Getting Smart Podcast

Tony Wagner is an education author focusing on deeper learning and student agency, while Ulrik Christensen is a physician-turned-edtech leader. They discuss the significance of mastery learning in today's distraction-filled world. The duo emphasizes real-world applications, showcasing successful models from schools like Red Bridge. They advocate for fostering intrinsic motivation and highlight innovative approaches to curriculum that prioritize student agency and lifelong learning skills. Their insights are essential for educators and policymakers.

Matt Bowman, co-founder of Open Ed and education innovator, discusses the power of unbundled learning in personalizing education. He shares how schools can balance public and private resources, allowing families to become education designers. Bowman emphasizes the importance of flexible, competency-based learning and how AI is reshaping educational pathways. He also highlights the creative projects that foster deeper understanding and the significance of community in this evolving educational landscape.

Dr. Isaac Agbeshie-Noye, Program Director at the SHRM Foundation, dives deep into the future of work with a skills-first approach. He emphasizes unlocking potential through aligning skills with workforce needs. The discussion reveals barriers to skills-based hiring, like change fatigue and economic shifts. Isaac explores the impact of AI on job markets, highlighting opportunities for digital literacy. He advocates for strong partnerships between employers and educational institutions to enhance skill development, providing a roadmap for a more equitable workforce.

Dive into the future of education as two hosts discuss revolutionary concepts like Alpha School’s innovative two-hour AI-driven learning. Discover the nuanced role of ambient AI in everyday life and its implications for assessment. They explore how relational intelligence can enrich learning experiences and ponder the balance between structured education and real-world exploration. With insights on personalized education and gamification, this conversation offers a captivating glimpse into the evolving landscape of teaching and learning.

Join education leaders Virgel Hammonds and Beth Rabbitt as they explore the transformative potential of competency-based learning. Hammonds, co-leader at Full Scale, focuses on aligning educational practices for systemic change, while Rabbitt champions personalized learning with a goal to scale impact. They discuss the benefits of a Co-CEO model for distributing leadership and fostering collaboration. Don't miss their insights on navigating disagreements through 'rumbles' and their ambitious vision for the upcoming Full Scale Symposium!

David McCullough III, co-founder and CEO of the American Exchange Project, dives into the transformative impact of domestic high school exchange programs. He shares how his 7,100-mile road trip reshaped his perspective and fueled his passion for empathy. McCullough discusses the program's innovative structure, which combines cultural immersion and community service, aiming to connect over 1,500 students from diverse backgrounds. He emphasizes overcoming fear with curiosity and envisions a future where travel fosters civic cohesion across America.

Dr. Bill Nicely, Educator in Residence at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, shares insights into transforming education through cross-state collaboration in Kansas City. He discusses how the pandemic catalyzed partnerships among diverse districts to promote market value assets for all students. Bill highlights the critical role of business collaborations and the importance of focusing on quality before scaling initiatives. Tune in for a glimpse into the future of profession-based learning and the impact of AI on education.

In this enlightening discussion, Sangeet Paul Choudary, author of Reshuffle and platform strategist, delves into the reshaping of markets through AI. He highlights how curiosity, curation, and judgment are becoming more valuable as knowledge becomes commoditized. The conversation contrasts using AI merely as a tool versus leveraging it as an engine to redesign business models and learning systems, illustrated with examples like Figma and TikTok. Sangeet also examines AI's unique role in coordinating fragmented systems, offering a roadmap for navigating the future.

Hayley Spira-Bauer, Chief Academic Officer at Fullmind and host of Learning Can't Wait, discusses how AI can ease teacher workloads and enrich student engagement. The conversation emphasizes the vital role of media literacy in today's digital age, helping students critically assess information. Spira-Bauer also shares insights on fostering personalized learning and the importance of human connections in education. Moreover, she explores the transition to self-directed learning, encouraging competencies that prepare students for real-world challenges.

In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Nate McClennen and Mason Pashia explore key topics shaping education today, from the varying start dates of schools across the U.S. to the global progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They dive into data on teacher shortages, discussing challenges with retention and exploring innovative solutions like rethinking educator models. The conversation also touches on the neuroscience of adolescent identity formation, emphasizing the importance of creating opportunities for healthy risk-taking and personal growth in schools. Tune in to hear insights on how schools can address current challenges while fostering connection, curiosity, and purpose among learners. Outline (00:00) Introduction and Agenda (04:02) Global Goals and School Meals Progress (07:40) Public School Perception Survey Results (12:48) Teacher Shortage Data and Analysis (17:36) Rethinking Teacher Models (27:28) Identity Formation and Adolescent Development (37:23) Human Expression and Connection (42:47) What's That Song? Links Watch the full video here Read the full blog here When Do Kids Go Back to School? Exclusive Poll: As Support for Schools Plummets, Americans Resist Closing Education Department Reading for Fun: Student Experiences How an Indiana District Puts a Premium on Teacher Autonomy Overview of Teacher Shortages How Can We Keep Teachers Teaching? State of the American Teacher Survey The Teaching Model That’s Keeping Educators in Schools The Great Simplification Podcast: Taylor Guthrie Sand Talk: Indigenous Thinking in a World That’s Lost Its Way Mile-Long Table in Denver Seats Thousands of Strangers to Eat and Celebrate Community Introducing Kestrel and Other Songs