Trending In Education

Alexis Block is a PhD Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems. She’s also the creator of HuggieBot and now HuggieBot 2.0 which have allowed her to do groundbreaking research in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI). Alexis joins Mike Palmer on this episode to talk through her recent paper on The Six Commandments of Robot Hugging. We explore what got Alexis to this point in her research and what she’s learned about human behavior through her research. We touch on the impact of the pandemic on her research and examine what’s next on the horizon as she studies how humans and robots interact in highly personal and emotionally supportive ways. It’s a futuristic and insightful conversation that you won’t want to miss. If you’re enjoying what your hearing subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and visit us at TrendinginEducation.com.

Dr. Stephen Kosslyn returns to the show to dive into the topics covered in his new book Active Learning Online with Mike Palmer. What does deep processing really mean and how can its power be unlocked for learning? How do chunking and associations relate to how we learn? What is the dual coding principle and how should instructional designers tap into it to ensure their lessons stick in the minds of their learners? We explore all of this in a deeply informative conversation you won’t want to miss. If you like what you’re hearing subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and visit us at TrendinginEducation. com.

Steve Grubbs is the Founder of Victory XR, a company that specializes in using Virtual Reality to make compelling learning experiences. Steve joins Mike and begins by telling how he has stayed connected to education and technology in different capacities through his professional life before zeroing in on the work he's been doing of late. Whether it's building a VR simulation of the march across the Pettus Bridge in Selma or exploring anatomy, history or astronomy, Steve walks us through various ways in which 3D VR experiences are more emotionally resonant and in many cases more effective than their 2D alternatives. We talk through the impact of the pandemic before getting Steve's perspectives on what's happening now like a recent program launched with Morehouse College to what he sees in the future of learning as other technologies like augmented reality glasses continue to mature. It's a wide-ranging and creatively inspiring conversation that you won't want to miss. If you enjoy what you're hearing, subscrib

Dr. Nicholas Tampio is a Professor of Political Science at Fordham University who recently wrote an opinion piece for the Washington Post about the importance of play in K12 education as we begin to plan for the summer. Nick returns to join Mike Palmer on this episode to explore the risks of rushing kids back to school when they need time to play outside. We question the benefits of pushing to catch up on standardized tests when many kids need to catch up on their social development by playing with their friends and other peers. We explore the relevance of the construct of “learning loss” as we contemplate the best path forward as we all hope to return to a semblance of normalcy. If you like what you’re hearing subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts and check us out at TrendinginEducation.com

Mike is joined by Cara Lesser. CEO and Founder of the KID Museum in Bethesda, Maryland. Cara starts by describing how she transitioned from working on healthcare policy to growing interested in education as her children entered school. Inspired by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, she sought to create an institution dedicated to what she felt was lacking in her children’s education: creative, hands-on problem-solving. The KID museum features flexible workspaces, many digital items for kids to explore, as well as more traditional technologies. (Some of the educational technologies Cara mentions: 3D printers, CNC routers, micro:bits, Arduinos.) Cara partners closely with educators and administrators to provide compelling and effective pedagogy.   The pandemic accelerated the move into the virtual space, and even into VR. While the focus is on K-8, KID Museum partners with Amazon Future Engineer to allow kids to explore career pathways. KID Museum also encourages education across traditional siloed subjects. 

Mike welcomes Dr. Andrew (“Andy”) Temte, President and Global Head of Corporate Learning for Kaplan North America and author Balancing Act: Teach Coach Mentor Inspire. We start by discussing Andy’s non-linear career path, and how he embraces the bumps along the way. We also talk about the importance of the whole person and engaging with the behavioral skills as well as the deep expertise. Andy explains the importance of continuous improvement and organizational health. And how he learned to let go of “command and control” by embracing approaches that teach, coach, mentor, and inspire his team.   If you like what you're hearing subscriber to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. And check us out at TrendinginEducation.com

David Adams was recently named the CEO of The Urban Assembly, a non-profit organization working to advance students' economic and social mobility by improving public education. David joins Mike Palmer to talk about the importance of Social Emotional Learning heading into SEL Day on Friday, March 26th. We dive into how awareness of the importance of SEL has been heightened in light of the pandemic and other challenges we've faced in the past year and how that provides an opportunity to focus on the skills that help students graduate "college, career and community ready." We also explore how screening for gifted and talented programs can move the problems of public education around without addressing the fundamental challenges of providing the rich and supportive learning environments to all students, including special education students, english language learners, first-generation students and more. David talks through the impressive results we've seen at the UA schools in New York City and shares his vision f

