Learn about Trending in Ed with Mike Palmer. The industry-leading education podcast that keeps up with the latest trends impacting the future of learning. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more.

In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer interviews Sanjit Sethi, the President of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). Sanjit shares insights from his journey from ceramics to college presidency, emphasizing the importance of creativity and community in leadership. The conversation covers challenges faced during the pandemic and social unrest, the significance of mentorship, diversity, and equity, as well as the impact of AI on creative practice. Sanjit highlights the need for fearless listening and collaborative leadership to navigate the complex educational landscape. He concludes making likening transformational leadership to the expeditionary behavior of NASA astronauts.

Don't miss this deep dive with a leader in creative leadership in higher ed.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more. Video episodes now available on Youtube and Spotify.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:43 Sanjit Sethi's Journey to MCAD

02:11 The Role of Creativity in Leadership

05:32 Navigating Challenges in Higher Education

14:05 Diversity and Leadership in the Wake of George Floyd

24:17 The Impact of AI on Creative Education

31:34 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook

In this episode of Trending in Education, Kumar Garg, President of Renaissance Philanthropy, rejoins host Mike Palmer for his second appearance after first appearing in the Spring of 2021.

The conversation delves into Garg’s evolution from Schmidt Futures to launching Renaissance Philanthropy, and their work at the intersection of AI and learning science. We discuss the historical underfunding of education R&D compared to other sectors and explore the immense potential of AI in transforming learning experiences. The conversation covers the Learning Engineering Virtual Institute, the importance of interdisciplinary expertise, recent research with the Walton Family Foundation, and future ambitions for integrating cutting-edge technology into education. We also reference Renaissance's Pattern Language for High Impact Philanthropic Giving.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:38 Kumar Garg's Journey and Renaissance Philanthropy

02:39 The Intersection of AI and Learning Science

05:45 Building "Bilingual" Teams for Educational Innovation

06:55 Renaissance's Bold Goals and Partnerships

08:44 Recent Initiatives and Future Directions

13:09 Challenges and Opportunities in AI for Education

27:34 The Importance of Trust and Equity in Educational Technology

33:22 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer interviews Dr. Lindsay Weinberg, a professor at Purdue University and author of Smart University: Student Surveillance in the Digital Age. We discuss Lindsay's professional journey and the origins of her book, which critically examines the emergence of surveillance technologies in higher education. The conversation highlights issues of data privacy, discrimination, and the implications of these technologies on faculty and student rights. Dr. Weinberg advocates for democratized decision-making in adopting educational technologies and encourages collective resistance to harmful tech practices. The episode closes with insights into the future of higher education and the importance of preparing leaders who can navigate these challenges.

Subscribe wherever you get your pods. Share and review us to spread the good word about work like Lindsay's. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:54 Lindsay Weinberg's Professional Journey

02:55 The Smart University: Book Overview

05:48 Critical Perspectives on EdTech

09:24 Ethics and Resistance in Higher Education

14:47 Future of Higher Education and Policy

18:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer welcomes back Celine Coggins, CEO of The Goodness Web. We discuss Celine's extensive background in public education and her transition to her current role focused on youth mental health. The conversation touches on the underfunding of youth mental health, the rise of mental health concerns post-pandemic, and the impact of social media on young people's mental health.

Celine shares insights on the initiatives of The Goodness Web, which includes prevention and early intervention strategies, policy advocacy, and improving access to mental health care. We also explore the future of work and education, emphasizing the importance of building emotional resilience and productive struggle. Finally, Celine and Mike consider the complex interplay between technology, policy, and mental health, underscoring a collective responsibility to address these critical issues.

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back

01:02 Celine Coggins' Background and The Goodness Web

02:43 Youth Mental Health Crisis and Social Media Impact

04:16 Generational Perspectives and Mental Health

07:55 Challenges and Solutions in Youth Mental Health

14:20 Educational Models and Mental Health Support

21:50 Parental Guidance and Community Building

31:30 Technology, AI, and Mental Health

34:46 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer speaks with Matthew Kennard, CEO of BetterLesson, about the complexities and importance of professional development for teachers. With a career transition from investment banking to edtech, Kennard shares his insights on the evolving landscape of K-12 education. They discuss the traditional and future models of professional learning, emphasizing job-embedded support, continuous improvement, and career pathways for educators. Kennard underscores the crucial role of effective professional development in achieving optimal student outcomes, teacher retention, and overall systemic improvement in education.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:39 Matt Kennard's Professional Journey

02:53 Challenges in K-12 Professional Learning

06:15 The Importance of Continuous Improvement

10:00 Rethinking Professional Development

17:44 The Role of Technology in Education

28:20 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

In this episode of Trending in Education, we talk with Dr. Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran and Dr. Terrence J. MacTaggart, co-authors of 'The New College President: How a Generation of Diverse Leaders is Changing Higher Education.' We delve into their respective backgrounds, the challenges faced by college presidents today, and the importance of diversity and resilience in leadership. Eileen and Terry share insights from their extensive research, including seven compelling case studies of university leaders who have thrived amidst adversity. We also discuss the future of higher education, the importance of mission-driven leadership, and how to identify and support potential candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Don't miss this surprising deep-dive into what it takes to thrive in higher ed leadership in challenging times.

Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more.

Roger Spitz is the Author of the new book Disrupt with Impact. He's also the President of Techistential and the Chairman of Disruptive Futures Institute. This is a bonus episode from when Mike first interviewed him about The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption which he coauthored. We look forward to having Roger back on to talk about his new book, Disrupt with Impact, soon.

We begin by hearing Roger's origins in investment banking and M&A before shifting to his focus to futures thinking and the Disruptive Futures Institute. In a wide-ranging conversation that explores concepts and frameworks from the Guide, we learn what it takes to excel in a world of continuous disruption. We explore what we can learn from antifragility, Zen Buddhism, and existential philosophy to equip ourselves with the tools and mindsets essential to thriving in the new state of play. We hear how agency is key to navigating emerging complexity. We touch on the importance of humor, dig into the case study of Israel, and conclude with Roger's takes on the role of education in the emerging zeitgeist. It's a provocative exploration of the transformative work coming out of the Disruptive Futures Institute. Don't miss it!

Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

Dr. Howard Gardner is one of the leading minds in education and psychology in the last century. In this special episode of Trending in Ed, he joins host Mike Palmer in a wide-ranging conversation about his life's work that is coinciding with the release of two volumes of his collected writings: The Essential Howard Gardner On Mind and The Essential Howard Gardner On Education.

Gardner is a luminary in psychology and a professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education. He shares his journey, including his developmental psychology training and influential mentors like Jean Piaget and Eric Erikson. We discuss his notable contributions, such as the theory of multiple intelligences and his recent work on ethics and AI. Howard highlights key educational themes through examples like The Good Project and emphasizes the importance of understanding ethics in professional roles. We also touch on societal challenges, including the mental health crisis and the role of influencers. Gardner shares his thoughts from his latest compilations and blogs, and reflects on the importance of mentorship and humanism in today's world. Don't miss this chance to go deep with one of the great minds in education.

Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more.

 Mike Palmer speaks with Rekha Magon, co-founder and head of education at Boundless Life, who joins from Bali to discuss her innovative approach to global education. We explore how Rekha's background in mindfulness and her experience homeschooling her children led her to create a network of micro-schools across beautiful locations including Portugal, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, and Spain.

Rekha shares how Boundless Life provides a turnkey solution for families wanting to slow travel the world, combining furnished apartments, co-working spaces, and Montessori-inspired education with Finnish pedagogical methods. We discuss how the pandemic created the perfect conditions for reimagining education, leading many families to seek alternatives that blend travel, community, and experiential learning.

The conversation delves into how Boundless Life's educational model emphasizes real-world problem-solving, cultural immersion, and mixed-age learning environments. Rekha explains how these experiences help develop crucial soft skills like adaptability and communication that will serve children well in an uncertain future.

Key takeaways:

1. Mixed-age classrooms foster natural leadership and collaboration while reducing unhealthy competition among peers
2. Slow travel and cultural immersion help children develop essential soft skills like adaptability and communication that AI cannot replicate
3. Parents can nurture their children's natural love of learning by thinking outside traditional educational models, whether traveling or staying local

We conclude with advice for parents and educators about nurturing children's natural love of learning, whether through travel or finding creative alternatives closer to home.

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In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer sits down with Josh Wright, Executive Vice President of Growth, Education and Government for Lightcast, to discuss the future of work and workforce demographic shifts. We dive deep into Lightcast's report "The Rising Storm: Building a Future Ready Workforce to Withstand the Looming Labor Shortage." Josh shares insights on the demographic drought facing the workforce, including accelerated baby boomer retirements, declining birth rates, and decreasing labor force participation.

We explore the potential impacts of these trends on various industries and regions, as well as possible solutions such as automation, immigration, and improved career navigation. The conversation highlights the crucial role of community colleges and local workforce development initiatives in addressing these challenges.

Key takeaways:

1. The US is facing a significant workforce shortage due to demographic shifts, with impacts varying by industry and region.
2. Local, data-driven approaches to workforce development and education are essential for addressing these challenges.
3. There's a growing need for skills-based hiring and more agile, adaptable training programs to prepare workers for the changing job market.

Don't miss out on more insightful conversations like this one – Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts.