Anthony Salcito is the Chief Institutional Officer at Varsity Tutors where he's been focused on bringing high-quality tutoring to teachers and schools across the country. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation that digs into the power of using tutoring and emerging AI to empower teachers to drive student learning around the globe. We begin with Anthony's origin story which culminated as Vice President of Worldwide Education at Microsoft before joining Nerdy to establish its school-facing offerings with Varsity Tutors. Then we explore his unique combination of AI and Tutoring expertise to understand his vision for increased personalized instruction powered by live online tutors and AI, providing the much needed help to our frontline teachers. Anthony imparts years of insight regarding emerging trends and foresees a world where new technology tools like generative AI serve to empower rather than replace teachers. Are we entering an age of an IEP for all? Don't miss this teacher-centered look at the intersection of tutoring and AI to learn more. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you listen to podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on what's emerging in learning.

Dr. Monique Chism is the Under Secretary for Education at Smithsonian Institution. She joins host Mike Palmer to share what it’s like to lead education efforts for the Nation’s Museum and the thinking that’s gone into designing their National Education Summit that’s happening later this summer. We begin with Monique’s origin story starting in a classroom teaching for 8 years before moving on to work at a nonprofit organization focused on closing achievement gaps and culturally proficient instruction. She then worked in the Department of Education before and at American Institute for Research focusing on taking education research into practice. This all led to Monique joining the Smithsonian Institution two years ago as its Under Secretary for Education. Monique describes the amazing free resources that the Smithsonian provides to educators as we learn what it's like to lead the education program there. We hear what she's got cooking for the 2023 Smithsonian National Education Summit: "Together We Thrive" which is coming in July, touching briefly on each of the themes of the summit: Life on a Sustainable Planet, STEAM Education, Reckoning with Our Racial Past, and An Integrated Arts Education. As we conclude, Monique shares advice for folks passionate about careers in education and provides her perspective on emerging AI and its potential impact on the future of work. It's a thought-provoking deep dive with a learning thought leader that you won't want to miss! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

Jeremy C. Young is the Program Director of Freedom to Learn at PEN America where he focuses on defending academic freedom in schools and on campuses across America. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about the unprecedented assaults on the New College of Florida and what we all can do about it. We begin with Jeremy's origin story as a US History Professor who grew increasingly involved in defending academic freedom during his time with the American Historical Association before joining PEN America to lead Freedom to Learn. Jeremy touches on the work PEN America is doing fighting against book bans in K12 before digging into the challenges facing New College. New College is important not just for New College's sake but also because it is a test of a playbook that will likely be repeated across the country if successful. Don't miss this deep dive into the underdog story of our host's alma mater which has become the front lines of the Culture Wars on campus in these tumultuous times. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for a more sharp perspective on what's emerging in education. Check out our other episodes relating to New College with our new dedicated playlist as we prepare for the launch of the Palm Court Podcast focused exclusively on the stories and cultural relevance of this small but proud liberal arts college.

Michael Chasen in the Founder and CEO of Class and the Founder and former CEO of Blackboard. He joins host Mike Palmer in an exploration of his career defining new categories while driving innovation in educational technology. We start by hearing the Founder’s Tale of Blackboard, the industry-leading learning management system (LMS). Then Michael explains what led him to found Class in the Fall of 2020. In a world transformed by the pandemic and Zoom, Michael seized the opportunity to launch a differentiated virtual classroom experience on top of Zoom. From there, we learn how Class is integrating AI into its offering, how Michael is thinking about the power of real-time human connection, and what innovations of the day are piquing his curiosity. Don’t miss this chance to learn from an EdTech innovator who is looking to transform the world of learning for a second time. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of learning.

Heather Harding, Ed.D., is the Executive Director of the Campaign for Our Shared Future. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about the recent wave of book bans that have rolled out across the US over the past few years and the work that she and team are doing to counter this. We begin by hearing Heather's origin story as a teacher in rural North Carolina for Teach for America where she taught middle school and high school in underserved communities. Since then, her mission has been to improve education opportunities for all children, regardless of their class, color, or neighborhood. We learn how she gained experience in non-profits and philanthropic work, before joining COSF to help raise awareness and drive towards positive outcomes in defense of academic freedom in K12. We highlight the heroic efforts of school librarians and others defending free expression and literacy across the nation before digging into the work being done with the Let America Read campaign. As we wrap up, Heather shares her advice for folks who want to get involved to help turn the tide on this critical issue. Don't miss this deep dive into a troubling trend that is cascading across our nation's classrooms. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on emerging trends from the world of education.

