Edufuturists

In this episode, Ben and Steve recap the past six episodes and discuss the exciting future of the podcast. They cover a range of topics, including the role of AI in education, digital transformation, the importance of human connection, and the need for a holistic approach to learning. They also highlight the significance of igniting the inner rebel in young people and the need for a more flexible and risk-friendly education system. The conversation is filled with humour, passion, and a commitment to making a positive impact in education. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Recap 03:01 The Role of AI in Education and the Importance of Human Connection 07:05 Digital Transformation: Beyond Substitution to Redefinition 13:56 Confidence, Communication, and the Limitations of AI 17:27 Igniting the Inner Rebel: Fostering Curiosity and Risk-Taking 20:29 Moving Away from Outcome-Focused Education 24:20 Engaging Students in the Future of Education 28:13 A Rebellion for Innovation and Continuous Improvement Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you. Ben & Steve x Championing those who are making the future of education a reality. Follow us on X Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touch: info@edufuturists.com Get your tickets for Uprising 2025

In this episode, the boys are joined by Ian Phillips to discuss the challenges of implementing digital strategies in education. They explore the cultural barriers and the need for change in organisations, particularly in independent schools. They also touch on the role of gatekeepers in decision-making and the importance of influencing them effectively. The conversation explores the importance of recruitment, retainment, and resourcing in education. It emphasises the need to equip decision-makers in schools to make informed decisions about these areas. The discussion highlights the value of investing in technology, ensuring a safe learning environment, and prioritising people-first strategies. They touch on the need for innovative approaches to teaching and learning, such as personalised learning spaces and student-centred models. The speakers share examples of successful initiatives and the impact they have had on student progress and teacher satisfaction. It underscores the significance of valuing and supporting teachers to improve education outcomes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background03:09 Challenges in Implementing Digital Strategies04:23 Culture and Change in Independent Schools06:48 The Role of Gatekeepers in Decision-Making08:40 Resourcing, Recruitment, and Retention in Education08:48 Introduction and Importance of Recruitment, Retainment, and Resourcing11:05 Investing in Technology and Creating a Safe Learning Environment15:14 Putting People First: A Key Strategy for Education20:49 Innovative Approaches to Teaching and Learning27:57 Valuing and Supporting Teachers for Improved Education Outcomes36:40 Investing in Support Staff and Resources37:38 Moving Away from Assessment39:06 The Role of Technology39:56 Treasuring What We Measure41:11 Holistic Cultural Change in Schools42:27 Supporting Teachers and Encouraging Innovation45:16 Addressing Funding Challenges through Partnerships47:39 Inclusive Conversations and Collaboration50:04 Valuing Teachers and Professional Growth55:12 Empowering Young People and Building a Movement Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you. Ben & Steve x Championing those who are making the future of education a reality. Follow us on X: https://www.twitter.com/edufuturists Check out all past episodes at https://www.edufuturists.com Book your tickets for Uprising2025 at: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/53two/Edufuturists-Uprising-2025/39232238/?preview=06ee94630a Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touch: info@edufuturists.com

In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, the hosts interview Jill Matterface, an educational specialist within the military. Jill shares her journey from being a PE teacher to working in the Air Force and her passion for creating innovative training programmes. She discusses the importance of developing a 21st-century learning environment and fostering a culture of psychological safety and independent learning. The conversation also touches on the balance between compliance and innovation in the military and education sectors. The conversation explores the need for a shift in education to allow for more flexibility and individualised learning. It emphasises the importance of exposing young people to different career options and providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the future. It highlights the role of vocational education and the value of practical skills in preparing young people for the workforce. The guests discuss the need for a culture change in education and the importance of asking the right questions and challenging traditional practices. They also touch on the role of uniformed youth organisations in complementing traditional education and providing opportunities for personal growth and development. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:01 Jill's Journey from PE Teacher to Military Educational Specialist 08:04 The Importance of Culture in Education and the Military 13:53 Jill's Research on Developing a 21st-Century Learning Environment 20:24 Balancing Compliance and Innovation in the Military 25:37 Fostering Creativity and Independent Thinking in Education 29:11 Creating Pathways for Individualised Learning 36:12 Preparing Young People for the Future of Work 39:43 Challenging Traditional Practices in Education 44:03 The Role of Vocational Education in Workforce Preparation 48:22 Cultivating a Culture of Flexibility and Innovation in Education 53:37 The Impact of Uniformed Youth Organisations on Personal Growth Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you. Ben & Steve x Championing those who are making the future of education a reality. Follow us on X Check out our new website Book your tickets for Uprising2025 Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touch: info@edufuturists.com

In this episode, Ben and Steve are joined by special guest David Cameron, who has a background in education and children's services. They discuss the importance of creating a better future for young people and the need to move away from an education system focused solely on attainment and exams. They also touch on the challenges of delivering education in rural areas and the importance of collaboration and joint working between schools and other agencies. The conversation highlights the need for a shift in mindset and a focus on curiosity, ideas, and lifelong learning. The conversation explores the need for change in the education system and the challenges it faces. One key theme is the lack of teachers and the historical approach of maximising numbers rather than focusing on individualised learning. The blame culture and obsession with risk are also discussed, with a call for a shift towards trust and flexibility. The importance of creating positive experiences and dispositions for students is highlighted, as well as the need to move away from a purely outcome-focused approach. The conversation ends with a discussion on the influence of funding and the role of accountability in education. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcoming the Guest 02:19 David Cameron's Background in Education 06:40 Online Learning and Education in Scotland 09:04 Building on Best Practices in Education 10:46 The Purpose of Education and the Importance of Curiosity 16:15 The Role of Schools in Social Care and Safeguarding 19:02 The Need for Genuine Joint Working in Education 20:26 The Language and Culture of Education 24:43 Shaping a Better Future for Young People 28:18 Meeting Young People Where They Are 29:46 Conclusion and More Than Results 29:47 Rethinking the Education System 31:40 The Teacher Shortage and Maximising Numbers in Classrooms 40:15 Breaking Free from the Blame Culture 45:39 Creating Positive Experiences and Dispositions 53:58 The Pitfalls of an Exam-Focused System 58:48 Reevaluating Funding and Accountability Check out David's work Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you. Ben & Steve x Championing those who are making the future of education a reality. Follow us on X Check out our all new website Get your tickets for Uprising2025 Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touch: info@edufuturists.com

In this episode, Ben & Steve are joined by Kern Kelley, a Technology Integrator in central Maine, USA at R.S.U. #19. Kern started as a fifth-grade teacher and loved the ability to integrate different subjects and build a community in the classroom. He started involving students in tech support, which led to the creation of a tech help show and workshops. Kern became a technology integrator for the district, where he had the freedom to use his time and energy as he saw fit. He focused on building students' trust and giving them opportunities to present and travel. Kern believes in the importance of inspiring students and creating immersive experiences through augmented reality (AR) and AI, while still valuing the role of teachers in curating and facilitating learning. He discusses his experience as a technology integrator and the evolution of technology integration over the past 20 years. He shares how he started by introducing technology to classrooms and gradually developed a comprehensive system of technology integration from K-12. Kern also talks about the STEM to Strings programme, where students learn about science, technology, engineering, and math through the process of building their own electric guitars. He emphasises the importance of project-based learning, student leadership, and creating a culture of empathy in education. Chapters 00:00 Integrating Subjects and Building Community 01:36 Empowering Students through Tech Support and Leadership 03:28 The Importance of Trust in Student Leadership 13:08 Enhancing Learning with Augmented Reality and AI 27:00 The Evolution of Technology Integration 29:26 Project-Based Learning and Technology Integration 32:10 STEM to Strings: From Nature to End Product 33:33 Fostering Empathy and Student Leadership Kern discusses 3 projects which you can check out below: Creating an Augmented Reality Layer over the school with Photogrammetry STEM to Strings Student Leadership Ambassadors of Maine Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you. Ben & Steve x Championing those who are making the future of education a reality. Follow us on X Check out our new website Grab tickets for Uprising 2025 Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touch: info@edufuturists.com

