Trending In Ed with Mike Palmer

Welcome to an inspiring conversation on the future of learning with Michael Ioffe, founder of Arist, a company doing really interesting work in education. Michael is a Forbes 30 under 30 and a Thiel fellow. Michael joins host Mike Palmer to share his journey, beginning with his early obsession with education, influenced by his parents who were refugees. His experiences, including scaling free live conversations with entrepreneurs to 500 cities in 50 countries by age 18, led to a critical insight in a war zone in Yemen: the best way to deliver learning where educational resources and internet access are limited is via text message. This led to building Arist, which focuses on meeting people where they are and making learning conversational and digestible. We explore how constraints drive innovation and how Arist was ahead of the curve, foreseeing that most workplace communication would shift to messaging tools and leveraging the power of early AI models like GPT-3. We discuss how being text-based puts Arist at the native environment of LLMs and how conciseness forces clarity in learning design. Michael explains that Arist courses are not "micro learning" in a way that suggests they are less significant, but are intentionally designed to chunk information into bite-sized, conversational, and practice-oriented pieces. We also cover the importance of making instruction feel human, using custom data and custom workflows to ensure content is reliable, and how Arist enables rapid upskilling in the flow of work for enterprises. For example, a client with 30,000 employees was able to push out content on AI and data literacy immediately using Arist, compared to the six months it would have taken with existing tools. The conversation culminates in a discussion about the shift from focusing on skills to focusing on outcomes, and why agency is the single most important human skill in the age of AI. Michael shares that the role of the teacher is evolving from knowledge-provider to curator, facilitator, and mentor, helping students define their ambitious outcomes. The limit in the age of exponentially better AI models is no longer the model, but our own ability to ask better, smarter, and more interesting questions. Key Takeaways Learning in the Flow of Work: Learning should meet people where they are, making it digestible and conversational, often via messaging tools. The Power of Constraints: Challenges, such as a lack of internet access in a war zone, can drive innovations like text message courses, which then prove widely relevant. AI and Frictionless Learning: Leveraging AI to create content delivered through messaging makes learning completely frictionless for both the creator and the end-user. Focus on Outcomes Over Skills: The future of education needs to shift its focus from building and measuring skills to achieving specific, desired outcomes, with AI accelerating the path to those outcomes. Agency is the Core Skill: The number one skill that matters with AI is human agency—the ability to figure out the outcome you care about and what you need to do to accomplish it. New Role for Educators: Teachers and leaders shift to curators, facilitators, and mentors who help students define ambitious goals and push them to achieve more than they thought possible. If you're interested in how disruptive technology like AI is reshaping corporate learning, instructional design, and career readiness, this episode offers a forward-thinking perspective. We break down the evolution of learning delivery and why focusing on human agency is key to thriving in the future of work. Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a conversation like this one.

