Brighter Thinking Pod

Cambridge

Welcome to the Brighter Thinking Pod from the International Education group of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. We provide a place where international education enthusiasts from all backgrounds can come together to discuss the challenges faced by teachers in a modern classroom and discover new teaching ideas. Our panels consist of teachers, authors, key subject figures and more. If you'd like to get involved, follow us on Twitter or Instagram @CambridgeInt and send in your show suggestions!

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Preparing students for life: Cambridge Global Perspectives and the Junior Duke Award

    Today, we're exploring the skills that prepare learners for life. These are abilities that go far beyond the classroom, such as critical thinking, resilience, collaboration, independence, and empathy. We'll be focusing on two brilliant initiatives that nurture these skills: Cambridge Global Perspectives and the Junior Duke Award. Together, they're equipping learners around the world with the confidence and capability to succeed in school, at home, and in the wider world. Your host for this episode is Paul Ellis, Head of Thought Leadership at Cambridge. He is joined by Rebecca Watkins-Wright, Curriculum Development Manager for Cambridge Global Perspectives, and Dawn Waugh, a former teacher and the founder of the Junior Duke Award. Show notes:  Cambridge Global Perspectives: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-global-perspectives/ Junior Duke Award: https://juniorduke.com/ Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: https://cambridge.foleon.com/cambridge-international-education/future-ready-learners/ Video pod and transcript: https://www.cambridge.org/education/blog/brighter-thinking-pod-preparing-students-global-perspectives-junior-duke-award

    26 min

  2. 23 FEB

    Helping children to be AI and media literate

    Today, we're going to be talking about digital literacy, taking a closer look at our updated Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Digital Literacy curriculum. Specifically, we'll be asking the question: how do we help young learners thrive in a world shaped by AI without losing their curiosity, agency, or authentic voice? Your host for this episode is Cambridge Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by two special guests: Beverly Clarke, author of Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary Digital Literacy, and Nadja Djordjevic, a Digital Literacy Teacher at Savremena osnovna škola in Belgrade, Serbia. Show notes:  Cambridge Primary Digital Literacy - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-primary/curriculum/digital-literacy/ Cambridge Lower Secondary Digital Literacy - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-lower-secondary/curriculum/digital-literacy/

    29 min

  3. 6 FEB

    Knowledge vs. skills? Why you need both in the age of AI

    Today, we're discussing knowledge and skills in preparing students for the future – which is more important? Can they be separated? And do we still need subject knowledge in the age of AI? Your host for this episode is Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by Abbi Barnett, Director of Cambridge 3–19 Curriculum, and Irenka Suto, Head of Secondary Curriculum. Show notes: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: https://cambridge.foleon.com/cambridge-international-education/future-ready-learners/ Brighter Thinking Pod episode 53: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2IbUaD80-Y&list=PLi4xGU_d7k_KkGCe3ZD5pOr59F-DIWHBn&index=3 Brighter Thinking Pod episode 54: Do students feel prepared for the future? https://www.cambridge.org/education/blog/2026/01/23/brighter-thinking-pod-ep-54-do-students-feel-prepared-for-the-future/

    21 min

  4. 23 JAN

    Do students feel prepared for the future?

    At Cambridge, we recently published a report titled Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world. The report captures the voices of thousands of teachers and students from around the world, offering a wealth of perspectives on readiness for the future from those at the heart of education. Today, we're speaking to two Cambridge students – Nadine and Stepan – who contributed to the report. We'll be talking about their studies and how well prepared they feel for life beyond school. Show notes Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: https://cambridge.foleon.com/cambridge-international-education/future-ready-learners/ ADKAR model for managing change: https://www.prosci.com/methodology/adkar Model United Nations: https://www.un.org/en/mun Cambridge Global Perspectives: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-global-perspectives/

    24 min

  5. 15/09/2025

    Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world

    Today, we are launching a new report looking at how students across 150 countries are prepared for the next step in their education journey and for the future beyond education in a rapidly changing world. Navigating the future: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world, draws on responses from 3,021 teachers and 3,840 students worldwide and 50 experts with profound insight.  Here to talk us through the research is host and Education Futures Manager at Cambridge, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by a very special guest, Group Managing Director of International Education, Rod Smith.   Show notes:  Navigating the future: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: www.cambridge.org/future-ready-learners Watch this episode on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/g2IbUaD80-Y

