EdSurge Podcast

Educators discuss the flaws of the traditional grading system and the need for reform. They explore alternative grading methods, the limitations of the current system, and the shift towards a growth mindset. The chapter also discusses considerations for implementing a new grading system and raises questions about the broader implications of rethinking traditional grading in education.

It’s statistically harder to get into a selective college these days, and who gets in and why can feel like a mystery. So students are turning to TikTok and other social media platforms to fill the void, in what some admissions folks call a “toxic” trend. We talked to a TikToker and an admissions counselor on how to help.

Carl Wieman, Nobel Prize-winning physicist, discusses the need for change in teaching methods, emphasizing the importance of active learning. He compares lectures to bloodletting, highlights the limited retention of information in traditional lectures, and explores the benefits of active learning environments. Wieman also shares his experience winning the Nobel Prize and transitioning to education research. He advocates for the adoption of active learning methods but expresses frustration at the slow progress. The chapter touches upon the significance of education research prizes and the impact they have on valuable projects and programs in education.

Students these days are terrible at sorting facts from misinformation online and on social media. But they can improve with just a few simple strategies, argues information literacy researcher Mike Caulfield. And he says those skills are even more important with the emergence of ChatGPT.

Can educators continue to teach troubling but worthwhile texts in this time of polarization and culture wars? And how can instructors make classrooms a welcoming place for debate as schools and colleges grow more diverse? This week’s EdSurge Podcast dives into the thorny issue of encouraging viewpoint diversity in classrooms.

What if Rodin’s famous sculpture of the thinking man sitting holding his chin gives us the wrong idea about how people think? A growing body of research suggests that thinking is influenced not just by what’s inside our skull, but by cues from our body movements, by our surroundings, and by other people we’re interacting with. And that has implications for educators.

Could cutting-edge virtual reality tech help to spread classical education models and alternatives to traditional public schools? That’s what one proponent is hoping, and she’s started a new online charter school delivered largely through VR headsets to try it.

A mockumentary web series called Admitted explores college admissions and post-pandemic student life. The podcast discusses the impact of the pandemic on college life, challenges in college admissions, and admiration for the show 'Abbot Elementary' and Quinta Brunson.

This podcast explores the effects of technology on children, discussing topics such as early childhood development, 'techno-ference' in parent-child interactions, mindful screen use, challenges in middle childhood, legislation and accountability for tech companies, and controlling tech platforms and tools.

Students share their group project horror stories and a teaching expert provides advice on avoiding such scenarios. The podcast discusses challenges in group projects, including poor coordination and unequal contributions. It emphasizes the importance of selecting group members wisely and grading both process and substance. A successful group project with real stakes and impact is highlighted, along with the need for a more positive approach to group projects.