Episode #219 of Silver Lining for Learning will focus on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) and open education in Taiwan. We will have guests from the Research Center of Higher Educational Resources for Openness (HERO) at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. The platform they use is called ewant. Ewant is an Open Education Platform established in 2013 by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) in Taiwan. More on this is below.About the Ewant Open education platform: https://www.ewant.org/The ewant Open Education Platform, established in 2013 by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) in Taiwan, is a pioneering initiative in the realm of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). As Taiwan's first MOOCs platform, ewant has made significant strides in democratizing education, offering over 1,100 courses to a diverse audience that includes more than 650,000 enrollments. This platform collaborates with 110 educational institutions and organizations to provide high-quality learning resources across various disciplines. Over the past two years, approximately 200,000 registered users were high school students.Ewant aims to enhance accessibility to education by breaking geographical barriers and offering courses in both Mandarin and English. Its innovative approach includes hybrid learning models that combine online and offline experiences, fostering peer-to-peer interaction and collaboration among learners. The platform has gained international recognition for its engaging content and successful partnerships, such as its collaboration with the National Palace Museum and renowned educators like Professor Barbara Oakley. With a commitment to promoting lifelong learning, ewant continues to expand its course offerings, including specialized programs in emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence and Medical Science. One notable achievement is the collaboration with the National Palace Museum, which resulted in the award-winning course "A Visit to Treasures in National Palace Museum." This course received a gold medal at the 2021 World Fest Houston International Film and Video Festival, highlighting its innovative approach to education and cultural engagement.Additionally, ewant partnered with Professor Barbara Oakley to create a Chinese version of the highly popular course "Learning How to Learn." This collaboration expanded the course's reach, allowing Mandarin-speaking students to benefit from its insights into effective learning strategies. The platform also launched a high school version and a teacher education variant, further enhancing its educational offerings. Courses like "Mandatory Credits for College Students: Emotional Education," developed by Professor Fei-Juan Chen, have seen significant enrollment success, with over 30,000 students participating in its first semester on a major credit-sharing platform in China. Such initiatives demonstrate ewant's commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education that resonates with diverse audiences and fosters global connections among learners.Sample project: NYCU Partners with VIS to Launch Digital Semiconductor Course: Advancing Educational Equity and Providing Quality Resources for Remote and Offshore High Schools: https://www.nycu.edu.tw/nycu/en/app/news/view?module=headnews&id=552&serno=fcf843a0-00da-4a97-b26d-bcb89cffaac8Kenzen Chen, Associate Professor of e-Learning; and also Associate Dean of the College of humanities, arts, and social sciences; Associate Director of Higher Education Resources for Openness (HERO Center); Associate Director of faculty choir (many associates, LOL); National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan.Dr. Ken-Zen Chen is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Education at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan starting September 2015. Prior to becoming an academic, Kenzen was an instructional designer and research analyst at eCampus Center, Boise State University, Idaho, U.S.A. Kenzen specialized in retention research & provided instructional design consultation to support the design & delivery of online courses & programs at Boise State. In line with the state government’s mission of Complete College Idaho 2020, he assisted with learning analytics to improve online student success and provide faculty support with research collaborations for online scholarship of teaching & learning. Kenzen completed his Ph.D. in math, science & technology education in 2012, & M.S. in applied statistics in 2010 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC); he also received an M.A in curriculum & instruction & a B.Ed. from National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU). With his experience in educational foundations, MIS, and instructional design tools, he has broad research interests & backgrounds in the areas of educational technology, learning sciences, big-data analytics in education, and curriculum & instruction. Starting 2016, Dr. Chen collaborates with Dr. Barbara Oakley to transform her famous “Learning How To Learn” MOOC into a series of culturally responsive MOOCs for Chinese-speaking learners and won great success. Currently, the “landing” LHTL is onboarding in five MOOC platforms and one Podcast platform. Dr. Chen uses these MOOCs as research sites to generate a sustainable model for MOOC development. Presently, Kenzen co-directs the ewant Open Education Platform (https://ewant.org, literally: the education you want) - Taiwan’s flagship Mass Open Online Courses platform.Dr. Hsin-Yun Wang (Jill)Dr. Jo-Chi Hsiao (Anna)Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Center for Teacher Education at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology;Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Institute of Education at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University;Community leader of Dance with Stars, a professional learning network for high school English teachers in TaiwanEnglish teacher at National Hsinchu Senior High SchoolHer research focuses on teacher professional development, TESOL, and Computer Assisted Language LearningDr. Wen-Li Chang (Wendy)Post Doc Fellow, Institute of Education, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, TaiwanLecturer, General Education Center and Language Center, National Chung Hsing University, TaiwanLecturer, Department of English and Language Center, National Changhua University of Education, TaiwanHer research field encompasses English-medium instruction, technology-enhanced language learning, self-regulated language learning, and open educational practices.Dr. Yi-Fang Lo (Elva)English Teacher and The Chief of Curriculum, Yong Zhen Elementary School, Miaoli County, TaiwanDoctoral Student, Institute of Education, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, TaiwanLecturer, Cool English website, MOE (The Ministry of Education), TaiwanReview Expert of Examination, “Test My English” CEFR English Test System, MOE (The Ministry of Education), TaiwanCommunity leader, a professional learning network for elementary school English teachers in TaiwanResearch fields:motivation on English learningonline escape room game design on learningtechnology-enhanced language learning in elementary educationself-regulated language learning  

