Learning Unboxed

Tyler Thigpen, co-founder of The Forest School and the Institute for Self Directed Learning, shares insights on nurturing student-led learning environments. He discusses the significance of mastery-based education and how to measure growth through single point rubrics. The conversation highlights the role of exhibitions in fostering student responsibility and the need for spaces where students can build character and resolve conflicts. Tyler’s innovative approaches are a beacon for those interested in educational reform.

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” was made almost 40 years ago, yet it still is seen as an accurate representation of education in America. Kevin Stoller is on a mission to update America’s perception of its schools. He’s our guest on today’s episode.Kevin is the founder of the Second Class Foundation and is creating a new docuseries called “What We Show Them.” He explains the power of entertainment to change culture. We discuss the importance of leadership, how anyone can be a storyteller, and the roadmap for his series. Be sure to check the Resources section to find out how you can connect with Kevin and potentially showcase your own innovative education program.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgWe unbox:The power of entertainment to change cultureThe lag between progress in education and how it is reflected in the mediaHow anybody can be a leader and a storytellerResources:Learn more at SecondClassFoundation.org Email Kevin at info@secondclassfoundation.orgWatch “What We Show Them” Episode 1 on YouTubeRead “The End of Average”Produced by NOVA Media

Chris Ramsden, a game-based learning consultant at Accelium Australia, discusses the transformative power of integrating gamification into education. He emphasizes game-based learning as more than just an engagement tool; it builds critical metacognitive habits and social-emotional skills in students. Chris shares insights on a 24-session 'Thinking Journey' aimed at enhancing STEM education and highlights the importance of adapting educational methodologies for real-world applications. His approach to learning is described as 'nutritional candy for the brain,' making education both fun and impactful.

All great things start with a podcast! What started out as a podcast by Ryan Pruitt during COVID lockdowns has morphed into his business called Be All You. Ryan joins the show today to introduce his unique business and discuss the state of education. Be All You is an education company creating an exploratory platform for students who need to create unique projects or initiatives to enhance their college applications or build their resumes. It’s designed to get students to create entrepreneurial projects that are made up of their skills and their passions. We talk about the importance of youth self-discovery and empowerment. We also discuss how to help teachers develop their own entrepreneurial mindset. Take a listen to learn more about this exciting new program.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgWe unbox:Fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in students and teachersThe importance of students being able to choose their learning projectsHow future careers can be created through what students learn todayResources:Learn more at BeAllYou.org Check out the Conrad Challenge PrizeProduced by NOVA Media

Dr. Lorna Bryant, Head of Career Solutions at Pearson Virtual Schools, is passionate about democratizing education through technology. She discusses how virtual learning can enhance connections and opportunities for students, particularly those who are underserved. Lorna outlines Pearson's innovative career assessments and mentorship programs that prepare students for the workforce. She emphasizes the blend of virtual and in-person learning to foster essential skills, ensuring students are equipped for their unique paths, regardless of their circumstances.

Many times we say we value students’ voices and aspirations, but we don’t do the work to truly make them partners in designing and delivering education. Today, Dr. Russ Quaglia and Dr. Lisa Lande from the Quaglia Institute for School Voice and Aspirations join the show to talk about how to change this.We have a great conversation about being honest with where you’re at as an organization in terms of student voices and aspirations, and starting from there. We talk about trusting students with more responsibility, and being ok when things get messy. We also talk about the importance of building a foundation of community and individuality. If you are interested in truly utilizing student voices, this episode is for you.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgWe unbox:The definition of voiceHow values inform aspirationsThe importance of ongoing relationship-building to create space for voices and aspirationsResources:Learn more at QuagliaInstitute.orgProduced by NOVA Media

