Game Design Thinking, AI And Learning, And Motivation

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbennett01/

16:32

You’re busy—but are you actually growing? In this episode, Nata Salvatori exposes a trap that’s costing service providers time, money, and sanity: chasing busywork that feels productive but doesn’t move the needle. She walks through a clear, five-step growth path—from clarifying your offer, validating through real sales, delivering sustainably, building repeatable systems, to scaling confidently. You’ll learn: How to spot and ditch “fake work” Why clarity beats complexity every time How to use real feedback to validate your offers Delivery tips that prevent burnout System creation that enables scaling How to honor your current phase of growth 📌 Ready to stop spinning your wheels and make real moves? Map your phase, pick your next action, and don’t be afraid to ask for help: 👉 accidentalceo.co/coaching Support the show…

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Game Design Thinking, AI and Learning, and Motivation - Chris Bennett

about a year ago 55:11

MP3•Episode home

Chris Bennett is an affiliate at the Stanford Graduate School of Education. He currently studies and practices ways to apply Game Design Thinking, an approach that combines game design, behavior design and neuroscience to help companies innovate, motivate and grow beyond simply using gamification.

In this episode, we explore the concept of Game Design Thinking and how to apply it when designing learning experiences. Chris also shares valuable insights about the impact of generative AI on education.

Find more about Chris' work:

- Chris' blog - https://gdt.stanford.edu/

Reference from the episode:

- https://tinyhabits.com/ - "Tiny Habits" by BJ Fogg, PhD

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com

24 episodes

#Mathieu Penot #Tech #Podcasting Education

Wide Walls

Game Design Thinking, AI and Learning, and Motivation - Chris Bennett

Wide Walls

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Find more about Chris' work:

- Chris' blog - https://gdt.stanford.edu/

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbennett01/

Reference from the episode:

- https://tinyhabits.com/ - "Tiny Habits" by BJ Fogg, PhD

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com

24 episodes

#Mathieu Penot #Tech #Podcasting Education

All episodes

Wide Walls

1
Chatbots, Constructionism, and AI in Education - Ken Kahn 59:15

8 weeks ago59:15

59:15

In this Wide Walls episode, I’m honored to welcome Ken Kahn — a true pioneer in using technology to support creative learning. Ken has spent over 30 years as a researcher in programming languages, computer animation, and programming systems for children. After completing his doctoral thesis on creating computer animation from story descriptions, Ken taught at MIT, Stockholm University and Uppsala University, before joining Xerox Palo Alto Research Center as a research scientist. In 1992, Ken founded Animated Programs and developed ToonTalk , an award-winning, game-like programming language for kids. He went on to become a Senior Researcher at Oxford, where he developed AI programming resources for students, and held visiting positions at NUS - National University of Singapore - and Yale-NUS. With his recent - and fantastic - book, The Learner’s Apprentice: AI and the Amplification of Human Creativity , Ken demonstrates how generative AI can foster rich educational experiences and support creative learning, a topic we discuss in depth in this episode, answering questions such as: 🤖 What roles can chatbots play in supporting children's learning and development? 🎨 What kinds of ideas and projects can children explore using AI tools? 🌱 How can we design learning experiences with generative AI that both benefit children and ensure their safety? 🏫 What are effective ways to integrate AI into traditional classroom settings? Find more about Ken’s work: * Ken Kahn on LinkedIn * Ken’s book: The Learner’s Apprentice: AI and the Amplification of Human Creativity This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com…

Wide Walls

1
Smartphones, AI Companions, and Mental Health - Merve Cerit 48:25

14 weeks ago48:25

48:25

In this new episode of Wide Walls, I’m thrilled to welcome Merve Cerit, a PhD Candidate from Stanford University working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, learning sciences, and mental health. Merve’s work explores how we can better understand the impact of digital media on individual well-being , using innovative person-specific and computational methods. She studies how people’s smartphone use relates to mental health on a highly granular level, and is now exploring how AI can be leveraged to support reflection, reasoning, and education in an increasingly digital world. Whether it’s designing interventions that help us think more critically about media and technology or developing tools that reflect on our media behavior, her research has big implications for the future of learning, digital well-being, and human-centered technology. In this episode, we: - Unpack her innovative research methods to understand how we spend our time on screens - Discuss key findings from her research projects - Explore concrete applications to protect our children and improve our lives. If you enjoyed the conversation, please share this podcast around and spread the word! Find more about Merve’s work: Merve’s LinkedIn Merve on Research Gate References from the episode: Shows: Adolescence , Netflix The Social Dilemma , Netflix Books: The Anxious Generation , Jonathan Haidt Mindmasters , Sandra Matz Healing , Thomas Insel Hooked , Nir Eyal Stolen Focus , Johann Hari Podcast: Your Undivided Attention , Center for Humane Technology This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com…

