Talking Learning and Teaching

In this awesome episode, Professor of Compassion-Focused Pedagogy, Theo Gilbert focuses on supporting the sector's move towards teaching, learning and credit-bearing assessment of cognitive compassion as in effective team meeting/discussion management. Examples at University of Hertfordshire are seen in Law, Engineering, Computer Science, History and Business. This is done via filmed, research-driven, student team/groupwork discussions where criticality is key. 

 But what do the verbal and non-verbal micro skills of cognitive (not 'emotion-based') compassionate communications in student team/group work actually mean and how do they motivate and equip students to build the psychological safety and space for each other to think at their best - resourcefully and innovatively. Here is what this authentic ('research + criticality + effective group management') assessment addresses as seen in studies so far: students' inappropriate use of AI; employers' stated needs for good graduate team and communication skills; indefensible awarding gaps; unnecessarily heavy marking workloads on staff; and student-reported enhancements to engagement and interculturalisation with 'others' in studies so far across disciplines and compared to controls.

 Universities across the sector are accessing and deploying new evidence - from the neurosciences, anthropology, psychology - on the nature of cognitive compassion not just into their classrooms but into their five-year strategic plans too. In this episode, Theo shows in very practical terms, how any teacher can legitimise their students' appetites to help dismantle the destructive types of competitive individualism on which current HE is too much based, and so help us stem the waste of staff and student belonging and achievement potentials. A truly fabulous episode!

Based at University of Hertfordshire's Centre for Learning, Access and Student Success, and Business School.  He is creator of the Compassion in HE Network with its website of free, practical resources for any compassion-curious educator:  

https://compassioninhe.wordpress.com/.  The network is of staff from, so far, 90 universities across 12 countries to help each other get the science of cognitive compassion onto the curricula, in almost any discipline that assesses team/group work.  He is very keen to support and link staff with others in their disciplines and/or beyond, and has supported effective teamwork at, e.g., the National Crime Agency, the Home Office, The Food Standard’s agency. He’s the 2018 Advance HE's/Times Higher's Most Innovative Teacher of the Year and a keynote speaker at the Annual National Teaching Fellow/CATE Symposium (2020).    He has a strong presence on You Tube and is published in a number of journals and book chapters. Contact: [email protected] for help or support.

In this captivating episode, we speak with Joe Houghton about how AI can transform accessibility in the learning environment. Joe discusses the most effective technologies for education, how AI can personalize learning experiences, the major challenges of integrating AI into teaching, and methods for measuring the effectiveness of various AI tools. He also shares his insights on the advancements we might see in the next five to ten years that could further revolutionize accessibility in education, and offers advice for educators on preparing for these changes. This is a must-listen episode for anyone involved in supporting student learning!

Joe Houghton serves as an Assistant Professor at the Smurfit Graduate School of Business at University College Dublin in Ireland. Renowned for his extensive contributions to education, he produces a wide array of books, podcasts, instructional videos, and webinars. His latest intellectual pursuit involves exploring the latest trends in Artificial Intelligence, leading to the release of his book, "Applying Artificial Intelligence to Close the Accessibility Gap."

This episode is a quick news update on the podcast and related projects. In it I discuss the episodes we’ve got lined up, as well as discussing some new UDL-UKI webpages and professional development opportunities that are happening throughout the autumn and winter 2024-25.
If you’d like to be a guest on the Talking Learning & Teaching podcast, then please get in touch. I’d love to hear from you and discuss your ideas for an episode. Reach me at [email protected]

In this fabulous episode, I speak with James McKenna about the importance of a universally designed workplace. James tells us about his UDL journey, why we need UDL in the workplace and the beneifits it can bring to both individuals and organisations. James goes on to discuss the nature of modern professional learning, what it has looked like in the past, and what it should look like in the future, before rounding the conversation out by discussing the prevalence of barriers in the working environment, particularly when it comes to recruitment and selection. Finally James tells us about the importance of our emotional connection to work, especially the connection between managers and their direct reports. This is a fascinating episode that anyone working in education or professional learning should listen to! Enjoy!

