The Learning Future Podcast with Louka Parry

How can we, as educators, better harness the power of reflection to shape the future of our students and our world? In a system that often prioritizes the "right answer," how can we cultivate a culture of divergent thinking and curiosity in our classrooms? Leticia Britos Cavagnaro is an innovative educator, designer, and scientist, currently co-directing the University Innovation Fellows program at Stanford's D School. With a PhD in developmental biology from Stanford University, Leticia has dedicated her career to creating and facilitating transformative learning experiences that emphasize creativity, design, and the use of emerging technologies. Her latest book, Experiments in Reflection: How to See the Present, Reconsider the Past, and Shape the Future, explores the importance of reflective practices in both education and personal development. In this episode, Louka Parry sits down with Leticia Britos Cavagnaro to dive deep into the art of reflection and its pivotal role in education. Leticia shares insights from her extensive experience at Stanford's D School, where she has been at the forefront of developing innovative educational methodologies. Listeners will explore how reflective practices can help students and educators alike engage more deeply with their learning experiences, fostering a culture of curiosity, empathy, and lifelong learning. The conversation touches on the importance of divergent thinking and how educators can move beyond traditional, convergent models of teaching to encourage a more holistic approach to learning. Leticia also discusses the idea of using reflection not just to understand the past but to actively shape the future, offering practical experiments and strategies for educators to implement in their classrooms. Whether you're a teacher, principal, or educational innovator, this episode provides valuable insights into how to create a more dynamic, reflective, and future-focused educational environment.Get in touch at hello@thelearningfuture.com; and find the transcript at our website www.thelearningfuture.com.

How can we harness our infinite creative potential in everyday life? What role does failure play in building creative capacity? Grace Hawthorne is an entrepreneur, designer, educator, author, and artist. She's the founder and CEO of Paperpunk, an award-winning origami and Lego mashup. Grace is also an adjunct professor at the Stanford D School, where she teaches courses on creativity and failure, and leads groundbreaking research on creative capacity building. In this episode, Grace Hawthorne discusses the transformative power of creativity and how to make possibilities happen. She shares insights from her new book, highlighting the importance of starting, doing, and finishing projects. The conversation delves into the biases that prevent us from acting on our ideas and the value of experiential learning in cultivating creativity. Grace also touches on the impact of technology on creativity and the importance of maintaining agency in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

What are the impacts of integrating contemplative social emotional learning and systems thinking in education? How can we transform our educational structures to better serve the well-being of students and educators?Mette Miriam Boell is a biologist specialized in the evolution of complex social systems, mammalian play behavior, and philosophy of nature. She holds a PhD in organizational ethology from Aarhus University and additional degrees in contemplative leadership and the philosophy of science. Mette co-founded the Center for Systems Awareness with Peter Senge, focusing on integrating social-emotional learning, systems thinking, and mindfulness in education.In this episode, Mette discusses her journey and current work, emphasizing the importance of understanding and transforming the structures that shape behavior in educational systems. She explores the integration of contemplative practices and the science of learning to address the mental health crisis among young people. Mette shares insights on the compassionate systems framework, highlighting the interconnectedness of emotional, social, and systemic elements in creating thriving learning environments. The conversation delves into the necessity of shifting away from outdated paradigms towards a more human-centric, compassionate approach to education.Get in touch at hello@thelearningfuture.com; and find the transcript at our website www.thelearningfuture.com.

In this discussion, Charles Fadel, founder of the Center for Curriculum Redesign and a seasoned educator, shares insights on integrating AI into education. He emphasizes the need for a balance between knowledge, skills, and character. Fadel introduces his four-dimensional education model and explores the importance of project-based learning. He critiques traditional university entrance exams, advocates for modern assessments, and examines how real-world experiences can enhance student engagement. His vision aims to equip future generations for an ever-evolving technological landscape.

What if the success of our education system was measured by how well it engages students in their passions rather than standardised test scores? How might the dynamics of a classroom change if students, parents, and teachers all had an equal say in designing the curriculum? In this episode of the Learning Future podcast, Louka Parry talks with Rebecca Winthrop, a senior fellow and co-director at the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution. They discuss the technical setup challenges before diving into the main topics. Rebecca shares insights into her dual roles as both a director and researcher, highlighting her focus on transforming education systems and engaging students. The conversation touches on the importance of understanding and addressing student disengagement, the need for system transformation versus system strengthening, and the role of power in education reform. Rebecca emphasizes the necessity of co-creating new education purposes with input from all stakeholders, including students, parents, and educators. They also explore the idea of shifting from compliance-oriented behavior management to motivation-based approaches and the impact of teacher mindsets on student engagement. Rebecca stresses that while engagement is crucial for learning outcomes, it must be supported by a system that aligns with the true purpose of education. The episode concludes with Rebecca's reflection on the transformative power of education and the potential for systemic change when all stakeholders are involved. Get in touch at hello@thelearningfuture.com; and find the transcript at our website www.thelearningfuture.com.

Hello team and welcome back to the Learning Future Podcast! It's been quite a while since our last release, but we're excited to bring you a special episode today. We’re taking a moment to reflect on the incredible journey of Season 7, aptly titled "Education Transformed," and offering a glimpse into the exciting content we have lined up for Season 8.Season 7 Retrospective:Season 7 was an extraordinary collaboration with the international think tank, Salzburg Global Seminar. As a multiple-time fellow, I’ve witnessed firsthand their efforts to bridge divides and foster leadership globally. We kicked off the season with Dominic Regester, Director of the Center for Education Transformation at Salzburg Global Seminar. Dominic set the stage for our discussions on transforming education, moving beyond merely improving the old model to creating something fundamentally new and impactful.Throughout the season, we engaged with 20 remarkable educators, designers, innovators, and thought leaders. Highlights include:Dr. Anantha Duraiappah from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, who discussed the power of cognition and social-emotional learning.John Goodwin and Chris Purifoy from the Learning Economy Foundation, who explored the concept of a learning economy and transferable credentials.Gavin Dykes from the Education World Forum, who emphasized the importance of global collaboration in education.Professor Frank Oberklaid, a pediatrician and public health expert, who spoke on centering child well-being in education systems.Tom Vander Ark from Getting Smart, who shared insights on AI in education and the role of passion and purpose in learning.We also had enlightening conversations with educators like Franco Mosso from Enseña Perú, who dreams of a nation of young changemakers, and Romana Shaikh, who underscored the need for self-transformation for systemic change.Our discussions touched on various themes, from humanizing technology in education to fostering curiosity and resilience. The season concluded with profound reflections from Professor Stephanie Jones from Harvard's EASEL Lab and Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of the International Baccalaureate.Season 8 Preview:As we look forward to Season 8, I'm thrilled to share that we have already recorded eight episodes featuring some of the world’s most insightful educators and thinkers.Rebecca Winthrop from the Brookings Institution will discuss agency and relationships in student engagement.Charles Fadel, author of "Education for the Age of AI," will delve into the implications of AI on learning.Mette Miriam Boell from MIT will share insights on building compassionate, living system-based educational models.We also have an exciting series featuring colleagues from the Stanford D School, who will present innovative approaches to creative education.Closing:Thank you so much for joining us on this journey. Your support and engagement are what make this podcast possible. If you have any suggestions or want to share your thoughts, reach out to us at hello@thelearningfuture.com or connect with us on LinkedIn at Louka Parry or The Learning Future. We’d love to hear from you and learn about your work as an educator, innovator, or leader.Until next time, thanks for listening and stay tuned for an incredible Season 8!Stay connected with us for updates and new episodes. Subscribe to the Learning Future Podcast on your favorite platform, and don’t forget to leave a review. Your feedback helps us grow and bring you the best content in education transformation.

In an environment of rapid academic and technological achievement; what are the potential long-term impacts on individual well-being and societal development should social-emotional learning no be effectively incorporated into our educational systems? What can we do to balance and serve broad diverse requirements of young learners? Ryder Delaloye is the Associate Director for SEE Learning® (Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning) Program at the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-based Ethics which is located within Emory University. He is a practitioner of education and learning, his experience as a teacher and administrator spans from 2nd grade through graduate school. He has taught in public and private schools and universities both domestically and internationally. Prior to his role as the Associate Director of SEE Learning, his research and school engagement focused on whole school and district transformation, district leadership, social studies education, sustainability education, civic education, and teacher and administrator social emotional learning. Ryder believes that education is a vehicle for interpersonal growth and societal change. He is grounded by his wife and children; with whom he loves to play and go on adventures in the mountains. He received his Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Montana.—-This Season is done in partnership with Salzburg Global Seminar. https://www.salzburgglobal.org/Please check out our partner’s publication advocating for education transformation: https://www.diplomaticourier.com/issue/transformed-the-case-for-education-transformation—Transcript available at thelearningfuture.com

