Microsoft Flagship School Podcast

In this uncertain century, there is one constant: continuous change. We can’t predict the future of education, but we can guide it by ensuring our schools are adaptable and creative environments, and our educators and leaders evolve with the technology. We end this season hearing insights from Microsoft leader and former school principal Mark Sparvell, and final thoughts from Anthony Salcito, the Vice President, Microsoft Education.

Data is the new oil. With focus, careful collection and refinement, data can fuel a student’s learning path in meaningful ways. It exemplifies how technology can play a pivotal role in shaping students’ learning in ways not previously possible. In this episode, we hear from experts Maria Langworthy of Microsoft Education, Aidan McCarthy, a system leader in the Catholic education system in Australia, and James Protheroe, an education leader from Wales.

In this episode we hear how to choose the right devices for your school – from individual devices to larger form devices – and how to create a successful foundation to surround 1:1 to set up for success. In this episode hear best practices from Jason Wilmot, K12 leader at Microsoft Education and Jonathan Bishop, Head Teacher of Broadclyst Community Primary School, UK.

When you bring together passion and education, learning thrives. Learning styles are increasingly taking a playful approach designed to drive skills through the use of Minecraft: Education Edition and physical computing. In this episode, we hear from Deirdre Quarnstrom, GM of Minecraft Education at Microsoft, Jacqueline Russel, Principal Program Manager at Microsoft and classroom teacher Chhaya Narayan, and her students Emily and Tawara from Elim Christian College, NZ.

Technology can play a huge role in advancing physical structures, design, and operations to put more smarts into school facilities and management. In this episode, we hear from Bert Van Hoof of Microsoft and Mark Hepburn of Iconics, who are both doing important work to support sustainable and advanced ideation on what it means to leverage technology to improve the way we live, learn, and play.

Every new school needs to be built with a strong lens of accessibility and inclusion. Together they are a powerful force that is essential for every new school to incorporate deeply throughout its physical and learning environments. In this episode, we talk to leaders from Microsoft, Megan Lawrence, Mike Tholfsen and Will Lewis, focusing on how technology can accelerate the path to making an inclusive and accessible school even more achievable.

They say culture eats strategy for breakfast, so we need our new schools to be built with a strong culture that will help students and staff thrive. In this episode, we talk to Professor Lea Waters, a global expert on positive education, who shares the link between well-being and learning, and the importance of creating a positive school culture.

When designing from the ground up, we have an opportunity to consider the latest research in how the learning environment impacts student experiences. In this episode, we speak with experts Madelyn Hankins, General Manager of Steelcase Education and Prakash Nair, CEO and Founder of Fielding Nair International, who have both led school design and furnishings across the world. We also spend some time with Terry Byers of Churchie Grammar, Queensland.

Every part of a school from the building, to the devices deployed, to the furniture purchased should work towards the goal of improving learning. Therefore, before we explore the many components to think about in your new school, we dig into what the learning approach will be for students. This episode features Tom Vander Ark from Getting Smart, and education leader Michelle Zimmerman from Renton Prep.

The world is changing, fast. Launching a new school gives education teams an incredible opportunity to build a future-focused, engaging learning environment from the ground up. In our first episode, we chat with Anthony Salcito, Vice President, Microsoft Education, and Beth Hamilton, founding Principal of Wilburton Elementary, Bellevue WA, and lean into their views on the kinds of schools that we should be building for students around the world