unboxED

Emily & Yvette
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unboxED podcast with Emily & Yvette, explores educational innovation and challenges traditional norms to shape the future of learning. Through insightful discussions with a range of guests, including innovators and educators, we aim to inspire reflection and forward-thinking in education.Find us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxeducation/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unboxeducation_/

  1. Jul 20

    Projects, Passion and Purpose: A Conversation with Loni Bergqvist

    Send us Fan Mail What if we approached our lives the same way we approach great learning projects; with curiosity, reflection, and the courage to redesign? In this episode of unboxED, we welcome Loni Bergqvist, an educational innovator who has spent more than a decade helping schools transform learning through Project-Based Learning (PBL).  She spent a sabbatical year reflecting on her new direction and has recently launched her PBL-Drawer. Having worked with leading organisations including High Tech High (USA), Innovation Unit (UK), Kata Foundation (Denmark), and Imagine If (Denmark), Loni brings a unique international perspective on how meaningful learning can shape both schools and society. Rather than talking only about education, our conversation explores three interconnected themes: redesigning ourselves, redesigning education, and redesigning meaning. Redesigning Yourself We begin with a reflective question: If your life were a project exhibition, what would be hanging on the walls right now? Loni shares her own journey through unexpected career turns, moments of uncertainty, and the decisions that shaped her path. We explore what happens when life doesn't follow a carefully designed plan, why taking a different route can become our greatest teacher, and how embracing uncertainty can open doors to growth and purpose. This part of the conversation is an invitation for listeners to reflect on their own turning points, the projects that have shaped them, and the stories they are still writing. Redesigning Education Project-Based Learning is often described as a teaching method, but Loni argues that it is much more than that. It is a way of reimagining school itself. We discuss the principles behind PBL and the growing movement towards place-based learning in Denmark. Together we explore questions such as: What makes learning truly transformational?Why do authentic projects create deeper engagement?What aspects of education are impossible to measure, yet matter the most?How can schools become places where young people contribute to their communities rather than simply prepare for the future?The conversation highlights how meaningful learning emerges when students work on real challenges, collaborate with others, and see themselves as capable of creating positive change. Redesigning Meaning Our final theme moves beyond schools and into society. In a time marked by increasing polarisation, rapid change, and uncertainty, how do we create lives filled with meaning? What role do relationships, belonging, and community play in learning? And what can education contribute to a more compassionate and connected society? Together we reflect on humanity, purpose, and the importance of designing learning experiences that help people not only succeed, but also flourish. Why This Conversation Matters Loni reminds us that project-based learning is ultimately about much more than projects. It is about developing the agency to redesign our lives, our schools, and our communities. Whether you're an educator, leader, parent, or lifelong learner, this episode offers thoughtful reflections on how curiosity, collaboration, and meaningful work can become powerful forces for personal and societal transformation. Connect with Loni: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lonibergqvist/

  2. 08/03/2025

    AI QUEEN Ilse Svensson - de Jong: The Future of Learning Belongs to the Curious

    Send us Fan Mail AI, Innovation & Human Connection with Ilse De Jong, PhD in Innovation. In this  inspirational episode of unboxED, we explore the intersection of AI, innovation, and education with Dr. Ilse De Jong — educator, researcher, and AI advocate with a background in human behavior and organizational development. Ilse shares how AI can be a force for good, amplifying the capacity to teach, learn, and connect in ways previously unimaginable.  In education, AI’s real power lies in its potential to support—not replace—humans, and to create more personalized, responsive systems. Ilse  compares ChatGPT to a “stable friend,” always available, helping people navigate challenges, especially in times of stress or disconnection. A central theme in the episode is educational transformation. Ilse argues that AI learning and teaching should not be siloed in IT departments, but rather embraced across the whole school ecosystem. “AI isn’t IT,” she says — it’s a new language, especially for digital natives who grew up with iPhones and social media.  But the irony is clear: while Gen Z understands AI intuitively, they’re not in decision-making roles. Leadership still rests with Gen X and Boomers, who often lag in adoption and understanding. Ilse encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, where educators and AI experts co-create solutions. She envisions a near future where AI lightens the load for teachers, especially by supporting differentiated learning, reducing administrative tasks, and unlocking student potential through individualized learning profiles. The goal is not to replace human connection but to deepen it. The conversation touches on the ethics and risks of AI — from “hallucinations” and bias to the dangers of misuse in grading or decision-making. Yet Ilse remains optimistic. She stresses that innovation in education shouldn’t mean unlearning the past, but rather overriding outdated habits with better ones. Change may come slowly through large institutions, but it can start fast in micro-schools, pilot projects, and courageous conversations — like this one. In her final encouragement, Ilse speaks directly to hesitant educators: try it. Don’t fear AI, explore it. “You didn’t understand Google or Facebook either, and yet here you are,” she smiles.  The episode closes with a reminder that the future of learning belongs to the curious, the brave, and those willing to keep unboxing what’s next. Message from Ilse: I’m an AI strategist and PhD-level educator with over 14 years of experience designing training and learning programs—especially in highly regulated industries. My work focuses on building innovative, human-centered tools and curricula that enhance performance, support compliance, and accelerate digital transformation in education and beyond. I’m the founder of Ilspiration and co-founder of AICompliance Hub, where I help organizations adopt AI safely, ethically, and effectively. If you’re curious about how to unlock the full potential of tools like ChatGPT in your classrooms or teams, check out my ChatGPT Treasure Hunt—an interactive, hands-on approach to AI adoption. And for those navigating the risks and responsibilities of AI, I also offer a comprehensive AI Compliance Audit to make sure your implementation aligns with best practices and evolving standards. Let’s explore how AI can elevate learning—responsibly. Ilse Svensson - de Jong on LinkedIn:

  3. 05/27/2025

    Igniting the Joy of Learning, One Step at the Time - Georgi Panayotov

    Send us Fan Mail Bringing Back the Joy of Learning—At Every Stage of Life www.thejoyoflearning.com For over 15 years, Georgi Panayotov has been designing and facilitating learning experiences & programs that do more than transfer knowledge—they reawaken curiosity, connection, and purpose. Whether he is working with preschoolers or senior executives, in a classroom or a leadership retreat, one thing remains constant: the spark of joy that emerges when learning feels alive—when it clicks, when it matters, when it moves us. With experience across cultures and communities—and fluency in German, English, and Spanish—he adapts to each group’s unique rhythm. His role is to meet learners where they are and co-create the conditions for them to grow, thrive, and rediscover the excitement of learning again. Across all ages and settings, he has come to realise: the true impact of his work lies not just in methods, tools or strategies, but in reigniting the joy of learning—and keeping it glowing. LINKS:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/g-panayotov/ Website: www.thejoyoflearning.co

  4. 05/02/2025

    Kyle Wagner - Student Centered Learning

    Send us Fan Mail Kyle Wagner is the founder and  [Co] Learning Experience Designer for Transform Educational Consulting Limited, an organization that empowers forward thinking schools and educators to create globally, socially and emotionally aware citizens through project-based experiences and 12 shifts for student-centred environments.  Kyle fell in love with project-based learning as a teacher atHigh Tech High, where he witnessed students publish best-selling books, create their own social enterprises, and even influence policy change through real- world projects.  He has taken this passion global, founding innovative micro-schools, authoring 2 books – ‘Where is the Teacher’ to be released in August and ‘Power of Simple,’ and helping over 1,000 educators develop 1000 + transformative learning experiences and the student-centered environments to support them.  Kyle holds a M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership with a thesis that focuses on developing democratic classrooms and distributed leadership models.  When not writing or teaching, he is performing with his original band, participating in karaoke contests and traveling the world with his partner. He currently resides in Hong Kong where he spends time developing learner-centred schools of the future while helping other school leaders build theirs.  Since we spoke last year, he started setting up the International Montessori Middle School in Hong Kong.  Web: Book: Kyle Wagner: Where is the Teacher? LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwagssd3/

  5. 04/10/2025

    Designing for Culture, Community & Co-Creation - Abbas Sbeity

    Send us Fan Mail Abbas Sbeity (b. 1991, Lebanon) is a designer, curator, and cultural manager based in Helsingborg, Sweden.  He leads Creative Insights Studio, offering design and research consultancies for the public sector and development agencies, and runs his curatorial practice through his newly founded organization, Kulturrummet, focusing on site-specific, community-driven projects. His work often engages local communities through participatory and co-creation processes, using ethnographic, phenomenological, and critical mapping approaches to explore social, political, and urban issues. Abbas teaches Design Theory and Management at the Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (Lebanon) and is a guest lecturer in the Embedded Design program at HDK-Valand, Gothenburg University (Sweden).  His extensive cultural management experience includes leading learning projects and grant schemes for artists, journalists, and cultural practitioners across the MENA region. He holds an MA in Design from the Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts and a BA in Architecture from the Lebanese University. Abbas is the founder of Architects for Change (2014-2019) and a member of the MENA Design Research Center, where he managed and programmed four editions of Beirut Design Week (2015-2019). Get in contact with Abbas:  Abbas Sbeity - Linkedin   www.abbassbeity.com www.creativeinsights.studio www.kulturrummet.org  Helsingborg, Sweden  T/ +46 70 147 00 91

  6. 03/15/2025

    When One Teacher Challenges the Status Quo, Students of All Abilities Thrive: Tanya Sheckley, The Rebel Educator

