Getting Smart Podcast

Today the team is talking with Peter Janzow, the current Vice President of Business Development for Credly, and the co-founder of Winterlake Press.

Peter started his education career as a textbook salesman, 35 years ago. When it looked like the digital revolution would bring print to an end, Peter built an auto-grading platform and licensed it to publishers. He sold the company and then got laid off. He found himself with a lot of skills and great experiences but no credentials. That fueled a passion for lifelong learning and ways to communicate new capabilities. In 2014, Peter helped Pearson VUE launch a claim: a credentialing platform based on the open badge standard. Last year, venture-backed Credly acquired a claim, making the combined entity a global leader in digital credentialing. Now, Peter leads business development and partnership development, including businesses like Dell, IBM, and Oracle, which use Credly to turn knowledge, skills, and abilities into a common, verified language. They enable colleges and industry associations to help learners connect with employers. Credly is at the forefront of a global movement toward lifelong learning and skills-based hiring.

Peter works with a lot of corporate clients where digital badges have really become the way that people are framing their lifelong learning and communicating their capabilities. There's plenty of evidence that badges are already catching on in both the corporate and the education side. Tune in to hear today's conversation with Peter and Tom Vander Ark to learn all about how badges are used and why they are a big deal!

Key Takeaways:

[:15] About today's episode.

[1:30] Tom welcomes Peter Janzow to the podcast.

[1:37] How did a history major become a textbook salesman 35 years ago?

[2:24] Peter reflects on his experience building Brownstone Learning.

[5:23] When did Peter first start thinking about and learning about badges and micro-credentials?

[8:27] Peter talks about his experience with helping Pearson launch a claim around 2014.

[9:00] With Credly being around since 2012, did Peter have any visibility to them at the time?

[10:18] Was there some investment when Credly acquired a claim?

[11:55] Peter provides some evidence and examples that micro-credentials and badges are really catching on in both corporate and education.

[18:23] Peter speaks about the importance of badges for work-readiness skills that can be added to a transcript and the projects they are working on to help push them forward.

[20:08] Does Peter see micro-credentials and badges replacing courses and grades as the primary way that we communicate capabilities or are they complementary?

[21:19] Peter gives his take on the perspective by critics that micro-credentials and badges are inherently reductionist; that they work for a few technical skills but they don't work well for deeper learning and critical thinking.

[23:17] When Peter thinks about designing learning experiences and creating digital credentials around those, what does he think would be the right grain size?

[26:06] About ACE and Credly's Working Transcript Project and how it can be applied.

[27:06] What's next for Credly? What is Peter working on?

[29:00] Where to learn more about digital credentials and Peter Janzow!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Peter Janzow

Winterlake Press

Pearson VUE

Credly

ACE/Credly Working Transcript Project

Twitter @Credly

Twitter @PJanzow

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Today, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Richard Barth, CEO of KIPP and Chairman of the Board at Braven. Prior to these roles, he also worked with Teach for America from 1989-1996, was President of District Partnerships for Edison Schools for seven years, and served as a Member of the Board at General Assembly.

After helping Teach for America get off to a good start, Richard Barth married the founder and CEO, Wendy Kopp. Richard went to work for a school developer and in 2005, he joined a foundation supporting a fledgling charter school network called KIPP. Richard has facilitated the growth from 40 schools to 224 schools, serving almost 100,000 students, nationwide. Along the way, Richard and the KIPP team have learned a lot about getting young people into and through college. They learned about the importance of helping students, as well as how to help them leave high school with a passion, a purpose, and a plan.

Listen in to today's conversation as Richard speaks to Tom about the lessons he has learned while leading KIPP!

Key Takeaways:

[:14] About today's podcast with Richard Barth.

[:58] Tom welcomes Richard to the podcast!

[1:12] Why did Richard originally joined the start-up, Teach for America, in 1989?

[5:28] Richard recounts the KIPP origin story from when it was first founded in 1994.

[8:03] Richard explains how he has seen the KIPP organization mature over the years since he joined in 2005.

[13:16] Since 10 years ago, KIPP began to get their first college completion data but it wasn't as high as they had anticipated. Since then, how have Richard and his colleagues worked towards improving college-going rates as well as college completion rates?

[19:07] About KIPP's incredible commitment to supporting graduates while they're in college.

