Silver Lining for Learning

Episode #204 of Silver Lining for Learning will explore global citizenship education (GCE) broadly, and education on the Thai/Myanmar border specifically. Andrew Swindell and Wanida Lertvorapreecha Chong will discuss how migrant and ethnic-minority communities access quality and inclusive education on the Thai/Myanmar border as well as a few specific projects that they have worked on together. During their collaborations, they have examined how global, national, and local citizenship themes are represented in curriculum materials being used in schools with migrant students along the Thai/Myanmar border. In their research, they have found that Thai government school materials are strongly oriented towards national Thai citizenship whereas the internationally produced Open Education Resources (OERs) digital materials are more oriented towards global citizenship. In addition, they have written a digital GCE K-6 curriculum that is currently being used in migrant learning centers (MLCs) along the border. Importantly, during the SLL episode, Wanida and Andrew will talk about the curriculum development process and what GCE looks like in the context of migration. In addition, they will discuss mixed-methods program impact research they collaborated on over the past year on Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) initiatives across northern Thailand. Finally, Wanida wrote her dissertation on multicultural education and GCE focusing on this region, and will speak to the larger education situation there, particularly around migrant and ethnic-minority access to quality and inclusive education.Andrew Swindell has over 15 years of experience in international development, education, and research, and is passionate about advancing inclusive and quality education for all learners. He holds a PhD in Social Science and Comparative Education from UCLA and has worked in both online and in-person settings across the USA, Bangladesh, Liberia, Thailand, and Myanmar, specializing in emergency and forced migration contexts. He has published on topics like AI, digital literacy, education in emergencies, and curriculum studies in both popular and academic outlets, demonstrating an ability to convey rigorous evidence-based findings and complex ideas in varied formats for different audiences. He currently serves as a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) consultant with education NGOs based in Thailand where he investigates multilingual education for migrant and ethnic-minority students. He has also worked as a K-12 teacher and his other research interests include online and digital learning, AI, and global citizenship. His career has been driven by a commitment to making education work better for all people, guided by principles of compassion and human dignity. More on Andrew can be found in LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/swindellandrew/ and he can be contacted at: aswindell@ucla.edu.Wanida Lertvorapreecha Chong is currently a part-time lecturer at Maejo University, in the North of Thailand with seven years of full-time position teaching experience working at the Faculty of Liberal Arts. She is from Thailand and earned her PhD in Multicultural Education from Chiang Mai University. Her work focuses on the study of migrant education and global citizenship education on the border of Thailand and Myanmar. She enjoys collaborating with migrant teachers in designing the Thai curriculum that is meaningful and relevant to the migrant community. She has served as a board member for Child Dream Foundation and been actively coordinating with any projects related to migrant education. Wanida aspires to work as an International Student and Scholar Services Advisor (ISSS) in Florida. You can find out more about Wanida at https://www.linkedin.com/in/wanida-chong-58aa13255/ and she can be contacted at: wanida.lertchong@gmail.com. Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org 

Explore a revolutionary educational model that prioritizes real-world, project-based learning. Discover the founders' journeys from traditional methods to creating a nurturing environment for diverse students. Learn about innovative alternative education approaches showcased at a conference and the significance of community-centered teaching. Hear insights on the importance of personalizing education and fostering emotional growth. Plus, the impact of global experiences on student learning is highlighted, emphasizing the power of meaningful connections in education.

Ep 202 | Hosts reflect with Chris Dede, Curt Bonk & Lydia Cao Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org 

The discussion features Merve Basdogan, an expert in educational technology; Marie Heath, a visionary in innovative learning; Seyedahmad Rahimi, a thought leader in tech education; and Priyank Sharma, a professional enhancing learning experiences. They explore how technology will reshape classrooms and the importance of creativity in education. Topics include fostering civic engagement, rethinking assessments for personal growth, and envisioning future learning technologies by 2030, all while advocating for equitable approaches in education.

