Learning Design

This topic covers topics from school and system design to the science of learning.

Jennifer Light smiling outdoors with a city skyline and river in the background, featured in a conversation graphic.

Leadership

Democracy in Miniature: Youth Agency and Junior Republics | A Conversation with Jennifer Light

Mason Pashia, Guest Author

Mar 16, 2026

Three students taking notes on clipboards while closely examining a wooden mechanical model at a STEM exhibit.

Learning Design

Why the Best STEM Lessons Start with Struggle

Guest Author

Mar 9, 2026

Woman in navy blazer walking purposefully across open white space, casting a long shadow beside her

Leadership

The Cost of Innovation: Why True Transformation Requires A Season of Grief

Guest Author

Mar 3, 2026

Flower diagram showing "The CHOICE: Critically Human Skills" with Integrity, Compassion, and Agency at center, surrounded by six overlapping circles.

Learning Design

The CHOICE We Make: The Critically Human Skills That Define Our Future

Nate McClennen, Guest Author

Feb 5, 2026

Classroom ceiling tiles printed with a forest canopy photo, creating a nature-immersive learning environment

Learning Design

What If You Could Bring the Restorative Benefits of Nature Indoors?

Guest Author

Jan 30, 2026

Teacher guides diverse middle schoolers using LEGO bricks and tablets for hands-on multi-step problem solving activity

Leadership

Measuring What Matters and Doing it Well: Innovating Assessment in the AI Era

Mario Piacentini, Eric Tucker

Jan 28, 2026

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This podcast highlights developing trends in K-12 education, postsecondary and lifelong learning. Each week, Getting Smart team members interview students, leading authors, experts and practitioners in research, tech, entrepreneurship and leadership to bring listeners innovative and actionable strategies in education leadership.

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Strategic Direction workshop at Michigan ISD-Saginaw summit.

Leadership

How Can We Build Strategic Learning Organizations? The Power of ‘When’

Nate McClennen, Rebecca Midles

Nov 6, 2025

Learn how to become a strategic learning organization and align your educational initiatives for better outcomes.

Leadership

Trust & Transformation: Why Local Intermediaries Are the Key to Education’s Future

Rebecca Midles, Doannie Tran

Nov 5, 2025

Understand how education intermediaries connect communities to opportunities and drive localized systemic change effectively.

Learning Design

Charting a New Course for Education with Foresight

Tom Vander Ark, Mason Pashia

Oct 14, 2025

Exploring KnowledgeWorks' latest forecast with Katherine Prince—foresight strategies, AI, climate, and the evolving future of education.

Learning Design

Designing Learning Models that Put People First

Guest Author

Sep 22, 2025

Technology in education should enhance relationships and agency, not replace them. Teachers and meaningful connections drive deeper learning.

	Beginning	Piloting	Implementing
From Fixed Standards to Competency-Based Mastery	BeginningFrom Fixed Standards to Competency-Based Mastery Beginning	PilotingFrom Fixed Standards to Competency-Based Mastery Piloting	ImplementingFrom Fixed Standards to Competency-Based Mastery Implementing
From One-Size-Fits-All to Adaptive Learning	BeginningFrom One-Size-Fits-All to Adaptive Learning Beginning	PilotingFrom One-Size-Fits-All to Adaptive Learning Piloting	ImplementingFrom One-Size-Fits-All to Adaptive Learning Implementing
From Prescribed Knowledge to Innovation & Inquiry	BeginningFrom Prescribed Knowledge to Innovation & Inquiry Beginning	PilotingFrom Prescribed Knowledge to Innovation & Inquiry Piloting	ImplementingFrom Prescribed Knowledge to Innovation & Inquiry Implementing
From Subjects as Silos to Transdisciplinary, Real-World Learning	BeginningFrom Subjects as Silos to Transdisciplinary, Real-World Learning Beginning	PilotingFrom Subjects as Silos to Transdisciplinary, Real-World Learning Piloting	ImplementingFrom Subjects as Silos to Transdisciplinary, Real-World Learning Implementing
From Schools as Self-Contained to Schools as Embedded in Communities	BeginningFrom Schools as Self-Contained to Schools as Embedded in Communities Beginning	PilotingFrom Schools as Self-Contained to Schools as Embedded in Communities Piloting	ImplementingFrom Schools as Self-Contained to Schools as Embedded in Communities Implementing
From Standardized Testing to Meaningful Assessment	BeginningFrom Standardized Testing to Meaningful Assessment Beginning	PilotingFrom Standardized Testing to Meaningful Assessment Piloting	ImplementingFrom Standardized Testing to Meaningful Assessment Implementing
From Institutional Ownership of Student Data to Student-Controlled Learning Wallets	BeginningFrom Institutional Ownership of Student Data to Student-Controlled Learning Wallets Beginning	PilotingFrom Institutional Ownership of Student Data to Student-Controlled Learning Wallets Piloting	ImplementingFrom Institutional Ownership of Student Data to Student-Controlled Learning Wallets Implementing

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Learning Design

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