Welcome to Design Cast, a podcast where I use nearly 30 years of educator experience and ask, “How do you design education?” Why is this important? Students all learn differently and need varied teaching methods to be successful. I chat with guests from all around the world, from classroom teachers to authors, consultants, and beyond.
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Introduction: Rita Bateson shares her educational journey, highlighting her American-Irish background and experiences teaching in various countries.
Career Path:
Transition from teaching in Ireland to the UK, then Switzerland, Bermuda, and finally back to Dublin.
Involvement with the International Baccalaureate (IB) and curriculum development.
Current Projects:
Focus on AI in education, exploring both its potential and challenges.
Discussions around ethical AI and sustainable practices in educational settings.
AI Literacy:
The importance of helping students, teachers, and parents understand the AI landscape.
Addressing concerns about authenticating student work in the age of AI.
Sustainable AI:
The need for schools to develop policies that consider energy consumption and ethical implications of AI tools.
Future of Education:
The role of AI in shaping the future of assessment and learning practices.
Book Recommendations:
“AI: A Very Short Introduction” by Margaret A. Boden - Offers insights into AI's impact and implications in various fields.
“The Future of Work: Robots, AI, and Automation” by Darrell M. West - Discusses how technology is changing work dynamics.
Charles Fidel's book on AI - Recommended for its ideas on metacognition and meta-emotion, though advised to read critically.
Social Media Links:
Rita Bateson on Twitter: @RitaBateson (https://twitter.com/RitaBateson)
Substack: @eblana: Follow for insights on AI in education and sustainable practices.
LinkedIn: Connect with Rita for professional updates and discussions on curriculum development.
Conclusion:
Rita Bateson emphasizes the importance of adapting to the rapid changes AI brings to education, advocating for a balanced approach that incorporates ethical considerations and sustainability. Tune in to learn more about her insights and experiences!
23 Feb 2025
Design Cast - Episode #114 - Dan Thomas – The TechEd Clubhouse
In this episode of Design Cast, Jason chats with Dan Thomas, a dedicated STEM teacher from Jamestown, New York. They discuss the value of play-based learning (PBL), the importance of creativity in the classroom, and Dan's upcoming projects.
Dan's Background:
· 33 years of teaching experience.
· Currently teaches 7th grade STEM, covering robotics, coding, woodshop, metal shop, and CAD.
Teaching Philosophy:
· Focuses on creating "aha moments" for students.
· Emphasizes fun and play in learning, arguing that engagement leads to better retention.
Incorporating LEGO inEducation:
· Dan uses LEGO for creative builds to spark student engagement and creativity.
· Discusses the educational benefits of LEGO, including the development of cognitive skills.
· LEGO's meaning in Latin: "I build" and the importance of open-ended building activities.
Current Projects:
· Dan is retiring soon and working on the "Tech Ed Clubhouse," which aims to promote tech education and project-based learning.
· He is writing a book titled "Where's the Fun in That?" focused on the role of play in education.
· Plans to start a newsletter and has projects available on his website.
Daily Engagement:
· Dan shares daily selfies with dad jokes on social media, emphasizing the importance of humor in education.
Resources Mentioned
Lego Foundation: learningthroughplay.com (https://learningthroughplay.com)
Wakelet: wakelet.com (https://wakelet.com)
Books Recommended:
"Play" by Dr. Stuart Brown
"Flow" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
"The LEGO Serious Play Method"
Connect with Dan ThomasWebsite: TechEd Clubhouse (https://www.techedclubhouse.com)
LinkedIn: Dan Thomas on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danthomas)
Twitter: @CoachThomasTech
Closing ThoughtsDan emphasizes the importance of doing what you love and following your educational strengths. His passion for teaching and learning is evident throughout the conversation, inspiring educators and students.
In this episode of the Design Cast Podcast, host Jason welcomes Stephanie Simoes, a critical-thinking educator and founder of Critikid.com. Stephanie shares her journey into critical-thinking education and discusses the importance of teaching these skills to students, especially in the age of social media. She highlights the lack of critical thinking training in traditional education and the need for resources tailored for children and teens.
Stephanie explains her innovative approach, using storytelling and engaging content to teach concepts like logical fallacies through a sci-fi theme. She addresses the challenges of running a startup, focusing on marketing and financial sustainability. The conversation touches on her plans for expanding her curriculum to include media literacy and how she envisions her courses being used in classrooms.
Importance of critical thinking in today's digital age
Stephanie's journey and the founding of Critikid.com
Creative approaches to teaching critical thinking through stories
Challenges in Marketing and Financial Viability for Educational Startups
Plans for expanding content to include media literacy
Recommendations for tech tools and educational resources
Critikid Website (https://critikid.com)
Book: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Website: Thinking is Power (https://thinkingispower.com) by Melanie Trecek-King
Follow Critikid on Instagram: @critikid (https://instagram.com/critikid)
Connect on Twitter: @critikid (https://twitter.com/critikid)
Find Critikid on Facebook: Critikid Facebook Page (https://facebook.com/critikid)
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to the Design Cast Podcast and leaving a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue sharing valuable insights on education and design!
#DesignCast
#CriticalThinking
#Education
#EdTech
#MediaLiteracy
#TeachingStrategies
#LearningThroughStories
#InnovativeEducation
#KidsAndTeens
#LogicalFallacies
#SocialMediaEducation
#CriticalThinkingSkills
#Parenting
#Homeschooling
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Reach and audience
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YouTube views
39,525
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
20 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 74 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
97
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
51
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