Learning Science Archives - Trending in Education

Mike Palmer returns to the Thanksgiving table to serve up a side of applied neuroscience. Powered by the recently released Gemini 3, he examines the “gratitude cocktail,” a potent neurochemical mix of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin that mimics the effects of antidepressants and strengthens social bonds. Beyond the chemistry, Mike explores the psychological framework of⁠ The Gap and the Gain⁠ by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. He explains how measuring progress against an ideal future creates unhappiness, while measuring against the past generates resilience and satisfaction.

Learning Science

July 29, 2025 Trending in Education digital, learning, Reading, Teach Like a Champion, teaching, writing

Demystifying the Science of Reading with Doug Lemov, Founder of Teach Like a Champion

Mike Palmer welcomes Doug Lemov, founder of ⁠Teach Like a Champion⁠, to the podcast. Lemov discusses his journey from teacher to education innovator and the evolution of Teach Like a Champion. He highlights the importance of the new book, ⁠The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading⁠, co-authored with Colleen Driggs and Erica Woolway. The conversation delves into the critical role of attention in reading, the impact of technology on cognition, and the power of shared reading experiences in the classroom. Lemov also explains the significance of close reading and knowledge-based comprehension, advocating for bringing complex texts, whole books, and writing back into the classroom.

Learning Science

January 22, 2024 Trending in Education Bror Saxberg, Future of Learning, Learning Engineering, Learning Science Series, LearningForge, neuroscience, parents

Insights for Parents from Learning Science with Dr. Bror Saxberg

In this week’s episode of Trending in Education, host Mike Palmer has an enlightening conversation with learning science expert Bror Saxberg. As the founder of Learning Forge, Saxberg knows a tremendous amount about how learning happens in the brain, and he shares his wisdom in this episode by applying that knowledge to parenting.

Learning Science

July 25, 2022 Trending in Education Above the Fog, Andy Clark, Elliot Felix, extended mind, moonwalking with Einstein, Virtual CoHosts, virtual reality

The Extended Mind – Thinking Outside the Brain

Mike Palmer is joined once again by Nancy in a discussion about the book The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain by Annie Murphy Paul. We begin with an excerpt from a recent conversation with Elliot Felix who introduced us to the idea of the extended mind based on the work of cognitive philosopher Andy Clark. From there, we dig into what’s covered in Annie’s book using examples like Nancy, Walkabout Mini Golf, and the method of loci and memory palaces along the way.

Learning Science

May 20, 2021 Trending in Education Dawn DiPeri, higher education, Lillian Nave, Think UDL, universal design, universal design for learning

A Deeper Dive Into Universal Design For Learning with Lillian Nave

Lillian Nave is a Senior Lecturer and UDL Coordinator at Appalachian State University. She’s also the host of the Think UDL Podcast. Lillian joins Mike Palmer and guest host Dawn DiPeri on this deep dive into UDL and other trends Lillian is noticing from her vantage point in inclusive education.

Learning Science

May 17, 2021 Trending in Education Kumar Garg, Learning Engineering, learning science, Learning Tools, Schmidt Futures, STEM

A Look at the Future of Learning Tools with Kumar Garg

Kumar Garg is the Managing Director of Schmidt Futures, a venture facility for public benefit that recently cosponsored the Futures Forum on Learning Tools Competition with Citadel. Kumar joins our host, Mike Palmer, to talk about the winners of the tools competition that were recently announced and to provide his insights and perspectives on learning engineering as well as trends in educational technology and computational thinking.

Universal Design for Learning Principles

Learning Science

May 13, 2021 Trending in Education Dawn DiPeri, Eric Moore, UDL, universal design, universal design for learning

Exploring Universal Design for Learning with Dr. Eric Moore

Dr. Eric Moore is an internationally recognized Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Accessibility consultant, instructional designer, and educator. He specializes in the theory and practice of UDL, especially in the context of higher education. In addition to working in UDL and Instructional Design at the University of Tennessee, Eric heads up a consultancy, Innospire Education, and was featured in a recent article in Inside Higher Ed.