Hosted by John Mikton and Dan Taylor. Every two weeks we discuss all aspects of technology and life in International Schools.
Episodes
Saturday May 25, 2024
Saturday May 25, 2024
Join us for a conversation with John Nash, Associate Professor, Director, Laboratory on Design Thinking and speaker on educational innovation and leadership. In this discussion, John shares his research from the University of Kentucky, focusing on the challenges and opportunities schools face in balancing structured curriculums with the need for adaptability in education. We explore how schools are addressing skill gaps among educators amidst rapid advancements in AI and how these changes intersect with traditional teaching methods. We also discuss the potential impact of emerging technologies, like deep fakes, on media literacy instruction and how schools can develop strategies to foster independent thinking and effectively leverage generative AI.
About John Nash
John Nash was born and raised in Silicon Valley and has 30 years of experience in leadership development, strategy design, and social science research. In his work he champions the creation of learner-centric schools via design thinking as the faculty director of the Laboratory on Design Thinking at the University of Kentucky.
He also serves as a reliable source for educators and policy makers on generative AI, from the federal government to universities and P-12 schools. He is on the generative AI advisory boards at the University of Kentucky and the MidPacific Institute in Honolulu. He’s presented on AI for the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, the U.S. State Department, and offices in Kentucky State government, as well as appeared on National Public Radio affiliates.
John's passion lies in helping educators in schools, colleges, and universities use human centered design to create programs and services that delight their students, teachers, and community. He is the author of the book "Design Thinking in Schools: A Leader’s Guide to Collaborating for Improvement" (Harvard Education Press).
John has held faculty positions at Iowa State University and the University of Texas at El Paso and was a social research scientist at Stanford University where he directed interdisciplinary and international teams of research scientists examining the application of innovative technologies on learning.
John Nash on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnash/
Resources
Book: Design Thinking in Schools: A Leaders’ Guide to Collaborating for Improvement, published by Harvard Education Press, is a practical guide for educators, particularly school leaders, on implementing design thinking principles to foster student-centered learning and improve school systems.
Podcast: John Nash and Jason Johnston are the co-hosts of “Online Learning in the Second Half,” a podcast that explores various topics related to online education, such as pedagogy, psychology, technology, design, and research. They interview experts and practitioners and researchers to shares insights and best practices that inspire and inform listeners who are interested in improving online teaching and learning. You can listen to the podcast at this link.
dLab: http://dLab.uky.edu
I quoted Marissa Mayer in the podcast (Leaders should have “a healthy disregard for the impossible.”). Here is the reference to the article from which that quote was drawn:
Mayer, M. A. (2006). Creativity Loves Constraints. BusinessWeek, 3971, 102.
This article may be of interest:
Why Constraints Are Good for Innovation, Harvard Business Review (may have paywall)
Listeners may try out the Generative AI Guidelines Canvas here.
Folks may learn about the School Leadership AI Bootcamp here.
Generative AI chatbots a new user may like to try:
Dr. Brandeis Marshal: What’s Un AI-able.
Dr. Michelle Miller: Teaching from the Same Side
John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org
Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt
Web: www.appsevents.com
Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube
Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial
Sunday May 12, 2024
Sunday May 12, 2024
Join us for a conversation with Dale Plotzki exploring the case for why international educators should understand Bitcoin and its place in financial security. Dale and Dan share a breakdown of what this is, how it works, what are its benefits for internationally mobile professionals as well as their own reflections from their personal experience. We also learn from Dale experiences working in Peru and South Korea as an international school educator focused on supporting his community with technology
About Dale Plotzki
Dale Plotzki is on a mission to revolutionize the way we teach and learn. He is currently serving as the Learning and Innovation Coordinator at the International School of Busan in South Korea. Dale's passion for technology goes beyond mere gadgetry; he's driven by the desire to make education more efficient, meaningful, and captivating. Whether it's using emergent technology to explore new pathways in schools,, data visualization to make complex systems digestible, gamification to make learning fun, or coaching to help teachers hone their skills, Dale is all about enhancing the learning experience. When he's not busy transforming education, you'll find him spending time with his family, riding the waves on his surfboard, whipping up culinary masterpieces, or promoting financial sovereignty and security through Bitcoin.
Dale Plotzki on Social Media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dale_rickardo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-plotzki/
Resources
John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org
Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt
Web: www.appsevents.com
Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube
Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial
Sunday Apr 28, 2024
Sunday Apr 28, 2024
Join us for a conversation with Julia Walker, host of the Across Oceans podcast, and guest Brogan Lund. Julia, a child of international school educators, and Brogan, a Third Culture Kid (TCK) and international school graduate, share what it means to be TCKs, as young adults and professionals. Together they share how growing up in various countries and attending different international schools has shaped their identities and perspectives. They share their stories and insights about growing up overseas, returning to their passport countries, and the unique experiences and challenges that come with being a TCK.
About Julia Walker
Julia grew up attending the international schools her parents worked at. As a family, they lived in Canada, Egypt and Singapore before she returned to Canada to study. Now, she is finishing her masters degree in Switzerland. In 2022, she started her own podcast, Across Oceans, discussing all things related to being a Third Culture Kid (TCK) and a child of international school educators.
Across Oceans Podcast Instagram:@acrossoceanspodcast
acrossoceanspodcast@gmail.com
About Brogen Lund
Brogan was born in Dallas, Texas to Canadian parents. His family moved to Singapore, then Atlanta, before finally settling in Geneva where he attended the International School and eventually became a Swiss citizen.
