Jennifer Stayton

Higher Ed: Turning Learning Inside Out

We all know the traditional classroom drill: go to class; listen to a lecture; take notes; go home; do the homework; come back to class; repeat. What if that model were reversed, and students heard the lecture information outside the classroom and spent class time wrestling with questions and ideas? In this week’s episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss inquiry-based learning. You might have heard about the “flipped classroom” – where students hear the lecture material outside of class and work on questions during class time. That’s one example of inquiry-based learning, and in this episode Ed and Jennifer dig deeper into that topic. They also share the solution to the fishing-pole-on-the-bus math puzzler!

This episode was recorded on March 25, 2015.

Higher Ed: Choosing a College

What does Spring bring with it? The weather turns warmer. Flowers bloom. Taxes are due. And for students pursuing an education beyond high school, it’s time to make a big decision: where to go to college. It can be a stressful but also exciting time in a student’s academic career. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss how students can determine if a college is the right place to study. Before the internet, students would pour through mounds of brochures and course catalogs, and maybe visit some campuses, trying to see which colleges might be a good match. Now, just about everything anyone could ever want to know about a school is available online. But what about the intangibles? In this episode, Ed and Jennifer navigate that tricky matrix of choosing where to attend college. Ed has tips on knowing if an institution can deliver on its educational promises. Course offerings? Student to faculty ratio? Listen on to find out what to look for when making a college selection.

Higher Ed: The Intersection of Arts and Sciences

Some students and life-long learners think they’re only good at one kind of subject. Maybe they consider themselves “science” people, or perhaps they keep their distance from labs but cannot get enough of history books. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about the origins of what we know as “liberal arts” (hint: it all leads back to math) and why we can benefit from moving outside our comfort zones in what we study and explore. Ed and Jennifer talk about the evolution of the disciplines that make up the liberal arts and look at what those topics have to offer each other and us. For instance, Ed makes the case why pre-med students should study art history. You’ll also hear the new puzzler; it’s all about probability and biology.

This episode was recorded on February 24, 2016.

Higher Ed: How Outside Circumstances Can Impact Learning

In an ideal world, every student comes to class, or to any educational situation, well-prepared and ready to learn. But in reality, all kinds of life circumstances outside the classroom – such as poverty – can influence what happens inside the classroom. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about how those factors impact students’ experiences. Ed and Jennifer respond to a listener’s personal story and inquiry about the effects of poverty on learning. You’ll also get the solution to last episode’s puzzler about waffles and a family tree.

This episode was recorded on January 22, 2016.

Higher Ed: Co-Curriculars and Learning

What happens outside of the classroom – should it stay outside the classroom? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about the value of co-curriculars to learning. Sports. Theatre. Comedy. Wait, comedy? That’s one of Ed’s hobbies, and he and Jennifer discuss how all kinds of activities outside the classroom can enhance learning. Put down your books to hear their discussion, as well as the new brunch-based puzzler.

This episode was recorded on January 22, 2016.

Higher Ed: Teaching Intangibles

Persistence. Mindfulness. Caring. Passion. Should these be taught in school? Can they even be taught? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about teaching intangibles. A listener’s email prompted this discussion about the value of teaching these topics in school. And listen on for the crazy solution to last episode’s puzzler that was all about eights.

This episode was recorded on January 22, 2016.

Higher Ed: Time Management

Who doesn’t feel pressed for time? And who isn’t challenged by managing time during school? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about time management – what works, what doesn’t, and why sometimes doing nothing at all is the best thing to do. Ed calls time management one of the most important skills we can learn in school. Listen on to find out why. You’ll also hear this week’s new puzzler. Think of it as a different kind of “crazy eights” game.

This episode was recorded on January 22, 2016.

Higher Ed: College Rankings

Best undergraduate school. Best graduate school. Best public school. Best regional school. Top “party school.” These are just some of the ways institutions of higher learning are ranked in various surveys. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about what those rankings really show and how they can best be used – or not – in choosing a school. Ed argues that these rankings are generic, and cannot provide students with a valuable selection of options tailored to their interests and needs. Listen on to hear more and to get the solution to last episode’s “hairy” puzzler.

This episode was recorded on December 15, 2015.

Higher Ed: Standardized Testing

PSAT. STAAR. ACT. SAT. Does the thought of taking standardized tests make your palms sweat and heart race? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about what standardized tests can and cannot measure, and the role they play in education and learning. Spoiler alert: Ed doesn’t like them. Listen on to find out why, and for a new puzzler. Be warned: this one gets a little bit hairy.

This episode was recorded on December 15, 2015.

Higher Ed: the Importance of Role Models and Mentors

Think back to someone who has really influenced you in your life. Maybe it has been a teacher, a coach, a boss, or someone from less obvious quarters. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about the crucial way role models and mentors can encourage us on our learning paths. Ed and Jennifer reflect on some role models in their own lives, and how we can all benefit from opening up to the wisdom and experience of others. And are you curious to find out when 6 = 8? Listen on for the solution to last episode’s puzzler.

Higher Ed: Learning More – and Liking It – in 2016

We are already well into 2016. How are those New Year’s resolutions holding up? Don’t feel bad; it can be hard to keep some of the lofty goals we set for ourselves at the beginning of the year. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about some easy ways to make – and keep – a resolution to learn and explore more in 2016. Some school experiences can leave us feeling like learning is a chore. Why would we want to add more of that to our busy schedules? Ed and Jennifer discuss small steps that can make a big difference in enriching our lives. And a new year means a new puzzler. Can 6 = 8? Yes, it can (sometimes). Hint: have pen and paper ready for the puzzler. It’ll help.

This episode was recorded on December 15, 2015.

Higher Ed: Hmmmmm…….Learning and Doubt

Doubt. It can make us question some of our deeply-held beliefs. But is that necessarily a bad thing? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about the value that doubt can have for our learning and education. Doubt can be a catalyst for expanding our thinking. So says Ed in this episode. Listen to him and Jen discuss cats, dogs, beets, and doubt. Yes, it all relates! And listen on to find out if the solution to the most recent puzzler will rain on your parade.

This episode was recorded on November 18, 2015.

Higher Ed: A+ or D- For Letter Grades?

A Higher Ed listener emailed in asking about letter grades: are they good? Bad? Do they hinder students’ desire to take classes that might be interesting but challenging, too? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about the impact letter grades can have on how we experience and approach our formal education. Imagine what school might be like without grades. Or if students were given the time to master a subject rather than be evaluated on it at pre-set time intervals? Hear Ed and Jennifer further discuss the utility of letter grades and possible alternatives to those A’s, B’s, C’s, D’s, and F’s. It won’t be graded, but see how you do with this week’s new puzzler. Hint: a pair of sunglasses might help!

This episode was recorded on November 18, 2015.

Higher Ed: Learning and Regret

“Regrets, I’ve had a few. But then again, too few to mention. I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption.” Frank Sinatra sings about regret in “My Way.” In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about the decisions we make along the way in our formal education, and the role regret can play in lifelong learning. Hear more about how regret can motivate – rather than discourage – our pursuit of knowledge. Ever make a decision about your hair color that you have come to regret? Listen on to find out the solution to last week’s puzzler about truth, lies, and hair color!

Higher Ed: Journeys in Education and Graduate School

When does it make sense for an undergraduate student to continue formal education and attend graduate school? Sometimes, it’s an easy call; if someone wants to be a doctor or a lawyer, it’s a necessity. But how does a student know if that’s really what they want to pursue? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about what to weigh when deciding about that next step in school. Listen to Ed’s own story about his graduate school experience (wait until you hear what profession he almost pursued instead of math and education) and to catch the new puzzler – it’s all about truth, lies, and hair color.

Higher Ed: Instinct vs. Intellect

There are times when we feel like we just “know” something. We can’t necessarily explain why, but we just have a “gut” feeling about it. When is it useful to go with that gut feeling, and when should we slow down and think things through? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about using our instincts and using our intellect. Do you go with your gut when trying to solve the puzzlers, or do you reason them through? Either way, listen on to find out the solution to a puzzler involving money and math.

Higher Ed: Pedagogy and Puzzles

Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger is obviously a pretty busy guy. But he does make time to teach a class each year. This fall, he’s teaching a class that’s centered on puzzles. Puzzlers. Teasers. Questions that really make students grapple for the solution. Why a class focused on that? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Dr. Ed Burger puzzle over the value of puzzles to learning. Puzzlers can be more than fun and games; hear Ed argue for the utility of brain teasers in expanding and enhancing learning. Speaking of puzzlers… it’s time for a new one. Click here for the newest puzzler involving money and math.

This episode was recorded on September 30, 2015.

Higher Ed: Expertise in an Age of Rapid Change

Technology allows us to access so much information so easily. There are not many subjects we cannot learn at least a little something about. But does that knowledge make us all experts? What does it even mean to be an expert anymore? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss expertise in this age of adaptability. They also try to figure out if they’re experts in anything, including math puzzlers. Remember last episode’s puzzler about GPA’s? Think you figured it out? Join them to hear the solution.

Higher Ed: “Formal” Education

Have you ever heard anyone talk about “getting through” a class or “knocking out” course requirements? What exactly is the point of a “formal” education – just to get a degree, or set a course for life long learning? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger sift through different definitions of a formal education and talk about process vs. outcome. They also introduce a new math puzzler about GPA’s. No calculators needed – just a little brain power.

Higher Ed: Liberal Arts, Democracy, and the Media

What happens when you mix together liberal arts and democracy and then throw in a little media coverage? You get a fascinating discussion about the intersection of those three storied institutions. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss how liberal arts learning habits can help us navigate our democracy – especially when political discussions in the media sometimes seem more contentious than civil. In this episode, Ed and Jennifer talk politics – or more specifically, they talk about talking about politics. They also hash out the solution to the latest math puzzler about truth-tellers and liars. How can you tell them apart? Listen on for the creative solution.