445 episodes

In the complex world of education, the Harvard EdCast keeps the focus simple: what makes a difference for learners, educators, parents, and our communities. The EdCast is a weekly podcast about the ideas that shape education, from early learning through college and career. We talk to teachers, researchers, policymakers, and leaders of schools and systems in the US and around the world — looking for positive approaches to the challenges and inequities in education. Through authentic conversation, we work to lower the barriers of education’s complexities so that everyone can understand.

The Harvard EdCast is produced by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and hosted by Jill Anderson. The opinions expressed are those of the guest alone, and not the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

The Harvard EdCast Harvard Graduate School of Education

    • Education
    • 4.3 • 81 Ratings

In the complex world of education, the Harvard EdCast keeps the focus simple: what makes a difference for learners, educators, parents, and our communities. The EdCast is a weekly podcast about the ideas that shape education, from early learning through college and career. We talk to teachers, researchers, policymakers, and leaders of schools and systems in the US and around the world — looking for positive approaches to the challenges and inequities in education. Through authentic conversation, we work to lower the barriers of education’s complexities so that everyone can understand.

The Harvard EdCast is produced by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and hosted by Jill Anderson. The opinions expressed are those of the guest alone, and not the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

    Summer Unplugged: Navigating Screen Time and Finding Balance for Kids

    Summer Unplugged: Navigating Screen Time and Finding Balance for Kids

    Dr. Michael Rich shares strategies for balancing children's time online and offline.

    • 30 min
    Reshaping Teacher Licensure: Lessons from the Pandemic

    Reshaping Teacher Licensure: Lessons from the Pandemic

    Olivia Chi discusses the implications of "emergency teaching licenses," their impact on teacher diversity, and the ongoing efforts to ensure the quality and stability of the teaching workforce.

    • 24 min
    Discipline in Schools: Why Is Hitting Still an Option?

    Discipline in Schools: Why Is Hitting Still an Option?

    Jaime Peterson highlights the prevalence and harmful effects of corporal punishment in schools, underscoring the need for its abolition and the implementation of evidence-based disciplinary practices to ensure students' well-being and safety.

    • 16 min
    Combatting Chronic Absenteeism through Family Engagement

    Combatting Chronic Absenteeism through Family Engagement

    Eyal Bergman sheds light on chronic absenteeism and what family engagement has to do with it.

    • 26 min
    Getting to College: FAFSA Challenges for First Gen Students

    Getting to College: FAFSA Challenges for First Gen Students

    Heather Wathington discusses how FAFSA changes will impact first-generation, low-income students in accessing college.

    • 21 min
    Why Math is the Greatest Equalizer in School

    Why Math is the Greatest Equalizer in School

    Kentaro Iwasaki talks about the challenges and potential solutions to address inequality in math education, emphasizing the importance of dismantling tracking systems and promoting equitable practices.

    • 24 min

Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5
81 Ratings

81 Ratings

A non mouse11 ,

Like the premise of the podcast but..

I just heard Mr Khan of Khan Academy tell us all what a best practice would be for systems and education online/distance right now... I need to say his thoughts are out of touch with most US public schools. His point was knowing teachers have many kids and little time they should consider for example taking a 60 minute period of time and turning it into multiple shorter sessions with fewer kids.. Most teachers in most systems have between 4&6 60minute sessions a day, and sometimes those have as many as 40 students... the math doesn’t work. Systems are firing right now not hiring, as tax revenue has plummeted and many states are reentering closedowns etc. his pontificating about best practices for kids and realizing we shouldn’t worry about hitting every curricular unit.. That has been the norm pre-covid in most places. How about some good advice like honest triage advice that will get us through this year. Shortcuts for explanations for kids that are at the top and ways distance learning actually can be done with special needs students. Actual in class techniques (when to mute, how to use chat functions, etc). This whole method is only disintegrating an already broken system and his company, while non-profit now or seemingly, stands to gain from the sudden need for online content. I would love to hear from actual K-12 educators in the trenches, many for the last 2 months.

ppiinncckk ,

Pandemic state testing

This episode was absolute garbage. Not only was it not compelling, it was convoluted and, frankly, absurd. Thinly veiled political shenanigans.

August Consumer ,

What a disappointment

Tea time @ Harvard. What a disappointment! But when you are Harvard, you can sell the banal as profound.
Hegemony even in education. There are better podcasts, even in education. Just one’s taste, and just one’s needs. For me, this is just filler-air and book sales. What a disappointment! Ph.Ds? I’ll go on to my other podcasts.
Listen to the interview with the Dean of Education at Harvard U, and hear the empty air of U.S. higher education fill the space of time with empty words and their expensive egos.
I’ve found more interesting and engaging Ed podcasts out there, (BAM radio, etc.) that interview line teachers. Like one who said that this back to school for K-12 decision was not about education or safety & public health it was all about the economy—Leadership had the time to think about the reopening since March & in August reopened unprepared.
After 12 credits into a M.Ed. I’m dropping out, a waste of money to listen to these Education professors.
But the Dean of Education did not mention in her talk that after the pandemic “There’s a change a comm’n for US Higher Education.” And the disruption will leave them behind. And the professors will not be held responsible. An ignorant citizen’s assessment of the result of the post pandemic and these times of uncertainty—-True Globalization.

Top Podcasts In Education

The Mel Robbins Podcast
Mel Robbins
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson
The Rich Roll Podcast
Rich Roll
TED Talks Daily
TED
Do The Work
Do The Work
Mick Unplugged
Mick Hunt

You Might Also Like

Teaching in Higher Ed
Bonni Stachowiak
Have You Heard
Have You Heard
The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast
Jennifer Gonzalez
MindShift Podcast
KQED
The Daily
The New York Times
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

More by Harvard University

HBR IdeaCast
Harvard Business Review
PolicyCast
Harvard Kennedy School
Harvard Center for International Development
Harvard Center for International Development
The HBR Channel
Harvard Business Review
The Mittal Institute, Harvard University
The Mittal Institute, Harvard University
The Forum at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health