"podcast" blog posts
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 38, the one with the Rubik cube
In Episode 38, our discussion explored lightbulb moments in education, from fostering student confidence through social constructivism to the power of pedagogies of care and kindness. We examined inclusive assessment, digital wellbeing, and the role of language in shaping learning experiences. Our guests shared insights on creating supportive environments where students and educators alike feel valued, capable, and inspired. As always, we wrapped up with our treasure island teaching props, pedagogies, and personal luxury items—this time featuring Rubik’s Cubes, hammocks, and a surprising essential for daily success.
Posted on: 17 February 2025
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 37, the one with the Circular Time
In Episode 37, our discussion covered enhancing small group discussions in online learning, using exploratory talk to foster collaboration, and leveraging visual arts to develop communication skills in medical education. We also explored the power of storytelling and case studies in engaging diverse learners and the educator’s role in moderating discourse and fostering dialogue. These approaches were connected to broader themes such as intellectual moderation, multimodal communication, and the holistic integration of knowledge, emotion, and interaction in education.
Posted on: 20 January 2025
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 36, the one with the Marimba
In Episode 36, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our discussion covered synchronous online learning via low latency technology for musicians and ensuring our students have the experience of developing skills to put them at advantages for employment, and the value of accredited micro credentials, trading simulations and game-based learning, and incorporating education for sustainability in education.
Posted on: 11 November 2024
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 35, the one with the Pirate
In Episode 35, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our discussion covered AI and academic literacies, role play, how to create a safe space for learning and co-constructing learning with our students – with a special pirate intro and outro from Tadgh!
Posted on: 7 October 2024
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 34, the one with the Shih Tzu
In Episode 34, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our discussion from being scared to being confident, varying assessment methods, dialogue, the relativity of innovation, hackathons, authentic assessments, pets in education and neurodiverse-friendly approaches.
Posted on: 16 September 2024
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 33, the one with the reunion
In Episode 33, we return to the original guests whose conversation helped inspire today’s format of the Treasure Island Pedagogies podcast series and revisit our treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, which included.
Posted on: 3 June 2024
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 32, the one with the Tarot Cards
In Episode 32, we shared lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, which included threshold concepts, students-becoming-teachers, professional identity development, team teaching, getting out of comfort zones, collective learning and a sense of movement and using Tarot cards for reflection.
Posted on: 28 May 2024
An Interview with ChatGPT
How will the intersection of AI and education redefine the future of learning, and what steps must we take today to ensure that this future benefit everyone equally? And if you could sit down with Generative AI in an interview, what questions might you ask? Tune into our latest episode of \"Learning to AI\" with Professor David Webster and ChatGPT, as we explore the transformative potential and challenges of integrating generative AI into academia. From personalising education to addressing ethical concerns and envisioning the university landscape of 2050, discover the role of AI in shaping a dynamic ecosystem of creativity, innovation, and lifelong learning. What future are we building, and is it one where technology serves the common good?
Posted on: 8 April 2024
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 31, the one with the Students
In Episode 31, we had a very special edition with four student guests who all shared their lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, which included career pathways, learning by way of teaching yourself, using generative AI, treasure hunts to connect theory with practice, physical objects, interactive polling and using discussion to aid learning. Tune in to hear more!
Posted on: 11 March 2024
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 30, the one with the Hippopotamus
In Episode 30, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our discussion focused on gaining skills during the student journey, from critical data literacies through to presentation skills and problem-solving as well as interdisciplinary and problem-based learning and open pedagogies.
Posted on: 29 January 2024
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 29, the one with the collabetition
In Episode 29, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our discussion covers gamification for learning as well as the use of laser pointers, a self-created AGILE tool for reflection and the technique called Creative Enquiry Methodologies.
Posted on: 15 January 2024
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 28, the one with the M&Ms
In Episode 28, our discussion of lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items delved into the power of narrative and stories in capturing students' attention, the anxiety both educators and learners face, role-play and embodied learning, underscoring the importance of empathy, creating a conducive, safe learning environment with a holistic development of head, heart, and hands in education.
Posted on: 18 December 2023
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 27, the one with the kiss of blood
In Episode 27, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our discussion evoked an environment where students exercise agency and confidence to explore new ideas through experiments, metaphorical imagery, gamification and where students are guided through complex threshold concepts with a range of exciting and fun pedagogies drawing on active learning, collaboration and peer learning. …
Posted on: 6 December 2023
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 26, the one with the story/ paper/scissors
In Episode 26, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our discussion explored how we can get scientists to engage in less linear, creative thinking, getting students to interact directly with artefacts, engage them in peer-to-peer feedback, reflective learning, and the importance of struggle in the process of learning.
Posted on: 20 November 2023
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 25 - the one with the jewellery fraud
In Episode 25, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our discussion included the value of incorporating creativity and reflection into teaching practices, encouraging a lighter and more lighthearted approach to learning, the value of incorporating arts and crafts to engage others as well as the concept of a time machine to slow down time, enabling teachers to teach effectively while incorporating enjoyable and interactive elements.
Posted on: 19 June 2023
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 24 - the one with the death penalty
In Episode 24, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our discussion included getting students to examine and debate issues, concepts from different perspectives to develop their criticality and nurture inclusivity in our classrooms, using playful learning or technologies in creative ways to the importance of physical exercise for a healthy body and mind.
Posted on: 13 March 2023
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 23 - the one with the magic box
In Episode 23, our lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, included team roles and skills, allowable weaknesses, facilitating students to ask their own questions, using creativity and playfulness, online collaboration tools as well as using cameras for reflection, and bringing a magic box full of surprises to inspire new connections for learning.
Posted on: 16 January 2023
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 22 - the one with the card game
In Episode 22, our lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, included getting students engaged in cases that use personal connections, storytelling, card games where students can overwrite the rules and taking a course/programme-level approach to formative assessment; coming full circle back to campfires to tell, read and create stories that sustain us.
Posted on: 5 December 2022
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 21 - the one with the clown
In Episode 21, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our islands included student-organised conferences, starting learning NOT at the start, getting students to practise assessment of exemplars, authentic learning, branching scenarios, discussion around in-class polling and the importance of having fun whilst learning.
Posted on: 11 July 2022
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 20 - the one with the kettle and the mug
In Episode 20, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our islands have included adjusting our teaching to work-based learning, the importance of tea breaks in the staff room, getting students to use their curiosity to construct research problems, mental shortcuts for research projects to agile stationery and co-creating a shared dictionary for teaching.
Posted on: 10 June 2022
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 19 - the one with the treasure hunt
In Episode 19, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our islands have included micro-learning, trauma-informed pedagogy, authentic learning, simulation, portfolio-based dissertations and the importance of creating social spaces for students to open the door fully to their learning potential.
Posted on: 6 April 2022
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 18 - the one with the podcasts
In Episode 18, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our discussion ranged from the importance of supporting students holistically, the value of blended learning, podcasts as versatile pedagogies, OERs, Self Organised Learning Environments (SOLE) and online engagement frameworks.
Posted on: 18 March 2022
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 17 - the one with the Play-Doh
In Episode 17, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our discussion covered lots of areas from design thinking, slow thinking, creativity, self-determined learning and sustainability.
Posted on: 25 February 2022
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 16 - the one with the knots
In Episode 16, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, we talked about being responsive to our students’ needs, and going back to basics if need be, the pedagogy of kindness, the role of lectures and the importance of listening as part of the learning process.
Posted on: 26 January 2022
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 15 - the one with Winnie-the-Pooh
In Episode 15, our guests’ lightbulb moments included ways of facilitating learning through questioning, good learning design, our boat of treasure island pedagogies/props carries items including bottles of confidence, constructive alignment, De Bono’s thinking hats and characters from Winnie-the-Pooh.
Posted on: 17 December 2021
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 14 - the one with the kai
In Episode 14, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our discussion featured Māori, Confucian and Arabic traditions and contexts, the focus on the whole person and creating the right environment for learning, including the importance of rituals that facilitate flexible and informal learning, such as through ‘kai’ (food) time.
Posted on: 2 December 2021
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 13 - the one with the GIFs
In Episode 13, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our discussion veered from gradually lit-up to disco lightbulb moments, from simulation-based learning through to the role of debate, photo voice and the skills of using gifs.
Posted on: 9 November 2021
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 12 - the one with the Mushrooms
In Episode 12, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies, props and luxury items, our discussion rowed forwards, backwards, in full circles and spirals. We touched upon student-centred learning, authentic assessment, the concept of expansive learning, respect, the idea of learning with and from our students. We also observed that sharing knitting patterns as a communal activity is akin to the act of sharing and comparing our individual teaching practice.
Posted on: 14 October 2021
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 11 - the one with the Snake Handler
In Episode 11, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our discussion touched on some of the ingredients that can make learning happen, from nurturing deep emotional connections, through facilitating difficult discussions (‘Pedagogies of Discomfort’) to cognitive dissonance.
Posted on: 4 October 2021
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 10 - the one with the cookbooks
In Episode 10, in addition to lightbulb moments, treasure island pedagogies/props and luxury items, our discussion touched on various creative collaborative solving approaches with students with our luxury items making sure we will have a great time on the Treasure Island.
Posted on: 29 September 2021
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 9 - the one with the tree house
In Episode 9, ungrading, threshold concepts, the Balloon Academy - lots of pedagogies and lightbulb moments resonated in today’s discussion. A common theme was linking learning to anything to do with moving and making.
Posted on: 24 June 2021
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 8 - the one with the Tunnocks tea cakes
In Episode 8, so much covered by our guests: open education, involving students as partners in our initiatives, the revival of audio to have meaningful and human connections with students and more.
Posted on: 14 May 2021
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 7 - the one with the ukulele
In Episode 7, learning is slow-burning, it takes time to nurture and it is great when it all comes together at the end. Our guests also discuss the potential of multimodal learning, through visual imagery, doodling, sketching or drawing.
Posted on: 30 April 2021
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 6 - the one with the hot air balloon
In Episode 6, rule breaking, disruption and connectedness were shared themes between our guests and their Treasure Island Pedagogies. Our guests also challenged us to look beyond the bright side of pedagogies into their ‘shadowy siblings’.
Posted on: 12 April 2021
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 5 - the one with the coconut
In Episode 5, our guests highlight the need to be experimental and take our learners out of their comfort zone into a creative, safe space where they can learn and discover both the passion for and the science of teaching.
Posted on: 22 March 2021
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 4 - the one with the real Treasure Island
In Episode 4, we discussed the challenges and opportunities of doing role-play, group discussions in an online Covid setting and bartered teaching ideas and also had a special mention of the original Treasure Island.
Posted on: 4 January 2021
Treasure Island Pedagogies: Episode 3 - the one with all the Ms
In Episode 3, an episode of Ms, Mathew, Matt and Katherine share various student-centred and collaborative learning inspired lightbulb moments and teaching props.
Posted on: 15 December 2020