Celebrating our 200th episode of the Silver Lining for Learning (SLL) webinar series is a milestone that speaks for itself. Over the past four years, we've had the privilege of hosting educators, students, and innovators from around the world, sharing insights on the future of learning and the role of technology in education. Guests have come from countries around the world and every educational sector with many utilizing forms of digitally enhanced learning and instruction to make a significant local or global impact. Notably, these podcast episodes are now more accessible to people on the go, since they can be listened to while engaging in other tasks, rather than watched over YouTube. This expansion in educational delivery formats has allowed for greater visibility for SLL across the globe.Thus far, the guests have included prominent educators, educational leaders, practitioners from Facebook (now Meta), Google for Education, the World Bank, UNESCO, Sesame Street, Contact North in Ontario, Quality Matters, several open universities, and many others. These guests have come from places like Italy, Indonesia, India, the Philippines, Bhutan, Myanmar, Antarctica, Finland, the UK, France, Bangladesh, Egypt, China, Canada, Chile, Afghanistan, Australia, Greece, Peru, New Zealand, Korea, Israel, Gaza, Mexico, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, Nepal, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Thailand. SLL has touched on a broad range of topics including student autonomy and self-determination, remote learning, novel learning organizations, pioneering curricula and programs, school reform, grassroots innovations in teaching and learning, cross-cultural collaboration, and assorted ground-breaking pedagogical and technological inventions. No matter the location, topic, or initiative featured, each episode has contributed to a rich tapestry of knowledge and experience.Some of the most exciting shows have featured passionate students working on meaningful projects while others have shown the spotlight on award-winning educators pioneering creative teaching methods and emerging digital technologies in challenging environments. Each conversation has offered a unique perspective on transforming education, making these 200 episodes a valuable resource for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of learning. As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to continuing these important conversations and inspiring change in the education community.We feel most fortunate to have had SLL recognized for several awards and recognitions over the past couple of years. It is hard to believe that we are in the fifth season of SLL. Each episode requires extensive planning, networking, coordination, and creativity.This episode is also a testament to the dedication and synergy of our hosting team: Chris Dede, Curt Bonk, Punya Mishra, and Yong Zhao. Not to be forgotten are two of our starter members Shuangye Chen and Scott McLeod. And last but not the least, our newest co-host Lydia Cao. Over these four years, we've thoroughly enjoyed collaborating on this entirely unfunded project, driven by our shared passion for education and curiosity about the future of learning. Each episode has been a labor of love, reflecting our commitment to exploring and sharing innovative ideas in education.For our 200th episode, we are thrilled to welcome two distinguished emeritus faculty members, David Berliner from Arizona State University and Tom Reeves from the University of Georgia. David is renowned for his extensive research in educational psychology and has significantly contributed to understanding teaching and learning processes. Tom Reeves, a leading figure in educational technology, has dedicated his career to improving educational practice through innovative research and development. Their participation will not only help us celebrate this milestone but also provide valuable insights and wisdom, enhancing our discussions on the future of education.About our guests David BerlinerDavid Berliner is a Regents Professor Emeritus in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College in the division of educational leadership and policy studies. He has taught at the universities of Arizona and Massachusetts, and Stanford University, as well as at universities in Australia, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. Professor Berliner is a member of the National Academy of Education, a fellow of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, and a past president of both the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and the Division of Educational Psychology of the American Psychological Association (APA). He is the recipient of awards for distinguished contributions from APA, AERA, and the National Education Association (NEA). He received the AERA's Outstanding Public Communication of Education Research Award in 2016.Professor Berliner has authored more than 200 published articles, technical reports, and book chapters.  Among his well-recognized works is the best seller "The manufactured crisis,"  coauthored (with B. J. Biddle). He was also of the coauthor (with Ursula Casanova) of "Putting research to work," and coauthor (with N. L. Gage) of the textbook "Educational psychology," now in its 6th edition. He is coeditor of the first "Handbook of educational psychology" and the books "Talks to teachers, and Perspectives on instructional time." His book, "Collateral damage" (with Sharon Nichols) is about the corruption of professional educators through high-stakes testing. His most recent book, "50 Myths and Lies that Threaten American's Public Schools," was co-authored with Gene V. Glass and students in 2014.Tom ReevesThomas (Tom) C. Reeves, PhD is Professor Emeritus of Learning Design and Technology in the Mary Frances Early College of Education at The University of Georgia. Professor Reeves has designed and evaluated numerous interactive learning programs and projects. In recognition of these efforts, in 2003 he received the AACE Fellowship Award, in 2010 he was made an ASCILITE Fellow, and in 2013 he received the AECT David H. Jonassen Excellence in Research Award. He was a Fulbright Lecturer in Peru and has given invited presentations in the USA and more than 30 other countries, including Australia which is one of Tom's favorite places. He is the former editor of the Journal of Interactive Learning Research, and the author of nearly 200 scholarly papers. His co-authored books include Interactive Learning Systems Evaluation (with John Hedberg), A Guide to Authentic E-Learning (with Jan Herrington and Ron Oliver), Conducting Educational Design Research (with Susan McKenney; two editions), MOOCs and Open Education Around the World (with Curt Bonk, Mimi Lee, and Tom Reynolds), and MOOCs and Open Education in the Global South (with Ke Zhang, Curt Bonk, and Tom Reynolds). His research interests encompass educational technology in developing countries, authentic tasks for learning, educational design research, medical and public health education, and prison education. Tom currently lives at The Spires at Berry College in Rome, Georgia with his wife, Patricia M. Reeves, Professor Emerita of Social Work at The University of Georgia, and their West Highland Terrier, Button. He can be reached at treeves@uga.edu and his homepage can be found at http://www.evaluateitnow.com/. Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org 

Two young sisters founded WEquil App for alternative education globally, offering personalized learning for students and connecting families with educators worldwide. The platform emphasizes self-directed learning, student projects, and community collaboration, revolutionizing traditional education models. Reflecting on their entrepreneurial journey, the guests share insights on the impact of alternative education philosophies and the exciting prospects for the future of education.

Discover how the University of Illinois Springfield is addressing adult learner population growth through online learning, MOOCs, and AI. Learn about Web accessibility, marketing strategies, and enrollment management. Hear experts discuss challenges of online transition, HyFlex teaching, and AI policies in higher education.

Learning is changing. It is changing every day. It is changing in North America. It is changing in western Australia. It is changing in the Middle East. It is changing in Latin America and throughout South America. It is changing in East Africa. It is changing in Western Africa. North and South Africa too. It is changing across the globe; it is increasingly more open, online, blended, massive, flexible, global, virtual, visual, collaborative, hands-on, on-demand, and much more. One aspect of learning that is particularly important today is online (including blended) learning. However, it is in much flux. As a result, we need to think about the future of e-learning in this Post-COVID world. Such a world is no longer embracing the term emerging remote teaching as the COVID “emergency” has passed. However, education remains in a state of emergency in many ways. Attend Episode 197 of Silver Lining for Learning (SLL) and learn how three leaders from Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, along with Rebecca Stromeyer from OEB Global and eLearning Africa, are helping shift the focus from emergency remote teaching to using technology to transform online education and skills training on the African continent and plan ahead for an exciting learning future.Rebecca Stromeyer has made significant contributions to digital learning, EdTech, and international education. As the Managing Director and Founder of ICWE GmbH and co-founder and co-owner of ICEF GmbH since 1991, she has played a key role in establishing these organisations' events as leaders in their fields. Rebecca co-founded OEB (Online Educa Berlin) Global, the global, cross-sector conference on technology-supported learning and training, in 1995. She co-launched ONLINE EDUCA MADRID, the leading annual online learning event for Spain and Latin America in 2000, as well as similar events in Iceland (2017), Russia (2015), Singapore (1997), Korea (1996), and the Arab world (2003). In 2005, she founded eLearning Africa, a network and annual conference focusing on digital learning, training, and skills development across the African continent, bringing together over 1,200 African education experts each year.Her expertise has been sought by international organisations, and she has served on various boards, including the International Council on Badges and Credentials and the Drucker Society. She has also been Vice-Chair of the Global Business School Network and a board member of the Global Development Learning Network. In 2012, Rebecca launched the eLearning Africa Report, further establishing her influence in ICT and digital learning. Her work continues to impact education and skills development worldwide, driven by her vision of a more connected and educated global community. She can be found in OEB Global and at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-stromeyer-abb4645/ and contacted at: rebecca.stromeyer@icwe.net.Ambassador Rudo Chitiga is the Permanent Secretary in the newly established Ministry of Skills Audit and Development in Zimbabwe. She is a strategic thinker and negotiator with over 30 years senior management experience in government, civil society and inter-governmental organizations. Rudo Chitiga has held senior management positions in government, civil society, and international organizations including Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Ministry of Women Affairs Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development in Zimbabwe, Ambassador of Zimbabwe to France, Spain and Portugal and the Vatican and permanent Representative and member of the Executive Board of UNESCO and the UNWTO. She is currently a member of the governing board of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. She is the team leader of BellaRue Consultants offering services in governance peace building and conflict resolution, gender mainstreaming, relationship brokering, project management, capacity building and organizational development. In addition, she is also a Results Coaching Systems trained life coach. For more information on Ambassador Rudo Chitiga, you can find her on on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudo-mabel-chitiga-822703/ and contacted at: rudo.chitiga@gmail.com.Ify Obidi-Essien is a distinguished Edu-Tech Consultant and Microsoft Global Training Partner in Nigeria, renowned for her steadfast dedication to advancing digital transformation in education. As CEO of Tech-Savvy Teacher International, a leading EdTech Consultancy firm, Ify leads initiatives encompassing comprehensive technology services. “Tech-Savvy Teacher International is a leading Education and Technology solutions provider focused on equipping the African educator with technological skills so as to drive digital transformation in the classroom.” Her expertise spans training, consultation, school management software integration, and cutting-edge classroom technology installation, providing an educational transformation framework aligned with stakeholders' objectives.A trailblazer, Ify's impact transcends borders. As a Speaker at the T4 Education conference in March 2022, she enriched the discourse on transformative education. Media features in The SUN, Wazobia TV, Wazobia FM, TVC, Kids and Mum TV show, and Guardian Woman Publication underscore her industry recognition. In February 2020, Ify organized the 12th Tech-Savvy Teacher Master class in Dubai, advocating for the Flipped Classroom Model's integration in Nigeria. Her global outreach continued with an Education Tour to Rwanda in October 2023, collaborating with the African Leadership University, exposing delegates to technology's impact on teaching and learning.Beyond education, Ify champions young women's empowerment through the B.I.G Girls Foundation, while recently completing the Women in Leadership Program from the European University of Luxembourg with distinction. Furthering her influence, Ify launched the Animation Kids Club, fostering digital content creators through an e-learning platform in prestigious institutions like Corona Schools Lagos, Greenspring School Gbagada, and Learning Ladder Abuja. This initiative embodies Ify's vision to cultivate creativity and exploration in animation from an early age. Ify can be found in LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ify-obidi-essien-980341116/ and contacted at: techsavvyteacherinternational@gmail.com.Paul Birevu Muyinda, is a Professor of Open, Distance and eLearning (ODeL) and the Director of the Institute of Open, Distance and eLearning at Makerere University in Uganda (Uganda's largest and oldest institution of higher learning, first established as a technical school in 1922, and the oldest currently active university in East Africa). Paul is a certified blended learning developer and online instructional designer. He has research interests in digital pedagogy and andragogy where he has worked with different education and training institutions to champion this cause. He led a team that scaffolded Makerere University and other universities in Uganda to remain afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. Prof. Muyinda is the author of more than 100 research articles in open, distance, and e-learning. He has recently consulted with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and other agencies on policy and strategy for open distance learning. He is the Principal Investigator of several internationally funded research grants, including: NORHED II, Mastercard Foundation e-Learning Initiative, KOICA distance education enhancement project, just to mention but a few. As per Bob Little’s 2018 ranking of online pedagogy gurus, Prof. Muyinda was ranked among the top 100 movers and shakers of online corporate education in Africa (see article). Paul can be found in LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-birevu-muyinda-479600158/ and contacted at: mpbirevu2013@gmail.com. Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org 

Hosts reflect with Chris Dede, Curt Bonk and Punya Mishra Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org 

Using 21st Century Online Learning to Teach Girls in Afghanistan with guests, Timothy Stiven, Founder, Flowers for the Future; Jasmin Azizi, Advisor and Developer, Flowers for the Future and Andishvar Mohibi, student. Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org