Can Technology Transform Education in Southeast Asia, with guests Manos Antoninis, Mary Burns & John Arnold S. Siena

The podcast discusses the challenges of transforming education in China, with a focus on personalized learning, problem-solving, and global connections. It highlights the experiences of students and educators implementing Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship Education (ICEE), emphasizing the impact on self-discovery, collaboration, and authentic problem-solving skills. The speakers also address obstacles faced in promoting Chinese culture, the limitations of high-stakes tests, the use of AI in creative work, and the need for change in education.

Episode 178 Saturday January 27 at 11:00 am Eastern, The Rwanda Wildlife Film-making Course: Documenting Mountains of GorillasIn 2007, David McGowan from Chicago was in Uganda filming a documentary about Envirovet, an organization that brings veterinary medicine to wildlife health. A Ugandan veterinarian shared with him a story about the death of silverback gorilla and the subsequent mourning rites exhibited by the other gorillas. It was a behavior not seen before among the other veterinarians nor recorded in the literature of gorilla behavior. The veterinarian told McGowan that if he had had a film camera and knew how to use it, the incident he witnessed would have been international news and an incredible find for science.McGowan understood that this was one of the missing pieces in the global effort of wildlife management. It is critically important that the people who work closest with wildlife; rangers, trackers, and guides, should have access to the knowledge and equipment of filmmaking.McGowan met Greg Bakunzi through mutual friends at Gorilla Doctors based in Musanze, Rwanda. Bakunzi offered his eco-tourism compound, Red Rocks, as a location to teach the first class in 2022. Bakunzi shares McGowan’s passion for conservation and also looks to conservation as a way to help the surrounding communities supplement their farming incomes. He invited McGowan to conduct the wildlife filmmaking course at the Red Rocks compound in Musanze, Rwanda.The first class, August 2022, was a stellar success. Ten students attended ten 4-hour sessions and produced two films: One Health Rwanda and Birding in Rwanda. The next class, September 2023, attracted 12 new students. Students from the 2022 class helped McGowan teach the new class. The 2023 class is working on two films, Virindyana, Traditional Healer and Planet Birdsong. One of the advanced students, Roger Irakoze, has used his new skills to produce, for pay, a film for a local business.David McGowan is an Academy Award nominated filmmaker who has dedicated the last 30 years of his career to conservation and environmental films. His clients include government agencies; US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service and many state agencies, also included are non-governmental organizations; The Nature Conservancy, Bat Conservation International, Envirovet, among others. McGowan began his filmmaking career in 1979 as a grip on “The Blues Brother” feature film. Throughout the 1980s, he worked as a grip, camera assistant, sound recordist, and editor. The variety of filmmaking roles provided the requisite skills required for documentary production. McGowan began his own production company, Ravenswood Media, in 1989. McGowan has enjoyed a career full of adventure and curiosity. He has filmed mountain gorillas, stood at the foot of Angel Falls, dragged cameras/lights miles into caves, and climbed Devils Tower. However, the best part of his job is advancing the goals of conservation and imagining a new, nurturing relationship between humans and the environment.Greg Bakunzi has gained experience working as a Rwandan tour organizer and guide for various international tour operators. His professionalism and reliability, along with his exceptional understanding of the needs and desires of international visitors, have gained Greg much renown among clients and respect among the members of local communities. He is a co-founder and president of the Ruhengeri Community Eco-Tourism Association, a local association of people collaborating to enhance tourism development in Rwanda. He relies on a network of contacts in the area, all of whom are happy to take part in his project. As he notes, “With my experience, know-how and contacts, l am able to make your bespoke visitor experience memorable, while also benefiting the locals as much as possible. I work with an experienced and highly motivated local staff team responsible for client contacts, as well as tour development and facilitation. I achieved great honor and milestone when Red Rocks was awarded a certificate for being a TOP 100 mid-sized company for the year 2012/2013. The certificate was presented by Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Business Excellence Awards.”He adds that his philanthropic efforts have also not gone unnoticed. He molded Red Rocks Rwanda to be community-based organizations, where the local community can gain from tourism activities, and in the process, have a sustainable income. Red Rocks brings under-served communities into the tourism supply chain and supports community development projects that help people help themselves through our initiatives (http://redrocksinitiative.org/).In August 2015, Greg’s name was added to the A- Team for Wildlife ‘Wall of Fame’ for his contribution during their Giving Grid Fundraiser. A-Team is an organization that fights to save endangered species of animals. In 2015, on the occasion of the 36th edition of the International Tourism Fair of Madrid (FITUR), the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), FITUR and Casa Africa jointly organized the 7th edition of the Tourism Investment and Business Forum for Africa (INVESTOUR) on 21 January 