After studying in Montreal, he has returned to his adopted home in Switzerland where he now works in IT.
Resources
Across Oceans Podcast
Across Oceans is a podcast where we discuss all things related to Third Culture Kids (TCKs), growing up overseas, returning to passport countries, unique travel stories and more. You will hear a unique TCK perspective of someone who is now an adult, but who grew up moving around the globe because of their international school teacher parents. We’ll discuss the benefits, the challenges and everything in between with growing up as a global nomad.
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acrossoceans
Books:
Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds by Ruth Van Reken and David Pollock
https://www.amazon.com/Third-Culture-Kids-Growing-Revised/dp/1857885252
Incredible Lives and the Courage to Live Them: Thoughts of a Third Culture Kid Therapist by Rachel Cason
https://www.explorelifestory.com/book/
Arrivals, Departures, and the Adventures In Between by Chris O’Shaughnessy
https://www.chris-o.com/chriso/index.html
Ted Talk: Don’t ask me where I’m from, ask where I’m a local
https://www.ted.com/talks/taiye_selasi_don_t_ask_where_i_m_from_ask_where_i_m_a_local?language=en
John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org
Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt
Web: www.appsevents.com
Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube
Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial
Saturday Apr 13, 2024
Saturday Apr 13, 2024
As artificial intelligence is being integrated in international schools more prominently, we take this opportunity to connect with three educators: Cora, Dalton and James to explore how AI tools are being integrated into the classroom. What are the dispositions, approaches and tools that are having the most impact with student learning. How do classroom teachers navigate integrating these tools, what are some tips and strategies to consider in a classroom setting.
About Cora Yang
Cora Yang is a dedicated Learning Technology Coach at Renaissance College Hong Kong, specializing in PYP and MYP tech integration. With expertise in coding, robotics, VR, digital design, and circuit board, she enhances educational experiences. Cora believes in technology as a bridge to real-world skills, fostering exploration, innovation, and lifelong learning through project-based activities. Always curious, Cora eagerly explores new tech and shares her knowledge, inspiring students to unlock their potential in our ever-changing world.
X: @CoraEdTech
Linkedin: Cora Yang
Website: https://www.coraedtech.com/
About Dalton Flanagan
Dalton is a Learning and Innovation Coach at Chinese International School in Hong Kong, with over a decade of experience in education. He has a passion for designing authentic project-based learning experiences, and strives to connect students' learning journeys with cutting-edge technologies, fostering engagement and promoting in-depth exploration. His recent exploration into the realm of advanced AI models, such as Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and ChatGPT, have further expanded his ability to engage students and educators.
YouTube: @daltonflanagan
Linkedin: Dalton Flanagan
About James Wilson
James is Coordinator for the ‘PBL for Impact’ programme at Chinese International School in Hong Kong, a programme that cultivates through coaching and in-house workshops the core practices of project based learning across all subject areas. In his other role as a secondary ‘Individuals & Societies’ teacher, James co-creates learning experiences that validate the strengths and interests of students. More recently James has been exploring how AI can be used as a tool to foster both self-directed learning, and human connections.
Education
B.A. History & Philosophy (George Mason University, USA)
M.A. Anthropology (City University of New York)
Ed.D. Information Technology (The University of Hong Kong)
X: @WilsJP
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/james-wilson-7718b971
Resources
General
- OpenAI GPT for Teachers
- Animated Drawings
- Hugging Face Spaces
- HeyGen
- Prompt Guide
- Blockade Labs
- Canva Magic Studio
- Magic School
- Kaiber
- Prompts for Educator - Made by Dalton
- AI Tools for Educator - Made by Dalton
- Safe Use of AI Generative Tools
AI Tools For:
Conducting Research
- Consensus (summarizing journal articles)
- Perplexity (search engine that shares sources used)
- WiseOne (cross-checking)
Critique & Revision
- Poe.com (create bot for your feedback needs)
Reading Comprehension
Keeping current with AI
John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org
Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt
Web: www.appsevents.com
Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube
Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial
Sunday Mar 31, 2024
Sunday Mar 31, 2024
In this conversation, Kim and Christina, authors of 'Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership,' provide invaluable insights for educators and leaders in international schools. Drawing from their experience as international school educators and leaders, they share the experiences that inspired their book. This discussion delves into the challenges and achievements encountered by women navigating the landscape of international school leadership, offering unique perspectives and guidance for women exploring educational leadership roles in an international setting.
About Kim Cofino
Kim has been an educator in international schools since August 2000. Having lived and worked in Germany, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan, Kim has had a variety of roles in international schools, including (her favorite) instructional coach. Now based in Bangkok, Thailand, Kim is the Founder and CEO of Eduro Learning, author of Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (Routledge), host of the #coachbetter podcast, and the creator of the Eduro Learning The Coach, Women Who Lead, and COETAIL certificate programs. Find out more about Kim and Eduro at: https://www.edurolearning.com.
Kim Cofino on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimcofino/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superkimbo/
EduroLearning LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eduro-learning
EduroLearning Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edurolearning/
Resources
KimCofino.com
Eduro Learning
#coachbetter podcast
Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (Routledge): includes links to substack, Book Study, Book Reviews, etc
Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (recent book chapter I wrote)
About Dr. Christina Botbyl
Dr. Christina Botbyl is an experienced teaching and learning leader in international education. She is a facilitator with the National School Reform Faculty leading Critical Friends Group coaches training and is currently the Chief Academic Director at an international school.
John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org
Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt
Web: www.appsevents.com
Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube
Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial