

No Such Thing: Education in the Digital Age
Marc Lesser
The show is about learning with technology, the realities and exciting potential.Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate us, and leave a review wherever you've accessed the podcast. Find our listener survey at facebook.com/nosuchthingpodcast drop a like on the page while you're there.The music in this podcast was produced by Leroy Tindy, a guest in episode zero. You can find him on SoundCloud at AirTindi Beats.The podcast is produced by Marc Lesser. Marc is a specialist in the fields of digital learning and youth development with broad experience designing programming and learning environments in local and national contexts. Marc recently served as Youth Studies Practitioner Fellow at City University of New York, and leads a team of researchers and technologists for NAF (National Academy Foundation).Marc is the co-founder of Emoti-Con NYC, New York's biggest youth digital media and technology festival, and in 2012 was named a National School Boards Association “20-to-Watch” among national leaders in education and technology. Connect with Marc on BlueSky @malesser, or LinkedIn.What's with the ice cream truck in the logo? In the 80's, Richard E. Clark at University of Southern California set off a pretty epic debate based on his statement that "media are mere vehicles that deliver instruction but do not influence student achievement any more than the truck that delivers our groceries causes changes in nutrition." * So, the ice cream truck, it's a nod to Richard Clark, who frequently rings in my ear when I'm tempted to take things at face value. "Is it the method, or the medium?" I wonder.The title, No Such Thing, has a few meanings. Mostly, it emphasizes the importance of hard questions as we develop and document the narrative of "education" in the US. For Richard E. Clark, the question is whether there's such a thing as learning from new technologies. For others, it might be whether there's a panacea for the challenges we face in this field. Whatever your question, I hope that it reminds you to keep asking--yourself, your learners, others--what's working and how so.* Clark, R. E. (1983) Reconsidering Research on Learning From Media. Review of Educational Research 53(4) 445-459. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 22, 2024 • 52min
This EdTech Company Has Been AI-driven For 25 Years
Barry F. Malkin is the Chief Executive Officer of Carnegie Learning. An active operator, investor, and advisor to the educational services sector for over 25 years, Barry took on the role of CEO in 2015. Prior to Carnegie Learning, he was Head of Corporate Development and Strategy at Apollo Education Group, leading corporate development and strategy for one of the world’s largest educational services companies.Carnegie Learning is the world’s leading edtech company using research and AI to dramatically improve learning outcomes for students. A pioneer in K-12 education for 26+ years, we provide award-winning math, literacy, world languages, professional learning, and high-dosage tutoring solutions to more than 5.5 million students and educators in all 50 states and Canada. Born out of Carnegie Mellon University, our company continues to conduct research with more than $90M in grant funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Walton Family Foundation, and U.S. Department of Education, among others.Links:https://www.carnegielearning.com/blog/interview-with-ceo-barry-malkin/https://www.edsurge.com/news/2017-03-28-living-breathing-and-eating-math-an-interview-with-carnegie-learning-s-barry-malkinhttps://marketscale.com/industries/education-technology/to-improve-student-outcomes-teach-the-why-behind-every-subject/https://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-Carnegie-Learning-EI_IE111117.11,28.htmhttps://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Carnegie-Learning-Reviews-E111117.htmhttps://www.comparably.com/companies/carnegie-learning/questionshttps://www.comparably.com/companies/carnegie-learning/questions/2102911/what-s-the-interview-process-like-at-carnegie-learninghttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/barrymalkin_longlivelearning-activity-7042261812364410880-5tq3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 26, 2024 • 47min
Setting the Course For Research on AI in Professional Learning
