Trending In Ed

In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer speaks with Matthew Kennard, CEO of BetterLesson, about the complexities and importance of professional development for teachers. With a career transition from investment banking to edtech, Kennard shares his insights on the evolving landscape of K-12 education. They discuss the traditional and future models of professional learning, emphasizing job-embedded support, continuous improvement, and career pathways for educators. Kennard underscores the crucial role of effective professional development in achieving optimal student outcomes, teacher retention, and overall systemic improvement in education.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:39 Matt Kennard's Professional Journey

02:53 Challenges in K-12 Professional Learning

06:15 The Importance of Continuous Improvement

10:00 Rethinking Professional Development

17:44 The Role of Technology in Education

28:20 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

In this episode of Trending in Education, we talk with Dr. Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran and Dr. Terrence J. MacTaggart, co-authors of 'The New College President: How a Generation of Diverse Leaders is Changing Higher Education.' We delve into their respective backgrounds, the challenges faced by college presidents today, and the importance of diversity and resilience in leadership. Eileen and Terry share insights from their extensive research, including seven compelling case studies of university leaders who have thrived amidst adversity. We also discuss the future of higher education, the importance of mission-driven leadership, and how to identify and support potential candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Don't miss this surprising deep-dive into what it takes to thrive in higher ed leadership in challenging times.

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Roger Spitz is the Author of the new book Disrupt with Impact. He's also the President of Techistential and the Chairman of Disruptive Futures Institute. This is a bonus episode from when Mike first interviewed him about The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption which he coauthored. We look forward to having Roger back on to talk about his new book, Disrupt with Impact, soon.

We begin by hearing Roger's origins in investment banking and M&A before shifting to his focus to futures thinking and the Disruptive Futures Institute. In a wide-ranging conversation that explores concepts and frameworks from the Guide, we learn what it takes to excel in a world of continuous disruption. We explore what we can learn from antifragility, Zen Buddhism, and existential philosophy to equip ourselves with the tools and mindsets essential to thriving in the new state of play. We hear how agency is key to navigating emerging complexity. We touch on the importance of humor, dig into the case study of Israel, and conclude with Roger's takes on the role of education in the emerging zeitgeist. It's a provocative exploration of the transformative work coming out of the Disruptive Futures Institute. Don't miss it!

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Dr. Howard Gardner is one of the leading minds in education and psychology in the last century. In this special episode of Trending in Ed, he joins host Mike Palmer in a wide-ranging conversation about his life's work that is coinciding with the release of two volumes of his collected writings: The Essential Howard Gardner On Mind and The Essential Howard Gardner On Education.

Gardner is a luminary in psychology and a professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education. He shares his journey, including his developmental psychology training and influential mentors like Jean Piaget and Eric Erikson. We discuss his notable contributions, such as the theory of multiple intelligences and his recent work on ethics and AI. Howard highlights key educational themes through examples like The Good Project and emphasizes the importance of understanding ethics in professional roles. We also touch on societal challenges, including the mental health crisis and the role of influencers. Gardner shares his thoughts from his latest compilations and blogs, and reflects on the importance of mentorship and humanism in today's world. Don't miss this chance to go deep with one of the great minds in education.

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 Mike Palmer speaks with Rekha Magon, co-founder and head of education at Boundless Life, who joins from Bali to discuss her innovative approach to global education. We explore how Rekha's background in mindfulness and her experience homeschooling her children led her to create a network of micro-schools across beautiful locations including Portugal, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, and Spain.

Rekha shares how Boundless Life provides a turnkey solution for families wanting to slow travel the world, combining furnished apartments, co-working spaces, and Montessori-inspired education with Finnish pedagogical methods. We discuss how the pandemic created the perfect conditions for reimagining education, leading many families to seek alternatives that blend travel, community, and experiential learning.

The conversation delves into how Boundless Life's educational model emphasizes real-world problem-solving, cultural immersion, and mixed-age learning environments. Rekha explains how these experiences help develop crucial soft skills like adaptability and communication that will serve children well in an uncertain future.

Key takeaways:

We conclude with advice for parents and educators about nurturing children's natural love of learning, whether through travel or finding creative alternatives closer to home.

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In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer sits down with Josh Wright, Executive Vice President of Growth, Education and Government for Lightcast, to discuss the future of work and workforce demographic shifts. We dive deep into Lightcast's report "The Rising Storm: Building a Future Ready Workforce to Withstand the Looming Labor Shortage." Josh shares insights on the demographic drought facing the workforce, including accelerated baby boomer retirements, declining birth rates, and decreasing labor force participation.

We explore the potential impacts of these trends on various industries and regions, as well as possible solutions such as automation, immigration, and improved career navigation. The conversation highlights the crucial role of community colleges and local workforce development initiatives in addressing these challenges.

Key takeaways:

Don't miss out on more insightful conversations like this one – Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts.

In this special bonus episode recorded at the HolonIQ Back to School Summit in New York City, we catch up with Sara Leoni, CEO & Founder of Ziplines Education, for a candid hallway conversation. Sara shares her journey from Division I softball player to EdTech entrepreneur, discussing how her athletic background shaped her leadership style and business acumen.

We dive into Ziplines Education's mission to accelerate careers by partnering with higher education institutions to deliver industry-focused certificates. Sara explains how they're addressing the skills gap for adult learners, particularly in Middle America, by offering programs in digital marketing, business analytics, project management, and more.

The conversation touches on the rapidly evolving landscape of tech-enabled careers and the increasing importance of continuous learning. We explore how Ziplines is integrating generative AI into their curriculum and why they've launched a course on AI prompting.

Key takeaways:

Join us for this insightful discussion on the future of work, the importance of industry-recognized credentials, and how Ziplines Education is helping adult learners navigate the rapidly changing job market.

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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:

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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.

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