The International Classroom

Join Lord Jim Knight on this episode of The International Classroom Podcast as he explores how STEM can address critical global challenges, nurture creativity, and prepare students for tomorrow's workforce. From climate change to AI and quantum computing, we dive into the future of education and why hands-on learning is key to student success. Key Takeaways: Why STEM education is essential for tackling global issues like sustainability and societal resilience. How public policy and global perspectives are shaping the future of STEM. The balance between technology and humanity in modern learning. Practical tips for hands-on, project-based, and interdisciplinary approaches to teaching. Resources Mentioned:👉 Learn more about STEM Learning: https://www.stem.org.uk/👉 STEM For All Dubai: https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-for-all👉 Explore The International Classroom Podcast: https://linktr.ee/ticpodcast Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Jim Knight and His Background02:31 – The Intersection of Education and Technology07:10 – STEM Education and Societal Resilience12:33 – Public Policy's Role in STEM Education14:48 – Global Perspectives on STEM Education16:20 – Hands-On Learning vs. Screen-Based Learning20:19 – Project-Based Learning and Interdisciplinary Approaches23:52 – Balancing Digital and Physical Learning28:06 – Future-Proofing Education for Tomorrow's Jobs32:25 – The Role of Exam Boards in Educational Change34:54 – Exciting Innovations in STEM and Education ✅ Don’t miss future episodes – follow the podcast for more insights into education and innovation!

Dan Fitzpatrick, author of "The AI Classroom" and "Infinite Education," is on a mission to reshape education with AI. He discusses a transformative four-step framework—Scope, Shape, Influence, Alignment—that empowers educators to innovate beyond traditional testing. Emphasizing the concept of 'infinite education,' Dan advocates for speculative thinking about future classrooms and how AI can make daily tasks easier while fueling deeper creative changes. He also explores the importance of engaging the whole school community in this evolution.

Explore how SMART Technology and Lumio are revolutionizing education in this engaging episode of The International Classroom Podcast! 🎓✨ Join Alex as he speaks with Mark Hartwright, Professional Development Lead at SMART Technologies, about the transformative power of EdTech in creating interactive, collaborative, and engaging learning environments for students of all ages. 🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How SMART Technology enhances student engagement and collaboration. The power of Lumio, a web-based interactive tool that works across devices. Practical strategies for integrating EdTech into classrooms to support differentiation and adaptability. Mark’s insights on transitioning from teaching primary students to leading professional development for educators. Exciting innovations in EdTech, including physical-to-digital tools for interactive learning. Key Topics Discussed: Interactive lessons for primary and secondary education. Supporting diverse learning needs with technology. Real-time collaboration tools for classrooms and remote learners. Using EdTech to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Tips for educators to integrate technology effectively. 💻 Learn More About Lumio: https://www.smarttech.com/lumio📚 Connect with Mark Hartwright: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-hartwright-4b546ab7/ 📺 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to The International Classroom Podcast for more expert insights and innovative strategies in education! 🔔 #EdTech #SMARTTechnology #InteractiveLearning #EducationInnovation #Lumio #ClassroomEngagement #TeachingStrategies #TheInternationalClassroomPodcast #EducationTools

Discover how EduAid AI is reshaping the way educators plan lessons, provide feedback, and engage their students. In this episode, host Alex welcomes Thomas Thompson IV, co-founder of EduAid AI, who shares a behind-the-scenes look at how this powerful tool leverages evidence-based teaching principles and the science of learning to transform classroom instruction. Thomas discusses the platform’s modular content generation, which helps teachers quickly design logical sequences of instruction, craft differentiated materials, and incorporate gamification elements like Jeopardy-style quizzes. Learn how EduAid AI’s feedback bot offers precise, positive, and actionable student feedback while maintaining data privacy. Thomas also tackles the nuances of large language models (LLMs)—from their limitations in handling math to their potential for streamlining lesson creation and saving teachers valuable time. Whether you’re new to AI or already exploring its classroom applications, you’ll gain insights on standards-based alignment, scaffolding strategies, and practical ways to ensure teacher retention and professional growth. Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of edtech—and find out how you can get started with EduAid AI to revolutionise your own teaching practice. Website: https://www.eduaide.ai/

Welcome to Platform #11 of our “12 Platforms of Christmas” series! In this episode, I chat with Charlie and James from Be World Class, an innovative AI-powered education platform that focuses on holistic character development in schools. Discover how their system, featuring the GRACE AI tool, helps students reflect on their personal growth, build essential life skills, and empowers teachers with meaningful data insights—all without adding extra marking or paperwork. Charlie and James share how they’ve combined cutting-edge technology with educational expertise to ensure that educators can measure and celebrate the “hidden curriculum” of character-building. Learn how Be World Class can save teacher time, support a coaching culture, and spotlight achievements that often get overlooked in traditional academic systems. If you’ve ever wondered how to quantify leadership, kindness, and resilience or want to boost whole-school impact with a flexible, user-friendly platform, this is the conversation for you. Tune in for practical ideas on embedding character education into day-to-day school life and hear why it’s so crucial for preparing students to thrive beyond the classroom. Key Topics Covered Why traditional education overlooks valuable life skills Demonstration of GRACE AI and how it shapes student reflections Capturing and categorising holistic development data Building a whole-school culture of character, leadership, and personal growth Time-saving benefits for teachers and how it frees up coaching opportunities Affordable pricing and implementation tips for schools The future of AI in education and what excites Charlie & James most Learn More About Be World Class Official Website: https://beworldclass.org/ Connect on LinkedIn: James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-kaye-324572206/ Charlie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-jenkinson-ba05ab1b6/

