School's In
Stanford Graduate School of Education
Unlock the future of learning with School’s In, your go-to podcast for cutting-edge insights and enlightening conversations in education. Presented by Stanford Graduate School of Education (Stanford GSE), this podcast is hosted by Dean Dan Schwartz and Senior Lecturer Denise Pope. They invite you to join them as they navigate the complexities of post-pandemic education and discuss the latest research in teaching and learning.
This season on School’s In, we delve into a variety of pressing topics with the help of our fellow Stanford experts. Discover how AI is transforming classrooms and personalizing learning experiences. Learn effective strategies to tackle chronic absenteeism and summer learning loss, and explore solutions for addressing educational inequality and supporting youth mental health. Additionally, we examine the role technology plays in reshaping learning environments. Join us as we discuss the incredible research being done in education today.
Dan Schwartz is a recognized expert in human learning and educational technology. As dean of Stanford GSE, he has led numerous initiatives to advance effective teaching strategies and technologies. He also serves as faculty director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, which aims to advance the science and design of learning to bring effective and equitable solutions to the world.
Denise Pope specializes in student well-being and engagement. A senior lecturer at Stanford GSE, her research focuses on academic stress and its consequences on students' mental health and learning. She is the author of several books and articles that support parents and teachers in creating more positive learning environments, including Doing School: How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students. Pope is also co-founder of the education nonprofit Challenge Success, which promotes equitable practices for balanced lives.
Together, they offer valuable observations and practical advice for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone connected to the learning community. With a commitment to educational equity and innovation, they bring you expert perspectives and engaging conversations on the critical issues facing learners today.
Stanford GSE is a leader in education research and teaching, known for its commitment to pursuing equitable, accessible, and effective learning for all. The school’s dedication to preparing educators and researchers through interdisciplinary approaches ensures its lasting impact on the field.
“We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of post-pandemic education and stay ahead of the learning curve” says Schwartz, “so join us as we discuss practical solutions to some of education’s most challenging issues.”
Don't miss out on insightful discussions meant to keep you ahead of the learning curve! Subscribe to our newsletter now, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and visit our School’s In website for more updates and episodes. School’s In promises to be an essential resource for anyone passionate about learning.
This season on School’s In, we delve into a variety of pressing topics with the help of our fellow Stanford experts. Discover how AI is transforming classrooms and personalizing learning experiences. Learn effective strategies to tackle chronic absenteeism and summer learning loss, and explore solutions for addressing educational inequality and supporting youth mental health. Additionally, we examine the role technology plays in reshaping learning environments. Join us as we discuss the incredible research being done in education today.
Dan Schwartz is a recognized expert in human learning and educational technology. As dean of Stanford GSE, he has led numerous initiatives to advance effective teaching strategies and technologies. He also serves as faculty director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, which aims to advance the science and design of learning to bring effective and equitable solutions to the world.
Denise Pope specializes in student well-being and engagement. A senior lecturer at Stanford GSE, her research focuses on academic stress and its consequences on students' mental health and learning. She is the author of several books and articles that support parents and teachers in creating more positive learning environments, including Doing School: How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students. Pope is also co-founder of the education nonprofit Challenge Success, which promotes equitable practices for balanced lives.
Together, they offer valuable observations and practical advice for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone connected to the learning community. With a commitment to educational equity and innovation, they bring you expert perspectives and engaging conversations on the critical issues facing learners today.
Stanford GSE is a leader in education research and teaching, known for its commitment to pursuing equitable, accessible, and effective learning for all. The school’s dedication to preparing educators and researchers through interdisciplinary approaches ensures its lasting impact on the field.
“We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of post-pandemic education and stay ahead of the learning curve” says Schwartz, “so join us as we discuss practical solutions to some of education’s most challenging issues.”