[22:01] What could higher institutions be doing to help KIPP's students and other students finish college?

[25:48] In addition to KIPP's efforts to improve college completion, KIPP has also made efforts to improve teaching and learning. Richard summarizes some of the strides they've made there!

[28:50] Richard gives his thoughts on how serving as a Board Member of General Assembly has made him think differently about learning and post-secondary opportunities.

[34:58] As more and more students move into work and learn ladders, how does KIPP help them in school and make good decisions about their career once they're out of school?

[36:30] Richard speaks about the exciting non-profit he is the Chairman of the Board for — Braven.

[39:12] Tom thanks Richard for joining the Getting Smart Podcast!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Richard Barth (LinkedIn)

Teach for America

KIPP Foundation Gates Foundation

General Assembly

Braven

Edison Schools (now Edison Learning)

For More on Teach for America, Check Out Last Week's Episode:

Episode 212: ""

If You'd Like to Hear More on Productive Charter Schools and District Relationships, Listen to Episode 65: "Backstabber to Lovetrain: Don Shalvey on District-Charter Relations"

Get Involved:

Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com.

Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.

Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered?

To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include 'Podcast' in the subject line.

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Today the Getting Smart team is speaking with Elisa Villanueva Beard, Teach for America's CEO since 2015.

Imagine following one of the most recognizable CEOs in the world and taking on an organization that was shrinking and was facing financial and political pressure. Elisa did just that in 2013, following Wendy Kopp as CEO of Teach for America. She cut 40% from the central budget and rejuvenated the organization, ensuring that all 51 TFA programs are connected to their local community. Today, more than 7,000 members reach more than 400,000 students in 2500 schools across America. Of the 53,000 alumni, 85% work in education or careers serving low-income communities — that includes over 1200 school leaders, 400 school system leaders, 500 policy and advocacy leaders, and 200 social entrepreneurs! TFA has an amazing legacy of leadership. And for Elisa, it all started by responding to the opportunity to teach in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1998.

Tune in to hear all about Elisa's unique journey; what she has learned over the years working at TFA in her roles as Chief Operating Director, Co-CEO, and CEO; some of the early challenges she faced with the organization and how she has overcome them; what she has learned about organizational leadership; and what she believes are the key elements for effective teacher preparation and development today.

Key Takeaways:

[:14] About today's episode with Elisa Villanueva Beard.

[1:25] Tom welcomes Elisa to the podcast!

[1:33] How did Elisa make her way to Bethune Elementary School in 1998?

[2:15] Why did Elisa decide to stick with Teach for America and take on a leadership role?

[4:39] What does Teach for America offer to college students today?

[6:53] Elisa explains what Teach for America's mission is all about.

[9:43] During Elisa's years as the Chief Operating Officer from 2001-2013, what were some of the big challenges?

[13:30] Around 2013, Elisa took over as Co-CEO for Wendy Kopp. What does she remember from that time and her transition into the role as CEO?

[15:28] Elisa speaks about some of the early challenges she faced as a new CEO to the organization.

[19:52] How does Elisa think about TFA's movement today?

[20:54] Having been in the education space for almost 20 years, how does Elisa think about effective teacher preparation and development today? What does she believe are the key elements?

[23:35] What has Elisa learned over the last decade about organizational leadership?

[27:34] What kinds of talents and dispositions does Elisa look for in regional leaders?

[29:52] What's next for TFA?

[31:51] Where to learn more about TFA!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Elisa Villanueva Beard (LinkedIn)

Teach for America

For More on Teacher Preparation, Listen to:

Episode 191 with leaders from Northeastern University and Episode 188 with James Tracey from Woodrow Wilson Academy of Teaching and Learning at MIT.

Get Involved:

Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com.

Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.

Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered?

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Today on the Getting Smart Podcast, the team is speaking with Paul Johnson, the 17th President of the Colorado School of Mines. Paul is also a global leader in education and research in engineering and science. He's set out to solve the world's challenges related to earth, energy, and the environment!

Johnson began his career at Shell Development Company in Houston, working as a Senior Research Engineer on environmental projects over six years. After that (and prior to Mines) he taught and served as the Dean at Arizona State University for 20-plus years.

