Getting Smart Podcast

In today’s episode, Tom is sitting down with former Governor Jeb Bush, to discuss all things digital learning. Bush served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 until 2006. After leaving office, he formed and still chairs the Foundation for Excellence in Education also known as ExcelinEd. The national non-profit organization focuses on state education policy and continues the important work that Bush championed in Florida. In 2010, Bush launched Digital Learning Now, a policy roadmap for the future of education. With his co-chair, former West Virginia Governor, Bob Wise, an all-star group of 100 advisors was formed. And after 100 conversations in 100 days, a policy platform for the future was unveiled. The 10-point platform stressed access to personalized digital learning for all students, including take-home devices and broadband for all teachers and all learners. States and school districts that follow Digital Learning Now’s advice have been serving students well and were well-prepared when the pandemic closed schools back in March. Tune in to listen in to Tom and Jeb Bush’s conversation around digital learning and the initiatives he is driving forward with ExcelinEd and Digital Learning Now!   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode with Jeb Bush. [1:22] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Jeb Bush to the podcast! [1:31] Jeb Bush shares his take on the current impact COVID-19 is having on the world. [4:19] The silver lining from massive disruption. [5:21] How only two months into the school closures the benefits of digital learning have been made apparent. [5:55] How Jeb Bush’s early views on education were formed, what he learned from visiting schools across America, and how he began to appreciate how technology could assist in serving children (in regards to education) better. [8:49] How Florida’s biggest districts have weathered this crisis through Jeb’s leadership, his team, and their partnerships. [13:32] Going in the ‘Wayback machine,’ Jeb reflects on how the conversation between him and Tom about developing a new education policy framework came about in 2010. [15:56] About the Getting Through microsite. [16:34] Why Digital Learning Now’s first three of the ‘10 Elements of High-Quality Digital Learning’ (1. Student Eligibility 2. Student Access and 3. Personalized Learning) are especially relevant and important today. [18:17] Important, key elements of a high-quality education system (from DLN’s 10 elements): 5. Quality Content 6. Quality Instruction 7. Quality Choice 8. Assessment and Accountability. [20:26] Why this idea of ‘students progress based on demonstrated competency’ is so important to Jeb and ExcelinEd. [23:52] Challenges with the existing education system. [26:19] The progress regarding infrastructures supporting digital learning. [28:28] What’s next for ExcelinEd. [30:37] Tom thanks Jeb for joining the Getting Smart podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Jeb Bush The Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd) Digital Learning Now The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes — and Why, by Amanda Ripley Florida Virtual School GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough Digital Learning Now’s 10 Elements of High-Quality Digital Learning   For More on How Florida Districts are Coping with COVID-19, Check-Out: Getting Smart Ep. 255: “Dan Gohl on Leading in Crisis”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

In today’s episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Corey Mahn and Shameka Montgomery to discuss next-gen career education.   Corey Mohn is the Executive Director of the Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies (or CAPS for short). This next-generation career center supports five suburban Kansas city high schools with, what they call professions-based learning, an applied project-based learning that immerses young people in the challenges of high wage, high growth jobs. This next-gen career center has inspired a national network that includes more than 60 school districts. And one of these school districts is Little Rock Public Schools where Shameka Montgomery is Director of Career Development.   In their conversation today, Shameka and Corey join Tom to discuss how career education has changed in Little Rock. Corey tells the origin story of Blue Valley CAPS and the impetus for CAPS becoming a national network, how other school districts join their network and upgrade their career education through their affiliation, and what is on the CAPS roadmap. Shameka shares her insights on how their learning opportunities at Little Rock have improved due to their CAPS affiliation and how and why this applied, hands-on, community-connected learning is making a major difference for young people in Little Rock.   