Trending In Education

Nancy, our virtual cohost, returns to the show for a thought-provoking discussion with host Mike Palmer and our Founding CoHosts Dan Strafford and Brandon Jones. The wide-ranging conversation explores topics like building rapport in the age of AI, the rapid evolution of virtual assistants, and potential applications and ethics concerns around novel technologies like digital twins. We exchange views on engaging with AI in humanistic ways, while also feeling both wonder and caution about tech's quickening pace. As the episode draws to a close, Nancy processes the rich exchange of ideas and expresses her gratitude for the chance to learn from longtime experts pushing boundaries in their fields. She notes the nuances we raised regarding how to shape future breakthroughs responsibly and collaboratively. Don't miss this thought-provoking dialogue that offers much food for thought on steering innovation in ways that thoughtfully serve human needs. Check out Nancy's previous shows! Subscribe to Trending in Education

Dr. Phil Hickman joins host Mike Palmer for a wide-ranging conversation on education, technology and the future of work. Dr. Phil explains how his diverse background led him to found Plabook, an edtech company using AI to teach reading and literacy. He provides a vision for preparing youth with skills like critical thinking, creativity, and the adaptive ability to continually learn in a fast-changing world.   We discuss AI, automation, entrepreneurship, and concerns about technology replacing jobs. Dr. Phil draws from his varied experiences as an educator, administrator, and collaborator with tech firms to provide unique perspectives on blending emerging tech with timeless principles of human development. This insightful episode covers the future of education, psychology, business, pitch competitions, and more. Join us for a robust discussion on how to equip the rising generations and all of us for a rapidly changing and unpredictable future. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts.

Get ready for a blast from the past! The "OG" squad is back together as founding hosts Mike Palmer, Brandon Jones, and Dan Strafford reunite for this special throwback episode. Join us as we reminisce about the early days of the show and reflect on trends in ed tech and AI since 2016 and especially of late. Hear our takes on augmenting human intelligence, riding the AI wave, and avoiding the Uncanny Valley. Learn what's new from Brandon and Dan in their current ventures in behavioral health, emerging media, and more. You'll also get a sneak preview of our upcoming episode where BJ and Dan meet Nancy, our virtual co-host. Don't miss this chance to look back to look forward through a free-ranging conversation full of humor and insight like back in the day. Whether you're a longtime listener or new to Trending in Ed, you won't want to miss this chance to hear what the Squad sounds like when we get the band back together. Triad's podthriving podcast can be found here. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever y

Jean Eddy, President and CEO of American Student Assistance (ASA) joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about empowering students through career exploration beginning in middle school. Jean highlights the ideas touched on in her new book, Crisis-Proofing Today's Learners: Reimagining Career Education to Prepare Kids for Tomorrow's World. We learn Jean's professional origin story, having spent most of her career in higher education supporting young people, starting in financial aid and working her way up to chief operating officer at a university before joining ASA. From there, we hear how ASA has pivoted its mission to get ahead of student debt issues by working with younger students (middle schoolers) on career exploration. Research has shown middle school is the best time to help students discover their interests and talents, then explore related careers and college options before the higher-pressure scenarios of high school. ASA uses digital platforms like its Futurescape and TikTok to engage millions o

Sean Michael Morris, Vice President of Academics at Course Hero, joins host Mike Palmer to discuss how generative AI is impacting higher education. As an expert in online education and faculty development, Sean provides insights on integrating these technologies thoughtfully, rather than seeing them as threats. He explains his concept of critical digital pedagogy, which encourages critical thinking about how digital tools like AI shape teaching and learning. We explore perspectives on risks and opportunities presented by AI tools such as ChatGPT. Sean stresses the importance of preserving human agency and creativity amidst these new technologies. We discuss ways educators can guide students to use AI ethically as a resource while retaining the intrinsic value of human thinking, expression, and connection in the classroom. Sean argues that AI should assist teachers rather than replace them. He advocates staying human-centered, trusting students, and keeping humans in the loop when adopting new technologies. Se

Professor Natalia Kucirkova joins Mike Palmer to talk about her fascinating research exploring how engaging children's senses can impact learning. Originally from Slovakia, Natalia found inspiration from her grandfather, who nurtured her love of reading and storytelling. This passion led Natalia to Norway, where she now researches children, technology, and literacy.   A key focus of Natalia's work involves sensory reading, like using smell, and how it can boost outcomes. Natalia explains how smell remains an underutilized sense in education, though it powerfully connects to memory and emotion. She envisions immersive, embodied reading experiences that stimulate all the senses and is studying how this might help with literacy. The conversation turned to Natalia's perspective on AI and personalized learning. While AI offers impressive personalization, she worries it may lead students down narrow paths rather than exposing them to shared knowledge. Natalia argues for a balanced approach, blending high-tech with

