Best EdSurge Podcasts (2024)

1
The Effects of Smartwatches on Kids, Schools and Families 47:37

19h ago47:37

47:37

Should kids wear smartwatches? Companies market the wearable devices to kids as young as 4 years old, while digital media experts and educators worry about potential downsides of what some see as an “electronic umbilical cord.” On the EdSurge Podcast this week, we talk with our reporter who spent months researching the issue, Emily Tate Sullivan, a…

1
#44 The Science of Learning: How Fit Learning Drives Student Success with Kimberly Berens 55:50

5h ago55:50

55:50

In this episode of Why Distance Learning?, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring are joined by Dr. Kimberly Berens, founder of Fit Learning and CEO of Fit Learning Online, to discuss the critical role of behavior science in education. Dr. Berens shares her journey from establishing Fit Learning in a small closet to growing it …

1
#43 Earwigs Are Very Good Mothers and the De-Ickification of Invertebrates with the Butterfly Pavilion's Jillian Luciow 33:14

2d ago33:14

33:14

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Jillian Luciow from the Butterfly Pavilion in Denver (Jillian from the Pavilion!). They explore how live virtual learning programs bring invertebrates like butterflies, tarantulas, and crabs into classrooms through engaging, curriculum-alig…

1
What Can AI Chatbots Teach Us About How Humans Learn? 57:31

10d ago57:31

57:31

ChatGPT and other chatbots are modeled after how the human brain works. And one of the pioneers of the technology, Terrence Sejnowski, says that what AI has made clear is that we don’t really understand what it means for the human brain to “understand” something.By EdSurge Podcast

1
How Are School Smartphone Bans Going? 37:40

9d ago37:40

37:40

Many school districts and states have enacted new restrictions on smartphones in classrooms during instructional time, in the name of increasing student engagement and counteracting the negative effects that social media has on youth mental health. We checked in with two teachers and an administrator to hear how the new rules are playing out.…

1
#42 Exploring WWII History in Real Time with Maddie Roach 30:37

16d ago30:37

30:37

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Maddie Roach, the Distance Learning Specialist at the National World War II Museum. Maddie shares her experiences building engaging virtual programs that connect learners to history in unique ways, discusses how the museum adapted post-Katr…

1
How the Job Market Has Changed for College Grads 32:38

18d ago32:38

32:38

College grads are facing a tough job market these days, with experts saying the college degree holds less of a premium in getting hired than in the past. And as it gets easier to apply to jobs online, applicants say they are getting ghosted by employers or applying to hundreds of jobs with little return. How can colleges respond?…

1
Looking Back on the Long, Bumpy Rise of Online College Courses 44:07

25d ago44:07

44:07

When the web was new back in the late 1990s, Robert Ubell was among those pushing for its adoption to help students who couldn’t get to a campus — over the objections of professors who thought it would always be sub-par. The online learning pioneer says the history of online’s growth offers lessons for those trying teaching innovations today.…

1
#41 BOLD Moves: How Virtual Schools Are Redefining Education in Florida with Mandy Perry 37:46

1M ago37:46

37:46

In this episode of the Why Distance Learning? Podcast, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Mandy Perry, a virtual school principal and president of the Blended and Online Learning Discovery (BOLD) of Florida Executive Board. Mandy shares her journey in virtual education, her leadership role in BOLD, and how virtual s…

1
Inside an Effort to Build an AI Assistant for Designing Course Materials 1:04:00

1M ago1:04:00

1:04:00

Over the past few months, a group of educators has been designing and testing a system that uses ChatGPT to serve as an assistant to instructors as they build courses for students. One key point of the series of design workshops is to learn how educators can make the most effective uses of AI, and where it’s less helpful.…

1
Rebooting Internet Access Programs to Address the ‘Homework Gap’ 1:02:33

1M ago1:02:33

1:02:33

As pandemic relief funds run out — which helped many students connect to the internet to keep up with their studies — there’s a danger that the “homework gap” could suddenly widen, argues Nicol Turner Lee, director of the Brookings Institution’s Center for Technology Innovation, in a new book.By EdSurge Podcast

1
How Rising Higher Ed Costs Change Student Choices. (Doubting College, Ep. 6) 39:08

1M ago39:08

39:08

The high cost of college is changing how high schoolers think about whether or not to go. A new book, “Rethinking College,” argues for changing the narrative around higher education to be more welcoming to gap years, apprenticeships and other alternatives to college at a time where a degree is so expensive that students worry about its value.…

1
#40 Podcasting Is Distance Learning with the EdSurge Podcast's Jeff Young 41:01

2M ago41:01

41:01

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Jeff Young, editor, reporter, and host of the EdSurge podcast, to discuss the intersection of technology, education, and podcasting. Jeff shares his experiences covering education for over 20 years and reflects on how podcasting has emerged…