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode with Corey Mohn and Shameka Montgomery. [:48] Jessica shares an email from a recent graduate of the Excel Careers for Advanced Professional Studies high school in Little Rock. [1:40] Tom welcomes Corey and Shameka to the podcast. [1:58] Shameka speaks about her history at Little Rock School District. [2:20] Corey explains what professions-based learning is. [3:50] Corey tells the origin story of Blue Valley CAPS. [7:02] Tom gives a shoutout to Blue Valley’s founding director. [7:50] Shameka shares what spurred her interest in a career in education as well as how she first learned about CAPS and professions-based learning. [10:10] Corey reflects on his six years at Blue Valley and what first interested him in CAPS. [13:51] Corey elaborates on what the impetus was for CAPS becoming a national network. [18:08] Jessica shares an important resource with listeners: the Getting Through microsite. [18:48] Shameka shares her insights on how their learning opportunities now are better for young people because of their CAPS affiliation, compared to five years ago. [20:20] Would Shameka say that there are more young people in career education now more than ever? [21:20] How many students take classes at the Little Rock Technology Park? [22:00] Shameka elaborates on how the impact of being at CAPS is not only classes at the Tech Park but a change and expansion of the offerings at each of the five high schools. [23:15] Corey shares how other school districts join their network and upgrade their career education through their affiliation. [26:47] Shameka explains how and why this applied, hands-on, community-connected learning is making a major difference for young people in Little Rock. [28:36] Corey shares what is next for the CAPS network. [33:00] Shameka reflects on the downsides and benefits of working remotely currently. [33:29] Tom thanks Corey and Shameka for joining the Getting Smart podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) Little Rock School District NetWork Kansas Better Together: How to Leverage School Networks For Smarter Personalized and Project Based Learning, by Tom Vander Ark and Lydia Dobyns Northland CAPS Community Park City CAPS GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough Little Rock Technology Park Mainstream Technologies   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

This week on the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is welcoming back a return guest — Ryan Craig! Ryan is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of University Ventures and Achieve Partners. As Managing Director of University Ventures, Ryan was the most important investor in higher education — or, more specifically, last-mile training alternatives to higher education.   In his 2018 book, A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College, Ryan made the case that unless you get a free ride to a top school, you should find a free or affordable sprint to a great first job. With his newest fund, Achieve Partners, Ryan has become the most important investor in a new category of intermediary organizations that take the friction out of hiring for both companies and job seekers. Through this initiative, Putting America Back to Work, Ryan plans to put 100,000 people back into work by establishing frictionless pathways to good jobs.   In today’s conversation, Tom and Ryan discuss Ryan’s efforts towards putting America back to work. Listen in to hear how about the work Ryan is doing through his two funds, Achieve Partners and University Ventures; his key takeaways from his 2018 book, A New U; the key factors in helping America get back to work; and his advice for high school students returning to school this fall.   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s show with Ryan Craig. [1:06] Tom welcomes Ryan back to the podcast! [1:15] Ryan sheds some light on what just happened to the U.S. economy. [3:10] Ryan shares his prediction on what he believes is going to happen at colleges and universities this fall. [6:24] Ryan shares his thoughts on whether or not he sees several colleges closing permanently due to this impact. He also shares his hopes for institutions and education leaders that want to change. [10:17] Ryan summarizes some of his invaluable advice from his 2018 book, A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College. [14:15] Jessica shares an important resource with listeners: the Getting Through microsite. [14:56] If Ryan wrote a 2020 forward for A New U, what would he say or address? [22:22] Is the federal government going to the key actor in getting America back to work? Ryan walks listeners through how states and employers can play a role in helping Americans. [24:15] Ryan explains what University Ventures (UV) is and what they do. [24:48] Ryan explains why he started up his newest fund, Achieve Partners, and shares what it is that they do there and how it is different from UV. [26:35] Ryan highlights a few of the partners they have with their Achieve Partners fund. [27:33] How corporate-connected training and these faster, cheaper alternative options are going to replace a very large percentage of traditional higher ed. He also shares the criteria that they use to determine what they are going to do next within their companies. [31:46] Ryan gives some closing advice for high school juniors and seniors. [33:17] Tom thanks Ryan for joining today’s episode!   Mentioned in This Episode: GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough University Ventures Ryan Craig’s LinkedIn A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College, by Ryan Craig Achieve Partners Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 160: “Last-Mile Training as an Alternative to Higher Ed with Ryan Craig”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

