Dr. Ed Burger

Higher Ed: Learning From A Disrupted School Year

Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast on Aug. 25, 2017. Schools along the coast and in Houston were closed for weeks. When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, 2017, it was the strongest storm to make landfall there in over 80 years. Natural disasters cause devastating physical damage and disrupt life’s normal routines. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss how students, teachers, and schools can rebound when their school year is disrupted. Sometimes that disruption happens on a wide scale, such as a natural disaster. Sometimes a student’s or teacher’s school year is shaken by an illness or death in the family. Ed and Jennifer discuss how disruptions large and small can impact a school year; how the people who are impacted can cope; and what everyone involved can learn from the experience. You’ll also get the solution to last episode’s puzzler about moving across a checkerboard.

This episode was recorded Sept. 22, 2017

Higher Ed: What Keeps Alumni Coming Back To Their Alma Mater

Some alumni just love the schools they attended and cannot wait to go back for Homecoming and Reunion. Other alumni say “good riddance” as soon as they get their diploma and never want to hear from their schools again. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss what keeps alumni connected to their schools and how social media has impacted that relationship. Ed believes that many alumni come back to Homecoming and Reunion to be “re-nourished” in the way they were doing school. And since alumni can now keep up with each others’ lives and news so easily on social media, they can connect with each other and the school at a deeper lever during those return visits. Listen on for more of Ed and Jennifer’s discussion about how schools support their alumni and how alumni support their schools. Plus, does Ed think alumni ever come back to Homecoming or Reunion just to “show off” a little? One thing Ed does think for sure is that the puzzlers as of late have gotten a little too easy! So in this episode, Ed introduces what may be the trickiest puzzler yet about pathways on a checkerboard.

This episode was recorded Sept. 22, 2017.

Higher Ed: What Constitutes A “Good” Education

In a recent episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger answered a listener’s question about how to know when it’s the right decision to transfer schools. In this episode, they take that discussion a step further to answer a related and important question: how can students know if they’re getting a “good” education? What does it even mean to describe an education as “good?” You can probably come up with some ways to objectively measure the quality of an education. Many of the teachers have advanced degrees from institutions with excellent reputations. The curriculum offers a wide variety of classes. Students graduate with promising job offers or acceptances to graduate schools. The school is highly ranked in national surveys. But what does a “good” education really mean? Ed argues it should be measured using different parameters, many of which actually rest with students rather than faculty or institutions. Listen on for Ed and Jen’s discussion about indicators of the quality of an education, and whether that can even be determined while it’s in progress or only after the fact. You’ll also get the solution to the puzzler about who took a road trip to Southwestern University.

This episode was recorded Sept. 22, 2017.

Higher Ed: How Empathy Can Impact Learning

Empathy. Sympathy. We probably think we know what those words really mean, but in truth they are often confused or misunderstood. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger take a closer look at both and how they relate to learning. What do “sympathy” and “empathy” really mean? What is the difference between the two? And can they enhance (or hinder) learning? Ed and Jennifer try to answer those questions and lend a sympathetic (or is it empathetic?!) ear. Listen on for their discussion, and get ready for a road trip with the new puzzler.

This episode was recorded Aug. 10, 2017.

Higher Ed: Navigating a Math-y Career Pivot

A listener wrote in to “Higher Ed” about his decision to pursue a Ph.D. in pure mathematics after studying classical piano performance and working as a pianist. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss becoming a mathematician later in life and the joys and challenges of making a career shift. Focus, passion and commitment. Those are some of the qualities Ed says are necessary to successfully pull off a career pivot to mathematician – or to pursuing any new field. As a matter of fact, Ed says “talent is secondary to commitment” when making this kind of change. Preparing for a job interview for a new job? This week’s puzzler could help. It’s a “classic” that actually gets asked in some job interviews.

This episode was recorded Aug. 10, 2017.

Higher Ed: To Transfer or Not To Transfer

Sometimes, a relationship just doesn’t feel like a good match. You can’t put your finger on it, but it just feels like it’s time to move on. That feeling can crop up in personal relationships as well as in our relationships with schools. In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger answer a question from a listener who wanted to know when is it the right decision – and when is it not – to transfer from one college to another. It might seem like a pretty simple question, but there are actually quite a few factors to weigh. Ed and Jennifer discuss both the practical and emotional elements students and families should consider when making a decision about a transfer. And yes – it can be a little like deciding whether to stay with a boyfriend or girlfriend or break up. They also reveal the solution to last week’s puzzler about those elusive matching pairs of socks. Hint: no socks mysteriously disappeared in a dryer!

This episode was recorded Aug. 10, 2017.

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:” 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.