Episode 53: Reflective thinking: learning from experience

In today’s rapidly changing world, the ability to engage in lifelong and life-wide learning is more important than ever. Although it is widely recognised as an essential skill, many of us struggle to develop and sustain it. In this episode, we'll explore how to foster lifelong learning, key phases for its development, the impact of generative AI, and a few strategies for nurturing it in the classroom.

Join me as we revisit human flourishing, inspired by the largest investigation into the topic to date. We’ll look at some of its findings, particularly those concerning young people, and explore why and how human flourishing can be incorporated into education.

In this episode, we explore what reflective thinking is, how specific emotions can make reflection more productive, and ways to practise it. We also examine its role in fostering agency and how it can be used in the classroom to encourage students to reflect on their use of AI.

Dissatisfaction with democracy is on the rise, and people often feel unheard. Today many of us have fallen into bad listening habits, focusing more on getting our own point across instead of hearing what our conversation partner has to say. Enter radical listening, a technique that can help us to rebuild connection because we listen with intention. Join me to learn more and discover ideas for the classroom.

Social media has changed the way we perceive and present ourselves, and this also greatly affects adolescents. What role do influencers play, why is sharenting such a big issue, and what do young people think? Listen in to find out more!

In this special 50th episode, I’m sharing a few key takeaways from the past few years – particularly around generative AI. What are yours? I’d love to hear from you: [email protected].

Is AI eroding the productive struggle? Could focusing on the process rather than the final product make a difference? How can we help students critically engage with AI? Join me as we explore these questions and why assessment models need to evolve.

AI has arrived in young people’s everyday lives. Yet studies show that they often overestimate how trustworthy it is, lack an understanding of how it works, and do not know how to harness its potential in a responsible and ethical manner. In this episode, we’ll examine the need for AI literacy, what it entails, and how we can initiate an open dialogue about using AI in the classroom.

Today, discussions surrounding creativity and generative AI are becoming increasingly widespread. In this episode, we explore the role of generative AI in human creative output, how it enhances creative thinking in the workplace, and where ist limitations still lie. You’ll also find some ideas for Classroom activities that foster creativity and incorporate AI.

Are we born with a particular mindset, or can we shape the way we think over time? In this episode, we’ll explore the key differences between fixed and growth mindsets, debunk some of the most common myths about the latter, uncover how we can go about changing our thinking patterns, and discuss practical strategies for helping students (and ourselves) develop a more resilient approach to learning and life.