The Business of Education | S01E19 | Noam Gerstein

Summary

Noam Gerstein, CEO of Bina, discusses their tech-based methodology for delivering customized learning at scale for primary students. Bina offers full education for kids aged four to 12, with a comprehensive curriculum and experience. They operate in multiple time zones and teach thematically, focusing on different biomes or habitats. The classes are small, with up to seven kids, and the educators have at least a master's in education. Bina aims to create a multicultural learning environment where kids from different cultures and even war-torn regions can study together and build friendships. They teach five synchronous hours a day, five days a week, and use a curriculum that covers standards from the UK, US, and Australia. The conversation explores the importance of language and bilingualism, the need for innovation in education, and the power of networking. Noam emphasizes the business aspect of language learning and the benefits of bilingualism in shaping the mind and offering different perspectives. Kyle shares his personal journey into education and the realization of the importance of literacy. They discuss the limitations of traditional education systems and the potential of technology to revolutionize learning. They also highlight the role of teachers and the need for collaboration and networking in making a difference.

Takeaways

- Bina offers full education for kids aged four to 12, with a comprehensive curriculum and experience.
They operate in multiple time zones and teach thematically, focusing on different biomes or habitats.
Bina aims to create a multicultural learning environment where kids from different cultures and even war-torn regions can study together and build friendships.
They teach five synchronous hours a day, five days a week, and use a curriculum that covers standards from the UK, US, and Australia. Language learning is a business decision based on the number of language speakers in the market and the needs of customers.
Bilingualism shapes the mind and offers different ways of looking at the world.
Traditional education systems are outdated and need innovation to adapt to the changing world.
Technology has the potential to revolutionize education by providing real-time data and personalized learning experiences.
Teachers play a crucial role in education, and collaboration and networking are essential for making a difference.

Sound Bites

"If we educate our children together, we are marching towards a better world."
"Kids benefit tremendously from differentiated needs within a classroom."
"We can do wonders in the digital realm with a deep understanding of what students know and can do."
"There's just a number of specific language speakers in the world or within your market."
"Bilingualism at the very least to offer to any child."
"Education has a foundation."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Noam Gerstein and Bina

04:37 Noam's Background and Journey

08:35 Creating a Multicultural Learning Environment

11:49 Structure and Hours of Bina's Program

15:30 Smart Matching Students and Time Zones

23:18 The Business of Language Learning

26:33 Innovation in Education

30:33 The Power of Literacy

37:39 The Potential of Technology in Education

42:32 The Role of Teachers in Education

45:09 The Power of Collaboration and Networking

About Noam
Noam is the founder and CEO of Bina, a groundbreaking platform delivering customized, live online education for primary school students globally. With a strong background in journalism, she previously wrote for Walla! and Maariv, exploring how restaurants worldwide reflect local cultures.

Noam’s educational journey began with a diploma in entrepreneurship from Financial College in Herzliya, Israel, followed by studies in the history and philosophy of science and technology at Tel Aviv University. From 2013 to 2019, she dedicated six years to researching primary school education worldwide, interviewing students, teachers, administrators, and parents to identify pain points and best practices.

This extensive research led to the creation of Bina, a precision education platform designed to optimize teachers' time, allowing them to focus on personalized, human-centered teaching. Bina currently operates in a closed beta with paying families across five time zones and is soon expanding to include HR departments, demonstrating its growing reach and impact.

Connect with Noam

LinkedIn: [@noamgerstein]
X: [@gerstein_noam]

Company Website: www.thebinaschool.com