Colonel Chris Mayer is the Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives at the US Military Academy at West Point where he also teaches Ethics and Philosophy. Chris returns to join Mike Palmer to revisit the conversation started during Chris' first appearance in November of 2019. We review Bob Johansen's book The New Leadership Literacies as we take a few twists and turns to touch on how the world of robotics is evolving and how we can learn from science fiction as we try to peer further out to possible futures in 2030 and beyond. Chris also describes institutes that focus on futures thinking as we explore how to think about the future of leadership development, ethics, and decision-making in an increasingly VUCA world. IFTF Coursera Course: https://www.coursera.org/specializations/futures-thinking University of Houston Foresight Certificate: https://uh.edu/technology/programs/professional/fore/ Futures School: https://thefuturesschool.com/certification/ If you enjoy what you're hearing, subscribe to Trend

Kate Eberle Walker is the CEO of Presence Learning and the author of the new book The Good Boss: Nine Ways Every Manager Can Support Women at Work. She returns to the show to talk to Mike Palmer about the rules in the book that draw from Kate's experiences, those of other leaders and managers across industries and other relevant statistics and research. We begin exploring Rule Number 1 - Call Her By Her Name before quickly progressing through rules like Don't Sit in Her Chair and Speak Up So She Doesn't Have To among others. It's a relevant, engaging, and genuine conversation about what it takes to support, develop and grow women's careers in the modern workplace. You won't want to miss it! If you like what you're hearing, subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts and check us out at TrendingInEducation.com.

Sarah Johnson is the CEO of Teaching Lab, a leading non-profit professional learning organization for educators. She joins Mike Palmer in this episode to explore why Professional Development or "PD" has a bad reputation among educators and how Sarah and team are trying to turn things around. We talk through the importance of teachers continuing to learn throughout their careers especially in these challenging times. How does Teaching Lab incorporate "Head, Heart and Habits" into its approach to engaging the community of practice of teachers across America? How has the pandemic transformed the landscape of professional learning for educators? How do culturally responsive teaching practices and equity factor into the conversation? We answer all of these questions and explore how to scale things as we ponder how to get teachers the critical resources and supports they need to do their best work. If you like what you're hearing, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and check us out at TrendingInEducation.com

Jeremy Keeshin is the CEO and Co-founder of CodeHS, the leading coding education platform for schools used by millions of students. He joins Mike for this episode to talk about his new book Read Write Code. We begin with Jeremy's origins teaching computer science while at Stanford before founding CodeHS and becoming an expert in computer science education and education technology, visiting hundreds of schools all over the world. Then Jeremy explains how coding is the new literacy - the equivalent of reading in the post-Gutenberg Renaissance - and how he’s trying to demystify the world of computers, starting at the beginning to explain the basic building blocks of today’s tech: programming, the internet, data, apps, the cloud, cybersecurity, algorithms, artificial intelligence, and more.  If coding is as essential for the future of work as reading and writing, you’ll want to listen in to learn how to teach and understand coding and digital literacy to everyone beginning with kids in K12. You can learn more abo

Dr. Steve Joordens is a Psychology Professor and the Director of the Advanced Learning Technologies Lab at the University of Toronto. He’s also the Chief Science Officer at Cogneeto, the developer of PeerScholar, a peer-to-peer formative assessment app. Steve returns to Trending in Education to talk about some predictions he’s making about how humans will behave as we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Steve posits that the powerful forces of humans’ desire for social connection paired with our deeply entrained habits from prior to the pandemic will lead us to a quick snapback to many of the behavior patterns we had adopted prior. We explore the opportunities institutions and individuals have to change those habits, but it will require focused, intentional actions as restrictions are lifted to lock in and establish new and improved patterns on the other side. It’s a thought-provoking and timely conversation that you won’t want to miss! If you like what you’re hearing subscribe and tell a friend. And follow us

Dr. Robert Sternberg joins Mike to talk about his life's work studying intelligence, creativity, and wisdom. He is Professor of Human Development in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University. Bob recently wrote Adaptive Intelligence: Striving and Thriving in Times of Uncertainty and we spend time diving into the concepts and frameworks that are central to the book. For starters, Bob tells his personal story beginning in grade school where initially he didn't perform well on intelligence tests until a teacher took an interest in him and helped him overcome his test anxiety. Soon after he was performing well on tests and even began administering them to his classmates. This formative experience led him to question the prevailing views of intelligence and IQ testing which have dominated psychology since the early 20th century. Bob walks us through his evolving theories of intelligence, ranging from the Triarchic theory (creative, practical, and analytic) of intelligence to an increased focus on success

