The archive of Big Beacon Radio: Transforming Higher Education hosted by David E. Goldberg.

Big Beacon Radio

Every year hundreds of educators from around the globe make the journey to the new mecca of engineering education in Needham, MA to visit Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering. Find out why they go there and what they learn as host Dave Goldberg interviews Olin President and first employee Rick Miller to discuss how Olin got started, how it is different from traditional engineering programs, and how its graduates are doing. The conversation explores some of the obstacles to and opportunities for carrying Olin’s special kind of education to engineering and higher education more broadly and concludes with some thoughts on the future of Olin and higher education generally. Preview coming attractions and learn important lessons for transforming higher education in this important broadcast interview.

Olin College: A Whole New Kind of Engineering Education

The world of work has been undergoing a profound and rapid transformation in recent times. One of the keenest observers of these changes is Dan Pink, bestselling author of five books on work and workforce related subjects, and in this episode Dan joins show host Dave Goldberg for a lively conversation to explore how work has changed and what these changes mean for educating professionals and workers today and in the future. The show is joined also by guest commentator Mark Somerville, Olin College, and co-author of the book A Whole New Engineer to explore some of the practical ramifications of these ideas in engineering and higher education transformation. Join, Dan, Mark, and Dave for this important episode to better explore and fill the gaps between work and education in the 21st century.

Dan Pink: Educating for a Whole New World of Work

Organizations are facing unprecedented calls for change, higher education included, yet leading change in established organizations is a daunting task. One of the keenest architects and practitioners of effective change leadership processes and practices is John Kotter, Harvard Business School professor emertitus and Chairman of Kotter International. In this episode, John joins show host Dave Goldberg for a lively conversation to explore how Kotter’s famous 8-step process applies to the world of higher education, and how change itself has changed as the pace of change has accelerated. The show is joined by guest commentator Joe Tranquillo, Bucknell University. Joe is an educational change agent par excellence, and together Joe and Dave explore some of the practical ramifications of these ideas in higher education transformation. Join John, Joe, and Dave for this important episode to better understand how to bring more rapid, effective change to higher education today.

John Kotter: Leading Change in Higher Education

After years of relative stability in higher education, a small number of engineering schools are emerging around the world to forge a new vision of what it means to be a professional. In this episode host Dave Goldberg interviews Janusz Kozinski, founding dean of one of the newest engineering schools on the planet, the Lassonde School of Engineering in Toronto. Learn how Lassonde got started, about its vision for “renaissance engineers,” and the lessons learned so far. The show is also joined by guest commentator Athena Lin, chair of Students for a Whole New Education and rising junior at the University of Illinois. Athena is working to connect with students around the globe to promote transformative change. Together Athena and Dave explore some of the ramifications of initiatives like Lassonde for students. Join Janusz, Athena, and Dave for this important episode to better understand how the education of engineering and other professionals is undergoing tectonic shifts.

The Lassonde School and the Education of Renaissance Professionals

Since the founding of the University of Bologna in 1088, non-profit universities and colleges have dominated the landscape of higher education. With the rise of for-profit universities such as the University of Phoenix, of non-traditional non-profits such as Southern New Hampshire University, and of coding schools and other certificate schools, the door has opened to other forms of higher education powered by start-up entrepreneurship and venture capital. In this episode, Big Beacon Radio host Dave Goldberg interviews higher ed venture capitalist, Daniel Pianko. In a series of recent articles, Pianko has challenged the practice of large gifts given to traditional universities & he urges wealth creators of our times to give to or use their entrepreneurial skills to build educational institutions that can effectively disrupt the status quo. Join Daniel & Dave for this critical and creative examination of the future of funding of transformation in higher education.

The Future and Transformation of Higher Education Funding

When educators think about transforming higher education they almost immediately start with modifications in content, curriculum, and pedagogy, but a recent book suggests that this approach is fundamentally flawed. Join the writing team of A Whole New Engineer: The Coming Revolution in Engineering Education, Mark Somerville (Olin College), Catherine Whitney (writer), and Dave Goldberg (BB Radio Host) for a lively conversation regarding the deep emotional and cultural changes and processes needed to change engineering education, and higher education more generally. The episode starts by looking back on the joy and difficulty of writing the book. It continues with reflections on key learning episodes and stories, and it concludes by reflecting on the “technologies of trust” necessary for transformative educational change. Join Mark, Catherine, and Dave for this important episode to better understand how higher ed transformation is fundamentally different from what it appears.

Lessons from 'A Whole New Engineer' for the Transformation of Higher Education

Since the early days of the university in the 11th century, professors have lectured increasingly large numbers of passive and often bored students. With the advent of educational technology (EdTech) and massive open online courses (MOOCs), the possibility for scaling both the benefits and difficulties of higher education has been received by traditional higher educators as something of a mixed blessing. In this episode, Big Beacon Radio host Dave Goldberg interviews Barbara Oakley, bestselling author, researcher, professor, adventurer, and teacher of one of the most popular MOOCs on the planet, “Learning How to Learn.” In addition to drawing over a million students to her course (co-taught with Terry Sejnowski of the Salk Institute), Barb is author of the provocative and riveting book on how we learn, A Mind for Numbers. Join Barb and Dave for this important conversation on the future of MOOCs, the future of learning, and the transformation of higher education.

Learning How We Learn: An Interview with MOOC Pioneer Barb Oakley

The use of leadership coaches has exploded in corporations and other organizations. Eric Schmidt and Bill Gates say “everyone needs a coach,” and increasingly in the C-suite, almost everyone has one. And the reasons for this growth are becoming clearer. When individuals are coached, they become more effective with improvements in task & relationship orientation; and coaching is a good investment returning $5-$7 for every $1 spent. In this episode, Big Beacon Radio host (and coach) Dave Goldberg explores the growing usage of coaches in education with three other coaches. Dave is joined by Bev Jones, Kelly Lewis, and Daryl Nardick for a lively discussion to explore what coaching is (and isn’t), when it can be helpful for faculty and higher ed leaders, and the ways in which the ideas and practices of coaching can help transform higher education. Join Bev, Kelly, Daryl, and Dave for this important conversation on the future of coaching in the transformation of higher education.

The Leadership Coaching Revolution in Higher Education

On August 9th of this year, complexity science pioneer John H. Holland of the University of Michigan and the Santa Fe Institute passed away. John’s work as a researcher and educator changed how we think about complex adaptive systems through his creative and radically interdisciplinary research, his role in establishing an early department known for a unique kind of interdisciplinary computer science, and his many students. This episode brings three of Holland’s former students together for a lively conversation to celebrate John, the man as well as his interdisciplinary approach to research and teaching. Erik Goodman, Director of the Beacon Center, John R. Koza inventor of genetic programming, and Dave Goldberg, host of Big Beacon Radio, share their remembrances of John Holland and ways in which John’s interdisciplinary vision begs broad and full enactment. Join Erik, John, and Dave for a lively celebration of John Holland and interdisciplinary research and education.

Celebrating John H. Holland: An Interdisciplinary Life

The same economic, technological, and organization forces that are working to disrupt higher education are at work to disrupt professional institutions, including professional registration and licensure, professional societies, and the education of professionals. In this episode, host Dave Goldberg interviews Frank Mruk, Associate Dean of Architecture and Design at the New York Institute of Technology. Frank recently authored a provocative Wall Street Journal piece detailing some of the misalignments in the licensure process for architects. The episode explores the main points of that article as well as the root causes of the disruption, the relationship of the situation in architecture to other professions, the connection to the disruption of higher education, and the ways in which professional institutions of all stripes need to change to better serve both their constituents and society. Join Frank and Dave for this lively conversation about the professionals and their institutions.

Transforming Professional Registration, Professional Societies, and Professional Education

Transforming higher education from a culture of expertise and obedience to one that balances expertise and support is critical to unleashing courageous learners to the possibilities in the world and their lives. But the shift required is large, and transforming the master narrative of education is as important as any changes to content, curriculum, and pedagogy. In this episode, host Dave Goldberg interviews the executive producer, Eddy Evans, and director, Ryan Varga, of a new documentary designed to shake up the staid world of engineering education. The documentary, LET ME DO IT, is designed to “become the rallying cry of a growing band of educators who want engineering education to return to its ‘show me, don’t tell me’ roots” and it will premiere in Toronto on Thursday, October 8, 2015. Join Eddy, Ryan, and Dave for this lively conversation about the making of this important documentary and the role of story reframing in higher education transformation more generally.

The Making of a Documentary to Transform Higher Education: LET ME DO IT

Many writers say we live in singular times calling for unusually great creativity, invention, and innovation and the rapid pace of change in the 21st century is dizzying at times, but the turn of the 19th to the 20th centuries was also a time of miraculous invention and fast-paced innovation. In this episode, host Dave Goldberg goes back to the future with Sarah Miller Caldicott, a great grandniece of the iconic inventor Thomas Edison, to explore Edison’s methods of invention, innovation, and collaboration laid out in two books, “Innovate Like Edison” and “Midnight Lunch.” Join Sarah and Dave for this lively exploration of he ways in which Edison’s lessons are relevant to a new generation of makers, coders, shakers, and entrepreneurs. Also consider how these methods may themselves be helpful in the reinvention and reinvigoration of higher education itself.

How to Innovate and Collaborate Like Thomas Edison

Bringing change to higher education is often framed as a problem of creating new content, curriculum, and pedagogy, but higher education has a history that goes back to the 11th century and a culture that has evolved over centuries to its current state. And “culture” is a word that is often used loosely without clear understanding of what it is or how it functions, particularly in an organizational context. In this episode, host Dave Goldberg interviews organizational culture authority Edgar Schein to better understand culture and to consider the culture of higher education more carefully. Ed is author of “Organizational Culture and Leadership” among many other titles. Join Ed and Dave for a deep dive into organizational culture and its interaction with change initiatives generally. Also join the conversation to consider how the lessons of organizational culture theory can be helpful in bringing about more effective change efforts in higher education and education generally.