    17 min

  6. 02/07/2025

    Early Years education: play-based learning and language support

    Welcome back! Today we're talking all about Early Years education and will be giving you tips on topics from play-based learning to language support.  Your host for this episode is Jemma Joakim, Head of Early Years and Primary Curriculum at Cambridge. She is speaking to two special guests about their experiences of teaching the Cambridge Early Years programme. Aisha El-Sayed is KG Principal at English Modern School, Qatar, and Aiah Elghobashy is a Teaching and Learning Coordinator, also at English Modern School.  Show notes:  Brighter Thinking Pod, Ep 45: Early Years Teaching and Learning - https://www.cambridge.org/education/blog/2024/07/03/brighter-thinking-pod-early-years-teaching-learning/ Cambridge Early Years programme - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-early-years/ Cambridge Early Years teaching and learning resources - https://www.cambridge.org/education/subject/early-childhood-education/cambridge-early-years English Modern School, Qatar - https://www.englishmodernschool.net/emswakra/ Developing the Cambridge Learner Attributes - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/support-and-training-for-schools/leading-learning-and-teaching-with-cambridge/curriculum/cambridge-learner-attributes/

    29 min

  7. 01/04/2025

    Introduction to Inclusive Education

    Today, we're talking about inclusive education - what is it? What are the benefits of it as a teaching approach? And what are the misconceptions?   Our host for this episode is Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by Lilian Dogiama, Head of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, and Lauren Woods, Assessment Accessibility Advisor – both from the International Education group here at Cambridge.   Show notes:  Cambridge Getting Started with Inclusive Education guide - https://cambridge-community.org.uk/professional-development/gswied Cambridge inclusive education and accessibility web pages -  https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/why-choose-us/inclusive-education-accessibility/inclusive-education/ Cambridge Education Brief - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/599369-education-brief-inclusive-education.pdf The Cambridge Latin Course Fifth edition: a more reflective and diverse exploration of the ancient world - https://www.cambridge.org/gb/files/6416/5761/8336/Cambridge_Latin_Course_-_key_changes_and_context.pdf The Cambridge Handbook 2025 - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/723185-cambridge-handbook-2025.pdf

    19 min

  8. 25/03/2025

    Teachers' Changing Perceptions of AI

    In this episode we hear from teachers around the world about their perceptions on artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom. Are they more excited or sceptical? And where do they think it can provide the most value to teaching and learning?  Our host for this episode is our very own Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by two special guests. Rachel Logan, School Liaison & Insight Manager, and Andrew Field, Senior Education Manager, both from the Insight, Ideation & Impact team at Cambridge.    Show notes Cambridge learner attributes - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/support-and-training-for-schools/leading-learning-and-teaching-with-cambridge/curriculum/cambridge-learner-attributes Getting started with AI in the classroom guide from Cambridge - https://www.cambridge-community.org.uk/professional-development/gswaic/ Getting started with AI in the classroom Cambridge Schools Conference session video - https://bit.ly/GSWAI_conference Artificial intelligence in education: Working with our Cambridge community of schools to explore the opportunities and challenges in classrooms - https://blog.cambridgeinternational.org/artificial-intelligence-in-education-working-with-our-cambridge-community-of-schools-to-explore-the-opportunities-and-challenges-in-classrooms/ Cambridge Outlook magazine issue 45: Digital Exams and AI special edition - https://www.calameo.com/cupeducation/read/006433997b541737cb1b1

    36 min
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4.4
out of 5
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About

Welcome to the Brighter Thinking Pod from the International Education group of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. We provide a place where international education enthusiasts from all backgrounds can come together to discuss the challenges faced by teachers in a modern classroom and discover new teaching ideas. Our panels consist of teachers, authors, key subject figures and more. If you'd like to get involved, follow us on Twitter or Instagram @CambridgeInt and send in your show suggestions!

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