Ep 55: Knowledge vs. skills? Why you need both in the age of AI
Release Date: 02/06/2026
Ep 55: Knowledge vs. skills? Why you need both in the age of AI
Brighter Thinking Pod
Today, we’re discussing knowledge and skills in preparing students for the future – which is more important? Can they be separated? And do we still need subject knowledge in the age of AI? Your host for this episode is Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by Abbi Barnett, Director of Cambridge 3–19 Curriculum, and Irenka Suto, Head of Secondary Curriculum. Show notes: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: Brighter Thinking Pod episode 53: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world: Brighter Thinking Pod episode 54: Do students feel...
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Ep 54: Do students feel prepared for the future?
Brighter Thinking Pod
At Cambridge, we recently published a report titled Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world. The report captures the voices of thousands of teachers and students from around the world, offering a wealth of perspectives on readiness for the future from those at the heart of education. Today, we’re speaking to two Cambridge students – Nadine and Stepan – who contributed to the report. We’ll be talking about their studies and how well prepared they feel for life beyond school. Show notes Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: ADKAR model for...
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Ep 53: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world
Brighter Thinking Pod
Today, we are launching a new report looking at how students across 150 countries are prepared for the next step in their education journey and for the future beyond education in a rapidly changing world. Navigating the future: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world, draws on responses from 3,021 teachers and 3,840 students worldwide and 50 experts with profound insight. Here to talk us through the research is host and Education Futures Manager at Cambridge, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by a very special guest, Group Managing Director of International Education, Rod Smith....
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Ep 52: Early Years education: play-based learning and language support
Brighter Thinking Pod
Welcome back! Today we're talking all about Early Years education and will be giving you tips on topics from play-based learning to language support. Your host for this episode is Jemma Joakim, Head of Early Years and Primary Curriculum at Cambridge. She is speaking to two special guests about their experiences of teaching the Cambridge Early Years programme. Aisha El-Sayed is KG Principal at English Modern School, Qatar, and Aiah Elghobashy is a Teaching and Learning Coordinator, also at English Modern School. Show notes: Brighter Thinking Pod, Ep 45: Early Years Teaching...
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Ep 51: Introduction to Inclusive Education
Brighter Thinking Pod
Today, we're talking about inclusive education - what is it? What are the benefits of it as a teaching approach? And what are the misconceptions? Our host for this episode is Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by Lilian Dogiama, Head of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, and Lauren Woods, Assessment Accessibility Advisor – both from the International Education group here at Cambridge. Show notes: Cambridge Getting Started with Inclusive Education guide - Cambridge inclusive education and accessibility web pages - Cambridge...
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Ep 50: Teachers' Changing Perceptions of AI
Brighter Thinking Pod
In this episode we hear from teachers around the world about their perceptions on artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom. Are they more excited or sceptical? And where do they think it can provide the most value to teaching and learning? Our host for this episode is our very own Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by two special guests. Rachel Logan, School Liaison & Insight Manager, and Andrew Field, Senior Education Manager, both from the Insight, Ideation & Impact team at Cambridge. Show notes Cambridge learner attributes -...
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Ep 49: Online Schools: Helping All Learners to Thrive
Brighter Thinking Pod
In this episode we explore online schools, taking a closer look at the benefits, the challenges and the students who flourish there. Our host for this episode is producer of the podcast, Adam Steele. He is joined by Louis Bone, Online Schools Development Manager at Cambridge, and Catriona Olsen, Executive Head Teacher of the online school, King's InterHigh. Show notes: Global Online Education Market Report by Type, Provider, Technology, Region and Company Analysis - How will higher education be different in 2030? Student satisfaction with online learning improving, says survey - ...
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Ep 48: Creating a Wellbeing Framework in your School
Brighter Thinking Pod
Today, we’re going to be taking a closer look at student wellbeing in schools and how you can create a wellbeing framework for your class. Along the way, we also discuss the importance of considering oracy and resilience. We also explore the development of our new primary and lower secondary curriculum and resources. Although the focus of this episode is on primary and lower secondary level, there are tips in here that teachers of all ages can use. Our host for this episode is Tamsin Hart. She is joined by Dr Ros McLellan, an Associate Professor in Teacher Education at the University of...
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Ep 47: Teaching the Climate Emergency
Brighter Thinking Pod
Today we're going to be taking a closer look at teaching the climate emergency; we look at what the impact is for the planet and our classrooms. Plus, we introduce you to our climate and sustainability teaching ideas that work alongside books in the our Cambridge Reading Adventures series. Our host for today is Tamsin Hart. She is joned by Cindy Forde and Eddie Rippeth. Cindy is an author, activist and founder of the Earth-led education company, Planetari. Eddie is Head of Primary Publishing, Products and Services at Cambridge and commissions our guided reading scheme, Cambridge Reading...
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Ep 46: How Schools Can Create an Effective Predicted Grades Policy
Brighter Thinking Pod
Today, we’re going to be taking a closer look at predicted grades – dispelling misconceptions and giving advice for how your school can create an effective predicted grades policy. Our host is Laura Kahwati, Education Manager for Thought Leadership at Cambridge. She is joined by two special guests. Simon Child is the Head of Assessment Training at the Cambridge Assessment Network and Kevin Ebenezer is Head of Global Recognition at Cambridge. Show notes: An investigation of A Level teachers’ methods when estimating student grades - Bias in teacher assessment results - ...
info_outlineToday, we’re discussing knowledge and skills in preparing students for the future – which is more important? Can they be separated? And do we still need subject knowledge in the age of AI?
Your host for this episode is Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by Abbi Barnett, Director of Cambridge 3–19 Curriculum, and Irenka Suto, Head of Secondary Curriculum.
Show notes:
Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: https://cambridge.foleon.com/cambridge-international-education/future-ready-learners/
Brighter Thinking Pod episode 53: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2IbUaD80-Y&list=PLi4xGU_d7k_KkGCe3ZD5pOr59F-DIWHBn&index=3
Brighter Thinking Pod episode 54: Do students feel prepared for the future? https://www.cambridge.org/education/blog/2026/01/23/brighter-thinking-pod-ep-54-do-students-feel-prepared-for-the-future/