In this conversation, Steven and Ben are joined by Global's Penny Lee Taylor-Brown to discuss the role of AI in education and the importance of human intelligence. They explore the need for skills such as critical analysis, communication, empathy, and storytelling in the workplace. Penny Lee shares her experience as a creative director in the media industry and how AI can be used to analyse documents and save time. They also discuss the potential of AI in personalising education and adapting teaching methods to individual students. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the history of AI and its potential impact on education. In this conversation, Penny Lee discusses the integration of AI in the creative industry and the future of education. She emphasises the importance of human skills such as storytelling, pitching, and confidence, which cannot be replaced by AI. Penny Lee also suggests that the education system should adapt to the changing needs and interests of students, allowing for more personalised learning experiences. The challenges in education include the need to prepare students for a rapidly changing workforce and the increasing desire for alternative paths to success, such as apprenticeships. Overall, the conversation highlights the potential of AI to enhance productivity and efficiency while recognising the irreplaceable value of human creativity and connection. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Tone 10:11 The Importance of Human Intelligence in the Workplace 18:49 Using AI to Save Time and Analyse Documents 25:20 Personalising Education with AI 32:05 Rethinking Traditional Testing in Education 41:03 Challenges in Education and the Changing Workforce 52:32 The Role of AI in Enhancing Human Skills 57:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Check out Penny Lee's LinkedIn profile PS Scroll to 31:12 to hear Steve calling himself Gary Barlow. Podcast gold. Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you. Ben & Steve x Championing those who are making the future of education a reality. Follow us on X Check out our new website Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2025 Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touch: info@edufuturists.com

In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, Ben and Steve interview Johnny Wathen from TransforMATive about digital transformation in the education sector. We discuss the meaning of digital transformation and its importance in creating value for individuals and organisations. We also explore the current state of digital transformation in the education sector, with some organisations still in the early stages of digitisation while others are embracing digital leadership and maturity. The conversation touches on the need for collaboration and sharing of ideas in the sector, as well as the role of visionary leaders in driving digital transformation. The importance of clarity, vision, accountability, and autonomy in navigating preferences and opinions in organisations is also highlighted. The conversation explores the need for digital leadership in the education sector and the challenges of implementing digital transformation. It emphasises the importance of collaboration, agility, and adaptability in the face of rapid technological advancements. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:09 Understanding Digital Transformation in the Education Sector 06:58 The Current State of Digital Transformation in Education 09:46 The Importance of Collaboration and Sharing in Education 13:22 The Role of Visionary Leaders in Driving Digital Transformation 16:28 Navigating Preferences and Opinions in Organisations 24:29 The Importance of Digital Leadership in Education 28:14 Collaboration, Agility, and Adaptability in the Digital Age 35:10 Inspiring and Developing Leaders through the TransforMATive Leadership Programme 39:21 Technology Augmentation and the Culture of Innovation 41:51 Skills for the Future Workforce Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you. Ben & Steve x Championing those who are making the future of education a reality. Follow us on X Check out our new website Grab your tickets for Uprising2025 Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touch: info@edufuturists.com

In this episode, Ben and Steve celebrate the 250th episode of the podcast and discuss their recent activities, including speaking engagements and workshops. They express gratitude to their partners, judges, and the community for their support. They also announce the renaming of the Outstanding Achievement Award in honour of David Price. The main themes discussed in the Trends booklet are holistic education, culture and strategy, lifelong learning, and enabling technology. The conversation covers the importance of holistic education, the need for critical thinking skills, the role of culture and strategy in education, the value of lifelong learning, and the impact of enabling technology. We emphasise the need to move away from a focus on knowledge and exams and instead prioritise skills development and curiosity. We discuss the importance of creating a culture of innovation and inclusivity, and highlight the role of technology in enhancing education. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the future of the podcast and the plans for upcoming events. Chapters 00:00 Celebrating 250 Episodes 09:14 Renaming the Outstanding Achievement Award 23:54 Holistic Education: Supercharging the Full Human Skill Set 27:13 Culture and Strategy in That Order: Building Strong Organisational Culture 27:52 Lifelong Learning: Continuous Learning and Leveling Up 28:19 Enabling Technology: Aligning Pedagogical Beliefs with Technology 28:52 Shifting the Focus: From Knowledge to Skills 34:40 Building a Culture of Innovation and Inclusivity 43:14 Embracing Lifelong Learning 50:28 The Power of Enabling Technology 01:00:23 The Future of the Podcast and Events Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you. Ben & Steve x Championing those who are making the future of education a reality. Follow us on X https://www.twitter.com/edufuturists Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touch: info@edufuturists.com

In this episode, Ben and Steve are joined by Claire Tamplin, The Mindful Movement Coach. Claire shares her journey from being an English teacher to becoming an innovator in holistic education. She talks about the importance of emotional health and fitness in schools and the need to move beyond a narrow focus on academic subjects. Claire introduces the concept of mindful movement, which is about getting out of your head and into your body, and explains how it can help manage stress and improve emotional well-being. She emphasises the importance of authenticity, imperfection, and celebrating successes. The conversation explores the concept of being a changemaker and the importance of using one's voice to create positive change. It emphasises the need for creativity, connectivity, courage, community, and clarity as essential skills for students to thrive in the future workforce. The surprising element in a transformed education system would be starting each school day with gratitude, fostering a positive and present mindset for learning. The biggest challenges in achieving the future of education include the uncertainty of the future workforce and the lack of time given to young people to fail and learn from their mistakes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background of Claire Tamplin 02:14 Transition from Teacher to Innovator in Holistic Education 06:35 Stepping into Power and Creating Change 08:28 Championing Authenticity and Imperfection in Education 11:30 Supporting Teachers to Thrive in the Education System 16:02 The Power of Mindful Movement in Managing Stress and Improving Well-being 32:16 Becoming a Changemaker 56:04 Essential Skills for the Future Workforce 57:32 Starting the School Day with Gratitude 58:34 Challenges in Achieving the Future of Education Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you. Ben & Steve x Championing those who are making the future of education a reality. Follow us on the socials using  @Edufuturists  (LinkedIn, Instagram, X) Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touch: info@edufuturists.com

In this episode, Ben and Steve discuss the impact of AI on education with guest Donald Clark. They explore the rapid progress of AI in education, the shift from text-based learning to multimodal learning, and the potential for AI to revolutionise assessment. They also discuss the role of teachers in the age of AI and the need for a shift in teaching methods. The conversation highlights the growing importance of AI in education and its potential to enhance learning experiences. AI in education has the potential to address accessibility issues and personalise learning for individuals with disabilities. It can automate tasks like marking, reducing teacher workload. AI can also support learners in the workplace by understanding context and providing performance support. However, there are concerns about the impact of AI on teacher jobs and the need for teachers to adapt to new technologies. The transformation of education will require a shift in agency towards learners and a reevaluation of the skills and knowledge that are prioritised. The biggest challenge for education in the next 10 to 20 years is the political and social ramifications of an education system that produces a graduate class that looks down on the rest. It is important to ensure that AI in education benefits all learners and addresses inequality. Keywords #AI #education #progress #multimodal #learning #assessment #teachers #learningexperiences #AIineducation #accessibility #personalisedlearning #teacherworkload #workplacelearning #automation #teacherjobs #learneragency #skills #knowledge #educationtransformation #inequality Sound Bites "AI in education is unlike most technologies in the past, as it has steadily progressed and continues to accelerate." "Education has been drowning in a sea of text, and AI is shifting towards multimodality, including audio and real-time dialogue." "AI is pushing for a change in assessment methods, moving away from handwritten exams and essays." "AI can speak dozens of languages and be sensitive to accessibility issues." "Who wouldn't want to automate marking?" "AI can understand the context of learners in the workplace and provide performance support." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Uprising 2024 Announcement 02:26 Previous Discussion on AI in Education and its Progress 06:12 The Shift from Text-Based Learning to Multimodal Learning 11:39 Revolutionising Assessment with AI 13:57 The Changing Role of Teachers in the Age of AI 23:00 Excitement and Adoption of AI in Education 26:21 The Potential of AI to Enhance Learning Experiences 32:26 The Future of Teaching in the Age of AI 35:10 Addressing Accessibility and Personalising Learning 37:25 Supporting Workplace Learning 39:18 AI's Potential in Wellbeing and Psychological Support 42:13 Shifting Agency towards Learners 50:30 AI's Impact on Education and Human Exceptionalism 53:21 Increasing Productivity and Efficacy with AI 01:10:48 The Surprising Element in a Transformed Education System 01:12:57 The Challenge of Inequality in Education Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you. Ben & Steve x Championing those who are making the future of education a reality. Follow us on X Grab your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touch: info@edufuturists.com