2016 in Madrid, Spain. He was invited as a panelist in the second roundtable and shared with the audience his experiences on the topic, Africa-The future is now. Greg has been recognized by several Rwanda based organizations for my efforts in promoting responsible tourism and community development agenda. In January 2019, at the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) in Madrid, Spain, an event that was organized jointly by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), FITUR and Casa Africa, he was awarded in recognition for Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development activities to promote tourism, conservation, and community development in and around the Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. Recently, he was appointed by African Tourism Board to be in their steering committee representing the interest of African members on the platform.Wonjung Bae is a non-fiction storyteller/documentary filmmaker/news producer. Bae made her first film, Grand, Father and Me, at age sixteen and has won numerous awards for her work, including the 38th Student Academy Award, the 16th Annual Directors Guild of America Student Film Award, and the Kodak Cinematographers Scholarship, among others. Before joining Johns Hopkins, Bae was the Seoul Producer for BBC covering stories including the South-North Korean division on land and mind, Korean women’s emerging voice against sexual violence, and the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic for the last seven years. Her team’s investigation on the Gangnam sex scandal was a winner at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for Best Single News Story/Report of Korea, 2019. Before joining BBC, Bae led a production company specialized in international co-productions for character-driven social justice films. One of its features Dollar Heroes was shown at the European Parliament and the UN, and broadcasted through more than 70 public stations including BBC Panorama and Storyville as well as numerous international film festivals. The film was nominated for a 2019 Grierson Documentary Award for Best Documentary Series and won the 59th Monte-Carlo TV Festival Golden Nymph Awards for Best Documentary. Bae completed her MFA in Film and Video at Columbia College Chicago and her internship at PBS Frontline, WGBH Boston. Bae cut her teeth in Chicago as a documentary editor for Emmy Award-winning producer Tod Lending and Kartemquin Films. Born in Busan, South Korea, Bae studied political science at Korea University for her undergraduate degree and is an aspiring flutist.Roger Irakoze lives in Musanze in the northern province of Rwanda. He is a passionate tour guide and a wildlife filmmaker who works at Red Rocks Culture Center, a place located in Musanze, Nkotsi village in the valley of the volcano's mountains. His daily work at Red Rocks is all about conservation of the mountain gorillas and the local community who live around the volcanoes national park through community-based tourism. As Roger notes, “Here at Red Rocks community comes first, whatever we do is to make sure that the community is benefiting from the tourism activities that take place at Red Rocks through different programs such as women guiding association by where the local women get engaged in tour guiding, also there is an art for conservation program where the women and the youth make different handcrafts and bring them to the art gallery to be sold and the money that have been paid for the crafts goes back to the owners of those crafts a hundred percent.”Rwanda wildlife filmmaking is a program that was introduced in August 2022 in cooperation of red rocks initiatives and Ravenswood media a company based in Chicago in the USA. The mission of the project is to promote the conservation of wildlife, nature, and community through providing the trainings to the tour guides, rangers and other people who have relationship with conservation by teaching them the basic skills of filmmaking by where they can be able to deliver the message of conservation through short movies and videos that they have been taught to do. In this program Roger works as a film director and editor as he is one of the students who attended the first class, and the trainings are still taking place with new students who are committed to learn about wildlife filmmaking.Roger Irakoze has a bachelor’s degree in travel and tourism management. In addition, he is a certified Kivu belt bird guide and have attended the 6 months training of inspiring managers program provided by African management institute in cooperation with Mastercard foundation. He has advanced skills in information technology where he received his international computer driving license (ICDL) certificate. The way he got to know red rocks was from an internship during the completion of his bachelor’s degree. After three months of internship, Red Rocks offered him a chance of working there as a volunteer in community tourism and nature conservation from 2019 until today. He points out that there are a lot of benefits of being a guide whereby he gets paid when conducting various tours with tourists. Roger adds that tour guiding is the best way of interacting with various people from different countries and through tour guiding as he gets the chance to promote the culture and the beauty of his country in general. It is also the best way to interact with nature and participate in the conservation of nature, wildlife, and community. He definitely enjoys it.Final Note: For those who are inspired by this particular episode of Silver Lining for Learning and would like to help out, Ravenswood Media has created a filmmaking course for national park rangers, trackers and guides. Check out 'Rwandan Wildlife Filmmaking Course' on Indiegogo. Crowdfunding Website. https://igg.me/at/hNAnRwf02nA/x/3010600#/ 

Students from the League of Innovative Schools conduct research on education equity challenges. They discuss the importance of flexible learning environments and engaging activities. The podcast emphasizes the value of open dialogue and inclusive learning. It explores the membership structure of Digital Promise and student recruitment for the LOIS program. The speakers discuss teaching history challenges and opportunities for collaboration within Digital Promise. The students reflect on the power of sharing research findings and advocating for diverse AP offerings.

Educators Punya Mishra, Chris Dede, & Curt Bonk join hosts to reflect on their break from the podcast and discuss the impact of conflict on education. They also explore the challenges of language translation using AI technology and the pervasive presence of implicit bias in teachers' judgments. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the future of AI in education, including certificates, partnerships, and concerns about the potential undermining of education by AI.

Hosts reflect: with Chris Dede, Curt Bonk & Punya Mishra

 Episode 174 Saturday November 11 at noon EST, Immersive Learning "Found in the Fjords" of Norway with guests Louise Edwards and Tiffany Duong.In Episode #174 of Silver Lining for Learning, Louise Edwards (lead developer and 3D artist) and her teammate Tiffany Duong (writer) will take us on an adventure (or edventure) into the fjords of Norway not by plane, car, or boat but via immersive learning technology. Their work is literally changing the landscape of education to teach about ecological systems that are currently in the midst of extreme flux yet are vital to life on this planet. Learners can now leap into Arctic waters and experience firsthand how the orca of North America are adapting to a rapidly changing ocean and planet overall. Learn how juvenile orcas experience their first winter in Arctic fjords and navigate threats and opportunities such as those brought by the annual winter herring run. Attend this session and have your mind stretched, your emotions stirred, and life outlook forever altered.Links and Resources:  Found in the Fjords website: http://foundinthefjords.org/Found in the Fjords (1 minute teaser): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJqcHWQV_ugVirtual World Society Nextant Podcast: https://www.virtualworldsociety.org/virtual-world-society-podcast/episode/760b283d/episode-23-dr-louise-edwardsVR in Education podcast: https://cfrehlich.podbean.com/e/episode-97-vr-to-educate-people-about-the-earth/Over Coffee podcast: https://blubrry.com/overcoffee/98201223/whale-culture-in-vr/Dr. Louise Edwards is an educational consultant and VR developer situated at the nexus of science education, exploration, and immersive technology. She has carved a unique career path that encompasses experimental research in Earth science, environmental consulting, education and training across K-12, post-secondary and corporate sectors, and VR design and development. She specializes in creating immersive and interactive experiences that help people develop a relationship with the Earth and the scientific literacy required to engage with the modern world.Website: https://www.dredwardsvr.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-louise-edwards/Instagram: : https://www.instagram.com/dredwardsvr/Tiffany Duong is an explorer and expedition storyteller. She holds degrees from UCLA and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Inspired by an epic dive trip, she left corporate law to campaign for our planet. Now, she writes, speaks and leads from dense jungles to remote oceans to the changing Arctic. Through her varied work, Tiff gives voice to what's happening in the natural world to inspire meaningful action and lasting change. Follow her on Twitter/Instagram @tiffmakeswaves.SpecialtiesField/expedition reporting, science communication, storytelling, writing, campaign design, coalition building, and intersectional and environmental advocacySocial Media LinksWebsite: http://www.tiffanyduong.com/Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tiffanyduongInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffmakeswaves/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TiffMakesWavesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanytvduong/

