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 partner in the classroom—helping teachers reach individual learners and bring bold ideas to life.&n...

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 educators must rethink scaffolding, assessment and agency. You’ll hear how friction fuels critic...

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 focused on the foundation—developing a thoughtful framework grounded in pedagogy, ethics and data privacy...

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 key to the future of teaching and assessment. They discuss: ☑️ Open University’s pioneering work...

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 essential for learning and lifelong success. ☑️ The importance of early childhood developmen...

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, Fitzpatrick expands on the practical applications of AI in education, from resource creation ...

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 passion for innovation and technology. In the first of this two-part episode, Fitzpatrick sha...

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 role of AI as a copilot in the learning process and discover innovative approaches to integrating A...

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 collaboration with NYC Public Schools Disparities that young women face when it comes to education, e...

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 how AI influences collaboration, innovation and learner engagement. They discuss the eight key dimen...

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’s creations are helping to capture attention, spark curiosity and ignite the joy of learning for k...

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. Garrison Duncan shares insights on the collaboration between educational institutions, employers...

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 generative AI across all 64 of its campus locations. Dr. Ford and Scalzo discuss the challenge...

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 and career advising, financial aid, and mental health counseling.It's clear we’re edging closer and ...

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 broken. Join Dr. Riddell and host Dr. Emma Zone as they explore how hope can be actioned to rewire univers...

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 who are less likely to consider pursuing higher education from a private university? What c...

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 learning and why he believes all educators should be actively engaging with AI tools. In thi...

We are living in an increasingly digital world where nearly everything we do generates data. This information can be used to come to profound and impactful decisions that create tremendous benefits—but only if we can interpret, understand and put the insights to use. The trouble is that although many of us are data-aware, we're far from data-literate. And for the data-driven world of today, and the data-saturated world of the future, our next guest says that's not good enough. Instituti...

As the debate over whether a post-secondary degree is worth it rages on, higher ed institutions are seeking solutions that can help them attract and retain new students. Enter data-driven decision making. When done properly, a well-executed data and analytics strategy can positively impact both student and institutional success. Universities and colleges that can properly harness and analyze their data to gain insights into the needs of students and faculty will have a competitive edge over t...

What if you were asked to incorporate climate action into your existing curriculum? Would you respond with: “I’m not a climate scientist,” and follow up with “what does climate have to do with what I teach?” It may sound odd, but whether you teach calculus, drama, or beginner Spanish, our podcast guest says ALL courses are climate courses—period. Many of us experience feelings of anxiety or hopelessness when we hear the words "climate crisis." Knowing that the best way to stave off desp...