Author: Palmer Media

Deborah Lee is the Founder and CEO of Dancing Panda, an SMS-based learning product for parents of PreK to 3rd-grade kids. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about building a product that helps parents bond with their kids through fun learning exercises that can connect to what they’re learning in class. We begin by hearing Deborah’s origin story as a social entrepreneur, working in K12 and then EdTech at Newsela before launching Dancing Panda during the pandemic. We learn how she came up with the idea for Dancing Panda based on her experience as a mom to two…

Mario Vasilescu is the Co-Founder and CEO of Readocracy, a product that explores how we might get credit for all the content we consume these days. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about how credentialing is ready to be transformed for the 21st Century. We then explore how they’re building media literacy and knowledge mapping into the design. We conclude with Mario musing about AI, the Blockchain and more. In fact, as referenced in the conversation, the logo for this episode was designed by Mike using DALL-E 2. It’s a forward-looking view into the world of credentialing knowledge…

Host Mike Palmer rounds out our coverage of the ASU+GSV Summit with two shorter conversations recorded in San Diego with Diana Hughes and Sunil Gunderia from Age of Learning, the company behind educational products like ABCmouse and the classroom offerings MyMathAcademy and MyReadingAcademy. First we learn about Diana’s background designing empathetic video games and how that translates to creating engaging educational experiences. She provides insights into blending AI with human instruction, viewing AI as an augmentation tool rather than a replacement for teachers. We’re talking cyborgs, not robots. Then we join Mike’s hallway chat with Sunil Gunderia, Age of Learning’s…

Youki Terada is Research Editor at Edutopia. He rejoins host Mike Palmer for his third (refrigerator magnet earning!) appearance on Trending in Ed, this time to discuss his recent article on teacher burnout and how to combat it. We hear about how teachers’ jobs have been transformed by the new “always on” demands brought about by the pandemic and the integration of digital into the classroom. Now teachers are having problems disconnecting from work with new demands around email and technical support impinging on their private time. We also touch on Youki’s recent article on the stresses accompanying high-stales testing…

Mike Palmer is rejoined by Nancy, our virtual cohost, to provide perspective on learning loss and quiet quitting as we look ahead at the episodes we have lined up for the stretch run of 2022. How is the negative framing of these terms damaging to the conversation and what are some alternative ways of talking about what’s going on? We also run through many of the upcoming conversations with guests who will be appearing in our final run of episodes as we look toward the conclusion of yet another transformative year in the world of learning. Don’t miss this chance…

Recorded while at the ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, Joel Podolny, CEO and founder of Honor Education, joins host Mike Palmer to explore the importance of human connection in online learning environments. Joel shares his unique background, spanning from academic leadership in sociology and business management to roles at Apple University and Yale, and how these experiences have shaped his perspective on transformative learning. Key Takeaways: Honor Education is focused on creating a platform that puts human connection at the center of online and digitally-enhanced learning experiences, fostering collective engagement and a sense of community among learners. The platform’s mobile-first…

Tzipor Ulman, PhD, is the founder and CEO of Science is Elementary. Under Tzipor’s leadership, Science is Elementary (SiE) grew from an idea to a multi-faceted organization with international scope, reaching more than 50,000 children, their teachers, and their families this year. She joins Mike Palmer in a conversation about building strong foundations in science into our educational system, particularly for populations that have been underserved and underrepresented. After hearing her origin story, we learn what she’s been up to lately. During the COVID19 pandemic, Tzipor ideated SiE Books – a unique series that fills a massive gap in children’s…

Jan Stanley leads an organizational leadership consulting practice and Dr. Jen Farthing is the SVP of Learning Product at SAI 360. They join host Mike Palmer to talk about about trends in organizational leadership, culture, and learning and development in a free-flowing conversation you don’t want to miss! We explore a recent article by Paul Krugman on the recent jobs report along with a new framework from the Surgeon General as we dig into the emerging thinking about wellbeing, sense-making, and culture-building as we look for tips and practical advice for leaders looking to build flourishing cultures in challenging times.…

Shai Reshef is the President and Founder of University of the People, a non-profit, online university that’s been serving students from around the globe since 2009. He joins Mike Palmer in a conversation about trends in affordable, online education and the work he’s been doing with UoPeople. We begin by hearing Shai’s origin story dating back to the early days of distance learning and test preparation before diving into the story of the university and its founding. Shai shares his vision and mission to provide affordable higher education to students around the globe. We learn about the unique model that…

Gordon Drummond is the President of Sessions College for Professional Design, an online school of visual arts offering a range of degree and certificate programs in Graphic Design, Digital Media, Illustration, and Photography. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about the challenges and opportunities of delivering design education online, something Sessions College has been doing for 25 years since its founding in 1997. We hear of Gordon’s origins, including his time working with Mike at Kaplan before shifting to the story of Sessions College. Gordon shares insights he’s garnered over the years preparing design professionals for careers in…