エピソード

  • Episode #49 | Steven Payne - Design Thinking in Action: How Students Solve Real Problems

    Episode #49 | Steven Payne - Design Thinking in Action: How Students Solve Real Problems
    2025/05/04
    Here are the key takeaways from your podcast episode with Steven: Game-Based Learning Builds Real Skills - Minecraft and similar games foster critical 21st-century skills like resilience, collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. Unlike traditional lessons, students persist through challenges because they’re immersed and motivated. Design Thinking Empowers Student Voice - Design thinking allows students to define real-world problems, ideate solutions, and test their ideas—giving them ownership of the entire process. This approach promotes empathy, iterative learning, and purposeful creation. Minecraft as an Inclusive Learning Tool - Minecraft Education is widely accessible in Australian schools and suits all year levels—from Year 1 to Year 12. It lowers the barrier to entry and can highlight strengths in students who may not normally excel in traditional settings. Wellbeing Themes Come to Life - Projects like the Growing With Gratitude theme park in Minecraft showed how empathy and gratitude can be embedded into engaging digital environments, helping students internalise wellbeing lessons in a meaningful way. Teachers Don’t Need to Be Minecraft Experts - Teachers can focus on setting meaningful learning goals, while students lead the way with technical know-how. With structured lesson libraries and curated worlds, it's easy to start small and integrate Minecraft meaningfully into the curriculum.
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    33 分
  • Episode #48 | Brett Salakas - Raw, Resilience, Recovery, and the Power of Educator Connections

    Episode #48 | Brett Salakas - Raw, Resilience, Recovery, and the Power of Educator Connections
    2025/04/27
    In this powerful episode with Brett Salakas, we explore his remarkable journey from personal hardship to becoming one of the world’s most influential educators. Brett shares how authentic connection, purposeful technology, and embracing challenge can unlock true potential — for both students and teachers — while offering deep insights into wellbeing, leadership, and the future of education. Key takeaways: From Rock Bottom to Global Impact: Brett shares how losing everything — including his home, identity, and confidence — led him to rediscover his love for teaching. Living in a men’s shelter while acting as a school principal, he began tweeting from rock bottom, which became the foundation of the #aussieED movement. The Power of Connection: #aussieED grew from one man tweeting alone to a 20,000-strong weekly education network. Brett shows how authentic connection and shared purpose can transform isolation into global influence. Wellbeing Through Challenge: Using the metaphor of a rugby front rower and a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, Brett powerfully explains how challenge and discomfort are essential to developing true resilience — in both life and learning. Tech as an Enabler of Potential: Brett shares the story of a student with autism who, thanks to voice-to-text tools, moved from struggling to write a sentence to earning a PhD in physics. It’s a clear example of how thoughtful use of tech can unlock potential and wellbeing. World Exclusive Book Reveal: Brett announced his upcoming book, F-AI-ble — a collection of Aesop-style fables that explore complex AI-in-education issues in bite-sized, reflective stories designed for teachers and school leaders. Wellbeing Meets Technology: From sentiment analysis to proactive interventions, Brett shares examples of how tech can support student mental health — but emphasises the importance of balance, context, and ethical use. Global Lessons, Shared Struggles: Despite cultural and system differences, Brett highlights the universality of teaching challenges — and the importance of supporting each other as “brothers and sisters in the same trench.” Call to Action: Brett invites educators doing innovative things to reach out — especially if they’re looking to amplify their impact through partnerships like HP’s Reinvent the Classroom initiative. Plus much more.
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    48 分
  • Episode #47 | Gavin McCormack - Connection Before Curriculum: Teaching That Changes Lives

    Episode #47 | Gavin McCormack - Connection Before Curriculum: Teaching That Changes Lives
    2025/04/21
    In this episode with Gavin McCormack, we explore his journey from struggling student to global education leader, and how one teacher’s belief changed everything. Gavin shares insights on connection-based teaching, the power of modelling behaviour, and how his platform UpSchool is helping students create real-world impact through purposeful, project-based learning. Key takeaways: From Struggling Student to Global Change-maker – Gavin’s personal story shows the life-changing power of belief and support. Teaching the Brain, Not Just the Student – How neuroscience reveals that connection must come before curriculum. UpSchool in Action – Students planting forests, building bird sanctuaries, and solving real-world problems through learning. Raising Resilient Children – A sneak peek into Gavin’s new book and the 7 key steps to help kids thrive. Why What You Model Matters – Practical insights into how teachers and parents shape student behaviour by simply being human. Plus much more...
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    44 分
  • Episode #46 | Chris Ramsden - Learning That Sticks: How Games Build Character and Confidence

