Silver Lining for Learning

Punya Mishra | Chris Dede | Curt Bonk | Yong Zhao

Silver Lining for Learning (https://silverliningforlearning.org) is an ongoing conversation on the future of learning with educators and education leaders from across the globe. Hosted by Chris Dede, Curt Bonk, Punya Mishra & Yong Zhao, these conversations began under the “dark cloud” of the COVID19 crisis and continue today. We see these conversations as space to discuss the creation of equitable, humanistic and sustainable learning ecosystems that meet the needs of all learners. These conversations are hosted live on YouTube every Saturday (typically 5:30 PM Eastern US time).

  1. 11. 10.

    Making Through Contemplation: Transforming How We Teach Inquiry

    Making Through Contemplation:Transforming How We Teach Inquiry with Raaghav Pandya and Talya SteinReimagining STEM education: How contemplation and self-inquiry create innovative learning experiences that empower students through making, design, and creative problem-solving. This episode explores how two innovative educational initiatives are transforming STEM learning in New York City and beyond, creating powerful experiences that engage students through making and creative problem-solving. Dr. Raaghav Pandya and Talya Stein represent complementary approaches to STEM education that emphasize hands-on learning and student empowerment. Through NYC FIRST's STEM Centers, Talya has spent a decade designing learning environments where students discover their capabilities by building robots, using advanced equipment, and participating in collaborative competitions. As the Senior Program Manager who helped launch two STEM Centers, she's witnessed how making—when students design, build, and experiment—creates the most powerful learning moments and complements traditional classroom education. Dr. Pandya’s work, in education, design, and beyond, builds on this foundation of first-person experience, informed by the philosophies of contemplative and wisdom traditions. In fact, as Director of the Innervate Makerspace and co-founder of The ROOTS Movement, he designs experiences at the intersection of science, aesthetics, and self-inquiry - thereby adding dimensions of well-being and inner exploration to technical education. Together, these educators demonstrate how STEM learning can be enriched to develop not just technical skills but whole human beings ready to approach challenges with creativity, purpose, and a balanced perspective. More about our guests below the video https://youtu.be/dFPj-YURdIk Our GuestsDr. Raaghav Pandya is a professor, scientist, writer, and designer, whose work is centered on revolutionizing learning through the integration of self-inquiry and creativity. Former NASA scientist, he currently serves as Assistant Professor in teacher education at the CUNY New York City College of Technology. There, he is also Director of the Innervate Makerspace: a design and engineering classroom that concentrates on developing STEM professionals, educators, & curriculum through contemplative philosophy. As a faculty fellow at Columbia University’s Gordon Institute for Advanced Studies, he studies the intersections of wisdom traditions, activism, and nature of science. He is also co-founder of The ROOTS Movement, a non-profit organization working in classrooms and media spaces through the intersection of wisdom philosophies, creativity, and wellbeing. LinksLinkedInThe Roots MovementTalya Stein is a Senior Program Manager at NYC FIRST, where she has spent the past decade designing and leading innovative STEM learning experiences as part of a passionate team. She helped launch the NYC FIRST STEM Center on Roosevelt Island eight years ago and, more recently, worked with colleagues and community partners to open a second center in Brooklyn’s District 13 focused on K-8 education. Talya collaborates with teachers, students, and fellow makers to build curricula, coach robotics teams, and bring FIRST LEGO League to every middle school in the district. She believes the most powerful learning happens through making—when students design, build, and experiment—and that the STEM Center’s role is to complement and support what schools are teaching, enriching classroom lessons. Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org

    59 min
  2. 4. 10.