Miriam Plotinsky is a writer and instructional specialist who recently wrote the book Lead Like a Teacher: How to Elevate Expertise in Your School. She rejoins host Mike Palmer in a discussion about lessons in leadership by embracing empathy with what it's like to teach and openness to the critical input that teachers can provide in a flourishing school culture. We begin by welcoming Miriam back to the podcast with a nod to her previous appearance to discuss Teach More, Hover Less, her first book. From there, we dive into lessons for school leaders and for all of us on how to build psychological safety and trust with teachers as frontline workers. They are closest to where the learning happens and therefore deserve a seat at the table. Miriam walks us through practical tips in the book that build trust and drive engagement with teachers who are struggling in today's complex world. We also hear a bit about Miriam's next book Writing Their Future Selves while getting her quick takes on teaching writing in the age of Chat GPT. If you're a teacher, a leader, or someone who wants to deepen your empathy and support for the frontlines of this noble profession, don't miss this episode. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you listen to podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

Adam Dalton is the Founder and CEO of Imagine Robotify, a company that helps kids learn to code using virtual robots. He rejoins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about STEM education, the future of work, and the massive shifts we’ve seen in AI since we first met Adam last August. We hear how Adam got to this point in his career, founding, growing, and ultimately selling Robotify to Imagine Learning when he was 23. Then he shares his concerns about using AI with young learners before exploring its potential upsides. Adam reflects on what resonates with the rising generations and concludes with his thoughts on entrepreneurship as a career path for Gen Z. Don’t miss this conversation about the future of education with a successful young entrepreneur with unique insights into designing fun and engaging learning products that teach coding as well as durable skills. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp perspectives on what’s emerging in the world of learning.

Hasan Ali is the Founder and CEO of AirTutors, an EdTech company delivering high-dosage online tutoring at scale. He joins host Mike Palmer to talk about emerging trends in tutoring, AI, learning loss, and more. We begin by hearing of Hasan's roots in Stockton, California, before heading to Cal Berkeley and then Los Angeles with an initial goal of becoming a doctor. Despite his mother's concerns, he founded AirTutors after tapping into the tutoring market in private schools around LA. From there, we learn how Hasan and team have crossed over into providing the same kind of solutions at scale in public schools with work like what they're doing with the LA Unified School District. Hasan shares his takes on AI and its upside for teachers, his experiences leading an online tutoring startup through the COVID years, and his plans to continue to grow by reaching students who need to catch up but historically haven't had access to tutors to help with the journey. Don't miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more deep dives into what's emerging and impactful in the world of education.

Dr. Jeff Duncan-Andrade is a Professor of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University and he’s the author of Equality or Equity: Toward a Model of Community-Responsive Education. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about shifting the foundations of our educational system to focus on the wellness of our most wounded and vulnerable students. We begin by hearing Jeff’s origins as a community member, a father, an academic/researcher, and a practitioner in education in Oakland, California. We trace the failed history of desegregation in the US dating back to Brown vs the Board of Ed in Topeka, Kansas, and examine how a new model of community-responsive education is the path to help heal kids who have been left out. By making our most disaffected, struggling kids whole, we can elevate all kids in the school and the community around it. It’s a thought-provoking examination of a different model for K12 education. Don’t miss it. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

Bharat Krishna is the Managing Director at The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program), an organization that helps higher ed, research, and government partners foster integrity and professional advancement of their learners. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about recent trends in research, tech ethics, generative AI, and more. We begin by hearing Bharat's origin story, including stints at McKinsey and Kaplan where he and Mike got to know each other. He then describes the role CITI Program plays in helping educate folks on how best to do research and how to train folks on best practices once they're established. We hear how this has played out at CITI since Bharat has been there: first in response to Covid and now more recently with a new wave of generative AI that is presenting challenging business cases where ethics and innovation intersect. How do we build guardrails in a rapidly changing technology landscape? And what can we learn from the intelligence of animals or speculative fiction about the future of AI? Listen in to find out. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you listen to podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

Scott Miller is an Executive and Leadership Coach who focuses on Time Management. He's also the host of the Time-Task-Energy podcast. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about Scott's work coaching folks on time management with plenty of tips and insights along the way. We begin by hearing Scott's origins as a skydiving instructor and then a test prep coach. From there we learn how Scott flipped the script a bit by making time management the core focus of his coaching practice. How is procrastination like skydiving? What's the right way to experiment with techniques like eating the frog, bullet journaling, or the Pomodoro Method? And what exactly is the Paper Principle and why is it important in our tech-obsessed day and age? Listen in to find out about all of this and more. Don't miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on what's useful and emerging in the world of learning.

Dr. Jon Shelton is an Associate Professor of Democracy and Justice Studies at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. He returns to the podcast to join host Mike Palmer in a conversation about his new book The Education Myth: How Human Capital Trumped Social Democracy. We begin by recalling Jon's previous appearance on Trending in Ed from September of 2020 and reflect for a moment on how much has transpired since then. From there, we launch into what drove Jon to write The Education Myth where he critiques the prevailing human capital lens that is applied to the purpose of education in America and instead outlines the promise of a renewed focus on social democracy. Jon shares his thoughts on what got us to this point in our political history and how a meritocratic focus on education as the primary social good in our society has led to alienation and disaffection from those for whom the current system is not working. We explore the long history of social democracy as an important counterpoint to the neoliberal framing of human capital that pervades the discourse on education and the future of work. How does automation and emerging AI connect to the conversation and why is Jon optimistic about the future despite the real challenges we're facing? Listen in to find out. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp perspectives on the future of education.

