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Education
Society & Culture
Harvard Graduate School of Education
In the complex world of education, the Harvard EdCast keeps the focus simple: what makes a difference for learners, educators, parents, and our communities. The EdCast is a weekly podcast about the ideas that shape education, from early learning through college and career. We talk to teachers, researchers, policymakers, and leaders of schools and systems in the US and around the world — looking for positive approaches to the challenges and inequities in education. Through authentic conversation, we work to lower the barriers of education’s complexities so that everyone can understand.
The Harvard EdCast is produced by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and hosted by Jill Anderson. The opinions expressed are those of the guest alone, and not the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Preventing 'Summer Melt'
Lindsay Page and Ben Castleman, education researchers, discuss the effects of "summer melt" and share resources on what they're doing to help prevent it.
13:0903/09/2013
A Conversation with Dean James Ryan
James Ryan, dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education reflects on his vision for HGSE, the role of education schools, and whether he roots for the Red Sox or Yankees.
13:3123/08/2013
Education As a Matter of Survival
Jeffrey Sachs, economist and director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University, shares his thoughts on the importance of strengthening education in an increasingly crowded, globalized world.
10:4914/08/2013
The Maine Man on Campus
Richard Hopper, president of Kennebec Valley Community College, reflects on his time at the "Harvard Seminar for New Presidents" and names his 'bucket list' commencement speaker.
15:2529/07/2013
The Legacy of Mr. James Meredith
James Meredith, civil rights activist and author, reflects on his life's work, legacy, and solutions for improving Mississippi schools.
18:1114/06/2013
20 Minutes with Noam Chomsky
Noam Chomsky, linguist and philosopher, discusses Paulo Freire's writings, the future of online learning, and the things in the world he doesn't know.
22:1114/06/2013
The Future of Early Childhood Education
Jack Shonkoff, director of the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, provides insight into the future of early childhood education in America and what he hopes it will look like.
11:1505/06/2013
The Allure of Order
Jal Mehta, associate professor at HGSE, reflects on our country's troubled quest to remake schooling.
12:3421/05/2013
A Real Wise Guy
Karl Pillemer, author of the book, "30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans" reflects on what he's learned from discussions with older Americans.
16:0715/05/2013
How Can Schools Best Support Immigrant Students?
Michael Sadowski, author of the book, 'Portraits of Promise" shares the perspective and voices of successful immigrant students from across the country.
15:3108/05/2013
Howard Gardner's Greatest Hits
Howard Gardner, professor at the Harvard Ed School, reflects on his academic "greatest hits" and shares insight on where he does his best thinking.
17:2429/04/2013
The San Diego Superintendent Story
Richard Lee Colvin, author of the book 'Tilting at Windmills' shares his thoughts on school reform, San Diego, and America’s race to renew public education.
14:5424/04/2013
How to Discuss Tragedy with Children
Rick Weissbourd and Betsy Groves, HGSE faculty and experts in the field of children psychology, outline tips for how both parents and teachers can properly discuss with their kids the meaning and impact of the recent tragedy in Boston.
09:5016/04/2013
Sticks and Stones
Emily Bazelon, author of the book "Sticks and Stones" shares insight into writing about bullying while reflecting on her own experience with it.
08:2505/04/2013
The Education Storyteller
John Merrow, education correspondent for PBS NewsHour, reflects on why this is both the best of times and the worst of times in education journalism.
11:2103/04/2013
Getting the Big Picture
Elliot Washor, cofounder of Big Picture Learning, and collaborator Charlie Mojkowski discuss their new book, "Leaving to Learn: Designing a Student Experience that Reduces Dropouts and Produces Deep Engagement in Learning."
12:5027/03/2013
The End of Exceptionalism in American Education
Jeffrey R. Henig, professor of political science and education at Columbia University, reflects on the erosion of the “special status” of education decision-making over the past 50 years.
13:3919/03/2013
Adaptive Ed Tech
Jessie Woolley-Wilson, President and CEO of Dreambox Learning, shares insights into the future of adaptive learning and data in education technology.
15:4413/03/2013
Girl Rising: A Conversation with Director Richard Robbins
Richard Robbins, director of the documentary "Girl Rising" reflects on how his film is hoping to create greater awareness around girls education across the world and launch a movement.
15:5401/03/2013
Generation Ed
Catharine Bellinger and Alexis Morin, co-founders of 'Students for Eduction Reform" (SFER) share their story of education entrepreneurship while students at Princeton.
14:4413/02/2013
Mrs. Edelman Makes Some Noise
Marian Wright Edelman, president of the Children's Defense Fund, reflects on the Newtown shooting, school violence, gun control--and how above all, we must continue to protect the world's children.
12:2813/02/2013
The Presidential Advisor
Jon Schnur, cofounder of 'America Achieves' and 'New Leaders for New Schools' reflects on his own education story while sharing personal insights into President Obama's education policies over time.
15:2006/02/2013
Straight Talking Education
Rick Hess, education writer and director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, reflects on his personal story of learning and his role in the education reform movement.
