Ep 60: Preparing students for university and beyond

What helps learners stay organised, manage their time, adapt to change and stay focused? The answer lies in executive functions and self-management skills. In this episode, Laura talks to Professor Sara Baker from the University of Cambridge and Mitch Weathers, founder of Organized Binder and author of Executive Functions for Every Classroom. Together, they explore what executive functions are, why they matter for both learning and life, and why these skills are often overlooked despite being essential for success. Show notes: 'Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world' research -  https://cambridge.foleon.com/cambridge-international-education/future-ready-learners/ Getting started with executive functions - https://www.cambridge-community.org.uk/professional-development/gswef/ Organized Binder - organizedbinder.com Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12 by Mitch Weathers - https://www.corwin.com/books/executive-functions-every-class-286612 Executive Functions for Every K-3 Classroom by Mitch Weathers and Sarah Oberle - https://www.corwin.com/books/exec-functions-k-3-298245 Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (2014). Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence - https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/handouts-tools/activities-guide-enhancing-and-practicing-executive-function-skills/ Blog on nursery rhymes and self-regulation by Sara Baker https://researchschool.org.uk/eastlondon/news/what-do-nursery-songs-and-self-regulation-have-in-common Podcast with Prof Sam Wass and Dr Gemma Goldenberg on attention and distraction in young children - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/its-time-to-rethink-attention/ Cambridge Guide to Metacognition - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/272307-metacognition.pdf Watch this episode on You Tube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ROEyLe2xwI

In this episode, Roshan Walkerley from Cambridge welcomes Mary Parker, Vice President and Chief Enrollment Strategist at the University of Florida, and Mike Nicholson, Director of Recruitment, Admissions and Participation at the University of Cambridge, for a discussion on what universities are looking for in today's applicants and the skills students need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Show notes: Cambridge Global Perspectives: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-global-perspectives/ Cambridge Advanced: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-advanced/ Where do Cambridge International students go to university? (Cambridge blog): https://blog.cambridgeinternational.org/the-shifting-destinations-of-todays-students/ College counselling in a changing world (Cambridge blog): https://blog.cambridgeinternational.org/college-counselling-in-a-changing-world/ Cambridge redesigned IPQ (Cambridge blog): https://blog.cambridgeinternational.org/cambridges-redesigned-ipq-same-rigour-but-much-more-freedom-for-expression/    

Today we're talking about climate change education, specifically the emotions that can arise among students when talking about climate change and how educators can respond appropriately to these. Your host for this episode is Laura Kahwati. She is joined by Judith Roberts, Curriculum Programmes Manager at Cambridge and Louise Edgington from the Climate Psychology Alliance. Show notes:  Caring for emotion in climate change education: A guide for educators - https://international.cambridge.org/climatechangeconversations Introducing our Climate Change Education Framework - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/743549-introducing-our-climate-change-education-framework.pdf Climate change education at Cambridge -  https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/why-choose-us/climate-change-education/    

Today we're going to be talking about reading! Across languages and cultures, reading looks different. It might be silent or shared aloud. It might happen on paper, on a screen, or through memory, performance and storytelling. For millions of people, reading is multilingual, communal and deeply woven into everyday life. Some recent reports suggest, however, that fewer people are reading long texts than was the case before the invention of social media. Your host for this episode is Paul Ellis, Head of Thought Leadership at Cambridge. He is joined by Nayla Aramouni, Curriculum Programmes Manager. Show notes:  Cambridge Reading Adventures guided reading programme - https://www.cambridge.org/education/subject/english/literacy/cambridge-reading-adventures Cambridge Phonics and Handwriting - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-early-years/curriculum/phonics-and-handwriting/  

