D2L's Teach & Learn

In this episode of Teach & Learn , host Dr. Cristi Ford is joined by Dr. Phillip Dawson from Deakin University to explore a question many higher education educators are grappling with: how do we assess learning in an AI-shaped world? Rather than offering a quick fix, Dr. Dawson reframes AI and assessment as a “wicked problem”—one without a single solution, clear endpoint or shared definition....

What helps students persist when learning gets hard? In this episode of Teach & Learn, Dr. Emma Zone is joined by Dr. Mitch Colver, Associate Provost for Engagement and Retention at the American Public University System, for a wide-ranging conversation about student success, faculty practice and AI in higher education. Together, they explore the idea of rigor and relief as a paired learning ex...

What happens when AI changes not just how we work, but how we create, learn and define human value? On this episode of Teach & Learn, Dr. Cristi Ford continues the conversation with Laura Zarrow , executive director of the Wharton Generative AI Lab at the University of Pennsylvania , to explore how generative AI is reshaping authorship, education and the future of work. Together, they discuss...

What happens when AI ambition outpaces academic culture? In this special two-part episode of Teach & Learn , host Dr. Cristi Ford sits down with Laura Zarrow , executive director of the Wharton Generative AI Labs (GAIL) at the University of Pennsylvania , to explore the growing divide in higher education. Across campuses, leaders are setting bold AI-first visions. But inside classrooms, facult...

Join Dr. Emma Zone for a conversation with Dr. Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden, co-authors of Innovation-Ish and longtime educators in design and innovation. They explore why creativity declines as learners grow older, how neuromyths shape classroom behaviors, and what educators can do to build environments that support experimentation, problem solving and flexible thinking. You’ll hear how innovati...

There’s an old saying: familiarity breeds complacency. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into everyday work and life, the need to use it thoughtfully and critically is more important than ever.  So why can’t we simply trust that AI outputs are fair, balanced and equitable? Because AI is a co-created system, shaped by what humans make available to it. And since we’re far from...

🎓 What does the education landscape look like in 2026? From artificial intelligence to competency-based education, the future of learning is being shaped by multiple forces. And institutions need to adapt fast. In this episode of Teach & Learn , Dr. Cristi Ford sits down with John Baker (CEO, President and Founder of D2L) to explore how AI, immersive learning and skills-focused strategies are...

What does it take to lead online learning in today’s higher education landscape? In this episode of Teach & Learn , Dr. Cristi Ford sits down with Dr. Thomas Cavanagh and Dr. Jocelyn Widmer, editors of the Chief Online Learning Officer’s Guidebook , to explore how digital learning leadership is evolving—and why this resource is becoming essential for institutions everywhere. From strategic pla...

Is artificial intelligence (AI) just for grading and admin tasks? Not according to Matthew Winters. In this episode of Teach & Learn , Dr. Emma Zone chats with Utah’s first state-level AI education specialist about how AI is helping educators turn creative ideas into impactful, inclusive learning experiences. From personalized support to improved accessibility, AI is becoming a collaborative p...

In this episode of Teach & Learn, Dr. Cristi Ford speaks with Michelle Kassorla, a Georgia State University professor and AI education thought leader who believes it’s time to flip the traditional learning model that is Bloom's Taxonomy.  From AI-generated essays to student-created content that precedes understanding, Kassorla shares how today’s learners are starting with creation—and why...

What happens when real collaboration meets practical innovation? In this episode of Teach and Learn, Dr. Emma Zone sits down with Dr. Julie Schell , Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Technology and Director of the Office of Academic Technology at the University of Texas at Austin , to explore how the University is reimagining personalized education at scale. First, Dr. Schell and her team focuse...

Dr. Cristi Ford and Mychelle Pride (Academic Director at the Open University), kick off our fourth season with a powerful conversation on how AI is reshaping education. From inclusive curriculum tools to adaptive assessments and student success coaches, discover how institutions can use AI to create equitable, personalized learning experiences. Learn why evidence, student agency and co-design are...

