The TechEd Podcast

Dr. Rich Barnhouse is an education innovator. With experience leading higher education all over the U.S., he understands how to disrupt traditional models, create sustainable change, and embrace cutting-edge technologies that will empower students to be productive in the workforce.

We sat down with Rich to talk about some of his strategic initiatives as President of Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) - including how to harness the power artificial intelligence in education.

This episode is full of insights into the transformative potential of AI in the classroom, in the administrative office and in the workforce.

Inside this episode:

• Education's innovation problem - and how to avoid crises of change
• The biggest technology transformation humankind has ever seen
• Two huge AI gaps in the workforce - and how education can fix it
• Why companies need associates and baccalaureates with functional AI experience
• How to harness AI to improve the teacher and student experience
• The emerging specialty field in automation that offers huge opportunities for students

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. Automatic organic evolution: Because change can be hard to implement in higher education, the tendency is to stand still. This mindset has left higher ed in a crisis of change today. Instead, Rich has instilled a culture of automatic organic evolution at WCTC. It's part of the DNA of the college to consistently innovate how and what is taught - and that enables the college to move alongside industry.
2. Companies are facing AI gaps in two key places: There is a middle level in business where data scientists and masters degreed engineers are developing and deploying AI. Above and below this level there are huge gaps in AI understanding and implementation. Education needs fill these gaps: first, bringing AI education to executives and managers to help them understand how to leverage the technology for business cases, and second, to bring AI experience to people on the shop floor who can become functional and operational experts.
3.  AI is transforming higher education not just in the classroom, but at its operational core: With the right AI tools, instructors can automate administrative and operational tasks so they have more bandwidth to focus on students and teaching. In the same way, the administrative side of higher ed can leverage data to improve the student experience, which will attract a greater number of enrollees in future years.

Resources

To learn more about Waukesha County Technical College, visit: www.wctc.edu

Connect with WCTC:

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Episode page:  https://techedpodcast.com/barnhouse

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Sports medicine meets data science in this fascinating episode of The TechEd Podcast!

Dr. Matt Provencher is a sports medicine analyst and the founder of Proven Performance Technology. You've probably seen his Injury Analysis on FOX Sports, where he uses cutting-edge data science to analyze NFL injuries and predict how those will impact the rest of the game.

With a storied background with the U.S. Navy SEALs, New England Patriots and other professional sports organizations, and now with his team of "Predictors" at Proven Performance Technology, Dr. Provencher has taken our understanding of elite athletic performance to a whole new level.

Inside this episode:

• How an electrical engineering major turned into a data-driven career in sports medicine
• Developing the Special Forces Tactical Athlete Program (TAP) for the Navy SEALs
• Speaking the language of coaching - and how to leverage this tactic in your own career
• Applying data science to sports medicine with the Patriots and across the NFL
• How injury data impacts the world of sports - from equipment, to rules, to fantasy leagues and betting, to choosing which players to draft and trade
• How data science in sports can be translated to manufacturing and industrial sectors

Resources

To learn more about Dr. Provencher's work, visit: https://www.thepredictors.com/

Connect with Dr. Provencher and The Predictors:

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Episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/provencher/

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Clemson University recently launched the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, a program with undergraduates and graduate students and faculty dedicated to innovating the latest in automotive technology and design.

We sat down with the school's Founding Director, Dr. Zoran Filipi, to understand the structure of this school, what students are learning, and the fascinating ways Clemson is partnering with automotive OEMs on cutting-edge research and development.

Dr. Filipi is truly an expert and out-of-the-box thinker, and every automotive and engineering program will find great value in the strategies Clemson has deployed.

Inside this episode:

• The strategy behind combining mechanical and automotive engineering programs - and how students & employers benefit
• The incredible value of putting grad students through a full product cycle
• Partnering with automotive OEMs on product development
• Autonomous cars and EVs - the state of the market
• Advice to automotive programs about how to innovate and evolve

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. The new school combines the strengths of both programs: Mechanical + Automotive engineering in one school enables students to apply the knowledge they're learning in mechanical engineering and put it to work in automotive applications. Students (both undergraduate and graduate) will be prepared for the rapidly evolving automotive industry, including the shift towards electric vehicles.
2. Deep Orange puts students through a two-year complete product development process: From market study to product design, ideation and prototyping, graduate students build full prototypes of futuristic vehicles - both EV and ICE. Better yet, these projects are done in partnership with automotive OEMs, helping to bring new technologies and designs to market.
3. Autonomous vehicles are on the way, but expect electrification to come first: Autonomous vehicle technology has made great progress, but we're still far away from seeing fully autonomous cars on our everyday commute. However, electrification is at full-scale production levels, including incentives to bring the manufacturing of EVs, batteries and charging stations here in the U.S.

Resources

To learn more about Clemson's new school, visit: https://news.clemson.edu/clemson-university-forms-new-school-as-globe-switches-to-electric-vehicles/

Connect with Clemson University Automotive Engineering:

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Episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/clemson/

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Networking: you either love it or you hate it. But is it really a necessary skill?

