Silver Lining for Learning

Michael Jacobsen, an Economics and Business Innovation teacher, Sam Franzway, an early-career English and Humanities educator and comedian, and Shayanne Lim, a Year 11 student, delve into their transformative experiences at a summer camp in Beijing. They discuss how students explored AI's role in personalized learning, moving beyond traditional methods. Insightful reflections on curriculum reform emphasize creativity and collaboration while uncovering intrinsic motivations. The conversation reveals how embracing AI can redefine education and foster human interdependence.

What does it take to reimagine school from the inside out?ASU Prep Academy is an innovative, tuition-free public charter school network, serving students from Pre-K to grade 12. They also partner with other innovative schools to serve students across the US and around the world.In this episode of Silver Lining for Learning, we explore how ASU Preparatory Academy is designing innovative new school models that center student agency, hybrid learning, and real-world relevance. From microschools and flexible high schools to project-based learning across all grade levels and immersive tech experiences, ASU Prep is redefining what learning can look like. Its mission is to prepare students for college, careers, and life by combining rigorous academics with innovative learning models. Through options that include in-person campuses, hybrid programs, and ASU Prep Digital, students can personalize their educational experience and, in many cases, begin earning university credit while still in high school. With a strong emphasis on access, innovation, and preparing students for the future, ASU Prep Academy provides opportunities for learners across Arizona and beyond.These efforts are powered by the unique opportunity of being embedded within Arizona State University, one of the most innovative universities in the world—providing access to cutting-edge resources, partnerships, and a culture of experimentation that helps turn visionary school design into reality. Our latest models include a partnership with famous economist and author of Freakonomics, Steve Levitt, to create The Levitt Lab at ASU Tempe, Khan World School with Sal Khan of Khan Academy, and embedding real-world learning on ASU campuses and beyond through our Digital+ programs.Our guests, Megan Hanley, Executive Director of School Design, and Rachna Mathur, Senior STEM Strategist and AI researcher, share how their work blends personalized learning, emerging technologies like generative AI and VR, and bold pedagogical design.More about our guests below the videohttps://youtu.be/EWmBuwpByFwAbout our guests:Megan Hanley, Executive Director of School Design @ ASU PrepMegan Hanley is the Executive Director of School Design at ASU Prep. In this role, Megan helps to lead the innovation teams at ASU Prep including the Professional Development and Learning Initiatives, new school models including Khan World School and The Levitt Lab, college and career awareness, and STEM related projects. Megan has 16 years of experience in the field of education in Washington DC and Arizona, covering Pre-K–12th grade, having worked as a teacher, family advocate, program manager, educational and admissions coordinator, and as an Assistant Principal.Originally from Tempe, Arizona, Megan attended George Washington University where she received her Bachelor’s in Arts and George Mason University where she received her Master’s in Education.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-hanley-238261a/The Levitt Lab: https://asuprep.asu.edu/tempe-levitt-lab/Khan World School: https://asuprep.asu.edu/khan-world-school/Dr. Rachna Mathur, Sr. STEM Strategist @ ASU PrepRachna Mathur is a STEM educator, computer engineer, and Kathak dancer with over two decades of experience bridging industry and education. A former software architect at Intel, she now serves as the STEM Strategist at ASU Preparatory Academy and founder of STEMology Club, championing K–12 initiatives in AI, robotics, and emerging tech. Rachna holds an Ed.D. from Arizona State University, where her research focused on AI literacy and ethical adoption of GenAI in schools.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachnamathur/Personal: https://www.rachnamathur.com/ Upcoming Event: https://tinyurl.com/microspark-2025 Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org 

Transforming Education with AI in India with Dr. Vinnie Jauhari, Ms. Swati Ganguly and Ms. Meenakshi UberoiIndia stands at the cusp of a transformative era in education, fueled by the integration of AI and digital technologies across its vast and diverse school ecosystem. With trailblazing leaders like Dr Vinnie Jauhari, Director Education at Microsoft Elevate, Swati Ganguly, CEO and Founder of Juana Technologies, and Meenakshi Uberoi, CEO and Founder of De Pedagogics, driving the movement, schools are embracing innovative tools that personalize learning, bridge educational divides, and empower both educators and students. From adaptive learning platforms and AI-powered assessments to immersive digital classrooms, these advancements are fostering critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration while making education more inclusive and accessible. Indian educators