Trending In Ed

In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer welcomes back Jane Oates, senior policy advisor at Working Nation, for her third (fridge-magnet-earning) appearance on the show. Jane and Mike dive deep into workforce development, education, and the role of technology in shaping the future of work. We discuss Working Nation's "Breaking Barriers" series, the challenges of implementing new technologies in education and workforce development, and strategies for encouraging employee upskilling and AI literacy.

Key takeaways:

Don't forget to subscribe to Trending in Education to ensure you don't miss out on more insightful conversations like this one with Jane Oates and other leaders in the education and workforce development space.

Mike Palmer welcomes Marcio Sequeira, founder and CEO of MOLA, to discuss structural engineering education and the future of architecture.

Marcio shares his background and how his interest in architecture and structures was influenced by his parents' careers in steel construction and physics. He explains how he developed MOLA, a physical model kit that uses springs and magnets to teach structural concepts, out of frustration with abstract structural engineering classes in university.

We explore the importance of hands-on, visual learning in architectural education and how MOLA helps students develop intuition about building behavior. Marcio discusses MOLA's use in university settings, including at MIT for teaching structural dynamics.

The conversation touches on the balance between artistic vision and functionality in architecture, using examples like Gaudi's work in Barcelona. We discuss the challenges of teaching architectural concepts earlier in K-12 education and the potential for tools like MOLA to spark interest in the field.

Marcio shares insights on emerging trends in architecture, including the increasing use of BIM (Building Information Modeling) in Brazil. We also explore the impact of climate change and environmental concerns on architectural design.

The episode concludes with Marcio's advice for aspiring architects and educators, emphasizing the value of persistence and long-term vision. He shares that MOLA took 20 years from concept to a successful company, highlighting the importance of dedication in pursuing one's goals.

Key takeaways:

Subscribe to Trending in Education to make sure you never miss a great conversation like this one! Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more.

In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer sits down with Steve Daly, CEO of Instructure, at the HolonIQ Back to School Summit in New York. Steve shares his journey from mechanical engineering to leading the company behind Canvas, the leading learning management system (LMS). We explore the changing landscape of education, the role of technology in learning, and the potential impact of AI on the future of edtech.

Key takeaways:

Steve describes Instructure's approach to integrating AI securely, the importance of personalization in learning, and the role the company's strategic partnerships play in its strategic development. Steve also offers valuable career advice based on his extensive experience in the tech industry.

Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more.

Kicking off our 9th Season of Trending in Education, we're joined by James Rhyu, CEO of Stride, Inc., formerly known as K12. With 25 years experience in the education technology space, Stride offers unique perspectives on the evolving landscape of K-12 education.

Rhyu, who started his career in accounting and finance, found his way to education through a personal situation and a fortuitous job offer. Now in his 13th year with the company, he's developed a deep appreciation for the needs of families in education. We discuss how the pandemic has changed perceptions of online learning. While many families struggled during this time, it also opened eyes to new possibilities in education. Rhyu emphasizes the importance of recognizing teachers' efforts during this challenging period.

The conversation turns to personalized learning and the role of AI in education. James cautions against rushing to implement AI without careful consideration, especially in K-12 education where error rates could have significant impacts on children's learning.

We explore Stride's approach to personalized learning, which includes not just academic content but also addressing students' emotional and physical needs. Rhyu envisions a future where AI can help create individualized learning plans and assist teachers with administrative tasks like lesson planning.

The discussion broadens to the concept of treating families as customers in education. James argues for giving families more choices and respecting their understanding of what's best for their children. He draws parallels to other industries that have evolved to be more customer-focused over the past 25 years.

Looking ahead, Rhyu sees innovation as key to improving the educational experience. This could involve offering more flexibility in learning formats, integrating technology effectively, and adapting to how students consume information through short-form videos and gaming.

We wrap up with Rhyu's advice for listeners, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful planning in addition to pursuing passion and taking risks. He also calls for depoliticizing education and focusing on what's best for children and families.

As we conclude, James reminds us that K-12 education is about the future of our country and our children. He urges us to put aside political differences and concentrate on what truly matters - the kids.

Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp perspectives on what's new and emergent in the world of learning.

In this episode of Trending in Education, we sit down with Mike Yates, a senior designer at Teach for America's Reinvention Lab. Mike shares his journey from a student who hated school to becoming an innovative educator and AI enthusiast. We explore his experiences in various educational settings, including juvenile detention centers and experimental schools, and how these shaped his approach to teaching and learning.