    Episode #46 | Chris Ramsden - Learning That Sticks: How Games Build Character and Confidence
    2025/04/13
    In this episode with Chris, we dive into his 30+ years of experience in education and his mission to make learning engaging, meaningful, and growth-focused through game-based learning. Chris, a leader at Accelium Australia, shares how strategy games can be powerful tools for building wellbeing, resilience, and thinking skills in both students and educators. Why Games Matter for Wellbeing – Chris explains how well-designed strategy games can boost student confidence, connection, and curiosity. Metacognition in Action – Helping students reflect on their thinking and become more self-aware, resilient learners. Creating Real Engagement – Why authentic student engagement is more than just participation—and how games can unlock deeper motivation. From the PE Field to the Thinking Field – How Chris’s background as a PE teacher shaped his approach to building thinking and life skills through play. Engaging Teachers Too – Practical ideas for supporting educators to build their own wellbeing while helping students thrive. Shaping the Future of Learning – Chris’s vision for how we can reimagine schools to be places of deep learning, fun, and personal growth. Plus much more...
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    39 分
  • Episode #45 | Vikas Pahwa - Well-being Isn’t Extra: It’s Essential

    Episode #45 | Vikas Pahwa - Well-being Isn’t Extra: It’s Essential
    2025/04/08
    In this episode with Vikas Pahwa, we explore his passion for holistic education and his leadership role at Shiv Nadar School, where he champions well-being, international-mindedness, and innovative learning. With a rich background in Humanities and global curriculum delivery, Vikas shares how well-being is not just a program, but a way of being embedded throughout the school community. Key topics include: Why Well-being Matters – Vikas reflects on the foundational role well-being plays in helping both students and educators thrive. Embedding Positive Education – Practical strategies Shiv Nadar School uses to integrate well-being into daily routines, classroom practices, and school culture. Teacher & Student Involvement – How to engage educators and students as co-creators of a well-being-focused environment, and why their buy-in matters. Challenges & Solutions – Real-world obstacles to implementing positive education and how Shiv Nadar School has worked through them. Success Stories & Impact – Inspiring examples of student growth, teacher transformation, and community building through a well-being lens. The Future of Well-being in Schools – Vikas shares his vision for the evolution of education and how schools can innovate to nurture whole-person development. Plus much more...
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    41 分
  • Episode #44 | Robert Hoff AM - The Principal’s Journey: Wisdom from 46 Years Leading Schools

    Episode #44 | Robert Hoff AM - The Principal’s Journey: Wisdom from 46 Years Leading Schools
    2025/03/25
    In this episode with Robert we dive into: his 46 years as a principal and 51 years in education, exploring the biggest lessons he's learned about leadership, wellbeing, and the future of schools. He also shares what he's most proud of and the legacy he hopes to leave. Key topics include: Early Influences – How Robert’s childhood shaped his path into education. Leadership Lessons – Insights from 46 years as a principal across three states. Wellbeing Evolution – How approaches to student and teacher wellbeing have changed over time. Strengths & Gaps in Education – What’s working well and where improvement is needed. The Making of a Great Principal – Advice for current and aspiring school leaders. The Future of Education – Robert’s vision for the next 10 years and how schools can adapt. Plus much more...
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    1 時間
  • EPISODE #43 | Lisa of Rainbow Hollow - Creating Safe Spaces: Supporting Neurodiverse Young People

    EPISODE #43 | Lisa of Rainbow Hollow - Creating Safe Spaces: Supporting Neurodiverse Young People
    2025/03/19
    In this episode with Lisa we dive into: the story behind Rainbow Hollow and its mission to support neurodiverse young people. Lisa shares insights on fostering inclusivity, managing trauma, and practical ways educators can create safe, supportive spaces for all students. Key topics include: The Story Behind Rainbow Hollow – Lisa’s journey and what inspired her to create an inclusive space for all. Supporting Neurodiverse Young People – How Rainbow Hollow provides specialised mentoring and support. Recognising & Supporting Neurodiverse Students – Key insights and strategies for educators. Creating Safe & Inclusive Spaces – Practical ways schools can foster belonging and inclusivity. Managing Trauma & Emotional Regulation – Effective approaches to support students facing challenges. Educator Well-being & Preventing Burnout – Tips for teachers to maintain balance while supporting their students.
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    36 分
  • EPISODE #42 | Alycia Spencer - Fostering Well-being in Schools: Gratitude, Resilience & Self-Care

    EPISODE #42 | Alycia Spencer - Fostering Well-being in Schools: Gratitude, Resilience & Self-Care
    2025/02/27
    In this episode with Alycia we dive into: her journey as an educator and her passion for creating health and well-being resources for teachers and students. Alycia shares practical strategies for fostering gratitude, resilience, and kindness in schools, along with insights into work-life balance, self-care, and her ‘Relax and Restore’ workshop for stress management. Key topics include: Inspiration behind becoming an educator. Creating health & well-being resources for teachers and students.Importance of gratitude, resilience, and kindness in schools. Work-life balance and self-care strategies for teachers. ‘Relax and Restore’ workshop for stress management. Challenges in student mental well-being and school support.
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    42 分