are leveraging digital content, real-time analytics, and cloud-based solutions to create engaging learning experiences that cater to students’ unique needs, regardless of their geography or background.This transformation, however, is more than just the adoption of new tools—it signifies a cultural shift towards lifelong learning and digital citizenship. AI-driven insights are enabling teachers to identify learning gaps early, offer targeted interventions, and ensure holistic development. Meanwhile, initiatives led by organizations such as Microsoft Elevate, Juana Technologies, and De Pedagogics are equipping teachers with the skills and confidence needed to navigate this digital landscape, fostering a mindset of innovation and adaptability. As India continues to invest in digital infrastructure and upskilling, the promise of AI in education lies not just in boosting academic outcomes, but also in preparing the next generation to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy, making the dream of an empowered, future-ready India a tangible reality. The podcast focuses on how partnership between Microsoft and Training partners alongside Education leaders and teachers enabled creation of light house institutions. It also focuses on what it took hundreds of schools to make that transformative leap and get global recognition for their work. The podcast shares insights into some unique partnerships with State and National Boards of Education in India and scale interventions for skilling and teachers have been initiated.More below the videohttps://youtu.be/gE2J-uwyg7EReadings and Resources:Explore MS Learn for assets for skilling of Educators and students- Training | Microsoft Learn. This has free access to over 4500 modules on various areas such as AI, Security, Data Sciences, Cloud courses, pedagogical innovation for teachers. Create a profile and join for free and start a great skilling journey with Microsoft Learn.Explore MS Elevate to explore offerings for supporting skilling and education initiatives in Schools Elevating Communities | Microsoft ElevateExplore the AI for Education Resources on the link AI for education | Microsoft LearnInnovate with Teaching Pedagogy. The link to Educator Center on  MS Learn is here https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/educator-center/programs/msle/overviewDevelop Applied AI Skilling through Hands on Labs here Microsoft Applied Skills | Microsoft LearnWhat does MS report say on leveraging AI in Education. Read more 2025 AI in Education: A Microsoft Special ReportLink to Shikshana Intervention on AI in Govt Schools Bing VideosLearning Accelerators in Education- Do the complete pathway for free at the link here Learning Accelerators for educators - Training | Microsoft Learn. It helps with increasing reading fluency with Reading Coach, Maths Skills with Maths Progress, confident presentations with Speaker Progress, Search Coach, AnalyticsAI for Educators- AI for educators - Training | Microsoft LearnEpisode GuestsDr. Vinnie Jauhari – Director Education, Microsoft Elevate, Microsoft CorporationDr. Vinnie Jauhari is a distinguished leader in education transformation at Microsoft India, where she spearheads strategic initiatives with the Ministry of Education, universities, and education boards. With a Ph.D. from IIT Delhi and a Postdoctoral Fellowship from United Nations University, Tokyo, she brings deep expertise in  Education technology, evangelism and AI-led innovation.Her work has impacted millions of educators and students across India, notably through large-scale skilling programs such as the Andhra Pradesh initiative, which certified nearly 100,000 students in AI, Data Science, and Cloud technologies. She has co-developed curricula in AI, Coding, and Data Science with national boards like CBSE and IB, earning recognition from India’s Minister of Education in 2023.Vinnie has cultivated vibrant educator communities, including the Microsoft Expert Educator network and Showcase Schools, driving national and global acclaim. A prolific academic, she has authored 13 books and published over 100 research papers. Her contributions have earned her multiple global awards, she was recently invited to speak at Harvard University’s AI Conference in March 2025. She won the Education Trailblazer award in August 2025 by InkWomen x Second Act for her contributions to the realm of Education.She has launched International Journals such as Journal of Services Research and Journal of Technology Management for Growing Economies and has led several global conferences in the realm of Services Management in partnership with international universities such as Oxford Brookes University, UK; Virginia Tech University, USA, Penn State University. She has edited several editions of International Journals like Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.Her work in Education at Microsoft had significant impact on  Education ecosystem in India leading to skilling of teachers in School and Higher Education, skill initiatives in School and Higher Education and adoption of AI curriculum in School Boards and Universities.Swati Ganguly – Director & Co-Founder – Juana Technologies Pvt Ltd.Swati Ganguly is the Director and Co-Founder of Juana Technologies Pvt. Ltd., and a pioneering force in India’s EdTech