Mathieu G. Skulason | Founder & CEO | Evolytes
Mathieu G. Skulason is the founder and CEO of Evolytes, a math learning platform that aims to teach mathematics faster and more effectively through a fun, adaptive, and engaging approach. With high-quality game design at its core, Evolytes makes learning math as enjoyable as playing games. The platform is widely used, with over 80% of schools in Iceland integrating it into their curriculum. Evolytes is also expanding into other regions, including the Nordics, Latin America, India, and the United States. We at EliteX, are proud to introduce Mathieu G. Skulason as one of the Transformational Leaders in EdTech 2024.
Skulason’s entry into the educational technology (EdTech) field was driven by a passion for transforming education to meet the demands of modern society. With a background in computational mathematics, software engineering, and psychology, he has always been intrigued by how technology can enhance learning. He believes the current education system, which dates back to the first industrial revolution, needs significant modernization. This outdated system creates a gap between the school experience and life outside of school, leading to student disengagement. Skulason emphasizes the importance of utilizing the latest technological advancements to create more engaging and effective learning experiences, fostering a lifelong love for learning.
“We need to remember that we created the school system, any system really, and therefore we can change it. It isn’t bigger than us. It is us.”
In the context of EdTech, Skulason defines transformational leadership as pioneering innovative solutions that revolutionize education delivery and experience. It involves inspiring and empowering educators and learners to embrace new technologies and methodologies that enhance educational outcomes. Transformational leaders in EdTech are not just adapting to changes; they are driving them, creating a vision for the future of education that is inclusive, dynamic, and responsive to today’s learners’ needs. This leadership approach aims to modernize the entire education system, not just individual classrooms.
Over the past few years, Skulason has witnessed significant changes in the EdTech landscape. The global pandemic accelerated the adoption of EdTech solutions, which was beneficial for the industry but also posed challenges. The rapid, force-fed integration of these solutions into school systems led to inconsistencies in results, not due to the products themselves but due to insufficient implementation and training. Skulason stresses the importance of recognizing these effects to avoid a backlash against the digitalization of schools. To bridge the gap between schools and modern society, Skulason advocates for increased emphasis on personalized learning. Technology should be used to tailor educational experiences to individual student needs, not just on paper but in reality. He believes that the focus should not solely be on the latest buzzworthy technologies like VR, AR, or AI, but on creating effective, scalable, and accessible learning tools that deliver practical results.
Skulason emphasizes that the ultimate goal is to get children to love learning, not because they have to, but because they want to. This approach will foster a generation of smart and effective individuals who will contribute to a healthy society, whether physically, socially, or economically. As leaders in the EdTech field, Skulason believes it is their responsibility to remember this fundamental principle. Mathieu G. Skulason provides specific examples of how his leadership has transformed aspects of the EdTech industry, particularly through the development and implementation of adaptive learning algorithms in the Evolytes platform. These algorithms assess each student’s unique learning pace and style, dynamically adjusting the difficulty and type of problems presented to optimize their learning experience. This approach has significantly improved student engagement and outcomes, leading to the widespread adoption of the platform in Icelandic schools and its growing popularity internationally.
“Transformational leaders in EdTech are not just adapting to changes; they are driving those changes, creating a vision for the future of education that is inclusive, dynamic, and responsive to the needs of today’s learners.”
A crucial aspect of Skulason’s leadership is shifting the focus from educators and school entities to the students. Everything Evolytes does revolves around the student, aiming to develop a positive mindset, strong sense of curiosity, and confidence. Skulason believes these are the most important qualities for future success. By ensuring students thrive, he ensures schools thrive as well. Evolytes is not just a trendy EdTech tool but a research-driven platform. Every aspect of the platform is supported by psychological principles and research results. This approach has not only yielded better results but has also managed to make even the most reluctant students positive towards learning mathematics.
One of the key challenges facing the integration of technology in education today, according to Skulason, is ensuring equitable access to technology for all students, regardless of their socio-economic background. There is also resistance to change within educational institutions, especially from systemic structures rather than classroom teachers. Skulason emphasizes that systems are created by people and can be changed by people. Recognizing this can lead to a more open mindset and meaningful changes. To stay updated with the latest trends and innovations in EdTech, Skulason regularly attends industry conferences and reads leading journals and publications. He believes in continuous learning and staying curious, not just within EdTech but across various fields like tech, psychology, pedagogy, and even unrelated areas. This approach helps avoid echo chambers and promotes a holistic understanding of interconnected networks.
Measuring the impact and effectiveness of EdTech initiatives on student learning outcomes is crucial for Skulason. Evolytes employs a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, including tracking student performance data, such as improvement in test scores and completion rates, and collecting feedback from students, teachers, and parents. Regular studies validate their approaches and enable data-driven improvements to the platform. For aspiring leaders looking to make a difference in the EdTech industry, Skulason advises staying passionate and committed to their vision. Understanding the needs of educators and students and continually iterating and improving solutions is essential. Building a strong team with diverse skills and perspectives is also crucial. Skulason highlights the importance of fostering a love for learning in children through educational products that are effective, engaging, and accessible in practice.
In future, Skulason envisions an education system that is highly personalized, flexible, and accessible to everyone. Transformative leadership in EdTech is about designing products that foster systemic change, effectively integrating advanced technologies to create engaging and effective learning environments that promote critical thinking, creativity, and a lifelong love for learning.
“Our platform leverages high-quality game design, making learning math as enjoyable as playing the games children choose for fun.”