Read the report: AI in Professional Learning: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges for EducatorsBrendon Krall is a Research Project Manager at the Annenberg Institute at Brown University, where he assists the Research Partnership for Professional Learning (RPPL). Prior to joining Annenberg, Brendon worked as a research assistant for Dr. Stephen Raudenbush, at the Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab, and at the World Bank's Development Impact Evaluation (DIME) group primarily focusing on program evaluation for education-related projects. In addition to his research experience, Brendon is a 2018 Teach For America corps member, where he worked as an 8th-grade English teacher and community organizer in Houston, TX. Specifically, Brendon supported community organizing initiatives that advocated for improved school services for immigrant students and families and created an educator resource guide that school staff could use to better support this subpopulation. As a first-generation college graduate, Brendon knows the powerful role that education has in shaping an individual's personal and professional trajectory and has committed himself to creating more equitable and efficient education systems so all students have the possibility to reach their fullest potential.Krista Morales's career in education began as an undergraduate interning for Education Secretary John King and the U.S. Senate's Committee on Education. She then taught 7th and 9th grade ELA in Fall River, MA and continued teaching high school English in the South Bronx. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and History from Loyola Marymount University; an Ed.M in Teaching and Curriculum from Boston University; and an M.A. in Education Policy and Social Analysis from Columbia's Teachers College.Links:https://annenberg.brown.edu/rppl/ai-professional-learning-navigating-opportunities-and-challenges-educatorshttps://annenberg.brown.edu/sites/default/files/AI%20in%20Professional%20Learning.pdfhttp://rpplpartnership.org/insights-hub/https://annenberg.brown.edu/rppl/ai-professional-learning-landscape-analysishttps://rpplpartnership.org/insights-hub/https://x.com/rpplpartnershiphttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/rpplpartnership_ai-tools-are-already-making-their-way-into-activity-7217244560391831552-beJFhttps://twitter.com/rodjnaquin/status/1813260695254806974 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 2, 2024 • 49min
From White Folks Who Teach in the Hood
Dr. Chris Emdin (he/him)Dr. Christopher Emdin is the Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education and Professor of Science Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He is also the Director of Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship At the STEAM DREAM and Ideal Lab.Sam Seidel (he/him)Sam Seidel has taught in a variety of settings, from first grade to community college, and directed youth programs for young people affected by incarceration. He now works with several networks of innovative schools, speaks nationally about education issues, and writes for the Husslington Post and other publications.About From White FolksA timely companion to the New York Times bestseller For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood…and the Rest of Y’all TooProgressive white educators on the challenges and reimaginings of anti-racist education, cultural responsiveness, and sustained liberatory learning practicesDesigned for educators by educators, From White Folks Who Teach in the Hood is the white teachers’ guide to effective multicultural, anti-racist pedagogy.Over 20 educators are featured in this book, representing different types of schools, different geographies, different durations of experience in the classroom, and different depths of experience in interrogating their whiteness. Throughout the text, nationally renowned educators and coeditors Dr. Christopher Emdin and sam seidel offer feedback and perspective on how to incorporate the practices and wrestle with the ideas outlined by the contributors.Links:https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/739166/from-white-folks-who-teach-in-the-hood-by-christopher-emdin/https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/237679/for-white-folks-who-teach-in-the-hood-and-the-rest-of-yall-too-by-christopher-emdin/9780807028025/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 snips
Jul 17, 2024 • 56min
Learning Games Expert, Dan White
Dan White, an expert in learning games with a rich background in education technology, discusses the synergy between gameplay and learning. He highlights innovative game design methods at Filament Games, emphasizing projects like 'Roboco' that enhance creativity. The conversation explores informal learning and the evolution of gaming culture, alongside crucial distinctions between gamification and game-based learning. White advocates for playful learning to boost engagement and nurture essential skills while balancing traditional educational methods.

