Shows
Getting Smart PodcastHow Can Education Leaders Navigate the Paradoxes of 2025? | Tom Vander Ark and Mason Pashia In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, hosts Mason Pashia and Tom Vander Ark explore the paradoxes defining education and technology in 2025. From the rise of generative AI—simultaneously empowering creativity and centralizing power—to the tension between secure schools and porous, community-connected learning environments, they unpack the complexities leaders face in an ever-evolving landscape. The conversation also delves into scarcity vs abundance mindsets, prescribed vs personalized learning pathways, and the critical role of intentionality and values in navigating uncertain times. Tune in to discover how embracing paradoxes can lead to more thoughtful, innovative leadership in educatio...
2026-01-2141 min
Design Nerds AnonymousWhat Does the Future of Learning Tell Us About the Future of Work?As learning environments evolve—from AI-enhanced classrooms to creative, skills-based spaces—they’re revealing more than just new ways to teach. They’re shaping the expectations, mindsets, and capabilities of the future workforce. In this episode, we’re joined by Tom Vander Ark—education futurist, author, and CEO of Getting Smart—whose influence spans from leading major school districts to advising global organizations on the future of learning. With decades of experience at the intersection of education, innovation, and workforce development, Tom helps us connect the dots between how we learn today and the workplaces we’ll need tomorrow.
2025-09-1833 min
The SignalsSkills Over Schools? Tom Vander Ark on the Future of CredentialsIn this episode of The Signals Podcast, host Laura Glabb sits down with Tom Vander Ark, CEO of Getting Smart and former executive director of education at the Gates Foundation to explore the evolving world of credentialing, personalized learning, and the next generation of education. From his early advocacy for digital badges and learning records to his current work shaping AI-first schools, Tom shares a behind-the-scenes look at two decades of pushing the boundaries of education reform.Laura and Tom delve into the complexities of skill-based hiring, the limitations of degrees as signals, and the need...
2025-07-1550 min
Edtech InsidersWhy American Public Education Reverts to the Mean And What We Can Do About It with Tom Vander Ark of Getting SmartSend us a textTom Vander Ark is an advocate for innovations in learning. As CEO of Getting Smart, he advises schools, districts, networks, foundations, and learning organizations on the path forward. Tom is the author of Getting Smart, Smart Cities That Work for Everyone, Smart Parents, Better Together, The Power of Place, and Difference Making at the Heart of Learning. He has published thousands of articles and papers through GettingSmart.com and LinkedIn.Previously he launched one of the first edtech venture funds, was president of the X-Prize Foundation, served...
2025-04-1832 minGetting Smart PodcastAdam Kulaas on Tacoma Public Schools Being a City-Connected, Career-Connected DistrictIn this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark delves into the innovative educational approaches of Tacoma Public Schools, highlighting their commitment to integrating college and career readiness into a unified pathway. Partnering with Tacoma, Tom speaks with Adam Kulaas, Director of Innovative Learning, who shares insights on how the district is empowering students for life readiness. The focus is on engaging learners in meaningful work today while preparing them for future opportunities through practical, real-world applications. This approach is not just about bridging the gap between education and industry but fostering a mindset that values both...
2024-12-1829 min
The Drew Lane ShowThe Tom Cruise Olympics - August 1, 2024
The Tom Cruise Olympics, Verve Pipe's Brian Vander Ark joins us, Mel Tucker sues MSU, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's stupid shirt, the first rated R movies we saw in the theater, Jim's Picks: God songs, and Drew's deep dive into YouTube creators.
Jim is still a slow reader, but he's working on it.
Tom Cruise is doing a stunt at the Closing Ceremonies of the Paris Olympics. Word on the street is he's going to run really fast.
Everyone is talking about the Algerian boxer. Is she trans? Is she a guy? A girl? What is she? Why does everyone care...
2024-08-022h 47
Anywhere The Needle DropsBrian Vander ArkThe Verve Pipe's Brian Vander Ark joins Justin in the Red Chuck Studio for a conversation about Brian's career and life, from the "rise and fall" of The Verve Pipe after The Freshmen to quitting the band and returning, delivering motivating speeches to businesses and karaokeing his own huge hit song to an unknowing audience. Friend Homework! Fire Hazards! Billy The Kid! The Rapture! They get into it all! Be sure to see Brian with The Verve Pipe at the The Acorn Music Festival in Three Oaks, Michigan on June 15th and check out the full weekend...
2024-05-301h 02
More Than A TestShaping the Future: Tom Vander Ark on Empowering the Next GenerationIn this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with an influential voice in the world of education, Tom Vander Ark. As the CEO of Getting Smart, Tom brings his rich experience as a former executive director at the Gates Foundation and a public school superintendent to the table, sharing nuances of educational transformation you won't want to miss.Tom offers insights into why advanced educational technologies haven't made the expected impact on student outcomes, especially for those in need, and highlights the importance of access, implementation, and leadership in bridging that divide.Join us...
2024-02-2252 minGetting Smart PodcastLydia Logan on Green Jobs and IBM SkillsBuildJoin your community March 4-7 in Austin, Texas for SXSW EDU 2024 to help create a new tomorrow for learners everywhere! Go to sxswedu.com/attend/ to learn more. On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Lydia Logan, Vice President, Global Education and Workforce Development, Corporate Social Responsibility at IBM. Together, Lydia and Tom talk about the credentialing landscape, the rise of green skills and how IBM is bridging those worlds with SkillsBuilds. Links: Lydia Logan Press Release IBM SkillsBuild
2024-02-2125 min
Ed on the EdgeEpisode 3: The Education Whisperer | Tom Vander ArkIn this episode of Ed on the Edge, Michael Moe sits down with Tom Vander Ark.Tom is an advocate for better learning for everyone. As the CEO of Getting Smart, he provides advisory services to schools, districts, networks, foundations, and learning organizations, guiding them on the path forward. With a portfolio of over 50 books and papers, including notable works like "Getting Smart," "Smart Cities," "Smart Parents," "Better Together," and "The Power of Place," Tom has established himself as a prolific author and co-author. He brings valuable experience as a former public school superintendent and the first...
2023-12-0730 minGetting Smart PodcastJustin Reich on Iterate The Secret to Innovation in SchoolsOn this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Dr. Justin Reich, ED of MIT Teaching Systems Lab, host of the Teach Lab Podcast and author of Iterate: The Secret to Innovation in Schools. On this episode, they discuss the two paths to coherence: Invitational Leadership: inviting people into a shared vision Transformational Leadership: As Dr. Reich says, this is "Bringing People Together around Ideas They Care About;.....start[ing] with understanding, honoring, and respecting what people have already accomplished, and then helping them come together around ideas...