Organizations, Culture and Higher Education: An Interview with Edgar Schein

Recent events in France remind us of the large number of apparently intractable problems we face in today’s world. In this episode, host Dave Goldberg interviews Adam Kahane, Director of Reos Partners, and author of “Solving Tough Problems” and “Power and Love” to explore productive ways to promote solutions to difficult social problems. Perhaps best known for having facilitated the Mont Fleur Scenario Exercise in which a diverse group of South Africans worked together to effect the transition to democracy in the early 1990s, Adam works on dialogue-and-action around the world in a variety of troubling problem areas. Join Adam and Dave to better understand these new ways of talking, listening, scenario planning, and other process innovations that promote productive social change in difficult settings. Also, listen in to consider how these methods might be used to bring about more effective change in higher education and education more generally.

Creating New Realities in Tough Situations: An Interview with Adam Kahane

The movement to transform education in line with the imperatives of the 21st century is a global phenomenon in which worldwide technological and economic forces collide with national culture and local institutions and customs. In this show, host Dave Goldberg gets two views from Canada. In particular, Dave interviews H. J. (Tom) Thompson, President of Olds College, to understand how to future proof higher education, and STEM game change Gina Cherkowski to understand and enhance the pipeline of students who are technologically literate and competent. Join Tom, Gina, and Dave for a lively discussion about how educational change takes place, with special emphasis on the ways in which such change lands in a Canadian context.

Future Proofing Higher Education and the STEM Pipeline

Higher education can be a fairly individualistic enterprise, requiring only rudimentary forms of communication, but as education undergoes far-reaching change and transformation, administrators, faculty, and students with highly patterned communication needs must engage in unfamiliar and deeper conversations than in earlier times. In this episode, host Dave Goldberg interviews psychiatrist, hostage negotiation trainer, and business advisor and trainer Dr. Mark Goulston about the listening, language, and speaking skills now required. Mark is author of the 2015 book “Talking to Crazy” and the acclaimed text “Just Listen.” Join Mark and Dave for a vigorous conversation on the kind of conversations that are needed in business and higher education today.

A Whole New Kind of Communication: Listening to Students and Talking to Crazy Colleagues

The democratization of information, quality practices, and entrepreneurship has brought disruptive upheaval to many of the institutions of modern life. For increasing numbers of workers, a lifetime of work with a small number of stable employers has given way to a succession of relatively short employment, freelance, or entrepreneurial engagements. In this episode, host Dave Goldberg interviews columnist and author Kerry Hannon to talk about the challenges of finding and loving your job in a rapidly changing work landscape. Kerry is author of many books on work-related topics including the critically acclaimed “Love Your Job” published in March 2015. Join Kerry and Dave for a lively examination of ways to find meaning and happiness in your work today. Also join the conversation to consider how lessons from the new world of work may be useful in helping to transform education at all levels.

Loving Your Job in the Changing World of Work

In the recent past, expert professors lectured about well established knowledge to obedient students who were expected to master the things they were told. This worked well in a workplace that demanded obedience and solutions using extant knowledge and methods. Today, we need curious, courageous students who can strike out on their own, learn what to learn, how to learn, and to so for their own reasons across disciplines. Join host Dave Goldberg as he interviews Rob Martello (Olin College), and Jon Stolk (SMU) two masters of bringing interdisciplinarity, intrinsic motivation, mindset, and self-determination theory to the classroom. For a number of years Rob, a historian, and Jon, a material scientist, team taught a course together called "The Stuff of History" in which the history of the American Revolution and Paul Revere were juxtaposed with the material science and metallurgy of the early republic. Join Rob, Jon, and Dave for a boundary pushing conversation.

Intrinsic Motivation and Pervasive Interdisciplinarity in the Higher Education

From the English or anthropology seminar room to the engineering laboratory, there is a sense that times have changed. With graduates facing record unemployment and outstanding debts, it’s time to critically examine long held assumptions about both liberal and professional education, and question what an educated person and academic success are in today's changing and challenging world. In this episode, host Dave Goldberg interviews Paula Krebs, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Bridgewater State University. Paula is organizing a working group exploring "success" in the humanities and she recently authored a Chronicle of Higher Education piece on using computer science notions of failure in humanities education. Join Paula and Dave for a transdisciplinary discussion of student success and learning in the 21st century.

New Allies? What Can Liberal Arts and STEM Units Learn from Each Other

We live in a time of increasing job uncertainty and instability, and navigating a path through such changing times is made even more difficult because practices and habits of success are themselves unsettled. Against this backdrop, Coach Bev Jones has written a new book, "Think Like an Entrepreneur, Act like a CEO" that helps to navigate a steady course through the unsettled seas of our times. Join host Dave Goldberg as he interviews Bev about her own pathbreaking career as an attorney, her transition to coaching, and her motivations for writing this book. Learn how to "Talk back to the voice in your head," or "What to say when your work is praised," and how to make "Social media work for you," along with other important topics. Join Bev and Dave for a lively and timely conversation to make sense of the world of work today.