Episode 218 | The Brilliant Global Gem Called Christel House, 11 am Eastern, 1/11/2025Silver Lining for Learning will start 2025 with a phenomenal project called Christel House International (https://christelhouse.org/) involving youth around the world. Christel House is a global network of schools in India, Mexico, South Africa, Jamaica, and Indianapolis in the United States. Its mission is to provide high-quality, free education from preschool age until they can secure employment after their tertiary education. For the past 25 years, Christel House has strived to provide a comprehensive approach that involves not just educational programming but also healthcare, nutrition, and family assistance. Such an approach helps to ensure the complete holistic development and well-being of every young person in their program. At its core, Christel House has been dedicated to helping empower children from under-resourced communities to maximize their potential, and, in effect, transform lives around the planet. Across their 25 years of existence, Christel House has impacted over 20,000 students across the world with the establishment of 9 schools in 5 countries. They are currently spearheading a new fully funded Fellowship program called the Global Pathbuilders Fellowship which hopes to identify and support high-potential visionary leaders and entrepreneurs in establishing Christel House schools in new countries. Among the countries under consideration are Peru, Colombia, Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, and Bangladesh. They are presently looking for partners in those countries. Selected Fellows will receive customized support to design and launch new schools, including opportunities to be embedded in different Christel House schools to learn from their experienced CEOs and their teams. Clearly, Episode #218 of Silver Lining for Learning will be one of great interest to those seeking innovative solutions to educational problems around the world.David Harris – President and CEO, Christel House InternationalDavid Harris is President & CEO of Christel House International. Before joining Christel House, he was a partner with The City Fund. David founded The Mind Trust in 2006, which became a national model for driving urban education reform. Before founding The Mind Trust, David spent five years as Mayor Bart Peterson’s Charter Schools director, where he built a charter school office that received Harvard University’s Innovations in American Government Award. In 2024, David was recognized with the Leader in Education Innovation Award from The Mind Trust. The Indianapolis Business Journal named David one of the city’s 40 Influential People of the Past 40 Years in 2020. He has received College Summit’s Let Talent Shine Award, Teachers’ Treasures Caring Spirit Award, Hope Academy’s Faces of Hope Award, Marian University’s Franciscan Values Award, and Indy’s Best and Brightest Award from Junior Achievement of Central Indiana. He was featured as part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s 2013 Profiles of Change series. He also was named one of Indianapolis Business Journal’s ‘Forty Under 40’ and was the inaugural winner of the St. Richard’s Episcopal School’s Eugene S. Pulliam Founders Medal for alumni who “demonstrate creative leadership and service that has benefitted society.” David received a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and a law degree from Indiana University.Adri Marais – CEO, Christel House South AfricaIn April 2018 Adri Marais joined Christel House South Africa as CEO. Adri has a Masters in Biochemistry, an MBA and a Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education Studies (cum laude). Science, business and education inform her view of the world. As a social entrepreneur, she is passionate and tenacious. As a leader, deeply empathetic, straight-talking and standing in her integrity. She drives innovation from conceptualization to implementation, balancing risk and reward with humanity. The business of education was a natural home for her work towards social change. In 2004, together with three co-founders, she started TSiBA (Tertiary School in Business Administration) dedicating her life full-time to post-apartheid redress. TSiBA is a private not-for-profit business school that provides all students with full, or part, tuition scholarships to study towards an enriched, fully accredited BBA degree in Entrepreneurial Leadership.Lauren DanielsMy name is Lauren Daniels; I am 25 years old and currently residing in South Africa. I attended Christel House South Africa from 2013-2017, which was my high school career. I matriculated top of the class in 2017 and was also the valedictorian. I went on to study business and marketing for one year at a private college on a full scholarship, and then proceeded to complete my undergraduate degree at Stellenbosch University, a Bachelor of Arts in Social Dynamics in 2021. I completed my BA Honors in Social Anthropology at Stellenbosch University in 2022. I graduated in March 2023, and I am currently working as Project coordinator in the Bursaries and Student Recruitment management division at the Growsmart Educational Program at Growthpoint Properties CSR department. I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in medical Anthropology, with a focus on public and reproductive health at the University of Johannesburg.Indianapolis Star (front page article from January 4, 2025) This high school mentors its students long after they graduate, and it’s seeing resultsThe 74 – Op-Ed by David Harris: How Indiana is leading the way in measuring schools by what matters mostMail & Guardian – Op-Ed by Adri Marais: There is a way to address poverty in South AfricaChalkbeat Indiana – (College & Careers Collaboration): Christel House expands postsecondary support program to traditional public, charter schoolsSouth Africa - The Good News (CH Expansion): Christel House SA to open a new high school

