Building a Mobile-First Platform for the Future of Learning with Joel Podolny
27m
·
Trending In Ed
·
Recorded while at the ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, Joel Podolny, CEO and founder of Honor Education, joins host Mike Palmer to explore the importance of human connection in online learning environments. Joel shares his unique background, spanning from academic leadership in sociology and business management to roles at Apple University and Yale, and how these experiences have shaped his perspective on transformative learning. Key Takeaways: Honor Education is focused on creating a platform that puts human connection at the center of online and digitally-enhanced learning experiences, fostering collective engagement and a sense of community among learners. The platform's mobile-first design, with features like social annotation and real-time instructor feedback, aims to recreate the dynamic interactions and connections typically found in physical classrooms, but in an asynchronous and accessible format. As AI continues to evolve, Joel envisions leveraging the platform's high-fidelity engagement data to provide personalized learning recommendations and support, addressing not just content comprehension but also fostering motivation and a sense of belonging for learners. Joel emphasizes that while AI holds immense potential in education, the true driver of meaningful learning remains human connection. He encourages listeners to prioritize fostering authentic connections and collective engagement, regardless of the technological tools employed. Subscribe to Trending in Ed wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on where the world of learning is heading.
The episode Building a Mobile-First Platform for the Future of Learning with Joel Podolny from the podcast Trending In Ed has a duration of
27:59. It was first published
More episodes from Trending In Ed
Making College Possible for Everyone with Dr. Siva Kumari
Mike Palmer and Dr. Siva Kumari, CEO of College Possible, delve into the challenges of making college accessible and attainable for underserved students. We learn about Dr. Kumari's inspiring journey from defying societal norms in India to pursue higher education, to her roles at prestigious institutions like Rice University and the International Baccalaureate. Together, they explore College Possible's innovative model, which pairs AmeriCorps members as near-peer mentors with high school and college students from low-income backgrounds. We gain insights into the organization's data-driven, people-oriented approach, fostering personal connections and providing crucial guidance through the complex college application and transition processes. Key takeaways include: The importance of unlocking "stranded brilliance" by expanding educational opportunities for underrepresented communities. The power of near-peer mentoring in creating a sense of belonging and navigating unfamiliar academic and bureaucratic landscapes. The exciting potential of AI and predictive analytics in streamlining routine tasks, freeing up human coaches to focus on personalized support. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation that sheds light on the barriers and pathways to social mobility through education. Subscribe now to stay tuned for more insightful dialogues on emerging trends, innovative solutions, and the transformative power of learning. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more.
An Eagle's Eye View of AI, Stranded Brilliance, and the Future of Education with Dwayne Matthews
Mike Palmer explores the profound impact of AI on education and the urgency to rethink our approaches with Dwayne Matthews the Founder of TomorrowNow Learning Labs, who offers an "eagle's eye" view of the converging technologies disrupting the learning landscape. We dive into unlocking "stranded brilliance" – how we might leverage AI to democratize access to quality education globally. Dwayne compels us to plan for the "cognitive surplus" emerging from these innovations and strategize ways to harness it for societal good by rejecting the mental model of scarcity and instead embracing the potential of newfound abundance. Key takeaways: We must develop AI literacy and cultivate mindsets resilient to rapid technological shifts Equitable redistribution of devices and connectivity can bridge digital divides Shifting to an "abundance mindset" unlocks creative solutions for inclusive and disruptive economic models Dwayne's vision provokes us to collectively reimagine education beyond traditional constraints. We grapple with potential dark patterns inherent in advertising and social media while spotlighting beacons of hope. Don't miss this future-focused dialogue – it's a catalyst for shaping the positive transformations we want to see in future AI-powered learning ecosystems. Subscribe to Trending in Education wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more sharp takes on the future of education.
The Power of Arts Education and Mentorship with Erica Halverson
Mike Palmer picks the brain of Erica Halverson, a theater artist turned education professor at the top-ranked University of Wisconsin-Madison. She's also the host of the Arts Educators Save the World Podcast. Halverson passionately makes the case that the arts should transform how we approach teaching and learning across all disciplines. Drawing from her background running an arts education non-profit and her current artist residency program called Whoopensocker, Erica stresses the need to uplift and center arts practices in education. She argues this will better prepare students for an uncertain future where skills like innovation, creativity, and comfort with failure will be paramount. Halverson advocates moving away from the model of arts as a separate "specials" class and toward fully integrating an artistic, maker mindset throughout the curriculum. The process of creating and revising creative works can be applied to enhance learning in subjects like math, science and beyond. Key Takeaways: The experiences of art-making should be centered as core to what it means to be human and to care about education. Arts are not just "nice-to-have" but fundamental to teaching and learning. The arts allow a learner asset-focused approach rather than just skills-focused. Making and creating artifacts surfaces expertise and misunderstandings - the essence of learning. Practices like improvisation, collaboration, and embracing failure are vital for good teaching and preparing students for an unsettled future of work. Don't miss this insightful discussion on integrating the arts into education at all levels and advocating for transformative, arts-based learning experiences. Subscribe to Trending in Educationwherever you get your podcasts. Visit us atTrendinginEd.comfor more sharp takes on what’s emerging in the learning universe.
Creating a New Marketplace for Work Experience with Matt Wilkerson
In this engaging episode, Mike Palmer sits down with Matt Wilkerson, the founder and CEO of Extern, to discuss his innovative approach to bridging the gap between education and the workforce. Wilkerson shares his fascinating journey, from his early career aspirations to the pivotal experiences that inspired him to create Extern, a platform that offers remote "Externships" – short-term, structured work experiences designed to equip students with real-world skills and hands-on experience. Through Extern, Matt aims to disrupt the traditional internship model by providing a scalable and accessible solution for students to gain valuable work experience, regardless of their location or background. With a rapidly growing network of corporate partners and a mission to democratize professional opportunities, Extern is poised to revolutionize the way we think about career preparation and the transition from education to employment. Key Takeaways: Extern's "Externships" offer remote, short-term work experiences integrated with structured learning, preparing students for the modern workforce. The platform addresses the supply-demand imbalance in the internship market, providing equitable access to professional opportunities. By leveraging AI and modular learning components, Extern aims to scale its offerings and support a broader range of students. Extern envisions a future where verified work experience through Externships becomes a trusted credential for hiring and career transitions. The company is partnering with higher education institutions and corporations to integrate Externships into curricula and recruitment processes. Tune in to this insightful episode and discover how Extern is reimagining work experience, empowering students, and shaping the future of career preparation. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more insight into where the future of learning is headed.
Helping Folks Finish Up Higher Education with Terah Crews
Host Mike Palmer goes in-depth on the "some college, no degree" crisis with Terah Crews, CEO of ReUp Education. A startling 41 million American adults - roughly 1 in 6 - have some college credits but no degree. Crews powerfully argues that ignoring this population exacerbates enrollment, workforce, and wage gaps across society. ReUp takes an innovative approach, partnering with universities and state governments to re-engage stopout students and support degree completion. Their statewide "marketplaces" centralize these efforts, removing disincentives for student transfers between schools. Crews discusses ReUp's groundbreaking work in New Jersey, having already re-enrolled thousands of students in just the first two terms. The conversation explores AI's impending impact on the workforce, creating urgency to upskill this population. Crews emphasizes higher education must evolve to better serve adult learners through improved user experiences, drawing lessons from intuitive consumer platforms like Amazon. Key Takeaways: 41 million Americans (1 in 6 adults) have some college credits but no degree - a massive crisis ReUp pioneers statewide "marketplaces" to centralize re-engaging and supporting stopout students Urgent need to reskill this population given workforce shifts from AI/automation Higher ed must modernize to provide adult learner-friendly experiences akin to consumer tech Don't miss this insightful discussion tackling one of society's most overlooked yet impactful challenges. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Visit us at TrendinginEd.com for more.