Having a positive mindset is a critical part of overcoming adversity and living a happy life. Although there are challenges that seem insurmountable, history is filled with examples of individuals who never lost hope and overcame the most harrowing challenges. But what does it mean to have a positive mindset when faced with a great adversity, and how can we learn to think positively? My guest in this episode is a truly inspiring individual, who faced an unimaginable challenge with a positive min...
Apr 14, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 36
There are many different kinds of schools that offer different experiences for children. The United Kingdom is home to some of the most famous and historic independent schools in the world, with some schools dating back to as far as the 600s. What do these schools look like in the modern era and what is their approach to education that keeps them among the most sought-after schools in the world? To give an inside look at the best independent schools in the UK, I am joined by the person at the co...
Apr 07, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Innovation is an essential part of our increasingly complex world. This can not be more important that in governments that serve the public good. In order to innovate, there needs to be an effective and innovative learning resources that enables innovation. In this episode I speak to the person leading innovations in learning in the Canadian Government. Neil Bouwer is Vice President of the Innovation and Policy Services Branch at Canada School of Public Service (CSPS). The mission of Canada Scho...
Mar 31, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 34
The only way that humans can have a peaceful and collaborative society is by having effective conversations. However, in an increasingly polarized and complicated world, having difficult conversations, that result in deeper understanding, is challenging. It is more important than ever to learn to have constructive conversations. My guest today has extensive experience on this topic, both personally and professionally. Catherine Clark is an internationally respected broadcaster, writer, emcee and...
Mar 24, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 33
For the past three years the Canadian Government has been transforming and modernizing the way Canadian public servants are learning in the workplace. I’m thrilled to have on this episode the individual leading this change to discuss learning in the government context and how to modernize a learning organization that serves a massive and diverse workforce. Taki Sarantakis is the President of the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS). The Canada School of Public Service leads the Canadian Govern...
Mar 17, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Designing effective and enjoyable online and blended learning experiences requires some particular strategies. In this episode I am speaking to a leader in online and blended learning who works with school districts, state departments of education, colleges and universities and other educational organizations in the United States, to enable them to build successful online and blended programs for educators and students. Barbara Treacy is Adjunct Lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Educati...
Mar 10, 2021•43 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Governments are among the most complex organizations to transform in the digital age. Having large and diverse organizations, legacy systems, and established cultures, transformation can be particularly complex. Having effective learning opportunities is an essential component of this transformation as governments and their employees learn new ways of working and creating services for the public good. In this episode I’m joined by a leader in the Canadian Government who is leading the way in hel...
Mar 03, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Every year new technologies emerge that have the potential, or claim to have the potential, to revolutionize mathematics education. Countries around the world focus on improving the way mathematics is taught in their schools, and technology often plays a big role in that. However, it is widely recognized that technology does not always have the impact it was hoped to have. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has declared that “despite considerable investments in com...
Feb 24, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 29
A powerful source of learning and culture in any organization can come from having a well structured and supported learning community. It may be difficult in busy workplaces to prioritize creating and supporting learning communities, but the benefits of doing so are numerous and can be the glue that holds everything together. To discuss the impact of thriving learning communities and how they can be fostered, I’m joined by an internationally recognized education leader who has been creating lear...
Feb 17, 2021•41 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Teaching online requires different strategies and skills than those used in classroom teaching. There are great opportunities in online teaching, but there are also many challenges. To discuss the best practices for making online teaching a success, I am joined by Dr Sarah Krongard , Associate Director, Program Development within the Professional Education division of the Harvard Graduate School of Education . Sarah designs and produces professional development experiences for educators, particu...
Feb 10, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Behind technologies that effectively solve real problems, there is a methodical design process. From identifying and defining a problem to creating a solution, the process is critical for good design. To discuss the process involved in developing effective technologies, I am joined by the founder of a successful medical technology start-up that is having significant impact on people with chronic respiratory conditions. Mikesh Udani is Co-founder and CEO of Albus Health , a medical technology spi...
Feb 03, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 26
As lifelong learning is becoming an essential component of any successful business, how is business education changing to support that? The two-year MBA (Masters of Business Administration) has been the foundation for many business leaders, but this may be changing. Harvard and Columbia’s business schools are starting to add certificates to their programs. Online learning is also paving the way for a different learning experience. Six years ago, Harvard launched the extremely successful Harvard ...
Jan 27, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 25
There is a commonality among high-quality learning programs, regardless of the medium, type of learning, or audience. Whether it be workplace training, online learning, school curriculum, or children’s educational television, to have an effective and enjoyable learning experience it is critical to develop it on a strong foundation of quality education research and beautiful design. In this episode we will discuss the interplay of research and design in creating quality learning programs. Sesame ...
Jan 20, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 24
A student’s success in school is determined by a wide spectrum of factors, including family life, relationships, mental health, and school policy. Since the pandemic, there has been a concerning drop in student attainment around the world. Even more concerning is the rising numbers of students being excluded from secondary schools. This exclusion is driven by the school’s reaction to poor behaviour often guided by the assumption that punishment will change behaviour. To help us better understand...
Jan 13, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 23
The Shad Canada summer program is a very special and unique learning experience. Talented high school students interested in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) and entrepreneurship go through a rigorous selection process to spend a summer at one of Canada’s 20 participating universities. Throughout the summer the students spend time with professors at that university, learning topics and working on projects that are at a university level. Following their month-long university...