Hosts reflect with Chris Dede, Lydia Cao & Punya Mishra

Are you curious with how we might ‘flatten’ the learning landscape to provide student choice, accessibility, and equivalence through multiple global learning opportunities? If so, you are in luck. While humans reemerge in a post-COVID world to begin to learn again with other humans face-to-face as well as online and blended, educators continue to struggle with facilitating effective cross-institutional learning where students learn with their peers, not just about things. Online global collaboration encourages students to learn with others from different cultures; unfortunately, such powerful forms of global education are not typically embedded into formal curricula in higher education. In Episode #216 of Silver Lining for Learning (SLL), we will learn about innovative forms of online collaboration from Dr. Julie Lindsay who is Senior Education Technology Advisor at University of Southern Queensland. As Dr. Lindsay will discuss in this episode, we can do better. In fact, as she describes in an October 2024 article in the Times Higher Education, well-designed online global collaborative learning (OGCL) has been found to transform learning and enhance skills such as effective communication, intercultural awareness, and global perspectives. With that article as a backdrop, she will also explain how we can better prepare educators to collaborate globally. During this podcast, we will discuss the possible impact of AI on learning and teaching in higher education and why alternative approaches to learning and assessment are now vital.More about our guest below the videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h53Y4ARlf1EDr. Julie Lindsay is a highly accomplished and influential figure in the field of education, with over 35 years of experience spanning K-12 schools and higher education. She is a passionate advocate for the integration of educational technologies and innovative pedagogies to drive digital transformation for teaching and learning. Notably, Julie worked in international schools for fifteen years as an educational technology and online learning leader across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. She has designed and implemented numerous online global projects for K-12 classrooms utilizing a collaborative "working with" approach to global learning. This rich experience has informed her scholarship, leading to the publication of two influential books: "Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds" and "The Global Educator: Leveraging Technology for Collaborative Learning and Teaching." Julie continues to deliver presentations, workshops, and consultations on global collaboration in education internationally through her consultancy “Learning Confluence.”Julie completed a PhD in 2019 entitled, “Online global collaborative educators and pedagogical change.” This research offered innovative insights into educator beliefs, competencies, and conceptual change as enablers to adopting a Global Collaborator Mindset with attributes of connection, openness, autonomy, and innovation. These findings have helped to shape her current research, which centers on exploring practices and approaches to embedding online global collaborative learning in higher education with a view to establishing an open community of practice and a robust framework to guide effective learning design and implementation.Currently Julie holds the position of Senior Education Technology Advisor in the Learning and Teaching Futures Portfolio at the University of Southern Queensland. In this role, she is a thought leader and change agent seeking to reimagine traditional approaches to education and foster innovation. Artificial Intelligence is firmly on her agenda and in 2023 she established the AI for Learning and Teaching Collective, an internal, open community of practice with links to external partners that meets to share practice and develop better approaches for AI integration in higher education. In 2020, Julie was the recipient of the Research in Educational Leadership and Management Award from the Australian Council for Educational Leaders. In 2023 she was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Award for University Educational Leadership "For fostering student reflective learning, employability and professional identity through a university-wide, sustained initiative leading to changed academic practice through integration of online portfolios."She is actively involved in several initiatives that promote the effective integration of technology in education, including leading the global Technology and Innovation Network (TIN) in partnership with the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE), further demonstrating her dedication to fostering innovation in education on a global scale. In June 2024 Julie was the recipient of an Erasmus+ Staff Mobility nomination and spent time in Germany with partner university, Justus Liebig University, Giessen. Julie can be reached via email at: julie.lindsay@unisq.edu.au and via LinkedIn at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/julieannelindsayJulie Lindsay’s ORCID #: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6220-8785Curriculum embedded global collaborative learning research website: https://create.usq.edu.au/global/Learning Confluence: https://learningconfluence.com/Video #1: Online Global Collaborative Learning (7:08): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz78Cb-JR44Video #2: Exploring curriculum-based global collaboration in higher education (3:42): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBhuBAxF31URecent Publication:Beyond borders: how to make online global collaborative learning work, by Julie Lindsey, Times Higher Education, October 16, 2024As higher education strives to ‘reset’ in the age of AI to become more flexible, interdisciplinary, open, focused on real-world learning and with authentic assessment, curriculum-embedded online global collaborative learning (OGCL) is a key path to future-ready graduateshttps://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/beyond-borders-how-make-online-global-collaborative-learning-work

