{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Proving Grounds ","title":"Prototype to Policy with Waymond Jackson & Kai Frazier: Innovation in Action","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/3653909a\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2868,"description":"\nOn Proving Grounds, host Kristina Francis talks with Waymond Jackson, President of EdFarm, and Kai Frazier, Founder & CEO of Kai XR, in this very first episode, about how Birmingham’s learning ecosystem helps edtech tools move from prototype to real classroom impact. They unpack how EdFarm’s innovation challenges and teacher fellow network created a true proving ground for Kai XR — testing immersive career exploration, AI literacy, and multisensory learning with real teachers and students.\n\nFrom reshaping VR lessons to fit 15–20 minute class periods, to building teacher confidence, to discovering unexpected gains for students with IEPs, this episode reveals what it actually takes to make edtech work across classrooms, communities, and workforce pipelines.\n\nKey Moments\n\n\n02:00 Birmingham’s uniquely connected learning ecosystem\n03:56 How EdFarm became a community-driven engine for digital skills\n05:24 Kai’s journey from teacher to tech founder\n07:03 The Future of Learning Summit and spark for a proving ground\n12:36 Building Kai XR as a device-agnostic VR/metaverse platform\n14:37 What the Birmingham pilot taught about timing and lesson length\n16:16 Why teacher mindset and confidence matter as much as technology\n21:34 Lessons from the “learn and pivot” culture with school leaders\n23:22 How Kai XR evolved from a tool to a full career + AI literacy solution\n24:37 Surprising impact on students with IEPs in a multi-sensory environment\n30:07 What leaders should consider in a post-AI world\n33:22 Pricing, procurement, and creative paths beyond traditional school sales\n\n\nWhy You’ll Love This Episode\n\nA concise, practical look at how real classrooms shape edtech — and what it takes to design solutions, pilots, and ecosystems that actually improve learning and economic mobility.\n\nConnect with Waymond Jackson | President, EdFarm\n\nLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/l-waymond-jackson-jr-a038a587/\nWebsite: https://www.edfarm.org/ \n\nConnect with Kai Frazier | Founder & CEO, Kai...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/y_9vxiurN8Vwo1uZMFYMd9t7zSbO1CGnPi3doWfcji8/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80MjZl/ZGFkZGM3MDgzODg4/MzAwNjlhNTY2MTAw/NzI1Yy5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}