    Send us Fan Mail Tanya Sheckley embodies what it means to be a "rebel educator"—someone who looks at traditional systems, identifies what isn't working, and takes bold action to create something better. As founder and president of California's Up Academy, she's built an educational model that truly embraces diverse learners through project-based approaches and mixed-age learning communities. Her journey began with deeply personal motivation. When her daughter, born with cerebral palsy, needed an education that would honor her intelligence while accommodating her physical needs, Tanya found existing options inadequate. This sparked the creation of Up Academy—though tragically, her daughter passed away before the school opened its doors. Through profound grief, Tanya persevered, eventually launching a school that now serves as a model for inclusive education. What makes Up Academy distinctive? Small class sizes foster genuine relationships between students and multiple trusted adults. Mixed-age groupings create natural opportunities for differentiation and peer mentoring. And perhaps most remarkably, the school fully embraces failure as learning through weekly "fail-abrations" where students proudly share mistakes and what they learned from them. Tanya's latest innovation is the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum, designed to integrate project-based learning with literacy skills, creating cohesive learning experiences where reading, writing, and hands-on projects reinforce each other. This solves the common teacher dilemma of "finding time" for projects by weaving them into existing literacy blocks. Whether you're an educator seeking practical strategies for inclusion, a school leader questioning outdated systems, or simply someone who believes in education's transformative potential, Tanya's vision of creating "a generation of learners who see all things as possible and all people as capable" will inspire you to become a rebel in your own context. Listen, learn, and join the educational revolution! You can find Tanya here:  projectup.us tanyasheckley.com upacademysf.com rebeleducator.com Tanya Sheckley, Founder 650-796-3848 UP Academy - Where Curiosity Thrives Open an UP Academy Book me for speaking events Projects and Professional Learning "Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world...." — Malala Yousafzai

  7. 12/02/2024

    Archisman Das - Youth Voices: Intrinsic Motivation, Math and Future Opportunities in Education

    Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is one of the learners, students we met on our way as learner guides, teachers,  of international education.  The one thing that stood out with him already as a 9 year old was his brilliant math and coding skills.  In this episode we have a conversation with him about intrinsic motivation and what impact it has in a young person’s life! We unbox what was driving him in the early years when it came to math and coding, and what is driving him now. We were curious about what motivates  Archisman to come to Hetch ( Helsingborg Tech Hub ) on an afternoon after school!  We discuss innovation and how  age doesn’t matter!  We were eager to know Archisman’s answer to the question: If you could design a school, what would we find? How would content and skills be taught and learnt?  Check out our conversation  with Archisman Das, a 15 year old student.  His own words:  My name is Archi and I'm currently 15 years old, and I am a student in the 9th grade at the International School of Helsingborg. I personally enjoy mathematics, computer science, and STEM in general due to the opportunities it offers us, and the way it forms everything in the world. I like to experiment and try out new things in these fields and in general, and am completely self-taught for nearly everything I do. I'm very interested in being able to learn things fast and learn new things, as I see not being able to understand something as a challenge for me. I started going deeper into STEM because of my sudden interest, which only happened about a year ago, but I always had a passion for it. In this episode, I talked a bit about my perspective on mathematics and the ways in which we see it vs the other ways there is to see it, why I became so interested in these kinds of things, and what I believe education should be like today.  Instagram: archi.the.coder

  8. 10/19/2024

    Drew Cortese: Empathy is the capacity to change perspective. The act of trying to understand someone else is powerful.

    Send us Fan Mail Drew Cortese  Director of Global Partnerships at AEON Learning Sciences, NewYork, USA. He was a founding faculty member at AEON, formerly Avenues Global School, New York  in 2012, where he was also a Head of grade and a Dean of students & college counselling.  Within the Research & Development team, Drew specializes in identifying and securing opportunities to expand the school's global community, now spanning three continents and 46 countries.  Earlier, he helped launch their experience design practice, focusing on instilling pride among students, families, and staff affiliated with the school. Nevertheless, Drew's favorite role was and is teaching - whether in a physical classroom or online - and matching wits with AEON’s students from around the world. ”With AEON Online now its own entity I am part of a growth team that's laser-focused on what we're calling  "School-as-a-Service.".   By taking the core academic offering that we've honed at AEON over the last decade and making it available to schools worldwide, we can provide innovative pathways to learning anywhere there's an internet connection.   Right after this episode, I'll head to Columbus, OH, for the fencing Summer Nationals, supporting student-athletes from around the US and the world, as Avenues Online continues its partnership as the Official School of USA Fencing.” Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewcortese/

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About

unboxED podcast with Emily & Yvette, explores educational innovation and challenges traditional norms to shape the future of learning. Through insightful discussions with a range of guests, including innovators and educators, we aim to inspire reflection and forward-thinking in education.Find us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxeducation/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unboxeducation_/

Information

  • Creator
    Emily & Yvette
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 unboxED
  • Show Website
    unboxED