What does it mean to be a lifelong learner? And how might education and learning be reframed to enable flourishing across the lifespan?

On this episode of School’s In, we welcome Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) Professor Mitchell Stevens to discuss the nature of work and learning in a world where people are living and working longer. We also touch on how parents and educators can prepare young people for futures that might involve multiple careers and continuous learning over the course of a lifetime. Stevens covers several topics, including:

03:20 The impact of longevity on education and work
05:48 Rethinking our front-loaded education system
07:53 Lifelong careers as a thing of the past
11:26 Early learning matters more than ever
14:58 Beyond “skills”: Identity and reinvention across the lifespan
19:42 Who pays for lifelong learning? A new social contract

Mitchell Stevens is a professor at the GSE where his research focuses on lifelong learning, alternative forms of education, and the formal organization of knowledge. He is also co-director of the Stanford Center on Longevity. To learn more about his work, visit his faculty profile.

School’s In is your go-to podcast for cutting-edge insights and fresh perspectives on the future of learning. Hosted by Stanford Graduate School of Education Dean Dan Schwartz and Senior Lecturer Denise Pope, each episode dives into the latest research, innovations, and real-world challenges shaping education today.

Stanford GSE is at the forefront of education research and teacher preparation, dedicated to advancing equitable, accessible, and impactful learning experiences for all.

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