landscape. With over 27 years of experience spanning academic leadership, curriculum innovation, inclusive education, and large-scale teacher training, she has positioned herself at the forefront of digital transformation in K–12 education. Under her visionary leadership, Juana Technologies has pioneered hands-on, AI-integrated learning solutions such as the AI-Plex kits and the NEXO LMS platform, which have been widely adopted across CBSE and state-affiliated schools in India. Swati’s work extends beyond technological innovations. She has been instrumental in enabling real systemic change through her grassroots initiatives. Through Project Nawal, she has brought digital literacy and foundational technology skills to underprivileged children in urban slums, while the Unnati Program empowers LGBTQ+ youth with access to training in emerging technologies, paving the way for equitable employment opportunities.A Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and NABET-certified auditor, Swati has also served as a resource person to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) since 2009, also contributing to the design and delivery of contemporary curricula in AI, coding, and digital pedagogy. With a Post-Graduation in the Comprehensive Management of Children with Learning Disorders, from the Spastic Society of Karnataka, Bangalore, she has also been a Special Educator since 2008.Adding to her role as a Special Educator and an Educationist, she also holds a diploma in Counselling Skills, from Banjara Academy. Her ability to lead and monitor, made her become a Certified Auditor from National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET). In her role as an Auditor, she actively Monitors, Supervises and Audits the organizations who partner with National Accreditation Board for Education and Training, for accreditation.Her partnerships with institutions such as AICTE, NASSCOM Foundation, and SMART Technologies have further amplified her national footprint, particularly in building capacity among educators to adapt to 21st-century classrooms. Swati’s academic grounding—bolstered by a Ph.D. in Education and Social Welfare, and advanced qualifications in special education and counselling—reflects her deeply inclusive approach to learning. Her leadership represents a rare fusion of strategic foresight, empathetic pedagogy, and scalable innovation, making her a powerful advocate for future-ready education that is both transformative and human-centered.Meenakshi Uberoi – CEO, Education Evangelist and Founder, De PedagogicsMeenakshi Uberoi is a passionate education consultant committed to helping schools and educators reimagine teaching and learning through thoughtful pedagogy, purposeful technology integration, and sustained professional development. With over two decades of experience, she is a well-established name in the education industry for providing high quality, innovative and non-traditional approach to teaching-learning. Through high-level consultancy, training services, and student workshops, she along with her team has supported over 600 schools, trained over 200,000 teachers and equipped over 100,000 students with future-ready skills over the few last years and they continue to grow their outreach each year. She has collaborated with hundreds of schools across India to support meaningful shifts in classroom practice and build inclusive, learner-centered environments.As a certified AI-in-Education trainer, Microsoft Educator Fellow, Adobe Express Trainer, and author for Cambridge University Press and Assessment, Meenakshi works at the intersection of pedagogy, content, and emerging technologies. She leads initiatives such as the AI School Program by De Pedagogics, which empowers educators to explore AI with intention, redesign tasks, and create engaging, personalized learning experiences. Her community-driven programs include Tech Talk Tuesday for Teachers, a weekly series on digital pedagogy, and Pedagogy Pods, an open-format talk show where educators share real classroom stories about fostering collaboration, reflection, and innovation in education.Meenakshi’s approach is rooted in digital pedagogy, ethical reasoning, storytelling, and a deep commitment to learner agency. She shares her work and insights on global platforms including DIDAC, TIESS, FICCI ARISE, and others, contributing to international conversations on equity, AI, and innovation in education. Her mission is to support educators in building dynamic, responsive learning ecosystems that meet the needs of today’s diverse learners equipping them to be future-ready.LinkedIn: Meenakshi Uberoi                                                                           Email: meenakshi@depedagogics.com Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org 

Join Keith Sawyer, a leading expert on creativity from UNC Chapel Hill, and Steve DeFrank, an acclaimed artist and educator at the School of Visual Arts, as they explore innovative art education. They discuss how top art schools teach creativity beyond traditional inspiration myths, emphasizing practical methods and the importance of perception. Delve into the synergy of art and improvisation, the balance between tradition and innovation, and how societal labels can shape personal identity in the creative realm.