2023-10-0439 min
Build Momentum for Education - K-12 Superintendent SeriesS03E22 - Tom Vander Ark Talks AI, Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Mindset, and Building Credibility | Tom Vander Ark | REPLAYIn this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Tom Vander Ark, an advocate for innovations in learning. He is the CEO of Getting Smart, a design learning firm that helps education organizations increase their impact with innovations for a better learning experience. Tom is also a prolific writer and speaker who has authored or co-authored eight books, including “The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education” and “Smart Parents: Parenting for Powerful Learning,” and he’s working on a new one. He has also been a content contributor for Forbes, LinkedIn, and Getting Smart. In his fre...
2023-07-1325 min
Higher Ed Happy HourUnlocking Project-Based Learning: A Conversation with Tom Vander Ark | Ep. 30In this episode, Ian speaks with Tom Vander Ark. Tom is the CEO of Getting Smart, where he advises schools and foundations on how to accelerate innovations in learning that empower all people, not just a particular group. Tom is also the author of numerous books, including “Getting Smart: How Digital Learning is Changing the World”, and “The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education." Previously, Tom served as Executive Director of Education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and prior to that, he was a public school superintendent in Washington State. We discussed real-world learning and his “New Path...
2023-06-2648 min
Voices for ExcellenceTom Vander Ark - Creating a New Education and Disruptive Paradigm in the AC-Stage of Education
Tom Vander Ark is an advocate for innovations in learning. As CEO of Getting Smart, he advises schools, districts, networks, foundations and learning organizations on the path forward.
2023-05-3048 min
Build Momentum for Education - K-12 Superintendent SeriesS03E14 - Tom Vander Ark Talks AI, Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Mindset, and Building Credibility | Tom Vander ArkIn this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Tom Vander Ark, an advocate for innovations in learning. He is the CEO of Getting Smart, a design learning firm that helps education organizations increase their impact with innovations for a better learning experience. Tom is also a prolific writer and speaker who has authored or co-authored eight books, including “The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education” and “Smart Parents: Parenting for Powerful Learning,” and he’s working on a new one. He has also been a content contributor for Forbes, LinkedIn, and Getting Smart. In his fre...
2023-03-2324 minGetting Smart PodcastIn Conversation: Louka Parry and Tom Vander ArkOn this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, we're sharing a recent conversation between Tom Vander Ark and Louka Parry. Together they discuss the mission of school, credentials and records, generative AI, shifting towards regenerative models of learning and much more. Louka Parry is CEO of The Learning Future, a company committed to transforming learning structures, systems and societies so that we better empower individuals to develop the key human capabilities that matter most now and into the future. Louka is also the host of The Learning Future Podcast, which we recommend you check out for more c...
2023-02-0844 min
The Learning Future Podcast with Louka ParryGetting Smart: Tom Vander ArkIs there a chance that in trying to innovate we risk inflating systems in a way that 'misses the mark'? How can we approach innovative and big ideas in a way that is mission focussed?This conversation also features a careful speculations on the impact of OpenAI's ChatGPT and how learning innovators imagine and prepare for it's potential implications.https://www.gettingsmart.com/Transcript available at https://www.thelearingfuture.com.In this sixth episode of Education Transformed, Louka speaks with Tom Vander Ark, a strong professional advocate for innovation in education...
2023-02-0843 minGetting Smart PodcastDr. Paul LeBlanc on How We Can Fix Our Social SystemsThis episode of the Getting Smart Podcast is a part of our New Pathways campaign. In partnership with American Student Assistance® (ASA), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Stand Together and the Walton Foundation, the New Pathways campaign will question education's status quo and propose new methods of giving students a chance to experience success in what's next. On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Dr Paul LeBlanc, president of Southern New Hampshire University and author of the books Students First: Equity, Access, and Opportunity in Higher Education and, most recently, Br...
2022-12-1439 min
WayfarerWhat Indiana Jones Taught Me About Holiness (CaD 1 Sam 6)There's a moment at the end of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" that is a brilliant piece of writing and filmmaking. It takes the audience on a roller coast ride of emotions from disappointment to wonder to horror and it ends with awe. A chapter-a-day podcast from 1 Samuel 6. The text version may be found and shared at tomvanderwell.com.
2022-08-0107 minGetting Smart PodcastErin Jones on Stories and Strategies for Racial HealingOn this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Erin Jones, educator, leader, athlete and author of the great book Bridges to Heal US: Stories and Strategies for Racial Healing. Let's listen in as Erin reads us an original poem and they discuss athletic leadership, community conversations, the problem with establishing norms and much more. Links: Linkedin Twitter Bridges to Heal US: Stories and Strategies for Racial Healing Poetry Unbound: Rita Dove — Eurydice, Turning You Are Now the Host by Tom Vander Ark Bridges to Heal Wo...
2022-04-2735 min
The NetworkEpisode 43 - What's NextAre you dreaming about the future of education? So are Tom Vander Ark, Corey and the whole CAPS Network. Listen into this conversation for insights into how education is already shifting toward the future and what may be on the horizon for the next generation of learners. Tom Vander Ark of Getting Smart shares his discoveries as he and his team connect with educational innovators all over the world. This episode is full of affirmations for the work Network partners are already doing. If you are not already a Network partner, here are the reasons you should explore our 5...
2022-02-2342 minGetting Smart PodcastJoseph South on Purpose-Driven ExpertiseOn this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Tom Vander Ark is joined by Joseph South (@southjoseph), Chief Learning Officer at ISTE. Joseph formerly served as the Director of the Office of Educational Technology at the U.S. Department of Education. Let's listen in as Tom and Joseph discuss the importance of expertise and providing students with the chance to do work that matters to them and their community. Where to go for more? Peak: Secrets from the new Science of Expertise https://www.edsurge.com/news/2017-10-27-mia-in-school-instilling-a-sense-of-purpose-in-students Esther Wojcicki on Ra...
2022-02-2329 min
Cognia Leader ChatEpisode 16: Focusing on Innovative Learning Design and Schools with Tom Vander ArkHow can schools overcome the current challenges and use their opportunities to innovate? If anyone knows the answer to this question, it would be Tom Vander Ark. As the CEO of getting smart, he has visited thousands of schools and contributed to countless books, articles, blog posts, and podcasts on the topic of educational innovations. He and Jeff explore the need for leaders to strategically shift their attention from political turmoil to innovative opportunities and systems for students. Prepare yourself for a fascinating conversation.
2022-02-1838 minGetting Smart PodcastCaroline Hill on Black Next-Story Month and equityXdesignOn this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Tom Vander Ark is joined by Caroline Hill, a Washington DC based education entrepreneur and founder of 228 Accelerator. Caroline also is the creator of the equityXdesign framework, a way of building on design thinking and other design processes to ensure human-centered and equitable practices. Let's listen in as Tom and Caroline discuss the importance of mindfulness and wellness for leaders, what drives innovation, reimagining black history month, redesigning oppressive systems and much more. Links: 4.0 Schools228 AcceleratorTwitterequityXdesign PaperBlack Next-Story Mont...
2022-02-1841 min
Capital ClassCapital Class with Tom Vander ArkSeason #2, Episode #1: Tom Vander Ark, CEO of Getting Smart In today's episode, Adam sat down with Tom Vander Ark.Tom Vander Ark is an advocate for innovations in learning. As CEO of Getting Smart, he advises schools, districts, networks, foundations and learning organizations on the path forward. A prolific writer and speaker, Tom is author of Getting Smart, Smart Cities That Work for Everyone, Smart Parents, Better Together, The Power of Place and Difference Making at the Heart of Learning and has published thousands of articles and co-authored more than 50 books and white papers. He w...
2022-02-0247 minGetting Smart PodcastAnnie Murphy Paul on The Extended MindOn this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Annie Murphy Paul author of the new book The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain. For the past decade, Annie has been a leading brain science writer on The Brilliant Blog. Let's listen in as Tom and Annie discuss the importance of the body in using the mind, how this can be better applied in schools and distributed cognition.
2021-12-0132 minGetting Smart PodcastKiko Suarez on Comprehensive Learner RecordsOn this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Kiko Suarez, VP of Higher Education and Workforce Development at Territorium, a global edtech company connecting learners with recommended jobs. Territorium recently launched its AI-powered Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR), into the U.S. to break down the barriers between universities and employers. Let's listen in as Tom and Kiko discuss why learner records are so important, the state of higher education and who decides which skills are most important.
2021-11-2429 min
Getting Smart Podcast328- Justina Nixon-Saintil on Corporate Social Responsibility and the Rise of P-TECHThis week, Tom Vander Ark is sitting down with Justina Nixon-Saintil, the Vice President and Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at IBM. Justina drives strategic, socially responsible programmatic investments that enable IBM's technology and talent to address some of society's biggest challenges worldwide. She also leads initiatives like P-TECH and SkillsBuilds and uses multi-sector partnerships to help create more inclusive and innovative schools and workforces. Justina was also Verizon's liaison to President Obama's White House Office of Science and Technology, U.S. Department of the Interior, and U.S. Department of Education. Earlier in her career, she was...
2021-05-1926 min
in PiazzaGettingSmart CEO and Partner Tom Vander ArkGetting Smart CEO and Partner Tom Vander Ark joins Jeanne and Michael in Piazza to talk about his extensive work advising companies and schools on education and innovation, his work in philanthropy, the importance of opportunity in education and the workplace, his take on the newest forms of schools spurred into greater use by COVID and more.
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2021-04-1436 min
Getting Smart Podcast319- The 100 Days of Conversation Project and the Importance of Community AgreementsThis week, Tom Vander Ark is joined by a group of young change-makers and Dr. Erin Raab, Chief Strategy Impact Officer of the Choice-filled Lives Network. Together, they discuss the "100 Days of Conversations" project, a collaborative project organized to catalyze conversations in communities across the country on each of the first 100 days of the new administration. Alongside Erin, three young men are setting the stage for impactful and life-changing conversations in Minnesota. These young men are Jose Perez, Cole Stevens, and Walter Cortina. And together they run an organization called Bridgemakers. Erin, Jose, Cole, and...
2021-04-0744 min
Getting Smart Podcast316- Up Close with Nevada Succeeds: Leading State Learning TransformationWelcome back to the Nevada Succeeds mini-series with your hosts, Rashawn "Shawnee" Caruthers and Tom Vander Ark! This three-part series is all about leadership, innovation, and education opportunities within Nevada Succeeds — a Las Vegas-based education non-profit focused on empowering systems transformation through educator impact, policy, and design-thinking. In this second part of the three-part series with Nevada Succeeds, Shawnee Caruthers and Tom Vander Ark welcome Nevada State Superintendent, Jhone Ebert; Nevada Succeeds Executive Director, Jeanine Collins; as well as two teachers and InspirED Global fellows, Mike Lang and Jordana McCudden. Jhone Ebert is the Superintendent of...
2021-03-2630 min
consideranew (+ Season 2 cohost, Dr. Jane Shore of School of Thought)Season 1: Episode 38 - Tom Vander Ark + Emily Liebtag: What do you repeatedly do?"Difference Making at the Heart of Learning: Students, Schools, and Communities Alive with Possibility" by Tom Vander Ark and Emily Liebtag (2021) (http://bit.do/fP26c)"For some, building social capital and creating a culture and curriculum of contribution may cut against the grain of the American tradition of personal identity and autonomy. It's less familiar than the pursuit of individual gain. But ironically, it's clear that contribution is the superpower of the innovation economy. It is learning how to make a difference that builds value for individuals and communities" (p. 62).References:
2021-03-2607 min
Getting Smart Podcast314- Up Close with Nevada Succeeds: Origins of the InspirED FellowshipJoin hosts Rashawn "Shawnee" Caruthers and Tom Vander Ark in this special Getting Smart Podcast mini-series about the Nevada Succeeds InspirED Global Fellowship! This will be a three-part series all about leadership, innovation, and education opportunities within Nevada Succeeds — a Las Vegas-based education non-profit focused on empowering systems transformation through educator impact, policy, and design-thinking. Dedicated to building a state-wide ecosystem, Nevada Succeeds launched InspireED Global Fellowship in July 2020 in partnership with Las Vegas Sands. The goal of the fellowship is to empower educational practitioners to investigate Nevada education challenges and use design-thinking to develop actionable plans to...
2021-03-1940 min
Leading ForwardE12 - Difference Making at the Heart of Learning with Tom Vander ArkJoin a conversation with Tom Vander Ark, advocate for innovation in learning and CEO of Getting Smart, about how the world has changed and what kind of experiences we might create to help foster the knowledge, skills, and abilities that will be most important to students. Tom also shares insights gained from the more than 2,000 schools he has visited and tells us about his latest book, "Difference Making at the Heart of Learning".
2021-03-0321 min
Getting Smart Podcast309 - Summer Stephens and Nate Waite on Change in Churchill County School DistrictOn this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Summer Stephens and Nate Waite about district change in the Churchill County School District. Summer Stephens is a longtime educator and superintendent that has successfully implemented systems of blended and online learning, voice and choice, self-paced learning, project-based learning, and design thinking. A specific focus of her work includes bridging the gap between courses traditionally identified as core and CTE, and, working to ensure that systems have opportunities and pathways for all students to engage in future-ready work. Nate Waite has...
2021-02-2433 min
Getting Smart Podcast307 - Thomas Hatch on The Education We Need and the Future We Can't PredictJoining Tom today is Thomas Hatch, a professor at the Teachers College Columbia University and the Director of the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching (NCREST). Thomas's research includes studies of school improvement, district, and national levels. His latest book, The Education We Need for a Future We Can't Predict, focuses on efforts to create more powerful learning experiences both inside and outside schools in developed and developing contexts. In Thomas and Tom's conversation, they discuss the future of powerful learning, micro-innovations, and change. Thomas takes listeners through his book, The Education We Need for...
