The International Schools Podcast

175 - Connection, Not Exclusion: A Conversation with Simone Isaacs and Carina Schmitz

In this episode, John McDon interviews Simone Isaacs, Director of Customer Success, and Karina Schmitz, Global Marketing team member, from No Isolation about their AV1 telepresence robot. They explain how AV1 provides "warm technology" that gives absent students a physical presence in the classroom, fostering social connection and belonging beyond academic content. Real‑world examples, such as a student with severe anorexia who completed her exams via AV1, illustrate the impact on learning continuity and emotional wellbeing. The discussion also clarifies that the robot relies on simple telepresence tech—not AI—and highlights its reliable Wi‑Fi/4G connectivity and ease of use for schools.