Welcome to a compelling conversation on Trending in Education, where we explore how innovative thinking and technology can transform public education. In this episode, Mike Palmer talks with Michelle Vilchez, CEO, and Sean Michael Hardy, Vice President of National Organizing and Advocacy, from Innovate Public Schools. They discuss their groundbreaking work in empowering parents and leveraging artificial intelligence to create a new tool called AI-EP, a project developed in collaboration with Northeastern University's Burnes Center for Social Change. Why You Should Listen: Empowering Parents: This episode highlights how a nonprofit organization is shifting power to parents, particularly those from marginalized communities, by giving them the tools and platforms to advocate for their children's education. AI for Good: You'll hear about a practical and inspiring use of AI that addresses a real-world problem and closes equity gaps, rather than exacerbating them. Community-Led Innovation: The conversation showcases a powerful model of "co-design," where tech developers, educators, and community members work together to create solutions that are both effective and sustainable. Key Takeaways: Innovate Public Schools is a movement, not a network. Michelle and Sean clarify that their organization's mission is to mobilize families to demand high-quality schools for their children, not to operate charter schools. They focus on campaigns for black literacy, special education, and high-impact tutoring. AI-EP addresses a critical need. The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is often a dense, 50-page legal document that can be intimidating for parents, especially those who don't speak English or have low reading comprehension. The AI-EP tool translates the IEP into a parent's native language and allows them to ask questions, effectively serving as a chatbot to help them understand and engage with the plan. Collaboration is key to innovation. The AI-EP project was a collaborative effort involving Innovate Public Schools, Northeastern University, and the Learning Tapestry. By bringing together tech developers and parents, they created a tool that has had a transformational impact on users. Parent advocacy drives policy change. Innovate's parent leaders have not only influenced local policy but also co-authored legislation. Their advocacy led to the passage of California's Senate Bill 445, which mandates that IEP documents be translated into the 10 most common languages across the state, benefiting over 800,000 students. The model is replicable. Michelle and Sean stress that their goal is not to be "gatekeepers" of this innovation, but to share the model so it can be replicated across the nation to address a variety of educational challenges. They believe that organizing around education is crucial because it is the "building block" for everything else in life, from economic stability to generational wealth. Don't miss this conversation. Listen in to learn how Innovate Public Schools is harnessing the power of community and technology to create a more equitable and participatory education system. Subscribe to Trending in Education so you never miss a conversation like this one. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:47 Michelle's Journey with Innovate Public Schools 04:39 Sean's Background and Path to Innovate 10:40 Challenges and Innovations in Education 12:14 Parent Advocacy and Policy Change 15:12 Impact of the Pandemic and AI on Education 17:47 Public Trust and Equity in Education 19:01 Innovate Public Schools' Focus on Equity 19:22 AI Collaboration with Northeastern University 19:51 Campaigns and AI Integration 20:25 Understanding IEPs and Their Challenges 21:55 AI's Role in Special Education 26:52 Legislative Efforts for IEP Translation 28:01 Co-Designing AI Tools with the Community 31:03 Future Prospects and Community Engagement 33:41 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Mike Palmer is joined on this episode of Trending in Ed by Rich Braden and Tessa Forshaw, co-authors of the new book, Innovation-ish: How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real World. They talk about the core concepts of their book, including the "creativity gap," "innovation mythology," and "cognitive caution". We discuss how these ideas apply not only in business but also in education, and why creativity is not a magical quality but a skill that can be taught and cultivated. We also explore the role of AI in the creative process and how it can be used to augment human abilities. Key Takeaways: Creativity is for everyone. The authors challenge the myth that creativity is an innate quality held only by a few "media darlings" like Steve Jobs or Elon Musk. This "creativity gap" is a result of wrong mental models that can be changed. Embrace ambiguity. Innovation involves a natural aversion to ambiguity, which the authors call "cognitive caution". Acknowledging this and understanding that it is a necessary part of creating novel ideas can help us change our relationship with it. Focus on the individual. Braden and Forshaw's approach to teaching creativity centers on the learner's mind and how it works, rather than a rigid, external process. This includes using "mindsets" to intentionally change what you pay attention to, "moves" or small, actionable tasks that are less intimidating, and "metacognition" to determine what is needed. It's not "innovation," it's "innovation-ish." The word "innovation" can cause "hesitation" and a "physical reaction" in people. By setting the bar lower and asking people to be "a little bit innovation-ish," the authors make the concept more approachable and less intimidating. AI is a tool, not a replacement for human creativity. The authors discuss a study where students who used ChatGPT in a design class produced "mid" work that lacked originality and was capped in its potential. AI can be useful for things like varying text in brainstorming, but it cannot replicate the unique connections and perspectives that make human creativity so powerful. Don't miss this chance to learn how to innovate from two experts in the field who love education and provide sharp takes on how this applies to the future of learning. Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a conversation like this one! 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:11 Rich Braden's Professional Journey 03:25 Tessa Forshaw's Professional Journey 06:10 The Creativity Gap and Innovation Myths 10:32 Teaching Creativity and Innovation 17:44 Centering Student Minds in Design Education 18:03 Scoping and Agile Trends in Design 18:58 Effortful Learning and Innovation 19:58 Applying Design Thinking in Education 21:09 AI in Education and the Future of Work 22:09 Human Creativity vs. AI 25:32 Brainstorming with AI 28:00 Innovation-ish: Embracing Flexibility 33:44 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

On this episode of Trending in Ed, Mike Palmer is joined by Howard Blumenthal and Dr. Bob Pianta, co-authors of the new book, Kids on Earth: The Learning Potential of 5 Billion Minds. We discuss the research and ideas behind their book, which explores how learning takes place for kids in real life and how that can be better translated into schools. We also delve into the distinction between "old school," "not school," and "new school" models of education. Key Takeaways Reinventing Education: We need to recognize that the traditional "old school" model, which relies on an industrial approach and is often disconnected from students' interests, is not working well. The vast majority of our lives' learning takes place in the unstructured "not school" environment, which includes things like the internet, play, and music. The "new school" model seeks to bridge these two ideas by freeing up teachers and resources to allow students to pursue their interests, which increases motivation and engagement. Three Elements of "New School": The new school model is built on three key elements: personal, relational, and active learning. Learning is personal when it is relevant and meaningful to the individual. It is relational because it involves a connection with others, like teachers and peers. Finally, learning is active when kids are deeply and authentically engaged. The Role of AI: We discuss how artificial intelligence will impact education by absorbing tasks that have little to do with teaching and learning, thereby freeing up teachers' time. For students, AI can personalize education in a way that traditional schooling cannot. We argue that instead of banning technology like phones in schools, adults should focus on creating safe learning environments and using these tools effectively. Why You Should Listen > This episode offers a hopeful perspective on the future of education, providing a roadmap for thinking about how we can reinvent our schools to better serve the next generation of learners. > We provide a framework for understanding and discussing the challenges in education today, including the disconnect between traditional teaching methods and how kids actually learn. > We offer insights into how to involve kids in conversations about what matters to them, which is a crucial step in creating a more relevant and engaging learning experience. If you like what you heard, be sure to subscribe and tell your friends. You can find us on all the major podcast platforms. Video episodes are on Youtube and Spotify. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:45 Bob Pianta's Career Journey 01:58 Howard Blumenthal's Media Career and Global Education 03:19 The Genesis of 'Kids on Earth '08:00 Old School, New School, and Not School Framework 20:05 The Role of AI in Education 27:23 Global Perspectives and Future of Education 27:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Trending in Ed is back for its 10th season! Mike Palmer is kicking things off by reflecting on the past nine seasons and sharing what's in store for the Fall. We're excited to announce that the podcast will be offering dedicated feeds for listeners who want to go deep on specific topics like AI, K-12, higher education / the future of work, and author interviews about books. In this kickoff episode, Mike shares his eight trends for Fall 2025: Independent Media & Free Speech: Highlighting the importance of