Hosts reflect with Lydia Cao, Chris Dede, Punya Mishra, Yong Zhao & Curt Bonk Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org

In Episode #239 of Silver Lining for Learning, we will have a conversation with three people who a decade or two ago were at the cutting edge of mobile learning. Fast forward to 2025 and they are all doing just like us--reflecting on how the newest wave of learning technology, notably, generative AI, can have a positive (or negative) impact on lives around the planet. Specifically, during this session, we will chat with John Traxler who is Professor of Digital Learning at the University of Wolverhampton (along with various other titles), Helen Crompton who is Professor of Instructional Technology at Old Dominion University as well as the Executive Director of the Research Institute for Digital Innovation in Learning at ODUGlobal, and Mike Sharples, an Emeritus Professor of Educational Technology in the Institute of Educational Technology at The Open University. Their combined time in the field of learning technologies and resulting extensive experiences should prove to be quite engaging and will make the one hour with them seem far too short. We should mention that Mike appeared on Episode #65 of Silver Lining for Learning, "Innovative Learning at Massive Scale: Let’s nQuire about the Future of FutureLearn," exactly four years ago. Note also that Helen, John, and Mike have all authored or edited several books and they are all colleagues; in fact, in 2018, John and Helen co-edited a book on mobile learning in higher education, "Mobile Learning in Higher Education: Challenges in Context," which is a collection of fabulous cases published by Routledge Notably, each was born and raised in the UK and each has traveled extensively to many regions of the world consulting, speaking, thinking, and conducting research. Part of our conversation will be about the state of mobile learning and generative AI for the less privileged, refugees, and those in the Global South. What fun we will have chatting with them whether we discuss mobile learning and teacher professional development in southern Africa, digital learning for the next generation, online learning post pandemic, robotics in K-12 schools, innovations in AI pedagogy, learning at scale, technology-enhanced curriculum development, or something else. What an exciting show to tell your friends, students, colleagues, and relatives about. Come join us. And share this episode with your network. This is an amazing group...!Dr. Helen Crompton is the Executive Director of the Research Institute for Digital Innovation in Learning at ODUGlobal, and Professor of Instructional Technology at Old Dominion University. Dr. Crompton earned her Ph.D. in educational technology and mathematics education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Recognized for her outstanding contributions, Dr. Crompton is on Stanford's esteemed list of the Top 2% of Scientists in the World. She has published over 200 papers and her work in technology integration has garnered her numerous accolades, including the SCHEV award for the Outstanding Professor of Virginia. Dr. Crompton's expertise extends beyond academia to practice, as she frequently serves as a consultant for various governments, bilateral and multilateral organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank, leveraging her knowledge and experience to drive meaningful change in the field of educational technology. Her ODU email is crompton@odu.edu. Dr. Crompton’s CV and further information can be found here http://ww2.odu.edu/~crompton/John Traxler, FRSA, MBCS, AFIMA, MIET, is Professor of Digital Learning at the University of Wolverhampton, Institute of Education in the UK where he is the UNESCO Chair in Innovative Informal Digital Learning in Disadvantaged and Development Contexts. In a unique and unprecedented combination, he also holds a Chair from the Commonwealth of Learning. He is currently Academic Director of the Avallain Lab, leading research on ethical and pedagogic aspects of educational AI. His papers have been cited over 12,000 times and Stanford continues to list him in the top 2% of researchers in his discipline. He has written hundreds of papers (with an impressive h-Index of 40 and i10 Index of 95) and seven books. Dr. Traxler has consulted for a variety of international agencies including UNESCO, ITU, ILO, USAID, DFID, EU, UNRWA, British Council, and UNICEF. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Art in London, UK.Dr. Traxler was a pioneer of mobile learning in the 2000s. For example, he was a Founding Director of the International Association for Mobile Learning. He also was a co-editor of the definitive book on mobile learning, Mobile Learning: A Handbook for Educators and Trainers. Among his other books are: (1) Mobile Learning: The Next Generation, (2) Mobile Learning and Mathematics, (3) Mobile Learning and STEM: Case Studies in Practice, (4) Mobile Learning in Higher Education: Challenges in Context, (5) Critical Mobile Pedagogy, and (6) Digital Learning in Higher Education: COVID-19 and Beyond. In addition, he has contributed to many keynotes, panels, papers, journal articles, and book chapters on all aspects of learning with mobile technology. Over his career, he has worked on myriad digital learning projects and missions. John Traxler has been responsible for large-scale mobile learning implementations, small-scale mobile learning research interventions, capacity building, major evaluations, landscape reviews, and curriculum development. In the 2010’s, Dr. Traxler became increasingly concerned with the impact and consequences of learning technology and pedagogy on societies, cultures, and communities of massive mobility, and connectivity, and on the nature of disadvantage, especially for those far from the national or global mainstream, established, and secure. Currently, he is interested in the impact of AI on global and individual disadvantage and on the decolonisation of the digital technologies of learning and education. John can be contacted at johntraxler@live.co.uk or John.Traxler@wlv.ac.uk. His homepage is at: https://www.johntraxler.net/.About Mike Sharples: I have a first degree in Computational Science and a PhD from the Department of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Edinburgh. My research focus is human-centred design of technologies for learning. My main current interest is 'citizen inquiry' - a fusion of citizen science and inquiry-based learning. I lead development of the nQuire platform, in collaboration with the BBC, to support mass participation in social science experiments. As Academic Lead for FutureLearn (www.futurelearn.com), I informed its social learning at massive scale, based on a pedagogy of  'learning as conversation'. I established the Innovating Pedagogy annual report series, to inform teachers and policy makers of new developments in teaching, learning and assessment for a digital world. Other current interests include blockchain for education, and strategies for digital transformation in higher education. My personal website is www.mikesharples.orgBio: Mike Sharples is Emeritus Professor of Educational Technology in the Institute of Educational Technology at The Open University, UK. His research involves human-centred design of new technologies and environments for learning. He inaugurated the mLearn conference series and was Founding President of the International Association for Mobile Learning. He is Associate Editor in Chief of IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies. He established the Innovating Pedagogy report series and is author of over 300 books and papers in the areas of educational technology, science education, human-centred design of personal technologies, artificial intelligence and cognitive science.Mike Sharples' previous appearance on SLL: Episode 65 | Innovative Learning at Massive Scale: Let’s nQuire about the Future of FutureLearn (Mike Sharples). https://silverliningforlearning.org/episode-65-innovative-learning-at-massive-scale-lets-nquire-about-the-future-of-futurelearn/. Video (104:40): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7XgYcQTSxwWeblinks to Mike's work:About nQuire: https://nquire.org.uk/aboutFutureLearn: https://www.futurelearn.com/Innovating Pedagogy reports from the OU: http://www.open.ac.uk/innovating/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-sharples-1633153/Mike Sharples Homepage: https://www.mikesharples.org/Mike Sharples on nQuire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHgczZeKX18nQuire: https://nquire.org.uk/Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_SharplesTwitter: https://twitter.com/sharplm?lang=enMike Sharples in Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=0KzFF40AAAAJ&hl=enInstitute for Educational Technology at the Open University: https://iet.open.ac.uk/people/mike.sharplesPractical Pedagogy: 40 New Ways to Teach and Learn: https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Pedagogy-Mike-Sharples/dp/1138599816 Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org 

Amal Hayat, an expert in EdTech initiatives across Asia, and Asad Rahman, a venture leader at Brink, share insights on the vital role of evidence in educational technology. They discuss the challenges of implementing EdTech in resource-limited settings like Pakistan and stress the importance of localized solutions. The duo also highlights innovative projects for Deaf education, emphasizing the need for adaptable strategies. Their conversation illuminates how connecting global insights to local contexts can improve learning outcomes for marginalized communities.