In today's discussion with Tom, Johnson describes dramatic improvements in student learning experiences across the campus — including more interactive and project-based learning, as well as having more students engaged in the issues of ethics and social responsibility.

Key Takeaways:

[:15] About today's episode.

[1:04] Tom welcomes Paul to the podcast!

[1:11] Paul speaks about his early education and why he decided to go to UC Davis for his B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering.

[3:30] What initially attracted Paul to work at Shell?

[4:43] What kind of problems did Paul work on at Shell?

[6:04] Did Paul get any exposure to Shell's scenario planning (which it became widely known for)?

[6:49] What drove Paul's career shift back to academia?

[7:50] What is it like to go to school today — and particularly at Mines?

[9:46] Who goes to school now? How has the student body changed over the years?

[11:23] About the complex issues and systems Mines's graduates are getting into, and how Mines prepares them for that.

[15:45] Innovation often triggers a set of ethical issues or tough community choices. What role do engineers play in helping to inform the public dialogue about innovation?

[17:57] 40 years ago, there wasn't a lot of focus on humanities or communication abilities in the curriculum — how has that changed today?

[19:14] What is Mines's perspective on the subject of sustainability?

[21:33] What developments or coming innovations is Paul most excited about?

[25:35] What did Paul learn from Michael Crow at ASU?

[26:37] What does it mean to Paul that Mines is a part of the KEEN network?

[31:09] Having been with Mines for four years now, what is Paul particularly proud of that he has accomplished with the team so far?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Paul Johnson (LinkedIn)

Colorado School of Mines

Shell Development Company

Arizona State University

Michael Crow from ASU

KEEN

Want to Learn More?

Check out Episode 191 on Northeastern University and how they're transforming educator preparation. For more about computing across the curriculum, listen to Episode 190 with Dr. Amon Millner from Olin College.

Get Involved:

Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com.

Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.

Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered?

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In this week's episode, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Greg Smith, a former Professor of Teacher Education at Lewis & Clark for 28 years.

Greg's background with teaching in a Quaker school in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains gave him a powerful sense of place — both in meaning and community. It drew students into mutual responsibility, social justice, peace, and environmental responsibility. He took that spirit into his Ph.D. studies at the University of Wisconsin and then into a teaching career at Portland, Oregon's Lewis & Clark, where he taught 'Envisioning a Sustainable Society' and the 'Theory and Practice of Environmental and Ecological Education.'

Together, Greg and Tom serve on the Advisory Committee at the Teton Science Schools — a leader in place-based education. At an April meeting, Tom noticed a new sense of urgency about climate change in Greg's advice. When he inquired, Greg said that he had been part of a climate change study group for several years and that a growing number of books said the situation is far worse than people think. In addition to climate change, Greg has compiled a list of several important books and papers that he reviews with Tom in this podcast. Listen in as they discuss his background, climate change, and these several important books and papers!

Key Takeaways:

[:14] About today's episode.

[1:28] Tom welcomes Greg Smith to the podcast!

[1:45] Greg speaks about the Quaker school in California that led to his appreciation of the power of place.

[3:32] Greg speaks about his observations over the last two years and his growing concern about climate change.

[6:06] Greg summarizes and gives his thoughts on David Wallace-Wells' book, The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming.

[8:54] Tom and Greg discuss Elizabeth Rush's book, Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore.

[12:25] Greg explains both Dahr Jamail and Jem Bendell's vision of our future due to climate change.

[16:36] Greg and Tom look at a slightly more helpful vision of climate change: The Archipelago of Hope.

[20:36] Greg gives his thoughts on perhaps the most optimistic book on climate change: Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming, by Paul Hawken.

[25:15] As a longtime teacher of ecology, Greg gives his advice to teachers on how they can better educate and inform students about the world they are going to inherit.

