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.

Shaping Tomorrow: The Evolving Role of Math in Our World

As we prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow, math education must evolve to meet their needs. In this podcast, we’ll explore the shifting role of math in our world and discuss how innovative approaches like game-based and visual learning are shaping the future of math education. Discover how neuroscience informs these innovations and engage students, foster critical thinking, and build deep mathematical understanding. Whether you’re looking to improve math outcomes or bring fresh strategies into your district, this conversation will offer valuable insights into selecting the right tools and approaches to ensure your students are ready for tomorrow’s world.

Signal vs. Noise: Building Critical Thinking Skills Amid the Gen-AI Hype

Imagine saving teachers huge amounts of time because they no longer worry about students engaging low-quality information when researching online. Imagine empowering students’ critical thinking skills and reinvigorating their quest for knowledge in every research assignment. Sound like another hyped Gen-AI promise?

On this podcast, meet Jeff Walsh of Sooth.FYI as he introduces a big new idea and product. LeiLani and Jeff have an eye-opening conversation about the alarming state of our information ecosystem and how it’s actually moving away from the needs of our classrooms. If we want students to build their critical thinking skills, they need access to the vast corpus of credible and diverse sources of insights and information out there – not AI answer engines. If we want to prepare students for the future, they need to realize there are complex sides to any given issue – not black and white facts easily summed up into two opposing sides.

As our digital landscape explodes with ever more content (increasingly created by AI), it’s critical we unburden the work of finding signal within the noise so that teachers and students can get down to the edifying tasks at hand: building critical thinking and fostering the human intellect. Listen to LeiLani and Jeff dive into this critical topic of our time and hear about the novel solution that Sooth.FYI is bringing to classrooms. They discuss AI answer engines, internet search, critical thinking, information literacy, polarization, echo chambers, content paywalls, and much more. Don’t miss it.

Teacher Retention Criticality

Meet authors and educators Dr. Joseph Jones, Superintendent of New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District and Dr. T.J. Vari, Senior Director of Product Strategy at Maia Learning.  While on tour for Learning Counsel media, LeiLani met Joseph and T.J. at the regional Baltimore event and learned of their involvement in teacher retention.  Between them, they have written six books and are working on another. Listen in on important points made about the state of play in recruiting and retaining teachers during the epic teacher shortage across America from two folks who have been deeply involved in that work along with another author, Salome Thomas-El.  Don’t miss their books” Retention for a Change: Motivate, Inspire, and Energize your School Culture,” “Building a Winning Team,” “Passionate Leadership: Creating a Culture of Success in Every School”, “7 Mindshifts for School Leaders: Finding New Ways to Think About Old Problems”, “Candid and Compassionate Feedback: Transforming Everyday Practice in School”, and “Invest in Your Best.”

Appropriate Learning Scaffolding Using AI

Join LeiLani and Dr. Ehsan Kattoula, Assistant Superintendent Accountability Division, Cobb County School District in Georgia for a discussion on “Appropriate Learning Scaffolding Using AI.” Dr. Kattoula makes cogent points on how AI will need to be used in schools, what it’s worth will be to learning, and what he means by “scaffolding” learning. Kattoula’s long-time work as an educator and data scientist helping direct this large district’s student management with data has been some of the most forward-thinking in America. His points are well worth the listen.

Trends Impacting the Future of K-12 Education

LeiLani embarks on a discussion with her friend Karl Rectanus, an edtech entrepreneur and former educator with a history of great innovations in the K12 marketspace. Together they bring up what’s at the top of trends and dynamics in K12, starting with what’s happening with AI. Karl’s perspective on what will happen, what’s new and what educators should pay attention to makes for a refreshing listen.

The Power of Thinking in Big Ideas

States like California and Georgia are working on curriculum frameworks that include incorporation of mathematical “Big Ideas.” What are they? Listen in on this podcast with LeiLani and Brandon Smith, the Lead Mathematician and Product Director at MIND Education. The discussion opens about the possibility that mathematics education has been trying to solve the wrong problem in learning, how learning is built, not transferred, and providing insight into the new direction of teaching and learning that could be the watershed moment long hoped for to drive higher achievement. (Audio only and Video version available)