🎓 What does the education landscape look like in 2026? From artificial intelligence to competency-based education, the future of learning is being shaped by multiple forces. And institutions need to adapt fast.

In this episode of Teach & Learn, Dr. Cristi Ford sits down with John Baker (CEO, President and Founder of D2L) to explore how AI, immersive learning and skills-focused strategies are transforming education. You’ll hear why non-degree credentials are surging, how AI is reducing course development costs and why human connection still matters in a tech-driven world.

Baker shares practical insights on building flexible learning ecosystems, leveraging AI responsibly and moving beyond outdated standards like SCORM to create engaging, interactive experiences. This conversation is a roadmap for leaders ready to embrace innovation and prepare learners for the future.

💬 “The urgency has never been greater. Institutions need to step up and tackle the big challenges of re-skilling the workforce and preparing students for a new world with AI.” — John Baker

In this episode, Cristi and John discuss:

• the biggest forces shaping education in 2026
• how AI is transforming course design and reducing costs
• the rise of competency-based education and non-degree credentials
• moving beyond SCORM to open, interactive learning standards
• practical strategies for institutional leaders

Remember to follow us on social media. You can find us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook @D2L. Check out our YouTube channel for the video version of this podcast and so much more.

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What does it take to lead online learning in today’s higher education landscape? In this episode of Teach & Learn, Dr. Cristi Ford sits down with Dr. Thomas Cavanagh and Dr. Jocelyn Widmer, editors of the Chief Online Learning Officer’s Guidebook, to explore how digital learning leadership is evolving—and why this resource is becoming essential for institutions everywhere.

From strategic planning to operational execution, the guidebook offers practical insights for COLOs and anyone shaping online education. You’ll hear how leadership competencies, entrepreneurial thinking, and future-focused skills like Futures Literacy are redefining what it means to lead in a post-pandemic world.

💬 “The future of online learning leadership will be defined by leaders who are not constrained by the way we’ve always done things.” — Tom Cavanagh

🔍What Cristi, Thomas and Jocelyn talk about:

☑️ Why the COLO role matters now more than ever

☑️ Strategic and operational frameworks for success

☑️ Lessons from CIO evolution and leadership competencies

☑️ Preparing for the future with Futures Literacy

☑️ Practical advice for new and aspiring COLOs

Purchase your copy of the Chief Online Learning Officer’s Guidebook today.

Remember to follow us on social media. You can find us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook @D2L. Check out our YouTube channel for the video version of this podcast and so much more. Please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast, and reach out with comments and ideas for future episodes.

For more content, please visit the Teaching & Learning Studio where you can listen to more podcast episodes, register for free D2L Master Classes and read articles written by educational leaders.

To learn more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com

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Is artificial intelligence (AI) just for grading and admin tasks? Not according to Matthew Winters. In this episode of Teach & Learn, Dr. Emma Zone chats with Utah’s first state-level AI education specialist about how AI is helping educators turn creative ideas into impactful, inclusive learning experiences.

From personalized support to improved accessibility, AI is becoming a collaborative partner in the classroom—helping teachers reach individual learners and bring bold ideas to life.

Winters shares how the Utah State Board of Education is building an AI ecosystem that supports educators through professional learning, inclusive frameworks, and creative classroom applications. You’ll hear how teachers are moving from fear to curiosity, from creativity to accessibility, and how a connected K–20 approach is shaping the future of learning.

💬 “With a little bit of pushing, teachers move into creativity—doing things in their classrooms they’ve never been able to do before. Naturally, they begin asking, ‘How can this be accessible for all my students?’” — Matthew Winters

📣What Dr. Zone and Winters talk about:

☑️The development of Utah’s AI education framework

☑️Professional learning as an investment, not a cost

☑️Creative and accessible AI applications in classrooms

☑️Building a K–20 pipeline for AI readiness

☑️The “Portrait of an AI Graduate” initiative

🔖Resources:

• Playbook for Strategic Foresight and Innovation
• Utah State Board of Education, AI Overview
• Artificial Intelligence Framework for Utah P-12 Education: Guidance on the Use of AI in Our Schools
• ASU+GSV 2025: Utah Shares Plan for Statewide AI Education

Remember to follow us on social media. You can find us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook @D2L. Check out our YouTube channel for the video version of this podcast and so much more.