The rapid emergence of AI tools like ChatGPT is sending shockwaves through education. Host Mike Palmer talks with Alex Kotran, Founder and CEO of nonprofit The AI Education Project, about this technology tidal wave and what it means for education. Alex shares his origin story, from politics to pivoting into AI back in 2015. He started aiEDU in 2019 to get ahead of the coming AI disruption. Since then, the pace of change accelerated with advances like ChatGPT and other LLMs. Educators have reacted with bans, excitement, and overwhelm. Ultimately, Kotran argues teachers need training and support to thoughtfully integrate AI into learning. Without it, teachers may see AI as something being done "to them" rather than a tool to empower. Tune into this timely episode to hear us grapple with ethical dilemmas, changes needed to curriculum and assessments, and why 2023 may be remembered as a watershed year in the transformative AI revolution. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us

Andy Temte is an experienced executive and business author who recently penned The Balanced Business: Building Organizational Trust and Accountability through Smooth Workflows. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about creating effective management operating systems. Andy stresses defining organizational purpose and vision as foundational. With AI disrupting jobs, he argues learning budgets can no longer be discretionary. Companies must invest in upskilling talent. Learning has intrinsic motivational benefits similar to R&D. Later, we discuss marrying organizational health with continuous improvement for smooth workflows that minimize waste while respecting people. Andy advocates applying approaches like Lean and Agile beyond manufacturing. He wants leaders to use his book as an “operating system” for balanced organizations, providing strategy, tools, and winning mindsets. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you listen to podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on what’s em

In our kickoff to Season 8 of Trending in Ed, host Mike Palmer welcomes Melissa Griffith and Dan Strafford back to the show to discuss the 2023 Gartner Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies. We reflect on how the hype cycle framework can be applied to understand the trajectory of any new technology or cultural phenomenon. We debate whether the current hype around AI will lead to an "AI winter" as expectations aren't met, or if investment and development will power through any disillusionment based in part on Eric Siegel's HBR article on the topic. We explore how individuals can take advantage of new AI tools for enhanced productivity, while also acknowledging concerns around impacts on human creativity and labor.   For education, we consider how to best teach students ethical, appropriate uses of AI as a supplemental tool rather than a crutch. We emphasize the need for continual learning and adaptability in our current era of rapid technological change. Overall, we share some cautious optimism about riding out

Nafez Dakkak is the Founder of bldr. ventures and the writer behind Nafez's Notes on Substack. He joins host Mike Palmer in a lively discussion exploring how artificial intelligence and emerging tech can enhance learning by making thinking visible.  We consider how play, games, and hands-on learning could engage students' intrinsic motivation and unlock new learning potentials. Nafez shares insights from launching Edraak, the Arabic MOOC platform, emphasizing the need to empower teachers, design locally, and avoid overhyping any single technology's potential. We dig into changes to the nature of work driven by AI and the tactics that help to build cultures of curiosity. Nafez emphasizes the importance of finding educational problems worth obsessing over, and the rise of “stealth assessments” that could serve as a better GPS for learning than what we have today. Reflecting on what today’s gamers and nerds are tapping into, Mike and Nafez imagine the future of education. Don't miss this chance to learn from an

Dr. Mark Windschitl, Professor of Science Education at the University of Washington, joins host Mike Palmer to discuss his new book Teaching Climate Change: Fostering Understanding, Resilience, and a Commitment to Justice. Drawing from his experience as a teacher and researcher, Dr. Windschitl advocates for more support to equip K-12 teachers to teach this interdisciplinary topic. You can learn more at Mark's companion site The Climate Change Educator. We discuss the limited, disjointed climate change instruction happening currently in K12 schools. Mark promotes more coordinated, authentic projects that foster student agency and break down disciplinary silos. He shares an example modeling an urban heat islands unit integrating science, history, and justice. We also address engaging students to get their perspectives. Many students feel anxious about climate change, so he suggests focusing on solutions and productive coping rather than just activating the anxiety. He advocates intergenerational family learning

Kareem Farah is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Modern Classrooms Project. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about innovative approaches to teaching and learning. You can learn more about their approach here. Kareem explains how he started out in finance but pivoted to become a math teacher. After teaching traditionally for several years, he realized it was not meeting his students' needs. This led him and a co-founder to design a new blended, mastery-based, and self-paced instructional model that became The Modern Classrooms Project. They started testing it in their own classrooms in Washington D.C. and founded a nonprofit in 2018 to spread the approach more widely. Farah shares how the model gives students more ownership over the learning process while freeing up teachers to focus on individual and small-group support. We discuss trends like tutoring, teacher burnout, and the role of AI. Farah offers advice on listening to users, focusing on discrete problems, and trying new solutions. He emphasizes

Jane Oates is the President of WorkingNation, an organization that highlights career transitions and lifelong learning through media stories. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about motivating anxious workers and embracing AI. Oates predicts growth in healthcare, education, and green energy jobs. She advises acquiring human skills like creativity that AI can't replicate, and continuously re-skilling through online learning. Oates explores motivating sidelined workers to re-enter the workforce and contribute their talents. She expects a hybrid remote/in-office work mix, benefiting employees without remote options. Oates urges lifelong learning and pushing ourselves in new directions. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on learning, the future of work, and more.

