In this episode, Sean and Jake (producer) talk about the pop-up podcast studio at the first ever ASU FOLC Fest – a learning festival dedicated to the integration of technology in education, and the potential impacts on teaching and student success. Special guests include Danielle McNamara and Retha Hill who are pushing the boundaries of educational practice.

This episode is the first of 5 of our special coverage of the ASU FOLC Fest: 

The Future of Learning Community or FOLC Fest was a two-day interactive conference hosted by the Office of the University Provost that brought together folks in teaching, technology and student success at ASU. In its inaugural year, the conference aimed to explore how ASU can realize our Charter commitment of making an ASU education accessible to all students and learners while remaining on the leading edge of technology and academic excellence. 
 

Discussion Points:

• Introduction to the ASU FOLC Fest, its goals, and its significance.
• Reflections on the impact and future of educational technology.
• Interviews with:
  • Danielle McNamara, Professor in the Department of Psychology and Executive Director of the Learning Engineering Institute at ASU. Discussion on cognitive and learning sciences, and her role in organizing the ASU FOLC Fest.
  • Retha Hill, Professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Executive Director of the New Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab. Insights into how emerging technologies like VR and AR are shaping journalism and education.

Episode Highlights:

• Setup of a pop-up podcast studio at the ASU FOLC Fest.
• The vibrant atmosphere and enthusiastic participation from educators, students, and technologists.
• Discussion on how such festivals and conferences can spark new ideas and collaborations in the educational sector.

Looking Ahead: The episode wraps up with thoughts on the future of such educational gatherings and their role in shaping learning environments that are inclusive, engaging, and forward-thinking.

Guest Information:

• Danielle McNamara - Executive Director of the Learning Engineering Institute, a Professor in the Department of Psychology, and Director of the Science of Learning and Educational Technology (SoLET) Lab.
• Retha Hill - Faculty at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass  Communication at Arizona State University where she is the executive director of the New  Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab.