D2L's Teach & Learn

In this episode of Teach and Learn, Dr. Emma Zone sits down with Dan Fitzpatrick, an international keynote speaker, bestselling author and AI educator, to explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Known worldwide as The AI Educator, Fitzpatrick shares his journey from being a high school teacher to becoming a leading voice in AI and education, emphasizing his passion for innovation and technology. 

In the first of this two-part episode, Fitzpatrick shares insights into the practical applications of AI in education, from resource creation to administrative tasks, and the broader implications for teaching a...

In this episode of Teach & Learn, Dr. Cristi Ford sits down with Dr. Sean McMinn, Director of the Center of Education Innovation at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Dr. McMinn shares his insights on the importance of metacognitive awareness in an AI-driven society and provides practical strategies for educators to teach these concepts effectively. Viewers will learn about the role of AI as a copilot in the learning process and discover innovative approaches to integrating AI in education. 

They discuss:
☑️  Why metacognitive awareness is crucial in an AI-driven educational environment.
☑️  How Dr. McMinn teaches met...

In today’s episode of Teach & Learn, Dr. Cristi Ford sits down with Nathifa Forde, executive director of NYC Her Future, to learn about the various initiatives she’s working on that are aimed at advancing education, workforce development and safety for young women in New York City.

They discuss:

Nathifa’s journey and the mission of NYC Her Future NYC Her Future’s partnership and collaboration with NYC Public Schools Disparities that young women face when it comes to education, employment, justice and healthThe role of AI and technology in shaping future careers and the importance...

As AI continues to transform the educational landscape, understanding its impact is crucial for educators.

In today's episode, Dr. Cristi Ford welcomes Dr. Angela Gunder, founder and CEO of Opened Culture (OEC), to discuss the multifaceted concept of AI literacies. Dr. Gunder explains the importance of understanding AI beyond its technical aspects, emphasizing the need for educators to grasp how AI influences collaboration, innovation and learner engagement.

They discuss the eight key dimensions of AI literacies, highlighting the skills and mindsets necessary for effective AI integration in educational contexts. Dr. Gunder shares insights from her...

In this episode, Dr. Emma Zone sits down with Emmy-Nominated edutainment creator Jerry Kolber to talk about making learning fun. Kolber’s work in television and podcasting focuses on blending education with entertainment. This concept, known as edutainment, presents subjects like math and science in more engaging, fun ways. Through storytelling, wacky characters and imaginative scenarios, Kolber’s creations are helping to capture attention, spark curiosity and ignite the joy of learning for kids and families alike.

They discuss:

The meaning of edutainmentWhy making learning fun is an effective way to spark curiosity How entertainment can creat...

In this episode, Dr. Cristi Ford and special guest  Dr. Amber Garrison Duncan, executive vice president and COO at the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN) dive into the skills-forward world of competency-based education (CBE). Together, they explore how this modern approach to learning is revolutionizing education by focusing on skills and competencies delivered at a flexible pace. Dr. Garrison Duncan shares insights on the collaboration between educational institutions, employers and organizations, like  C-BEN to highlight the value of CBE.  

After all, “No one is going to pay you to sit around and just know things,” jokes Dr. Amber Garriso...

Figuring out how to use generative AI responsibly at one university campus is challenging enough – what happens when you’re tasked with doing it across 64 of them? 

In today’s podcast episode, Dr. Cristi Ford chats with Kim Scalzo, Interim Senior Associate Provost for Digital Innovation and Academic Services at the State University of New York (SUNY). SUNY is in the process of integrating generative AI across all 64 of its campus locations. 

Dr. Ford and Scalzo discuss the challenges and strategies that come with rolling out AI at scale. Scalzo highlights various initiatives, including the formatio...

According to a U.S. News + Generation Lab report, 70% of college students have struggled with mental health since starting college. Despite expressing a need for care, only 37% of survey respondents searched for mental health resources. These findings align with a recent D2L-sponsored Tyton Partners report, which found that only 50% of students are aware of key on-campus services like academic and career advising, financial aid, and mental health counseling.

It's clear we’re edging closer and closer towards a student mental health crisis in the higher education world. To discuss why this is happening and offer solutions, Dr...

If "all the world's a stage," as Shakespeare believed, then hope should be cast as the lead, argues Dr. Jessica Riddell of Hope Circuits Institute. Riddell contends that hope can transform higher education into spaces where humans can truly flourish. Drawing inspiration from the theater, she introduces a novel approach to integrating hope into systems that are beloved, resilient and broken. 

Join Dr. Riddell and host Dr. Emma Zone as they explore how hope can be actioned to rewire universities and how with hope as the leading character, we can change the narrative of broken systems and o...

When the goal is a university degree or diploma from a private institution, learners can bank on a long road ahead. In some cases, the path traveled is straightforward; in other cases, it’s winding with more than a few detours, U-turns and full stops. While different, what these pathways have in common, is the destination. 

But, what about low-income learners or those from under-served communities who are less likely to consider pursuing higher education from a private university? What can institutions do to create pathways that reduce undermatching? Should private universities have a responsibility to the pub...