The Learning Experience Lab

Today’s episode features a past, present, and future approach to the topic of educational technology with guest speaker Maria Zając. Maria has been the editor of the edtech journal 'e-mentor', as well as a professor at the Warsaw School of Economics until very recently. After a little background about the development of computers and computer science in Poland, we dive into the educational aspects around the 8-9 minute mark. We ended up talking about the problems faced when integrating technology into classrooms and learning designs, as well as the different teaching approaches needed to make the most of existing technologies.

Right from our very first episode, Glen Wheatley has been supporting the podcast as well as other goings-on at FeedbackFruits. In his work at The University of Adelaide, Glen has been innovating with a number of pedagogic practices designed to facilitate the best course design possible. Most recently, he has been diving into feedback in all its aspects, as something that not only helps students in their communication, collaboration, and conscious thinking about the course, but also has helped Glen to reimagine his own teaching and instructional design. We consider rubrics, assessment, and even look back to intercultural and social aspects of feedback in this conversation. Be sure to check out the full conversation!

Today's conversation with Darren Hood saw us explore the role of design in the learning experience. As a veteran UX/LX designer who made his first webpage in 1995, Darren eats, sleeps and breathes design, and that definitely came through. We touched upon the need for empathy and curiosity in educational design, the similarities between business and education UX, and even looked at the design of FeedbackFruits toolsuite.

Staying focused on feedback, today’s episode takes a different angle on how instructors and faculty design robust learning environments. John and I delve into instructional design in the military versus the classroom, the differentiation of domain-specific feedback practices, and the role and perception of reflection exercises among students and staff. Lastly, we touch upon the increasing prevalence of AI in teaching and think about how and where it can make life easier for students and teachers.

With guest speaker John McCormick.

In one last interview with an old college peer, this episode sees another in-depth discussion about the educational experiences of one student growing up in Korea and Laos. Comparing various cultural encounters and expectations, we talk about competitiveness, Confucius, and communication modes. To finish off, we reflect on teaching and learning styles, and mention the themes and guests featured in the upcoming episodes.

With guest speaker Kevin Nam.

In conversation with two students in the Netherlands, this episode explores the different encounters with feedback in work, school, and wider society. Also on the table are some experiences about social media and learning.

With guest speakers Roan Poppe and Christopher Sling.

Greetings! Today, in this very first episode, I’m going to talk about my own journey into the world of education, and also introduce the topic we’ll be covering in this upcoming series: feedback cultures. Giving, receiving, and processing feedback is inseparable from learning and development, regardless of whether you’re teaching or learning; inside school or outside it. But what are the different ways we encounter this process, and how can we improve it? Tune in and let’s take a look…

With guest speaker Ewoud de Kok.