[30:18] Greg explains the sentiment — that his crisis should be responded to in love rather than in fear — that he expressed at the recent Advisory Committee meeting at Teton Science Schools.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Greg Smith

Quaker Education

University of Wisconsin

Lewis & Clark

Teton Science Schools

John Woolman School

The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming, by David Wallace-Wells

New America

New York Magazine

Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore, by Elizabeth Rush

Brown University

The End of Ice: Bearing Witness and Finding Meaning in the Path of Climate Disruption, by Dahr Jamail

Dahr Jamail on Truthout

Jem Bendell on Deep Adaptation (Video)

"Deep Adaptation: A Map for Navigating ClimateTragedy," by Jem Bendell (Paper)

The Archipelago of Hope: Wisdom and Resilience from the Edge of Climate Change, by Gleb Raygorodetsky

Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?, by Bill McKibben

Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming, by Paul Hawken

Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Social Movement in History Is Restoring Grace, Justice, and Beauty to the World, by Paul Hawken

"100 Solutions to Reverse Global Warming," TED Talk Video by Chad Frischmann

The City of Portland's Climate Action Plan

Want to Hear More?

Check out episode 168 where Tom, Emily, and Nate McClennon give you a tour of the Teton Science Schools and its important history in environmental education!

Get Involved:

Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com.

Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.

Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered?

To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include 'Podcast' in the subject line.

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Today, the Getting Smart team is speaking with Dr. Scott McLeod, an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Colorado Denver. Scott has been in the ed-tech space and an advocate for many years and is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading experts on technology in learning. Most of his work with schools and leaders across the globe have been focused on transformation for the demands of the 2000s and beyond, as well as how to adapt traditional schooling systems to a global innovation society. Scott is also the Founding Director of the UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE), which is the only university center focused on future-ready leadership needs and supporting school leaders and systems to do that work (not just teachers in the classroom.)

In today's podcast, Scott argues for four big shifts that are transforming learning: moving from recall to more complex problem solving, doing authentic work, adding voice and choice to build student agency, and infusing technology in powerful ways. He also describes the work that he did helping schools nationally implement technology, shares his thoughts on leadership and deeper learning, and how technology can help create powerful learning experiences.

Key Takeaways:

[:15] About today's episode.

[:49] Tom welcomes Scott to the podcast!

[:54] How did Scott become a middle school teacher in Charlotte?

[1:12] Where did Scott go to high school?

[1:20] When did Scott know he wanted to become a teacher?

[1:42] Why did Scott get his Ph.D. at Iowa?

[2:35] How has Scott's law degree given him a unique perspective on the work he does today?

[3:24] Why has the shift from print to digital in the last (approx.) 30 years not been the huge transformation in learning Tom once thought it would be?

[5:36] Why hasn't this shift to digital been able to create a new shared vision of learning for teachers?

[7:29] Would Scott describe this shift in education as more of a technology integration rather than a transformation?

[10:30] Scott describes the work that he did at Iowa (and internationally) to implement technology.

[13:02] Scott explains why he wrote his recently published book, Harnessing Technology for Deeper Learning. He also elaborates on what limitations he wanted to address through the book.

[16:30] Why is deeper learning taking off?

[20:50] What does the 4 Shifts Protocol look like in an elementary lesson?

[23:13] How might Scott redesign a secondary Social Studies lesson?

[25:47] How would Scott summarize Chapter 6 from his book on mind-shifts teachers need to have.

[27:01] Lightning round: Does Scott think these things are overrated or underrated? Augmented reality, automated scoring, adaptive learning, assistive technology, artificial intelligence, and anywhere-anytime learning!

[30:35] What is Scott optimistic about right now in education?

[32:12] Where to go to learn more about Scott and his work.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Scott McLeod's LinkedIn

Education Week's Technology Counts Survey

Different Schools for a Different World, by Scott McLeod and Dean Shareski

Harnessing Technology for Deeper Learning, by Scott McLeod and Julie Graber

Getting Smart Ep.151: "Michael Fullan Sees Global Momentum for Deep Learning"

4 Shifts Protocol

Mystery Skype

"Contribution: Schools Alive with Possibility," by Tom Vander Ark on Getting Smart

DangerouslyIrrelevant.org

Want to Hear More About Deeper Learning?

Check out Episode 203 with Jal Mehta that features a discussion based on his new book:

In Search of Deeper Learning: The Quest to Remake the American High School.

Get Involved:

Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com.

Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.

Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered?

To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include 'Podcast' in the subject line.

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In this week's episode, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Esther Wojcicki, an internationally-known educator, consultant, and speaker with a demonstrated history of working in the e-learning industry. She is the Chief Learning Officer at Planet3, the Founder of the Journalistic Learning Initiative in collaboration with the University of Oregon, an Advisory Board member at THNK, The Amsterdam School of Creative Leadership, a Plenary Speaker at UNESCO, and a teacher at Palo Alto High School since 1984 who shaped their journalism program from the ground up! On top of all this (and many more organizations and initiatives she is a part of), she is also the author of two successful books, Moonshots in Education: Launching Blended Learning in the Classroom and How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results.

Esther's most recent book, How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results, published just this May, outlines the key values of successful homes (or schools, programs, or companies) through the principles of her acronym: T.R.I.C.K: Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness. And while honing her craft as an educator, Wojcicki was raising three daughters using these same principles.

In this podcast, Esther discusses how she helped shape writing and journalism at Palo Alto High School as a teacher; what she believes to have been the key ingredients to the current success of Palo Alto and its journalism program; the conditions at Palo Alto that allow a world-class journalism program to exist; and how to create a culture of tradition and excellence in both the home, in the classroom, and in your business. She also shares important key takeaways from her new book and the important life lessons she has shared with her children that have helped shape them into the successful individuals they are today!

Key Takeaways:

[:12] About today's episode and Getting Smart's new team member, Mason Pashia!

[:29] Mason speaks about the values of his family that have impacted his life and career today.

[1:10] About today's guest, Esther Wojcicki.

[1:54] Tom welcomes Esther to the podcast!

[2:36] Where and how did Esther's passion for journalism first begin?

[4:29] Does Esther recall having good writing instruction in high school?

[5:59] Did Esther have good writing experiences at Berkeley?

[6:38] Why did Esther decide to begin studying French?

[7:41] What was the state of student writing and journalism when Esther began as a teacher at Palo Alto High School in 1984?

[10:44] About the physical space Esther was teaching in back in 1984 at Palo Alto.

[11:22] About the current incredible space that is Palo Alto!

[12:12] What does Esther believe to have been the key ingredients to the current success of Palo Alto and its journalism program.

[14:03] Esther describes how students can progress into leadership roles in the various publications.

[17:11] Esther summarizes the conditions that allow a world-class program such as the journalism program at Palo Alto to exist.

[19:55] Esther speaks about the culture at Palo Alto where students receive the majority of their feedback from their peers.

[21:35] Tom and Esther discuss how Palo Alto's academic programs create a culture and tradition of excellence.

[23:17] Esther speaks about her first book, Moonshots in Education, and explains what the Moonshot Manifesto is all about!

[24:52] Esther speaks about the Journalistic Learning Initiative she created in collaboration with the University of Oregon.

[26:49] From her book, How to Raise Successful People, Esther explains her important acronym, T.R.I.C.K, that are the key values crucial to raising successful children, a successful classroom, and managing a successful company.

[34:42] Should parents set high expectations for their children with regards to both behavior and achievement?

[36:50] Have Esther and her family traveled a lot? If so, has it benefited them?

[38:02] Have Esther or her daughters developed useful tech management tools around screen time?

[39:44] How are the performing arts and visual arts important for children?

[40:54] Esther gives her recommendations on when and how to expose children to the world of work.

[42:45] When did Esther let her girls know that she was writing a book on how to raise successful people?

[44:10] Tom thanks Esther for joining him this podcast!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Mason Pashia — Getting Smart's new Growth & Marketing Manager

How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results, by Esther Wojcicki

ASU GSV Summit

Palo Alto High School

Moonshots.org

Moonshots in Education: Blended Learning in the Classroom, by Esther Wojcicki, Lance Izumi, and Alicia Chang

Journalistic Learning Initiative

Get Involved:

Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com.

Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.

Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered?

To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include 'Podcast' in the subject line.

The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

This week, your host Caroline Vander Ark is speaking with Dr. Robert Dillon about learning space design. Robert is an author, speaker, consultant, educator, and a lifelong learner. He has served as an educational leader throughout the Saint Louis area over the last twenty years as a teacher, principal, and Director of Innovation. Currently, he serves the students and community of the School District of University City as Director of Innovation Learning.

Robert Dillon has a passion to change the educational landscape by building excellent engaging schools for all students. He is also the author of four books on best practices in learning, with his newest being, The Space: A Guide for Educators, which focuses on how to create creative spaces for learning. In this book, he pulls from his experiences as a middle school principal for 15 years at an expeditionary learning school. There, he saw that students were able to take their learning opportunities at EL and expand them into other parts of their lives. Aside from sharing great information, the book is also beautifully designed. It's the type of book where you want to doodle in it, jot down ideas, and share it with others!

Be sure to tune in to listen to Caroline's and Robert's conversation as they talk more about designing systems that work for all learners! You don't want to miss Robert's take on why space matters and how it plays such a big role in learning, where you can start as an educator who wants to create a learning space with their students, how a great learning space addresses the needs of all learners, and the design principles Robert thinks all fantastic learning spaces should have.

Key Takeaways:

[:14] About today's episode.

[1:01] Caroline welcomes Robert to the Getting Smart Podcast!

[1:17] Robert shares a bit of the process behind the creation, layout, and design of his book, The Space.

[2:08] Why does space matter? Why does it play such a big role in learning?

[2:58] Where can you start as an educator who wants to create a learning space with their students?

[5:27] What does it mean to have students as co-designers of the space?

[6:50] What happens if the space you create with your students does not contribute to their learning in a positive way? What step should you, as the educator, take then?

[8:15] How classroom culture plays a big role in building a space.

[8:50] How has Robert seen great learning spaces address the needs of learners? And how has he seen great teachers use space to focus on equity?

[10:10] Robert offers tips and resources for teachers on how to manage their space and build classroom culture.

[11:39] Why are learning spaces an important part of students sharing their learning?

[14:40] Robert highlights an important component of learning spaces: time for quiet and building reflection time.

[16:02] Robert shares some of his favorite examples of learning spaces around the country.

[17:49] Basic design principles or structures Robert thinks each classroom should have.

[19:21] Robert gives advice for educators that maybe need to convince the leadership at the school to pilot a revamp of the learning space in their classroom.

[20:55] Robert speaks about how he sees technology woven into the design of great learning spaces.

[22:37] How has Robert seen some of the principles from learning spaces apply to communities?

[26:41] How can parents begin to think about learning spaces in the home?

[29:44] Where to learn more about Robert and his work online.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Dr. Robert Dillon

The Space: A Guide for Educators, by Rebecca Lousie Hare and Robert Dillon

The University of Melbourne, Australia

@DrRobertDillon on Twitter

#LearningSpaces on Twitter

#ActiveLearning on Twitter

Menlo Park Academy

St. Andrew's Episcopal School

Dr. Robert Dillon on LinkedIn

Get Involved:

Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com.

Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.

Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered?

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Today the team is talking with Vince Bertram, the President and CEO of Project Lead The Way (PLTW), a nonprofit organization that provides transformative learning experiences for PK–12 students and teachers across the U.S.

Vince grew up in a small town east of Indianapolis, where his teachers inspired him to study education. After serving as a Principal in several schools, Bertram served as Superintendent in a southern Indiana district. Eight years ago, Bertram took on the leadership of Project Lead the Way, which began as a small nonprofit STEM curriculum provider. Today, PLTW serves 12,000 U.S. PK–12 schools and helps prepare millions of young people for high wage employment.

In today's episode, Tom Vander Ark and Vince Bertram the growing impact that PLTW has on millions of students and the details of each of their pathways and programs from PreK–grade 12. They also speak about the work they've done to make PLTW more accessible and equitable, some of the new assessments they will be piloting this year (and how they will become a part of the core offering), the power of STEM and transportable skills, and key learnings from Vince's book, Dream Differently.

Vince is absolutely dedicated to transforming the PK-12 education system to ensure it prepares students to succeed in work and life. Tune in to hear all that he is doing and get the inside scoop about PLTW!

Key Takeaways:

[:14] About today's episode.

[1:00] About Vince's upbringing and early education.

[2:14] How Vince became a high school principal.

[3:30] How Vince became a superintendent.

[4:54] Vince looks back at the incredible growth he helped orchestrate at PLTW and elaborates on some of the things that played a role in it.

[7:11] Why PLTW started their elementary program, Launch.

[8:32] What the Launch curriculum looks like.

[9:46] Vince speaks about PLTW's middle school program, Gateway.

[10:30] About PLTW's high school pathways: computer science, bio-med, and engineering.

[11:20] How many school district partners does PLTW have that are PK–12?

