Are '21st-century' skills generic, or are they different for each subject? Can learning content develop deeper thinking skills? In this episode, we ask Daisy Christodoulou her views on these important questions. Daisy is the Director of Education at No More Marking in the UK, and the author of Making Good Progress?: The future of assessment for learning. Daisy makes the case for why thinking skills are gained through learning content, and provides some lessons learned from the UK context. Transcript available at: http://bit.ly/edspressoep9

Some media reports suggest that industry values 21st-century skills, such as collaboration, over technical expertise. But is that really the case? Is it becoming harder for industry to predict the skills it will need? And why should education in Australia be thinking now about AI and its potential effects? To get some answers to these questions, we speak to Sato Sandy Plunkett, a leading commentator and analyst of the global technology sector. Drawing on her experience as a Silicon Valley venture capitalist, Sandy talks about why studying the humanities alongside building technical expertise is a smart investment. Transcript available at: http://bit.ly/edspressoep8

What is creativity, and how can we prepare all students to think creatively? Why might creative thinking be valuable in an AI future? In episode, we speak to Ronald Beghetto, a Professor of Educational Psychology, and Director of Innovation House at the University of Connecticut. Ron has authored several popular books, including most recently: Beautiful Risks: Having the Courage to Teach and Learn Creatively. Ron explains why all students need to be creative thinkers. He talks about whether creativity is a generic skill, and how - or if - we should assess it in school. Transcript available at: http://bit.ly/edspressoep7

How can creative thinking support improved student learning? What does best practice in teaching and assessing it look like? In this episode we hear from Christine Cawsey, the Principal of Rooty Hill High School in Western Sydney, which was recently recognised as one of the 40 Most Innovative Schools in Australia. Christine is a life member of the NSW Secondary Principals' Council and the co-author of Learning for Leadership. Drawing on her experience at Rooty Hill, Christine provides insight into how teachers can incorporate creative thinking into their pedagogies, and foster creativity amongst diverse groups of students. Transcript available at: http://bit.ly/edspressoep6

Why might an AI future require students to have stronger ethical reasoning and critical thinking skills? How can learning philosophy support this? And is there value in focusing on these skills in the early years? We ask Sandra Lynch why critical thinking might be important to preparing young people for an increasingly complex world, and how schools might approach it through teaching philosophy. Sandra is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame Australia who works to deepen students' active engagement with ethics and critical thinking skills through the Philosophy in Schools Association of NSW. Transcript available at: http://bit.ly/edspressoep5

We regularly hear that critical thinking is a key 21st-century skill. Of course, it has always been highly valued in education. Yet debate continues about what critical thinking is, and how education can best support its development. In this episode, we hear from Peter Ellerton, the founding Director of the University of Queensland Critical Thinking Project, and a former Head Teacher of Experimental Sciences. Peter explains why critical thinking will be valuable in an AI world, and what educators should be aiming for when teaching their students to be critical thinkers. Transcript available at: http://bit.ly/edspressoep4

Should AI algorithms decide who gets bail or a bank loan? How is big data changing our world? And how can education prepare young people to design and challenge smart technology? To find out, we ask Lyria Bennett Moses, a Professor and Director of the Allens Hub for Technology, Law and Innovation at UNSW Sydney. Lyria has written extensively about the dangers of AI bias in the legal system, and why it's crucial for everyone to understand how smart machines are impacting on our society. Transcript available at: http://bit.ly/edspressoep3.

So, why is artificial intelligence such a big deal? How urgently do we need to prepare for it? What might it mean for school education? To learn more, we interview Toby Walsh, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at UNSW Sydney. Toby is a leading global expert on AI and its ethical implications, and author of the new book titled 2062: The World that AI Made. In this episode, Toby describes how AI and related technologies are changing our society, and what this could mean for how education prepares young people for this future. Transcript available at: http://bit.ly/edspressoep2.

Why should education systems be thinking about developments in artificial intelligence (AI)? What can education do to ensure students are given the best chance of success in work and life whatever the next few decades bring? In this introductory Edspresso episode, Leslie Loble, Deputy Secretary of External Affairs and Regulation in the NSW Department of Education, explains the Education for a Changing World agenda and outlines the challenge for education reform in Australia. Leslie has led strategy, reform and innovation in Australia's largest and most diverse education sector for nearly two decades, and has shaped and delivered many of the most important education reforms in NSW and Australia, including the ground-breaking 'Gonski' needs-based funding system. Transcript available at: http://bit.ly/edspressoep1.