Welcome to Platform #10 of our “12 Platforms of Christmas” series. In this episode of the International Classroom Podcast, host Alex sits down with teacher and SwiftTeach creator Gurbinder Mander to explore how AI-powered tools are transforming classrooms worldwide. Discover how SwiftTeach streamlines lesson planning, automates quiz creation, and empowers teachers to personalise learning for every student. Gurbinder shares the journey behind building this edtech platform, from harnessing OpenAI to collaborating with educators for real-world impact. Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, or edtech enthusiast, learn how SwiftTeach can reduce admin workload, boost student engagement, and help you focus on what matters most—inspiring learners. Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of AI in education. Guest: Gurbinder Mander (SwiftTeach) Website: https://www.swiftteach.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gurbinder-mander-835272126/

In this episode of The International Classroom, we sit down with Hugh Viney, founder of Minerva’s Virtual Academy, to explore how his innovative online school is redefining education for students aged 11 to 18. Hugh shares the inspiring journey of growing Minerva from a small group of students to a thriving community of 1,000 learners across 50 countries. We dive deep into Minerva’s unique approach, from their pioneering mentor program and personalised pastoral care to their flexible flipped learning model that combines asynchronous and live teaching. Hugh also sheds light on the school's commitment to fostering student happiness, the importance of wellbeing in academic success, and the game-changing role of online education for neurodiverse and non-traditional learners. Discover how Minerva is creating a supportive global community, tackling misconceptions about online learning, and ensuring academic success with innovative teaching methods. Whether you're an educator, parent, or student, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of education and the role of online schools in empowering students to thrive. Key Topics Covered: The foundation and growth of Minerva’s Virtual Academy How online schools support student wellbeing and academic excellence The role of mentors, pastoral care, and enrichment programs Breaking stereotypes about online education and student engagement Minerva’s vision for global expansion and innovative education practices Tune in now to learn how Minerva’s Virtual Academy is shaping the future of online learning. Discover more: https://www.minervavirtual.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Dalio from Endless Studios to discuss how they are transforming education through their cutting-edge, game-based learning platform. We explore how their unique system allows them to bring crucial coding and digital skills to students, particularly in emerging markets. With a mission to provide equitable access to education, Endless Studios is tackling the digital divide head-on. We dive into the platform's functionality, from basic game creation to advanced programming using industry-standard tools like Unity. This platform isn't just about games; it's about fostering a deep understanding of 21st-century skills, such as design, management, and entrepreneurship. We talk through their approach, from device access to collaborative learning, which ensures that every student gets an opportunity to unlock their full potential.If you're passionate about education, tech, or empowering the next generation, then this is an episode you won't want to miss. Key Topics Discussed: - Game-Based Learning for Education - Teaching Coding & Programming - Digital Skills Development - Bridging the Digital Divide - Access to Technology in Emerging Markets - 21st Century Skills - The Future of Work - Entrepreneurship through Gaming Learn More About Endless Studios: https://www.endlessstudios.com/ Matt Dalio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattdalio/ Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment.

In this episode of The International Classroom Podcast, Alex sits down with Arman Jaffer, founder of Brisk AI, an innovative AI-powered Chrome extension transforming the way educators teach. With over 850,000 teachers already using Brisk, Arman shares the journey behind its creation, from his work at the White House and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to developing a tool that saves educators time, simplifies lesson planning, and enhances feedback for students. Discover how Brisk empowers teachers to integrate personalised AI tutors, streamline grading, and create lesson plans and quizzes in seconds—all for free. Arman demonstrates the platform's standout features, including student-facing tools, curriculum-aligned resources, and collaboration options for teaching teams. Join us as we explore how Brisk AI is supporting educators worldwide, hear about the future of AI in education, and gain insights into Arman’s vision for technology that works with teachers, not against them. 👉 Key Highlights: - How Brisk AI simplifies feedback and lesson planning. - Live demo: AI-powered tools for student engagement and differentiated learning. - Safeguarding and data accuracy in AI tools. - Arman’s vision for the future of AI in education. 💡 Learn more about Brisk AI: https://briskteaching.com🎧 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leading innovators in education!#AIinEducation #BriskAI #EdTech #TeachingTools #LessonPlanning #Feedback #InternationalClassroomPodcast #ArmanJaffer

In this episode of The International Classroom Podcast, Alex Gray sits down with Deepanshu Arora, co-founder of Toddle, to explore how this innovative edtech platform is transforming the way educators plan, collaborate, and teach. Based in Bangalore, Deepanshu shares Toddle’s mission to save teachers time, elevate their teaching practices, and integrate AI seamlessly into the classroom. Discover Toddle’s latest features, including AI tutors and smart lesson planning tools, designed to support progressive education methodologies like competency-based assessments, project-based learning, and interdisciplinary teaching. Learn how Toddle addresses key challenges for educators, including data privacy and efficient workflows, while offering meaningful insights for schools and teachers. Deepanshu also delves into the potential of AI agents and how they can simplify data-driven teaching, empowering educators to focus on what matters most—student success. If you're an educator or edtech enthusiast looking to embrace technology in education, this episode is packed with practical insights and future-focused strategies. Topics Covered: The story behind Toddle’s creation How Toddle saves teachers 10+ hours a week Integrating AI into teaching workflows Supporting progressive education and interdisciplinary learning Addressing data privacy and security concerns Advice for educators and aspiring edtech entrepreneurs 📌 Explore Toddle: https://toddleapp.com🎙️ Subscribe for more education insights #EdTech #Toddle #AIinEducation #EducationInnovation #TeachingTools #TheInternationalClassroomPodcast #ProgressiveEducation #AIforTeachers