Jennifer Stayton

Higher Ed: Summer Mailbag and Back to School

Getting back into the swing of school is always an adjustment. Alarm clocks, long days and homework make the school year schedule fuller and more structured than summertime. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about some ways to get the school year off to a smooth start and get the most out of it. They also respond to some listener comments about “Higher Ed” that came in over the summer. What’s the best back to school advice you’ve ever gotten? What about the worst? Listen on to get some of the best and worst as well as Ed’s responses to some summer emails from “Higher Ed” listeners. It’s also time for the first new puzzler of the season. This one will knock your socks off!

This episode was recorded August 10, 2017.

Best of “Higher Ed:” Studying Abroad

This episode was originally published on April 23, 2017.

This episode addresses a question from a “Higher Ed” listener whose daughter is a sophomore in high school. The daughter has started attending college fairs and reading online about schools, and the family wants to know about the impact of studying abroad on a student’s education. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger dig into the topic of studying abroad. Ed and Jennifer talk about the pros and cons of spending part of college (or high school) outside the U.S. Ed says students can gain a lot experiencing a new culture and learning a new language. But do they lose anything spending time away from their academic home base? Listen on for their discussion and for the solution to the puzzler about about gas cans, gallons and some tricky pouring.

This episode was recorded on March 24, 2017.

Best of “Higher Ed:” Healthy Learning

This episode was originally published on April 9, 2017.

College students who work hard might tend to play hard, too. Caffeine … junk food … late nights … partying. College can be filled with temptations that keep students from leading healthy lives. We know those habits aren’t good for us, but why does school present so many temptations? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss balancing work and learning with health during school (and beyond). You’ve probably been there: staying up all night, fueled by coffee and junk food, to finish a paper or cram for an exam. That’s what college is about, right? Ed says it actually doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode, he and Jennifer discuss some of the reasons behind the less-than-healthy habits we pick up in college and some strategies to avoid them in the first place. Listen on for their discussion and to indulge in a healthy habit: trying to solve the latest puzzler.

This episode was recorded on March 24, 2017.

Best of “Higher Ed:” ‘Social’ Media

This is might be a familiar scene to you: You’re walking down the street and see someone heading toward you, not looking up, face firmly transfixed on the small screen of a smartphone or tablet. What does all that time spent attending to devices do to our personal interactions, conversations and learning? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger look at the personal and educational implications. Social media and digital technology are great in many ways. They connect us quickly and easily, and allow us to access information in seconds. But what does time spent communicating and learning that way do to our personal interactions? Ed and Jennifer discuss the possible impacts, as well as the role of education in helping us navigate and balance the availability of so much communication and information. Listen on for their conversation and for the answer to a puzzler about a row of radio hosts.

This episode was recorded on Jan. 19, 2017.

Best of “Higher Ed:” Breaking Down Tough Questions

We all face questions in life that seem just about impossible to answer. Maybe it’s a really tough question on a test. Or maybe it’s a challenging assignment at work. What can we do when the answer just won’t come to us? How about not answering the question? In this “Best of” episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger explore ways to break down seemingly impossible questions into manageable parts. So just to be clear, the advice here is not to ignore the question. But Ed advocates starting by breaking down a hard question into a simpler one in a parallel vein, or translating it into a known, easier question.  Ed and Jennifer discuss how this technique can be used in or outside of academic settings. Wondering if you should listen on to hear more? That’s a definite yes! You will also get the solution to a puzzler that poses some interesting questions; it assumes three = 1/2 of five!

This episode was recorded on November 22, 2016.

Best of “Higher Ed:” How I Learned to Love Calculus

Was there a subject in school that seemed so hard and unsatisfying to study that even to this day the thought of it makes you cringe? For many students, that subject was Math. And perhaps more specifically, Calculus. Maybe it was the confusing terminology or seemingly abstract concepts. Can Calculus ever redeem itself? Is it ever useful? In this “Best of” episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger give Calculus a second chance. In a previous episode, Ed promised Jennifer he could clearly explain Calculus in just a few easy steps. In this episode, Jennifer takes him up on that challenge. Can Ed make Calculus accessible and maybe even fun? Listen on to find out, and to hear the solution to a puzzler about the Road to Truth.

This episode was recorded on October 4, 2016.