Join Jimmy Edwards, Director of CAREducation, and Rebecca Ferree, an educator and homeschooling advocate, as they explore the transformative world of project-based learning. Their discussion dives into the heart of the Care Revolution, emphasizing the blend of compassion and curiosity in education. They share their journey from traditional teaching to creating innovative, community-focused learning experiences. Discover how mentorship, creativity, and real-world problem-solving are reshaping education for students aged 8 to 18.

Naveen Mahesh and Raaji Naveen, co-founders of Beyond 8, discuss their innovative approach to learner-determined education for Gen Z. They explain how personalized pathways replace rigid timelines, allowing students to engage in internships and wellness activities while receiving tailored mentorship. Tara Srinivasan shares her journey, emphasizing the importance of learner agency and how Dream Mapping transformed her aspirations. The conversation critiques standardized assessments and promotes an education model centered on passion and purpose.

Blended learning has been growing for decades. As it does, the models, frameworks, policies, and pedagogical innovations are constantly evolving. Fortunately, in this episode of Silver Lining for Learning, we will hear about various blended learning case examples in higher education and open universities. Santosh Panda, Sanjaya Mishra, and Pradeep Kumar Misra, the editors of two new books on this topic will help us grasp the landscape of blended learning in higher education and map out the various national and institutional education systems in terms of blended learning. Their holistic perspective of online and blended learning should prove quite valuable for educators, administrators, government officials, parents, and students. We will hear about case studies on policy, planning, and management as well as features of quality assurance.More on your guests and the books below the videoTwo books on Blended Learning in Higher Education and Open Universitieshttps://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-97-9388-4https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-96-0722-8Case Studies on Blended Learning in Higher Education: An Interview with Sanjaya Mishra By Stefanie Panke for AACE Review, February 18th 2025https://aace.org/review/case-studies-on-blended-learning-in-higher-education-an-interview-with-sanjaya-mishra/Dr Sanjaya Mishra is one of the leading scholars in open, distance, and online learning with extensive experience in teaching, staff development, research, policy development, innovation, and organisational development. With a multi-disciplinary background in education, information science, communication media, and learning and development, Dr Mishra has been promoting the use of educational multimedia, eLearning, open educational resources (OER), and open access to scientific information to increase access to quality education and lifelong learning for all. He has designed and developed award-winning online courses and platforms, such as the Understanding Open Educational Resources, Commonwealth Digital Education Leadership Training in Action, and COLCommons.Recipient of the ISTD-Vivekanand National Award for Excellence in Human Resource Development and Training in 2007, Dr Mishra has conducted in-person and online training in over 30 countries. The Satija Research Foundation for Library and Information Science conferred Dr Mishra with the Indian Library Leaders Award 2012. Dr Mishra received the Prof G Ram Reddy Social Scientist Award 2013 from Prof G Ram Reddy Memorial Trust for his contribution to distance education and OER.He has written and edited over 300 publications in the form of books, chapters, peer-reviewed journal papers, conference presentations, book reviews, and distance learning materials. While at UNESCO, as Programme Specialist (ICT in Education, Science and Culture), he facilitated the adoption of a strategy and policy for open access to scientific information and research. Dr Mishra serves on the Editorial Board of several peer-reviewed journals in the field of distance and online learning. He served as a Board member of Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (2021-2022).Professor Santosh Panda is a National Fellow at the National Institute of Educational Planning & Administration, Government of India https://www.niepa.ac.in/National_Fellows. He recently retired as Director, Staff Training & Research Institute of Distance Education (STRIDE), Indira Gandhi National Open University. Started university teaching in 