This Week in Edutainment | August 31 - September 4
We connect students around the world to primary source experts from a wide variety of topics and subjects. For more information, visit edutainmentlearning.com.
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Dr. Yong Zhao is a Foundation Distinguished Professor in the School of Education at the University of Kansas. He previously served as the Presidential Chair, Associate Dean, and Director of the Institute for Global and Online Education in the College of Education, University of Oregon, where he was also a Professor in the Department of Educational Measurement, Policy, and Leadership. Prior to Oregon, Yong Zhao was University Distinguished Professor at the College of Education, Michigan State University, where he also served as the founding director of the Center for Teaching and Technology, executive director of the Confucius Institute, as well as the US-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence. Additionally, he worked as a professor of educational leadership in the Faculty of Education at University of Melbourne and senior researcher at the Mitchell Institute of Victoria University in Australia. He was a visiting Global Professor at University of Bath and a visiting scholar at Warwick University in the UK.
He is an elected member of the National Academy of Education and a fellow of the International Academy of Education.
Yong Zhao has received numerous awards including the Early Career Award from the American Educational Research Association, Outstanding Public Educator from Horace Mann League of USA, Distinguished Achievement Award in Professional Development from the Association of Education Publishers, ACEL Nganakarrawa Award, and AECT 2022 Outstanding Digital Learning Artifact Award and AECT Distinguished Development Award. He has been recognized as one of the most influential education scholars.
His works focus on the implications of globalization and technology on education. He has published over 100 articles and nearly 40 books, including Focused: Understanding, Negotiating, and Maximizing Your Influence as a School Leader (w J. Watterston) (2024), Duck and Cover: Confronting and Correcting Dubious Practices in Education (w R. Ginsberg) (2023), Improbable Probabilities: The Unlikely Journey of Yong Zhao (w G. W. McDiarmid) (2023), Learning for Uncertainty: Teaching Students in a Rapidly Evolving World (w G. W. McDiarmid) (2022), Learners without Borders (2021), Teaching Students to Become Self-Determined Learners (w M. Wehmeyer) (2021), An Education Crisis Is a Terrible Thing to Waste: How Radical Changes Can Spark Student Excitement and Success (2019) What Works May Hurt: Side Effects in Education (2018), Reach for Greatness: Personalizable Education for All Children (2018), Counting What Counts: Reframing Education Outcomes(2016), Never Send a Human to Do a Machine’s Job: Correcting Top 5 Ed Tech Mistakes (2015), Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Dragon: Why China has the Best (and Worst) Education System in the World (2014), Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Age of Globalization (2009)and World Class Learners: Educating Creative and Entrepreneurial Students (2012). He has also worked with numerous schools to design new models of education within the existing school.
In about four decades of his professional career, Yong Zhao has led large research projects, directed research and practice centers and institutions, designed schools, curricula, and textbooks, and initiated and led the development of software systems for learning and professional purposes. He has worked with teachers, schools, professional organizations, businesses, and governments in many countries in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, North and South America, and Europe.
Zhao was born in China’s Sichuan Province. He received his B.A. in English Language Education from Sichuan Institute of Foreign Languages in Chongqing, China in 1986. After teaching English in China for six years, he came to Linfield College as a visiting scholar in 1992. He then began his graduate studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1993. He received his masters in Education in 1994 and Ph.D. in 1996. He joined the faculty at MSU in 1996 after working as the Language Center Coordinator at Willamette University and a language specialist at Hamilton College.
With a wealth of diverse experiences, Peter Hurley has navigated life’s twists and turns with purpose and passion. From sailing the seven seas in preparation for the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games to gracing the camera lens as a model for Polo Sport and Abercrombie & Fitch, Peter’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. His peers recognize him as the foremost authority on headshot photography, a reputation solidified by his acclaimed book, The Headshot.
Peter’s mastery behind the lens has allowed him to share his tried-and-true tips on bringing out one’s most photogenic self with leading tech giants Google, Apple, and Microsoft, as well as on the prestigious TEDx stage. His YouTube videos, viewed by millions, and appearances on national television programs like Good Morning America, Nightline, and Good Day NY have showcased his expertise in the field. He’s been featured in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, further solidifying his status as a trailblazer in photography.
As a Canon Explorer of Light, Peter’s innovative approach to photography is recognized at the highest level. He is renowned for making his clients look their best and drawing out authentic expressions that leave a lasting impact. Beyond his work behind the camera, Peter nurtures talent as the founder of the Headshot Crew, where he mentors the world’s largest and most talented team of headshot specialists.
Rooted in New York City, Peter finds inspiration in his beautiful wife and cherished twin daughters, driving his ongoing pursuit of creativity and excellence.
Hamish Brewer is an internationally recognized educator, inspirational speaker, and former school principal known for transforming school culture through high expectations, authentic relationships, and a relentless belief in students. Nicknamed the "Tattooed Skateboarding Principal," Hamish has inspired educators and students around the world with his energetic approach to leadership and his message that every child deserves to be seen, valued, and challenged to reach their full potential.
Originally from New Zealand, Hamish has led schools in the United States and has been featured in national media for his innovative leadership and commitment to creating positive learning environments. He is the author of Relentless: Disrupting the Educational Norm and speaks globally about educational leadership, resilience, student engagement, and building school cultures where everyone can thrive.
On Edutainment Learning, Hamish will share what it takes to become a school leader, how great educators inspire others, why resilience and perseverance matter, and how students can develop leadership skills that will help them succeed in school, their careers, and life.
Rami Ismail is an award-winning independent video game developer, entrepreneur, and global advocate for the gaming industry. As the co-founder of the acclaimed indie game studio Vlambeer, he helped create some of the most influential independent games of the past decade, including Super Crate Box, Ridiculous Fishing, and Nuclear Throne. His work has inspired countless developers and helped shape the modern indie gaming movement.
Today, Rami advises game studios, mentors aspiring developers, and speaks around the world about game development, creativity, entrepreneurship, and the future of interactive entertainment. He is passionate about helping the next generation of creators understand the many career opportunities within the video game industry and empowering diverse voices to bring new ideas to life.
Through his work, Rami continues to inspire innovators around the globe by demonstrating how curiosity, collaboration, and perseverance can turn a passion for gaming into a meaningful and successful career.
September 11, 2001, was a day that forever changed American and world history. On that morning, Brian Branco was working on the 78th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center when the unimaginable happened.
As a survivor of the attacks, Brian witnessed one of the most significant events of the 21st century firsthand. His experience provides a powerful perspective on the moments leading up to the attack, the courage and determination required to survive, and the lasting impact of that day.
Through sharing his story, Brian helps preserve the history of September 11, 2001, while teaching future generations about resilience, courage, compassion, and the strength of the human spirit during times of crisis.
Join us as Brian Branco shares his eyewitness account of the attacks, his journey of survival, and the important lessons he learned in the aftermath of one of the most defining moments in world history.
Edutainment Podcast
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