Best of “Higher Ed:” Gratitude, Appreciation, and Learning

It’s good manners to say “thank you” and show gratitude. But there are also ways that slowing down to notice and appreciate what’s happening around us can give our brains some much needed rest. In this “Best of” episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss the impact of showing gratitude and appreciation on learning. Is it also possible to include the expression of gratitude and appreciation in a formal education setting?  Listen on for Ed and Jen’s discussion on how expressing thanks can help learners relax and grow, and what teaching that might look like.

This episode was recorded on October 4, 2016.

Best of “Higher Ed:” What’s Really Happening When We Learn

Most dictionary definitions of “learn” make reference to acquiring knowledge or skills, becoming informed, or finding out something. Sure, that makes sense, but what does it really mean to learn something? How do we know if we’ve actually learned it? In this “Best of” episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss what learning does and doesn’t mean. If we memorize something, does that mean we’ve learned it? How deeply do we have to understand something before we’ve really mastered it? Listen on to hear Ed and Jennifer debunk some myths about learning and talk about one of the best ways to make sure something is thoroughly learned.

This episode was recorded on October 4, 2016.

Best of “Higher Ed:” Curiosity, Creativity, and Confidence in Kids

How can educators, parents, and other adults encourage young people to be curious and get creative? In this “Best of” episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger respond to a listener’s question about promoting intellectual curiosity and confidence in kids. There’s a lot of interest these days in encouraging younger learners to pursue studying science, the arts, and math. A listener wants to know how young people can be encouraged along those paths by exciting them to ask questions and be confident in their pursuits. Listen on to hear Ed discuss with Jennifer how he has inspired curiosity and creativity among students, and the impact that work has had on him as a teacher.

This episode was recorded on August 10, 2016 and originally posted on October 16, 2016.

Best of “Higher Ed:” What Does “Smart” Really Mean?

What do you think of when someone is described as “smart?” They know a lot of things. Maybe they got good grades in school. Or maybe they always use correct grammar. But what does it actually mean to be smart? In this “Best of” episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss the deeper meaning of the word “smart.” Being “smart” and being “intelligent” – are those the same thing? Are there different ways of being smart (think “street smarts” vs. “book smarts”)? Listen on to hear Ed and Jen unpack the definition of “smart” and examine what it does and does not mean.

This episode was recorded on August 10, 2016 and originally posted on October 9, 2016.

Higher Ed: Teaching Giving and Philanthropy

In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger tackle a question posed by a listener about teaching giving and philanthropy in school. Can it be done? Should it be done? And if so, when? A listener wrote in (to jstayton@kut.org) asking about teaching the concepts around giving and philanthropy. Ed and Jennifer talk about how that might be done, as well as the academic subjects that serve as underpinnings for understanding philanthropy. Listen on for their discussion and for the solution to last episode’s puzzler about the frequency of digits (that’s numbers, not finger and toes!).

This episode was recorded on April 19, 2017.

Higher Ed: Learning from the People You Meet

So much of what we encounter in formal education is planned; we attend scheduled classes in designated classrooms and go through specific lessons plans. But there can also be real educational value in chance encounters or unexpected opportunities. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss lessons learned on the fly. Dick Van Dyke.  Robert McNamara. Those two men don’t have much in common. But they are both people whom Ed has met. In this episode, Ed tells the stories of those meetings and talks about always learning something from even the most random encounters. Listen on for that discussion as well as a new puzzler about the frequency of digits (as in numbers, not fingers and toes).

This episode was recorded on April 19, 2017.

Higher Ed: College Readiness

What factors show that a student is ready for college: good grades? High test scores? A killer application and essay? Or, are more intangible qualities better indicators of college success? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss what makes a high school student ready for higher ed. A listener wrote in and wondered if there are certain skills, behaviors, or mindsets that better prepare someone for college, or is everyone potentially college ready? Listen on for Ed’s take on what qualities make for a strong college student and what he thinks is just about essential to college success. You will also hear the punch lines from last episode’s math jokes courtesy of some funny fourth graders.

This episode was recorded on April 19, 2017.

Higher Ed: “Goodbyes” in Education

“Goodbye.” It’s a word that actually gets said a lot in education. Students are constantly changing teachers, classmates, subjects, and locations during their years in school. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about saying goodbye and moving on in education. The end of a class, semester, school year, or entire degree program can be a very emotional time as students and teachers move on, knowing that exact same class with those exact same participants will never exist again. In this episode, Ed and Jennifer discuss the many “goodbyes” that happen along the path of formal education, and what Ed says is the greatest gift an educator can receive when a class ends. And listen on for a twist on the usual puzzler. To balance the sometimes sad topic of goodbyes, Ed and Jennifer share Math jokes courtesy of some funny 4th graders.