We are living in a world where tens of millions of people are being displaced or finding themselves as refugees each year. Such a world needs new educational and employment models and solutions. Enter NaTakallam, a WISE award recipient, which was initially designed as an Arabic-teaching service or platform during the Syrian refugee crisis. In essence, it was intended as a means to support those who were displaced while attempting to counter biases and negative media portrayals of such displaced individuals. Such refugees include artists, architects, teachers, small business owners, and information technologists, who need to earn a living in their new habitat as well as continue their education. Today, the mission of NaTakallam is much broader and global and is purposefully in line with the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nation. Notably, Natakallam (https://natakallam.com/about/) hires refugees and displaced people to teach languages, tutor, translate, and become involved in cultural exchanges. According to Aline Sara, the co-founder and CEO of NaTakallam, “Some 30% of the refugees we work with are trained teachers, but we also have engineers, journalists and architects.” She adds, “NaTakallam leverages the gig economy to connect them with language-based opportunities, taking them out of isolation.” As such, NaTakallam has evolved into a social enterprise for good that views its chief mission to find ways to provide employment and livelihood opportunities refugees and those from conflict-stricken parts of the world; unfortunately, that is an increasingly larger percent of the population with each passing year. As such, this episode of Silver Lining for Learning promises to be highly informative, eye opening, and emotion laden.Aline Sara is the co-founder and CEO of NaTakallam, an award-winning social enterprise that hires refugees and displaced persons and their host community members as online tutors, teachers, and translators. With a background in journalism, Aline is working to disrupt the ways in which we typically think of humanitarian aid and leverage the digital economy to promote sustainable solutions to major crises such as forced migration. Under Aline Sara’s leadership, NaTakallam has distributed $1,700,000+ in self-earned income to conflict-affected populations by connecting them to 12,000+ learners and dozens of organizational clients, worldwide. Aline is a Cartier Women’s Initiative, Summit & Halcyon fellow and has been a speaker at numerous high-level events, including TechCrunch Berlin & several OECD, UN, and World Bank events. She was named ‘Woman Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the Elle Impact Awards, winner of the World Bank Youth Summit, and regional winner of the MIT Inclusive Innovation Challenge (Asia). She is a passionate advocate for women’s rights and intercultural exchange. Some linksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alinesara/.NaTakallam: https://natakallam.com/About: https://natakallam.com/about/Article. WISE Profile: https://www.wise-qatar.org/biography/aline-sara/NaTakallam: A Different Kind of Language Learning: https://www.wise-qatar.org/project/natakallam-connecting-refugees-and-language-learners-worldwide/ Video (2022; 7:15): Creating Digital Livelihoods for Refugees: Breaking the Wall to Integration. https://falling-walls.com/discover/videos/creating-digital-livelihoods-for-refugees-breaking-the-wall-to-integration/Video (2022; 15:01): Connecting Refugee: Falling Walk Breakthrough Conversation with Aline Sarahttps://falling-walls.com/discover/videos/connecting-refugees-falling-walls-breakthrough-conversation-with-aline-sara/