Dr. Jacqueline Bhabha is FXB Director of Research, Professor of the Practice of Health and Human Rights at the Harvard School of Public Health, the Jeremiah Smith Jr. Lecturer in Law at Harvard Law School, and an Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. Dr. Bhabha joins Mike to talk about her new book, A Better Future: The Role of Higher Education for Displaced and Marginalized People that explores the critical importance of access to tertiary education to displaced and marginalized populations. We dive into the challenges faced by refugees, immigrants, and other marginalized groups in gaining access to educational pathways that are essential to living safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives. We also touch on the impact of the pandemic and the related explosion in online education on the lives of marginalized populations seeking access to learning pathways around the globe. It's an eye-opening and important conversation that you don't want to miss. If you like what you’re hearing, follow u

Dr. Terri Givens returns to the show to talk about her newly released book Radical Empathy: Finding a Path to Bridging Racial Divides and its implications in higher education and society more broadly. We touch on Terri's personal story and how it taught her to be vulnerable and to get comfortable in her own skin. This involves empathy for yourself, your family, and your neighborhood as you progress to take action to effect change which is the radical part of Radical Empathy. We dive into Terri's perspectives on Higher Education and Education Leadership as a black woman confronting structural racism in a compelling and personal story that we hope resonates. If you like what you're hearing, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and. check us out at TrendingInEducation.com.

Kathleen Almy, CEO of Almy Education, joins Mike to talk about her experiences as an author, as math faculty, and most recently as a consultant helping community colleges develop effective and scalable developmental math programs that drive completion rates and student success. After hearing Kathy’s origin story, we explore the challenges and opportunities endemic to math education in 2021. Then we look ahead through the pandemic response and on into the years ahead. To learn more about what Kathy and team are doing, check them out at AlmyEducation.com If you like what you’re hearing, subscribe wherever you get four podcasts and follow us at Trendingineducation.com.

Dr. Sheryl Burgstahler joins Mike to talk about her work in access, Universal Design, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Sheryl shared how she got involved with accessibility in the early days of home computing and how that has evolved into her role at the University of Washington today. We talk about her book, Creating Inclusive Learning Opportunities in Higher Ed, and other great resources for educators who want to build products and courses that can be easily accessed in usable ways by the diverse range of learners who are out there. It’s a rollicking deep dive into an emerging field that you won’t want to miss! If you like what you’re hearing, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow us at TrendinginEducation.com

Ron Reed and Greg Rosenbaum from SXSW EDU return to join Mike just before SXSW EDU 2021 begins on March 9th. You can learn more about the conference at https://www.sxswedu.com/ We talk through our history together with this being the third time Ron and Greg have joined us on the show. We take time to reflect on the challenges and transformations of the past year and get their thoughts on the opportunities around moving online and the shifts in thinking required to make the most of the online format. Greg talks about the shift from "serendipity to intention" and Ron provides a broader read on the impact of the past year and how that will be reflected in the themes and topics of SXSW EDU 2021. And we also talk about Oprah Winfrey's Keynote with Dr. Bruce Perry on their upcoming book, What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing. It's a riveting conversation that gives a window into the many challenges we've faced and the new perspectives we're arriving at in difficult times. If you li

Geoff and Sky Marietta join Mike to discuss their book, Rural Education in America. We hear the Mariettas' story from rural roots to meeting at Teach For America in the Navajo Nation, to Harvard Yard, and then finally to Harlan County, Kentucky, where Sky and family have deep roots. We look at how rural America is perceived both from the outside in and also from the inside in as we learn the critical role education plays in knitting together rural communities. It's an eye-opening conversation that will help broaden your understanding of the problems, opportunities, and perspectives that drive rural students, teachers, families, and communities. In a time of polarization and risks of stereotyping rural America, this is a timely conversation that you won't want to miss! If you like what you're hearing subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and follow us at TrendingInEducation.com.

Mike welcomes Anurupa Ganguly, Founder and CEO of Prisms of Reality, a Virtual Reality solution for teaching K-12 algebra. As a student, teacher, and administrator, Anurupa was consistently frustrated by students’ lack of deep conceptual understanding of math and science. Find out how she’s leveraging the cutting-edge technology of VR to deepen and accelerate math learning in middle school. Anurupa describes what's involved in creating compelling VR experiences to provide emotional resonance and conceptual depth as she describes her vision for the future for Prisms. It takes a cross-disciplinary team of game designers, developers, UX, product, and content stakeholders to build experiences like their beta launch for Algebra which is now available. It's an imaginative conversation about how emerging VR capabilities can really make a difference in Math and STEM education that you won't want to miss. If you like what you're hearing, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and check us out at TrendinginEducation