1984, and has above 42 years of experience in university teaching, research and administration, including 37 years for open and distance learning at IGNOU. He has been a Fulbright Scholar at UNM/Albuquerque; Chairperson of National Council for Teacher Education (national regulator), Government of India; Director of Policy & Research, Association of Indian Universities; and Director of Distance & Flexible Learning, The University of the South Pacific, Fiji.An internationally recognised leader of distance and online learning from the Global South, he has presented keynotes and workshops in above 30 countries; and has consulted for ADB, COL, DfID, Ford Foundation, GTZ, IDRC, SADC, UNESCO and the World Bank. His recent books include: Handbook of Open Universities Around the World (2025/ Routledge); Case Studies on Blended Learning in Higher Education – design, development and delivery (2025/ Springer); Case Studies on Blended Learning in Higher Education - policy, planning & quality assurance (2024/ Springer), Pedagogy in Practice (2022/ Bloomsbury), Technology Enabled Learning (2021/ COL-Canada), Planning & Management in Distance Education (2017/ Routledge), Economics of Distance and Online Learning (2008/ Routledge). He is the Chief Editor of Scopus-indexed Journal of Learning for Development, published by the Commonwealth of Learning/ Canada (https://jl4d.org/index.php/ejl4d).One of the global Leaders & Legends of Online Learning: https://onlinelearninglegends.com/podcast/084-professor-santosh-panda/Prof. Pradeep Kumar Misra is a Professor and Director of the Centre for Policy Research in Higher Education (CPRHE) at the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi. He has made significant contributions to the fields of higher education, educational technology, and teacher education. His academic journey is a testament to his global recognition, underscored by the numerous prestigious international research scholarships he has received. These include Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowship of the USIE, the Commonwealth Academic Fellowship of CSC, UK; Doctoral and Senior Researcher Scholarship of DAAD, Germany; Erasmus Mundus Visiting Scholar Scholarship of the European Commission; National Scholarship of Slovak Republic; MASHAV Scholarship of the Israel Government; and Research Exchange Scholarship of FMSH, France. He is also the recipient of the Joint Research Project under ICSSR (India) and NIHSS (South Africa) and a member of the academic bodies of several institutions and organizations in India and abroad.Prof. Misra has published extensively both nationally and internationally, completed research and development projects, and developed educational media programs. His recent books, Teaching Competencies for 21st Century Teachers: Practical Approaches to Learning (Routledge, 2024) and Learning and Teaching for Teachers (Springer, 2021), are not just publications but prime examples of his impactful work that resonates with teachers globally. His recent books include Case Studies on Blended Learning in Higher Education: Policy, Planning and Quality Assurance (Springer, 2024), Case Studies on Blended Learning in Higher Education: Design, Development, and Delivery (Springer, 2025), and India Higher Education Report 2023: Higher Education Research (Routledge, 2025). Prof. Misra has also developed educational media programs and supervised Ph.D. scholars. His extensive experience in education has taken him to many countries, spanning continents and cultures.Forthcoming book from Sanjaya Mishra and Santosh Panda:The Handbook of Open Universities Around the World: (in press) https://www.routledge.com/Handbook-of-Open-Universities-Around-the-World/Mishra-Panda/p/book/9781032754055Per book homepage from Routledge: "The Handbook of Open Universities Around the World is the first collection to provide a comprehensive and critical overview of open universities internationally. Over 80 open universities have been established across five continents to provide a distance-orientated, class-inclusive, and high-quality education for learners left behind by existing formal systems for higher and continuing education and lifelong learning. This mission has been continually reshaped by major developments in open education, learning technologies, and online social networking, as well as by the evolution of specific concerns such as the massification of education, employability, financial trends, artificial intelligence, and development agendas on the regional, national, and global levels." Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org