Thanks for articulating this problem so well. I have dabbled in EdTech ideas as side projects but have always faced the dilemma you mentioned -- if you build it for schools districts, parents, you could make money but then you loose the purpose of teaching.

Technologies like ChatGPT etc. promised to revolutionized Ed-Tech but in my opinion have miserably failed (except if you count getting answers to your homework problems without trying revolutionary)

I also think that a lot of EdTech products and a lot of Youtube channels are also catering to "pop science" with videos on diverse topics. But we still lack a product that could teach someone say Calculus or Kinematics

Another area where technology has failed is the ability to understand where the student is struggling. And I don't mean evaluating them and putting them on basic, advanced, etc. levels. But say you are stuck on a Calculus problems and have made some progress, a teacher would be able to look at your solution and guide you effectively. Even current AI solutions will give you a generic hint (at best).

So your thoughts totally resonate -- EdTech truly is a tech disappointment. I am beginning to think that it is maybe not Tech but perhaps we do not fully understand the idea of learning OR maybe the current technologies are not built for learning.

I would love to hear thoughts from this community.

I spent a decade in edtech. It's an area where I have much passion, but it's not something I can do if money is my goal.