Don't miss out on insightful discussions meant to keep you ahead of the learning curve! Subscribe to our newsletter now, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and visit our School’s In website for more updates and episodes. School’s In promises to be an essential resource for anyone passionate about learning.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 8, 2026 • 27min
Education’s ethical challenges: Navigating complexity in community
What does it mean to make an ethical decision in the classroom? And how can schools prepare for dilemmas that don’t have a single right answer?On this episode of School’s In, we’re joined by Stanford GSE Professor Meira Levinson, a leader in the emerging field of educational ethics. She walks us through the complex terrain of real-world ethical decision-making in schools – where competing values, pressures, and priorities often collide. From everyday classroom challenges to district-wide decisions, Meira shares how the field of EdEthics can help educators and policymakers navigate those moments with greater clarity and confidence. She covers several topics, including:(02:57) Understanding ethical decisions in education(06:19) The need for a field of educational ethics(10:00) The myth of the value-free classroom(11:15) Case study: Ethical dilemmas in the classroom(18:56) Developing ethical frameworks for educators(24:22) Ethics as community practice: Advice for working through hard decisions togetherMeira Levinson is a professor at Stanford Graduate School of Education whose work focuses on civic education, justice, and the ethics of teaching and learning. She founded JusticeInSchools.org, a site that offers real-world ethical case studies for educators and policymakers. Levinson's current mission is to formally establish the field of educational ethics, aiming to bring clarity, conversation, and support to the morally complex world of schooling. Learn more about her work on her faculty profile.School’s In is your go-to podcast for cutting-edge insights and fresh perspectives on the future of learning. Hosted by Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) Dean Dan Schwartz and Senior Lecturer Denise Pope, each episode dives into the latest research, innovations, and real-world challenges shaping education today.Stanford GSE is at the forefront of education research and teacher preparation, dedicated to advancing equitable, accessible, and impactful learning experiences for all.Stay connected with the latest insights—subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads.
Dec 18, 2025 • 23min
Rethinking the “word gap”: What parents really need
Monica Ellwood-Lowe, an assistant professor at Stanford GSE and developmental psychologist, challenges the notion of the “word gap.” She argues it's not just about how many words children hear, but the impact of socioeconomic stressors on parental engagement. Monica discusses how financial strain can reduce verbal interaction and emphasizes cultural differences in language development. Importantly, she reassures parents that children's adaptability allows them to catch up through various interactions, highlighting the need for structural solutions to support families.
19 snips
Dec 3, 2025 • 29min
AI and the future of human learning
Judith Ellen Fan, a cognitive scientist at Stanford's Cognitive Tools Lab, and Christopher Piech, a computer science professor, explore the intersection of AI and education. They discuss how AI can inspire student creativity and entrepreneurship while addressing concerns about its impact on academic integrity and motivation. Judith highlights the limitations of AI in understanding visual thinking, while Christopher emphasizes the importance of human mentorship in the learning process. Together, they urge for value-driven decisions to shape a more equitable future in education.
Nov 13, 2025 • 23min
Chatbots as therapists? AI’s promise and perils
*Please note: This episode includes discussion of youth mental health, including mentions of suicidal ideation. Listener discretion is advised.*Could the future of school-based mental health include chatbots—and should it?On this episode of School’s In, Stanford Assistant Professor Nick Haber joins the show to unpack research on AI chatbots as tools to support young people’s mental health. As an expert in learning sciences and artificial intelligence learning sciences, Haber sheds light on both the promising and the unsettling. , He covers several topics, including:(03:27) Why study AI chatbots as therapists?(06:27) The danger: AI therapists in crisis situations(11:41) Human interaction vs. AI companionship(15:04) AI and youth mental health(18:48) From risks to responsibility: Advice for parents and educatorsNick Haber is an assistant professor at Stanford Graduate School of Education. He and his research group develop AI systems meant to mimic and model the ways people learn early in life, exploring their environments through play, social interaction, and curiosity. Learn more about his work on his faculty profile. School’s In is your go-to podcast for cutting-edge insights and fresh perspectives on the future of learning. Hosted by Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) Dean Dan Schwartz and Senior Lecturer Denise Pope, each episode dives into the latest research, innovations, and real-world challenges shaping education today.Stanford GSE is at the forefront of education research and teacher preparation, dedicated to advancing equitable, accessible, and impactful learning experiences for all.Stay connected with the latest insights—subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads.
Oct 30, 2025 • 28min
When schools close: Budgets, politics, and the cost to communities
In this insightful discussion, Francis Pearman, an assistant professor at Stanford Graduate School of Education, delves into the complex implications of school closures. He highlights how closures disproportionately affect low-income and minority students, revealing the troubling realities of educational inequity. Pearman discusses the myths of budget savings associated with closures, explaining how they can exacerbate financial and social strains on communities. He also urges for better alternatives that prioritize students' wellbeing and educational opportunities.