Host Mike Palmer is joined by Nancy our Virtual Cohost in a conversation about emerging trends in EdTech, Generative AI and more coming out of his recent trip to the ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego. We start by plugging Nancy into Chat GPT to connect Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to the emerging transformations powered by Large Language Models and Gen AI. Then Mike reflects on his embodied, human experiences of the conference as opposed to the benefits of digesting the content online. How does this relate to elements of human cognition that generative AI still struggles with? From there we explore what works best in person and how to adapt your approach to conferences to make the best of use of your time while you're there. Mike points to his three big themes from the conference: generative AI, a renewed focus on skills and skill development, and the blending of AI with human competencies through the rollout of online tutoring and related programs. We get a little bit meta as we demonstrate how human and can blend together in new ways in a thought-provoking exploration you don't want to miss.

Aneesh Sohoni is the CEO of One Million Degrees (OMD), a non-profit that accelerates community college students’ progress on career pathways to economic mobility. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about the role community colleges and programs like his can play in opening pathways to opportunity for students in need. We begin by hearing Aneesh's story beginning with his parents' decision to come to America to build a life for their family. From there, we hear of the role community college played in his mother's career and how that connects to the work OMD is doing with students in the city of Chicago. We hear how their model works, connecting students with wraparound services like mentorship, skills training, financial assistance, and more. Furthermore, we learn how recent randomized controlled trials done in partnership with The University of Chicago's Inclusive Economy Lab are validating the results as we look for lessons on how to translate successes in Chicago with a broader movement across the country. Aneesh outlines a vision for growth building on relationships with the City Colleges of Chicago, local industry, and donors like the MacKenzie Scott Foundation to allow individuals to thrive in transformative times. Don't miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more perspectives on the innovations that will drive change in education.

Dr. Eric Schickler is a Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley where he is currently working on a book about polarization in American politics. He joins host and fellow New College alum, Mike Palmer, in a discussion about what's happening at New College, what it says about the current state of higher education and politics in America, and what we can do about it. We begin by hearing Eric's origin story which in many ways began with his experiences at New College. That's where he discovered his passion for teaching and engaging with other students and faculty. This ultimately led to him earning his doctorate at Yale before landing at Berkeley where he's spent the majority of his academic career. Then Eric describes how a trend towards political polarization has taken root across America using the case of New College as an example. At a time when scoring political points on the national stage is more important than defending local institutions that are good for the community, it's difficult to find folks who will stand up to their party to defend a place like New College. This hasn't always been the case. Eric and Mike share their recollections of their experiences at the school and counter the portrayal of it as a place where "woke" indoctrination happens. Instead, they remember it as a vibrant, diverse, and scholarly environment that has produced a wide range of professionals who have contributed to society in meaningful and various ways. It's a critical look at how the challenges of the culture wars are pushing many colleges like New College to the brink. Don't miss it. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

Andy Pass is the Founder of A Pass Educational Group, an Elearning and Instructional Design services company. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about how learning content development and instructional design are being transformed by generative AI tools like Chat GPT. We begin by hearing Andy's origin story which begins in a Jewish Day School where he discovered his love of teaching. Soon after, he discovered instructional design and sales while working for Pearson which led him to found A Pass in 2009. Then Andy provides his perspectives on how disruptive generative AI tools are changing how we think about doing content development through a new and improved symbiosis between human skills and the growing capabilities of learning machines. We conclude with thoughts on the future of work and the uniquely human qualities of critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration that will be critical as we navigate new waves of disruption. It's a free-ranging conversation about how learning development is being directly impacted by new generative AI tools. Don't miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

Julie Lammers is the SVP of Advocacy and Corporate Social Responsibility at American Student Assistance (ASA), an organization that is committed to increasing opportunity for young people to have the tools necessary to plan for postsecondary and career success. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about exposing young people to a variety of potential career pathways as early as possible in their educational journeys. We begin by hearing Julie’s origin story which centers around her opportunity to intern for Teddy Kennedy while still in college. From there we get into some questions. How can we provide opportunities for career exploration beginning in middle school and how can we allow for real work experience through internships and other programs for high school students? How do you reach Gen Z by developing media that reaches them where they are? We cover all of this and get Julie's perspectives on the disruptions to the future of work powered by generative AI and more as we learn what she and team have planned for the coming years. Don’t miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you listen to podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