independent media and calling out the "chilling effects" on free speech in mainstream and broadcast media. Discernment: The ability to find "the signal in the noise" and filter out misinformation in a world of information overload. AI Dexterity: A focus on what people can do with AI rather than what AI can do for them, a phrase coined by Mike Yates. Golden Age of Educational Media: The rise of generative AI tools is revolutionizing the development of educational content and instructional design. Co-Design & Co-Creation: The importance of listening to and co-creating with students, families, and parents to foster a sense of connection and ownership. Human Agency: The idea that purpose and goals are a "super skill" that allows individuals to engage with new capabilities more productively. Cognitive Neuroscience: Applying the science of how our brains are structured and how we learn to develop more effective learning systems. Tutors & Mentors: The crucial role of human coaches, tutors, and mentors in a world increasingly influenced by AI. We also bring back OG virtual co-host, Nancy, to discuss the Gartner Hype Cycle for 2025. We discuss how generative AI is now moving into the "Trough of Disillusionment" and that things like Model Ops and AI Engineering are quietly gaining momentum on the "Slope of Enlightenment". We also touch upon what's next, including AI agents and AI-native software engineering, and how AI is becoming a utility rather than a differentiator. Listeners can look forward to upcoming interviews with an incredible lineup of guests, including: Rich Braden and Tessa Forshaw, authors of Innovation-ish. Howard Blumenthal and Bob Pianta, authors of Kids on Earth. Michael Ioffe the Co-Founder and CEO of Arist. AJ Gutierrez from Equal Opportunity Schools. Michelle Vilchez and Sean Michael Hardy from Innovate Public Schools. Jeff Young hosts Learning Curve. Liz City and Rachel Curtis, authors of Leading Strategically. We are delighted to have you with us for Season 10! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Video versions are now available on YouTube and Spotify. Visit TrendinginEd.com for more. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Season 10 of Trending in Education 01:24 New Dedicated Feeds for Focused Content 02:42 Upcoming Trends and Sneak Peeks 07:05 Trend 1: Free Speech and Independent Media 10:44 Trend 2: Discernment in the Attention Economy 12:28 Trend 3: AI Dexterity 13:50 Trend 4: Golden Age of Educational Media 16:09 Trend 5: Co-Design and Co-Creation 19:22 Trend 6: Human Agency  26:07 Trend 7: Cognitive Neuroscience 27:26 Trend 8: Tutors/Coaches and Mentors 29:21 Recap of the Eight Trends in Education 31:43 Gartner Hype Cycle for 2025 34:21 Generative AI and the Trough of Disillusionment 37:22 Future Technologies and AI Agents 41:37 Conclusion and Future Episodes

Shalinee Sharma is the CoFounder and CEO of Zearn and the author of Math Mind: The Simple Path to Loving Math. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about what it takes to instill a genuine love of math in all kids. We begin by hearing Shalinee's origins in consulting at Bain before she jumped into the opportunity to cofound Zearn and lead its growth to where it is today. She demonstrates ways to make math resonate with Mike as a sample pupil. Of course, there is talk of AI and how a love of math fits into the future of work and human life. And through it all, Shalinee grounds the conversation in the practical tips and surprising insights she's gleaned from students using an online math program to solve over one billion problems. Don't miss this chance to dive deep into the future of math instruction with a renowned expert in the field who imparts unique wisdom about how math instruction needs to evolve for students, teachers, and parents. Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of learning. 00:00 Introduction to Trending in Education 01:10 Meet Shalinee Sharma: From Bain to Zearn 02:52 The Mission of Zearn: Loving Math 06:35 Understanding Math Through Axiomatic Proofs 11:29 The Importance of Numeracy 18:48 Zearn's Approach to Math Education 22:08 Building Competence and Confidence 23:04 Engagement Strategies in Education 26:50 The Role of AI in Education 32:33 Conceptual Understanding in Math 36:11 Practical Tips for Parents and Teachers 42:09 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Mike Palmer welcomes Doug Lemov, founder of Teach Like a Champion, to the podcast. Lemov discusses his journey from teacher to education innovator and the evolution of Teach Like a Champion. He highlights the importance of the new book, The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading, co-authored with Colleen Driggs and Erica Woolway. The conversation delves into the critical role of attention in reading, the impact of technology on cognition, and the power of shared reading experiences in the classroom. Lemov also explains the significance of close reading and knowledge-based comprehension, advocating for bringing complex texts, whole books, and writing back into the classroom. Key Takeaways: The Science of Reading: The importance of understanding the research behind