Teachers' Voices

In this bonus episode, Nina celebrates International Day of Education with former science teacher, Sarah Horley. Sarah is Programme Manager from Teachers for the Planet, a program that aims to improve climate change education. Teachers for the Planet are showcasing teacher-led climate change education solutions. Three of the teachers showcased in the Teachers for the Planet repository share their...

Why is education important for conflict-affected children? How are teachers in conflict zones using EdTech? Can EdTech adapt to children’s changing learning conditions and help them to thrive? In this episode, Nina talks to Jasmine Turner and Olena Onyshchenko from War Child about the EdTech solution Can’t Wait to Learn. Talking to Nina from Uganda, Researcher Jasmine explains that Can’t Wait to L...

In this episode, Nina talks to two experts from International Baccalaureate (IB) in Washington DC. Nicole Bien, Chief Schools Officer at IB, tells Nina that since the start of the pandemic, the IB has ensured wellbeing is at the core of the learning experience in their schools. “Wellbeing is so central to learning. Without it, there’s little space in a student’s mind and body to focus on learning”...

What are children around the world learning about looking after finances and other resources? What should be in a financial and social education curriculum? How can teachers involve parents in discussions on these topics? In this episode, Nina talks to two experts from Aflatoun, an international organisation based in the Netherlands that brings financial and social education to children worldwide....

In episodes 2 and 3 of Teachers’ Voices season 3, Nina explored lots of questions about AI in the classroom. What are teachers’ concerns about AI, and what opportunities do they see? How can AI adapt to individual students? And how can teachers take a human-centred approach to AI? This special mini episode briefly introduces some AI resources that might help in the classroom. Nina hears from Harve...

How can AI adjust learning materials and feedback to the needs of individual students? How can teachers make sure that the human element is kept? In this episode, Nina speaks to Inge Molenaar, director of the National Education Lab AI in the Netherlands (NOLAI). Inge is a Professor in Behavioral Science who specialises in the interface between education and technology. Inge tells Nina how AI can h...

What are the main concerns that teachers have about artificial intelligence in the classroom? What opportunities does AI open up for students? How can AI focus on automation while helping humans do what they’re best at? In the second episode of Teachers’ Voices season three, Nina speaks to Stefania Druga, Principal Researcher at the Center of Applied AI Research at the University of Chicago. Stefa...

Welcome to the first episode in the third season of Teachers’ Voices. In this episode, Nina talks to Stefania Giannini, the UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, in Paris. Stefania tells Nina that “education must be protected from all the threats around it, including climate change.” Education is also part of the solution, she says. Hear Stefania describe the four pillars of UNESCO’s Gr...

Teachers are one of the most influential and powerful forces for equity, access and quality in education. They provide children with the knowledge, skills, attitude and tools needed to reach their full potential. Join Nina Alonso for the third season of the podcast in which she shares powerful stories from teachers around the world, talking in their own words about their own experiences. Every epi...

Join educational researcher Nina Alonso for this podcast series as she shares powerful stories from teachers around the world, talking in their own words about their own experiences.  In the previous episode of Teachers’ Voices, Nina heard from four inspiring guests about connecting children to nature so that it becomes more central in their learning and development. In this special mini episode,...

What is the role of nature in children’s learning and development? How are schools around the world connecting children to nature? In this episode, Nina talks to Luis Alberto Camargo, a social entrepreneur who specialises in nature-based education. Luis tells Nina about the scientific research exploring the role of nature in children’s wellbeing. Nina also speaks to Joaquin Leguia, the founder of...

How can educators take some of the stress and anxiety out of mathematics? In this episode, Nina talks to Lindsey Richland, Associate Professor at the University of California, Irvine. Lindsey talks about the importance of teaching methods that incorporate reasoning skills. Nina also speaks to Dror Dotan, Head of the Mathematical Thinking Lab at Tel Aviv University, who describes the different know...