2021-02-1735 min
Getting Smart Podcast306 - Stephanie Krauss on Readiness, Opportunity, and The Right to a Decent LifeToday Tom is speaking with Stephanie Krauss; an educator, social worker, researcher, and writer. Her work focuses on what young people need in the first quarter of life for them to thrive and be ready for adulthood. She is a senior advisor to JFF and a staff consultant for the Youth Transition Funders Group. In this episode, Tom and Stephanie discuss the ways her childhood ultimately led her to follow up her teaching career with an education in social work. Her new book, Making It: What Today's Kids Need for Tomorrow's World, focuses on the rarely discussed...
2021-02-1039 min
Getting Smart Podcast305 - Navid Nathoo on What Education Can Learn From The Real World and The Knowledge SocietyToday Tom is speaking with Navid Nathoo; an innovator, entrepreneur, and creator of the new program and platform, The Knowledge Society. The Knowledge Society is an after-school program that helps learners navigate interests and encourages them to contribute to their communities as well as the global community with a series of projects. In this episode, Tom and Navid talk about what the future of education could be and how to get learners to find their spark and lean into difference-making. Navid shares about the genesis of The Knowledge Society, its mission, why he decided to create it...
2021-02-0333 min
Getting Smart Podcast304 - Trace Pickering on Community-Connected ProjectsToday, Tom is virtually sitting down with Trace Pickering, the Executive Director of Iowa BIG — one of Getting Smart's favorite learning programs in the country! Trace has a background in community building, has served as the Associate Superintendent of Cedar Rapids Community School District, and has also served as the Associate Director of Education Reimagined. Trace has a legacy of empowering people to pursue interesting and important projects while bringing together an entire community. In this conversation, Tom and Trace discuss the power of community-connected projects, how to scale a program like Iowa BIG, and ho...
2021-01-2731 min
Getting Smart Podcast303 - Randy Ziegenfuss on Learner-Centered LeadershipIn this episode, Tom is joined by Kelly Young, President of Education Reimagined, to chat with Randy Ziegenfuss, podcast host and former Superintendent, about his multi-decade influence in the education space. Randy recently retired from the role of Superintendent in the Salisbury Township School District where he served for the past 15 years. Currently, he teaches as a Clinical Adjunct Professor of Education at Moravian College and Delaware Valley University. You can read his blog at WorkingAtTheEdge.org and listen to his podcasts at ShiftYourParadigm.org or TLTalkRadio.org. Listen in as Tom and Kelly reflect...
2021-01-2041 min
Getting Smart Podcast302 - Kim Smith on Creating Schools, Companies and the Pahara InstituteIn this week's episode, Tom virtually sits down with Kim Smith, founder of the Pahara Institute and co-founder of NewSchools Venture Fund and Bellwether Education Partners. Kim Smith is widely recognized as an innovative and entrepreneurial leader in education and has been featured in Newsweek's report, "Women of the 21st Century," as the kind of woman who will shape America's new century. Kim was also a founding team member at Teach for America, created and led an Americorps program for community-based leaders and education, managed a business startup, and completed a brief stint in early online learning...
2021-01-1335 min
Getting Smart Podcast301 - Joe Erpelding on Magical Schools and ThrivelyThis week, Tom is speaking with Joe Erpelding, a passionate educator and leader who is in the business of transforming schools and students' lives. Joe served as the Principal at the Poway Unified School District for a number of years before making his way to Design39Campus where he was able to create a magical, one-of-a-kind school experience for every learner. Now, he is transitioning to support the team at Thrively, a tool for helping learners understand their strengths, purpose, and passion. Listen in as Tom speaks with Joe about what makes Design39 a magical...
2021-01-0632 min
Getting Smart Podcast300 - Jeff Selingo on Who Gets Into College And WhyToday, Tom is talking with journalist and author, Jeff Selingo, about his new book, Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions. This book was published in September 2020 and was named an Editor's Choice by the New York Times book review. Jeff has written about higher education for more than two decades and is a New York Times best-selling author of three books. He is also a regular contributor to The Atlantic and is a special advisor for innovation and professor of practice at Arizona State University. Additionally, he co-hosts the Future U Podcast, with Michael Horn.
2020-12-3036 min
Getting Smart Podcast299 - Maya Ajmera on Social Entrepreneurship and the State of ScienceThis week, Tom is joined by special guest, Maya Ajmera, the President and CEO of the Society for Science & the Public and Publisher of its award-winning magazine, Science News. In 1993, Maya founded The Global Fund for Children (GFC), a non-profit organization that invests in innovative, community-based organizations working with some of the world's most vulnerable children and youth. She is also a celebrated children's book author with more than twenty books under her belt. Recently, Maya was awarded the 2020 Public Service Award by the National Science Foundation. In this conversation, Tom talks with Maya about...
2020-12-2337 min
Getting Smart Podcast297 - Michelle Weise on Long Life LearningThis week, Tom is sitting down with author and advisor, Michelle Weise, to discuss her new book, Long Life Learning: Preparing for Jobs that Don't Even Exist Yet. Michelle is currently serving as an entrepreneur-in-residence and Senior Advisor at Imaginable Futures, a venture of The Omidyar Group. Michelle was formerly the Chief Innovation Officer at Strada Education Network's Institute for the Future of Work, and Sandbox Collaborative, the innovation center of Southern New Hampshire University. She was also the co-author of Hire Education: Mastery, Modularization, and the Workforce Revolution, with Clayton Christensen. In this conversation...
2020-12-0949 min
Getting Smart Podcast288 - Tom Vander Ark on Difference Making and Schools Alive with PossibilityOn today's episode of the Getting Smart podcast, Rebecca Midles sits down with Tom Vander Ark to discuss the new book co-authored by him and Dr. Emily Liebtag: Difference Making at the Heart of Learning. This book stemmed out of our multi-year Future of Work campaign when our team realized that one of the hallmarks of the future of work is purposeful work contributing to communities. Through hundreds of school visits and powerful conversations with inspirational organizations across the globe, we observed changemakers in action and learners who were more ready than ever to make a difference...
2020-11-0435 min
Getting Smart Podcast287 - Deanna Mulligan on Talent and the Opportunity GapToday on the podcast, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Deanna Mulligan on the topics of talent, leadership, and the opportunity gap. Deanna grew up in a small town in Nebraska, earned an MBA from Stanford, and became the Principal Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company. After working there for eight years, Deanna launched a career in insurance where, after a two-year sabbatical, she became the CEO of Guardian Life Insurance, one of the ten largest life insurance companies in America. Additionally, Deanna served on the President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans from 2014–2015 an...
2020-10-2829 min
Getting Smart Podcast284 - Joanne McEachen on Contributive LearningThis month on Getting Smart, the podcasts will be focused on the theme of difference-making — which is also the subject of a new book launched just this week by Tom Vander Ark and Emily Liebtag, Difference Making at the Heart of Learning: Students, Schools, and Communities Alive With Possibility. To kick things off, Joanne McEachen is joining the podcast to have a conversation with Tom about her newest book, The Depthvale Detectives and the Great Education Crisis: A Guide to Contributive Learning in Schools. Joanne is the founder and CEO of The Learner First, an international education co...