Sudhir Krishnaswamy is the CTO of Barnes & Noble Education Digital Student Solutions where he leads the team that designs Bartleby Write and related products focused on writing help. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about how best to design online writing help products in light of emerging technology like Chat GPT. We hear how Sudhir was drawn to computer programming early in his career and how he's held a series of senior technology roles across various education companies most recently focusing on online writing help. Sudhir describes what's involved in building writing help products and how this has been transformed by machine learning and artificial intelligence. We learn of the role AI can play in helping humans write better while steering clear of the pitfalls of thinking AI is more than a tool for human advancement right now. There's talk of stochastic parrots and magic eight balls in a free-flowing exploration of the future of writing help that you won't want to miss! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

Sakina Pitts is the Principal of The Newark School of Fashion and Design and Giselle Morell is the Head of Customer Engagement at N Ventures at The New School of Social Research. The duo joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about the recent launch of NSFD in partnership with N Ventures as they look to expand access to students through entry points, pathways, and relationships in the fashion industry. We hear Sakina's origin story as a student growing up in Newark who had a love for fashion and education that has culminated in her role as the Principal of the school as it has come to life over the past few years. Then Giselle shares how she took a chance leaving a safe, corporate gig to align her career with her mission and passion by joining the N Ventures group at the New School. From there we explore what's involved in launching the school and building partnerships that make an impact on the lives of students and the community. We explore how opening up pathways and relationships in the world of fashion helps equip students with relevant skills and competencies that align with the rapidly changing world of work. Yes, we even talk Chat GPT and generative AI. Before concluding, we touch on the importance of access, social capital, and representation in fashion as a field and learn about what's involved in developing a fashion and design curriculum that blends hands-on work with theory. It's a riveting exploration of the benefits of mission-based industry alignment driving innovation in public education. Don't miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more stories of innovation from across the learning ecosystem.

Bryan Alexander is an award–winning, internationally known futurist, researcher, writer, speaker, consultant, and teacher, working in the field of higher education’s future. He's the author of the recent book Universities On Fire: Higher Education in Climate Crisis which forms the foundation of this episode. Bryan joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about how to use futures thinking to explore climate-related scenarios with special attention to higher education. We begin by reflecting back on Bryan's previous appearances on the podcast back in 2020 soon after the release of his book Academia Next: The Futures of Higher Education. Among the scenarios in that book, he explored how a pandemic might affect higher education before Covid hit. From there we touch on his recent blog post looking at the new Apple+ series Extrapolations. As we bring up examples from science fiction and its sub-genre of climate fiction, Bryan describes the power of scenario-baseed thinking in preparing ourselves for uncertain futures. We dig into where higher education may be heading and get Bryan's initial thoughts on generative AI and how it interrelates with the climate crisis megatrend. It's an imaginative, free-ranging conversation. Don't want to miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

Jennifer Granick is the surveillance and cybersecurity counsel with the ACLU Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project. She litigates, speaks, and writes about privacy, security, technology, and constitutional rights. She is the author of the book American Spies: Modern Surveillance, Why You Should Care, and What to Do About It and is an alum of New College of Florida along with host Mike Palmer. She joins Mike in a conversation about her work with the ACLU, her perspectives on the current situation at New College, and her thoughts on education and the future of work in light of the emergence of generative AI and Chat GPT. We begin by hearing Jennifer's origin story, beginning in New Jersey before studying at New College as an undergraduate on her way to becoming a lawyer. From there we hear how she began studying the Internet in its infancy in the 90s helping to create Stanford Law School’s Center for Internet and Society. Since then she's become increasingly involved in civil liberties relating to emerging technology. We talk about the situation at New College while hearing Jennifer's thoughts on emerging trends in education, privacy, surveillance and the law. Don't miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more. And if you like what you’re hearing, stay tuned for the launch of a new feed dedicated to New College coming to a podcast provider near you!

Heather Combs is the CEO of StraighterLine, a platform that provides affordable access to college credit through online courses. Heather joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about the disruption we've witnessed to traditional models of higher education in recent years and the role StraighterLine is playing in this transformation. Heather begins by describing her background in business transformation and software development that provides sharp perspective into developing online products that tap into new and emerging markets. We explore how for many learners the traditional models of the academic schedule and synchronous classes just don't make sense. We discuss how credentialing and skills-based learning are providing opportunities to move quickly and work with industry to keep pace with the accelerated rate of change. Heather shares her thoughts on the transferability of learning credentials and the need for better solutions for learning records similar to what is happening with medical records. It's an insightful dive into transformations actively occurring in higher education. Don't miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more.

Joel Kupperstein is the Senior Vice President of Product Strategy at Learning A to Z. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about teaching, writing, and emerging tools like Chat GPT and generative AI. Joel shares his roots as a teacher from a family of teachers who began in the classroom in Los Angeles before moving to Product Strategy on the commercial side at leading EdTech companies like Learning A To Z. We explore how the design of assignments and assessments will need to evolve as large language models empower teachers and students to become more efficient and creative with their learning endeavors. Joel shares his advice to teachers and other learning professionals as we reflect on the awakenings in recent years and how they relate to new AI tools like Chat GPT. Don't miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of learning.

