Trending In Ed with Mike Palmer

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 wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education from both human and virtual thought leaders.

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. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the what's emerging in education.

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 you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of learning.

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 of students each year in fun, relevant career-based learning.  Jean advocates starting career conversations early, arming students with adaptable skills like communication and problem-solving, and exposing them to diverse, non-traditional pathways beyond the “college for all” mindset. With the right preparation and support, more students can find fulfilling futures that align with the evolving needs of our economy and society. Jean brings an empathetic, human-centered approach to empowering today’s learners while challenging education to reimagine how it prepares students for tomorrow’s world.Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more.

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. Sean leaves listeners with a call to not let AI dictate what happens in the classroom but to thoughtfully integrate it while keeping the human role paramount.Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more insights into the future of learning.

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 high-touch sensory experiences, slowing down and spending time in nature. Don't miss this fascinating episode highlighting the future of sensory learning and Natalia's innovative vision for engaging children's senses in new ways. She references the work of olfactory artist Sissel Tolaaz towards the end of the conversation.Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more surprising insights into the future of learning.

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 at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of learning.

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 emerging in learning and beyond.

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 the "AI fog" to emerge with productivity-enhancing applications. Don't miss it!Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you listen to podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on what's emerging in learning and beyond.

Nafez Dakkak, founder of bldr. ventures and writer for Nafez's Notes, dives into how AI and tech can revolutionize education. He discusses the importance of making thinking visible and engaging students through play and hands-on experiences. Nafez shares insights from developing Edraak, an Arabic MOOC platform, advocating for empowering teachers and local design. The conversation highlights 'stealth assessments' as a new way to measure learning, and imagines how today's gamers can inspire the future of education.