In this special episode, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Kaleb Rashad, a leading voice in education and the Director of Creative Leadership at the High Tech High Graduate School of Education.   Over the past 10 years, Kaleb has worked with diverse communities to co-create equity-driven, liberatory school cultures characterized by student-centered pedagogy, trust-rich relationships, and creative leadership practices. Prior to High Tech High, Kaleb taught middle school math and science and served as the site administrator in two middle schools and two elementary schools.   In their discussion together, Tom and Kaleb speak about race and education in America. They center their discussion around the current Black Lives Matter movement and the inequity many young black Americans face in regards to their education. Kaleb shares his thoughts around the racism problem in America, the inequality black people are facing in accessing health care and education, the power of place and the intersectionality of justice in education, current sources of inequity in education, and more. Kaleb and Tom also briefly touch on the important decisions education leaders will have to be making in the next 60 days with the schools opening up back in the fall.   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode with Kaleb Rashad. [:36] Tom welcomes Kaleb to the podcast and Kaleb shares his thoughts around the current goings-on and how he has been educating his children on these topics. [2:35] Kaleb speaks about BLM, white supremacy, and the history of racism in America. [9:05] The inherent and systematic racism in how we fund schools. [11:47] How tech and AI are being used to further human racist biases and how, instead, they could be used to benefit everyone and eliminate these biases. Kaleb also highlights the importance of teaching a deeper sense of literacy skills and helping children build a deeper sense of purpose within a community. [15:40] Kaleb and Tom briefly discuss the inequality for black people in accessing the health care system and the built-in economic disadvantage that they’re facing. [16:28] Kaleb sheds some light on some of the current sources of inequity in education and what the work ahead may look like for education leaders. He also sheds light on an incredible author, Michelle Alexander, and how she is shedding light on how race was constructed in America and why. [23:40] Kaleb discusses the power of place and the intersectionality of justice in education. [26:55] Kaleb provides some closing thoughts on some of the important decisions education leaders will have to be making in the next 60 days in regards to what school will look like in the fall. [30:05] Tom thanks Kaleb for joining the podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: High Tech High Graduate School of Education Kaleb Rashad “The White Woman Who Called Police on a Black Man Bird-Watching in Central Park has been Fired,” by Amir Vera and Laura Ly, CNN “Ahmaud Arbery: Third Man Charged Over Death of Black Jogger,” BBC “This is How Loved Ones Want Us to Remember George Floyd,” by Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Michelle Alexander — The New Jim Crow   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

Today, the Getting Smart team is bringing you an episode on the innovation opportunity ahead. As we all try to make sense of the health, economic, and education crisis we’re all experiencing, the Getting Smart team has been participating in dialogues with educators from around the world about how to make the best of a bad situation. And now that the end of the school year is here, the team is shifting their Getting Through series from stories and advice to supporting remote learning and long-term closures, to the now challenging work of reopening schools in the fall.   In this episode, Tom Vander Ark and Rebecca Midles (the Vice President of Learning Design at Getting Smart) outline the new infrastructures schools will need in the fall to operate onsite, remote, and online programs. In the second half of the episode, Tom and Rebecca discuss the innovation opportunity to help children thrive, to meet them where they are, and to engage learners in work that matters to them and their community.   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s show with Tom Vander Ark and Rebecca Midles. [1:17] Tom welcomes Rebecca back to the Getting Smart Podcast. [2:11] Tom and Rebecca acknowledge the struggles that have come along with the current pandemic. [3:08] Tom reads a relevant and inspiring Parker Palmer quote. [4:05] Tom and Rebecca outline what they will be covering in today's episode. [4:55] Tom and Rebecca give their thoughts on the currently available learning platforms and blending your core academic program. [7:45] Tom and Rebecca discuss the gap regarding competency platforms. [8:25] The good news and the bad news. [8:41] Challenges in the fall and the upcoming need for schools to update their remote strategy. [9:40] The importance of access and what that means. [10:57] Tom and Rebecca discuss what the new look of schools may look like, once they reopen. [13:28] Tom and Rebecca explain the importance of deeply considering starting or partnering with a remote school in your district. [16:50] Tom summarizes the four key basic infrastructure pieces that they encourage schools and district leaders to think about. [17:17] Switching gears, Tom and Rebecca transition to the second topic of today’s episode: the three distinct, important innovation opportunities that can be approached in the coming year. [17:38] #1: Thriving humans: the important success skills. Rebecca describes what they are and how we develop them. [18:53] Jessica shares an important resource with listeners: the Getting Through microsite. [19:31] Rebecca speaks about agency and how educators can help learners develop it. [20:08] Rebecca highlights some of the specific ways that educators can incorporate agency and social-emotional learning more fully into the culture of a school. She also speaks about what ‘teach-again learning’ looks like inside of a school. [21:24] Tom and Rebecca discuss how if a school or district does not have a broad definition of what success looks like, that it is now the time to do. [22:55] Rebecca suggests some next steps to take, regarding developing report cards, transcripts, and helping learners tell their stories. [24:38] #2: Work that matters. Rebecca shares some examples of what interspace learning looks like. [25:08] How educators can go into the fall by incorporating more interspace learning and be more artful about adding more voice and choice while simultaneously packing projects with important skills? [27:35] Tom and Rebecca highlight how to take a space towards work that matters, no matter your role. [28:18] Rebecca outlines the opportunity this fall to better meet learners where they are. [30:25] Rebecca shares how we can learn more into competency-based structures and learning come this fall. [33:50] Tom and Rebecca summarize what they discussed in today’s episode. [35:07] Jessica thanks the teachers and leaders once again for all that they do and gives some recommendations for further listening and guidance.   Mentioned in This Episode: GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough Rebecca Midles Parker Palmer Google Classroom G Suite Microsoft Classroom Microsoft Teams Canvas by Instructure Schoology EMpower Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School Portrait of a Graduate Lindsay Unified Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 250: “Tom Rooney and Scott Rowe: Buildings Are Closing, Learning Goes On!” Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 255: “Dan Gohl on Leading in Crisis”  

This week on the podcast, Tom Vander Ark interviews Dr. Jason Glass, the Superintendent of Jeffco Public Schools!   Serving 84,000 students, Jefferson County is the largest district in Colorado. It encompasses 800 square miles and serves urban, suburban, and rural communities west of Denver. Before Jeffco, Dr. Glass served as Superintendent at Eagle County School and District for four years. And prior to that, he served as the Chief State School Officer for the Iowa Department of Education. Dr. Glass has promoted deeper learning across the 155 site-based diverse school options in Jefferson County.   Dr. Glass was able to anticipate the pandemic closure, so he developed a plan and shared it with his team. Then, on March 13th, when schools closed in Colorado, people knew what to do at Jeffco and the transition to remote learning was relatively seamless for both learners and teachers.   In this episode, Tom and Dr. Jason Glass discuss Jefferson County’s transition to remote learning, how they overcame the challenges associated with school closures, what their strategic vision for the future of Jeffco looks like, and the lessons Dr. Glass has learned as Superintendent.   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s show. [1:01] Tom welcomes Jason to the podcast! [1:08] Jason shares how he first become a social studies teacher in Hazard, KY. [2:55] Jason speaks about his career at the Colorado Department of Education in the early 2000s. [4:12] Jason shares about his time as Director of Human Resources at Eagle County Schools. [5:53] Jason explains how he landed the role of Chief State School Officer for the Iowa Department of Education; what brought him back to the Eagle County School District afterward; and finally, how he became Superindent of Jeffco Public Schools. [8:30] Tom and Jason talk about the large student population that Jeffco serves. [10:18] Jason speaks about how he developed his agenda at Jeffco and what became his priorities in such a large district. [13:50] What does Jason hope to see when he visits a Jeffco elementary school? [17:24] Jessica shares an important resource with listeners: the Getting Through microsite. [18:03] Jason speaks about their experience switching to remote learning when they closed schools in Colorado. [21:55] What is it going to look like once they open schools back up? What challenges will be present and how will they overcome them? [25:32] Jason speaks about what kinds of new options Jeffco’s communities will want and form, going forward. [28:52] Tom thanks Jason for his leadership at Jeffco and for joining the podcast! [19:16] Where to learn more about Jeffco and read more about their strategic vision.   Mentioned in This Episode: GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough Jason Glass Jason Glass’ Twitter: @COJasonGlass Jeffco Public Schools Jeffco Generations   For More on School Districts Making the Successful Transition to Remote Learning, Check Out: Getting Smart Ep. 250: “Tom Rooney and Scott Rowe: Buildings are Closed, Learning Goes on!”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!  