In this powerful season finale of Teach & Learn, Dr. Cristi Ford speaks with Isabelle C. Hau—Executive Director at Stanford and author of Love to Learn—about the urgent need to prioritize relational intelligence (RQ) in education.  They discuss: ☑️ How academic readiness is incomplete without relational flourishing. ☑️ Neuroscience and social science research showing that human connection is e...

In this episode of Teach and Learn, Dr. Emma Zone continues the conversation with Dan Fitzpatrick, an international keynote speaker, bestselling author and AI educator, to delve deeper into the transformative role of artificial intelligence in education. Known globally as The AI Educator, Fitzpatrick shares his passion for innovation and technology.  In this second part of this two-part episode, F...

In this episode of Teach and Learn, Dr. Emma Zone sits down with Dan Fitzpatrick, an international keynote speaker, bestselling author and AI educator, to explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Known worldwide as The AI Educator, Fitzpatrick shares his journey from being a high school teacher to becoming a leading voice in AI and education, emphasizing his pa...

In this episode of Teach & Learn, Dr. Cristi Ford sits down with Dr. Sean McMinn, Director of the Center of Education Innovation at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Dr. McMinn shares his insights on the importance of metacognitive awareness in an AI-driven society and provides practical strategies for educators to teach these concepts effectively. Viewers will learn about the ro...

In today’s episode of Teach & Learn, Dr. Cristi Ford sits down with Nathifa Forde, executive director of NYC Her Future , to learn about the various initiatives she’s working on that are aimed at advancing education, workforce development and safety for young women in New York City. They discuss: Nathifa’s journey and the mission of NYC Her Future  NYC Her Future’s partnership and collaboratio...

As AI continues to transform the educational landscape, understanding its impact is crucial for educators. In today's episode, Dr. Cristi Ford welcomes Dr. Angela Gunder, founder and CEO of Opened Culture (OEC), to discuss the multifaceted concept of AI literacies. Dr. Gunder explains the importance of understanding AI beyond its technical aspects, emphasizing the need for educators to grasp...

In this episode, Dr. Emma Zone sits down with Emmy-Nominated edutainment creator Jerry Kolber to talk about making learning fun. Kolber’s work in television and podcasting focuses on blending education with entertainment. This concept, known as edutainment , presents subjects like math and science in more engaging, fun ways. Through storytelling, wacky characters and imaginative scenarios, Kolber’...

In this episode, Dr. Cristi Ford and special guest  Dr. Amber Garrison Duncan, executive vice president and COO at the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN) dive into the skills-forward world of competency-based education (CBE). Together, they explore how this modern approach to learning is revolutionizing education by focusing on skills and competencies delivered at a flexible pace. Dr. Garr...

Figuring out how to use generative AI responsibly at one university campus is challenging enough – what happens when you’re tasked with doing it across 64 of them?  In today’s podcast episode, Dr. Cristi Ford chats with Kim Scalzo, Interim Senior Associate Provost for Digital Innovation and Academic Services at the State University of New York (SUNY). SUNY is in the process of integrating generati...

According to a U.S. News + Generation Lab report , 70% of college students have struggled with mental health since starting college. Despite expressing a need for care, only 37% of survey respondents searched for mental health resources. These findings align with a recent D2L-sponsored Tyton Partners report , which found that only 50% of students are aware of key on-campus services like academic a...

If "all the world's a stage," as Shakespeare believed, then hope should be cast as the lead, argues Dr. Jessica Riddell of Hope Circuits Institute. Riddell contends that hope can transform higher education into spaces where humans can truly flourish. Drawing inspiration from the theater, she introduces a novel approach to integrating hope into systems that are beloved, resilient and...

When the goal is a university degree or diploma from a private institution, learners can bank on a long road ahead. In some cases, the path traveled is straightforward; in other cases, it’s winding with more than a few detours, U-turns and full stops. While different, what these pathways have in common, is the destination.  But, what about low-income learners or those from under-served communities...

There aren’t many people who’d voluntarily pursue a career in a field they grew up disliking. But that’s exactly what Mike Yates did. Now a Senior Designer at the Reinvention Lab at Teach for America, where he leads AI initiatives, Mike joined Dr. Cristi Ford to chat about his experiences growing up as the child of an educator, why he’s so passionate about using technology to improve teaching and...