1
How a Returning College Student Advocated to Improve a Fledgling Online Program 33:52

2M ago33:52

33:52

A student who was just a few classes shy of graduating from Morehouse College was excited to try its new online program designed for students trying to finish their degrees. It turned out to be a more challenging process than he expected. Here’s how he helped to improve the program for himself and future students.…

1
AI Chatbots Reflect Cultural Biases. Can They Become Tools to Alleviate Them? 49:54

2M ago49:54

49:54

A professor has been running an unusual experiment looking for signs of racial and gender bias in AI chatbots. And he has an idea for developing new guardrails that can check against such bias and remove it before it is shown to users.See show notes and links here: https://www.edsurge.com/news/2024-09-03-ai-chatbots-reflect-cultural-biases-can-they…

1
#39 Civics, Collaboration, and Ms. Opal Lee: A Constitution Day Special 42:35

2M ago42:35

42:35

In this episode of Why Distance Learning, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome three special guests: Julie Silverbrook from the National Constitution Center, Jocelyn Kho from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, and Andrea (Ang) Reidell from the Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civics. Together, they discuss an e…

1
When the Teaching Assistant Is an AI ‘Twin’ of the Professor 44:29

2M ago44:29

44:29

Two instructors made AI chatbot versions of themselves to help teach their classes, and they say class discussion improved as a result. But some teaching experts worry about the long-term implications of bringing in robot teaching assistants.By EdSurge Podcast

1
The Power of the 'Grit' Narrative in Education. Bootstraps Ep. 7 (Encore Episode) 44:10

2M ago44:10

44:10

It’s still popular to prize students who have “grit,” who overcome tough odds to succeed. A book by Alissa Quart called “Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream,” looks at why this narrative is so hard to shake — and proposes more community-minded alternatives that could improve equity. This episode first ran in 2022, as the fina…

1
#38 Global Collaboration for Social Good with Dr. Jennifer Williams of Take Action Global 39:48

3M ago39:48

39:48

About today’s guest Dr. Jennifer Williams is the founder of Teach SDGs and co-founder of the nonprofit organization Take Action Global. She is a thought leader in using educational technology to promote global perspectives and social good. As an educator and author of Teach Boldly: Using EdTech for Social Good, Dr. Williams champions the role of te…

1
Power, Prestige and the World's Most Famous Scholarship. Bootstraps, Ep. 6 (Encore Episode) 43:41

3M ago43:41

43:41

The Rhodes Scholarship was designed to forge a network of people who would go on to rule the world. So who gets this opportunity? And how is the oldest and best-known graduate scholarship dealing with the legacy of its founder, who used ruthless and racist practices to build the diamond empire that funded the effort? This originally ran in 2022, as…

1
Breaking Up With the SAT. Bootstraps, Ep. 5 (Encore Episode) 36:57

3M ago36:57

36:57

The SAT can feel very different to different students. While it can give any college applicant stress, some low-income and minority students see it as evidence that selective colleges don't want them. Can the rise of test-optional policies lead to a new, more equitable era of college admissions? | Guest reporter: Eric Hoover, of The Chronicle of Hi…

1
#37 Real-Time Musical Collaboration Online with Terry Lowry 38:33

3M ago38:33

38:33

Terry Lowry is a prolific composer, conductor, Steinway artist, and host of the podcast Tone Poem. With over 200 compositions to his name, he has performed across North America and Europe and leads several ensembles, including the Carroll Symphony Orchestra. He co-founded Musical Overture, an online music platform, and is deeply involved in music t…

1
The Tyranny of Letter Grades. Bootstraps Ep. 4 (Encore Episode) 39:54

3M ago39:54

39:54

Our current grading system can be a way for kids to prove themselves and win college scholarships, or admission to selective colleges. It can also be a barrier, in sometimes surprising ways. What might a world without letter grades and GPAs look like? This first ran in 2021.By EdSurge Podcast

1
The Strange Past and Messy Future of 'Gifted and Talented.' Bootstraps, Ep. 3 (Encore Episode) 42:38

3M ago42:38

42:38

Sometime early in elementary school, kids are put on one of two paths: regular or gifted. Where did this idea come from? The answer goes back more than a 100 years, to a once-famous scholar named Lewis Terman. And it turns out his legacy, and the future of gifted programs, are still very much under debate. This first ran in 2021.…

1
#36 Education Everywhere: The Success Story of Virtual Excursions Australia 40:47

4M ago40:47

40:47

In this exciting episode of "Why Distance Learning," we delve into the fascinating world of Virtual Excursions Australia with co-founders Karen Player and Ben Newsome. Their stories highlight the transformative power of digital technologies in education, providing insight into how virtual excursions can bridge gaps in access and enrich learning for…