This episode was recorded on April 19, 2017.

Higher Ed: Advice from Graduating Seniors to Their Younger Selves

It is college commencement season, and graduating seniors will be hearing all kinds of sage advice from commencement speakers. But what advice would those graduating seniors give? What would they tell their younger selves as students if they could? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger share what some seniors say they wish they had known when they started school. Ed had the chance to ask some Southwestern University seniors, not long before their graduation, what had impacted them the most during their time in school. He and Jennifer discuss their surprising, frank, and funny answers and how that advice can apply outside of school, too. Listen on for their discussion and to hear the solution to last episode’s puzzler about the mean Math teacher and the bowls of marbles.

This episode was recorded on April 19, 2017.

Higher Ed: Teachers and Teaching

Teachers. We’ve all had some great ones, and we’ve all had some teachers who didn’t rank among the best. What makes a good teacher? How has the profession changed over time? How has technology impacted the way teachers do their jobs? In this week’s episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about the evolving role of teachers. Ed has taught Math for about 30 years so he has lots to say about what he thinks teachers can do to reach and inspire their students. He and Jennifer reminisce about some memorable teachers they have had and discuss the ways in which the profession has changed. Listen on to hear some classroom tales and to get the new puzzler which, by the way, happens to involve a mean Math teacher.

This episode was recorded on March 24, 2017.

Higher Ed: Studying Abroad

In this episode, a question from a “Higher Ed” listener: her daughter is a sophomore in high school who has started attending college fairs and reading online about schools. The family is interested to know more about the impact of studying abroad on a student’s education. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger dig into the topic of studying abroad. Ed and Jennifer talk about the pros and cons of spending part of college (or high school) studying outside the U.S. Ed says students can gain a lot experiencing a new culture and learning a new language. But do they lose anything spending time away from their academic home base? Listen on for their discussion and for the solution to the most recent puzzler about about gas cans, gallons, and some tricky pouring.

This episode was recorded on March 24, 2017.

Higher Ed: Healthy Learning

College students who work hard might tend to play hard, too. Caffeine… junk food…. late nights… partying. College can be filled with temptations that keep students from leading healthy lives. We know those habits aren’t good for us, but why does school present so many temptations? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss balancing work and learning with health during school (and beyond). You’ve probably been there: staying up all night, fueled by coffee and junk food, to finish a paper or cram for an exam. That’s what college is about, right? Ed says it actually doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode, he and Jennifer discuss some of the reasons behind the less-than-healthy habits we pick up in college and some strategies from avoiding them in the first place. Listen on for their discussion and to indulge in a healthy habit: trying to solve the latest puzzler.

This episode was recorded on March 24, 2017.

Higher Ed: Moving From Student to Teacher

Usually during KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss issues related to learning and education. So how does it turn out when they add another voice to the mix? In this episode, they are joined by second-year Southwestern University student Tristin Evans. She adds a student perspective to the discussion and talks about what it was like to move from being a student to being a teacher’s assistant in one of Dr. Burger’s classes. Ed teaches a class at Southwestern called “Effective Thinking and Creative Puzzle-Solving.” Tristin has taken the class and then transitioned into a role assisting him with the course. Ed and Jennifer talked with Tristin about what she learned in switching positions and what advice she has for younger learners (or really learners of any age). Hear their discussion and also the solution to the numbers-filled puzzler from the last episode. Good news – there’s more than one way to get the solution!

This episode was recorded on March 24, 2017.

Higher Ed: Working Efficiently vs. Working Well

“Job well done.” What does that mean, exactly? That someone got a lot accomplished, or that someone did a few things very well? Multi-tasking is often praised as a valuable skill, but what are we sacrificing for speed? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger work their way through a discussion on quantity and quality when it comes to getting stuff done. Not many people are encouraged to “strive for less,” but in this episode Ed and Jennifer explore if less can actually be better when it comes to getting tasks done. It’s also time for a new puzzler. It’s a bit tricky; no multitasking while you try to solve it!

This episode was recorded on Feb. 16, 2017.