In this episode, you are welcome to join Tom Vander Ark and Greg Shaw for a discussion around reprogramming the American dream.   Greg Shaw is a writer from Bellevue, Washington. He has supported the policy and communication needs of Microsoft and the Gates Foundation for more than 25 years. Three years ago, Greg worked with Satya Nadella on Hit Refresh, a book on the remaking of Microsoft as a leader in cloud computing and artificial intelligence. For the last two years, Greg has been working alongside Kevin Scott on their newest book, Reprogramming the American Dream, which takes a look at the future landscape of AI and how it can be realistically used to promote equitable growth.   In Greg’s conversation with Tom, he discusses the challenges of producing beneficial AI that serves society equitably (from rural America to Silicon Valley); how he sees the future of AI as an open platform for creativity and productivity for anyone, anywhere; the need for local conversations around AI; and what his newest book with co-author, Kevin Scott, hopes to accomplish and add to the conversation.   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s show with Greg Shaw. [1:00] Tom welcomes Greg Shaw back to the Getting Smart podcast! [1:39] Greg speaks about what his life has been like during the COVID-19 pandemic. [3:40] Greg tells listeners about his co-author for his book, Reprogramming the American Dream, Kevin Scott, and how they came up with the idea for the book. [6:04] Greg shares why he believes it was important for Kevin to tell his story in their newest book. [8:53] Tom shares what he likes about the book. [9:39] Greg speaks about what he and Kevin hoped the book would accomplish and what communities it would impact. [10:31] Tom shares more of what he appreciates about the book. [11:35] Greg gives his thoughts on the different ways he thinks AI needs to be on the public agenda. [14:14] What Greg thinks is different about AI between now and five years ago. [15:25] Does Greg envision AI as a set of open tools in the future? [17:20] Jessica shares an important resource with listeners: the Getting Through microsite. [18:00] Tom further explains the capabilities of AI and how the entire supply chain of every industry is rapidly being altered. [18:51] Greg shares more about the way that he and Kevin addressed how they think the U.S. will share the wealth and benefits that come with AI in their new book. [21:25] Greg speaks about how he’s seeing AI becoming an open platform for creativity and productivity beginning to happen. [25:25] Does Greg think that this current crisis will bring more awareness to the lack of access to certain technologies in rural areas and schools? [27:51] Greg speaks on the topic of preventing potential negative consequences of AI. [29:44] Greg touches on the need for local conversations and who should be leading these sorts of conversations. [32:30] What is Greg going to work on next? What other areas is he curious about? [34:12] Tom thanks Greg for joining the podcast! [34:24] Where to find Greg online!   Mentioned in This Episode: GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough The Gates Foundation Hit Refresh: The Quest to Rediscover Microsoft's Soul and Imagine a Better Future for Everyone, by Satya Nadella, Greg Shaw, and Jill Tracie Nichols Reprogramming the American Dream: From Rural America to Silicon Valley―Making AI Serve Us All, by Greg Shaw and Kevin Scott Kevin Scott (CTO of Microsoft) Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, by J.D. Vance AI4All AI4K12 Geneva Conventions Greg Shaw on LinkedIn Greg Shaw on Twitter   Want to Hear More? Tune in to this Getting Smart episode: “The Backstory Behind Microsoft Refresh” with Greg Shaw and Jill Tracie Nichols   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

In today’s discussion, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Dr. Eric Tucker, the co-founder and Executive Director of the Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School. Brooklyn Labs is a next-generation college-preparatory 6–12 public charter school that prepares scholars with the academic foundation, digital literacy, and leadership skills necessary to succeed in college and professional life. Recently, Eric created a 10-point plan based on insights and resources from practitioners and experts to help educators reimagine and strengthen education systems. In particular, it was created to encourage school and system leaders to consider how the needs of people of color and individuals with disabilities will be affected by re-entry.   In Tom and Eric’s discussion today, Eric recalls how debate changed his academic trajectory, as well as how he overcame learning disabilities and earned a doctorate at Oxford. They also discuss how Brooklyn Lab responded to the closure of schools and, of course, their 10-point plan for reopening schools with safety and equity in mind! (If you want to tune in specifically for the 10-point plan you can jump forward to minute twenty!)   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode! [:43] Tom welcomes Eric Tucker to the podcast. [:50] Eric shares why he studied Africana studies at Brown University in ’98. [2:22] Where did Eric’s appreciation for debate come from? And when did it start? [5:30] How and when did Eric end up at Oxford getting his master’s in education research methodology and his doctorate in measurement? [7:23] After leading the National Debate organization and doing a few other things, Eric had an idea of starting a new kind of school in the heart of Brooklyn. Eric tells the origin story of Brooklyn Lab. [10:44] Now a well-known school, Brooklyn Lab serves a diverse group of students. Eric touches on this fact and elaborates on the unique needs of the student population. [15:44] Eric speaks about how they make 1:1 and small group tutoring a priority at Brooklyn Lab. [18:15] Jessica shares an important resource with listeners: the Getting Through microsite. [18:55] Eric provides some reflections on what’s currently happening at Brooklyn Lab concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. [25:50] Eric begins to speak about their 10-point plan for reopening schools with safety and equity in mind. [30:14] Eric highlights some of the permutations that they’re looking at, at Brooklyn Labs, in terms of potential reopening scenarios. [34:49] Eric summarizes their approach to budgeting and staffing when it comes to reopening schools. [39:42] Eric speaks about what the first week back at school might look like and what he encourages school leaders to be thinking about. [43:29] In the 7th and 8th point in the plan, they speak about using data to improve continuity as well as reimagining approaches to core services. Eric further elaborates on these points. [47:52] In the last two points of their 10-point plan, Tom and Eric encourage school and system leaders to iterate and communicate and to consider the worst but model the best. Eric elaborates on what he meant by “consider the worst” and gives his thoughts on how we should think about future possibilities and factor them into our plans while continuing to forge ahead. [52:40] Tom thanks Eric for taking the initiative to launch the 10-point plan and for joining the podcast! [53:22] Eric signs off the podcast and shares his appreciation for Tom’s leadership and the Getting Through microsite.   Mentioned in This Episode: GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School “How to Reopen Schools: A 10-Point Plan Putting Equity at the Center,” by Eric Tucker and Tom Vander Ark i-Ready WAMAP National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)   Want to Hear More? Check-out: Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 250: “Tom Rooney and Scott Rowe: Buildings are Closed, Learning Goes On!”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

In this episode, the team is diving into artificial intelligence and the future of work and learning. Today’s guest, Flynn Coleman, is an international human rights attorney, a professor, and a social entrepreneur. She’s also a former competitive athlete, she speaks five languages, and she has lived and learned in a dozen different countries! Flynn has spoken and written extensively on issues of war crimes, gender equality, behavioral economics, and emerging technologies. Her new book, A Human Algorithm, explores how artificial intelligence is redefining who we are. The Getting Smart team appreciates her focus on equity and inclusion in this innovation age. Listen in as Flynn talks to Tom about the future of work and learning and explore how A.I. will change the future of education! Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode and special guest. [:52] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Flynn Coleman to the podcast! [:59] How and why did Flynn gain the opportunity to study in so many countries during high school and college? [1:56] Did Flynn’s parents value travel or support her in traveling? [2:32] What led Flynn to become interested in human rights? [3:39] If Flynn had to pick out her favorite interesting place to learn, which would she choose? [6:25] Why place-based education is so incredibly valuable for learners. [7:32] After doing a JD at Berkeley, Flynn went on to the London School of Economics and Political Science for a master’s in law. Flynn elaborates on why she took this path. [9:09] Flynn has crafted a life for herself that uniquely combines the practice of human rights law with teaching and writing. What is the thread that runs through it? [10:58] When and how did artificial intelligence come across Flynn’s radar? [11:46] Flynn speaks about her book, A Human Algorithm, and why she decided to write it. [14:19] Flynn shares more about what her book encompasses, the process of writing it, and some of the challenges she faced while working on it. [15:57] Jessica shares an important resource with listeners: the Getting Through microsite. [16:36] Does Flynn feel that A.I. will be the best thing we’ve ever invented or the biggest existential threat we’ve ever faced? [19:09] Why right now, more than ever, it’s easier for young people to make a difference. [21:07] Which should we be most concerned with right now? Discrimination, autonomous weapons, or excessive surveillance? [24:26] Tom and Flynn dive deeper into the human rights legal issue emerging today that is excessive surveillance. [29:19] Tom and Flynn discuss the need for a different economic system moving forward and a more nimble form of governance. Flynn also provides her thoughts on how we could build more nimble political structures that would allow us to be more responsive to certain complex systems. [33:20] What should young people know about artificial intelligence? And what are some of the implications regarding education? [36:30] Does Flynn think it’s a good idea that some leading school districts are beginning to teach their middle school students the ethics of A.I? [39:51] Flynn shares what her new book will be about. [41:21] Tom and Flynn speak about the audience her recently published book, A Human Algorithm, is for. [42:52] Where to find Flynn online! [43:03] Tom thanks Flynn for joining the Getting Smart podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough Flynn Coleman A Human Algorithm: How Artificial Intelligence Is Redefining Who We Are, by Flynn Coleman The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education, by Tom Vander Ark Dr. Sharon Blackie   Want to Hear More? Listen to: Getting Smart Ep. 245: “David Blustein on Working in America”   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!