reading acquisition and applying it to teaching practices beyond early elementary grades. Attention in the Digital Age: How screens and social media fragment attention, and the need to rebuild students' capacity for sustained concentration through practices like reading physical books and extended reading periods. The Social Nature of Reading: The value of shared reading experiences in fostering connection, meaning-making, and enjoyment, contrasting with individual, choice-based reading that can isolate students. Knowledge-Driven Comprehension: The understanding that reading comprehension is primarily driven by background knowledge, not just transferable skills, emphasizing the need to build students' knowledge base to improve their understanding of complex texts. The Power of Writing: The benefits of slow, durable, and difficult writing in the classroom for deep thinking, memory encoding, and improved discussion, especially in contrast to the shortcuts offered by AI. Why You Should Listen: Discover how to reignite joy and meaning in the classroom by understanding the science of reading and practical strategies for improving student comprehension and engagement. Doug shares insights on combating the challenges of modern attention spans and leveraging the power of shared experiences and knowledge-building to cultivate lifelong readers. Subscribe to Trending in Education so you never miss a conversation like this one! 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:01 Doug Lemov's Professional Journey 02:05 Founding a Charter School 03:02 Teach Like A Champion: Origins and Impact 07:36 The Science of Reading: New Book Insights 09:46 Challenges in Reading Education 13:49 The Importance of Attention in Reading 19:22 Social Aspects of Reading and Meaning Making 20:31 The Social Power of Books in the Classroom 21:09 The Debate on Book Choice in Education 22:06 The Importance of Shared Reading Experiences 23:22 Understanding the Role of Complex Texts in Education 26:38 The Cognitive Science Behind Close Reading 31:13 The Impact of Writing on Learning and Memory 36:37 The Role of Background Knowledge in Reading Comprehension 42:38 Concluding Thoughts and the Importance of Whole Book

On this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer is joined by Elliot Felix, a returning guest, to discuss his new book, The Connected College: Leadership Strategies for Student Success. The book, releasing July 22nd, focuses on how higher education can become more agile, connected, and break down silos. Elliot Felix shares his mission of student success, drawing on his experience consulting with over 120 colleges and universities to improve student experiences through transformations in physical spaces, support services, and technology systems. He explains that his new book aims to provide an evidence-based playbook for higher education professionals to collaborate better for student success. Key Takeaways: Addressing Disconnections in Higher Ed: Felix identifies five key disconnections the book addresses, including a lack of belonging among students (only 65% feel they belong), the disconnect between courses and careers, and the prevalence of siloed structures within institutions. He illustrates this with an example of a university having both a "writing lab" and a "writing center" performing similar functions due to historical and structural reasons. The Connected College Vision: Felix envisions a future where colleges and universities are better connected, leading to students feeling a stronger connection to their institution, their coursework linking to careers, and increased collaboration both internally and with external partners like corporations and community groups. Defining Student Success: The conversation delves into the multifaceted definition of student success, acknowledging that it can be viewed through metrics like retention and graduation rates, student engagement and belonging, or the individual student's perspective of success. Felix suggests common ground for student success includes students finding their community, their academic and career path, their place, and a sense of purpose. Silo Busting Strategies: Felix highlights that silos are common in organizations, particularly in higher education, which is designed for durability. He attributes this to a lack of clear strategy beyond broad, anodyne statements, and legacy structures that simply have new functions "bolted on" rather than integrated. Tactics for breaking down silos include sharing data to create a common understanding of students. Forward-Thinking Universities: Examples of innovative approaches include university-industry partnerships driving economic and workforce development, such as Carnegie Mellon's robotics innovation center and Rowan University's expansion into health and wellness and advanced manufacturing. Other examples include Imperial College London's enterprise lab, the University of South Florida's focus on entrepreneurship, and Arizona State's "Work Plus Learn" program. Don't miss Elliot's new book, The Connected College: Leadership Strategies for Student Success, available July 22nd wherever you get your books. Subscribe to Trending in Ed so you never miss a conversation about leading the future of education in these transformative times. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:07 Elliot Felix's Background and Mission 02:26 The Connected College: Themes and Issues 06:28 Book Structure and Innovator Profiles 07:54 Defining Student Success 13:23 Silo Busting in Higher Education 17:14 AI and Future Trends in Higher Ed 20:36 The Importance of Combining Skills in Higher Education 21:06 Collaborative Spirit in Developing AI Policies 22:26 Navigating Political and Technological Disruptions 31:15 The Role of Higher Education in Economic Development 31:43 Innovative University-Industry Partnerships 33:08 Spotlighting Success Stories in Higher Education 35:49 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions

Join us as Mike Palmer reveals Trending in Ed's Summer Reading List 2025! Mike shares the books that resonate most with the learning zeitgeist based on conversations with folks like Isabelle Hau, Horacio Sanchez, Kathleen DeLaski, and Eddie Watson. Plus get sneak peaks at upcoming book episodes with Elliot Felix, Doug Lemov, and Shalinee Sharma up next in the Trending in Ed feed. Don't miss this high-quality list of books that change your perspective and help move the needle in the world of education. Mike also shares book recommendations featuring Ethan Mollick, Chris Hayes, and Kevin Roose to round out the show. And keep your eyes out for the new dedicated Trending in Ed Books feed, coming to you shortly from your friends at Palmer Media. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more.

Join us on this episode of Trending in Education as Mike Palmer talks with Dr. Margaret Honey, President and CEO of the Scratch Foundation. We dive into the world of Scratch, the visual programming language that's empowering a new generation of creative thinkers and makers. Dr. Honey shares her unique career path, starting from her high school days reading about experimental schools to her impactful work at Children's Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop) and the New York Hall of Science. We explore how Scratch, developed at the MIT Media Lab by Mitch Resnick, isn't just about teaching kids to code formally, but about providing an accessible, playful tool for creative expression. Discover how over 150 million young people have used the platform since 2007, creating more than a billion projects. We discuss the critical role of curiosity and imagination in a world increasingly shaped by AI, emphasizing how these distinctly human attributes help us remain in the driver's seat of technology. Learn about the maker's mindset embedded in Scratch, where users actively engage with the platform to bring their ideas to life through games, stories, and animated environments. We also differentiate between Scratch Junior (for younger children) and Scratch, highlighting how the platform fosters durable skills like grit, resilience, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Dr. Honey explains Scratch's commitment to maintaining productive struggle and experimentation, ensuring AI serves as a tool to enhance, not replace, human creativity and problem-solving. We also discuss the broader implications for K-12 education, the shift towards using technology as a generative tool for problem-solving and knowledge representation, and the importance of fostering a sense of agency in learners. Dr. Honey touches on the PISA assessment's new "Learning in the Digital World" component and how it aligns with Scratch's constructivist principles. Finally, we hear about the "Curiosity Convening" in October 2025, bringing together global researchers and practitioners to explore the most effective ways to nurture curious, hands-on learning. Key Takeaways: Cultivating Curiosity & Imagination: In an AI-driven world, human attributes like curiosity and imagination are crucial for staying in control of technology and fostering creative competencies. The Maker's Mindset and Durable Skills: Scratch promotes an active "maker's mindset," encouraging children to build and create, thereby developing essential durable skills such as grit, resilience, logical thinking, and debugging. AI as an Enhancement, Not a Replacement: The Scratch Foundation aims for AI to be a tool that aids problem-solving and sparks curiosity, rather than performing tasks for users, preserving the valuable "productive struggle" in learning. Learning as Development: Emphasizing that learning is a foundational form of human development, fostering interaction, collaboration, and a sense of agency, rather than solely focusing on test outcomes. Global Shift in Education: We are seeing a global movement, exemplified by the OECD's new assessment, towards using technology as a generative tool for problem-solving and building representations of knowledge, shifting beyond simply learning to code. Don't miss this insightful conversation that illuminates the future of education, work, and how we can empower the next generation with the skills and mindset to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Video versions are up on Youtube and Spotify.