    The Movement Towards Micro-credentials in Mauritius

    The twenty-first century is filled with exciting learning pathways leading to innovations in degrees and novel credentialing opportunities. One such innovation is the micro-credential. A micro-credential is a record of the skills or learning outcomes that one has acquired. Typically, the skills and competencies can be assessed and validated in a clear and transparent way by a trusted provider. Along the way, these skills might complement or contribute to other micro-credentials. Micro-credentials are also a flexible, accessible, and cost-effective way for individuals to keep up with the constantly changing demands of the workplace. Adult learners who lack time or sufficient funds for formal residential degree programs find micro-credentials highly attractive and beneficial for their life goals and ambitions as well as the practical realities of maintaining one's employment in a fast-changing job market.  Ironically, the notion of the micro-credential breaths new life into the term lifelong learning. Other terms for micro-credential include nano degree, digital badge, open badge, mini degree, and certificate. In this episode of Silver Lining for Learning, we will hear from leaders in Mauritius about what has been taking place in their country in terms of micro-credentials. Recent government reports from Mauritius describe a national framework from regarding micro-credential for both Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Higher Education (HE). For those wanting to learn more, some references are offered below. Note, in the coming months, we will likely have a follow-up to this episode or two on micro-credential in other parts of Africa. Exciting! Stay tuned. National Credit Value and Transfer System and Micro Credentials Framework in Mauritius, Professor (Dr) Romeela Mohee, CSK, April 11, 2005; Available: https://inq.gov.ao/pt/programas/ppt-3_mauritius_ncvts-and-mc_hec_prof-r-mohee.pdfMicro-credentials in Mauritius: towards a national framework for TVET and higher education (2025). Michaela Martin and Mairéad Nic Giolla Mhichíl, UNESCOhttps://www.iiep.unesco.org/en/publication/micro-credentials-mauritius-towards-national-framework-tvet-and-higher-education; Available: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000392521 Micro-credentials in Mauritius (2024, June 18). Dr Ramesh RamdassProf Romeela Mohee, the Higher Education Commissioner of Mauritius  Prof Romeela Mohee is currently the Higher Education Commissioner of Mauritius, whereby she is responsible for regulating all public and private universities, as well as funding of public universities in Mauritius. She is driving transformative projects at national level, and the Technology-Enabled Learning Project for public universities. Recently she had led the development of AI guidelines for Higher Education and AI capacity building for academics in Mauritius. Prof Romeela Mohee holds an engineering degree in Energy and Environment from a Grande Ecole d’Ingenieurs, the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon, France, (under a French Scholarship) and a PhD from the University of Mauritius. She has been decorated by the Mauritian government in 2014 as the Commander of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean and decorated by the French government as ‘Officier dans l’Ordre National du Merite in 2016. Prof. Mohee has 36 years of academic experience as a Professor and Head of Department in the field of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, as well as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering from 2009 to 2012. She has also held the position of Vice Chancellor of the University of Mauritius, the national university regrouping 10,000 students from 2013 to 2016. She was also the National Research Chair in Solid Waste Management at the Mauritius Research Council. Prof Mohee is an experienced Education Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the development of higher education models and policies. She has worked at the Commonwealth of Learning from 2017 to 2020 as an Education Specialist and has assisted many Commonwealth member states in their development of higher education policies and strategies. She expertly guided governments and institutions on e-learning for sustainable development, quality assurance and employability. She has published over 200 international research and conference papers, edited 8 books, 4 book chapters, and has supervised to date more than 50 undergraduate and 30 masters and doctoral students in the field of energy and environmental engineering. Scopus ID: 19934178700 and h-index: 29. Professor Mohee has received a number of awards and recognitions including the winner of the African Union best woman scientist award for Science Technology and Innovation in 2009. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK) and a Fellow of the Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology (FMAST), Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Chemical Engineers UK (F IChemE) and she is among others an Associate member of the International Association of Universities (IAU). She is also a Member of the Steering Committee for the Research Management Programme in Africa (ReMPro Africa). Dr. WJ Green, Chief Executive Officer of the Council on Higher Education Dr Green is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Council on Higher Education, an organisation mandated to conduct research on higher education, monitor trends in higher education, provide advice to the Minister of Higher Education and Training, and the apex organization for quality assurance of higher education in South Africa. He was previously the Chief-Director: Teaching, Learning and Research Development in the South African Department of Higher Education and Training. Dr Green has worked in a range of education settings, having served as a high school teacher, as a teacher education college lecturer, and as lecturer and senior lecturer at university level. He holds a Bachelor of Science, Higher Diploma in Education, Bachelor of Education Honours, Master of Education, all from the University of Natal/KwaZulu-Natal he earned his PhD from the University of Stellenbosch. Kirti Menon, Programme Director for the University of Johannesburg Associate Professor Kirti Menon is the Programme Director for the University of Johannesburg - Department of Higher Education Future Professors Programme Phase 2. She is the Project Lead for UJ on the EU funded project the Potential of Microcredentials in Southern Africa. Until 2024 she was the Senior Director of the Division for Teaching Excellence at the University of Johannesburg. She has served on several national task teams, and her research focus is higher education with a focus on access, exclusion and redress. She is a Research Associate affiliated with the UJ Faculty of Education. She is widely published in the field of higher education, curriculum transformation, social exclusion and access. More recently, publications include a focus curriculum transformation commissioned by the CHE based on institutional audit reports. Kirti Menon: Google Scholar Profile; https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ZePBm3sAAAAJ&hl=enResearch Profile available at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kirti-Menon Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org