5 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 26min
Beyond ChatGPT: Critical thinking in the age of AI
How can AI be used as a tool that supplements, rather than supplants, the learning process? And what does research say is the most effective way to use the tool?On this episode of School’s In, we welcome GSE Assistant Professor Hari Subramonyam to discuss AI in education. He covers several topics, including:(01:41) What is critical thinking?(05:03) Beyond prompting: AI, creativity, and critical decision making(09:10) Using AI to scaffold the writing process(13:59) AI as learning tool: What the research shows(19:29) AI and assessment(22:33) AI in education: Advice for parents and teachersHari Subramonyam is an assistant professor at the Graduate School of Education, where his research focuses on augmenting critical human tasks (such as learning, creativity, and sensemaking) with AI by incorporating principles from cognitive psychology. He is also a faculty fellow at Stanford's Institute for Human-Centered AI. To learn more about his work, visit his faculty profile. Stanford GSE is at the forefront of education research and teacher preparation, dedicated to advancing equitable, accessible, and impactful learning experiences for all.Stay connected with the latest insights – subscribe to the GSE’s newsletter and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads.
Oct 2, 2025 • 30min
Redefining success: Wellbeing, engagement, belonging
What does it mean for students to be successful? And how can parents, schools, and educators create the conditions for students to thrive?On this episode of School’s In, we welcome co-host and GSE Senior Lecturer Denise Pope in the guest seat to discuss how to improve student wellness, belonging, and engagement. She covers several topics, including:(1:54) Challenging a narrow definition of success: Parents and students(7:42) What the data shows: Stress, sleep, and engagement(14:02) Belonging: Student relationships with teachers and peers(18:10) Practical solutions: School-level change(24:37) What parents can do, and key takeawaysDenise Pope is a senior lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Education, where her research focuses on curriculum studies, service learning, student engagement, and school reform. She is also the co-founder of Challenge Success, a nonprofit that partners with schools to implement research-based strategies that improve student well-being and engagement. To learn more about her work, visit her faculty profile. Stanford GSE is at the forefront of education research and teacher preparation, dedicated to advancing equitable, accessible, and impactful learning experiences for all.Stay connected with the latest insights – subscribe to the GSE’s newsletter and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads.
Sep 18, 2025 • 1min
Season 3 is here!
Season 3 is here, and we have a great lineup for you, our listeners. We kick off the season with our very own Denise Pope in the hot seat, sharing research on what constitutes student success. This season we also bring you research on AI as an educational tool, chatbots as therapists, the impacts of school closures, and much, much more. Subscribe now. You won’t want to miss an episode!
Sep 4, 2025 • 30min
The future of educational technology (from The Future of Everything)
Join Dan Schwartz, the James Quillen Dean at Stanford, as he dives into the intersection of AI and education. He discusses how AI can transform learning and whether technology will replace teachers or enhance their role. Schwartz weighs in on the challenges of cheating with AI tools like ChatGPT and emphasizes the need for innovative assignments that promote deeper understanding. He also explores the impact of analytics on assessment and argues for focusing on strategic skills over rote answers, urging educators to rethink what truly matters in learning.
Aug 21, 2025 • 26min
The science of sleep (re-broadcast)
How does sleep affect student academic performance? And how might school start times be setting them up to fail?On this episode of School’s In, originally broadcast in April 2019, we welcome Professor Rafael Pelayo, a clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. He discusses what sleep does for the brain and how it matters for learning. Pelayo tackles several topics, including:04:43 What sleep really does for us08:26 Sleep and learning: The essential link13:10 Adolescent sleep challenges17:52 The school start time debate23:45 Changing attitudes, sleep technology, and healthy habitsDr. Rafael Pelayo is a clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University’s Sleep Medicine Division, where his clinical focus is on sleep medicine and the neurology of children and adults. He is also the author of How to Sleep. To learn more about his work, visit his faculty profile. School’s In is your go-to podcast for cutting-edge insights and fresh perspectives on the future of learning. Hosted by Stanford Graduate School of Education Dean Dan Schwartz and Senior Lecturer Denise Pope, each episode dives into the latest research, innovations, and real-world challenges shaping education today.Stanford GSE is at the forefront of education research and teacher preparation, dedicated to advancing equitable, accessible, and impactful learning experiences for all.Stay connected with the latest insights – subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads.
