EdSurge Podcast

Students these days are under constant watch with digital tools — whether it’s friends posting pictures on social media, or learning management systems sending parents alerts about missed assignments. And that can make it hard for students to learn to solve their own problems, argues Devorah Heitner, an author who advises schools on social media issues.

Schools of education are working harder at recruiting these days, in response to enrollment declines. Can more people — and more people from a variety of backgrounds — be convinced to join the teaching profession in this particularly trying time?

A philosophy professor discusses the importance of teaching philosophy to children and nurturing their natural curiosity. They explore the decline of philosophical thinking as children grow older and the significance of studying humanities. The value of teaching philosophy to children and recapturing wonder is emphasized, along with strategies for teaching philosophy to older children.

Education researchers discuss the potential impacts of generative AI technology on education, including the implications for teaching, learning, and student credentials. They explore the concept of transhumanism and its connection to education, highlighting the potential of brain-computer interfaces. The podcast also delves into potential advancements in education through AI, different approaches to teaching and learning in K-12 schools, and recommendations for regulating AI in education.

This podcast explores a new teaching approach that is gaining popularity on social media. The approach focuses on promoting student thinking and critical problem-solving skills. It discusses the impact of non-thinking activities in classrooms and the need to disrupt traditional norms. The podcast also explores optimal classroom setups, knowledge mobility, and the benefits of small group work. The speaker emphasizes the importance of engaging students to foster deep thinking and addresses the barriers to implementing this approach.

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.