Episode 39: ChatGPT and Beyond - Teaching in the AI Era
EdFix
, Professor of Educational Technology at George Washington University, describes artificial intelligence (AI) as computational tools that can do things that, until recently, we thought only humans could do. He believes that platforms such as ChatGPT bring both groundbreaking opportunities and ethical considerations to education. To embrace the reality of AI in our classrooms, he advocates for a shift in teaching and assessment strategies so we can foster the critical thinking skills needed for success in the digital age. [ is available on EdFixPodcast.com.]
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Episode 38: Can Standardized Tests Bridge the Equity Gap?
EdFix
As President and CEO of ETS (Educational Testing Service), is keenly aware of the growing concern over the perceived value of education and standardized testing. To address these challenges, he is leading a transformation at ETS towards a more human-centric approach, with a focus on educator solutions, global mobility, and professional credentialing. And he believes that crafting assessments that showcase skills in new ways, backed by rigorous research, can help break the cycle of entrenched inequalities in education and open up new avenues of opportunity in the workforce. [ is available...
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Episode 37: Policy Perspectives and Possibilities - A Conversation with Jack Jennings
EdFix
For nearly three decades, Jack Jennings was the foremost expert on education policy in the U.S. House of Representatives. His legacy spans some of the most significant legislative initiatives, including the Elementary and Secondary Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Higher Education Act. After leaving Congress, Jack founded and led the Center on Education Policy, a nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank focused on the improvement of public schools. In this fascinating conversation, Jack shares his reflections on bipartisanship, the effects of our Federalist system, and a...
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Episode 36: Community Colleges - America’s Hidden Economic Engines?
EdFix
Community colleges welcome learners of all backgrounds and ages with low-cost tuition and open admission policies. According to , co-author of , these institutions are also extremely well-suited to forge strategic partnerships with industry leaders, skillfully addressing the demands of local labor markets. Through these collaborations, students, employers, and the community reap the rewards of tailored skill development programs. Yet community colleges often face inadequate funding for these kinds of initiatives. Bob advocates for increased recognition and investment in such alternative...
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Bonus Episode 35: The End of Affirmative Action in Admissions? Experts Explore the Implications for Higher Education
EdFix
In October of 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court heard two cases challenging race-conscious admissions at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. As a result, most people expect the court’s ruling to end affirmative action policies, significantly affecting the way universities consider an applicant’s race during the admissions process. In this extended bonus episode, esteemed experts , Deputy Director of the National Academy of Education, and , Professorial Lecturer of Public Policy at the George Washington University and Nonresident Scholar at Georgetown University's McCourt...
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Episode 34: From Virtual to Victorious - The Remarkable Success of an Online High School
EdFix
How does an online secondary school establish a reputation as a legitimate and academically challenging institution? And can we really foster personal connections–so important to youth development–in a virtual environment? Join us as Head of School Alison Mistretta, Associate Head of School Maria Coyle, and GW Professor Michael Corry unveil the striking success story of the . They share insights into overcoming skepticism around the quality of virtual learning, meeting the social and emotional needs of high school students, and furthering knowledge to improve the field of online...
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Episode 33: Teaching Difficult History in Troublesome Times
EdFix
Can the lessons from history challenge today's students to stand up to bigotry and hate? If so, are there resources for teachers that can facilitate productive conversations about heavy headlines? Abby Weiss and Dimitry Anselme, from the non-partisan organization , discuss the professional development and rigorous content that educators need to help young people wrestle with these moments, talk across differences, and understand their place in a complicated world. [ is available on EdFixPodcast.com]
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Episode 32: A Scientist's Take on Education Research
EdFix
believes that education research is as crucial as research in the “hard” sciences—a surprising perspective coming from the Editor-In-Chief of the Science family of journals, a chemist by training, and former Chancellor of UNC Chapel Hill. He warns that scientists' tendencies to emphasize facts and memorization has led to a lack of appreciation for the critical role of pedagogy and a public misunderstanding of how knowledge is produced. These oversights have real-world implications, from the politicization of curricula in AP courses to the spread of misinformation about climate change...
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Episode 31: A Solution to the COVID Learning Loss Problem
EdFix
According to , the Paul and Jean Hanna Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University, pandemic learning losses will result in a 6% reduction in a student's lifetime earnings. And since a country’s economic growth is tied to the skills of its labor force, he also projects that the United States' gross domestic product will dip 3-4% over the remainder of this century. But is it possible to counteract these shortfalls and get back on track? Dr. Hanushek believes that maximizing the power of the best teachers–and removing the weakest ones–can turn things around. [ is...
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Episode 30: Should Tests be Socioculturally Responsive?
EdFix
, the Norman O. Fredericksen Chair in Assessment Innovation at ETS, describes tests as “cultural artifacts,” many of which were created at a time when our country was much less diverse. So what does that mean for school accountability or university admissions testing today? In an article* for the journal Educational Measurement - Issues and Practice, Dr. Bennett argues that we need to change the way we test - in content, format, and interpretation - to best fit the needs of a society with rapidly changing demographics. is available on EdFixPodcast.com] (*To request a copy of Dr....
info_outlineCommunity colleges welcome learners of all backgrounds and ages with low-cost tuition and open admission policies. According to Robert (Bob) Schwartz, co-author of America’s Hidden Economic Engines: How Community Colleges Can Drive Shared Prosperity, these institutions are also extremely well-suited to forge strategic partnerships with industry leaders, skillfully addressing the demands of local labor markets. Through these collaborations, students, employers, and the community reap the rewards of tailored skill development programs. Yet community colleges often face inadequate funding for these kinds of initiatives. Bob advocates for increased recognition and investment in such alternative pathways to help unlock the full potential of community colleges.
[Transcript for Episode 36 is availble on EdFixPodcast.com.]