Kyle Li is an interaction and learning designer based in New York City where he's an Assistant Professor of Design Technology at Parsons School of Design. He joins host Mike Palmer to discuss his experiences working with students exploring design and emerging technology. Kyle shares how he is fulfilling his mission to bridge the gap between higher education and emerging tech by working on projects like the partnership Parsons has formed with Roblox, the gaming platform used by millions of kids. He shares his advice for learning professionals who are trying to motivate rising talent while staying relevant in transformational times. Don't miss this deep dive into the intersection between emerging platforms, user-generated content, user-centered design, and the future of education. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on what's emerging in the world of learning.

Host Mike Palmer is joined live at SXSW EDU by Dr. Tolonda Tolbert, Elliot Felix, Dr. Robin Naughton, and a live audience as we reveal our Learning Trends March Madness Brackets for 2023. We meet Tolonda, Elliot, and Robin briefly as Mike welcomes, family and friends into the conversation. He shares the show's history with March Madness and our previous junkets to Austin to record episodes at SXSW EDU. From there, we hear from each of the panelists as they introduce their four trends for the brackets ranging from Tolonda's experience as a Co-Founder of Eskalera, Elliot's perspectives from consulting and writing How to Get the Most Out of College, and Robin's takes on libraries and emerging technology as a Web and Digital Services Librarian at Queens College. It's an eclectic assortment of new ideas worth tracking in the world of learning that you don't want to miss! We conclude with audience questions and answers from the panelists in a free-flowing conversation about what's bubbling up in the learning zeitgeist in the Spring of 2023. We hope you enjoy. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com all March to track our brackets, vote on matchups, and more as we gear up to name a winning trend at the end of the tournament.

To celebrate the kickoff of our Learning Trends March Madness Brackets, host Mike Palmer introduces Nancy his Virtual CoHost who runs through a ChatGPT-powered simulation of our Learning Trends Tournament for 2023. But fear not, we're just getting started. All of this coincides with our live panel at SXSW EDU in Austin that kicks off the podcast stage. Then as a special bonus we share a conversation Mike had with SXSW EDU Founder Ron Reed and its Senior Director Greg Rosenbaum during our first visit at the conference back in 2019. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com and follow us @TrendinginEd on Twitter all month as we launch polls to let you help decide which trends survive and advance in pursuit of the coveted number 1 spot in our Learning Trends Winner for 2023. Don't miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts for more sharp takes on what's emerging in the world of learning.

Dr. Robin Naughton is an Assistant Professor and Web and Digital Services Librarian at Queens College in New York. She specializes in Human-Computer Interaction and User-Centered Research with a focus on mental models of libraries and library websites. She joins her husband, our host, Mike Palmer, in a conversation to set the stage for their live panel at SXSW EDU with Dr. Tolonda Tolbert and Elliot Felix on Monday, March 6th at 11:30am in Austin. If you're at SXSW on Monday, we'd love to see you. If you can't make it, don't worry, we'll be sharing the panel as an upcoming episode soon. Robin shares her takes on what's emerging in learning based on her experiences as a Librarian and as an Educator as we gear up for our trip to SXSW with our 4-year-old son. We talk about Chat GPT and Generative AI and even check in with Nancy our Virtual Cohost as we begin to shape up our March Madness brackets which will be revealed as part of the panel. We also touch on Elliot's book and Tolonda's company as we get ready to explore the learning zeitgeist at SXSW and through our March Madness Tournament. We also talk durable skills and the role of parents in the learning journey as we reflect on the future of education as the parents of a young son who will be there with us for the trip. It's a wide-ranging and personal conversation that should get you amped up for SXSW and our March Madness of Learning Trends. Don't miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of learning.

Osnat Benari is a product and leadership coach for companies and professionals. She has over 20 years of product management experience working for companies like Diligent, Verizon Media, WeWork, and BBG Ventures. She has been named one of the top product-led growth influencers. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about her book, Starting From Scratch: Managing Change Like Your Career Depends on It. In a free-flowing conversation, Osnat walks us through the steps outlined in the book beginning with adopting a learning mindset. Then we learn how resilience and letting go are so critical for success in disruptive times. From there, she shares stories of how she’s navigated through downsizing, layoffs, and reorgs in her career. We talk about using our instincts and sensing when change is coming to allow us to assert our agency to pursue a professional roadmap for ourselves. We even touch on quiet quitting. If you're interested in how product thinking and agile practices can be applied to your career growth in challenging times, don't miss it. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp perspectives on the world of learning.