How can education be transformed so that all children, including the most underprivileged, have access to learning?  In this episode, Nina talks to Armando Ali in Kenya about organisations promoting children’s foundational learning across Africa, South Asia, and South America. Nina also hears from Francis Bizoza about accelerated learning interventions that help children catch up with foundational...

In this special mini episode, teachers from Qatar, Mexico, and Nigeria share resources and recommendations for other educators. Guests Aljawhara Aladba from Teach For Qatar Isaac Galindo from Enseña por México Ganiyat Muritala Wuraola from Teach For Nigeria Resources and recommendations Teachers Pay Teachers Twinkl Socrative Kahoot! Freedom Writers The Ron Clark Story Contact Join us on social med...

How can educators develop leadership mindsets in the classroom? What impact does this have on student agency, wellbeing, self-confidence, connections with others and also academic mastery? In this episode, Nina talks to Robbie Dean, Director of Research, Evaluation, and Network Learning at Teach For All. Robbie explains how Teach For All developed a framework to support teachers to develop leaders...

How can educators and caregivers better understand the needs of students who particularly struggle to stay engaged in a world full of distractions? Does allowing choice in the classroom better support the differing needs of all students? Why is teacher-family communication and collaboration so crucial for children who need extra support? In this episode, Nina talks to teachers around the world abo...

What impact does distractibility have on learning and development? How can digital tools help students manage digital distractions? What makes a supportive learning environment for students with ADHD? In this episode, Nina Alonso speaks to Assistant Professor Melissa Dvorsky about the impact of distractibility on learning and development. Melissa also discusses the rise of digital education during...

In this special mini episode, Nina celebrates World Teachers’ Day with a bonus episode of Teachers’ Voices. Listen for inspirational stories together with quick practical ideas and resources that educators and researchers have shared.  Guests Teachers Maree Karaka Ingrid Delange Monica Bhimwal Azmin Mistry Researchers Sarah Richardson and Sladana Krstic from the Australian Council for Educational...

Why are curiosity and creativity so relevant for all learning? Can curiosity in the classroom be measured? How can researchers and educators work together to develop teaching strategies that encourage children to embrace creativity? Nina Alonso welcomes Sarah Richardson and Sladana Krstic from the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) who have been conducting research in collaboration...

How can teachers promote gender equality? How easy is it to start challenging stereotypes in the classroom? Can gender responsive pedagogies help break down the barriers holding girls back? In this episode, two educators, from Zambia and Paraguay, share their stories of challenging stereotypes, and encouraging and empowering girls in the classroom. Nina also talks to Christina Kwauk, a social scie...

Today’s episode is a collaboration with Sophie Bailey, from the Edtech podcast. Nina and Sophie explore the theme of collaborative learning using education technology.  How are researchers collaborating with children to co-design new technology? What’s the role of teachers in working with technology? How can technology be utilised in more challenging teaching environments? To find out more, Nina a...

In this special mini episode of Teachers’ Voices, Nina Alonso recaps some of the resources her guests have shared with her so far this season. With a particular focus on teachers working to engage their students with environmental issues at local and global levels, listen in for tips, resources and sources of inspiration. Guests Terry Godwaldt is on Twitter and Linkedin . Manuela Valentim is on Tw...

Climate change can be an overwhelming concept for young people. But perhaps it can be made easier to understand and relate to by demonstrating local impacts and showing students how young people all over the world are dealing with similar issues.  How does youth activism support learning opportunities? What are the components of learning that best support ‘green life skills education’? How are tea...

How can we help young people find their voices through activism and collaboration? And why is this an important element of education? In this episode, Nina explores the many benefits that come from supporting youth activism – from building leadership skills to promoting empathy.  While each guest has a different international perspective – they are based in India, Canada and Trinidad – all three w...

Why is it so important to take a holistic approach to young people's sense of self? Nina explores how educators can be the connection between children, nature and the wider society with the aim of creating a community of learning. In this episode, two teachers, from Portugal and Japan, share how their work enables them to support collaborations between students, schools and communities to hel...