1
Who Deserves a Seat at the Nation’s 'Best' High School? Bootstraps, Ep. 2 (Encore Episode) 34:56

4M ago34:56

34:56

What a debate about the admissions process at one of the best public high schools in the country says about who should get what in education. This first ran in 2021. Find out more on this episode and the rest of the series at: https://www.edsurge.com/research/guides/bootstraps-a-podcast-seriesBy EdSurge Podcast

1
Can You Really Just 'Pull Yourself Up' in Education? Bootstraps, Ep. 1 (Encore Episode) 16:15

4M ago16:15

16:15

What the odd and surprising history of 'pulling yourself up by your bootstraps' says about educational equity. This is the first episode in our Bootstraps podcast series on merit, myths and education. This first ran in 2021.By EdSurge Podcast

1
#35 LIVE from ISTE: Kate Neff and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science 40:31

4M ago40:31

40:31

In this most special of special episodes, Seth, Tami, and Allyson record LIVE at the ISTE conference in Denver, Colorado. As an official session at the conference, your podcast hosts - along with 40 other conference participants - were hosted by Kate Neff, the virtual Programs Coordinator at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The episode unfo…

1
What If Banning Smartphones in Schools Is Just the Beginning? 58:26

4M ago58:26

58:26

As momentum grows to limit smartphone use in schools, some educators say that the education system can do even more to counter the negative health effects of social media. One award-winning teacher has changed his lessons and the way he teaches to try to help students learn to better focus — even reserving class time for quiet reading away from the…

1
#34 Social Media As a Form of Distance Learning with Heidi Clements 35:05

5M ago35:05

35:05

In this fascinating episode of the Why Distance Learning podcast, your hosts sit down with Heidi Clements, an Instagram influencer with a substantial following, to explore the intersections between social media influence and educational strategies. Heidi, known traditionally for her work as a Hollywood producer but now for her vibrant presence onli…

1
Should College Become Part of High School? (Doubting College, Ep. 5) 42:08

5M ago42:08

42:08

As more students question the value of college, more high schools are bringing college options into their walls. In the latest installment of our Doubting College series, we visit a high school where students can earn a two-year degree without leaving the building, and where students can also get a jump on other career options that don’t require hi…

1
#33 The Power of Puppetry with Sara Burmenko 40:26

5M ago40:26

40:26

In this episode of the Why Distance Learning? podcast, our hosts interview Sara Burmenko from the Center for Puppetry Arts, delving into the unique world of puppetry as an educational tool. Sara shares her journey from an education major to becoming the director of the digital learning department at the Center for Puppetry Arts, emphasizing how pup…

1
Should Chatbots Tutor? Dissecting That Viral AI Demo With Sal Khan and His Son 55:28

5M ago55:28

55:28

Should AI chatbots be used as tutors? Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, has become one of the most vocal proponents of the idea, and he and his son are featured in a recent demo of ChatGPT’s latest version. But some teaching experts say tutoring should be reserved for humans who can motivate and understand the students they work with. For this wee…

1
How Instructors Are Adapting to a Rise in Student Disengagement (Encore Episode) 30:39

5M ago30:39

30:39

Professors are finding that they can’t just go back to teaching as they did before the pandemic and expect the same result. It takes more these days to hold student attention, and convince them to show up. This week we’re rebroadcasting this episode that was reported from the back of large lecture classes to see how teaching is changing. The episod…

1
#32 Empowering Students with Disabilities through Distance Learning with Laura Loy 38:18

6M ago38:18

38:18

In this episode of "Why Distance Learning?" we explore the innovative intersections of arts education, accessibility, and distance learning with Laura Loy. Laura, a seasoned educator and performer, shares how her work at PHAME Academy harnesses the power of the arts to engage and empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throu…

51
What Brain Science Says About How to Better Teach Teenagers 42:11

6M ago42:11

42:11

One author who spent years researching what brain science says about adolescent learners says their behavior shouldn’t be seen as “deviant” or “immature,” but as a “time of possibility.” And this researcher, Ellen Galinsky, has strong feelings about how to address phones and social media in schools.Read a partial transcript and see show notes at Ed…

1
High School Students Want Answers Before Heading to Campus (Doubting College, Ep. 4) 25:44

6M ago25:44

25:44

Today’s high school students are asking more skeptical questions about whether to go to college, or when to go. For this week’s podcast, we visited a career fair at one public high school to ask about the changing ways that high school counselors and education leaders are presenting those choices, and what these students think about their options.…

1
#31 Dopamine, Gamification, AI and the Right Tool for the Job with Thor Prichard 43:23