Wide Walls

1
Music Writing, Creativity, and AI Impact on Music Production - Jerome Rossen 59:41

20 weeks ago59:41

59:41

For today’s episode, I’m thrilled to welcome our first-ever professional musician guest on Wide Walls: Jerome Rossen ! Jerome is a composer, songwriter, and professional musician whose work spans TV, film, video games, advertising, theater, and more. You’ve likely heard his music in hit TV shows like The Bachelor, Temptation Island, Extreme Makeover —and my personal favorite, Happy Tree Friends ! He’s also composed for children’s media, creating music for games like Get Ready for Kindergarten from LeapFrog, apps like Math Tango 2 from Originator Kids, and his latest project, an interactive book experience with Kibeam. In this episode, we discuss: ✅ His creative process , from getting ideas to overcoming roadblocks ✅ The differences between composing for children and adults ✅ How technology has changed music production & accessibility ✅ Fun and insightful industry stories from his rich career Beyond his creative work, Jerome serves as Director of Events for the Bay Area Children’s Media Association, which is how I had the pleasure of meeting him. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it! If you do, please share it to help more people join the conversation! Find more about Jerome’s work: * freshmademusic.com - Jerome’s website * Jerome’s LinkedIn This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com…

Wide Walls

1
Power of Imagination, Creative Spaces, and Social Responsibility - Tom Doust & Emma Callow 1:10:46

22 weeks ago1:10:46

1:10:46

For the first time on Wide Walls, we welcome not one, but two incredible guests— Emma Callow and Tom Doust ! Emma and Tom serve as the Creative Content Lead and Associate Director at the Institute of Imagination in London, a wonderful organization dedicated to designing and championing creative learning experiences across arts, science, and digital technologies. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ The power of imagination in learning ✅ The legacy of Sir Ken Robinson ✅ Eight critical competencies for children’s future ✅ Social impact with local communities of learners Find more about Tom and Emma’s work: - Institute of Imagination - 2023 Report - Institute of Imagination - LinkedIn - Tom Doust - LinkedIn - Emma Callow This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com…

Wide Walls

1
Relational Intelligence, Educational Research, and Love to Learn - Isabelle Hau 57:01

24 weeks ago57:01

57:01

I am excited to share this new episode of Wide Walls on a very special day for my wonderful guest, Isabelle Hau, as her first book, Love to Learn , is released today! Isabelle is the Executive Director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, and a passionate advocate for young children’s development and well-being, rooted in educational research and deep empathy. At the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, Isabelle collaborates with scholars, students, and external partners to leverage the latest advances in brain and learning sciences, data, and technology to create more effective and equitable learning solutions for everyone. She’s also served on the boards of some of the most innovative organizations in education and impact investing, such as EdSurge, Khan Academy Kids, Reach Capital, and Wonderschool. She has judged prestigious innovation competitions worldwide, including XPrize and the LEGO Foundation’s $143 million early childhood challenge, and spoken at over 100 national and international events, including the US Senate. In 2024, she was recognized as one of the “Women Leading in AI Revolution in EDU” by ASU-GSV, and in 2021, she received the GlobalMindED “Inclusive Leader Award – Early Childhood Education.” In this episode we first discuss Isabelle’s research and insights on relational intelligence, a concept that is central in her book. Then, we explore the role of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning and some of the challenges faced by learning science researchers. Finally, Isabelle shares her views on the potential applications and impact of new technologies in education. Find more about Isabelle’s work: * Isabelle’s website * Love to Learn - Book * Small Talks - Newsletter * Stanford Accelerator for Learning This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com…