Today, we're exploring the skills that prepare learners for life. These are abilities that go far beyond the classroom, such as critical thinking, resilience, collaboration, independence, and empathy. We'll be focusing on two brilliant initiatives that nurture these skills: Cambridge Global Perspectives and the Junior Duke Award. Together, they're equipping learners around the world with the confidence and capability to succeed in school, at home, and in the wider world. Your host for this episode is Paul Ellis, Head of Thought Leadership at Cambridge. He is joined by Rebecca Watkins-Wright, Curriculum Development Manager for Cambridge Global Perspectives, and Dawn Waugh, a former teacher and the founder of the Junior Duke Award. Show notes:  Cambridge Global Perspectives: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-global-perspectives/ Junior Duke Award: https://juniorduke.com/ Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: https://cambridge.foleon.com/cambridge-international-education/future-ready-learners/ Video pod and transcript: https://www.cambridge.org/education/blog/brighter-thinking-pod-preparing-students-global-perspectives-junior-duke-award      

Today, we're going to be talking about digital literacy, taking a closer look at our updated Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Digital Literacy curriculum. Specifically, we'll be asking the question: how do we help young learners thrive in a world shaped by AI without losing their curiosity, agency, or authentic voice? Your host for this episode is Cambridge Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by two special guests: Beverly Clarke, author of Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Digital Literacy, and Nadja Djordjevic, a Digital Literacy Teacher at Savremena osnovna škola in Belgrade, Serbia. Show notes:  Cambridge Primary Digital Literacy - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-primary/curriculum/digital-literacy/ Cambridge Lower Secondary Digital Literacy - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-lower-secondary/curriculum/digital-literacy/  

Today, we're discussing knowledge and skills in preparing students for the future – which is more important? Can they be separated? And do we still need subject knowledge in the age of AI? Your host for this episode is Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by Abbi Barnett, Director of Cambridge 3–19 Curriculum, and Irenka Suto, Head of Secondary Curriculum. Show notes: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: https://cambridge.foleon.com/cambridge-international-education/future-ready-learners/ Brighter Thinking Pod episode 53: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2IbUaD80-Y&list=PLi4xGU_d7k_KkGCe3ZD5pOr59F-DIWHBn&index=3 Brighter Thinking Pod episode 54: Do students feel prepared for the future? https://www.cambridge.org/education/blog/2026/01/23/brighter-thinking-pod-ep-54-do-students-feel-prepared-for-the-future/    

At Cambridge, we recently published a report titled Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world. The report captures the voices of thousands of teachers and students from around the world, offering a wealth of perspectives on readiness for the future from those at the heart of education. Today, we're speaking to two Cambridge students – Nadine and Stepan – who contributed to the report. We'll be talking about their studies and how well prepared they feel for life beyond school. Show notes Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: https://cambridge.foleon.com/cambridge-international-education/future-ready-learners/ ADKAR model for managing change: https://www.prosci.com/methodology/adkar Model United Nations: https://www.un.org/en/mun Cambridge Global Perspectives: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-global-perspectives/  

Today, we are launching a new report looking at how students across 150 countries are prepared for the next step in their education journey and for the future beyond education in a rapidly changing world. Navigating the future: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world, draws on responses from 3,021 teachers and 3,840 students worldwide and 50 experts with profound insight.  Here to talk us through the research is host and Education Futures Manager at Cambridge, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by a very special guest, Group Managing Director of International Education, Rod Smith.   Show notes:  Navigating the future: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: www.cambridge.org/future-ready-learners Watch this episode on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/g2IbUaD80-Y  

Welcome back! Today we're talking all about Early Years education and will be giving you tips on topics from play-based learning to language support.  Your host for this episode is Jemma Joakim, Head of Early Years and Primary Curriculum at Cambridge. She is speaking to two special guests about their experiences of teaching the Cambridge Early Years programme. Aisha El-Sayed is KG Principal at English Modern School, Qatar, and Aiah Elghobashy is a Teaching and Learning Coordinator, also at English Modern School.  Show notes:  Brighter Thinking Pod, Ep 45: Early Years Teaching and Learning - https://www.cambridge.org/education/blog/2024/07/03/brighter-thinking-pod-early-years-teaching-learning/ Cambridge Early Years programme - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-early-years/ Cambridge Early Years teaching and learning resources - https://www.cambridge.org/education/subject/early-childhood-education/cambridge-early-years English Modern School, Qatar - https://www.englishmodernschool.net/emswakra/ Developing the Cambridge Learner Attributes - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/support-and-training-for-schools/leading-learning-and-teaching-with-cambridge/curriculum/cambridge-learner-attributes/