Agile Ed

In this episode of Agile Ed, a rant about inconsistent Starbucks service opens into a much bigger conversation about inconsistency in teaching and learning. From customer service and classroom culture to grading, feedback, trust, and workload, we explore what happens when educators say they value care, flexibility, and community but design courses in ways that send very different messages. Along t...

In this episode of Agile Ed , we start with habits and end up somewhere much bigger: student learning, perfectionism, and what sustainable teaching really requires. From Duolingo streaks and guitar practice to classroom trust and unfinished assignments, we explore why all-or-nothing thinking can be so damaging and why relationships, scaffolding, productive failure, and intrinsic motivation matter...

Agile Ed doesn't do intros. No theme music. No “Welcome back to Agile Ed.” No polished setup. Just a cold open... In this episode, we’ve stitched together the beginnings of our conversations—the first thoughts, the unfinished sentences, the ideas that land before we even know where we’re going. It turns out, the start is often where the most honest thinking happens. This is the Cold Open Reel: a c...

In this episode of Agile Ed , we explore a simple but often overlooked truth about teaching and learning: relationships come first. Sustainable teaching practices aren’t built on tighter policies, heavier surveillance, or increased rigor. They’re built on trust. When classrooms are relationship-rich, instructors can step back from over-functioning, learners can take intellectual risks, and product...

In the Season 3 premiere of Agile Ed, we begin with a question: What if students could time travel? This idea, sparked by a physics concept called a “time mirror”, is a powerful metaphor for the current state of learning in post-secondary education. While students can’t literally travel through time (yet!), they can use technology to take shortcuts. These shortcuts allow them to skip the friction...

Just a bunch of silly outtakes from our second season of AgileEd.

In the Season 2 finale of Agile Ed, we reflect on one of the most persistent—and problematic—assumptions in education: that obedience equals learning. Through stories from parenting, teaching, and course design, we explore why curiosity, autonomy, and relational trust matter more than compliance. The episode closes by tracing a clear through-line across the season—relationship-rich education—and s...

In this episode of Agile Ed , Lindsay and Ashley dig into the tension between rigor and real learning . Using stories from the classroom, like lab reports and in-class participation, they explore why the word “rigor” so often becomes a stand-in for unnecessary friction, mistrust, and outdated academic traditions. Together, they reframe what higher education should strive for: resilience, intrinsic...

In this episode of Agile Ed , Lindsay and Ashley unpack what it means to balance agility and sustainability in course design while keeping student motivation at the center. From guitars and Duolingo streaks to flipped classrooms and collaborative exams, they explore how timing, autonomy, and friction shape durable learning. Together, they reflect on an instructor who co-created a “no-tech” classro...

In this episode of Agile Ed , Lindsay and Ashley return—baby in tow—for a conversation that jumps from maternity leave to GenAI and learning. Together, they unpack the release of Perplexity’s Comet , an “agentic AI” browser that doesn’t just chat—it acts. From finding lost Facebook videos to completing quizzes in Brightspace, Lindsay shares jaw-dropping demos that reveal both the promise and peril...

- "Because brains weren’t built for busywork." In this episode of Agile Ed, we unpack one of the most persistent misconceptions in education today: that students using GenAI are just lazy. What if laziness isn’t the problem, but a feature of the human brain? We explore how our cognitive systems are wired for efficiency, why critical thinking should be the real focus, and how AI can actua...

In this episode of Agile Ed, we tackle one of the most pressing—and emotionally charged—questions facing educators today: Why should students bother doing their own work when it feels like everyone else is offloading to AI and getting better grades? We unpack why it's our job to answer that question, and how we can do it convincingly, compassionately, and consistently. We reflect on what students...

In this episode of Agile Ed , we share preliminary data from our ongoing research into how and why students are using GenAI in higher education. Instead of focusing solely on policy or detection, we explore what it means to take a student-centred approach to the GenAI challenge. From misaligned assessments to fears of academic failure, we uncover the motivations driving student decisions and refle...

In this episode of Agile Ed, step into our conversation as we open with reflections from a recent talk that challenged how we think about the skills that make us successful learners and wrestle with the growing disconnect between how learning is measured and how it's experienced. We unpack the realities of co-creating AI policies with students, explore how and why students shift their behaviour mi...

In this episode of Agile Ed , we reflect on the complexity of trying to do what’s best for learners—especially when it isn’t easy, efficient, or always appreciated. We both share real stories from the classroom about showing up for students, thinking on our feet, and making space for deeper engagement, even when motivation is low. From grading in the presence of students to exploring the link betw...

In this episode of Agile Ed , we tackle the growing tension educators face as student use of GenAI becomes more normalized—and less distinguishable. From the emotional toll of reading AI-generated reflections to the challenge of designing non-disposable assessments, we explore what’s lost when authenticity gives way to efficiency. We talk about instructor workload, student motivation, and the ethi...

How does the way we were taught influence the way we teach? In this episode of Agile Ed, we unpack the tension between traditional teaching ideals and modern, learner-centred approaches. Reflecting on the shift from 'sage on the stage' to active learning environments, we discuss how discomfort often accompanies change—but also drives innovation in education. Join us as we navigate the comp...

Welcome to Season 2 of Agile Ed ! In this premiere episode, Lindsay and Ashley dive into reflections from the break and insights from the new semester. They tackle topics ranging from navigating the complex emotions surrounding student evaluations to the evolving challenges of assessments in a GenAI-influenced academic landscape. With candid anecdotes, actionable strategies, and a focus on maintai...

Just a bunch of silly outtakes from our first season of AgileEd.

In Episode 11 of Agile Ed , we wrap up 2024 by reflecting on the year’s challenges and successes while looking ahead to 2025. We start with an honest conversation about work-life balance and the evolving demands on educators, exploring how to set boundaries and sustain energy for what matters most. From grading practices to fostering meaningful feedback, this episode also unpacks strategies to sup...

In Episode 10 of Agile Ed, we finally dive into how GenAI tools like custom GPTs can transform the way we approach our work as educators. Sharing a real-life example, we recount how a custom GPT acted as an “intern”, helping Lindsay streamline her course redesign. This episode highlights the potential of GenAI to simplify workflows and support flexibility while prioritizing equity. Most importantl...

In Episode 9 of Agile Ed , we explore how generative AI is reshaping the way educators and students approach learning, critical thinking, and assessment. From uncovering implicit biases in AI systems to fostering nuanced conversations about its capabilities and limitations, this episode highlights the ethical and practical considerations educators face when integrating AI into their work. Join us...

In Episode 8 of Agile Ed , we tackle the limitations of traditional multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and explore how they can be reimagined to guide learning. Often prioritizing recognition and familiarity over reasoning and understanding, MCQs perpetuate a narrow view of student success. Through practical strategies and innovative design, this episode examines how educators can transform testing...

In this second part of the "5 Stages of Grief with GenAI" series, we discuss the final stage of acceptance and what it might look like in our work. From reflecting on the historical roots of AI, such as the Eliza effect, to examining some of the ways acceptance manifests - through integration,  neutrality, and adaptation - this episode dives into the nuances of working with AI rather than against...

In this first of a two-part episode, Dr. Lindsay Richardson and Dr. Ashley Thompson discuss the emotional journey educators are experiencing as they adapt to the rapidly evolving role of GenAI in education. Framing this shift within the stages of grief, we explore the initial denial, anger, bargaining, and depression we have both experienced and seen in our colleagues, sharing authentic stories of...