The Rapid Expansion and Impact of The Digital School (TDS) with Dr. Waleed Al-Ali, Secretary General, TDS; Dr. Fuzan Al-Khalidi, Strategy and Organizational Development Advisor, TDS; and Dr. Lesley Snowball, Educational Director, TDSFrom the visionary perspective of H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the transformation of digital education from a concept into a thriving reality has been nothing short of remarkable. Since its inception on November 11th, 2020, this initiative has been driven by unwavering dedication, with a resolute aim to reach one million students and beneficiaries by the year 2026. Today, our footprint spans eight countries, where we proudly extend the benefits of digital education to over 100,000 beneficiaries.The strength of TDS lies in its diverse range of offerings, designed to bridge educational gaps in underserved communities. We work tirelessly at both the strategic and technical levels, collaborating with countries to facilitate the transformation of their education systems into digital paradigms. A key facet of our mission is empowering educators – we provide professional development teacher training, empowering them to attain certification as digital educators. Additionally, we engage in pilot programs in close partnership with each host country's ministry of education. These pilots allow us to gauge the feasibility of a full-fledged implementation, which stands as our ultimate long-term goal.The core of our TDS model is its adaptability. We start by aligning with the national curriculum of the country where we operate, and then we methodically digitize it. Our education team crafts comprehensive lesson plans for various subjects, making these resources readily accessible through our Learning Management System. In summary, our approach to the digital school model is both unique and contextualized, tailored to the distinct needs of each country we serve. There is no one-size-fits-all solution here; our commitment lies in meeting the educational aspirations of diverse communities worldwide.And last, but not least, the heart of The Digital School is in its educators – the facilitators and teachers who support the learning of TDS students. Many of our educators have no prior experience of using technology in the classroom. We have purposefully designed a sequence of professional development courses that orientate, guide and inspire them to be effective digital practitioners.Readings and Resources: The Digital School progress and impact report https://thedigitalschool.org/Episode GuestsDr.Waleed Al-Ali is Secretary General at The Digital School.Dr. Waleed Al Ali – is the Secretary General and board member for The Digital School Initiative, He also holds responsibilities in a number of leading initiatives in Dubai including senior advisor at Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the general coordinator for Madrasa.org e-learning initiative and the coordinator for Dubai Future Council for Humanitarian Aid. Dr.Waleed has extensive experience in the areas of strategic planning, educational strategies, digital transformation, and social & development innovation. Waleed has worked with leading private and public organizations in UAE including Dubai Holding, UAE Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, and Mohammed Bin Rashid’s Smart Learning Program. Dr.Waleed holds a PhD in Project and Innovation Management, Master’s degree in IT Management and Bachelor’s degree in Information Security.Dr. Fuzan AlKhalidi is Education and Strategy Advisor at The Digital School.Dr. Fuzan AlKhalidi is a seasoned education strategy advisor at the Digital School, part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Initiatives. With over 18 years of experience, Dr. AlKhalidi has held various leadership roles in strategic planning, healthcare management, and the implementation of national education and healthcare projects. Dr. AlKhalidi is known for his visionary thinking and a strong track record of turning plans into successful outcomes. He holds a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Northwestern University and a Master of Science in Healthcare Management from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.Dr. Lesley Fern Snowball – Education Director - The Digital SchoolAs the Education Director, Dr. Lesley Snowball directs and leads all aspects of The Digital School education strategy, including pedagogy, content and professional development for educators. With more than 30 years as an educator, Dr. Lesley’s educational passions and specific areas of expertise include students’ self-directed learning, curriculum design, multilingualism, inclusive education, and school improvement. Dr. Lesley has incorporated technologies into her classroom since volunteering to pilot a Sinclair ZX81 in the 1980s with her special needs students, and since 2010, has designed and taught online courses as Adjunct Professor of Education with George Mason University in Fairfax VA. She co-authored and published the Intemational Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and published more than 100 education resources with Pearson Education and Paramount Publishing. Dr. Lesley has a Doctorate in teachers’ professional development, a Masters’ degree in curriculum design, and an Advanced Diploma in language learning, A passionate multiculturalist, she has lived and/or worked in more than 50 countries worldwide.

This podcast explores the concept of a school within a school as a means of educational transformation. It discusses the benefits of reflection, cultivating an outward mindset, and inviting external experts. The podcast also highlights the process of creating a standalone school within a school and the challenges faced. It examines the rise of the school within a school model and the interest and support it has received. The transformation of traditional classrooms into studio spaces and the importance of sharing projects and preserving innovative schools is also discussed.