The Learning Future Podcast with Louka Parry

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

Are we truly promoting self-control or just compliance to adult demands? How can we engage students in deep, effortless, and meaningful learning experiences? Stephanie M. Jones is the Gerald S. Lesser Professor in Child Development and Education and Director of the EASEL Lab at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her research, anchored in prevention science, focuses on the effects of poverty and exposure to violence on social, emotional, and behavioral development from early childhood through early adolescence. Over the past fifteen years, her work has centered on evaluation research addressing the impact of preschool- and elementary-level social-emotional learning interventions on behavioral and academic outcomes and classroom practices, as well as new curriculum development, implementation, and testing. Stephanie is also co-Director (with Nonie Lesaux) of the Saul Zaentz Early Education Initiative and Co-PI of the Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H). She serves on numerous national advisory boards and expert consultant groups related to social-emotional development, early childhood education, and child and family anti-poverty policies, including recently as a member of the Council of Distinguished Scientists for the Aspen National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development. Her research is published in academic and educational journals as well as in trade publications, and she regularly presents her work to national academic and practitioner audiences. Jones holds a Ph.D. from Yale University and a B.A. from Barnard College.—-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

How might a background in politics, including as Minister of Education, shape an approach to public education? What significant initiatives or reforms from Government might spearhead successful and positive education reform in the public sector? Mr Olli-Pekka Heinonen became the 8th Director General of the International Baccalaureate Organization on 1 May 2021. Prior to joining the IB, Mr Heinonen was Director General of the Finnish National Agency for Education where he worked from January 2017. Mr Heinonen had an active career in politics in Finland between 1994 and 2002: he was Minister of Education and Science from 1994-1999; Minister of Transport and Communication from 1999-2002 and a Member of Parliament from 1995-2002. From 2002 to 2012, Mr Heinonen was Director of Yle, the Finnish national public broadcasting company, before joining the Finnish Prime Minister’s Office in March 2012 as State Secretary, responsible for organizing and leading the office. He has also been responsible, as State Secretary, for the portfolios of the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Development and then as State Secretary at the Ministry of Finance of Finland. Mr Heinonen holds a Master of Laws from the University of Helsinki in Finland and has been awarded honorary doctorates by both the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Turku in Finland. He is married and has three children. Transcript available at thelearningfuture.com

Have you ever considered how curiosity is a powerful state of mind and being? What feel-good trends are there in modern humanity? Jigyasa says her name means curiosity, and in this conversation, she doesn't shy away from delving into deep explorations of creativity, holism, beautiful futures, and even meeting our dreams. These two deep-thinking changemakers share their insights, free of inhibitions, and encourage listeners to embrace their own curiosity to change the world for the better. Jigyasa Labroo is the Co-Founder and CEO of Slam Out Loud (SOL), where she leads program development, fundraising, and partnerships. SOL uses the transformative power of visual and performing arts like theatre, poetry, and storytelling to build Socio-Emotional Learning skills in children from underserved backgrounds. Slam Out Loud collaborates with state governments and teaching artists, currently working with children across five states in India through their in-person programs, building Creative Confidence in them to find their voice. Organisations across 19 countries have used their online open-source curriculum with a cumulative reach of 10 million children. Jigyasa studied Learning Design as a KC Mahindra scholar at Harvard Graduate School of Education and is one of the winners of Falling Walls, Berlin. She is also on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list and was most recently awarded Innovator of the Year 2023 by HundrED, Finland. Jigyasa has been a fellow at Salzburg Global Seminar, WISE- Qatar, Arts for Good- Singapore, and Teach For India. She believes in the power of finding one’s voice and engages with music, travel, and coaching to evolve hers constantly.—Slam Out Loud, Educationhttps://slamoutloud.com/—-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-transformationTranscription available at thelearningfuture.com

How can a basic understanding of neuroscience empower children to take control of their reactions and behaviors? How can schools cultivate conditions that promote flow in their students and why is this important for optimal learning and fulfillment?This conversation is a goosebump inducer, an optimistic and can-do showcase of the practicality of practices that can promote flow - high-level performance and deep learning. Dido Balla Speaker, Educator, and Entrepreneur, Dido is currently the Head of Education for the Goldie Hawn Foundation, where his focus is to maximize the impact of MindUP in schools, communities, and families. He is on a mission to make the world a happier, healthier, and more fulfilled place. of Education for MindUp. Dido graduated with a Master’s of Science in Secondary Education from the Johns Hopkins University School of Education. Dido has seven years of experience as a High School teacher, and he is also the founder of a non-profit organization called FitLit, whose mission is to use a blended curriculum of fitness and literacy to empower youth.As an experienced brain trainer, Dido has positively impacted thousands of parents, educators as well as students in the areas of emotional intelligence, mindful awareness, and positive psychology. His work has expanded across the 10 countries.In this episode of the Learning Future podcast, hosts Louka and Dido explore the concept of flow and its impact on health, well-being, performance, achievement, and growth. They discuss the importance of long-term fitness rather than short-term gains, the profound experiences of flow, and the collective nature of this state. Join them as they delve into the depths of flow and share insights on how to cultivate it in everyday life. With inspiring conversations and a focus on honoring the learning journey, this podcast episode is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to tap into their own flow experiences.Educator, Speaker, Entrepreneurhttps://www.didoballa.com/FitLit Chief Vision Officerhttps://www.fitlitters.com/Kindness Matters 365 Board Memberhttps://kindnessmatters365.org/Transcripts available at www.thelearningfuture.com—-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

What are the ingredients, components and other big Cs for human flourishing? What tools are available and what are unneeded to achieve our visions? Alex sets out clear and enactable frameworks and approaches to achieve our visions and ultimately create systems in our work and life geared for human flourishing.Alex Battison is Senior Deputy Head at Lord Wandsworth College in Hampshire, UK.  Previous to that, he was on the SLT at Wells Cathedral school in Somerset and taught at Hurstpierpoint College in West Sussex, holding a variety of different roles.He is Chair of Educational Futures at Harvard’s Human Flourishing Programme and in May 2022 he was one of 51 individuals convened to discuss the future of education at Salzburg Global Seminar in Austria, with the work produced then being published at the UN Conference for Transforming Education in New York last September. He is a Salzburg Global and RSA fellow, has a Masters in Learning and Teaching from Oxford, and is currently in the last year of a Doctorate in Leadership, Learning and Policy from Bristol University.Outside of school, Alex is routinely engaged in exploring and collaborating for educational transformation around the world, following his dream of co-creating the future of education.Alex is also involved in two international working groups that are collaborating to affect systemic change; one that has a focus on supporting school leaders in the UK, and the other investigating inter-generational leadership and methods of co-construction as pathways for greater societal flourishing.  Alex consults in other industries where he mentors for both the Premier League and Reluctantly Brave in the areas of leadership and culture change, which exposes him to transformational leadership environments away from schools.Transcripts available at www.thelearningfuture.com—-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