This week on the podcast, Tony Wagner is joining Tom Vander Ark to speak about his most recent book and all that he has learned throughout his career in education.   Tony Wagner is a former high school teacher, principal, teacher educator, and school coach. For three decades, he’s been an advocate for deeper learning for all students. His books, Change Leadership, The Global Achievement Gap, Creating Innovators, and Most Likely to Succeed, sounded the alarm bell that the new economy requires new experiences and outcomes. In his new memoir, Learning by Heart, Dr. Wagner recounts his own struggles with traditional education and his lessons learned from the last two decades of work exploring the innovation economy.   Listen in as Tony and Tom recall their work together and talk about the path forward for education!   Key Takeaways: [:10] About today’s episode and special guest, Tony Wagner. [:54] Tom Vander Ark welcomes Tony Wagner to the podcast! [1:35] Tom and Tony reflect on some of their history working together. [6:20] Tony speaks about his past experience with traditional education. [7:35] Tony speaks about the college that enabled him to become a teacher. [9:38] Educating for social change/social good was very vibrant in the ’60s. Does Tony find that there has been a resurgence of that ethos today? [10:39] Tony reflects on his time leading schools and some of the biggest takeaways. [15:47] Adaptive challenges: why they’re important for students, teachers, and leaders. [16:52] Fast forward to 1999; Tom and Tony reflect on some of their education adventures and what they learned. [19:25] Tony provides his thoughts on the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act. [21:31] Tony speaks about why his book, How Schools Change, was important to him. [22:29] Jessica shares an important resource with listeners: the Getting Through microsite. [23:09] Tony explains the main message behind his 2003 book, Making the Grade. [24:18] Tony highlights some of the main lessons from his 2009 book, Change Leadership. [26:08] Tony explains what his next book, The Global Achievement Gap, was about. [29:35] Tony followed up The Global Achievement Gap with Creating Innovators. Who would Tony say this book was written for? And what did it cover? [32:10] Tony speaks about his 2015 book, Most Likely to Succeed, that he co-wrote with Ted Dintersmith. [34:47] Tony speaks about his most recent book, a memoir called Learning by Heart, and whether or not it was harder or easier to write, compared to his previous books. He also highlights some of the biggest takeaways from it. [42:10] As Tony thinks about the teachers and leaders listening to this podcast, what would he want to say to them, in terms of post-pandemic learning? [44:15] Where to find Tony’s newest book, Learning by Heart, and Tony online. [45:05] Tom thanks Tony for joining the Getting Smart podcast!   Mentioned in This Episode: GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough Tony Wagner Tony Wagner’s Books Learning by Heart: An Unconventional Education, by Tony Wagner LIU Global College (originally known as Friends World College) Leadership Without Easy Answers, by Ronald A. Heifetz No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Most Likely to Succeed Film Tom Vander Ark on Forbes Northshore School District   Get Involved: Check out the blog at GettingSmart.com. Find the Getting Smart Podcast on iTunes, leave a review and subscribe.   Is There Somebody You’ve Been Wanting to Learn From or a Topic You’d Like Covered? To get in contact: Email Editor@GettingSmart.com and include ‘Podcast’ in the subject line. The Getting Smart team will be sure to add them to their list!