Future Learning Design Podcast

Professor Hilary Cremin, Head of the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge, explores the concept of rewilding education. She discusses children's disconnection from nature and outdoor play, critiquing how standardized schooling suppresses creativity. Hilary argues for holistic, learner-centered education and contrasts it with industrialized models. She emphasizes the importance of inner peace, relational learning, and arts-based dialogue. Hilary also examines AI's dual potential in education—both as an opportunity and a risk.

In this enlightening discussion, David Bollier, an author and activist specializing in the commons, shares insights on reshaping education as a shared community resource. He contrasts credential-focused learning with relational stewardship, advocating for a model that prioritizes cooperation over competition. David explores how the commons can cultivate 21st-century skills, emphasize virtue, and foster creativity through open spaces. He also discusses strategies for creating institutional alternatives that maintain the integrity of the commons while resisting co-option.

Olli-Pekka Heinonen, the Director General of the International Baccalaureate and author of 'Learning as If Life Depended on It', dives deep into the future of education. He discusses the urgent need to reshape our perceptions shaped by modernity and confront the societal illusions limiting our understanding. Heinonen emphasizes that trust is fading, and transformative change must start at the grassroots level. He advocates for a shift towards learning-focused communities and highlights the importance of connecting with diverse perspectives for a thriving future.

Join Rosa Moreno-Zutautas, Anisa Shaikh, Kathleen Delaski, Anthony Mann, and Shira Wolf-Cohen as they tackle the challenges young people face in choosing careers today. They discuss students' rising anxiety about the future and the importance of integrating career guidance in education. Insights reveal a demand for mental health support and the evolving expectations from educators. The panel emphasizes the need for real-world experience, tech literacy, and early career conversations among parents and students to prepare for a dynamic job market.

In 1981, the UN established the International Day of Peace to commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace. In a time when both the influence of multilateral institutions like the UN is being questioned, and the peace we need is in rapidly shortening supply as violence becomes the norm, my guest this week is doing amazing work with communities to find more peaceful paths through questions of conflict resolution by taking a systemic and complexity-informed approach. How we engage our young people in responding peacefully to the inevitable conflict they experience in their own lives feels like a critical part of what we do as educators, but so is being open to question the way in which violence and harm can also be normalised by the systems in which we live and work. Dr Luke Roberts is the founder and Chief Executive Officer at Resolve Consultants (https://resolveconsultants.com/ ) and the author of ‘Leading Schools and Sustaining Innovation: How to Think Big and Differently in Complex Systems’ (https://www.routledge.com/Leading-Schools-and-Sustaining-Innovation-How-to-Think-Big-and-Differently/Roberts/p/book/9781032015620?utm_source=link&utm_medium=society_association&utm_campaign=B052718_pb1_5ll_6rm_t012_1al_9781032015620). Throughout his career, he has focused on conflict resolution, systems change and sustaining innovation. He completed his PhD at Cambridge in 2020. The focus of his research was the sustainability of innovation in organisations when viewed as socially Complex Adaptive Systems. He is an applied social scientist who uses System Thinking and Complexity Theory to address messy and ambiguous challenges which organisations and society face.He works across the private, and public sector helping leaders to understand their ecosystem and apply creative solutions to ill-defined and systemic issues in policy and practice. His work often involves understanding the creativity within organisations and communities which allows them to thrive. Conversations often focus on points of conflict in the system and what are the ways in this hinders opportunity and benefits.Luke has worked in the policy space with APPGs, Parliamentarians and Ministers, he has also advised policy leaders on multi-departmental working to address system issues. He is presently developming a leadership model which aligns with complex systems.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Andrea Hiott, philosopher and cognitive scientist, delves into transformative ideas around education and cognition. She critiques the outdated 'brain-as-computer' metaphor and champions 4E cognitive science—emphasizing that learning happens in relationships and contexts. Andrea explores the implications of moving away from binary thinking, advocating for embracing multiplicity in learning. They also discuss how metrics and tests shape our educational landscape and the importance of valuing both implicit and explicit knowledge in a dynamic, relational approach.

In this insightful discussion, Vanessa Machado de Oliveira Andreotti, Dean of the Faculty of Education and author, is joined by her daughter Giovanna, a dancer and educator, and Manda Scott, host of Accidental Gods. They delve into the complexities of personal and collective identity amid modern crises. The trio explores new narratives in education, the role of AI, and the interconnectedness of humanity with nature. They also share reflections on generational shifts, emphasizing resilience, compassion, and a rethinking of spirituality in the face of evolving societal challenges.

Dr. Uma Pradhan, an Associate Professor at UCL and co-author of 'Reimagining Development', discusses the intricate ties between education and societal progress. Joined by Dr. Peter Sutoris from Leeds University, they delve into redefining education, emphasizing inclusivity and diverse epistemologies. Their conversation highlights the value of marginalized knowledge systems and the need for radical humility in development efforts. They also explore the concept of 'deep time' to inspire long-term thinking about our future and the complexities of past experiences.

Ramji Raghavan, Founder Chairman of Agastya International Foundation, has dedicated his life to transforming education for underprivileged children in India. He discusses the critical shift towards hands-on learning and the power of a broader educational ecosystem. With innovative initiatives like mobile labs and experiential science centers, Raghavan reveals how these programs foster curiosity and creativity. The conversation highlights the importance of caring relationships between educators and students, driving home the message that meaningful interactions can inspire profound change.

In a thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Kapono Ciotti, the CEO of the Pacific American Foundation in Hawai'i, discusses the urgent need to rethink educational institutions through a cultural lens. He emphasizes returning to indigenous roots to inform innovative solutions. Topics include the redefinition of learning landscapes and the drawbacks of standardized math education. Kapono advocates for personalized learning that prioritizes individual exploration, urging a transformation in educational infrastructure to nurture deep human connections.