Jonny Coreson is the CEO and Co-Founder of Everprep, a platform designed for professionals who want to share their expertise with learners seeking to pass exams to earn credentials. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about the “Long Tail” of Test Prep and how he’s building a SaaS solution to empower both providers and preppers alike to achieve their goals and dreams. We hear Jonny’s “origin story” which begins in the Navy where he built a successful prep product with Bluejacketeer to prepare sailors for the Navy-Wide Advancement Exam. This was born of he and his Co-Founder’s experiences helping Navy Corpsman and showed the power of designing by sailors for sailors. After selling Bluejacketeer to Kaplan, he’s now founded Everprep to extend the idea to all kinds of test-based credentials and certifications. We talk about the power of ChatGPT and generative AI in test prep content generation and muse a bit about the power of learning science and the future of assessment and more in a free-flowing conversation you don’t want to miss. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

Don Carson is the Sr. Art Director at Mighty Coconut where he creates attractions to be experienced in VR for games like Walkabout Mini Golf and beyond. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about his experiences with placemaking in virtual reality and how those insights might relate to learning. After Don was trained as a commercial illustrator, his work branched out to focus on the design of physical and virtual spaces. Working as a Senior Show Designer, and freelance contributor to Walt Disney Imagineering, Don learned to communicate design through conceptual sketches and 3D models. This work has expanded to include everything from designing entire lands for the Disney parks to guiding teams of designers as they build 3D environments in virtual worlds and 3D games. We learn what it’s like to do what Don does while thinking through what this could mean for education. It’s a mind-expanding exploration of emerging experiences and how they’re designed. Don’t miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more.

Dr. Philippa Hardman uses learning science to help people design better learning experiences. She is the creator of the DOMS™️ learning design engine, a Cambridge University Scholar as well as a Host, Author and Advisor. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about how organizational leaders, learning designers, and anyone creating learning products can use Chat GPT and other generative AI tools to become more productive in their endeavors. We learn how Philippa got involved in academia before working in leadership roles in a number of edTech companies prior to founding her consultancy. She explains how she's been experimenting with generative AI and what she's learned so far with it. We wax dystopian for a moment to contemplate how new tools like Chat GPT will enable a lot more substandard content to be generated quickly and cheaply and why that presents challenges to all of us to up our games. It's a thought-provoking conversation with an expert in learning science and AI that you won't want to miss. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more cutting-edge content.

Erin Lewellen is the CEO of Global Citizen Year, a non-profit that is addressing our current global challenges by changing the composition, operating system, and impact of the next generation of changemakers. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about how transformative experiences abroad can shape the pathways and perspectives of rising leaders. Erin tells of her origins in the logging culture of rural Oregon that led to her time as an undergraduate at the University of Oregon where she studied abroad for a year in Capetown, South Africa. From there, we hear what's happening at Global Citizen Year coming off a successful pivot to a virtual program during the pandemic years. We learn how she's come full circle with the launch of the Take Action Lab program Global Citizen Year is running in Capetown this year. Erin describes how surprising insights from recent research have led to new directions for the program and how much of that has been driven by student voice. We hear why she is inspired working with the rising generation and how important it is to both challenge students and provide the right supports to ensure we are truly developing global citizens. It's a thought-provoking exploration of what it takes to foster a meaningful passage into adult life through global awareness, a sense of purpose, and local connections with the community. Don't miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

Aaron Hillegass is an author, the Founder of Big Nerd Ranch, and Director of Applied Data Science at New College of Florida. He’s also the Executive Director of the Kontinua Foundation. He joins host and fellow New College alum Mike Palmer in a wide-ranging conversation about the blend of skills and digital competencies in machine learning, data, and AI that are becoming increasingly essential for professional success and career growth. We begin by hearing of Aaron’s roots including his experiences at New College before learning what it was like to work with Steve Jobs in the 90s before finding huge success teaching developers and leaders at Big Nerd Ranch. From there we explore what Aaron aims to do leading the recently launched Data Science Masters program at New College. We muse about what Jobs called “bicycles for the mind” and how new breakthroughs in AI are massively transforming how we think about the future of work. It's a thought-provoking conversation about the massive transformations taking place in technology and education. Don’t miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

James Nottingham and Dr. Carmen Bergmann from The Learning Pit join host Mike Palmer to explore how understanding the "pit" of the struggle ultimately helps us learn how to learn better. James shares his origin story of struggling in school before finding his way as an education. After years of teaching this ultimately resulted in him founding The Learning Pit. We delve into the importance of embracing uncertainty and setbacks in the learning process and explain how this helps students develop a growth mindset and resilience. It's a dynamic conversation filled with practical tips, real-world examples, and insights on the future of education. Don't miss it. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more fresh perspectives on the future of learning.