Joe Sweeney thinks so. In fact, he's built a career around coaching others on the power of networking. Through his insights, entrepreneurs have built successful businesses, individuals have achieved their career goals, and professional athletes have multiplied their reach.

We sat down with the New York Times best-selling author, executive coach and speaker to understand networking - what it is, what it isn't, and how educators, students and employers can build their networks and achieve their goals.

In this episode:

• Why so many people hate networking - and the one perspective shift that will change your mind
• The four-step process to building relationships
• How to make asking fun (and how this technique got Bob Costas to come to Milwaukee)
• What educators should say when asking employers to support their program
• What students need to know before they start networking

And much more! Don't forget to check out the resources at the bottom of this page for more from Joe Sweeney.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. The #1 success tool in business? Relationships. Forget what you know about networking (the pressure to give away all your business cards or collect as many as possible...). Joe shares a single perspective shift around what networking truly is. Once you understand the purpose of networking, you'll build stronger, more valuable connections that will bring you success in life and work.
2. The four-step process to networking: You'll have to listen to the episode to hear the four steps, but remember this: the process is simple, but it's not easy. There will certainly be roadblocks and challenges in the way, but Joe shares some examples on how to work through them using the four steps.
3. Educators, ask yourself: what's in it for the employer? When building vital education-industry partnerships, often each party is primarily concerned with their own needs. Instead, approach the partnership by seeking to understand what the other will get out of it. Educators - if you need support from employers, make it clear what they will get in return.

Resources

More about the Bob Costas and Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame story: https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/1995sportshall

To learn more about Joe Sweeney, visit his website: https://joesweeney.com/

• Networking Is a Contact Sport (Amazon)
• Moving the Needle (Amazon)
• After Further Review (Amazon)
• A Light Shines Through Us (Amazon)

Connect with Joe Sweeney on social media:

Twitter  |  LinkedIn  |  Facebook

Episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/sweeney/

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The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Global Energy Institute exists to unify policymakers, regulators, business leaders, and the American public behind a common sense energy strategy to help keep America secure, prosperous, and clean.

We sat down with Christopher Guith to get a sense for the global energy landscape - what do business owners need to know about energy policy, and how can education respond to emerging trends and technologies in the energy sector?

In this episode:

• How aspirational policy can hurt more than help
• Why the U.S. needs a diverse energy portfolio
• Misconceptions around nuclear technology, and what you should know instead
• How national security and national energy are intertwined
• Emerging breakthroughs in alternative energy solutions

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. The U.S. needs a common sense energy strategy: Global initiatives to for a clean energy future are important, but all too often, aspirational policy gets too far ahead of what technology is able to handle. Christopher calls out these challenges and defines the need for a diverse energy portfolio, especially in the United States. Businesses looking to a more clean energy strategy will benefit from these insights.
2. National energy policy and national security are intertwined: In recent decades, the United States has too-heavily relied on countries like China for energy. We discuss why it's so important to national security that the U.S. develops the capacity to mine and process minerals for next-gen technology, like EV cars and to produce more of our energy domestically.
3. The energy sector is innovating rapidly, but there's still a long way to go: Did you know we're only 50% of the way to having the technology to power a carbon-neutral world? Advancements are being made in areas like hydrogen power and nuclear fusion, technology prices are going down, but there are still numerous challenges to solving the clean energy problem. We dive into some of these challenges and innovations, and what they mean for businesses and consumers alike.

Resources

To learn more about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Global Energy Institute, visit their website: https://www.globalenergyinstitute.org/

Connect with Jason Goldsmith on social media:

Twitter  |  LinkedIn  |  Facebook  |  YouTube

Episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/guith/

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How can you achieve peak performance in the classroom, workplace, and in life? Jason Goldsmith is a performance coach who has helped professional athletes and business leaders become masters in their field. In this episode, he shares some of the top mental performance truths, tools and techniques anyone can use to achieve their goals.

Whatever your "sport" is - golf, law, engineering - Jason's advice will help you move beyond mental barriers and get to a place where you can "just play".

In this episode:

• What is mastery, and how can you achieve it?
• How to get out of the rut of problem-identification
• Why awareness is so important to mastery
• Why mindfulness & meditation can keep you focused on your goals
• The power of visualization to achieve peak performance
• How to best coach yourself & others

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. Mastery is an aspirational journey: Mastery is more about the journey than the destination, because the destination is out of our control. True mastery requires drive, grit and perseverance. Once you set out on the path, you stay on the path. A good coach will help an individual identify what their aspirational goals are and then set the course toward that goal, always focusing on what can be controlled and not getting hung up on what can't be controlled.
2. Listen to the story you are telling yourself: Peak performance starts with the right mindset. Self-limiting beliefs are one of the biggest inhibitors to peak performance. So be aware of your thoughts and the narrative you've crafted about your abilities: is it true? Is it useful? Do you need to modify it?
3. Get out of the mindset of problem identification. A problem identification mindset is always focused on the problem - often causing one to stress about future events or dwell on past failures. Instead, be aware in the present and identify the positives in your situation.

