Author: Palmer Media
On this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer sits down with Dr. Keith Sawyer, a renowned creativity researcher and professor at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Dr. Sawyer, author of the book Learning to See: Inside the World’s Leading Art and Design Schools, shares insights from his career journey and extensive research into creativity and learning. Key Takeaways: The Power of Constraints: Dr. Sawyer reveals that in leading art and design schools, creativity is often enhanced by constraints, not hindered by them. Professors use “highly constrained project assignments” or “parameters” to guide students, even in fields…
On this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer is joined by Margaret Wang-Aghania, co-founder and executive director of Subject to Climate, to discuss the integration of climate education into K-12 schooling. We explore how Subject to Climate empowers educators to teach about climate change, action, and justice across all grade levels and subjects. Key Takeaways: Margaret shares her origin story as a high school social studies teacher and how her experiences led to the founding of Subject to Climate. We learn about Subject to Climate’s mission to make climate education “easy and effective” for K-12 teachers by providing vetted,…
In this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer hosts Charles Beyrouthy, Managing Partner at Forma Prime, a venture capital firm, to explore the exciting intersection of deep technology and the future of education. We dive into the profound shifts happening in our world, from the cutting-edge advancements in quantum computing, new sensor technologies, and cybersecurity, as well as the impact of generative AI on all of this. Key Takeaways: Charles Beyrouthy’s Journey: Charles shares his fascinating career path, from studying chemical engineering and biochemistry at UMass Amherst to accidentally falling into chemical engineering, working in microfluidics research, and eventually…
Dr. Terri Givens is a regular “Friend of the Show” on Trending in Ed and a professor of political science at the University of British Columbia and author of Radical Empathy. She joins host Mike Palmer to discuss the current challenges facing higher education and academic associations, the importance of collaboration, and how individuals can take action in a chaotic world. Key Takeaways: Higher education faces significant disruptions, including declining enrollment, reduced research funding, and a shift towards an adjunct-focused model. Academic associations are crucial for faculty development and networking but struggle with declining membership and funding. There’s a growing…
In the 700th episode of Trending in Ed, host Mike Palmer welcomes back Nancy, our virtual co-host, to delve into the latest and most significant developments in the world of Artificial Intelligence, viewed through the crucial lens of education. This milestone episode marks the launch of a new sub-feed, Trending in Ed – AI, which will focus specifically on the intersection of education and artificial intelligence. The discussion covers a range of thought-provoking topics, including: Canny Centaurs and the Uncanny Valley: The hosts revisit concepts like “centaurs” from Advanced Chess and the Uncanny Valley from robotics, discussing how to blend…
On this episode of Trending in Education, Mike Palmer sits down with Scott Cheney, CEO of Credential Engine, to discuss the evolving landscape of credentials and their vital role in shaping our future workforce. They delve into the complexities of a skills-based economy, the challenges of translating diverse experiences into recognized credentials, and the crucial need for transparency and common standards in education and employment data. The Problem of a Confusing Marketplace: With nearly a million unique credentials offered by some 60,000 providers in the U.S., individuals face a daunting task in understanding how to acquire the skills needed for…
On this episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer is joined by educator, speaker, and author Mitch Weisburgh to discuss the concept of “mindshifting” and its profound implications for education, personal development, and navigating a rapidly changing world. Mitch shares his journey from teaching computer skills in the early days of personal computing to developing frameworks for resilience, resourcefulness, and collaboration that he now calls mindshifting. Check out Mitch’s book on the topic to learn more. The conversation delves into the origins of Mitch’s work, including his experience advising educational publishers and his pivotal trip to Niger where he…
Step into a very special episode of Trending in Ed, where host Mike Palmer reunites with fellow co-founders Brandon Jones and Dan Strafford! Since its inception in September 2016, Trending in Ed has been a consistent voice in education, and this reunion delivers a nostalgic yet forward-looking take on education trendspotting. Catch up with Brandon and Dan, discover what they’ve been doing, and hear their and Mike’s reflections on the podcast’s journey and the evolving landscape of education over the past 8+ years. Here’s the link to Tim Urban’s What’s Our Problem? which Brandon refers to in the conversation. Key…
What if AI could level the playing field in higher education? This episode of Trending in Education explores that very question with Cecilia Marshall, Chief Advancement Officer at Ed Advancement. Host Mike Palmer and Marshall delve into the complex and compelling potential of AI, focusing on its impact on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other institutions serving under-resourced students. Marshall, whose journey winds from corporate advertising to the heart of educational advocacy, shares Ed Advancement’s vital work: strengthening mission-driven colleges to fuel social mobility. The conversation moves beyond the hype surrounding AI to address the crucial need for…
Forget everything you thought you knew about digital signage – it’s not just for the front office anymore. In this episode recorded live at the ASU+GSV Summit, host Mike Palmer sits down with Juliana Finegan, VP of Educator Experience @ Vivi to explore the evolving landscape of education and the crucial factors that drive teacher success. Drawing from her experience as a former high school chemistry and 8th-grade science teacher and her work with organizations like the Learning Accelerator, Juliana shares valuable perspectives on blended learning, teacher empowerment, and the innovative ways technology can transform classrooms. Then we dive into…