Podcasts with Host LeiLani Cauthen, Author, Researcher and Thought Leader
Topics may include:
Education Legislation Change; Trends Analysis; Balancing AI with Humanities; Schooling Alpha Generation; Future Learning Structures; Any EdTech; UI/UX for Learning; “Science of” Curriculum; Tech Model Architectures; Hybrid Logistics; Networks; Security; Identity and Privacy; Change Management; Strategy Development; Trends; Research; Organizational Planning; Learner Motivation; Experiential or “Expo” Learning; Leadership & Planning
Unique Perspective
“People don’t know what they want until you show it to them. That’s paraphrasing one of Steve Jobs’ famous quotes. Today in education, there are alternatives to traditional public schools that are not necessarily alternative. Yet the mood of society is practically mutiny against traditional schooling in its aspirations for something different, but to what? They don’t know. Certainly, a lot of school leaders think they know, but often the evidence is in their practice that they don’t really see how things should work today in teaching and learning because of tech.
Are we understanding everything we need to about true structural shift away from the industrial age models? Choice is no choice at all if you don’t understand structure and, particularly, the fact that tech changes everything. It’s not the individual devices and bits of software or the teacher’s practice, it’s the sum of the effect, and more interestingly, which technology or logistics or trend reckoning or teaching method is missing and unapplied.
The most important thing is to talk about, to show, the actual future."
Listen in as LeiLani hosts talks with both education and tech company leadership, presenting a unique perspective from her background as a researcher, author, technology developer and strategist.
The Importance of Coherence in Classrooms
This podcast episode focused on the importance of coherence in classrooms and the integration of AI tools in education, featuring Sari Factor, Vice Chair and Chief Strategy Officer of Imagine Learning, and Jason Fournier, Senior Vice President of Product Design and AI. The discussion explored how curriculum-informed AI can support teachers by providing targeted resources and feedback while maintaining educational coherence, rather than relying on generic LLMs. Sari and Jason explained their company's approach of building AI tools directly into their platform to reduce teacher workload and cognitive load, with features like computer-adaptive quizzes and targeted tutoring based on student misconceptions. The conversation also addressed the tension between providing structured, coherent curriculum resources and allowing for teacher customization, particularly given the current pressure on educators and the challenges of implementing new technologies in classrooms. (Podcast and Videocast available)
The Multi-Faceted Role for AI in School Choice Expansion
Listen in as LeiLani and Shaka Mitchell, Nashville-based lawyer, facilitator and national leader in education reform policy discuss the school choice expansion and the many different roles that AI is playing in the expansion.
The Key to a School’s Competitive Relevancy
Schools must be in sync with Millennial parents and their Alpha Generation children with mobile communications that drive a sense of community spirit while increasing student recruitment and retention. The landscape of schooling has scattered into a multitude of options, especially with 29 States and Washington D.C. having at least one type of school choice program that includes vouchers. Find out how the right tech reduces everyone’s frustration and establishes a digital home, so your school is the choice made.
AI and Instructional Excellence: Crafting High-Quality Learning Experiences
AI is advancing rapidly, but not all applications lead to better learning. There’s a big difference between flashy, generative AI and the kind of AI that fuels real learning, especially in math. In this episode, Dan Tracy of MIND Education unpacks how thoughtfully designed, neuroscience-based programs can use AI to enhance, not replace, great instruction.
Giving Teachers Time to Teach with Virtual Tutoring
With an epic teacher shortage, schools are turning to tutoring to solve for the 40% mixed ability teaching currently burdening teachers. What are the logistics of adding tutoring, how does it work? What subjects can be covered? Are tutors qualified and how does feedback work? Listen in as LeiLani and Connie Warren, M.Ed., Senior Marketing Manager, BookNook discuss this important topic as schools prepare for even more losses of teachers going into the 2025-26 school year. High-impact tutoring has the potential to solve major problems schools have with both staffing and driving achievement for all learners.
7 Keys to High-Quality Math Instruction
In this episode, we welcome Dan Tracy, a leading expert in mathematics education at MIND Education. Dan shares his insights on one of the biggest challenges in achieving high-quality math instruction: shifting from a procedural approach to conceptual understanding that fosters deep mathematical thinking.
Dan and LeiLani, explore how to create a math class full of discussion, experimentation, and trial and error, with teachers facilitating learning and challenging students with thought provoking questions. Whether you're working with individual students, leading professional development, or shaping district-wide initiatives, these 7 keys will provide a clear roadmap for positive change, and selecting a high-quality math curriculum. (Audio and Video versions available)
Architecting the Future of Edtech Infrastructure
With at least seven thousand educational software publishers in America, including libraries of discrete digital objects, systems, courseware, and various single-function apps, there is a lot to consider in terms of how it could all work together. Meet Beatriz Arnillas, a life-long educator who concerns herself with the future of infrastructure at the 1EdTech Foundation. 1EdTech and it’s Foundation advocates for edtech interoperability, and the building of an open, trusted, and innovative ecosystem that makes edtech use better for everyone. Listen in as Beatriz and LeiLani discuss what is meant by an efficient ecosystem and other topics such as the changing landscape of skill students need as AI comes into play.
Closing Math Learning Gaps: Data-Driven Instruction
Math scores are down, and kids are still struggling at pre-pandemic levels, according to NAEP. District leaders need a solution now. In this episode, we tackle this issue head-on. Join us as we dive deep into practical actionable strategies you can implement immediately to address these challenges. We speak with Brandon Smith, a leading math expert on Neuroscience learning at MIND Education, about how to pinpoint specific learning gaps using readily available data, design targeted interventions, and monitor student progress effectively. This isn't just theoretical - we discuss real-world examples of how data-driven instruction has led to significant improvements in math achievement.
If you're a district leader, principal, curriculum director, or math coach concerned about student math performance, this episode is a must-listen. We provide concrete steps you can take today to start closing the math gaps and get students back on track.
Future Casting Edtech’s Trajectory in K12
What does research show is really happening with declining student learning? Brian Shaw, CEO of Discovery Education, joins LeiLani to discuss what he’s been seeing and what it has meant to drive new software development. For one thing, Brian talks about what parents want for their learners today is different than it used to be. Listen in to meet Brian and hear what is going down in charting new directions to create the opportunities for K12 learners, both helpful for learners and desired by parents, that K12 educators should know about.
Better Human Teaching Connection
Join LeiLani as she discusses an oft-overlooked arena of classroom modernization – instructional audio. If you’ve ever been that learner at the back of the room with a teacher or presenter you can hardly hear, or who continues speaking while they are turned towards a presentation so their voice is now muffled, you can get an idea of the importance of this discussion. Tony Zeikle, Sr. VP of Revenue at Lightspeed Technologies joins LeiLani in talking about this tech area and repercussions to learning, to teachers’ vocal cords, and the quality of the experience when listening is fully engaged. He makes many comments about how it elevates the human side of teaching and learning. Don’t miss the part about instant security and safety alerts because the teacher is wearing this technology and can respond with lightning quickness in times of need in classrooms.