Resources

Take Charge of You book on Amazon:

What if the most powerful coach that could help you reach your own potential was actually...yourself? Harness the power of self-coaching to fast-track success and transform your life and career with this powerful guide from acclaimed CEO David Novak and renowned sports coach Jason Goldsmith.

To learn more about Jason and Goldsmith Performance visit his website: https://goldsmithperformance.com/

Connect with Jason Goldsmith on social media:

Twitter  |  LinkedIn

Episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/goldsmith/

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Engineering programs today are growing and adapting to the digital transformation that's taking place in the workforce.

Michigan State University is a prime example of a school that has listened to its regional employers, tracked technological advances, and is adapting its engineering programs to prepare students for the digital workforce.

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Leo Kempel, Dean of MSU's College of Engineering. Big projects are underway at MSU, including the development of the Engineering and Digital Innovation Center and a new Engineering Technology degree.

Leo shares incredible insights into how the work of engineers is shifting as digital transformation takes over the workforce - and how education should respond.

3 Big Takeaways from this episode:

1. Digital engineering means faster innovation: Digital twins, augmented reality and a digital thread through the design and manufacturing process enables today's engineers to be more creative, more involved and have a tighter design cycle. That means engineers can design, test and deploy new systems faster than ever before, processes can be improved more efficiently, and mass customization at a desirable price-point is now possible.
2. Modern engineering is cross-disciplinary & global: To make industry 4.0 a reality, you need to involve experts from every aspect of the business - design, engineering, production, supply chain, business, marketing, IT and more. The new Engineering and Digital Innovation Center will replicate this kind of cross-disciplinary work. Students from different programs, like engineering, cybersecurity, natural science, business, supply chain management, user experience and arts and computer science, will work on projects together. This experience will give MSU students a huge advantage as they enter a digital, global, and collaborative workforce.
3. Semiconductors are essential to the success of the digital industrial workforce: To power a world driven by smart technology, we need semiconductors and chips. There's been a massive shift of semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States, and MSU is taking part in both the research around semiconductor technology and the training of engineers who will work in the semiconductor industry.

Resources

Book mentioned in this episode: Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology

To learn more about Michigan State University's College of Engineering, visit their website: https://www.egr.msu.edu/

News:

• New MSU center to invest in innovation and industry
• Dean Kempel on: Building the Industry 4.0 Workforce

Connect with MSU Engineering:

Twitter  |  YouTube  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  LinkedIn

Episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/msu/

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In Part 1, we talked with Rocky Collis about his team's groundbreaking app, Mustard, which leverages computer vision and AI to give all kids access to elite-level coaching and custom practice plans. 

What if we took a step back and looked at the bigger implications this tech has for kids in all sports? And how can this same technology be deployed in a business setting?

That's what we discuss in Part 2, where we dive into:

• Other sports Mustard is moving into (and the professional athletes who are backing the project)
• How AI can improve all human athletic mechanics and help even non-athletes live a better life
• How Mustard is providing mindset coaching courses from the world's top performers (Clayton Kershaw, Drew Brees and others)
• Why athletes make great entrepreneurs and workers
• The value of competitiveness in the workplace

Episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/mustard2/

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What if we could leverage computer vision and AI to give all kids access to the world's best coaching - the same that trained legends like Tom Brady and Nolan Ryan?

That's what Rocky Collis, Dr. Tom House and team have done with their innovative app, Mustard.

Mustard was designed with the goal of democratizing elite coaching - giving all kids access to customized input on their athletic mechanics so they can remain competitive and play sports longer.

In this episode, we're talking with Mustard CEO Rocky Collis about the app's technology, the science of pitching, player mechanics, and how AI can create customized analysis and coaching plans for any individual.

Episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/mustard/

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Data - and our ability to harness more of it than ever - is disrupting every part of our lives. That includes heath care.

Dr. Brian Kay and his team at Rogers Behavioral Health are leaders in a field called health informatics, the intersection of information science, computer science, and health care.

Health care is a field that already collects massive amounts of data. Now, Brian has devised algorithms to leverage that data to improve patient care, which is particularly beneficial in behavioral health where each patient's situation is unique and sensitive.

In this fascinating episode, we dive deep into data and how Rogers is able to provide their 30,000 annual patients with life-changing care through data science and technology, including suicide prediction and intervention, foreseeing PTSD episodes, and more.

Resources

To learn more about Rogers Behavioral Health, visit their website: rogersbh.org

Connect with Rogers on social media:

Facebook  |  LinkedIn  |  Twitter  |  YouTube  |  Instagram

Episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/rogers/

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