech & Building Trust
[18:58 – 20:11]
- Main friction points: Educating faculty and instructional designers, cultivating acceptance for “smart failures.”
- Success in innovation requires “way stations to benchmark against” and a culture tolerant of experimentation.
- Quote:
“You have to create the conditions, number one, for people to learn... And then, number two, you have to create the conditions where smart failures are rewarded.” — Stephen Laster [19:19]
11. Sustaining Mission-Driven Culture Amid Growth
[20:11 – 21:47]
- Laster emphasizes “North Stars” to prevent mission drift:
- Visual & auditory learning leadership
- Customer centricity
- Attracting and retaining top talent
- Quote:
“Every organization needs to know its birthright and needs to stay true to it, but then adapt as opportunities and times change.” — Stephen Laster [21:27]
12. The Future of Learning with Panopto
[21:47 – 22:58]
- Laster’s take on future predictions is humble and pragmatic:
- Aspirational goal: Panopto should remain the go-to for best expertise and solutions for visual and auditory learners, flexing with whatever “state of the art” tools the future brings.
- Quote:
“What those features look like, I’ll tell you in five years.” — Stephen Laster [22:56]
13. Advice for Next-Gen EdTech Leaders
[22:58 – 24:06]
- Direct experience is irreplaceable—if you want to excel in building tools for educators, you must understand their work firsthand.
- Story: Laster was thrust into teaching, mentored by a faculty partner, which gave him deep empathy for the field.
- Quote:
“If you’re really going to be passionate about anything you’re making technology for, go do the job. There’s no substitute for experience of the persona you’re trying to serve.” — Stephen Laster [23:50]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the Human-AI Balance:
“We know teaching and learning are innately human, but technology can help scale it. And it’s at that apex that we infuse our AI into those workflows.” — Stephen Laster [09:43] -
On Overcoming Resistance:
“You have to create the conditions, number one, for people to learn... And then, number two, you have to create the conditions where smart failures are rewarded.” — Stephen Laster [19:19] -
On Institutional Culture:
“Every organization needs to know its birthright and needs to stay true to it, but then adapt as opportunities and times change.” — Stephen Laster [21:27] -
Practical Advice for EdTech Builders:
“If you’re really going to be passionate about anything you’re making technology for, go do the job. There’s no substitute for experience of the persona you’re trying to serve.” — Stephen Laster [23:50]
Timeline of Important Segments
- 01:55 – Stephen’s early life, dyslexia, and discovering technology
- 05:17 – Leadership takeaways from Harvard/Babson to product companies
- 06:49 – What Panopto is, its history, and core mission
- 08:24 – Human-centered AI and its application in learning
- 10:24 – Scaling knowledge sharing and institutional impact
- 12:19 – Current innovations: reducing costs, interoperability, informal learning
- 13:31 – Persistent industry gaps: faculty support and development
- 15:38 – Balancing innovation with real-world institutional constraints
- 17:31 – Macro learning trends in higher ed and business
- 19:18 – Overcoming resistance to new tech and fostering experimentation
- 20:36 – Culture, mission, and “north stars” at Panopto
- 22:04 – Five-year vision (or skepticism about it)
- 23:10 – Advice: get direct experience as an educator
Final Takeaways
- Laster’s approach prioritizes user empathy, deliberate experimentation, and a flexible-yet-focused institutional mission.
- AI should augment—not supplant—the human dimension of teaching and learning.
- Scalable, effective edtech demands continuous support for the people who deliver learning, not just better tech.
- For would-be edtech leaders: step into the educator’s shoes to truly make a difference.
This episode offers a compelling view from the frontlines of edtech transformation, blending practical wisdom, humility, and a clear-eyed optimism about the future of learning.