290 - Karen Cator and Vic Vuchic on Whole Child Focused Edtech and Inclusive Innovation

In this week’s episode, Tom is speaking with Karen Cator and Vic Vuchic.

Karen Cator began her career in Alaska as a teacher and a special assistant for telecommunications for the governor of Alaska. This led to Apple, where she directed their leadership and advocacy efforts in education. She then was appointed to lead the office of ed-tech in the Obama administration which culminated in her joining the Digital Promise effort as CEO in 2013.

Vic Vuchic is the Chief Innovation Officer at Digital Promise Global. Before his time at Digital Promise Global, Vic consulted with a number of foundations and organizations on education technology, innovation, and philanthropy. Prior to consulting, Vic developed strategies and managed over a hundred million dollars in technology-focused grants at the Hewlett Foundation to launch and grow the open educational resources movement and create and advance the deeper learning strategy.

Listen in as Tom talks with these esteemed guests about ed-tech and the invention opportunity.

Key Takeaways:

[:10] About today’s episode with special guests, Karen Cator and Vic Vuchic.

[1:09] Tom welcomes Karen and Vic to the Getting Smart Podcast!

[1:17] Karen reflects on the launch of Digital Promise in 2011.

[2:11] Tom shares his appreciation for Karen’s leadership during her role as the Director of the Office of Education Technology for the U.S. Department of Education.

[2:44] Karen shares what it was like launching Digital Promise while leading the office of ed-tech.

[4:09] Digital Promise has had an important and unique role in the research and development (R&D) space of helping to link science to practice. Was that part of Digital Promise’s initial mission?

[8:13] When Vic took a break from studying as an engineer, he picked up the jazz flute! Does he still practice it or have a favorite flutist?

[9:54] In Vic’s career, he in part launched the age of open educational resources (OER) during his career at the Hewlett Foundation.

[10:37] Karen highlights the innovations in learning and development that she is most excited about and thinks are potentially the most important.

[13:28] Has Digital Promise’s work with Verizon Innovative Learning Schools helped to advance technology and reliable internet access into the hands of students?

[14:32] Vic highlights and the innovations in learning and development that he is most excited about.

[17:45] Originally launched in 2011, the League of Innovative Schools now includes 114 districts and almost 3,900 schools. What is the role that the League of Innovative Schools plays in relationship to innovation?

[20:02] All 114 districts within the League of Innovative Schools share the common attribute of stable and effective leadership which indicates that building support for an agenda over a long period is critical in letting innovation take root and be brought to scale.

[21:02] Another important lesson from the League of Innovative Schools: the combination of a leader and their own mindset/view of innovation and the leadership of the district is critical.

[21:57] Digital Promise and their partner districts have been making a push toward more inclusive leadership. Recently, they announced their Center for Inclusive Innovation. Karen elaborates on its vision and mission.

[23:55] Over the last two years, Vic has developed an amazing web of research that is now searchable by case study or symptom. It helps teachers connect with important resources. As Vic thinks about the potential impact that the learner variability project can have, where and how does he think it’s going to make the biggest difference?

[28:05] Tom’s lightning round on the theme of innovations (for both Karen and Vic): 1. When you think of the category of “learner experience,” what are the innovations that you’re most excited about? 2. Why are you excited about challenge-based learning? Why is it important? 3. What are you excited about with regard to measurements and credentialing? What about the challenges?

[39:35] How Digital Promise has done a fantastic job of leading innovation for equity.

[40:03] Learning formats and new school models that Karen is excited about.

[41:22] Is Vic a fan of micro-schools or nano-schools? What does he think about new learning formats?

[43:19] Tom highlights the incredible work that Karen has done in the last twenty years.

[44:13] Vic thanks Karen for the great work she is doing in the world.

[44:44] Tom thanks both of the guests for joining the podcast.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Digital Promise

Karen Cator’s LinkedIn

Vic Vuchic’s LinkedIn

The Aspen Institute

Verizon Innovative Learning Schools

National Center for Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies

League of Innovative Schools

Virtual Teaching Academy Session One (with Tom Vander Ark and Dewayne McClary)

Dewayne J. McClary | Director of League of Innovative Schools at Digital Promise

Center for Inclusive Innovation — Digital Promise

Difference Making at the Heart of Learning: Students, Schools, and Communities Alive With Possibility, by Tom Vander Ark

High Quality Project Based Learning (HQPBL)

Tuva Labs

Desmos

Newsela

Concord Consortium

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