Sabari Raja is the Cofounder of Nepris which is now part of Pathful, the college and career readiness platform. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about building career pathways into K12 education. We begin by hearing Sabari's origin story which starts on a coconut farm in India and has culminated with her recent successes in EdTech and Career Readiness. We explore the value of exposing students to career paths as early as possible and throughout their educational journeys. Sabari provides perspective on emerging EdTEch trends including AI, AR/VR, and more. We also dig into the power of durable skills as we contemplate the role of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in preparing students for the future of work. Don't miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on what's emerging in learning.

Dana Gastich French is the founder and lead consultant for UpRiver Education, a company focused on multilingual learners and the educators who teach them. She joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about how an asset-based, inclusive understanding of English language learning is the key to overcoming the challenges that ESL continues to face in the US and beyond. We hear Dana’s origin story which begins with studying abroad in Chile where she learned how it felt to not be comfortable with the language of record. From there, she connects her experiences as an ESL and bilingual teacher, instructional coach and school and district-level administrator to what’s emerging in the field today. We conclude with Dana’s thoughts on the role of technology and the importance of building trust through culturally sensitive practices. It’s a free-wheeling survey of what’s new in the English Language Learning ecosystem you don’t want to miss Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp perspective on what's emerging in learning.

Dr. Patricia Okker is the President of New College of Florida, the innovative honor’s college in the Florida system. She joins host and New College alum Mike Palmer to talk about what makes a New College education unique and how a liberal arts education can prepare you for the world of work and community engagement. Note: this episode was recorded in December prior to the recent appointments to the Board of Trustees. We hear Pat’s origin story, beginning in New Jersey before spending many years at the University of Missouri where she was Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences before joining New College as President a year and a half ago. We learn how folks are reimagining New College through The Challenge before digging in on career pathways and entrepreneurship among other topics. It’s a thought-provoking conversation about the future of higher education that you don’t want to miss. Look for more from us on the New College story as it develops. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more.

Dr. Jennifer Forristal is a Naturopathic Doctor and school wellness specialist who is focused on pediatric well-being. Founder of the Umbrella Project and author of The Umbrella Effect, she is creating a profound paradigm shift in the understanding of our personal well-being and that of our children. Jen joins host Mike Palmer in a discussion of developing coping skills in children, parents, and schools so that we're better equipped to endure trauma and ideally grow in the process. Beginning with the premise that all kids will encounter rain in their lives, how do we help them develop the skills they need to cope? We explore how parents and educators can help kids recognize and appreciate umbrella skills like cognitive flexibility, empathy, and grit as we aim to be sensitive to trauma while also open to opportunities for growth through it. It's a thought-provoking conversation about developing practical SEL skills that you won't want to miss. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more enlightening takes on the future of education.

Beth Rudden is the CEO and Chairwoman of Bast.ai, a company that leverages emerging technology to build custom conversational AI tools or CATs for clients. Prior to founding Bast, Beth worked at IBM for 20 years, founding their Data Science practice and working with numerous clients to design and implement large scale solutions leveraging machine learning and training folks in data science. We hear Beth's origin story and draw from her experience at IBM and beyond to paint the picture of a new era of accessible AI for all that is just emerging. This conversation was recorded just before the release of ChatGPT and foreshadows Mike's second conversation with Beth which was also just released in the feed. Check them both out for a deep dive into the promise and the danger of the new wave of generative AI that is emerging these days. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of learning.

Beth Rudden, the Chairwoman and CEO of Bast.ai, rejoins host Mike Palmer for a conversation about ChatGPT and other large language models as we enter a new phase of readily accessible generative AI tools. Why is ChatGPT prone to mansplaining? How might this relate to the Dunning Kruger effect? And how might a more ecological understanding of an "honorable harvest" as described in Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer help us rethink our relationship with data and its harvesting? We tackle all of this and more in a free-wheeling conversation with a Data Science and AI thought leader who draws from 20+ years of experience at IBM and beyond to help us make sense of emerging technology that is making AI accessible to all. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on learning and emerging technology.

Esther Lee has over 14 years of experience in learning, culture building, DEIB, and leadership development across different industries. She returns to the podcast to join host Mike Palmer to share her wisdom around how to navigate layoffs in the current market on both sides of the impact. You can check out her recent LinkedIn article to get more from her on this topic. We learn how Esther is telling her story while building community and relying on her network to get through the challenges of reductions in force. She's taken great risks throughout her career to impact different types of companies from matrixed organizations to hyper-growth global startups, which have led to multiple layoffs and RIFs. We appreciate her courage to put herself out there as someone who is managing through all of this and emerging stronger in the process. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on learning and the future of work.

