The Education Innovators Podcast

Romy Alexandra - Experiential Learning

Romy Alexandra is a learning experience designer and experiential learning trainer on a mission to humanize learning spaces (in-person, online, and hybrid). She is passionate about designing and delivering transformative learning experiences that integrate experiential learning, psychological safety, emotional intelligence, the neuroscience of learning, and behavior change.
Romy brings over a decade of international facilitation experience in more than 40 countries across 4 continents. She supports individuals, teams, and organizations across the globe to harness their learning potential and cultivate learning cultures. Romy holds multiple certifications in Experiential Learning from the International Experiential Learning Network (IELN) and the Institute for Experiential Learning (IFEL), where she is now a faculty member.
Romy also holds certifications in Psychological Safety from Amy Edmondson's organization, The Fearless Organization, as well as LeaderFactor. Her client portfolio includes Netflix, Allianz, ASICS, WeTransfer, the World Bank, the UAE Government, UNDP, UN Women, Brown University, and many more.
 
The Education Innovators Podcast is a weekly conversation between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
Romy Alexandra:
https://bento.me/romyalexandra
https://www.linkedin.com/in/romy-alexandra/
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
 

Joel Birch - LEGO Serious Play

Joel Birch is a longtime K-12 educator and instructional coach. He is also a Certified Facilitator and Pro Trainer of LEGO Serious Play. He relies on the power of play, stories, and solving problems by thinking with our hands. Joel works with school leaders to help them conduct the big, important conversations that help them to steer their schools towards their preferred vision of the future.
 
In this episode Joel and Eric talk about Joel’s journey from classroom educator to consultant and how he uses LEGO Serious Play to work with teachers, administrators, and parents to facilitate hard conversations and generate open communication and collaboration around important challenges facing schools.
 
The Education Innovators Podcast is a weekly conversation between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
Joel Birch
https://joelbir.ch/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelbirchau/
 
LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®
https://www.lego.com/en-hk/themes/serious-play
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com

Moxie the Compassionate Robot

This episode was filmed on location at The Hong Kong Developmental Paediatrics and Child Neurology Centre where I got the chance to meet Moxie the Compassionate Robot and to talk with Dr. Fanny Lam and Dr Cecelia Lam.
 
Dr Fanny Wai Fan Lam - Specialist in Developmental Behaviour Paediatrics at Blue Sky Precision Medicine
 
Dr Fanny Wai Fan Lam is a Specialist in Developmental-Behavioural Paediatrics with three decades of clinical experience in Hong Kong, Canada, and Australia. Currently, Dr Lam serves as the Developmental-Behavioural Paediatrician in Hong Kong Developmental Paediatrics Neurology Centre, Matilda International Hospital, Union Hospital and Gleneagles Hong Kong Hospital. Dr Lam is also actively involved in public and professional education, as well as expert witness services in paediatrics litigations and medical council inquiries. She is committed to enabling children to develop their best potentials through parenting coaching and early identification and intervention of children developmental needs.
 
Dr Cecelia Lam – Educational Psychologist
 
Dr. Cecilia Lam is a fully registered Educational Psychologist. She applied the Integrated Scientist-Practitioner model as an Educational Psychologist. In her practice, she combines research and clinical practice and provides her services with a scientific evidence-based approach. Dr. Lam is specialized in Executive Functioning challenges, Social-behavioral challenges, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Conduct Disorder, School and Community Crisis Management.
 
The Education Innovators Podcast is a weekly conversation between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
Moxie
https://moxierobot.com/
 
The Hong Kong Developmental Paediatrics and Child Neurology Centre http://www.hkdpc.com
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
 

Hayes Greenfield - Creative Sound Play

Hayes Greenfield is founder of Creative Sound Play (CSP), a sound-based, generative learning system for Pre-K, as well as an award-winning jazz musician, notable film composer, and innovative educator. His book, Creative Sound Play for Young Learners
(Routledge, Eye on Education Series, 2024), invites educators to use sound-making as collaborative educational play.
 
Hayes began working as a teaching artist in public and private K-12 schools. He created and implemented curricula for K-12 students, and professional development workshops for special needs District 75 teachers in New York City. Notably, he created a Pre-K program for PNC Bank’s “Grow Up Great Initiative,” devoted five years to codifying CSP at the Lenox Hill Early Childhood Center’s Head Start program, and consulted at Bank Street Head Start.
 
Founder and lead educator for CSP, Hayes guides Pre-K teachers in his sound-based
pedagogy and offers in-person and remote coaching sessions to accompany his self-paced video curriculum. An exceptional speaker Hayes has presented at the NAEYC, NHSA, A Joyous Celebration of Ideas, the Next Wave Center for Artistry and Scholarship, and other conferences.
 
A jazz musician, Hayes is proud to be endorsed by Yamaha, Vandoren, and Eventide. He has released 10 critically acclaimed CDs including two award-winning family CD’s Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz and Music for a Green Planet and has performed at festivals and venues throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. Hayes’ Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz school assembly program has reached over 300,000 young people and his music has been wonderfully received and reviewed in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Wall Street Journal, Billboard, Child Magazine, Downbeat, Jazz Times and more. As film composer, Hayes has scored more than 70 films, documentaries, commercials, animations, and TV specials.
 
The Education Innovators Podcast is a weekly conversation between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
Hayes Greenfield
https://www.hayesgreenfield.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiC0eCONgJfJSXJGO6fALsA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewiBpD7mCOU
 
Creative Sound Play
https://www.creativesoundplay.com/
 
“Creative Sound Play for Young Learners: A Teacher’s Guide to Enhancing Transition Times, Classroom Communities, SEL, and Executive Function Skills” by Hayes Greenfield
https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Sound-Play-Young-Learners/dp/1032636971
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
 

Alan Tang - Skills for a Modern World

Alan Tang believes education can make the world a better place. He is the founder and CEO of CoLab an online program that uses games, discussions and escape rooms to teach kids skills for the modern world. He found his way here through a path that included 6 years in corporate finance in the renewable energy field and spent some time as a chef at some of London’s top restaurants. He has worked with startups as a “fractional chief of staff” and then made a transition into the education industry with a job with Synthesis, an experimental school at SpaceX.
The Education Innovators Podcast is a weekly conversation between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
Alan Tang
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-tang-ksg/
 
CoLab
https://www.collaborationlaboratory.com/
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
 

Brave New Words by Salman Khan

This episode is a book review of Salman Khan’s new book – “Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (And Why That's a Good Thing)”. Sal is the Founder and CEO of Khan Academy, and his book is a brave and visionary look at the impact of generative AI on education. This is a solo episode, no guests, just me sharing my thoughts about the book.
The Education Innovators Podcast is a weekly conversation between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (And Why That's a Good Thing) by Salman Khan
https://www.amazon.com/Brave-New-Words-Revolutionize-Education-ebook/dp/B0CFPJ2FB1/ref=sr_1_1
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
 

Mark DeLoura Part 1 - In the White House

This is part 1 of my conversation with Mark DeLoura, who spent almost 2 years as a Senior Advisor on Digital Media at the White House. A great storyteller with amazing insights into the educational games industry and the business of making games.
Mark DeLoura is a games and education technology leader, and he believes in their power to transform the world. He has been a game maker, a game leader, and a game changer, in various roles from Silicon Valley to the White House. He has shared his knowledge and insights through books, magazines, and conferences, and has been recognized for his contributions to the game industry with the Game Developers Choice (GDC) Ambassador Award.
Mark is passionate about making game development and computer science more accessible, more enjoyable, and a tool for everyone. He has worked at the federal, state, and city level on technology policy initiatives, and has served on Seattle’s community technology advisory board. He is always learning about new technologies and loves to explore creative projects that combine games, learning, and social impact. Mark lives in Seattle with his family, with a couple French bulldogs, and with way too many gadgets!
The Education Innovators Podcast is a weekly conversation between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
Mark DeLoura
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdeloura
mark@levelup.org
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
 

Mark DeLoura Part 2 - Collaborative Game Development

This is part 2 of my conversation with Mark DeLoura. Mark is a collaborator, a connector of people and teams. In this part we really dive into the challenges of making educational games and how we can bring the right people together.
Mark DeLoura is a games and education technology leader, and he believes in their power to transform the world. He has been a game maker, a game leader, and a game changer, in various roles from Silicon Valley to the White House. He has shared his knowledge and insights through books, magazines, and conferences, and has been recognized for his contributions to the game industry with the Game Developers Choice (GDC) Ambassador Award.
Mark is passionate about making game development and computer science more accessible, more enjoyable, and a tool for everyone. He has worked at the federal, state, and city level on technology policy initiatives, and has served on Seattle’s community technology advisory board. He is always learning about new technologies and loves to explore creative projects that combine games, learning, and social impact. Mark lives in Seattle with his family, with a couple French bulldogs, and with way too many gadgets!
The Education Innovators Podcast is a weekly conversation between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
Mark DeLoura
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdeloura
mark@levelup.org
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
 

Adam Sparks - Effective Feedback

Adam Sparks was an English and Social Studies teacher for 7 years before recently completing his masters in Learning Design and Technology at Stanford. At Stanford, Adam's work focused on formative assessment, peer feedback, and writing instruction. He now works full-time on Short Answer, a gamified K12 writing tool that began as his master's capstone project. Through his work with Short Answer, Adam works with schools across the United States to adjust writing instruction and assessment in the wake of AI. 
 
The Education Innovators Podcast is a weekly conversation between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
Adam Sparks:
https://twitter.com/mrsparkstweets
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-sparks-15652299/
adam@myshortanswer.com
 
Short Answer:
https://myshortanswer.com/
 
Writing for the Age of AI Workshops:
Writing for the Age of AI Workshops
 
“The ABCs of How We Learn: 26 Scientifically Proven Approaches, How They Work, and When to Use Them” by Daniel L. Schwartz (Author), Jessica M. Tsang (Author), Kristen P. Blair (Author)
 
https://www.amazon.com/ABCs-How-Learn-Scientifically-Approaches/dp/0393709264
 
The Difference Between Great AI and Great Teaching with Dan Meyer | AIR Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH4Pn4bpOfQ
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com
 

Alicia Hughes - Virtual School

Alicia Hughes has over 20 years of experience in the world of education. She began her journey as a Middle School Social Studies teacher in Charleston, South Carolina. After leaving the profession for a few years to raise her children, she returned as a High School Social Studies teacher in the virtual education space and from there assumed leadership roles--first as a teacher manager, then Assistant Principal, followed by Principal and ended her 14-year career at the school as the Executive Director. In 2024, she began a consulting business, Sparking Up Leadership, with the mission of helping virtual schools improve culture, best practices, and performance metrics.
 
Alicia enjoys presenting and has had the opportunity to share at various national conferences such as DLAC, Blue Ribbon Schools, SREB, Remote K12, and Innovative School Summit. She recently gave her first TEDx Talk on Building Relationships in a Virtual World and has a book on leadership best practices set to be released in the Summer of 2024.
 
The Education Innovators Podcast is a weekly conversation between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.
 
Links:
 
Alicia Hughes
alicia@sparkingupleadership.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-victoria-hughes/
 
The Virtual Spark
https://sparkingupleadership.com/
 
The Education Innovators Podcast Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551034804742
 
The Education Innovators Podcast YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru4kYugzLerU1S8mQu2Jo2-jX6H_3kd3
 
This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.
You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com