Jennifer Stayton

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.

Higher Ed: Broad Strokes of Learning

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 episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger translate this art technique to learning. Ed and Jennifer talk about Ed’s summer break (it was only three days long!) and how his art lessons impacted his thinking about education.

This edition of the math puzzler asks you to sort out liars from truth-tellers. It’s trickier than it sounds!

Higher Ed: Conquering Math “Phobia”

“I was told there would be no math!” It’s a line people sometimes say in mock frustration when faced with a situation involving arithmetic. For some people, the thought of doing addition or subtraction causes their hearts to race and their palms to sweat. Why is that? Why do so many of us fear numbers? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger confront the concept of math phobia and explore ways to conquer it. Ed and Jennifer delve into the reasons why some people are math averse and discuss if it’s really math, or arithmetic, that people don’t like. Whether you love it or can leave it, listen on to hear a celebration of the “nerdiness” of math and to hear Ed issue a heartfelt apology. What for? You’ll only know by checking out this episode.

Higher Ed: Summer Break for the Brain

Once school is over for the summer, many students are tempted to put it as far out of their minds as possible and take a break from the rigors of the academic year. And they certainly aren’t thinking about the school year ahead. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about striking a healthy balance between letting your brain take a summer vacation and keeping it busy enough to be fresh for the fall. Ed and Jennifer discuss ways students can prepare themselves over the summer for the school year ahead, especially if they are heading to college for the first time. Listen to hear Ed’s one word key to a successful summer. And find out if you came up with the right solution to the refreshing summer math puzzler involving mango juice.

Higher Ed: Extreme Learning Makeover

A new haircut. Maybe some new clothes. What about gutting a house and rebuilding the whole thing? Those sound like pretty extreme makeovers. What about an extreme learning makeover? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss ways to transform how we teach and learn. Listen on as Ed and Jennifer talk about the ways that education can change lives for the better and help people become their best selves. And be ready for the next math puzzler – and you might want to grab a measuring cup and ladle for this one.