How do you safely define 'peak humanity' and what would you consider its main characteristics? What ingredients make the education, reasoning, rationality, and creativity for an era of fulfilment for humanity; particularly when faced with dramatic and powerful tools such as AI? Dylan Wiliam is one of the best known educationalists in the world. He’s dedicated his entire career to understanding how to ensure learner outcomes are achieved, especially through the study of formative assessment. Dylan is currently Emeritus Professor of Educational Assessment at the Institute of Education, University of London. He was previously Deputy Director of the Institute, and has held posts at King's College London and Princeton University. He earned his PhD from the University of London in 1993. We highly recommend one of his recent and many publications about preparing for AI: https://edarxiv.org/372vr/—-This Season is done in partnership with Salzburg Global Seminar. https://www.salzburgglobal.org/Please check out our partner’s publication advocating for education transformation: https://www.diplomaticourier.com/issue/transformed-the-case-for-education-transformation—Transcript available at thelearningfuture.com

How does one become the realisation that much of what might be learned over 15 years of schooling was mostly meaningless influence over a person's life trajectory? How might free and untethered gaps help one find personal growth, resilience, and navigation in their life? Sal Gordon dives into the details of his Peaceful Pirate Principle. After Sal's schooling, he quickly realised that most of what he had learned in over 15 years of formal education seemed meaningless. In a way, Sal felt that school had impeded his true education. What was meant to be a gap-year transformed into a gap decade, during which Sal travelled and worked around the world, picking up new languages, customs, and cultures. He took on an array of jobs and enhanced his life skills; from sales to office jobs, from authoring books to driving trucks, from tending bars and restaurants to managing warehouses, working in labs, and building houses. It seemed there was no job Sal hadn't tried – constantly adapting to new environments, building resilience, and nurturing his love for people, learning, and our beautiful planet. Amongst all his roles, Sal's favourite was sailing boats – an experience that profoundly changed his life. He discovered an undeniable, sacred bond between the water, the wind, and a boat. Sal soon recognised that the treasures he once sought weren't just material, like gold or gems. Instead, the real treasures were all around — the breathtaking natural environment, remarkable humans, innate creativity, life's challenges, and love. These became the most valuable to him. Sal believed his true vocation lay in teaching and learning. After all, that had been the essence of his life's journey. He was confident that, as a Peaceful Pirate Principal, he could guide others to discover their real treasures.—-This Season is done in partnership with Salzburg Global Seminar. https://www.salzburgglobal.org/Please check out our partner’s publication advocating for education transformation: https://www.diplomaticourier.com/issue/transformed-the-case-for-education-transformationTranscript available at www.thelearningfuture.com

What conditions in our current learning systems may be hindering our young people's ability to thrive, and how might we address these barriers to foster better learning environments? See some of Cathrine’s projects at www.trustforlearning.org and her nature-based learning report published in April 2023, found here.This conversation features a longing to expand into capabilities that make us really human and help us in the new reality of the marketplace, for example, to be problem solvers, risk takers, collaborative, critical thinkers, all important skills of adaption. As an educator with over 30 years of experience in the field of early care and education, Cathrine Floyd PhD (pronounced “Katrina”- it’s Norwegian) brings her experience in quality improvement, programming, policy studies and education finance to Trust for Learning and our partners. Cathrine holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from the University of Colorado at Denver and a doctorate from the University of Denver in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Her passion for social justice and equity building guides her work to create systems change and positive outcomes for children and families, particularly those from historically underserved populations. Cathrine is a coalition builder with experience in state and federal systems, public and charter school districts, non- and for-profit community organizations and family child care. Her joy in learning and hearing different perspectives enables her to authentically partner and support all voices in collaboration. When not engaging in her work in early childhood, Cathrine enjoys spending time with her family and travelling.—-This Season is done in partnership with Salzburg Global Seminar. https://www.salzburgglobal.org/Please check out our partner’s publication advocating for education transformation: https://www.diplomaticourier.com/issue/transformed-the-case-for-education-transformationTranscript available at www.thelearningfuture.com