Education Insight

We have more information at our fingertips than ever before, but are we actually learning more? Cognitive psychologist Dr. Daniel Willingham joins Education Insight to explore the difference between consuming information and truly understanding it, and what it takes to turn what we hear, watch, and read into knowledge that lasts.

Grades have been a fixture of education for generations, but how much does an A, B, or C really tell us about what a student knows?

Joe Feldman, author of Grading for Equity, and Dr. Shantha Smith, CEO of Crescendo Education Group, join Education Insight to rethink some of the most familiar parts of grading. From late work and homework to test retakes and second chances, we explore what grades should actually measure, why changing long-standing practices can be controversial, and what a better approach to communicating student learning might look like.

When disagreements over identity, values, and belonging enter the classroom, how can schools move forward without making anyone feel unheard? Dr. Liza A. Talusan joins Education Insight to explore how educators and school leaders can navigate difficult conversations, understand where conflict comes from, and create communities where disagreement can lead to greater understanding.

Schools across the country are struggling to keep classrooms staffed, but what if the teacher shortage isn't just about finding more teachers? Dr. Richard Ingersoll of the University of Pennsylvania joins Education Insight to unpack what's really driving teachers out of the profession and what it might take to keep more of them in the classroom.

What can teenagers learn when education takes them beyond the classroom and into the wild? Dr. Anna Young, Vice President of Learning and Impact at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, joins Education Insight to explore how the Zoo Teens program is giving young people hands-on experiences with wildlife while building confidence, compassion, and skills that extend far beyond the zoo.

What if the things we measure in education aren’t the only things that matter? Dr. Yong Zhao joins Education Insight to explore what students need beyond academics and why preparing young people for life may require us to rethink how we define success.

What really makes a school the right fit for a child?

In this episode of Education Insight, Dr. Ashley Rogers Berner of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy joins us to unpack what school choice really means, what parents should look for beyond school rankings when comparing schools, and how families can navigate a growing number of educational options.

From neighborhood schools and private schools to education savings accounts and other models, we explore what parents should know before making one of the most important decisions for their child.

Why do so many students struggle to put their thoughts into writing?

In this episode of Education Insight, author and education journalist Natalie Wexler, co-author of The Writing Revolution 2.0, explains why strong writing begins at the sentence level, and why writing should be taught across every subject, not just English. We explore how writing strengthens learning and critical thinking, what students risk when they rely too heavily on AI, and why learning to communicate clearly in writing is a skill that lasts far beyond the classroom.

How can you tell what's true online when misinformation is everywhere?

In this episode of Education Insight, Stanford education professor emeritus Dr. Sam Wineburg shares practical strategies for evaluating online information, spotting misinformation, and becoming a more informed digital citizen. From viral social media posts and online scams to AI, digital literacy, and the future of student learning, Dr. Wineburg explains why critical thinking has never been more important and offers simple techniques that anyone can use to make better decisions about what to believe.

What if the classroom didn't have four walls? In this episode of Education Insight, Lacey Kendall speaks with Chris Bessonette, Head of School at Mountain Academy in Wyoming, where students learn through hands-on experiences in forests, mountains, and national parks. Discover how outdoor education is helping students build academic skills, solve real-world problems, and develop a deeper connection to the world around them.