PODCAST · education
SuperSpeaks
by BAM Radio Network
SuperSpeaks is the podcast that explores the hidden world of superintendents and system leaders of school districts in the US. Join Mark Sparvel from Microsoft Education in his effort to better understand what’s working for school leaders in these unprecedented times.
Episodes
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AI and Human Agency: Navigating the Future of Education In the Age of Abundant Knowledge
In this episode, we explore the transformative impact of AI on education, leadership, and human agency. Dr. Michael J. Jabor discusses how AI reshapes thinking, the importance of maintaining agency, and the future of learning in an age of abundance. Resources: Learning by design- Learning Science...
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How Conversations About AI in Education Are Changing: Why That’s Good
In this episode, we discuss the evolving landscape of AI in education, emphasizing what is changing, how, and why. The conversation clarifies the confusion around AI literacy, system readiness, and strategic integration to prepare education systems for the future. Listen in as we map the…
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The Clever Way This K-12 School Approached AI: Why It Worked So Well
What happens when a school leader doesn’t just adopt AI, but invites students and teachers to help shape how it’s used? In this conversation, Dr. Paul Turnbull, President of Mid-Pacific Institute, shares how his school is approaching AI as a collaborative effort—one that balances innovation with...
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A School Leader’s Guide to Getting Our AI Priorities Straight: The Race To Be Thoughtful, Not First
In this conversation, Keith Kruger, CEO of CoSN, speaks directly to the questions many school leaders and education technologists are asking right now: How do we adopt AI without rushing into it? Kruger emphasizes thoughtful implementation over a race to be first. Topics include looking beyond…
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Mic Drop 2025: A Year of Progress Toward Blending the Artificial and the Uniquely Human
This AI-powered 2025 review of SuperSpeaks with Mark Sparvell recaps the evolution of a new genre of blended learning, marrying artificial intelligence with our uniquely human needs. The conversations covered a range of this year’s relevant topics. AI’s impact on cognitive skills, the importance…
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Rethinking Scarcity: How One School District Used Innovation to Navigate a $100 Million Shortfall
As public school systems face growing budget shortfalls, we speak with the CIO of Broward County Schools about how the district found ways to say yes to innovation when the budget said no. Trey Davis shares the unique challenges of leading technology in one of the nation’s largest school…
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The Next Frontier: The Future of Gen AI Is Conversational, How Should Educators Prepare?
In this conversation, we talk about what it actually feels like to teach, learn, and communicate in a world where humans and AI are increasingly talking to each other. The speaker shares personal experiences with language technologies and the unexpected ways AI can stumble over figurative...
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How Meta-Conversations With AI Can Sharpen Teaching Practices If We Avoid the Pitfalls
How Ccan AI help make reflecting on our teaching practices more visible and meaningful? How can AI help us identify pedagogical gaps, blind spots, or determine when it’s time to change directions and try another approach? Listen in as we discuss how engaging in meta-discussions with generative AI...
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Dealing With Feeling: A Roadmap for Helping Students Develop Emotional Regulation
Professor Mark Brackett discusses a new framework for helping students manage their emotions. He explores the roles of emotional regulation and intelligence, showing how educators benefit from understanding and teaching these concepts. He explains the difference between emotions, feelings, and...
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Understanding the Two Ways We Can Reduce Cognitive Load with AI: Only One Supports Critical Thinking
In this conversation, Mark Sparvelle and Professor Dr. Michael Gerlich discuss the impact of AI on critical thinking and cognitive processes. They explore the concept of cognitive offloading, where individuals rely on AI for decision-making, potentially diminishing their ability to think...
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A Look Under the Hood At How AI Models For Education Are Developed, Improved, and Refined
In this conversation, Jake Hoffman, a senior principal researcher at Microsoft, discusses the intersection of AI, cognition, and education. He explores how machine learning has evolved, the importance of augmenting human cognition with AI tools, and the impact of these technologies on student...
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Selecting The Right Framework To Bring Gen AI Into Your Class, Course Or District:
We invited the creators of the five prominent models for teaching with technology to help us compare and contrast their features in the context of generative AI. Join us for a side-by-side exploration of SAMR, TPACK, and the Triple E technology integration frameworks and emerging frameworks, SETI...
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The Small and Big Thinking Required to Teach Effectively with Gen AI: Models Part-1
For the first time, the creators of the SAMR, TPACK, and the Triple E technology integration frameworks met to discuss their widely adopted models and how they fit in the age of generative AI. They are joined by the creators of two emerging frameworks, SETI and Gen AI-U. In this series, we…
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An Emerging AI-Specific Framework Tailored To The Challenges of Teaching With Gen AI
Dr. Caroline Fell Kurban discusses her study of various educational technology integration frameworks and her current focus on integrating AI into higher education. The conversation explores the importance of a pedagogical approach that enhances student engagement and interaction with generative...
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Looking Beyond SAMR and TPACK: An Expanded Framework for Teaching with Technology
Dr. Helen Crompton discusses effective technology integration in education and the limitations of existing models. She introduces the SETI framework, which emphasizes the importance of a shared responsibility for technology integration and considers the various factors that impact its...
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How the Process of Integrating Technology and Teaching Is Evolving : Part 1
There are growing signs that conventional thinking about introducing technology into classrooms is shifting. Some educators believe that established technology integration frameworks need to evolve to meet the unique features of generative AI. At ISTE Live 24, we interviewed several technologists...
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Smart Ways To Use SAMR As a Roadmap for Teaching With Gen AI
Some educators view the SAMR model for technology use in teaching as a “hill to climb” with the aim of getting to the top. The founder clarifies this misunderstanding and shares smart ways to use the model to suit your unique teaching needs in the age of generative AI. Follow on Twitter…
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The New 21st Century Skills: John Hattie Lists the Critical Four in the Age of Gen AI
Thanks to generative artificial intelligence, John Hattie believes the conventional idea of 21st-century skills is outdated. In this discussion, he draws on research to update the list and identify the four essential skills all students will need in the age of Gen AI. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell...
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Using SAMR in the Age of Gen AI: The Model’s Creator Offers Three Next-Level Examples
How applicable is the SAMR model for selecting, using, and evaluating Generative AI in education? Are any adaptations needed? If so, where and what? We checked in with the creator of SAMR for an update and learned how he is using and supplementing the framework in the age of Gen AI. Follow on...
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Unlocking Student Potential with Generative AI: John Hattie On What Works - Part 1
John Hattie discusses the impact of technology in classrooms and the importance of collective efficacy in teaching. Hattie, author of Visible Learning, emphasizes the need for teachers to understand their students' learning processes and create a safe environment for them to express their...
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Is Your School System GAI Ready? A School Leader’s Checklist
CoSN collaborated with school system leaders across the United States of America to create a generative AI readiness checklist. The guide covers the essential bases required to prepare for AI implementation, touching on executive leadership, operations, data, technical aspects, security, and…
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What Works: Inside the Australian Department for Education’s Roadmap for Scaling AI
We connected with the Australian Department for Education for a behind-the-scenes look at their pilot program to introduce and scale generative AI across the school system. The insight-rich discussion provided granular details and vital specifics about how they approached the pilot, what worked,...
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The School Leader’s New Challenge: Learning and Unlearning In the Age of Generative AI
School leaders are guiding organizations through a historic moment in education — the first back-to-school term in the age of generative artificial intelligence. Administrators are exploring what is required to prepare schools and students to thrive in this new era — including the learning and...
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Facing the Future: ISTE CEO Keenly Understands the School Leader's Mandate in the Age of Generative AI
In an age of ambiguity and uncertainty, having a clear vision and understanding of what it takes to meet the moment is refreshing, encouraging, and empowering. This is especially true for school leaders preparing to lead staff through the first back-to-school season in the age of generative AI.…
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Three-Minute Tech Talk: A Wiser Use of Education Technology
We checked in with a school leader in the Loudon County School District who shared a wicked-smart approach to using education technology more efficiently and effectively. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @LoudonCountyPD @Jonharper70bd @MicrosoftEDU @ISTEofficial #ISTElive23 @bamradionetwork...
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Discovering Helpful Tools and Features in the Technologies You Already Use Daily
We had an eye-opening discussion with a PLC coach about the tech tools her teachers and students can access but may be unaware of the features or how to use them. This is often the case with AI features that have long been available in classrooms. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @bamradionetwork...
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Technologists and School Administrators Taking Risks Together and Leaning Into the Future of Generative AI
The summer of AI series continues with a look at the need for education technologists and school leaders to collaborate, take necessary risks and prepare teachers and students for the future of generative AI. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd @MicrosoftEDU @ISTEofficial...
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Navigating the Future of School Leadership: Pivoting From Pandemic Era Challenges to the Age of Generative AI
The summer of AI series continues with a look at the challenges, opportunities, and ethical considerations school leaders face as we shift from the pandemic era to the age of generative AI. What are school leaders thinking and doing to adapt? Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @AskAdam3…
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ISTELive23: Prioritizing What Matters Most As Generative AI in Education Accelerates
New York City was one of the first school districts to block ChatGPT in its schools. The district reversed that decision, and now, schools in and around New York City are leaning into generative with ambitious plans. We joined the Summer of AI series by sitting down with a Brooklyn superintendent...
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New Possibilities? Snow Days, Sub Days, Hurricanes, and 4 Other Useful Ways to Use Virtual Learning in a Post-Pandemic Classroom
Schools are more normal this year, but there are still scenarios where virtual learning solves problems that have routinely disrupted traditional classrooms. In this episode, we discuss four common situations where maintaining the virtual option can strengthen any school’s ability to serve all...
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This Year, a Positive School Culture Is Everything: Here’s How an Entire School District Created One Step-by-Step
Illinois’s largest elementary school district has an exceptionally positive school culture and the receipts to prove it. In this episode, we talk with the superintendent about the step-by-step process they used to build theirs, based on the Happiness Advantage. Stanford University researchers...
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How School Chief Information Officers and Chief Academic Officers Manage Vision, Technology, Data, Budgets, and Relentless Change
In this episode, we look under the hood to see how school chief information officers and chief academic officers work together to manage the "four buckets" of responsibilities required to achieve educational goals. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd…
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Edunomics: A School Leader’s Roadmap to Making the Most of ESSER Funds Investments
In this episode, we talk with the Director of Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University about the challenges of managing ESSER funds spending requests from various internal and external stakeholders, setting priorities for ESSER funds investments, and ensuring the best results based on your school’s...
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School Leadership in Flux: What Inspires Me, What Still Keeps Me Up At Night
In this episode, we check in with the Chief Information Officer at the department of education in a state that has successfully gone from ranking among the lowest in academic performance to one of the fastest growing. Our guest shares some of the practical strategies behind the transformation and...
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Removing Barriers to Equity: Five Lessons Every School Leader Can Learn by Listening to Educators Around the Globe
School leaders charged with increasing equitable education in their schools are well-positioned to glean invaluable insights from disrupted education systems around the world. Join us as we talk with a global education leader who shares insights from his work in 145 countries. Follow on Twitter:...
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Two Out-of-the-Box Strategies for Pandemic Teaching and Getting Students Back on Track
This episode is part of a series on the exceptionally creative and resourceful ways educators around the world are teaching during the pandemic and getting students back on track. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd Related Resources – MicrosoftEDU…
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Cultivating the New Mindset Required to Lead Any School This School Term: 3 Keys
'This school year is actually a primary opportunity for learning,' says Jody Spiro, director of education leadership at the Wallace Foundation. In this episode, she explains why and walks us through the new mindset required to effectively lead schools this school term. Follow on Twitter:...
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Three Back-to-School Surprises We Should Have Seen Coming, Here’s Why They Matter
Daniel Domenech is executive director of the American Association of School Administrators. A native of Cuba who moved to the U.S. at the age of nine, Domenech has more than 36 years of experience in public education. Prior to joining AASA, Domenech served as senior vice president of the Urban...
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What We Learned: The Pandemic’s Impact on the Three Most Vulnerable Sectors of Our School System
Unlike many schools and school districts, Greenwood Academies was well ahead of the curve technologically. In this episode, we talk with the academy’s school administrator who discovered that the most vulnerable populations in his school system included himself. Follow on Twitter: @graham_feek...
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Two Strategies We Used to Thrive During the Pandemic: Equity Scans and Help Desk Triage
In this episode, we look at some of the strategies a very diverse school district used to quickly come up to speed and thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn how equity scans and a pedagogical help desk provided essential data to allocate resources where they were most needed. Follow on...
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2020 Was a Wakeup Call for School Leaders: Here’s What We Did Once We Opened Our Eyes
2020 opened our eyes to the gaping holes in our capacity to ensure learning continuity under all conditions. In this episode, we speak with the superintendent of Duval County School system, one of the largest in the country about how they responded to their wake-up call. Follow on Twitter:...
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Learning Loss or a Different Kind of Learning?
In this episode, we talk with the assistant superintendent at a large school district in Florida about how they navigated pandemic learning. Join us as we zero in on the ways the experience has changed how their school system is approaching learning, learning loss, and working with faculty.…
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The Four Ways We Solved Our Biggest Problem With Remote Teaching and Learning
Many of us are still struggling with the challenges of teaching during the pandemic. Join us as we talk with the superintendent of one of the largest school districts in the US about the four creative ways they resolved their biggest barrier to remote teaching and learning. Follow on Twitter:...
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Silver Lining: An Invaluable Lesson Learned From Leading Our School District Through Tough Times
Two thousand twenty may be the most challenging year in our school’s 150-year history, but it was also one of the best as our school administrators moved from being managers to leaders. Join us as we discuss how we’re totally reinventing a whole lot of what we’ve been doing for a century and a...
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Helping Students and Teachers Who Are Overwhelmed by Remote and Hybrid Learning
In this episode, our guest superintendent shares how her school district is dealing with students who simply disappeared when school shifted to remote learning, teachers who are stressed, and the uncertainty of not knowing is they are doing hybrid teaching well. Follow on Twitter: @FrenshipSuper...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
SuperSpeaks is the podcast that explores the hidden world of superintendents and system leaders of school districts in the US. Join Mark Sparvel from Microsoft Education in his effort to better understand what’s working for school leaders in these unprecedented times.
HOSTED BY
BAM Radio Network
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does SuperSpeaks have?
SuperSpeaks currently has 45 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is SuperSpeaks about?
SuperSpeaks is the podcast that explores the hidden world of superintendents and system leaders of school districts in the US. Join Mark Sparvel from Microsoft Education in his effort to better understand what’s working for school leaders in these unprecedented times.
How often does SuperSpeaks release new episodes?
SuperSpeaks has 45 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to SuperSpeaks?
You can listen to SuperSpeaks on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts SuperSpeaks?
SuperSpeaks is created and hosted by BAM Radio Network.
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