For more content, please visit the Teaching & Learning Studio.

To hear more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com

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In this episode of Teach & Learn, Dr. Cristi Ford speaks with Michelle Kassorla, a Georgia State University professor and AI education thought leader who believes it’s time to flip the traditional learning model that is Bloom's Taxonomy.

From AI-generated essays to student-created content that precedes understanding, Kassorla shares how today’s learners are starting with creation—and why educators must rethink scaffolding, assessment and agency. You’ll hear how friction fuels critical thinking, how reflective footnotes deepen metacognition, and how transparency around AI use is reshaping classroom practice.

Dr. Ford and Kassorla discuss:

☑️ Why Bloom’s Taxonomy needs reimagining in an AI-driven world

☑️ How students create before they understand and what that means for teaching

☑️ The role of friction in authentic learning

☑️ Reflective footnotes and transparency statements as new assessment tools

☑️ How educators can design for agency, voice and deeper engagement

Michelle Kassorla, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at Georgia State University, Perimeter College and AI in education thought leader. She’s on the AI Expert Panel for EDUCAUSE, where she leads the AI Literacy committee for Higher Education. A recipient of a CETLOE fellowship, she published “Teaching with GAI in Mind” and co-authored a textbook and papers with Eugenia Novokshanova. She shares her insights on LinkedIn and her blog, “The Academic Platypus.”

Remember to follow us on social media. You can find us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook @D2L. Check out our YouTube channel for the video version of this podcast and so much more. Please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast, and reach out with comments and ideas for future episodes.

For more content, please visit the Teaching & Learning Studio where you can listen to more podcast episodes, register for free D2L Master Classes and read articles written by educational leaders.

To learn more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com

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What happens when real collaboration meets practical innovation?

In this episode of Teach and Learn, Dr. Emma Zone sits down with Dr. Julie Schell, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Technology and Director of the Office of Academic Technology at the University of Texas at Austin, to explore how the University is reimagining personalized education at scale.

First, Dr. Schell and her team focused on the foundation—developing a thoughtful framework grounded in pedagogy, ethics and data privacy. That solid underpinning then became the launchpad for UT Sage, a generative AI platform designed to support both students and faculty. What makes this platform so exceptional is that it is both a chatbot tutor for learners and an instructional design coach for educators.

Schell also shares how UT Sage is helping educators rethink their approach to teaching and learning, offering scalable support while keeping the human element at the forefront. From lesson planning to authentic assessment and beyond, this episode delves into how AI can enhance—and dramatically extend—the educator.

"We don't want to be so forward [thinking] that we're unaware of the limitations of generative AI, and we don't want to be so responsible that we miss the benefits." -Dr. Schell

What You'll Learn:

☑️How UT Austin built a thoughtful framework on which to build UT Sage.

☑️Why putting pedagogy first—and technology second—is essential for meaningful innovation.

☑️What the “Big Six” limitations of AI are, and how educators can spot and navigate them.

☑️The four "Fusion Skills" that help learners and faculty work effectively with AI.

☑️How UT Sage helps faculty design student-centered lessons that scale without sacrificing quality.

🔖📚Resources:

• Frontiers in Education
• UT News
• UTEXAS.EDU
• Texas Standard
• Harvard Business Review

Remember to follow us on social media. You can find us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook @D2L. Check out our YouTube channel for the video version of this podcast and so much more.

For more content, please visit the Teaching & Learning Studio.

To learn more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com

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Dr. Cristi Ford and Mychelle Pride (Academic Director at the Open University), kick off our fourth season with a powerful conversation on how AI is reshaping education. From inclusive curriculum tools to adaptive assessments and student success coaches, discover how institutions can use AI to create equitable, personalized learning experiences. Learn why evidence, student agency and co-design are key to the future of teaching and assessment.

They discuss:
☑️ Open University’s pioneering work in AI, including initiatives like Core GPT, inclusive curriculum tools and AI-enabled student success coaches
☑️ The importance of student agency, co-design and personalized learning at scale
☑️ How to think about adaptive assessments and digital literacy frameworks
☑️ How thoughtful integration of AI can make education more responsive and inclusive for all learners.