Jan 06, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 22
What does it take for a young Canadian from Winnipeg to build a successful tech start-up in his home town? Chris Schmidt is the 27-year-old co-founder and CEO of Pluto Ventures, a successful tech company that uses artificial intelligence to revolutionize the way industries understand and account for the physical dimensions of their consumers. Chris founded his first company, a tree banding business, at the age of ten and he still runs it today along with his other ventures. His biggest company i...
Dec 23, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Community college is often not the path suggested to students who are seen as being successful in school. But why is this the case? Can that be a lost opportunity? In education it is clear that there is no one-size-fits-all, there are different strategies and approaches needed for different students. Not understanding this causes a lot of challenges and also lost talent and opportunity. To discuss the reasons for a community college education and the important role it plays in lifelong learning ...
Dec 16, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 20
The future of work is defined by continuous learning. But how can workplace learning be an effective and enjoyable experience that enriches the organization and the individual? As technology continues to offer new ways of connecting and learning, it is more important than ever to use technology in a human-centered way, creating learning experiences that meet the learning and performance goals of the audience. My guest is a leader in the field of computer-based and online learning for over thirty...
Dec 09, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 19
An amazing teacher has the power to change children’s lives and open doors to a brighter future. With knowledge, empathy and creativity a teacher can design the type of learning that brings the best out of their students. Stephen Haff is one such teacher who went beyond the classroom to creating a magical sanctuary for learning. Stephen founded Still Waters in a Storm , a one-room school in Brooklyn, New York, in 2008. Stephen’s approach to teaching and learning at Still Water incorporates his e...
Dec 02, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Robotics clubs have become a popular way of teaching young people how to program and also a fun way to inspire students into STEM subjects. However, it is not always easy to attract diverse students to robotics and ensure that it is a good learning experience for everyone. In this episode we discuss one inspiring teachers’ experiences and tips to building a successful robotics club. Marc Aristotle de Asis is a teacher in Vancouver Canada and earlier this year his robotics club came in first plac...
Nov 25, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In an increasingly fast paced world, the ability to learn effectively is the most important skill. Throughout a person’s life they are expected to have several careers, some of which may be unimaginable when they were going to school. Lifelong learning is an essential part of the modern world. But what does lifelong learning really look like? Mostly people take courses or spend time learning a new skill when they need it, either for their current job or to train for the job they want. In this ep...
Nov 18, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 16
The role of technology in formal educational institutions has been gradually changing over the decades, with a lot of debate on the impact and the way technology should shape teaching and learning in the future. The 2020 pandemic suddenly changed everything. Around the world, from one day to the next, with no preparation or training, millions of educators and students switched to fully online learning, integrating several technologies into the school experience. Although emergency online learnin...
Nov 11, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 15
The role of technology in formal educational institutions has been gradually changing over the decades, with a lot of debate on the impact and the way technology should shape teaching and learning in the future. The 2020 pandemic suddenly changed everything. Around the world, from one day to the next, with no preparation or training, millions of educators and students switched to fully online learning, integrating several technologies into the school experience. Although emergency online learnin...
Nov 04, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 14
With many children spending more than 40 hours every week in front of “screens”, what is the impact of growing up immersed in this media world? Educational media is a growing industry, but there is no regulation for what can be labeled as educational. How can parents and educators identify quality educational material? To discuss the research and practical insights on what good educational media and technologies entail, I am joined by a leading expert in children’s media. Harvard Graduate School...
Oct 28, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Computer science skills are in high demand and teaching children from a young age has become a priority for many countries. As computer science is becoming a part of the core curriculum, and equipping more children with computer science skills a priority, there are several challenges that emerge with respect to equity and participation. Dr. Laura Larke is a postdoctoral associate and teaching fellow at the MIT Teaching Systems Lab, affiliate of Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Inter...
Oct 21, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Some of the most advanced learning technologies are used in training healthcare professionals. However, healthcare professionals working in rural areas of low- and middle-income countries often don’t have access to such resources. What does workplace learning look like for healthcare workers in some of the world’s most underserved communities? How can their learning experience be improved so they can provide the best healthcare possible? Professor Niall Winters is professor of education and tech...
Sep 16, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 11
The early years of a child’s life are a critical developmental period. The interactions a child has with adults in these early years can shape how they develop, perceive themselves, and also how they interact with others throughout their life. Understanding the research in the field of Child Development is an important part of developing the strategies and approaches that have the most beneficial impact on a child. In this episode we will discuss best practices informed by the latest research in...
Sep 09, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 10
When you think about a school, you most likely think of it as a place where students learn. However, for students to have the best learning experience, teachers also need to continuously improve their skills. Like other professionals, teachers need to be given quality resources, support, and time to continuously update their skills. There is a wealth of knowledge that can be gained from the practice of other teachers as well as from research. Unfortunately, often research and practice in educati...
Sep 02, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In our interconnected world, it is easier than ever before to connect with people and ideas outside of our context. Young people are engaging with others online and sharing their thoughts and experiences on social media. In today’s digitally mediated world, what are the lived civic experiences of young people? How can parents and educators encourage young people to learn and develop their civic identities? Dr Julianne Viola is a postdoctoral Research Associate at the Centre for Higher Education ...
Aug 26, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Delivering online presentations, meetings, and training has quickly become the norm in 2020, but many people struggle to engage their audience in an online format. Filming a play does not make it a movie, and similarly using the same strategies for an in-person presentation is not the same as presenting it online. The approach and design must be tailored to the medium in which it is presented.On this episode I am thrilled discuss best practices of hosting webinars with an international expert in...
Aug 19, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 7