[12:03] How Vince has aided in making Project Lead the Way more accessible and equitable.

[14:42] Say a Principal wants more of a STEM focus at his school, why should he consider Project Lead the Way?

[17:02] Vince speaks about some of the new assessments they may be piloting this year.

[19:09] Will these assessments become a part of the core offering?

[19:26] What else PLTW has done to help accessibility and equity.

[19:52] Vince summarizes some of the key learnings from his book, Dream Differently.

[23:13] Why PLTW focuses on STEM as well as helping students build transportable skills.

[24:01] What PLTW believes that STEM is all about.

[25:15] Tom thanks Vince for joining him this episode!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Vince Bertram

Project Lead the Way (PLTW)

PLTW Launch (PreK–5)

PLTW Gateway (6–8)

PLTW Computer Science (9–12)

PLTW Biomedical Science (9–12)

PLTW Engineering (9–12)

Better Together: How to Leverage School Networks For Smarter Personalized and Project Based Learning, by Tom Vander Ark and Lydia Dobyns

"The Power of Transportable Skills: Assessing the Demand and Value of the Skills of the Future," Report by PLTW and Burning Glass

Dream Differently: Candid Advice for America's Students, by Vince Bertram

If You Want to Learn More About STEM Studies, We Recommend Listening to Episode 193 with teacher David Platt and the students from Covina High Tech Squad!

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Today, the Getting Smart team is speaking with Rebecca Midles, the Executive Director of Implementation of Mesa Valley County School District 51. She is an internationally recognized leader in designing systems that work for all learners. She has guided and led schools and districts to a Performance-Based Learning System as well as provided support and coaching to instructional leaders, site leadership, and district leadership. She has launched an innovative school and mobilized two school district change efforts that have become nationally important models.

The Getting Smart team has long appreciated her contributions to competency education, and this summer she is formally joining them to extend her impact through system and learning design work with the team!

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Tom Vander Ark about designing systems that work for all learners. She speaks about her career and the transformative work she has done from Highland Tech High in Alaska to Lindsay Unified in California to District 51 in Colorado. Rebecca also gives her vision of what powerful learning looks like for students of all ages; her thoughts on what educators should be doing to build up their knowledge, skills, and disposition; and the key tenets to transforming schools and systems.

Key Takeaways:

[:14] About today's episode.

[:44] Tom welcomes Rebecca to the podcast!

[:47] When did Rebecca decide that she wanted to become a teacher?

[3:58] When did Rebecca finish her Master's? What work did she do after that?

[5:28] Rebecca tells the formation story of Highlander.

[8:02] How did Rebecca get from Highlander in Alaska to Lindsay Unified in California?

[11:50] How many years was Rebecca with Lindsay Unified for? And what were some of the major takeaways she learned from working there?

[13:02] Tom speaks about Lindsay and some of the incredible changes they have helped create there for learners.

[14:47] What were some of the changes that Rebecca saw when she visited Lindsay again?

[16:26] What attracted Rebecca to work at Mesa Valley Country School District 51 after Lindsay?

[19:32] Did Rebecca see similar efforts at D51 to that of Tom's work in Lindsay?

[23:03] Rebecca gives her vision of what powerful learning looks like and what she would like to see a week of school looking like for her own children.

[24:22] When Rebecca thinks of high school students, what would she hope to see school looking like for them?

[27:44] What should educators be doing to build their knowledge, skills, and disposition for the work ahead?

[30:24] Tom and Rebecca discuss keys to transforming schools and systems.

[33:35] Tom thanks Rebecca for joining him in this podcast!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Rebecca Midles (LinkedIn)

Mesa Valley County School District 51Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Highland Academy Charter School (Highlander)

Quality Schools International (QSI)

Lindsay Unified School District

Virgel Hammonds — KnowledgeWorks Washington Elementary (Lindsay Unified School District)

For More on Building a Performance-Based System in Mesa County Colorado, Check Out:Episode 196: "5 Reasons High Schools Should Help Young People Find and Make Their Unique Contribution"! Or, if you'd like to learn more about Lindsay Unified, you can listen to Episode 176 for a discussion with Superintendent Tom Rooney!

Get Involved:

Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com.

Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.

Is There Somebody You've Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You'd Like Covered?

To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include 'Podcast' in the subject line.

The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!