    58 min
  3. 28. 9.

    Finding "Talent Together" for Free Teacher Training in Michigan

    Episode 247 | Finding "Talent Together" for Free Teacher Training in Michigan We need teachers. Despite the rumors of AI replacing teachers, in 2025, the country and the entire world is in need of teachers . And we need a society concerned for and supportive of education. In Michigan, there is one solution called Talent Together. Is it a success? Well, it is currently the largest registered apprentice program for teacher certification in the country. Listen or watch Episode #247 of Silver Lining for Learning and find out more.  During this episode, we will hear from Dr. Sarena Shivers who is the CEO and Excecutive Director of the program. Dr. Shivers will describe how Talent Together helps Michiganders become certified teachers. Amazingly, candidates receive their education FREE while earning an income. Importantly, it offers flexible pathways that center on each candidates needs. For more information, see Talent Together:  https://mitalenttogether.org/team. See Talent Together Dr. Sarena Shivers- Talent Together CEO/Executive Director Dr. Sarena Shivers is currently the CEO/Executive Director of Michigan’s Talent Together, the nation’s largest registered apprentice program for teacher certification in the country and the largest grow-your-own program in Midwest. With over three decades of experience in education – including over 20 years as an administrator. Dr. Shivers has a profound background of serving children, families and educators. Her career has spanned roles as a teacher, principal, program director, assistant superintendent and superintendent. In 2018, Dr. Shivers was recognized as a nominee for Michigan’s Superintendent of the Year. Most recently, she served as the Deputy Executive Director of Professional learning for the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators (MASA), where she supported and fostered professional growth for superintendents and education leaders statewide. In addition to her storied career as a school leader, Dr. Shivers has also earned national recognition, including serving a four-year term on the Board of Directors for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASDC). Known for her compassionate, adaptive, and resilient approach Sarena has made a tremendous impact on the education landscape here in the state of Michigan. In 2022, Dr. Shivers founded The Elijah Shivers JPS Foundation of Hope, a non-profit focused on research, awareness and patient advocacy for a rare disease, juvenile polyposis syndrome that her son was diagnosed with in 2012. In 2025, Dr. Shivers also launched her own leadership pipeline program—Midwest School Leaders of Color Network. Sarena is focused on leaving a legacy of BIPOC principals, central office administrators and superintendents in Michigan and 5 surrounding Midwest states. Dr. Shivers stays close to teaching, learning and leadership and remained on faculty at Eastern, Concordia and Madonna Universities working with undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level education candidates. On a personal level, Sarena is a writer and enjoys writing poetry and short stories. Dr. Shivers for years has worked across business, ministry and the healthcare sector and trains in ministry, public speaking, and public safety. She is active in the community through various board appointments, organizations, volunteerism and social justice/equity activism. Education at every level and in every way has and will always be her purpose and passion! Amy Peterson-Talent Together Regional Program Director. Amy Peterson Bio. Ever since childhood, I’ve had a passion for teaching. After graduating from Central Michigan University, I spent 27 years at Collins Elementary in Houghton Lake, Michigan, serving as a preschool teacher/director, first grade teacher, and elementary/middle school principal. I then became Superintendent/Principal of Mackinac Island Public School, where I worked to expand opportunities and build strong connections with stakeholders. Now as Regional Program Director for Talent Together in Northern Michigan, I’m committed to supporting educators, fostering collaboration, and helping students and staff succeed. I live in Thompson in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where my husband and I enjoy visits from our three adult children at our cabin on Lake Michigan. Chelsea Burke- Talent Together Educator Development Specialist Chelsea Burke is an Educator Development Specialist with Talent Together, supporting teachers across Northern Michigan, primarily in the Upper Peninsula. She earned her undergraduate degree in K–12 Special Education from Northern Michigan University, a master’s degree in special education with a focus in Autism from Oakland University, and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Administration and Leadership from Northern Michigan University. Before her current role, Chelsea spent over a decade as a special education teacher and served as a behavior and autism consultant. Over the last decade she has worked as a contingent instructor at Northern Michigan University, supporting future special educators. She lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with her two daughters and enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors whenever possible. Ken Taylor- Talent Together Teacher Graduate  Ken Taylor Bio. My path to the classroom has been anything but traditional—but every step led me closer to where I was meant to be. I began with a degree in Theatre & Entertainment Arts from Northern Michigan University, followed by careers in law enforcement, funeral service, and over a decade as a school resource officer at the Hannahville Indian Community. With an inspiration to make an even greater impact in children’s lives I applied and was accepted as a Talent Together Resident Apprentice for the 2024-2025 school year.  I have since graduated from Talent Together and am now teaching my own 4th grade classroom at Menominee Elementary School in Menominee, Michigan. Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org

    1 h 1 min
  4. 14. 9.

    What's Worth Learning in the Age of AI: Reflections about a Summer Camp in Beijing

    There is widespread concern about student cheating in schools, but why do we want students to do things that AI can do? If we free students from learning traditionally prescribed content, what else can they learn and how can learning happen? In a week-long summer camp held in Beijing, China last month (August 2025), over 100 middle and high school students from multiple cities in China and Australia explored these questions. The camp was organized by YEE Education under the Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship Education (ICEE) philosophy, which focuses on personalized learning to enable students develop their personal strength and interests, problem finding and solving to encourage students to find and solve authentic and meaningful problems, and building human interdependence through collaboration and problem solving for each other. In this camp, students from different backgrounds and with diverse expertise and interests used AI to explore their strengths, discover and refine problems and solutions, and investigate the meaning of human interdependence. The camp did not use traditional teachers. Instead, it used graduate students from different colleges in China as mentors. The camp significantly affected students' perspectives on education and learning. In this episode, we invite a group of students and teachers from University Senior College (USC) to reflect on their experiences at the camp and helps understand the question: What Is Worth Learning in the Age of AI? More after the video https://youtu.be/iQSwdD_7xPM Read more about the theoretical discussions about the program: If Schools Don’t Change, the Potential of AI Won’t Be Realized published in Educational Leadership. Available at: https://ascd.org/el/articles/if-schools-dont-change-the-potential-of-ai-wont-be-realized Artificial Intelligence and Education: End the Grammar of Schooling published in ECNU Review of Education. Available at https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20965311241265124Paradigm Shifts in Education: An Ecological Analysis published in ECNU Review of Education. Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20965311241296162From Meritocracy to Human Interdependence: Redefining the Purpose of Education published in ECNU Review of Education. Available at:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20965311251351988Participants: Students include Anita, Ari, Anika and Shayanne. Shayanne Lim is a Year 11 student at University Senior College (USC) in Adelaide, South Australia. She is currently studying Legal Studies, Politics, Business Innovation, Philosophy, and Accounting as part of her SACE pathway. Being immersed in USC’s university-style learning environment has strengthened her interest in pursuing further study in Law and International Relations, with a major in Business. Outside of her studies, she has worked in a range of part-time roles that centre on teaching, mentoring, and connecting with children, from volunteering at kids’ church on Sundays, to teaching sport, and hosting parties. In 2025, she participated in her first YEE Camp, where she especially enjoyed the new experience of learning alongside the young participants. The highlight for her was interacting with the children, and despite language barriers, she found it fun and rewarding to engage with them and share conversations across cultures. Her passions are in learning, helping others, and embracing new opportunities. She is particularly interested in Law and International Relations to advocate for social justice and global collaboration. She is also drawn to entrepreneurship and hopes to use her passion in educational reform and to contribute to a better society, whether through improving education systems for children or creating meaningful social initiatives. Anika Anantula is a Year 11 student at University Senior College (USC) in Adelaide, South Australia. She is currently studying English Literature Studies, Mathematical Methods, Biology, Psychology, Philosophy, and Economics as part of her SACE pathway. Being immersed in USC’s university-style learning environment has strengthened her interest in pursuing further study in Neuropsychology, specifically a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) with a focus on Cognitive Neuroscience. She hopes to use this knowledge to better understand the human brain, contribute to improving educational and social systems, and support individuals in reaching their potential. Outside of her studies, Anika has gained experience working in roles that involve teaching, mentoring, and supporting others, including volunteering at a scout group, babysitting, and working in Coles’ online department. In 2025, she participated in her first YEE Camp, where she particularly