Jennifer Stayton

Higher Ed: Leadership – Can It Be Taught and Learned?

This 2016 election season has a lot of people talking about leadership: what qualities do we want in a leader, and what kind of experiences can prepare someone to lead? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about whether leadership can be taught and learned, or if someone people are just “born leaders.” Listen on for Ed and Jen’s discussion about the role education can play in preparing someone to be a leader. You’ll also get the newest puzzler. Bonus this week: it’s in 3D (but no glasses needed!).

This episode was recorded on August 10, 2016.

Higher Ed: Different Learning Modes

Technology means students can take classes in many different modes and venues. They can be together in a traditional classroom, of course, with a teacher. Or, they can listen, discuss, and learn remotely any time and anywhere via online courses and videos. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger look at different ways learning can happen, and if one way is more effective than another. Some students say they thrive on the interactions and discussions that happen in the classroom. Others say they can grasp concepts and learn just fine remotely. Ed and Jen discuss different modes for learning; are they like apples and oranges? Speaking of which, listen on for the solution to last week’s puzzler.

This episode was recorded on August 10, 2016.

Higher Ed: Do Traditional Academic Calendars and Clocks Still Work?

Every student and teacher has likely at some point during the school year looked longingly at the calendar, hoping the days and weeks until vacation would pass more quickly. And who hasn’t stared at the clock during a long class, watching the seconds tick by? The traditional school calendar and school day schedule have been around for a long time but may no longer be effective or even necessary. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger explore the origins of the traditional academic schedule and toss around some different approaches. What if the school day consisted of shorter bursts of class time that lasted only 20 minutes? Would attention levels be higher? Listen on for more ideas about alternative ways to construct the school day and year and to hear the new puzzler… it’s like comparing apples and oranges.

This episode was recorded on August 10, 2016.

Best of “Higher Ed:” Learning and Doubt

Doubt. It can make us question some of our deeply-held beliefs. But is that necessarily a bad thing? In this “Best Of…” 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 and is an important element in life long learning. So says Ed in this episode. He and Jen also discuss cats, dogs, beets, and doubt. Yes, it all relates! And listen on to find out if the solution to a recent puzzler will rain on your parade.

This “Best Of…” episode was recorded on November 18, 2015 and originally released on December 20, 2015.

Best of “Higher Ed:” Liberal Arts, Democracy, and the Media

What happens when you mix liberal arts and democracy and throw in a little media coverage? You get a fascinating discussion about the intersection of those three institutions. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss how learning habits developed while studying the liberal arts can help us navigate our democracy – especially when political discussions are sometimes more contentious than civil. Ed and Jennifer talk politics in this episode – 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 key questions to ask.

This episode was recorded on August 5, 2015 and was originally released on September 20, 2015.

Best of “Higher Ed:” Broad Strokes of Learning

Note: This “Best of Higher Ed” episode was originally released on September 13, 2015.

Have you ever heard of a “value study” in art? It’s a way to make a quick sketch of whatever you see and then fill it in with shades of gray. It leaves out detail in favor of broader strokes that capture the essence of the subject. Could this also be a way to tackle a new intellectual endeavor? In this week’s episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger translate this art technique to learning. Listen also for a math puzzler about sorting out liars from truth-tellers. It’s trickier than it sounds!

This episode was recorded on August 5, 2015.

Best of “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.

Note: This “Best of Higher Ed” episode was originally released on November 1, 2015.

Higher Ed: To Infinity and Beyond

Infinity. What does it really mean? Can we count it? If so, how? And can we ever really define or describe it? It seems like there are an infinite number of questions about infinity. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger help us try to wrap our minds around infinity. Remember – the puzzler in the previous episode was all about infinity. Listen on for the mind-blowing solution to the puzzler, and to hear other fascinating facts about infinity. For instance, can it be doubled? Find out!

This “Best of Higher Ed” episode was originally released on October 18, 2015.

Higher Ed: The “20-Year” Education Question

No one remembers everything they learned in school, right? We cannot possibly retain all of those facts, figures, and formulas. So, 20 years after we’re done with our formal education, what have we taken away from that experience? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger try to answer that 20-year question about education and learning. Hear how a simple snack of milk and cookies can lead to much bigger questions about the duration and substance of education and learning. And get ready for a new mind-boggling math puzzler about the concept of infinity.

This “Best of Higher Ed” episode was originally released on October 11, 2015.

Higher Ed: Summertime and the Learning is Easy

Summer. For students and teachers, that means a break from books, papers, tests, deadlines, and the stress of school. In this episode of KUT’s podcast “Higher Ed,” Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger and KUT’s Jennifer Stayton talk about the benefits of that break, as well as the advantages of keeping the brain at least a little busy during the summer months. In this episode, Ed and Jennifer balance the benefits of a breather from the classroom with the importance of keeping the brain occupied over the summer. Hear about some ways to do that, including sharing what happens during the school year with family and friends over the summer. You’ll also get the solution to the most recent math puzzler. A hint: think small.