Mychelle Pride is the Academic Director in the Pro-Vice Chancellor Students Office at the Open University (OU). In her current role, Mychelle provides learning, teaching and assessment direction, aimed to enhance the OU study experience and to ensure high standards across the PVC-Students portfolio. Mychelle is also the Director of the Open and Access programmes. Mychelle is really keen to ensure that students are engaged in OU decision making and loves any opportunity to work with students.

Remember to follow us on social media. You can find us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook @D2L. Check out our YouTube channel for the video version of this podcast and so much more. Please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast, and reach out with comments and ideas for future episodes.

For more content, please visit the Teaching & Learning Studio where you can listen to more podcast episodes, register for free D2L Master Classes and read articles written by educational leaders.

To learn more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com

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In this powerful season finale of Teach & Learn, Dr. Cristi Ford speaks with Isabelle C. Hau—Executive Director at Stanford and author of Love to Learn—about the urgent need to prioritize relational intelligence (RQ) in education.

They discuss:
☑️ How academic readiness is incomplete without relational flourishing.
☑️ Neuroscience and social science research showing that human connection is essential for learning and lifelong success.
☑️ The importance of early childhood development and how relationships shape brain growth.
☑️ Societal shifts—like smaller families, increased screen time, and age segregation—that are shrinking children's circles of connection.
☑️ The role educators and technology can play in rebuilding and expanding those relational circles.
☑️ Practical strategies for educators, parents, and school leaders to foster deeper relationships in classrooms and communities.
☑️ The need to redefine assessments and rethink teacher training to prioritize relational intelligence.

Isabelle C. Hau is a visionary leader who is dedicated to transforming the way we nurture and educate our children. As executive director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, she leverages brain science and technology to champion innovative, effective, and inclusive learning solutions. She is also the author of “Love to Learn: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education”.

Remember to follow us on social media. You can find us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook @D2L. Check out our YouTube channel for the video version of this podcast and so much more. Please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast, and reach out with comments and ideas for future episodes.

For more content for educators, by educators, please visit the Teaching & Learning Studio where you can listen to more podcast episodes, register for free D2L Master Classes and read articles written by educational leaders. Sign up for our Teaching & Learning Studio newsletter and never miss a thing.

To learn more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com

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In this episode of Teach and Learn, Dr. Emma Zone continues the conversation with Dan Fitzpatrick, an international keynote speaker, bestselling author and AI educator, to delve deeper into the transformative role of artificial intelligence in education. Known globally as The AI Educator, Fitzpatrick shares his passion for innovation and technology.

In this second part of this two-part episode, Fitzpatrick expands on the practical applications of AI in education, from resource creation to administrative tasks, and the broader implications for teaching and learning. They discuss the importance of integrating AI into K-12 education, focusing on critical thinking and interpersonal skills. Fitzpatrick shares insights from his books, which serve as practical guides for educators navigating the complexities of AI. They also touch on the need for parents and students to take an active role in shaping educational experiences in the age of AI.

Together they discuss:

• The increasing importance of AI in education
• The need for practical AI resources for educators
• How critical thinking and interpersonal skills are slipping through the cracks
• How parents and guardians should take an active role in their child's education regarding AI
• The ways AI can enhance pedagogical strategies and support accessibility

Fitzpatrick also shares insights from his books, "The AI Classroom," "Back-to-School AI Guide 2024/25," and his latest title, "Infinite Education."

Join us for an engaging conversation that will have you questioning traditional educational practices and gain a better appreciation for the future of AI in the K-12 space.

Remember to follow us on social media. You can find us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook @D2L. Check out our YouTube channel for the video version of this podcast and so much more. Please take a moment to rate, review and share the podcast, and reach out with comments and ideas for future episodes.

For more content for educators, by educators, please visit the Teaching & Learning Studio where you can listen to more podcast episodes, register for free D2L Master Classes and read articles written by educational leaders. Sign up for our Teaching & Learning Studio newsletter and never miss a thing.

To learn more about how D2L is transforming the way the world learns, visit our website at D2L.com

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