valued learning to communicate beyond words, using gestures and symbols to connect across language barriers. The experience of teaching the children fostered a deep appreciation for educators’ resilience and highlighted the importance of patience, creativity, and adaptability, which she recognises as especially important skills in the rapidly evolving age of AI. Anika is passionate about helping others, exploring new experiences, and working outside her comfort zone. Her interest in neuropsychology is driven by a desire to understand the brain and use that knowledge to help people flourish. She is particularly committed to creating opportunities for children to thrive, both through educational initiatives and meaningful social contributions, aiming to make a positive impact on society. Ari Stevens is a Year 11 student at University Senior College (USC) in Adelaide, South Australia. She is currently studying Math methods, English literature, Economics, Design, Psychology, and currently undertaking AIF. USC’s unique learning environment has allowed her to fulfil her learning interests through the support of teachers and peers. She plans to further her studies at university and build a career path into the business field. Outside of School, Ari has gained experience working at several part time jobs and competed for 7 years in local baking competitions. This has allowed her to learn how to work independently, while supporting a team setting. She participated in the 2025 YEE Camp held in Beijing, where she valued the opportunity to meet international students and the chance to collaborate in their learning. The unique experience allowed her to grow new hope the future of education in the age of AI through the different perspectives she was able to encounter. Ari finds passion in learning about how others behave and in turn how the world works. She plans to fulfil these passions through her love of business, which will open the opportunity to find and discover new ways to benefit people. The invitation to YEE Camp was especially beneficial as she hopes to have the chance to travel with her career and work alongside teams worldwide to discover new insights about people around the globe. The teachers are: Michael Jacobsen Michael Jacobsen works at University Senior College (USC) in Adelaide, South Australia. USC is a Senior High School located on the University of Adelaide’s main CBD campus and teaches Economics and Business Innovation to students in Years 11 & 12 (final two years of high school) and they progress through USC’s academic and pastoral care programs while being immersed in the ‘university experience’ on campus. He has taught at the school since it commenced in 2002 and previously taught in Sydney (Australia) and London (United Kingdom). He spent 10 years as the Dean of USC’s International Program 2010-2020. He is currently the President of the Economic Teacher’s Society of South Australia. In addition to his teaching load, he is also has a role organising and facilitating the USC Yr11 & 12 Mentoring Program at USC. Michael’s passion is working with and mentoring his students, early career teachers and experienced colleagues. At this stage of his career his goals include being as helpful as he can to these groups of people and helping them flourish. He loves nothing more than time with his family and friends, surfing and playing guitar; and walking the family dog with his wife. In 2023, 2024 & 2025 Michael and his USC colleague (Sam Franzway) have taught their cross-curriculum HIP Project course to five cohorts in Adelaide with their Society & Culture and Business Innovation students – they are also now ‘veterans’ of two YEE Education International Camps in China (Chongqing August 2024 & Beijing August 2025). Sam Franzway Sam Franzway is an early-career teacher of English and Humanities at University Senior College (USC) in Adelaide, South Australia. Before Sam became a teacher, he worked in the Graduate and Student Academic Assistance units at Flinders University, and the University of South Australia. This experience, in addition to two Masters degrees and a PhD, has informed his passion for teaching English, Humanities, and research skills in the senior school environment. Sam is also a writer, comedian, and photographer. He publishes two podcasts: Why Teach? Australia and Just Going For A Drive. In Why Teach?, Sam interviews experienced teachers about why they became a teacher, their experiences in schools, and what advice they would give themselves when they first started out. Just Going For a Drive is a comedy podcast about Sam’s hobby of cars and driving. In 2023, Sam and his USC colleague (Michael Jacobsen) were part of the YEE HIP Pilot in Adelaide with their Society and Culture, and Business Innovation students – they are back in 2024 to ‘do it all again’!   Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org

    1 h 1 min
  5. 6. 9.

    Designing Innovative School Models: The Story of ASU Prep Academy

    What does it take to reimagine school from the inside out? ASU Prep Academy is an innovative, tuition-free public charter school network, serving students from Pre-K to grade 12. They also partner with other innovative schools to serve students across the US and around the world. In this episode of Silver Lining for Learning, we explore how ASU Preparatory Academy is designing innovative new school models that center student agency, hybrid learning, and real-world relevance. From microschools and flexible high schools to project-based learning across all grade levels and immersive tech experiences, ASU Prep is redefining what learning can look like. Its mission is to prepare students for college, careers, and life by combining rigorous academics with innovative learning models. Through options that include in-person campuses, hybrid programs, and ASU Prep Digital, students can personalize their educational experience and, in many cases, begin earning university credit while still in high school. With a strong emphasis on access, innovation, and preparing students for the future, ASU Prep Academy provides opportunities for learners across Arizona and beyond. These efforts are powered by the unique opportunity of being embedded within Arizona State University, one of the most innovative universities in the world—providing access to cutting-edge resources, partnerships, and a culture of experimentation that helps turn visionary school design into reality. Our latest models include a partnership with famous economist and author of Freakonomics, Steve Levitt, to create The Levitt Lab at ASU Tempe, Khan World School with Sal Khan of Khan Academy, and embedding real-world learning on ASU campuses and beyond through our Digital+ programs. Our guests, Megan Hanley, Executive Director of School Design, and Rachna Mathur, Senior STEM Strategist and AI researcher, share how their work blends personalized learning, emerging technologies like generative AI and VR, and bold pedagogical design. More about our guests below the video https://youtu.be/EWmBuwpByFw About our guests:Megan Hanley, Executive Director of School Design @ ASU PrepMegan Hanley is the Executive Director of School Design at ASU Prep. In this role, Megan helps to lead the innovation teams at ASU Prep including the Professional Development and Learning Initiatives, new school models including Khan World School and The Levitt Lab, college and career awareness, and STEM related projects. Megan has 16 years of experience in the field of education in Washington DC and Arizona, covering Pre-K–12th grade, having worked as a teacher, family advocate, program manager, educational and admissions coordinator, and as an Assistant Principal. Originally from Tempe, Arizona, Megan attended George Washington University where she received her Bachelor’s in Arts and George Mason University where she received her Master’s in Education. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-hanley-238261a/The Levitt Lab: https://asuprep.asu.edu/tempe-levitt-lab/Khan World School: https://asuprep.asu.edu/khan-world-school/Dr. Rachna Mathur, Sr. STEM Strategist @ ASU PrepRachna Mathur is a STEM educator, computer engineer, and Kathak dancer with over two decades of experience bridging industry and education. A former software architect at Intel, she now serves as the STEM Strategist at ASU Preparatory Academy and founder of STEMology Club, championing K–12 initiatives in AI, robotics, and emerging tech. Rachna holds an Ed.D. from Arizona State University, where her research focused on AI literacy and ethical adoption of GenAI in schools. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachnamathur/Personal: https://www.rachnamathur.com/ Upcoming Event: https://tinyurl.com/microspark-2025 Join the conversation at silverliningforlearning.org

    1 h 3 min
  6. 30. 8.

    Transforming Education with AI & Digital Technologies in India

    Transforming Education with AI in India with Dr. Vinnie Jauhari, Ms. Swati Ganguly and Ms. Meenakshi Uberoi India stands at the cusp of a transformative era in education, fueled by the integration of AI and digital technologies across its vast and diverse school ecosystem. With trailblazing leaders like Dr Vinnie Jauhari, Director Education at Microsoft Elevate, Swati Ganguly, CEO and Founder of Juana Technologies, and Meenakshi Uberoi, CEO and Founder of De Pedagogics, driving the movement, schools are embracing innovative tools that personalize learning, bridge educational divides, and empower both educators and students. From adaptive learning platforms and AI-powered assessments to immersive digital classrooms, these advancements are fostering critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration while making education more inclusive and accessible. Indian educators are leveraging digital content, real-time analytics, and cloud-based solutions to create engaging learning experiences that cater to students’ unique needs, regardless of their geography or background. This transformation, however, is more than just the adoption of new tools—it signifies a cultural shift towards lifelong learning and digital citizenship. AI-driven insights are enabling teachers to identify learning gaps early, offer targeted interventions, and ensure holistic development. Meanwhile, initiatives led by organizations such as Microsoft Elevate, Juana Technologies, and De Pedagogics are equipping teachers with the skills and confidence needed to navigate this digital landscape, fostering a mindset of innovation and adaptability. As India continues to invest in digital infrastructure and upskilling, the promise of AI in education lies not just in boosting academic outcomes, but also in preparing the next generation to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy, making the dream of an empowered, future-ready India a tangible reality. The podcast focuses on how partnership between Microsoft and Training partners alongside Education leaders and teachers enabled creation of light house institutions. It also focuses on what it took hundreds of schools to make that transformative leap and get global recognition for their work. The podcast shares insights into some unique partnerships with State and National Boards of Education in India and scale interventions for skilling and teachers have been initiated. More below the video https://youtu.be/gE2J-uwyg7E Readings and Resources: Explore MS Learn for assets for skilling of Educators and students- Training | Microsoft Learn. This has free access to over 4500 modules on various areas such as AI, Security, Data Sciences, Cloud courses, pedagogical innovation for teachers. Create a profile and join for free and start a great skilling journey with Microsoft Learn.Explore MS Elevate to explore offerings for supporting skilling and education initiatives in Schools Elevating Communities | Microsoft ElevateExplore the AI for Education Resources on the link AI for education | Microsoft LearnInnovate with Teaching Pedagogy. The link to Educator Center on  MS Learn is here https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/educator-center/programs/msle/overviewDevelop Applied AI Skilling through Hands on Labs here Microsoft Applied Skills | Microsoft LearnWhat does MS report say on leveraging AI in Education. Read more 2025 AI in Education: A Microsoft Special ReportLink to Shikshana Intervention on AI in Govt Schools Bing VideosLearning Accelerators in Education- Do the complete pathway for free at the link here Learning Accelerators for educators - Training | Microsoft Learn. It helps with increasing reading fluency with Reading Coach, Maths Skills with Maths Progress, confident presentations with Speaker Progress, Search Coach, AnalyticsAI for Educators- AI for educators - Training | Microsoft LearnEpisode Guests Dr. Vinnie Jauhari – Director Education, Microsoft Elevate, Microsoft Corporation Dr. Vinnie Jauhari is a distinguished leader in education transformation at Microsoft India, where she spearheads strategic initiatives with the Ministry of Education, universities, and education boards. With a Ph.D. from IIT Delhi and a Postdoctoral Fellowship from United Nations University, Tokyo, she brings deep expertise in  Education technology, evangelism and AI-led innovation. Her work has impacted millions of educators and students across India, notably through large-scale skilling programs such as the Andhra Pradesh initiative, which certified nearly 100,000 students in AI, Data Science, and Cloud technologies. She has co-developed curricula in AI, Coding, and Data Science with national boards like CBSE and IB, earning recognition from India’s Minister of Education in 2023. Vinnie has cultivated vibrant educator communities, including the Microsoft Expert Educator network and Showcase Schools, driving national and global acclaim. A prolific academic, she has authored 13 books and published over 100 research papers. Her contributions have earned her multiple global awards, she was recently invited to speak at Harvard University’s AI Conference in March 2025. She won the Education Trailblazer award in August 2025 by InkWomen x Second Act for her