James McKenna is a learning development expert that loves to learn and help others learn and improve. He supports organizations to develop, sustain, and leverage inclusive learning and working ecosystems so that individuals and teams can learn, innovate, and thrive. James is also a speaker, instructional designer, trainer, facilitator and author, most recenty authoring the brilliant Upskill, Reskill, Thrive: Optimizing Learning and Development in the Workplace.  James is also the founder of McKenna Learning, a learning and development organisation which supports orgsnisations to upskill, reskill and thrive! Check it out today!

In this enlightening episode, Professor Randy Laist discusses his UDL journey, his experiences as a writing teacher and the impact of AI on writing instruction. Randy provides some passionate and thought-provoking insights into the value and necessity of writing in higher education settings, despite the presence of generative AI and the possible impact it may have. Randy presents a compelling and persuasive argument for the continued inclusion of writing assignments as an integral part of the process of learning, and as an integral mechanism for human expression. This is a truly excellent episode. It was a total pleasure to speak with Professor Laist and get a sense of his passion for writing and his ideas on writing instruction. Enjoy!

In this fabulous episode I speak with Alexis Reid about the role of executive function in effective learning. I ask Alexis to tell us about the nature of executive function, defining what it is, and why it is important. Alexis then goes on to discuss the extent to which executive function plays a role in learner achievement, as well as how learners can typically develop their executive functioning skills. Finally, Alexis rounds of the conversation by discussing the place of executive function in the UDL framework, the tools available to learners to support executive function, and the link between executive function, reflection and metacognition. This is a truly awesome episode that anyone involved in student learning should listen to!

Alexis Reid is an educational therapist and learning consultant who specializes in executive function (EF) coaching, social emotional learning (SEL), teaching and development, as well as designing flexible and accessible learning and environments through Universal Design for Learning (UDL). 

Through her work as an educator in various capacities for nearly two decades, Alexis has honed her skills to support individuals & systems at the intersections of well-being and learning. As an educational therapist and executive function coach, she works one on one or in small groups with learners of all ages to help them recognize their strengths and areas for improvement to determine what works best for them. Along with her brother, Dr. Gerald Reid, she works to support those she works with from a holistic perspective to best understand challenges, barriers, or environmental factors that may impact learning and navigating different transitions in life.

Along with co author Lisa Carey, Alexis is the author of the brilliant book "Supporting Student Executive Functions: Insights and Strategies for Educators". Alexis is also the host of the "Reid Connected" podcast, connecting listeners with information and ideas relative to learning, mental health, wellness, executive function, and so much more!

In the episode Alexis mentions Time Timer timers for education, which can be a useful resource.

Alexis also made mention of "Dr Ellen Mark". Alexis actually meant Dr Gloria Mark, if anyone is interested in finding out more!

An update on what's happening in the world of Talking Learning & Teaching.

To be a guest on the podcast, get in touch with Kevin at [email protected].

Access the Talking Learning & Teaching Video YouTube channel

Find out more or book a place on UDL-UKI webinars happening this summer.

Buy Kevin's book Delivering Inclusive & Impactful Instruction: Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education.

In this brilliant episode we speak about getting started on the journey with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) with Jennifer Pusateri. Jennifer Pusateri is the Universal Design Consultant for the University of Kentucky's Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT), where she fosters the advancement of accessibility and inclusive teaching practices across campus. Jennifer is also a member of the prestigious CAST National Faculty, and recently authored the brilliant book, Transform Your Teaching with Universal Design for Learning: Six Steps to Jumpstart Your Practice, which is a must read for any educator wishing to make their teaching more accessible and inclusive. It was a huge pleasure and honour to speak with Jennifer, and I am so thrilled to be able to share this with you.

In this fabulous episode we speak with CAST's Disability and Digital Inclusion Lead, Luis F. Perez. Specifically, Luis speaks to us about digital technologies and their potential "game changing" nature in educational environments. Luis also discusses his brilliant book Learning on the Go: How to Personalize Education with the iPad, which is a must read for anyone interested in learning about how common technologies can be leveraged to make learning more accessible and inclusive. It was a huge thrill and privilege to speak with Luis, and I am so happy to share this with you!