Inside Our MIND

Listen in to our interview with Nigel Nisbet, a rock musician, AP Physics and AP Computer Science teacher who did a tour of duty in an all-girls school, plus a specialist who devotes his time to reaching into the structure and beauty of mathematics and discussing the “science of learning math” from many angles. Nisbet who is currently the VP of Content Creation at MIND Education mentions how teaching modalities have changed and how learning has had to delve into facts of how people learn and the neuroscience of it all. He mentions a lot of the important mechanisms within the subject of math that are being addressed with advanced technology and what it means. LeiLani points out these important things that the software can do that human teachers find difficult such as true personalization for each point of potential student struggle, followed by Nisbet discussing how the “science of” is developed to manage this positively while still involving the teacher for certain particular human interactions to leverage expertise and emotional connection which causes better learning.

What is actionable? What is real engagement? LeiLani discusses these things, and a novel definition of equity with Dan Tracy from MIND Research Institute. Dan’s triple threat as a teacher, coder and trainer, makes this podcast discussion an interesting reveal on how to approach instruction – especially the subject of math.

A discussion with Ki Karou about the challenges of teaching today. Karou introduces five areas that the science of learning have identified as key to students’ doing – and how those are aids to accelerating learning, including the awesome capability of helping learners potentially jump through multiple grades to catch up in little time. Listen in to learn about things the neuroscience has uncovered including “self belief,” “schema building,” and more.Ki Karou is the Senior Director of Product Content at MIND Research Institute, where he leads a team oflearning and game designers, artists and mathematicians. Ki has been designing neuroscience-driven ed tech solutions for over a decade and is widely published and a top speaker in the edtech industry.

In this episode of the Learning Leadership Society Podcast, Host LeiLani Cauthen speaks with Nigel Nisbet, Vice President of Content Creation at the MIND Research Institute. Nisbet shifts the question from ‘How should I teach,' to ‘How do they learn?’ It’s a profound difference which helps you to focus on optimal learning methodologies, and to gain an understanding of the Science of Math.

In this episode of the Learning Leadership Society Podcast, Host LeiLani Cauthen speaks with Twana Young, Vice President of Curriculum and Instruction for Mind Research Institute. In addition to access, Young explains that there's also agency and power and identity and belonging, and those are all part of the different dimensions of equity, especially around mathematics. As Mind Research Institute builds out content and curriculum, they are thinking about the opportunities for agency, and who has the power. It is a fascinating look at equity through a different lens.

Host LeiLani Cauthen speaks with Jay Flores, Global STEM Ambassador, and founder of Invent the Change. “If our youth aren't loving math, or at least somewhat excited by it and challenged by it in positive ways, then they're going to have trouble with those problem-solving skills and navigating through ordinary life in the future,” said Flores. This is a fascinating look at the value of mathematics and STEM in the world of Emergent Bilinguals.

Host LeiLani Cauthen speaks with Jay Flores, Global STEM Ambassador, and founder of Invent the Change. “If our youth aren't loving math, or at least somewhat excited by it and challenged by it in positive ways, then they're going to have trouble with those problem-solving skills and navigating through ordinary life in the future,” said Flores. This is a fascinating look at the value of mathematics and STEM in the world of Emergent Bilinguals.

In each episode of the Inside Our MIND podcast, we take a look at issues and challenges facing education that we are working to address through research, technology and strategic initiatives.

In our latest episode, MIND’s Chief Data Science Officer Andrew Coulson returns for the latest chapter of our ongoing conversations about edtech evaluation and implementation. Andrew and Brian discuss the concept of attendance as it relates to edtech programs like ST Math. Andrew explains how attendance connects to our ST Math Theory of Change, and how establishing consistent attendance impacts students time and progress on the program.

Topics Covered in the Podcast:

0:45 Intro
6:30 Theories of change and the "missing middle"
8:30 Attendance as a lens for evaluating implementation 
15:00 Data on attendance and impact on time on program  
19:00 How we identified attendance as a metric
22:30 Applicability of attendance to other programs

Thanks for listening to the show! Please leave us a review on iTunes, Google Play, Spreaker or wherever you are listening, as it helps others find us.

In each episode of the Inside Our MIND podcast, we take a look at issues and challenges facing education that we are working to address through research, technology and strategic initiatives.

Our latest episode features a recent panel discussion about MIND's design approach to ST Math and other learning resources we create for schools, students, and families. Co-hosts Senior Academic Director Brian Coffey and Curriculum Developer Alyssa Ching interview our VP of Curriculum & Instruction Twana Young and VP of Product Matt Feldmann about user feedback, neuroscience, designing for all students, and of course, our beloved penguin Jiji.

Topics Covered in the Podcast:

2:00 Intros
5:00 The WHY behind the approach
13:00 How input from teachers, students, and families shapes our programs
19:30 Neuroscience and embracing the messiness of learning
25:00 Design principles and processes
31:00 DEI and the asset-based lens
39:00 How a penguin impacts students' love of math learning

As always, if you enjoy the show, please rate and review it, which will help more people find us. And if you’ve got questions, comments or suggested topics for future shows, you can email us feedback directly at [email protected].

In our latest episode, Brian and MIND’s Social Impact EVP and Executive Director Karin Wu are joined by Dr. Jo Webber, STEMconnector CEO and President, and the Founder and CEO of Pod. Jo and Karin discuss diversity gaps in STEM, as well as how collaborative action can impact STEM education and provide equitable opportunities for future STEM careers.

Jo shares some of her journey with us, including her mathematical roots and love of ST Math. She and Karin talk about the importance of mentorship, the Million Women Mentors (MWM) initiative, and the recent MWM summit. Jo also shares her vision for STEMconnector and how the organization works with partners to build, attract, and retain a sustainably diverse STEM workforce.

Topics Covered in the Podcast:

0:45 Intro
3:00 STEMconnector’s work and building an equitable future
7:30 Jo’s journey and mathematical roots
11:30 Visualizing math through software
15:00 Million Women Mentors and representation in STEM
24:00 STEMconnector’s new platform for connecting the STEM workforce
27:30 STEMconnector’s research
30:00 Preparing today’s students for jobs that don’t exist yet
35:00 Opportunities to close experience gaps in STEM education and mentorship
38:00 Helping students see the possibilities in STEM

STEMconnector's Annual Summit is coming up on December 8, 2021. The theme of this year's event is broadening participation across underrepresented groups in STEM and the importance of doing so for addressing the current and future STEM talent crisis. You can learn more about the event and register here: https://2021-stemconnector-annual-summit.heysummit.com/


Thanks for listening to the show! Please leave us a review on iTunes, Google Play, Spreaker or wherever you are listening, as it helps others find us.