2020-10-0729 min
Getting Smart Podcast283 - Ed Hess on Adapting to the Speed of ChangeToday, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Ed Hess to talk hyper-learning — one of the new demands of the 21st-Century workforce. After 20 years in business, Ed Hess has spent nearly two decades in academia teaching leadership. He is a professor of business administration and Batten Faculty Fellow at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. He is the author of eleven books, over sixty articles, and over 60 Darden cases. His new book, Hyper-Learning: How to Adapt to the Speed of Change, suggests that for humans to stay relevant in the workplace, we have to be able to...
2020-09-3033 min
Getting Smart Podcast278 - Haley Richardson and Gary Funk on Rural Teachers and Rural SchoolsIn today's episode, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Gary Funk and Haley Richardson for a discussion on rural schools and rural teachers! Gary Funk has spent 30 years serving and advocating for America's rural schools. For the last four years, he has served as the Director of the Rural Schools Collaborative. Currently, he's running a campaign called "I Am a Rural Teacher," which is a national advocacy campaign that gives voice to rural teachers. Recently, Gary and the "I Am a Rural Teacher" campaign recently highlighted the rural school teacher, Haley Richardson, who teaches second...
2020-09-0935 min
Getting Smart Podcast276 - Ron Berger on A Teamwork Approach to School CultureToday on the podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Ron Berger. Ron has been teaching for 40 years and is currently the Chief Academic Officer at EL Education. He's also the author of some popular books you may have heard of! One of which, Leaders of Their Own Learning: Transforming Schools Through Student-Engaged Assessment, is one of Getting Smart's favorites. Last year, Ron joined the Getting Smart podcast to discuss a companion piece to Leaders of Their Own Learning. (If you missed it, be sure to check out episode 222, linked below!) In this...
2020-08-2633 min
Getting Unstuck – Cultivating CuriosityUtilizing the Power of Place – Tom Vander ArkInnovating in today's schools is tough for a number of reasons. There are historic barriers and sometimes frankly, there's the inertia of leadership. One easy way to innovate and bring some pretty interesting results for kids, however, is to literally step outside the walls of the classroom and school. Long-time educational observer and reformer, Tom Vander Ark explains "The Power of Place."
2020-08-2548 min
Data BrilliantWhy data and data literacy should be put on school curriculums with Tom Vander ArkIn this episode, Data Brilliant explores why teaching data literacy skills from a young age is essential for preparing people for both their personal and work lives with special guest, Tom Vander Ark, CEO of Getting Smart and contributor to Forbes.As learning around the world has moved online over the past few months, has this brought to the fore different and new skillsets needed? Tom and Qlik’s Chief Data Officer, Joe DosSantos will discuss the vital role of technology within the education system today.Whilst many would assume that younger generations are “digital nati...
2020-08-0524 min
Ignite EdTech PodcastJuly 17 2020 - Episode 11July 17 2020 - Episode 11The EdTech Chat Podcast with @mrkempnz***Ignite EdTech Consultancy Services NEW Website***1. Introduction & Prize Sponsor - Schoolbox2. Question for you - How do you define and refine your school's EdTech Culture?3. Interview with Glen Radjokovich4. EdTech Tool of the Week - Wix5. EdTech Tip of the Week - Developing a Positive EdTech Culture6. Interview with Tom...
2020-07-1632 min
Getting Smart Podcast270 - Brian Greenberg on Creating Great New SchoolsToday's episode is featuring a recent interview Tom Vander Ark had with Brian Greenberg on creating great schools! Greenberg is an educator, investor, and entrepreneur at the intersection of technology, education, and philanthropy. He is also one of Getting Smart team's favorite people right now in education! After teaching high school English in L.A., Brian Greenberg was the founding Principal for Leadership Public Schools in the Bay Area. He coached principals for new leaders and served as Chief Academic Officer for Envision Schools. Eight years ago, with support from the Fischer family, Greenberg opened...
2020-07-1547 min
Getting Smart Podcast267 - Nichole Berg & Kimberly Howard on Educating on Climate ChangeToday, the Getting Smart team is bringing you an interesting episode on educating on climate change with Nichole Berg and Kimberly Howard. Nichole Berg is the program's manager for climate change and climate justice at Portland Public Schools where she leads efforts to support the school board's groundbreaking climate literacy solution. Joining Berg in this interview is Kimberly Howard, the Program Officer at Portland General Electric, as well as the sponsor for the development of a climate change curriculum. Together, Nichole, Kimberly, and Tom discuss the school board's initiative to empower...
2020-07-0134 min
Getting Smart Podcast266 - Jeb Bush on Digital Learning Now!In today's episode, Tom is sitting down with former Governor Jeb Bush, to discuss all things digital learning. Bush served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 until 2006. After leaving office, he formed and still chairs the Foundation for Excellence in Education also known as ExcelinEd. The national non-profit organization focuses on state education policy and continues the important work that Bush championed in Florida. In 2010, Bush launched Digital Learning Now, a policy roadmap for the future of education. With his co-chair, former West Virginia Governor, Bob Wise, an all-star group of 100 advisors was formed. And after 100...
2020-06-2431 min
Getting Smart Podcast265 - Corey Mohn and Shameka Montgomery on Next-Gen Career EducationIn today's episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Corey Mahn and Shameka Montgomery to discuss next-gen career education. Corey Mohn is the Executive Director of the Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies (or CAPS for short). This next-generation career center supports five suburban Kansas city high schools with, what they call professions-based learning, an applied project-based learning that immerses young people in the challenges of high wage, high growth jobs. This next-gen career center has inspired a national network that includes more than 60 school districts. And one of...
2020-06-1734 min
RethinkingEDUEp11-Networks-Tom Vander Ark and the Learner-Centered Schools Of Our FutureIn one of the best conversations yet, the team drops some tough questions into the lap of Getting Smart's Tom Vander Ark. Tom shares his thoughts on schools opening this fall, the wide range of work he's involved with, and a treasure trove of schools to check out in the world. Plugs include Chris Emdin's IG, Tom's vegetarian cooking IG, the Green School in Bali, Slidesyearbook, OERcommons, How to Be Heard by Celine Coggins, and so much more. Music by Ketsa.
2020-06-1654 min
Getting Smart Podcast264 - Ryan Craig on Putting America Back to WorkThis week on the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is welcoming back a return guest — Ryan Craig! Ryan is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of University Ventures and Achieve Partners. As Managing Director of University Ventures, Ryan was the most important investor in higher education — or, more specifically, last-mile training alternatives to higher education. In his 2018 book, A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College, Ryan made the case that unless you get a free ride to a top school, you should find a free or affordable sprint to a great first job...