6M ago43:23

43:23

In this episode we dive deep into the intersections of technology, education, and cognitive psychology with Thor Prichard of Clarity Innovations. This week, Thor Prichard joins us to discuss his role at Clarity Innovations, where he and his team design tech solutions that enhance educational practices. Thor draws on his personal experiences with of…

1
Can ‘Linguistic Fingerprinting’ Guard Against AI Cheating? 47:03

6M ago47:03

47:03

Some educators are trying a different approach to guarding against AI cheating — a “linguistic fingerprinting” technique that borrows a page from the playbook of criminal investigations.By EdSurge Podcast

1
A Scholar Hopes to Diversify the Narrative Around Undocumented Students 47:33

6M ago47:33

47:33

Felecia Russell was born in Jamaica but moved to Los Angeles as a kid. It wasn’t until she started to apply for college that she learned that she was undocumented, which she worried could derail her dreams. She tells her story in a new book, “Amplifying Black Undocumented Student Voices in Higher Education,” which she hopes will help “diversify the…

1
#30 Empathy Across Continents with Shared Studios' Virtual Portals 44:37

6M ago44:37

44:37

In this episode of "Why Distance Learning," we delve into the transformative role of Shared Studios' immersive technology in global education. Our guests, Dr. Brandon Ferderer, Head of Programming at Shared Studios, and Ross Phillips, a dedicated social studies teacher from Winnacanet High School, discuss the impact of full-body virtual interaction…

1
Why a New Teaching Approach is Going Viral on Social Media (Encore Episode) 1:06:19

6M ago1:06:19

1:06:19

When a professor’s research showed that standard methods of teaching problem-solving weren’t working, he set out to figure out what led to more student thinking. His resulting approach is spreading through classrooms, helped by teachers sharing examples on social media. This is a reissue of an episode that first ran in November.…

1
#29B Special Episode: Why Distance Learning? with Tsai Hsing Students 16:31

7M ago16:31

16:31

As a companion to episode #29A - Teaching Culture Across Cultures with Wendy Lee - this episode features six seventh-grade students from Tsai Hsing School in Taipei, Taiwan. Each student responds to the question, "Why Distance Learning?" The students are part of a daily distance learning program called Learning Live, a collaboration between Tsai Hs…

1
Whatever Happened to Building a Metaverse for Education? 43:46

7M ago43:46

43:46

Two years ago the metaverse was getting all the buzz in education circles (and hardly anyone was talking about AI). We checked back in with two educators at the forefront of building a virtual realm for education to see where they see things going now that the hype has faded.By EdSurge Podcast

1
#29A Teaching Culture Across Cultures with Wendy Lee 44:07

7M ago44:07

44:07

We welcome Wendy Lee from Tsai Hsing School in Taipei, Taiwan who discusses the multifaceted roles of local teachers in a global distance learning language program called Learning Live. She highlights the challenges and responsibilities these educators face daily, emphasizing their need to be detail-oriented, capable of multitasking, and flexible t…

1
How VR Can Be an ‘Empathy Machine’ for Education 51:53

7M ago51:53

51:53

The biggest reason to use VR in education is to tap into a student’s emotional response through immersive experiences, argues Maya Georgieva, director of The New School’s Innovation Center and a leading voice about where VR is headed. Hear her insights in this new interview. Find more details and show notes at: https://www.edsurge.com/news/2024-04-…

1
Is It Time for a National Conversation About Eliminating Letter Grades? 43:10

7M ago43:10

43:10

There’s a growing movement to drop letter grades in favor of new systems that focus on mastery of material rather than chasing points. But opponents worry about losing rigor. A new book hopes to start a national conversation about the issue.More details and show notes at: https://www.edsurge.com/news/2024-04-02-is-it-time-for-a-national-conversatio…

1
#28 Rethinking Time and Space in Education with Jen Sayre 42:15

7M ago42:15

42:15

In this episode, the WDL crew welcomes Jen Sayre, Director of Applied Technology at Fairfield County ESC, Ohio. They delve into the essence of high-quality online learning experiences and the genesis of InnevAto EDU, a comprehensive online course catalog for grades 6-12. Jen shares inspiring stories of students who leveraged online learning to chas…

1
Could AI Give Civics Education a Boost? 56:03

7M ago56:03

56:03

Social studies has been ‘deprioritized’ for decades, in favor of STEM fields, according to some educators. Could AI essay grading help improve the quality of civics and social studies education in schools?By EdSurge Podcast

1
#27 Valary Oleinik is the Gateway to Gamification 37:54

8M ago37:54

37:54

Valary Oleinik describes herself as part artist, part geek, and wholly dedicated to enhancing live virtual learning experiences. Her unique approach, blending curiosity, gameful experiences, and technology, positions her as a key influencer and innovator in the field. Valary's dedication to breaking traditional education molds is evident as she exp…

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