The Learnerspace Conversations

Of the many retrograde pedagogical practices that we still engage in at schools, assessment is probably the most flagrantly outdated. By virtue of how we assess and grade, we explicitly violate almost every principle that we hold dear for building the future of learning. Join us as Dr. Thomas Guskey, author of more than 25 books and one of the world´s foremost experts in assessment, helps us makes sense – or not – of this egregious paradox.

Opera singer and director, neuroscientist, science communicator and creativity expert, Dr. Indre Viskontas guides us through her fascinating journey at the intersection of disciplines that are seemingly unrelated but that could very well be the key to unlock deeper learning at schools.

Technology revolutionizing education is probably the most blatant of the many unfulfilled promises in education. Join us as Kecia Ray, former president of ISTE, and Will Richardson, author, speaker and global advocate for change, explore how to leverage technology to finally get over the ominously prophetic forecast of more than 30 years ago…

Teaching is one of the most human professions there are, and, yet, teachers´ own inner lives almost never enter the picture in professional development offerings or staff meetings. At this perplexing time, resolving this baffling paradox by reclaiming our humanity may very well be the elusive missing piece in the puzzle for the uncertain future of schools.
Featuring Ben Walden, Christian Plebst and Daniel Vilasetru. 

Imagine if the genie came out of the bottle and could magically grant us a wish for education… That was the final question for each of our guests, and they were all taken aback, not for lack of clarity but by the daunting challenge of narrowing down so much change needed to a single wish. Here are all of their wishes, an inspirational roadmap for the future of learning and a true Christmas gift from them.

Gems of wisdom from our guests – their most quotable clips, a compelling narrative for change in education. Featuring Rosan Bosch. Don Hill, David Gleason, Doug Reeves, Ben Walden, Esther Wojcicki and Erin Gruwell

Gems of wisdom from our guests - their most quotable clips, a compelling narrative for change in education. Featuring Yong Zhao, Mary Burton, Ainsley Rose, Andre Mamprin, Pavel Luksha, Pasi Sahlberg and Judy Willis.

Modern day teacher hero, Erin Gruwell is the legendary Room 203 teacher and bestselling author on whom the 2007 blockbuster movie “The Freedom Writers” was inspired. Join us as Erin shares with us, in a deeply personal conversation, this second and even more inspirational part of the Freedom Writers story, the magic of writing and how, in education, love is all that really matters.

Former lead actor at The Globe Theatre, international speaker, leadership coach, from the stage to the corporate boardroom to the classroom, Ben Walden shares with us his unique perspective on how the current education system is educating the head but not the heart.

Architect, artist, innovator, Rosan has become a global icon for how learning spaces can impact the way we learn. Join us as she shares why we should not only think beyond classrooms, but also understand urgently that our current learning environments prevent us from reimagining change in education.

Dr. David Gleason is a child psychologist who has worked with high performing international schools for many years, and uncovered an inconvenient truth: many children and adolescents are suffering the effects of overscheduling and unreasonable demands on the part of teachers and parents, resulting in unprecedented rates of depression, anxiety and even suicide. Joins us as David explores, in a no holds barred conversation, the hidden costs of a “high quality education” are and what we might do to alleviate them.

Classroom teacher, bestselling author, teacher, entrepreneur in the EdTech industry. Esther Wojcicki is one of the most influential educators of our time, having been called “the Godmother of Silicon Valley”. Join us as she shares her unique take on how to raise successful people, and how there is a simple recipe for being a great teacher and mother.

Award winning author, researcher, international speaker and Mathematics teacher, Doug Reeves has always been one of the most lucid voices in education, and his insights are today more relevant than ever. Join us as Doug shares with us his no-nonsense vision about what works, and, most importantly, what does not work in education and can actually harm children.

A psychoacoustics researcher, trailblazer and pushing the boundary of new media and technology, Don Hill is a both a visionary and a living legend in broadcasting. Join us as he explores the future of media, AI and neuroscience developments, and whether we are, indeed, just living in a simulated scenario.

Neurologist and classroom teacher, Dr. Judy Willis is a true legend, a bestselling author, international speaker and researcher; she is widely recognized as a pioneer in the application of neuroscience to learning. Join us as Judy shares with us the latest findings on neuroscience, their impact on education and how, in this promising field, the best is yet to come.

Pasi Sahlberg is a Finnish educator and bestselling author. He has worked as a schoolteacher, teacher-educator, researcher, and policymaker in Finland and advised schools and education system leaders around the world. In 2013 his book “Finnish Lessons: What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland” won the Grawemeyer Award (USA) for an idea that has potential to change the world. He is currently Professor of Education Policy at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Join us as Pasi shares with us his unique perspective on the world of education and his hopes for students to jumpstart a global movement for an education system that best serves their needs.

Dr. Pavel Luksha is a founder and a director of Global Education Futures initiative, and a Professor of Practice at Moscow School of Management, where he works primarily on the transformation of the higher & professional education sector. Join us as Pavel explores his view on how we are facing a very complex future and how we cannot meet those challenges with simple solutions.

Andre Mamprin is a bold architect of leadership learning, and he loves to distill big ideas. Former Director of Leadership Development at The Banff Centre, cofounder and Director of The Next Institute, Andre has thousands of flight hours interviewing and coaching leaders all over the world. Join us as he shares invaluable insights on the elements of leadership and how leaders can adapt to an ever-changing world.

Ainsley Rose is an experienced educator, author, speaker and consultant. Former Director of Education for the Western Quebec School Board. Join us as Ainsley reflects on a lifetime of inspirational one on one encounters, why education is still stuck in a sort of caste system and how great teachers make great leaders.

Mary Burton is a lifetime civil rights activist. Living in South Africa since 1961, former president of the white women’s resistance organization, the Black Sash, she fought alongside Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and other civil rights pioneers in abolishing apartheid, often at her own personal risk. Join us as Mary reflects on the world today, thinking before acting, and how her own life taught her that the surprising key to change is the attitude of those who enjoy privilege.

Bestselling author and international education reform speaker Yong Zhao joins us to explore how - at last - we can see changes in educational systems.

Yong Zhao is a Foundation Distinguished Professor in the School of Education at the University of Kansas and a professor in Educational Leadership at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education in Australia. He has published over 100 articles and 30 books, served on numerous committees and held many influential academic and advisory positions all over the world.