2020-06-1034 min
Getting Smart Podcast263 - Kaleb Rashad on Race and Education in AmericaIn this special episode, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Kaleb Rashad, a leading voice in education and the Director of Creative Leadership at the High Tech High Graduate School of Education. Over the past 10 years, Kaleb has worked with diverse communities to co-create equity-driven, liberatory school cultures characterized by student-centered pedagogy, trust-rich relationships, and creative leadership practices. Prior to High Tech High, Kaleb taught middle school math and science and served as the site administrator in two middle schools and two elementary schools. In their discussion together, Tom and Kaleb...
2020-06-0533 min
Getting Smart Podcast262 - Getting Smart on the Innovation OpportunityToday, the Getting Smart team is bringing you an episode on the innovation opportunity ahead. As we all try to make sense of the health, economic, and education crisis we're all experiencing, the Getting Smart team has been participating in dialogues with educators from around the world about how to make the best of a bad situation. And now that the end of the school year is here, the team is shifting their Getting Through series from stories and advice to supporting remote learning and long-term closures, to the now challenging work of reopening schools in the...
2020-06-0336 min
Getting Smart Podcast261 - Jason Glass on Leading for Deeper LearningThis week on the podcast, Tom Vander Ark interviews Dr. Jason Glass, the Superintendent of Jeffco Public Schools! Serving 84,000 students, Jefferson County is the largest district in Colorado. It encompasses 800 square miles and serves urban, suburban, and rural communities west of Denver. Before Jeffco, Dr. Glass served as Superintendent at Eagle County School and District for four years. And prior to that, he served as the Chief State School Officer for the Iowa Department of Education. Dr. Glass has promoted deeper learning across the 155 site-based diverse school options in Jefferson County. ...
2020-05-2731 min
Getting Smart Podcast260 - Greg Shaw on Reprogramming the American DreamIn this episode, you are welcome to join Tom Vander Ark and Greg Shaw for a discussion around reprogramming the American dream. Greg Shaw is a writer from Bellevue, Washington. He has supported the policy and communication needs of Microsoft and the Gates Foundation for more than 25 years. Three years ago, Greg worked with Satya Nadella on Hit Refresh, a book on the remaking of Microsoft as a leader in cloud computing and artificial intelligence. For the last two years, Greg has been working alongside Kevin Scott on their newest book, Reprogramming the American Dream...
2020-05-2035 min
Getting Smart Podcast259 - Eric Tucker on Reopening Schools with Equity in MindIn today's discussion, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Dr. Eric Tucker, the co-founder and Executive Director of the Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School. Brooklyn Labs is a next-generation college-preparatory 6–12 public charter school that prepares scholars with the academic foundation, digital literacy, and leadership skills necessary to succeed in college and professional life. Recently, Eric created a 10-point plan based on insights and resources from practitioners and experts to help educators reimagine and strengthen education systems. In particular, it was created to encourage school and system leaders to consider how the needs of people of color and individuals wi...
2020-05-1355 min
Getting Smart Podcast258 - Flynn Coleman on a Human AlgorithmIn this episode, the team is diving into artificial intelligence and the future of work and learning. Today's guest, Flynn Coleman, is an international human rights attorney, a professor, and a social entrepreneur. She's also a former competitive athlete, she speaks five languages, and she has lived and learned in a dozen different countries! Flynn has spoken and written extensively on issues of war crimes, gender equality, behavioral economics, and emerging technologies. Her new book, A Human Algorithm, explores how artificial intelligence is redefining who we are. The Getting Smart team appreciates her focus on...
2020-05-0643 min
Getting Smart Podcast257 - Tony Wagner on Learning by HeartThis week on the podcast, Tony Wagner is joining Tom Vander Ark to speak about his most recent book and all that he has learned throughout his career in education. Tony Wagner is a former high school teacher, principal, teacher educator, and school coach. For three decades, he's been an advocate for deeper learning for all students. His books, Change Leadership, The Global Achievement Gap, Creating Innovators, and Most Likely to Succeed, sounded the alarm bell that the new economy requires new experiences and outcomes. In his new memoir, Learning by Heart, Dr. Wagner recounts...
2020-04-2945 min
Getting Smart Podcast255 - Dan Gohl on Leading in CrisisIn this episode, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Daniel Gohl. Dan is the Chief Academic Officer at Broward County Public Schools. The district serves the greater Fort Lauderdale area of South Florida and has nearly 270,000 students on 241 campuses. It's the sixth-largest district in the country. Dan has been a learning leader in Austin, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Houston, Texas. In his fifth year in Broward, as part of Superintendent Robert Runcie's team, Dan oversaw the development of a great system of schools with well-developed personalized learning, the biggest speech and debate program, and the biggest computer science...
2020-04-1444 min
Getting Smart Podcast250 - Tom Rooney and Scott Rowe: Buildings are Closed, Learning Goes On!In today's special bonus episode, the Getting Smart team is sharing two school districts' success stories that are currently shifting to remote learning after the outbreak of the coronavirus. In these schools, the buildings may have closed but the learning has never stopped! Both of these Superintendents have built great teams and great systems and they are confident that education in their districts (and beyond) will emerge better than ever as a result of this crisis. First up to speak on the podcast is Tom Rooney from Lindsay Unified, which is located in California's Central...
2020-03-2748 min
Getting Smart Podcast249 - Anant Agarwal on Extended Access to EducationToday on the podcast, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Anant Agarwal, the founder and CEO of edX. In 2012, Anant founded edX, which was created in partnership between MIT and Harvard to extend open access to the courses taught by the best professors in the world. On top of this, Anant is also a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT. He has also served as the Director of CSAIL, MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. In total, he has worked at MIT for 32 years. Presently, he is also a Commission member on the...
2020-03-2535 min
Getting Smart Podcast247 - The Power of Place with Tom Vander Ark, Dr. Emily Liebtag, and Nate McClennenThis week on the podcast, join Tom Vander Ark, Dr. Emily Liebtag, and Nate McClennen as they discuss their newly published book, The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education! They speak about the main themes they cover, the experiences and examples they share throughout it, and the defining principles of place-based education. As a refresher, Emily Liebtag is the recently appointed CEO of Boundless, an organization dedicated to highlighting innovations in education. And Nate McClennen is the Vice President of Education and Innovation at Teton Science Schools where he focuses his time on...
2020-03-1144 min
Getting Smart Podcast246 - Ed Hidalgo on Introducing Youth to The World of WorkIn today's episode, Tom Vander Ark is continuing the conversation about starting career education early with Ed Hidalgo and Dr. David Bluestein! If you haven't already, be sure to tune into that conversation first and then come back here to listen to Part Two! After almost two decades of leadership and high tech human resource staffing, Ed Hidalgo led the development of the career education program called "World of Work." Ed then joined the Cajon Valley Union School District as Chief Innovation and Engagement Officer and implemented the best K-8 career education program in the...
