The Art & Science of Learning

The only way that humans can have a peaceful and collaborative society is by having effective conversations. However, in an increasingly polarized and complicated world, having difficult conversations, that result in deeper understanding, is challenging. It is more important than ever to learn to have constructive conversations. My guest today has extensive experience on this topic, both personall...

For the past three years the Canadian Government has been transforming and modernizing the way Canadian public servants are learning in the workplace. I’m thrilled to have on this episode the individual leading this change to discuss learning in the government context and how to modernize a learning organization that serves a massive and diverse workforce. Taki Sarantakis is the President of the C...

Designing effective and enjoyable online and blended learning experiences requires some particular strategies. In this episode I am speaking to a leader in online and blended learning who works with school districts, state departments of education, colleges and universities and other educational organizations in the United States, to enable them to build successful online and blended programs for...

    Governments are among the most complex organizations to transform in the digital age. Having large and diverse organizations, legacy systems, and established cultures, transformation can be particularly complex. Having effective learning opportunities is an essential component of this transformation as governments and their employees learn new ways of working and creating services for the publ...

  Every year new technologies emerge that have the potential, or claim to have the potential, to revolutionize mathematics education. Countries around the world focus on improving the way mathematics is taught in their schools, and technology often plays a big role in that. However, it is widely recognized that technology does not always have the impact it was hoped to have. The Organisation for E...

  A powerful source of learning and culture in any organization can come from having a well structured and supported learning community. It may be difficult in busy workplaces to prioritize creating and supporting learning communities, but the benefits of doing so are neuromas and can be the glue that holds everything together. To discuss the impact of thriving learning communities and how they ca...

Teaching online requires different strategies and skills than those used in classroom teaching. There are great opportunities in online teaching, but there are also many challenges. To discuss the best practices for making online teaching a success, I am joined by Dr Sarah Krongard , Associate Director, Program Development within the  Professional Education division of the Harvard Graduate School...

Behind technologies that effectively solve real problems, there is a methodical design process. From identifying and defining a problem to creating a solution, the process is critical for good design. To discuss the process involved in developing effective technologies, I am joined by the founder of a successful medical technology start-up that is having significant impact on people with chronic r...

As lifelong learning is becoming an essential component of any successful business, how is business education changing to support that? The two-year MBA (Masters of Business Administration) has been the foundation for many business leaders, but this may be changing. Harvard and Columbia’s business schools are starting to add certificates to their programs. Online learning is also paving the way fo...

There is a commonality among high-quality learning programs, regardless of the medium, type of learning, or audience. Whether it be workplace training, online learning, school curriculum, or children’s educational television, to have an effective and enjoyable learning experience it is critical to develop it on a strong foundation of quality education research and beautiful design. In this episode...

A student’s success in school is determined by a wide spectrum of factors, including family life, relationships, mental health, and school policy. Since the pandemic, there has been a concerning drop in student attainment around the world. Even more concerning is the rising numbers of students being excluded from secondary schools. This exclusion is driven by the school’s reaction to poor behaviou...

  The Shad Canada summer program is a very special and unique learning experience. Talented high school students interested in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) and entrepreneurship go through a rigorous selection process to spend a summer at one of Canada’s 20 participating universities. Throughout the summer the students spend time with professors at that university, learnin...

  What does it take for a young Canadian from Winnipeg to build a successful tech start-up in his home town? Chris Schmidt is the 27-year-old co-founder and CEO of Pluto Ventures, a successful tech company that uses artificial intelligence to revolutionize the way industries understand and account for the physical dimensions of their consumers. Chris founded his first company, a tree banding busin...

Community college is often not the path suggested to students who are seen as being successful in school. But why is this the case? Can that be a lost opportunity? In education it is clear that there is no one-size-fits-all, there are different strategies and approaches needed for different students. Not understanding this causes a lot of challenges and also lost talent and opportunity. To discuss...

The future of work is defined by continuous learning. But how can workplace learning be an effective and enjoyable experience that enriches the organization and the individual? As technology continues to offer new ways of connecting and learning, it is more important than ever to use technology in a human-centered way, creating learning experiences that meet the learning and performance goals of t...

An amazing teacher has the power to change children’s lives and open doors to a brighter future. With knowledge, empathy and creativity a teacher can design the type of learning that brings the best out of their students. Stephen Haff is one such teacher who went beyond the classroom to creating a magical sanctuary for learning. Stephen founded Still Waters in a Storm , a one-room school in Brookl...

Robotics clubs have become a popular way of teaching young people how to program and also a fun way to inspire students into STEM subjects. However, it is not always easy to attract diverse students to robotics and ensure that it is a good learning experience for everyone. In this episode we discuss one inspiring teachers’ experiences and tips to building a successful robotics club.   Marc Aristot...

In an increasingly fast paced world, the ability to learn effectively is the most important skill. Throughout a person’s life they are expected to have several careers, some of which may be unimaginable when they were going to school. Lifelong learning is an essential part of the modern world. But what does lifelong learning really look like? Mostly people take courses or spend time learning a new...

The role of technology in formal educational institutions has been gradually changing over the decades, with a lot of debate on the impact and the way technology should shape teaching and learning in the future. The 2020 pandemic suddenly changed everything. Around the world, from one day to the next, with no preparation or training, millions of educators and students switched to fully online lear...

The role of technology in formal educational institutions has been gradually changing over the decades, with a lot of debate on the impact and the way technology should shape teaching and learning in the future. The 2020 pandemic suddenly changed everything. Around the world, from one day to the next, with no preparation or training, millions of educators and students switched to fully online lear...

With many children spending more than 40 hours every week in front of “screens”, what is the impact of growing up immersed in this media world? Educational media is a growing industry, but there is no regulation for what can be labeled as educational. How can parents and educators identify quality educational material? To discuss the research and practical insights on what good educational media a...

Computer science skills are in high demand and teaching children from a young age has become a priority for many countries. As computer science is becoming a part of the core curriculum, and equipping more children with computer science skills a priority, there are several challenges that emerge with respect to equity and participation. Dr. Laura Larke is a postdoctoral associate and teaching fell...

Some of the most advanced learning technologies are used in training healthcare professionals. However, healthcare professionals working in rural areas of low- and middle-income countries often don’t have access to such resources. What does workplace learning look like for healthcare workers in some of the world’s most underserved communities? How can their learning experience be improved so they...

The early years of a child’s life are a critical developmental period. The interactions a child has with adults in these early years can shape how they develop, perceive themselves, and also how they interact with others throughout their life. Understanding the research in the field of Child Development is an important part of developing the strategies and approaches that have the most beneficial...

When you think about a school, you most likely think of it as a place where students learn. However, for students to have the best learning experience, teachers also need to continuously improve their skills. Like other professionals, teachers need to be given quality resources, support, and time to continuously update their skills. There is a wealth of knowledge that can be gained from the practi...