The Education Innovators Podcast

EdTech Evidence Crisis

Natalia Kucirkova is a Professor of Early Childhood and Development at the University of Stavanger and Executive Director of the International Centre for EdTech Impact. She leads global initiatives to improve education through applied research, strategic advisory, and capacity building, particularly in underserved communities. With 15+ years in education policy, her work integrates the Science of Learning a...

This is a short reflection on the importance of experiential learning as a component of education. Eric shares some of his recent experience visiting Iceland and encourages teachers to get their students out of the classroom.

The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happenin...

Experiential Learning – The Intimacy of Service

Kimberly Haley-Coleman is the founder and Executive Director of Globe Aware, a US & Canada based nonprofit that leads and mobilizes volunteers for short-term service projects in over 25 countries (since the year 2000). With a background in international business development and finance, she previously held leadership roles at global firms including CNBC.com, Space Services Inter...

Writing Skills Still Matter

This is a short solo episode where Eric questions why writing skills still matter and then gives his two cents worth about why writing skills are critical for cognitive development, especially in an age of AI.

The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of t...

This is a special edition of the Education Innovators Podcast for Podcasthon featuring Crossroads Foundation. Crossroads is a charitable organization. Crossroads Foundation is a Hong Kong based, non-profit organization serving global need. We believe that, in a broken world that sees too much suffering, we should do all we can to link those who are in need with those who can provide help. So, we provide an intersection, literally a...

Firm goals, Flexible means: Designing learning that works for all students

Katie Novak, Ed.D., is a force of nature - part educational powerhouse, part motivational coach, part witty storyteller. With 25 years of experience in education, a doctorate degree, and real-world experience as a former teacher, curriculum coordinator, and assistant superintendent of schools, she brings unmatched credibility and passion to everything she ...

From Charter School Rock Star to EdTech Entrepreneur

In 1999, Dacia became the founding principal of Amistad Academy in New Haven, CT, which went on to post the greatest achievement gains of any middle school in the state. Dacia then co-founded and co-led Achievement First (AF), which became one of the nation's leading charter school networks with 41 schools across the Northeast and college graduation rates that were five times p...

Support Your Local Schools

This is a short solo episode where Eric talks about the importance of communities and reflects on all of the guests on the show who have raised this topic. Learning is a social activity, with the best results happening in a safe and supportive environment.

The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for in...

Grades & Punishments are Curiosity Killers

The theory that rewards and punishments have negative long-term effects on performance, isn’t new, but Doug Bolton puts a new spin on the science behind this and offers practical advice for how teachers, administrators, and parents can help students be more emotionally resilient and engaged in school.

Doug Bolton is a Clinical Psychologist and Director of School Consultation for Fo...

Are we grading intelligence or compliance?

This short solo episode takes a practical look at how we fuel curiosity through questions and how we make it important by measuring it. Eric acknowledges the challenge around the subjectivity of measuring curiosity buts makes the case that we can and should try.

The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around...

PBL meets Montessori

Kyle Wagner is the Inaugural IMS Middle School Director and Founder of Transform Educational Consulting Limited, an organization that empowers forward thinking schools and educators to create more globally, socially and emotionally aware citizens through project-based learning. Kyle fell in love with project-based learning as a teacher at High Tech High (the most prominent PBL school in the world) where he wi...

Teachers are Our Superpower

This is a short solo episode as Eric looks back on 2 years of doing this podcast and reflects on some of what he has learned. This is a powerful call to action in time of radical change that is both necessary and dangerous. Empowered teachers will make the difference!

The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the worl...

Enlightenment education – developing independent thinkers

Marsha Familaro Enright is an educational entrepreneur, writer and speaker with a rare blend of scientific training, liberal‑arts expertise and institution‑building experience. She holds a B.A. in Biology from Northwestern University and an M.A. in Psychology from the New School for Social Research. Her broad scholarly interests range from neuropsychology and philosophy to...

Looking Ahead

This is a short solo episode where Eric previews 6 of the episodes that will be published in the coming weeks. Season 4 has an amazing line up of diverse educators who are bravely innovating and making a difference.

The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happen...

Let Them Play

Dr Amanda Gummer is a research psychologist, passionate about children’s play. She is the CEO of the research consultancy Fundamentally Children, home of Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide. Amanda is also the independent chair of the Association of Play Industries. In addition, she is an NED for Families in Focus CIC and is on the advisory board of a small number of mission-led businesses.

Amanda has a PhD in neuropsycholo...

University of the People

Shai Reshef is the President of University of the People (UoPeople). Shai has over 25 years of experience in the international education market and has been awarded the 2023 Yidan Prize for Educational Development, referred to as the Nobel Prize for Education and, amongst many other awards, he was selected by The Huffington Post as the Ultimate Game Changer in Education.

An expert on the intersection of...

Jobs of the Future

This is a solo episode from Eric Byron as he rants about the threat of AI replacing humans in the workforce/classroom and makes a case that we are still in control and our greatest weapon is education that advances human intelligence.

The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practic...

Playing for the Planet – Inspiring Action through Gaming

Lisa Pak is the Head of Operations at Playing for the Planet - an initiative facilitated by the United Nations Environment Programme - that unites the global video games industry around a bold mission: to reduce its environmental impact and harness the power of games to inspire meaningful environmental action. 

With over 3.3 billion people worldwide playing games, this en...

Teaching Game Design

This short solo episode is a follow up to last week’s episode with Jussi Holopainen. Eric shares his thoughts on the impact of teaching game design and the transferable skills that students can gain from the learning experience.

The Education Innovators Podcast is a set of conversations between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examp...