Wide Walls

1
International UX Research, EdTech and Entrepreneurship - Sedinam Worlanyo 54:26

27 weeks ago54:26

54:26

A conversation with Sedinam Worlanyo is always packed with joyful stories, unexpected reflection, and actionable insights! Once you start this episode, I bet her contagious energy will keep you on! Sedinam is a Senior UX Researcher at Coursera , focusing on learner experience, as well as international expansion efforts, to make learning accessible to everyone across the globe. She also leads the Coursera for Africa initiative, aimed at nurturing young talent across Africa and serving as a connector for partnerships within Coursera and organizations based in Africa. Sedinam also created a newsletter called Skills Scratchpad where she shares personal insights to make UX research more approachable to people who may be interested but feel intimidated by this type of role. In this episode of Wide Walls, we discuss her experience at Coursera and reflect on challenges and best practices when conducting international research. Then, we expand our conversation towards her vision of the EdTech and entrepreneurial ecosystems in Ghana - and in Africa more broadly - and the exciting opportunities for exchanges of skills and knowledge. Find more about Sedinam’s work: * Sedinam’s LinkedIn * Skills Scratchpad - Newsletter References from the episode: * Coursera Global Skills Report 2024 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com…

Wide Walls

1
Music, Language and Social-Emotional Learning - Dr Maggie Broderick 48:05

29 weeks ago48:05

48:05

Let’s start 2025 with a wonderful conversation with Dr. Maggie Broderick about social-emotional learning and the similitudes between music and language learning! Maggie is an Associate Professor and Dissertation Chair in the Department of Teacher Education at National University in San Diego. With over 20 years of experience in education, both in higher education and K-12, she is a leader in curriculum development and is passionate about fostering social-emotional learning in students. Throughout her career, Maggie has held multiple leadership positions, including Curriculum Director and Director of Advanced Research Center. She has also spearheaded numerous initiatives at the intersection of educational innovation and research. In this episode, we discuss her research and insights on social-emotional learning as well as the impact of the pandemic on students. We also explore the intersections and similitudes between music and language learning, and the impact of technology. Find more about Maggie’s work: - LinkedIn - Research Gate References from the episode: - CASLE Framework - “ Motivation and Momentum ” (book) - “ How to Differentiate Instruction in Academically Diverse Classrooms ” (book) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com…

Wide Walls

1
Spatial Cognition, Toys, EdTech and Playful Learning - Scott Traylor 53:00

33 weeks ago53:00

53:00

Scott is an inspiring Product Leader in the Toys and EdTech industries with more than 20 years of experience in the field and a wealth of knowledge and insights. In this episode, Scott explains the importance of spatial cognition to predict success in STEM fields along with insightful stories and research on the topic. He also shares his thoughts on the evolution of the toys and EdTech landscape over the past decade. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com…

Wide Walls

1
Creative Storytelling, Entrepreneurship and Product Management - Andy Russell 58:26

38 weeks ago58:26

58:26

Andy is a Group Product Manager for ChromeOS Education at Google - reaching more than 50 million children - and co-creator of the award-winning Toontastic app designed to help kids easily create and share their own animated stories. In this episode, Andy shares his entrepreneurial journey building Toontastic and his design approach to support children’s creativity. We also discuss his role at Google managing large scale projects and his optimistic vision of generative AI for education. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com…

Wide Walls

1
Science Education, Tinkering and Writing a Book (about it) - Ryan Jenkins 58:48

1 year ago58:48

58:48

Ryan Jenkins defines himself as a constructionist educator, a term we will define further in our conversation. After working for more than 10 years at the Exploratorium, the fantastic science museum in San Francisco, he co-founded Wonderful Idea Co. with Nicole Catrett to support the exploration of art, science, and technology through making and tinkering. For many years, Ryan has been advocating for educators to explore a tinkering-based education philosophy through professional development workshops, keynote talks, mentorship, and written guides and resources. In fact, this October, he will release his first book, The Tinkering Workshop . This book will help kids and adults get started with everyday materials, build personally meaningful projects, and explore ideas related to art, science, and technology. I personally can’t wait to get my hands on it! In this episode, we dive into the world of making and tinkering to understand its values and benefits for learning, and we learn more about Ryan’s personal journey as an educator, entrepreneur, and writer. Find more about Ryan's work: - wonderfulidea.co/blog - www.thetinkeringworkshop.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com…