Mike discusses his current work at Teach for America's Reinvention Lab, where he focuses on leveraging AI and other emerging technologies to improve educational outcomes. We delve into the potential of generative AI in education and the importance of making these tools accessible to students and educators alike. Mike references the work of Ruha Benjamin as an influence in his understanding of the promise and perils of technology.

Throughout the conversation, Yates emphasizes the need for educators to stay connected with youth culture, using platforms like TikTok to understand and engage with students more effectively. We also touch on the risks and opportunities presented by AI in education, including issues of bias and equity.

Key takeaways from the episode include:

We conclude with Mike's insightful reminder that the most effective use of AI in education should create more room for meaningful human moments.

Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Check out video versions of the podcast on Youtube and Spotify.

In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer sits down with Dr. Joshua R. Eyler, author of Failing Our Future: How Grades Harm Students and What We Can Do About It. We dive deep into the complex world of grading systems and their impact on students' learning and well-being.

Dr. Eyler, who directs the Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Mississippi, shares his journey from English professor to educational researcher. We explore the historical context of grading, its unintended consequences, and the growing movement for grading reform.

Our conversation covers a wide range of topics, including:

Key takeaways:

Whether you're an educator, parent, or simply interested in the future of education, this episode offers valuable insights into how we might reimagine assessment to better serve learners and society. Subscribe where you get your pods. Video versions now live on Youtube and Spotify.

In this episode of Trending in Education, we dive into the exciting world of immersive learning with Josh Reibel, CEO of Dreamscape Learn. We explore how virtual reality and cinematic storytelling are revolutionizing education, particularly in STEM fields. Josh shares insights on Dreamscape Learn's innovative approach, which combines Hollywood-style narratives with rigorous academic content to create engaging, interactive learning experiences.

We discuss the company's origins, its collaboration with Arizona State University, and the impressive results they've seen in student engagement and performance. Josh explains how their VR experiences work, from asynchronous biology labs to synchronous classroom sessions, and how they're addressing scalability challenges.

Throughout the conversation, we touch on various topics including:

Key takeaways from the episode include:

We conclude with Josh's insights on innovation in education technology and his vision for the future of learning spaces as "departure hubs" rather than isolated classrooms.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of learning.

In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer welcomes back Kate Eberle Walker, CEO of Presence, to discuss the evolving landscape of special education and teletherapy in schools. Kate shares insights on how Presence is leveraging technology to address the growing demand for special education services amidst staffing shortages.

Kate explores the impact of the pandemic on teletherapy adoption and the subsequent shifts in perception. She discusses Presence's innovative approach to connecting remote therapists with schools, highlighting the benefits of their teletherapy platform for both clinicians and students. The conversation delves into the potential of AI to streamline administrative tasks, allowing therapists to focus more on student engagement.

The discussion also touches on broader trends in special education, including the increasing need for mental health support and the importance of early identification. Kate shares her vision for the future of the field, emphasizing the need for more accessible education pathways to grow the workforce.

Three key takeaways:

Don't miss this insightful conversation on the intersection of technology and special education. Subscribe to Trending in Education for more discussions on the future of learning and educational innovation.

In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer welcomes Alden Do Rosario, founder of Custom GPT AI, and Dr. Phil Hendrix to discuss the emerging landscape of custom chatbots and AI in higher education. We explore the origins of Custom GPT AI and delve into a white paper co-authored by Dr. Hendrix on the adoption of AI in universities.

The conversation covers various aspects of AI implementation in educational settings, from individual faculty use to university-wide applications. We discuss the importance of responsible AI, addressing concerns about hallucinations and misinformation. The guests share insights on how custom GPTs can enhance learning experiences, improve student services, and provide valuable data for educators.

Key takeaways from the episode include:

Alden concludes by emphasizing the importance of a "crawl, walk, run, fly" approach to AI adoption in higher education, encouraging institutions to start small and scale up as they gain experience and confidence in using these transformative technologies. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer welcomes Katy Knight, President and Executive Director of the Siegel Family Endowment. We dive into the intersection of technology, society, and education, exploring how these elements shape our future. Mike references Katy's recent appearance on The Cusp with Paul Fain in the open.

Katy shares her journey from Google to philanthropy, discussing the Siegel Family Endowment's focus on learning, workforce, and infrastructure. We explore the current state of AI in education, debating its potential and limitations. Katy emphasizes the importance of addressing fundamental issues in education before fully embracing AI solutions.

We also delve into the changing landscape of work and how technology is reshaping career paths. Katy highlights the need for better data interoperability in education systems and the importance of digital literacy in our tech-driven world.

Key takeaways from this episode:

Subscribe to Trending in Education to ensure you don't miss out on these insightful conversations about the future of learning and technology.