In this engaging conversation, Jenny Taylor, the Vice President of Career Services at Goodwill of North Georgia, and Nick Espinosa, Branch Chief at USDA-FNS, delve into the evolution of Goodwill’s mission over 120 years. They discuss how the organization adapts to modern challenges like food security and education barriers. The duo highlights innovative partnerships that empower veterans and people with disabilities. They also explore how AI reshapes job landscapes, emphasizing the need for employment-focused education and technology's role in creating self-sufficiency.

Jinjun Xiong, a professor and scientific director, is joined by Sean Redmond, an expert in pediatric language disorders, and Dancheng Liu, a PhD student innovating AI solutions. They tackle the critical shortage of speech-language pathologists affecting 3.4 million children. The conversation highlights AI's role in early screening, personalized interventions, and enhancing educational practices. They discuss the AutoRSR project, aiming to streamline assessments while ensuring a human touch in AI-driven education solutions.

In this engaging discussion, Susan Patrick, a renowned expert in educational technology and former leader at the Aurora Institute, explores the future of learning. She dives into the transformative impact of competency-based education and the importance of integrating technology in learning. The conversation highlights the limitations of traditional K-12 models and emphasizes the need for personalized learning pathways. Susan also discusses the global perspective on education reform, advocating for a holistic approach that addresses equity and student engagement.

In this engaging discussion, Andy Nguyen, an Assistant Professor specializing in Hybrid Intelligence, and Belle Dang, a researcher in Learning & Educational Technology, explore the fascinating interplay between human and AI collaboration. They dive into how AI can foster personalized learning experiences and necessitate a new educational paradigm. The duo discusses the emotional dynamics between humans and AI, raising ethical questions about these relationships. They also emphasize the evolving role of educators and the importance of media literacy in navigating this complex landscape.

Teenagers in Nepal have been learning from massive open online education (MOOCs) for much of the past decade. That use accelerated during the pandemic. Several of these young learners appeared on Silver Lining for Learning for Episode 33 in back October 24, 2020 and will return for this episode to give us an update on the benefits and challenges of MOOCs on their lives during the past four years. Attend this episode of SLL and learn how MOOCs and open educational resources can make a difference at the K-12 level. More about our guests below the video.Richa Suri: Richa completed high school and now preparing for the earning a placement at a US institution. Amazingly, she ran two workshops on taking MOOCs for the teachers and students in her district last year. It had the participation of around 70 participants.Sneha Adhikari: She completed her high school and now is studying Software Engineering at Pokhara University, Nepal. She has been fortunate enough to learn from Massive Open Online Courses since she was in Grade 10 and used them for her studies at her undergraduate level too.Bivushi (Manushi) Timilsina is originally from Pokhara, Nepal. She is now a sophomore at Sweet Briar College, majoring in Engineering Science with a 4.0 GPA. Last year, she was honored with the Emerging Leader Award (2023-2024) during the annual Student Involvement Recognition Ceremony. Over the summer, she became the first-ever counselor from Nepal at Kennolyn Camps, serving as a STEM counselor. Recently, she received the Emilie Watts McVea Scholar Award (2024-2025), given to the highest-ranking member of each class. She is also involved on campus through leadership roles such as Vice President of the Multicultural Communities Council, Resident Advisor, and Communication Lead for the Google Developer Student Club, among others. This semester, she is exploring courses in Cybersecurity and Web Development through CodePath, deepening her passion for tech and community engagement.

Join James Lester, an AI expert and director at North Carolina State University, Kip Glazer, a tech-savvy high school principal, and Gautam Biswas, a Vanderbilt University engineering professor. They dive into the power of AI in education, discussing how storytelling can engage students and enhance motivation. The trio highlights innovative narrative-centered learning technologies and the ethical implications of AI in classrooms. They also tackle the challenges of integrating technology into education and the importance of equity in access to AI tools.