Wide Walls

1
Play Types, Identities and Team Performance - Elaine Chung 1:00:06

1 year ago1:00:06

1:00:06

Elaine Chung is the Founder and Chief Play Officer of My Play Type, a company she launched in 2020 to educate and inspire organizations on how to integrate a Playful Practice as a foundational approach to work and life, leveraging play neuroscience to create cultures with strong cross-collaboration, innovative solutions, and even happier, more fulfilled employees. I’ve known Elaine for a few years and I’ve always been fascinated by her passion and approach to play. When we first met, she was developing a framework to identify play types in children and provide experiences that best match their individual preferences in terms of play styles. Elaine also participated recently in TEDx Asheville where she gave a wonderful talk on people’s struggle to navigate complex identities, something that I know everyone can relate to. I certainly did. And she’s also in the process of writing a book on this topic! In this episode, we learn more about Elaine’s passion for play and her approach to play types. Then, we discuss the role of play in companies and organizations and understand what impact it can have in a work environment. Find more about Elaine's work: - https://www.myplaytype.com/ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine-chen-chung/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com…

Wide Walls

1
Creative Process, Puppetry and Deep Empathy - Danny Joe LaBrecque 1:04:33

1 year ago1:04:33

1:04:33

Danny Joe LaBrecque is a preschool teacher, early childhood specialist, and the creator and host of the amazing children's show Danny Joe's Tree House. Danny Joe uses play-based therapies including puppetry to help children, teachers and parents process complex social issues. He created Danny Joe’s Tree House to invite families to slow down and engage with characters and stories that provide valuable opportunities for social-emotional learning. The series features a diverse community of real-life caregivers, plus a lively cast of puppets, working together to explore strategies for self-regulation, communication, caring for oneself, and acceptance of others. In this episode, we discuss his journey towards becoming a content creator, the risks and benefits of using different media for children’s content, the impact of social-emotional learning through play-based stories, and more. Find more about Danny Joe's work: - Danny Joe's website - Danny Joe's Tree House: Youtube and Sensical TV - Cookies for Breakfast (podcast) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com…

Wide Walls

1
Cultural Sensitivity, Social Behavior Change and AI for Kids - Evren Yiğit 52:04

1 year ago52:04

52:04

Evren Yiğit is a renowned author and expert in children’s content and storytelling, with a background in child development studies, media creation, and creative writing, and over 15 years of experience in the industry. She co-founded Mako Kids in 2017, a children-first media, production, and consultancy company that specializes in creating quality content for kids of all ages. She also recently co-founded KidsAI, a community hub and internet journal for safe, ethical, responsible, and beneficial AI practices and tools for children. In this episode, we discuss Evren’s passion for leveraging research and industry insights to create content that is both enjoyable and beneficial to children, with a focus on cultural sensitivity, inclusion, social behavior change, and the opportunities brought by AI to advance children’s media. Find more about Evren's work: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evren-yi%C4%9Fit-25160450/ - https://makokids.io/ - https://kidsai.io/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com…

Wide Walls

1
Inclusion and Equity in Museum Education and Children's Media - Janella Watson 49:09

1 year ago49:09

49:09

Janella Watson is an educational and organizational strategist and champion of inclusion, equity, and authentic representation in Children’s Media. She is an executive leader, brand manager, experiential learning specialist, and researcher whose transformative approach to advising inspires and guides clients to create curriculum, experiences, and media content that spark family engagement, learning, and joy. Janella is an accomplished international speaker and leading voice in culturally responsive education. Her team’s recent and current clients and partners include Nickelodeon, Spin Master Entertainment, Brooklyn Public Library, Cartoon Network Studios, and Sesame Workshop. In this episode, we first discuss her experience reframing family experiences at children’s museums and science centers, and then explore the topics of inclusion and equity when creating learning experiences and media content for children. Find more about Janella's work: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/janella-watson-educational-consultant/ - https://www.watsoncreativeconsulting.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit widewalls.substack.com…

Wide Walls

1
Children's Development, Age-Appropriate Technology and AI Ethics - Dr. Mathilde Cerioli 54:17

1 year ago54:17