Knowledge Sharing: KGL’s Sonny Regelman Discusses Educational Content Development
/by Mike Groth
KnowledgeWorks Global Ltd. has long provided product development services to the preK-12 and higher education markets, working with many of the big players in addition to smaller and niche education publishers. For the last several years, one of the key leaders of KGL’s Learning Solutions group has been Executive Director, Sonny Regelman, who has experienced working in this field both on the content provider side as well as the vendor side.
Recently, I interviewed Sonny on the ins and outs of educational content development, where publishers experience pain points that partners can solve, the digital transformation of the market accelerated by the pandemic, and what new initiatives are on the horizon for the industry.
MG: Tell us a bit about your current role.
SR: I lead the content development team at KGL for all education subject areas except math, including English/language arts, science, social studies, world languages, and higher-ed content. This means working closely with clients to understand their program requirements, then supporting the writing, editing, and project management teams to deliver their projects. The most exciting aspect for me is serving so many clients who are passionate about learning and education. The shared mission of the industry is to prepare the next generations for the workforce and society of the future.
MG: You work with major publishers such as McGraw Hill, HMH, and Cengage. What learning solutions does the company provide to this market?
SR: I started in the industry 26 years ago at Heinle & Heinle Publishers in Boston, which is now an imprint of Cengage. I was an editor and editorial leader at Pearson Education and Harcourt. KGL provides a full complement of content services to these publishers and ed-tech companies, starting with product conceptualization and leading all the way through the content development process—writing, editing, copyediting, fact-checking, accessibility, proofreading, and everything else. We see ourselves as an extension of a publisher’s internal team, so we can join a project at any point in the process and provide any services it needs. Our network of content development experts are so knowledgeable about developing educational materials. I am always learning something new, which I love because I’m a lifelong learner.
MG: What are some of the pain points preK-12 and higher education publishers experience creating and delivering content for students?
SR: Education is a sensitive ecosystem. Publishers and ed-tech organizations support schools, and at KGL, we support the publishers and ed-tech companies. Together, we pull together to deliver the content that learners need. For example, we work with ed-tech companies to develop content that reflects the standards. But if students within the districts don’t have access to devices or broadband, then the circle is not complete. I was impressed by some of the innovations I saw during the pandemic, such as districts deploying available school buses as wireless hubs within neighborhoods so that students could access digital learning and content.
MG: Has the last two years changed the way publishers look at digital content?
SR: The last two years changed so much about how education is delivered globally. Most publishers saw requests for their digital products skyrocket once remote learning became the norm. Ed-tech organizations were well-positioned for the circumstances. However, they didn’t anticipate that their own workforce would also have to be remote. As with most industries, publishers experienced trial by fire and rose to the challenge to meet the needs of their customers.
MG: How much do you consider accessibility when you are developing content?
SR: The industry has learned that it’s very challenging and costly to retrofit products for accessibility. A much stronger approach is to build in accessibility from the point of product conception. We call these products “born accessible.” We’re thinking about the needs of all learners, not just the mainstream, when conceptualizing products.
MG: Have you implemented any DEI initiatives to assure the content is appropriate for all users?
SR: At KGL, we have always maintained our own inclusivity guidelines. But in the past few years, our clients have begun emphasizing and sharing their guidelines with us. We have seen them create internal DEI boards comprised of experts and require training to ensure that content truly reflects all learners. I believe publishers and ed-tech companies, along with educators, are on the front lines of changing attitudes in society. It’s exciting to be a part of this thought leadership.
MG: What do you like to do in your spare time when you’re not helping publishers develop and deliver educational content?
SR: I recently finished my MBA, so that took up most of my spare time! I also teach online writing classes and am on the board of the Austin Poetry Society. I enjoy hanging out with Whiskey, my rescue pitbull mix, and I spend most evenings at my local krav maga gym.
Sonny Regelman is the Executive Director of Learning Solutions at KnowledgeWorks Global Ltd. She brings over 25 years of experience in content development and leadership in preK-12, higher ed, and professional development. She is responsible for content development in English/Language Arts, science, social studies, world languages, and higher ed. She can be reached at info@kwglobal.com.
