Edufuturists #332 Why Learning Needs to be Messy with Nici Foote

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by the brilliant Nici Foote to discuss the importance of joy in learning, the challenges faced by neurodiverse students, and the need for personalised education. Nici shares her journey in education, emphasising the significance of creating engaging and inclusive learning environments. The conversation explores the role of play, the messiness of learning, and the impact of time constraints on effective teaching. We also dig into Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a framework for meeting diverse student needs and the importance of collaborative planning among educators.Chapters00:00 Introductions01:14 Nici's Journey in Education03:50 Navigating Barriers in Education06:36 Bringing Joy into Learning11:13 The Importance of Messy Learning15:06 Personalising Education for Every Student23:12 Cultural Learning Experiences25:34 Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Explained30:26 The Importance of Engagement in Learning37:05 Barriers to Implementing UDL40:15 Rethinking Time in Education43:11 The Myth of Limiting AbilitiesFind out more about Nici's amazing work at unbarrier.me and connect with her on LinkedInThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on XFollow us on LinkedInCheck out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touchGet your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026