Welcome to our special series about shifting to a more student-lead ecosystem! Usually we take the month of July off, but this year we’re going to re-examine episodes with the theme of empowering students and communities to determine their own needs and successes.Sometimes we get caught up in the idea that the purpose of education is to create a future workforce. Heather Van Bethuysen joins the show to remind us that the purpose of education is a strong democracy. We want to educate young people to be powerful in the world in which they live. The goal is to develop them to be powerful to enact change, be powerful to advocate, be powerful to know.If we look at education through that lens, student empowerment becomes a more natural and necessary part of our systems. Heather gives us a specific example of how they are doing this in Chicago Public Schools: Not only do they collect student surveys, but they then give that data back to students to co-collaborate on what changes need to be made.Join us for a fascinating conversation about power, uncomfortable conversations, and continuous learning.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgWe unbox:The goal of education is to build a strong democracyWhat “democratizing data” meansThe importance of developing the skills needed to have difficult conversationsResources:Connect with Heather on LinkedInLearn more about the Civic Engagement Research Group at University of California, RiversideFind out more about the McCormick Foundation Explore StartSOLE Learn more about the Cultivate Survey and FrameworkCheck out PERTS’ Elevate ProgramTake a look at the Inner Core graph on the Chicago Public Schools Department of Student Voice and Engagement pageProduced by NOVA Media

Welcome to our special series about shifting to a more student-lead ecosystem! Usually we take the month of July off, but this year we’re going to re-examine episodes with the theme of empowering students and communities to determine their own needs and successes.Kids today are different. Compared to high school graduates in 2000, today’s graduates are less likely to have a driver’s license (80% to 52%), less likely to have had a part-time job (85% to 35%), and less likely to have ever been on a date (decreased by 50%). Using these numbers, our guest today, Bill Daggett, explains just how out-of-date and out-of-touch our education system is for today’s students.We discuss how to fundamentally transform the system so it connects with students and what they need to thrive in the modern marketplace.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgWe unbox:How today’s students are fundamentally different than those of past generationsThe need for schools to focus less on content and more on skillsWhat it takes to change mindsets, culture, and practices in educationResources:Learn more at spnetwork.orgConnect with Dr. Bill Daggett on LinkedInProduced by NOVA Media

Welcome back to our special series about shifting to a more student-lead ecosystem! Usually we take the month of July off, but this year we’re going to re-examine episodes with the theme of empowering students and communities to determine their own needs and successes.Sheryl Cababa researches and designs educational products and services on behalf of philanthropists and investors. In this episode, she explains how she combines design thinking and systems thinking in her work in order to elevate the voices of students and teachers, and examine the underlying structures that shape success. She explains how we all can use concepts of human-centered design, equity-centered design, and targeted universalism in our work.We wrap up by discussing the latest trend in educational products: AI. Sheryl applies systems thinking to it, highlighting the fact that the commonly used AI models have been built on data sets rife with discrimination. To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgWe unbox:What key terms mean like “systems thinking,” “targeted universalism,” and moreHow to use the power of research to benefit participants, not just extract information from themWhy the equity-centered design approach can uncover systems that are not always visible Resources:Connect with Sheryl on LinkedInRead “Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers” by Sheryl CababaRead “Race after Technology” by Ruha BenjaminProduced by NOVA Media

Welcome to our special series about shifting to a more student-lead ecosystem! Usually we take the month of July off, but this year we’re going to re-examine episodes with the theme of empowering students and communities to determine their own needs and successes.In today’s episode, Kavita Tanna, founder of Global Reconnect, speaks about our interconnectedness, not just as human beings, but as creatures on this planet. She weaves together strength-based approaches, sustainable ownership, and care for the environment.  The more we understand our interconnectedness, the more we can make decisions as a community of individuals.To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.orgWe unbox:Why strength-based conversations are criticalHow students can learn with empowered dignity, sustained ownership, and cultivated relationshipsThe power of connecting with each other around the question of what it means to be a human beingResources:Learn more at globallyreconnect.orgConnect with Kavita on LinkedIn"Factfulness" by Hans Rosling"Start with Joy" by Katie CunninghamProduced by NOVA Media