2020-03-0436 min
Getting Smart Podcast245 - David Blustein on Working in AmericaIn this week's episode, Tom Vander Ark is talking with Dr. David Blustein, a Professor of Counseling Psychology at Boston College. Dr. Blustein's 2006 book, The Psychology of Working, made him a leader in the emerging field of vocational psychology. His newest book, The Importance of Work in an Age of Uncertainty, discusses the eroding work experience in America and how to prepare young people to thrive in a complex world. Also joining Dr. Blustein and Tom in this episode is Ed Hidalgo from the Cajon Valley Union School District — a leading example of early immersive ca...
2020-02-2634 min
Getting Smart Podcast244 - Rebecca Amis on Taking Student-Centered Learning GlobalToday, the Getting Smart team is going to learn about a school that is taking student-centered learning global! Rebecca Amis is the co-founder of MUSE School in Calabasas, California. MUSE is a small student-centered P-12 school with a robust sustainability agenda, a great Seed-to-Table program, a vegan kitchen, and climate action integrated across the curriculum. Rebecca and her team are also launching a new initiative called MUSE Global that will provide access to the key elements of the MUSE School model to communities around the world. Tune in to learn more about MUSE School, what...
2020-02-1929 min
Getting Smart Podcast242 - EdTech: Past and Future with Larry BergerThis week on the podcast, the Getting Smart team is talking about the past and future of EdTech with Larry Berger! After his Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University, Larry Berger served as a Whitehouse Fellow working on educational technology at NASA. In 2000, he co-founded Wireless Generation, an early leader in reading assessment. After being acquired in 2010, the company then became Amplify. And just five years ago, after a spinout, the company became a leader in digital K-8 English, math, and science curriculum. Tune in as Larry describes the history and the...
2020-02-0545 min
Getting Smart Podcast240 - Jean Eddy on Starting Early with Career EducationWhether you're a parent, an educator, or someone who has worked alongside youth, you probably understand the confusion that comes up for learners and their parents when it comes time for college. They're trying to figure out where to go, what to major in, and how to pay for it. But that's why American Student Assistance, the non-profit also known as ASA, provides advice and support starting in middle school! In today's episode, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Jean Eddy, the CEO of ASA. She has been a leader in higher education in America...
2020-01-2234 min
Getting Smart Podcast239 - Jo Boaler On the Limitless Mind and Learning Math That MattersToday's episode is all about limitless learning and learning math that really matters with Dr. Jo Boaler! Dr. Boaler is a Professor of Mathematics Education at Stanford University and the author of fourteen books. Her newest book, Limitless Mind: Learn, Lead, and Live Without Barriers, shares the benefits of a growth mindset, collaboration, and learning from mistakes with a general audience. Based on lessons from research in the U.S. and the UK, Dr. Boaler formed YouCubed.org, which gives teachers, parents, and students the resources they need to excite students about mathematics. YouCubed is...
2020-01-1541 min
Getting Smart Podcast238 - Chad Dorsey on Modeling and Data Science in STEM EducationToday, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Chad Dorsey about modeling and data science in STEM education! Chad grew up a science geek; he loved the lakes and meadows of summer camp, he studied physics in college, and he did doctoral work in geophysics at Oregon. Later on in life, he taught science in Maine and Vermont before taking on the leadership of the Concord Consortium. For more than a decade, Chad has been leading Concord's effort to use tech to transform STEM education by empowering learners to ask and answer their own questions. In...
2020-01-0844 min
Getting Smart Podcast233 - Rebecca Parks on Learning and Exploring Through Nature and ScienceIn today's episode, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Rebecca Parks and Dr. William Nicely. Dr. Nicely is the Superintendent of Kearney School District and Rebecca is the leader of two schools within the district — Southview Elementary and LENS. Southview is a great K-5 school, serving 550 learners, and LENS (Learning and Exploring through Nature and Science), located just right next door, is a new place-based program for about 50 3rd and 4th graders. What is so fascinating about LENS is that it was inspired by a local Paleo Artist by the name of Gary Staab. In hi...
2019-12-0417 min
Getting Smart Podcast232 - Virginia Superintendent James Lane on Unleashing InnovationToday on the podcast, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Dr. James Lane, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction at the Virginia Department of Education. Dr. Lane started his career in education serving as a band teacher, a school leader, and then System Head in two districts before finally ending up at the Virginia Department of Education. He really wanted to see more engaging approaches to learning and truly believes that the best decisions are made as close to the child as possible. He's even announced that his office, which some thought of as the 'Tower of 'No'' would...
2019-11-2730 min
Getting Smart Podcast231 - Today's topic is all about trends!Today's topic is all about trends! Tom is flying solo this episode to outline 20 global trends that learning leaders need to consider. These trends are impacting not only elementary and secondary but higher education as well! This podcast summarizes a blog series Tom wrote in August in September (linked below) — so be sure to check out the blog series after you're done listening to today's episode! Buckle up and get ready for 20 trends in (approximately) 20 minutes! Key Takeaways: [:14] About today's episode! [1:06] Tom starts by highlighting fo...
2019-11-2027 min
Getting Smart Podcast229 - Eric Williams on Empowering Students to Make a ContributionToday's episode is all about contribution and empowering all students to make meaningful contributions to the world! At Loudoun County Public Schools that is their motto! LCPS is a big Virginia district west of Washington, DC, serving about 84,000 students in 94 schools. In today's episode, Tom Vander Ark gets to speak with the Superintendent of Loudoun, Dr. Eric Williams. Dr. Williams has been Superintendent in Loudoun for just over five years. While many districts reference citizenship as a goal, Williams prefers the term 'contribution,' as it incorporates careers in the private sector, civic engagement, and...
2019-11-0630 min
Getting Smart Podcast228 - Michael Horn on Choosing CollegeToday on the podcast, Tom Vander Ark is joined by Michael Horn! Michael has been a thought leader in education from the day Clayton Christensen took him on as a co-author of Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns. After the book came out in 2008, Michael went on to lead the education practice at the Christensen Institute for a dozen years. Four years ago, after writing a paper called, "Disrupting College," with Christensen, Michael shifted the majority of his time to advising higher education leaders. Horn's newest book, Choosing College: How to Make Better...
2019-10-3048 min
Steve Hargadon InterviewsTom Vander Ark: Getting Smart | Steve Hargadon | Sep 27 2012Tom Vander Ark: Getting Smart | Steve Hargadon | Sep 27 2012 by Steve Hargadon
2019-08-2359 min
Getting Smart Podcast217 - How Educators Can Positively Impact a Child's Cognitive Development with Dr. Pamela CantorIn today's episode, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Pamela Cantor, M.D., a leading expert on childhood development. Dr. Cantor has practiced child psychiatry for nearly two decades and originally studied the impact of trauma on childhood development at Cornell. After 9/11, New York City asked her to counsel children struggling in the aftermath. That effort became Turnaround for Children, a non-profit provider of tools and services supporting children that had experienced trauma, of which Dr. Cantor is the founder and Sr. Science Advisor. Additionally, Dr. Cantor has over seven million views on her videos about childhood development, which wer...
2019-08-1644 min
Getting Smart Podcast213 - How the KIPP Foundation is Helping Students Nationwide Get Through College, with CEO Richard BarthToday, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Richard Barth, CEO of KIPP and Chairman of the Board at Braven. Prior to these roles, he also worked with Teach for America from 1989-1996, was President of District Partnerships for Edison Schools for seven years, and served as a Member of the Board at General Assembly. After helping Teach for America get off to a good start, Richard Barth married the founder and CEO, Wendy Kopp. Richard went to work for a school developer and in 2005, he joined a foundation supporting a fledgling charter school network called...
2019-07-3141 min
Getting Smart Podcast210 - Exploring Climate Change Education with Greg SmithIn this week's episode, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Greg Smith, a former Professor of Teacher Education at Lewis & Clark for 28 years. Greg's background with teaching in a Quaker school in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains gave him a powerful sense of place — both in meaning and community. It drew students into mutual responsibility, social justice, peace, and environmental responsibility. He took that spirit into his Ph.D. studies at the University of Wisconsin and then into a teaching career at Portland, Oregon's Lewis & Clark, where he taught 'Envisioning a Sustainable Society' an...
2019-07-1934 min
Getting Smart Podcast208 - How to Raise Successful People with Esther WojcickiIn this week's episode, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Esther Wojcicki, an internationally-known educator, consultant, and speaker with a demonstrated history of working in the e-learning industry. She is the Chief Learning Officer at Planet3, the Founder of the Journalistic Learning Initiative in collaboration with the University of Oregon, an Advisory Board member at THNK, The Amsterdam School of Creative Leadership, a Plenary Speaker at UNESCO, and a teacher at Palo Alto High School since 1984 who shaped their journalism program from the ground up! On top of all this (and many more organizations and initiatives she is a...
2019-07-1245 min
Getting Smart Podcast205 - Reflections on Time at D51 with Rebecca MidlesToday, the Getting Smart team is speaking with Rebecca Midles, the Executive Director of Implementation of Mesa Valley County School District 51. She is an internationally recognized leader in designing systems that work for all learners. She has guided and led schools and districts to a Performance-Based Learning System as well as provided support and coaching to instructional leaders, site leadership, and district leadership. She has launched an innovative school and mobilized two school district change efforts that have become nationally important models. The Getting Smart team has long appreciated her contributions to competency education, and...
2019-06-2635 min
Getting Smart Podcast204 - Francisco Guajardo on the Language of PlaceToday, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Dr. Francisco Gaujardo! Francisco is a leading voice in bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural education and a noted expert in place-based education. Like Tom, Francisco is also an advisor to the Teton Science Schools. As a Professor of Education at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), Dr. Guajardo introduces young people to the history, anthropology, and culture of 'place.' With colleagues of his at UTRGV, they built the B3 Institute — a university-wide office that facilitates the process through which UTRGV becomes a bilingual, bicultural, and biliterate institution — where he serves as t...
2019-06-1919 min
Getting Smart Podcast203 - Dr. Jal Mehta on Provoking Deeper Learning in High SchoolToday, Tom Vander Ark has a conversation with Dr. Jal Mehta! Dr. Mehta grew up in Baltimore and is the son of a school administrator and a college professor. Now, as an Assistant Professor at Harvard's Graduate School of Education, Mehta is a leading advocate for deeper learning. Dr. Mehta appreciated that his mentor, Richard Elmore, was always a knowledgeable person in the room because he spent time in schools every week. Dr. Mehta followed suit, and visited the best high schools in the country and co-authored a new book, In Search of Deeper Learning: The Quest to Remake...
2019-06-1242 min
Getting Smart Podcast196 - 5 Reasons High Schools Should Help Young People Find and Make Their Unique ContributionToday's episode is all about contribution, featuring Getting Smart's very own Tom Vander Ark and Dr. Emily Liebtag. High school has always been thought of as preparation for college and careers. But what if it were a time when teenagers actually started making a difference in their community? What if young people had the chance to figure out what they're interested in, what they're good at, and how they could start making a contribution? Tom and Emily argue that students contributing to their community might be the best form of preparation there could be!
2019-04-2431 min
Getting Smart Podcast194 - Embracing the Tension Between Basic Skills and Work Readiness SkillsThis week, Tom Vander Ark is speaking with Hanna Skandera, the former Secretary of Education for the state of New Mexico. Prior to moving to New Mexico, Hanna served as the Deputy Education Commissioner for Florida as well as the Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Education. Hanna learned a lot about agency and initiative from an early age. She began homeschooling at the sixth grade, continuing on through grade twelve. Hanna also began taking courses at her local community college at the age of just fourteen. She speculates that these...
2019-04-1034 min
What Students Want15. Moving From Courses to Networks, with Tom Vander ArkOur guest today is Tom Vander Ark, an education advocate, and adviser for better learning. He is the author of “Getting Smart: How Personal Digital Learning is Changing the World”, “Better Together”, “Smart Parents” and “Smart Cities”. Tom is the Founder and Executive Editor of “Getting Smart” - a learning design firm helping education and learning-focused organizations increase their impact with strategy, design, growth, publication, and learner experience services. Tom has written more than...
2019-03-2832 min
AfterEdEpisode 28 - Tom Vander Ark Tom Vander Ark
-CEO, Getting Smart
-First Executive Director of Education for Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
-Former Superintendent
Where to connect with Tom:
-Getting Smart
-On Twitter @tvanderark
In this episode:
-Profile of a Virginia Graduate, Henrico Learner Profile, and how to use it
-Tom’s recent article titled “What Game Are You Playing: Improvement or Innovation?
-Relationship between innovation and equity
-Future of work and its implications
-The v...
2019-01-0332 min
Positivity Podcast with Make SchoolTeaching - Tom Vander Ark on agency, self-directed learning, and inspirationTom Vander Ark is a titan in the world of education technology. Few have experience as wide and deep as he.
His career journey ...
- Superintendent of Federal Way Public schools.
- Managed $3.5 billion dollars and one-on-one with Bill Gates as the Executive Director of Education for the Gates Foundation.
- President of X Prize, an organization that runs multimillion dollar contests for innovation in learning, exploration, energy & environment, global development, and life sciences.
- Director of INACOL, the International Association for K-12 Online Learning.
- Partner at Learn Capital, an education VC firm that’s invested millions in companies li...
2017-12-2500 min
EdNext PodcastEp. 98 - Oct. 18, 2017: Using Technology to Advance Student LearningTom Vander Ark joins EdNext editor-in-chief Marty West to discuss the benefits of technology in schools and why it would be a mistake to reject the use of computers in the classroom.
In a new EdNext forum on whether screen time in schools should be limited, Tom wrote “The Problem Is Wasted Time, not Screen Time.”
http://educationnext.org/problem-is-wasted-time-not-screen-time-forum-scoggin-vander-ark/
2017-10-1700 min