Getting Smart Podcast

This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is part of a new short monthly series where Mason Pashia is joined by Dr. Jason Cummins, a previous guest and a friend of the podcast, to speak with indigenous leaders and academics to discuss how indigenous ways of knowing and leading can, and should, shape the education system.   Awaachiáookaate’, or Jason Cummins Ed.D is an enrolled member of the Apsaalooke Nation, and recently served as the Deputy Director for the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities, Office of the Secretary. Previously, he was the principal at Crow Agency Public School. As an Indigenous scholar and school leader he has innovatively worked to lead schools towards authentically serving Native American students PreK-12 and their communities by implementing culturally sustaining, trauma-informed, and restorative approaches.  Dr. Robin Zape-tah-hol-ah Minthorn is a member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, Apache, Nez Perce, Umatilla and Assiniboine and is currently the Professor and Department Chair at the College of Education at Oklahoma University. At the time of this recording was a professor at UW Tacoma. Prior to her time in Washington, Dr. Minthorn served as Coordinator of Native American Affairs at Oklahoma State University and an adjunct faculty at Pawnee Nation College. Preceding that, as an academic advisor at Comanche Nation College, which is Oklahoma’s first tribal college. Dr. Minthorn also co-founded Gamma Delta Pi, American Indian Sisterhood and RAIN (Retaining American Indians Now) as an undergraduate at the University of Oklahoma. As an academic professional, she co-founded ONASHE (the Oklahoma Native American Students in Higher Education) Conference. Links:  Dr. Robin Zape-tah-hol-ah Minthorn Unsettling Settler Colonialism  Since Time Immemorial Sweeney Winchief Paolo Friere  Dr. Michael Yellow Bird Connie Mcloud Native Student Challenges Indigenizing the Academy  

Tom Vander Ark is joined by Elliot Washor, co-founder of Big Picture Learning, who discusses the concept of real-world learning in education. They explore the origins and development of the 'leaving to learn' model, the importance of mentorship, engaging young people with their interests, prioritizing wellness and sustainability in education, and the significance of personalized education and technology.

Guest Kim Smith, founder of LearnerStudio, discusses the rise of learner-centered education, re-architecting the education system, concerns in the ESA space, and reimagining education amidst financial crisis and declining enrollment in urban districts.

This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is a recording of the latest Getting Smart Town Hall — Agriculture Technology Pathways. On this episode, we heard from a great panel of guests who are running a wide range of programs to help young people connect with the growing field of agriculture technology.  Links: Town Hall Recap Video Link Links  

Dr. Justin Reich, ED of MIT Teaching Systems Lab, discusses coherence in schools and the value of invitational and transformational leadership. He emphasizes the importance of practice and iteration in teaching, as well as leadership in implementing innovation. The challenges of incorporating edtech in schools are explored, along with the importance of partnering with different thinkers. Empowerment and making change in education are also discussed.

On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Nate McClennen is joined by Sharon Laidlaw, Director of Place Network at Teton Science Schools, to discuss place-based education, a movement that was articulated in the 1990’s and now has become a centerpiece of education innovation everywhere.  This movement is rekindling purposeful and agency filled learning experiences for young people. And while not explicitly named as place-based, these learning experiences that are unbundled, project-based, and real-world  grounded in the tools of competencies and personalized approaches ALL fit within the place-based paradigm - using learning to engage the real world around real experiences and challenges - and this approach teaches critical skills that are a priority for an increasingly disconnected and complicated world.  Links:  The Place Network Tetons Science Schools  Sharon Laidlaw New Schools Venture Fund Roundrock Black Parents Association  Gallup Poll  

Anant Agarwal, MIT Professor and Founder and CEO of edX, discusses the role of AI in teaching and learning. Topics include ethics in AI, personalized learning, and the potential of AI in online education. The importance of responsible use of AI and its power for good in education are also highlighted.

This episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is a part of our New Pathways campaign. In partnership with American Student Assistance (ASA), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Stand Together and the Walton Family Foundation, the New Pathways campaign will question education’s status quo and propose new methods of giving students a chance to experience success in what’s next.  On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, New Pathways Senior Fellow Trace Pickering is joined by Dr. Tasia Chatman, Director of Learning Experiences at Springpoint and Jeff Sudmyer, Director of School Leadership. As the Director, Learning Experiences, Tasia supports the design, development, and scale of Springpoint Transformative Learning Experiences. Tasia brings over 16 years of teaching and curriculum design experience. Her expertise is in curriculum design reflective of Universal Design for Learning and Culturally Responsive Teaching. As Director of School Leadership, Jeff draws on over twenty years of experience as a teacher and administrator to coach principals and collaborate with leaders and teachers at Springpoint partner schools who are working to create innovative high schools. Together, they discuss the elements of a transformative learning experience, making high school meaningful and much more.  Links: Tasia Chatman Jeff Sudmyer Springpoint  

Podcast discusses the impact of generative AI in education, including case studies of its usage. They explore using chat GPT to support project-based learning, inclusion of diverse students in real-world projects, and the benefits of Project Leo for integrating AI in classroom apps. They also discuss enhancing teacher practice through AI and teaching students to solve problems using AI models.

Are you interested in attending one of the field’s largest gatherings of K-12 education innovators? The Aurora Institute Symposium 2023 promises community, lessons about education innovation from the field, and the latest research and policy to support education transformation. Find out more here.  On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Rebecca Midles is joined by Laurie Gagnon, CompetencyWorks Program Director and an author on some recent publications from the Aurora Institute: Next Generation Credentials and Work-Based Learning Policy.  Also, as an example of states moving forward, to help advance innovations in its Personalized, Competency-Based Learning (PCBL) pilot program, Utah has partnered with the Mastery Transcript Consortium to provide the learner record and resources to schools and districts making the shift.  We’re also joined by Cory Henwood, Innovation Director at Iron County Schools in Utah to discuss some of this work which was highlighted in the recent Aurora Institute report.  Links:  Laurie Gagnon Cory Henwood CompetencyWorks Blog Going Beyond the Traditional: Next Gen Credentials and Flexible Learning Pathways Expanding Student Access to Work-Based Learning: Federal Policy Recommendations Aurora Institute Iron Essential Eight Kettle Moraine Florida XQ High PSI Mastery Transcript Consortium