14:1230/01/2013
The World Bank Education Strategy
World Bank Lead Economist Halsey Rogers discusses the World Bank Education Strategy 2020 and how we can make the next decade one in which all children and youth, everywhere, are in school and learning.
22:2325/01/2013
20 Years of TFA
In this edition of the Harvard EdCast, Wendy Kopp, founder and president of Teach For America reflects on 20 years of leading this national teaching corps and talks about how it has changed American (and global) education.
12:2025/01/2013
The Jazz in Teaching
Wynton Marsalis, musician and educator, opens up on how the spirit of music informs his unprecedented series of ongoing Harvard lectures.
11:0925/01/2013
Understanding Baggy Pants
In this edition of the Harvard EdCast, Assistant Professor Natasha Warikoo, Ed.M.'97, discusses her new book Balancing Acts: Youth Culture in the Global City.
13:1625/01/2013
Won't Back Down
Daniel Barnz, director of the film "Won't Back Down" reflects on why writing/directing a movie about education was just a perfect fit.
11:2725/01/2013
Solutions to a Segregated School System
Charles Willie, professor emeritus at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, reflects on the challenges of desegregating schools in Boston in the 1970's.
15:3825/01/2013
Teaching AIDS
Three UNESCO HIV education specialists discuss the role of teachers and schools in educating students around HIV/AIDS awareness and the importance of World AIDS Day.
18:2925/01/2013
Beyond 'Waiting for Superman'
In this edition of the Harvard EdCast, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, director of Waiting for "Superman", discusses his film and its impact on education reform.
12:4725/01/2013
The War on Kids
Cevin Soling, director of the education documentary "The War on Kids" discusses his controversial views on the American school system.
16:2325/01/2013
A Steward of the Profession
Dennis Van Roekel, president of the National Education Association discusses the perception of unions, his personal legacy, and how to make the teaching profession more of a dream job for young Americans.
10:2425/01/2013
I Play a Teacher on TV
Jim True-Frost, cast member of the HBO series "The Wire" discusses portraying Baltimore public school teacher Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski and the impact his character has on education in media.
18:4025/01/2013
Celebrating World Teachers' Day
Qian Tang, Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO discusses how WTD is experienced around the world.
13:4225/01/2013
Toxic Stress in Early Childhood
Jack Shonkoff, director of the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, shares new research on the lingering effects of toxic stress during early childhood.
14:2825/01/2013
Knight of Reform
In this edition of the Harvard EdCast, Sir Michael Barber, head of McKinsey's Global Education Practice discusses a new international report, hope for U.S. public schools, and what is means to be a reformer.
16:4225/01/2013
Taye Diggs This Children's Book (and so do we)
Taye Diggs, author and actor, along with Shane Evans, illustrator, discuss their new book "Chocolate Me!" on the Harvard EdCast.
15:1125/01/2013
History Hip Hop
Educational rappers Scott Free and Shoeless Jeff discuss how they are using hip hop and 'smart songs' to effectively teach social studies both inside and outside the classroom.
16:2825/01/2013
The Smarter Charter Starter
In this edition of the Harvard EdCast, Steve Barr, founder of Green Dot Public Schools discusses progress of the charter school movement and why politics is so integral in education reform.
12:4925/01/2013
Holding Reformers Accountable
Whitney Tilson, investor and champion of education initiatives, from KIPP to TFA, discusses genuine school reform and reflects on why he spends his free time committed to this fight.
18:5925/01/2013
College for All? Maybe Not
In this edition of the Harvard EdCast, Bill Symonds, director of the Pathways to Prosperity Project, discusses the project, its implications, and how the country has reacted.
22:3125/01/2013
Designing a Digital Curriculum
Susan Sclafani, vice president of programs for the Pearson Foundation shares insight into the new digital curriculum being developed to adopt the common core standards.
13:0225/01/2013
The Urban Education Toolkit
In this edition of the Harvard EdCast, Warren Simmons, Executive Director of the Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University shares his insights on improving urban schools in America.
Direct download: simmons.mp3
22:3125/01/2013
Who's the Boss of Education?
Tony Danza, actor and author of "I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had" shares experiences from his year as a rookie teacher at Northeast High.
10:2025/01/2013
Are You a Global Citizen?
In this podcast, Professor Fernando Reimers, director of the Ed School's International Education Policy Program, discussed the importance of global citizenship.
21:2225/01/2013
Make Just One Change
Dan Rothstein and Luz Santana, authors of the book, Make Just One Change, explain why teaching students to ask their own questions just may revolutionize the classroom.
16:2325/01/2013
Seeking Peace
Janet Connors, social justice activist in Dorchester, MA reflects on the unique philosophy of restorative justice and examines how it can bring peace into difficult situations.
09:1825/01/2013
Stray Dogs, Saints, and Saviors
Alexander Russo, author of the book "Stray Dogs, Saints, and Saviors" discusses how one of the toughest schools in the country was turned around.
12:1425/01/2013
How Schools Teach Character
Scott Seider, author of the book "Character Compass," shares his research on how powerful school culture can point students toward success.
20:1425/01/2013