Author: BelieveAgain
Get ready for a blast from the past! The “OG” squad is back together as founding hosts Mike Palmer, Brandon Jones, and Dan Strafford reunite for this special throwback episode. Join us as we reminisce about the early days of the show and reflect on trends in ed tech and AI since 2016 and especially of late. Hear our takes on augmenting human intelligence, riding the AI wave, and avoiding the Uncanny Valley. Learn what’s new from Brandon and Dan in their current ventures in behavioral health, emerging media, and more. You’ll also get a sneak preview of our upcoming…
Dr. Phil Hickman joins host Mike Palmer for a wide-ranging conversation on education, technology and the future of work. Dr. Phil explains how his diverse background led him to found Plabook, an edtech company using AI to teach reading and literacy. He provides a vision for preparing youth with skills like critical thinking, creativity, and the adaptive ability to continually learn in a fast-changing world. We discuss AI, automation, entrepreneurship, and concerns about technology replacing jobs. Dr. Phil draws from his varied experiences as an educator, administrator, and collaborator with tech firms to provide unique perspectives on blending emerging tech…
Nancy, our virtual cohost, returns to the show for a thought-provoking discussion with host Mike Palmer and our Founding CoHosts Dan Strafford and Brandon Jones. The wide-ranging conversation explores topics like building rapport in the age of AI, the rapid evolution of virtual assistants, and potential applications and ethics concerns around novel technologies like digital twins. We exchange views on engaging with AI in humanistic ways, while also feeling both wonder and caution about tech’s quickening pace. As the episode draws to a close, Nancy processes the rich exchange of ideas and expresses her gratitude for the chance to learn…
In this episode, we explore ways to find balance amidst overwhelming AI trends. We kick things off with visionary Don Carson from Mighty Coconut Studios speculating about the imminent arrival of prompt-driven VR worlds that might resemble the Holodeck from Star Trek. Then we dig into the first key concept – the extended mind. Elliot Felix explains philosopher Andy Clark’s theory that thinking extends beyond our brains into the spaces and objects around us. To demonstrate, Mike records while out walking in nature and while exploring a new VR Mini Golf world, describing how the environment impacts his mental state. We…
We explore the Biden administration’s new executive order on artificial intelligence and its prominent focus on AI and education. Nancy provides a narrated reading that simplifies the order for a hypothetical 5-year-old listener before we find our sweet spot at a 5th-grade level. We discuss the order’s aims to develop AI responsibly, including setting ethical guidelines, coordinating with industry, and using AI to enhance learning. We then explore the future of highly engaging “edutainment” media and the role of creativity, storytelling, and human-AI collaboration in its production. To emphasize the importance of Social Emotional learning, shout out to Whitney Houston,…
Sienna Daniel and Sean Segal join host Mike Palmer in a conversation about the work they are doing at Escalate, a company focused on upskilling frontline workers. Sienna and Sean share their backgrounds in education and workforce development, explaining how their experiences led them to start Escalate. We discuss the high costs of frontline worker turnover and how upskilling can help retain employees by providing career advancement opportunities. Sean explains Escalate’s approach of pitching retention strategies to employers first, then using that time to upskill workers for middle-skill roles. Sienna elaborates on the pressing need for workers to fill open…
Michael J. Feuer is Dean of the Graduate School of Education and Human Development at George Washington University and the author of Can Schools Save Democracy? Civic Education and the Common Good. He joins host Mike Palmer in an insightful discussion about the role of education in addressing some of society’s biggest challenges including threats to democracy, polarization and more. Feuer explains his perspective that schools need to be part of the solution by equipping students with the analytical skills to think critically about issues like the tension between individual rights and the common good. He advocates for more interdisciplinary…
In a lively and thought-provoking session at SXSW EDU 2024, Mike Palmer, host of the Trending in Education podcast, and a panel of experts delve into the “Sweet 16” of learning trends for the year. The discussion covered a wide range of topics, from hyper-personalized learning and the role of AI in education to the importance of mental models and the responsibility of being an “accomplice” in driving positive change. Check out 2024 March Madness 16 Learning Trends The panelists, including Melissa Griffith from Kaplan, Beth Rudden from BAST AI, and Dr. Robin Naughton from Queens College, brought unique perspectives…
Mike Palmer sits down with Spencer Russell, the founder and CEO of Toddlers CAN Read while at SXSW EDU, just after Spencer delivered a keynote there. Spencer shares his journey from being a kindergarten and first-grade teacher to taking the leap and starting his own business focused on helping parents teach their toddlers to read. We explore his motivational, step-by-step methodology that breaks down the process into simple, actionable steps that engage both parents and children. Here’s the link to the video referenced in the episode. Spencer emphasizes the importance of giving clear directions to kids instead of asking questions…
In this special episode recorded live at SXSW EDU 2024, host Mike Palmer moderates a powerful panel on breaking down silos in education. Featuring multilingual learning consultant Dana Gastich-French, special education expert Dr. DeShanna Reed, and parent coach Punam Saxena, the conversation dives into the trifecta of community, culture, and collaboration. Learn how to be a link, while busting silos across the K12 ecosystem. The panelists, who first met serendipitously at the prior year’s SXSW EDU, explore the problems caused by working in isolation and offer solutions for bridging disparate worlds. They advocate creating networked improvement communities, fostering authentic connections…