In this conversation, Julia Fallon, the executive director of SETDA, shares her journey from growing up in Seattle to her experiences in New York City and her current role in educational technology. She discusses the importance of innovative learning environments, the role of SETDA in supporting educators, and the need for community and professional development in education. Julia emphasizes the significance of making learning relevant for students and the impact of technology on education, including the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and cybersecurity. In this conversation, Julia Fallon discusses the importance of collaboration among educators, the challenges faced by EdTech founders, and the future of education. She emphasizes the need for understanding the educational sector, creating safe spaces for learning, and the significance of foundational skills in modern education. Julia also shares her vision for a more flexible education system that values the learning process over the end product, and she concludes with a high-energy music recommendation for motivation.
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Timestamps:
[00:00:18] The Importance of a Classroom’s Vibe
[00:00:40] Introduction to the Episode and Julia Fallon’s Role in EdTech
[00:02:52] Julia’s Background and Where She’s Based
[00:03:38] Overview of SETDA and Its Role in EdTech Policy
[00:05:17] Growing Up in Seattle and Moving to New York City
[00:07:10] Cultural Shifts and Musical Influences from New York
[00:09:04] Childhood Play and Early Fascination with Technology
[00:10:36] Learning to Use Early Computing Tools at NYU
[00:12:31] How a Professor Sparked Her Career in Technology
[00:14:25] Earliest Memory of Loving to Learn
[00:16:25] Most Inspiring Innovations in Education
[00:18:16] Breaking Away from the 1950s Factory Model of Learning
[00:20:23] What Great Classrooms Look, Sound, and Feel Like
[00:22:50] The Need for Student Agency and Inquiry-Based Learning
[00:25:02] The Role of SETDA in Connecting Policy and Practice
[00:27:25] Addressing Cybersecurity, AI, and Digital Equity in Schools
[00:29:44] How Teachers Can Adapt to Technology in the Classroom
[00:31:57] How SETDA Builds Community and Professional Development
[00:33:55] Policy, Legislative Work, and Collaboration Among States
[00:36:09] Generative AI in Education and State-Level Responses
[00:38:09] Working with EdTech Companies to Ensure Equity and Security
[00:41:53] Advice for EdTech Founders Entering the Education Space
[00:44:09] The Challenge of Procurement and Equity in Small Districts
[00:46:23] A Look Into the Future of Education—Flexibility and Innovation
[00:48:28] The Political Challenges Facing Public Education
[00:50:20] If She Had a Magic Wand, What She Would Change in Education
[00:52:45] The Importance of Learning in Public and Embracing Failure
[00:55:27] Rethinking Assessment—Focusing on Process Over Perfection
[00:57:16] Foundational Skills vs. Memorization in a Digital World
[00:58:07] Julia’s Music Recommendation: High-Energy DJ Set by Gorgon City
[00:59:32] Podcast Closing and Acknowledgments