contributions to the realm of Education. She has launched International Journals such as Journal of Services Research and Journal of Technology Management for Growing Economies and has led several global conferences in the realm of Services Management in partnership with international universities such as Oxford Brookes University, UK; Virginia Tech University, USA, Penn State University. She has edited several editions of International Journals like Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. Her work in Education at Microsoft had significant impact on  Education ecosystem in India leading to skilling of teachers in School and Higher Education, skill initiatives in School and Higher Education and adoption of AI curriculum in School Boards and Universities. Swati Ganguly – Director & Co-Founder – Juana Technologies Pvt Ltd. Swati Ganguly is the Director and Co-Founder of Juana Technologies Pvt. Ltd., and a pioneering force in India’s EdTech landscape. With over 27 years of experience spanning academic leadership, curriculum innovation, inclusive education, and large-scale teacher training, she has positioned herself at the forefront of digital transformation in K–12 education. Under her visionary leadership, Juana Technologies has pioneered hands-on, AI-integrated learning solutions such as the AI-Plex kits and the NEXO LMS platform, which have been widely adopted across CBSE and state-affiliated schools in India. Swati’s work extends beyond technological innovations. She has been instrumental in enabling real systemic change through her grassroots initiatives. Through Project Nawal, she has brought digital literacy and foundational technology skills to underprivileged children in urban slums, while the Unnati Program empowers LGBTQ+ youth with access to training in emerging technologies, paving the way for equitable employment opportunities. A Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and NABET-certified auditor, Swati has also served as a resource person to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) since 2009, also contributing to the design and delivery of contemporary curricula in AI, coding, and digital pedagogy. With a Post-Graduation in the Comprehensive Management of Children with Learning Disorders, from the Spastic Society of Karnataka, Bangalore, she has also been a Special Educator since 2008. Adding to her role as a Special Educator and an Educationist, she also holds a diploma in Counselling Skills, from Banjara Academy. Her ability to lead and monitor, made her become a Certified Auditor from National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET). In her role as an Auditor, she actively Monitors, Supervises and Audits the organizations who partner with National Accreditation Board for Education and Training, for accreditation. Her partnerships with institutions such as AICTE, NASSCOM Foundation, and SMART Technologies have further amplified her national footprint, particularly in building capacity among educators to adapt to 21st-century classrooms. Swati’s academic grounding—bolstered by a Ph.D. in Education and Social Welfare, and advanced qualifications in special education and counselling—reflects her deeply inclusive approach to learning. Her leadership represents a rare fusion of strategic foresight, empathetic pedagogy, and scalable innovation, making her a powerful advocate for future-ready education that is both transformative and human-centered. Meenakshi Uberoi – CEO, Education Evangelist and Founder, De Pedagogics Meenakshi Uberoi is a passionate education consultant committed to helping schools and educators reimagine teaching and learning through thoughtful pedagogy, purposeful technology integration, and sustained professional development. With over two decades of experience, she is a well-established name in the education industry for providing high quality, innovative and non-traditional approach to teaching-learning. Through high-level consultancy, training services, and student workshops, she along with her team has supported over 600 schools, trained over 200,000 teachers and equipped over 100,000 students with future-ready skills over the few last years and they continue to grow their outreach each year. She has collaborated with hundreds of schools across India to support meaningful shifts in classroom practice and build inclusive, learner-centered environments. As a certified AI-in-Education trainer, Microsoft Educator Fellow, Adobe Express Trainer, and author for Cambridge University Press and Assessment, Meenakshi works at the intersection of pedagogy, content, and emerging technologies. She leads initiatives such as the AI Sc

    1 h 5 min

Informace

Silver Lining for Learning (https://silverliningforlearning.org) is an ongoing conversation on the future of learning with educators and education leaders from across the globe. Hosted by Chris Dede, Curt Bonk, Punya Mishra & Yong Zhao, these conversations began under the “dark cloud” of the COVID19 crisis and continue today. We see these conversations as space to discuss the creation of equitable, humanistic and sustainable learning ecosystems that meet the needs of all learners. These conversations are hosted live on YouTube every Saturday (typically 5:30 PM Eastern US time).

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