Mike Palmer and Virtual Cohost Nancy are back to talk about our 23 Learning Trends for 2023. We divide the trends up into three groups: Emerging Technology, Durable Mindsets, and New Sets and Settings, and dive in. How does Chat GPT and Generative AI fit into the equation? What are the Mindsets that equip us to thrive in disruption? And how will the new and different contexts for learning impact our thinking about the emerging post-pandemic learning ecosystem? Listen in to find out. Don’t miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

Chester E. Finn, Jr. is a Distinguished Senior Fellow and President Emeritus at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and a Senior Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. He's the author of Assessing the Nation's Report Card: Challenges and Choices with the NAEP. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about the history of the NAEP, its challenges and opportunities, and the importance of having a shared set of standards for educational performance across the nation. You can learn more about the NAEP by checking out Overhauling the Nation’s Report Card. We begin by hearing Chester's origin story dating back to working in the Johnson Administration and for Daniel Patrick Moynihan before starting to work with the NAEP in 1969. From there we dig into the power of "low-stakes tests" like the NAEP in providing a read on academic performance while not penalizing students, teachers, or schools based on performance. We talk about culture wars and politicization and how to avoid many of the pitfalls there while also avoiding the broad brush attacks on standardized testing as a whole. We conclude with Chester's read on recent results which are troubling before wrapping up. Don't miss this deep dive into how we get a read on how the country is doing in education! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more perspectives on what's emerging in the world of learning.

Jennie Magiera is the Global Head of Education impact at Google. She's also the author of the best-seller, Courageous Edventures: Navigating Obstacles to Discover Classroom Innovation. She joins host Mike Palmer to talk about Part 1 of Google’s The Future of Education Report - Preparing for a New Future which was recently released. We begin by hearing about Jennie’s impressive career path beginning as an award-winning Math teacher in New York and Chicago before rising through a number of administrative and technology roles in Chicago and in the Obama Administration before landing in her current role with Google. From there we dig into the contents of the first part of the report which points to the growing need for global problem solvers, highlights the critical importance of durable skills and emerging technical competencies, and concludes with a focus on lifelong learning and the mindsets needed to be resilient and flexible as we prepare for disruption and the uncertain future of work. It’s a wide-ranging and relevant discussion you won’t want to miss. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of learning.

Aaron Rasmussen is the Founder and CEO of Outlier.org. He's also a Cofounder of Masterclass and an award-winning game designer. He joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about how the team at Outlier is designing a product experience built to disrupt higher education by providing affordable access to highly engaging, accredited online courses and certificates. We begin with the story of Aaron's roots in rural Oregon where he taught himself with books from local libraries before gaining access to higher ed at Boston University. He shares the lessons he learned from successful robotics and gaming startups that set the stage for his formative experience at Masterclass, a category leader in online learning. This all leads to an examination of why he founded Outlier and how it's setting out to provide a scalable, high-quality education for folks who have been left out by traditional higher ed. It's a wide-ranging exploration of what it takes to make great online learning experiences that are motivating and compelling enough to coexist with new experiences like TikTok and Fortnite. Don't miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

With the recent release of ChatGPT, host Mike Palmer dives into the implications of this technology for the world learning. Nancy, our virtual cohost, joins Mike in the conversation this time powered by the new dialogic AI toolset powered by OpenAI. We begin by learning what this technology is in its own words before hearing which trends ChatGPT sees as most impactful to the future of education. Then we explore the risks and opportunities emerging with new and widely accessible AI tools like this entering the scene. Will we lose our jobs? Will OpenAI achieve Skynet-like self-awareness? What does this all mean for humans? How does this relate to the importance of durable skills? What are the implications for teachers? And what about for writers, the future of writing, and at home essay questiond? We explore all of this and more as we discover what happens when you hook a virtual cohost up to OpenAI firepower and record an eppy. Don't miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more cutting-edge perspective on the future of learning.

Roger Spitz is the President of Techistential and the Chairman of Disruptive Futures Institute. He's also the lead author of The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption whose first volume is now available. Roger joins host Mike Palmer in a conversation about the insights provided in the Guide and how they connect to the world of learning. We begin by hearing Roger's origins in investment banking and M&A before shifting to his focus to futures thinking and the Disruptive Futures Institute. In a wide-ranging conversation that explores concepts and frameworks from the Guide, we learn what it takes to excel in a world of continuous disruption. We explore what we can learn from antifragility, Zen Buddhism, and existential philosophy to equip ourselves with the tools and mindsets essential to thriving in the new state of play. We hear how agency is key to navigating emerging complexity. We touch on the importance of humor, dig into the case study of Israel, and conclude with Roger's takes on the role of education in the emerging zeitgeist. It's a provocative exploration of the transformative work coming out of the Disruptive Futures Institute. Don't miss it! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.

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 a rapidly changing world of work. We touch on the importance of learning through feedback and the collaborative, iterative process that is essential to creative work. We also explore how design work is changing as AI continues to improve and blend with human creativity. Gordon describes how great design education requires not just great instructors but also great content and a collaborative team culture to produce the best outcomes for students. We conclude with Gordon's thoughts on what's emerging and hear his advice for teachers, learners, and makers of all stripes. It's a wide-ranging exploration of emerging trends in design education that you won't want to miss! Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of learning.