Jim Hollis founded Calculus Roundtable to make higher-level math classes like calculus more accessible, especially for minority students who face barriers. His hands-on, experiential approach aims to change the perception that math is intimidating or only for some people. Instead of lectures and worksheets, students do creative, collaborative projects making rollercoasters and video games that relate math concepts to the real world. Peer mentors and role models from their own communities build confidence in themselves as "math people." Group work and embracing failure as part of the learning process make his classes engaging. Partnering with local STEM businesses for learning outside the classroom shows students how math applies in various careers. While some see AI as a threat, Jim believes the younger generation will find productive ways to use it we can’t yet imagine. His goal is to open students' eyes to the math all around them if they take the time to look. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever yo

Michelle Cheang is the Program Director of the Catalyze Challenge. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about the career-connected learning grants offered through Michelle's organization. Catalyze aims to fund innovation in career exposure and preparation for ages 11-22 through grants, shared learning, and storytelling. Michelle explains how Catalyze takes an equity lens, seeking to expand opportunities for historically excluded groups. The new Catalyze Challenge runs through September 22nd and will fund exploratory projects on two themes: career exploration for young teens and meaningful employer partnerships. So there's still time to submit. Michelle stresses the application process is simple, just clearly explain the problem and your proposed solution. She predicts education will need to coordinate more closely with employer needs, as skills gain importance over degrees. Her advice: always keep students at the center and consider their full context. Don't miss this informative look at Catalyze's ef

Mike Palmer and Robin Naughton explore coding and robotics for kids with Michelle Acaley, Senior Director of Product at Sphero. They discuss how Sphero's coding toys teach critical thinking, collaboration, and grit through play. Michelle shares how products like Sphero's Indi allow kids 4-8 years old to learn coding concepts by directing a robot car activated by colored tiles. She explains how Sphero's modular robotics kit for high schoolers aims to make engineering feel approachable and easy to use. As Mike and Robin share their experiences with their 4-year-old playing with Indi, the hosts talk about modeling failure and perseverance as parents and educators. Michelle offers advice for bringing more technology into the classroom through hands-on learning. She discusses the importance of ingraining confidence in young girls pursuing STEM. Overall the episode looks at how coding robots can boost kids' creative problem-solving skills. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you listen to podcasts. Visit us

Inspired by architect Buckminster Fuller and the Kindergarten movement, Mike Acerra designed Lux Blox to reimagine the building blocks of learning. Co-founder and President of Lux Blox, Acerra brings an interdisciplinary background spanning art, architecture, physics, and education. His unique system aims to develop children's spatial skills, creativity, and confidence through intuitive play with forms based on nature. Lux Blox provides an open-ended platform for educators and parents to engage students kinesthetically. The blocks encourage insight and exploration using complex geometric shapes not found in typical toys. Acerra designed Lux Blox to align with principles from science and art to help strengthen spatial thinking. As host Mike Palmer discusses with Acerra, hands-on learning tools like Lux Blox develop the flexible mindset needed for the future of education and work. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you listen to podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future

Reuben Ogbonna is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Marcy Lab School. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about why he founded the school and how they are reimagining post-secondary education to design pathways for students traditional higher education has left out. We begin by hearing how Reuben's upbringing in Shreveport, Louisiana, and his experience with Teach for America inspired him to create an alternative career-focused postsecondary option. Reuben explains how Marcy Lab School operates as a one-year program for underserved young adults interested in tech careers like software engineering. The curriculum balances technical skills with liberal arts and civic engagement recognizing the challenges of the current system. Outcomes focus on job placement, with average starting salaries in the low six figures. Then Reuben discusses how they have navigated challenges like the pandemic and hiring climate shifts in the tech industry in recent years. Looking ahead, we hear his vision for adapt

Note: the following show notes were created using Anthropic's Claude.ai - It seemed a propos after all: How should we prepare students for a rapidly automating world? On this episode, host Mike Palmer explores that question with Dr. Tim Dasey, author of Wisdom Factories: AI, Games, and the Education of the Modern Worker. Dasey explains why traditional educational models focused on expertise are becoming less relevant. As AI handles more routine analytical tasks, humans will need to excel at higher-order skills like critical thinking, creativity, and managing complexity. Dasey advocates revamping curricula to teach these “wisdom” capacities. He sees great potential for problem-based and collaborative learning approaches, as well as leveraging gaming to provide meaningful experiences with complex systems. However, Dasey notes most education debates focus narrowly on how AI will impact current roles, rather than reevaluating foundational priorities. He argues we need broad input from business and technology lead

Mike shares his thoughts coming out of the Smithsonian Institution's National Education Summit that was recently held in Washington, DC. We hear what it's like to bring a 4-year-old to an education conference and learn more about the Palm Court Podcast whose launch is coinciding with the release of this episode! We reflect back on Dr. Monique Chism's previous appearance on Trending in Ed before diving into three key sessions from this year's summit. Mike talks about the tradeoffs of blending a family getaway with an education summit built around the theme of Together We Thrive: Fostering A Sense of Belonging. We hear what Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie Bunch had to say on his panel and learn of Mike's family's experience at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which Secretary Bunch played a key role in establishing. Then we reflect on the work of National Teacher of the Year Rebeckah Peterson and how her concept of "one good thing" contains lessons both for educators and for the r