Jun 19, 2024 • 1h 1min
Mastery Transcript Consortium Makes a Surprising Ally
Mike Flanagan is the CEO of the Mastery Transcript Consortium (MTC), a growing group of high schools creating a digital high school transcript that opens up opportunity for each and every student — from all backgrounds, locations, and types of schools — to have their unique strengths, abilities, interests, and histories fostered, understood, and celebrated.Mike oversaw the design and development of Mastery Transcript software products, connecting with members and advisors to manage the MTC product roadmap till May, 2021. He is an experienced education technology executive, most recently having served as CEO of the Services Division at the National Association of Independent Schools, where he led a complete redesign and relaunch of their School and Student Services financial aid platforms.Links:https://mastery.org/mtc-team/https://growbeyondgrades.org/blog/episode-48-flanaganhttps://x.com/mkflanaganjrhttps://archive.org/details/per_christian-science-monitor_1932-02-13_24_67/page/n9/mode/2up?q=%22mastery+learning%22 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 29, 2024 • 44min
Inclusive Methods for Learning Designers
Louisa Rosenheck is a thought leader in the ed tech field, with a passion for game-based learning and playful pedagogies. She works to promote deeper learning through designing playful experiences, developing creative ways to assess learning, and building capacity in other organizations to implement innovative digital learning and curriculum in their own contexts. She is a co-author of the book Resonant Games and teaches a graduate course on ed tech design at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She spent over a decade doing research on digital games and creative learning at MIT, and is now the Director of Learning Design for the Kahoot! Group.As we delve deeper into the conversation with Louisa Rosenheck, we'll explore practical strategies outlined by the collaborators for incorporating accessibility into learning design, the challenges faced by educators and technology providers, and the potential impact of inclusive design on the future of education.Links:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kahoot-unveils-white-paper-on-the-critical-role-of-inclusive-learning-design-in-game-based-learning-302099735.htmlhttps://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kahoot-has-a-strong-positive-impact-on-students-learning-outcomes-shows-new-research-302087878.htmlhttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/kahoot_inclusive-design-in-game-based-learning-activity-7181327797796192257-PZ0Chttps://kahoot.com/blog/2024/03/26/inclusive-learning-design/https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/50729/978-3-030-80658-3.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=1https://kahoot.com/blog/2024/03/26/inclusive-learning-design/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 16, 2024 • 53min
Tuition-Free College Is Already Here
Shai Reshef is the President of University of the People (UoPeople). Reshef has over 25 years of experience in the international education market. Reshef has been widely recognized for his work with UoPeople, including being awarded the 2023 Yidan Prize for Educational Development, referred to as the Nobel Prize for Education; an honorary doctorate from the Open University, named one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business; awarded an Ashoka fellowship; joined UN-GAID as a High-level Adviser; granted an RSA Fellowship; selected by The Huffington Post as the Ultimate Game Changer in Education; nominated as one of Wired Magazine’s 50 People Changing the World; and selected as a Top Global Thinker by Foreign Policy Magazine.UoPeople is the first non-profit, tuition-free, American, accredited, online university. Dedicated to opening access to higher education globally, UoPeople helps high school graduates overcome financial, geographic, political, and personal constraints keeping them from college studies. UNESCO estimates that by the year 2025, there will be nearly 100 million young people unable to find seats in traditional universities. UoPeople believes that access to higher education is a basic right which promotes world peace and global economic development; and it is committed to providing those young people a quality higher education – tuition-free.Links:https://www.uopeople.edu/about/leadership-team/shai-reshef/https://www.ted.com/talks/shai_reshef_an_ultra_low_cost_college_degree?language=enhttps://www.unesco.org/en/higher-education Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 24, 2024 • 59min
Layla's Got You
About Layla (From Yolanda Stewart)The importance of having a space for young women of color to inquire about sexuality and mental health is often a challenge – and nearly non-existent in some cases. For Tiffany Lloyd, this is among the reasons for creating the online big sister “Layla’s Got You.”The multigenerational chatbot is a space for women of color who are seeking answers to personal questions and focuses on the premise of being a community made for women, by women. Layla embodies the essence of a trusted and knowledgeable friend. Since its inception six years ago, Laya’s Got You has expanded to an on- and offline sisterhood, offering a wealth of knowledge on Black women’s concerns, and organizes efforts to support issues Black women care about. Yet, the organization acknowledges it has a long way to go in order to continue making strides in young Black women’s lives.Links:https://www.laylasgotyou.com/https://allynfoundation.org/staff/tiffany-lloyd/https://giffordfoundation.org/laylas-got-you/https://centralcurrent.org/laylas-got-you-the-online-chatbot-big-sister-friend-for-young-women-of-color/Layla’s Got You: Developing a tailored contraception chatbot for Black and Hispanic young women - Erika Bonnevie, Tiffany D Lloyd, Sarah D Rosenberg, Kara Williams, Jaclyn Goldbarg, Joe Smyser, 2021 (sagepub.com)ERIC - EJ1297431 - "Layla's Got You": Developing a Tailored Contraception Chatbot for Black and Hispanic Young Women, Health Education Journal, 2021-JunSyracuse residents decide together how to spend $150K to fight lead poisoning (centralcurrent.org) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 4, 2024 • 50min
Virtual Reality as Learning Medium
BackpackX is a new educational initiative from Women Rise which uses short film VR animations to create immersive experiences. BackpackX is designed to educate children (aged 8-14) from marginalised communities where the educational systems are broken or non-existent and focuses on important topics of their time such as gender equality, climate change, refugee crisis, financial independence, emerging technologies and more. Using the power of art and innovative technology, BackpackX will provide immersive experiences and educational content that inspires children while learning. Through this experience we will also introduce young children to the exciting new worlds of Metaverse and Web3. BackpackX launched in Oct 2023.Maliha Abidi is a Pakistani-American multidisciplinary artist and author living between London and Los Angeles. Born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan, she migrated to California, United States at the age of 14. As a South Asian immigrant, her experiences play a huge role in her work. Her art focuses on advocating for social justice including women’s rights, girls’ education and mental health. Using bright and bold colors, Maliha hopes to get people interested in complex issues that impact our societies. “Come for the art, stay for the cause.”She is also the founder and creator of Women Rise NFT. A Web 3.0 initiative with the focus on women’s rights and girls’ education through using art as a tool for advocacy. Maliha’s work includes illustrations, animations, NFT art and illustrated books.Links:https://www.malihaabidi.com/https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebekahbastian/2022/02/20/seven-nft-projects-that-are-applying-an-equity-lens-to-their-work/?sh=5255857330b4https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/virtual-reality-better-video-evoking-fear-spurring-climate-action/https://www.womenrise.art/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 26, 2024 • 1h 26min
NYC Partners Codify Pathway To Video Game Professions
Stakeholders in a nascent program in NYC talk about their roles building formal pathways from high school programs to careers in the growing video game economy. Marc joins the gathering to celebrate one of partners' latest achievements in Harlem, a youth-driven exhibition that celebrates the role of video games in the lives of young people, challenging negative tropes about being an enemy to positive growth and development. Special thanks to Harlem School For The Arts, host and without whose support the exhibit would not be possible.Video Games: The Great Connector, explores how young people leverage video games in this pursuit, emphasizing less what games do to youth than what youth do with games. Special thanks to hosts of the event and exhibition, Harlem School of The Arts, without whose support the exhibit would not be possible.Gaming Pathways was founded by a city initiative from the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment as a new way for high school students in Harlem, Northern Manhattan, and the South Bronx to get training, degrees, and eventually jobs in digital games. Gaming Pathways is guided by an Educational Advisory Board, which includes many of NYC's leading AAA and indie games companies. Guests:Nick MartinezSylvia Aguinaga at MimogamesNick FortugnoPhil Courtney & Meredith Summs at Urban ArtsBarry JosephSpecial thanks:Stan AltmanKaren MurrayNYC office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Pat Swinney KaufmanHarlem School of The ArtsLinks:https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/gamingpathwayshttps://hgs-ny.org/https://animogames.org/https://urbanarts.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.