KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond

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Higher Ed: “Social” Media

This is might be a familiar scene to you: you’re walking down the street and see someone heading towards you, not looking up, face firmly transfixed on the small screen of a smart phone 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 what education can do to help students and life long learners navigate and balance the availability of so much communication and information. Listen on for their conversation and to find out the answer to last episode’s puzzler about the row of radio hosts.

This episode was recorded on Jan. 19, 2017.

Higher Ed: Key Element of Effective Learning

What would you say is the quintessential element of effective learning: Intelligence? Persistence? Skills?  In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss what Ed argues is that key element: change. It’s a scary word and concept for many. Our comfort zones are much easier places to inhabit, at least most of the time. But Ed says in order to think, learn, and process effectively, change needs to be a major part of our approach. In this episode, Ed and Jennifer discuss the important role change plays in lifelong learning, and how we can change the way we think about change (wait… this is getting a little circular!). One thing that hasn’t changed about “Higher Ed” – the puzzler. Listen on for their discussion and also the solution to the most recent puzzler. Remember? You’ve got one raft, a bunch of carrots, a hungry rabbit, and an aggressive fox. Can they all get transported safely across a river without any loss of veggies or life? Listen on to find out!

This episode was recorded on January 19, 2017.

Higher Ed: Student Perspective on Learning

Teachers stand at the front of the classroom trying to engage their students, impart information, and make a difference in their students’ lives. Do they really get through? What do students take away from their classroom experiences? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk with a Southwestern University student about the lessons he has learned in the classroom beyond the course material. Jasper Stone is a Southwestern University sophomore from Colorado. He’s not sure what his major is going to be, but he does have definite opinions about how he wants to approach his learning, and how he would get young learners engaged and interested. In this episode, Ed and Jennifer talk with Jasper about his classroom experiences (in a class of Dr. Burger’s no less!) and how they have changed his take on learning, failing, and stress. We gave Jasper the spotlight in this week’s episode so there’s no new puzzler. Check back for the first one of the new year in the next episode.

Best of “Higher Ed:” New Year, New Commitment to Learning

Note: This “Best of Higher Ed” episode was originally released on January 10, 2016.

We are just a little ways into the new year and it’s already proving tough to keep some of those well-intentioned resolutions. You know, the usual ones such as exercise more, eat better, or be nicer to people. There is actually a resolution that can be fun and not too hard to keep. In this “best of” episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about learning more – and liking it – in 2017. People already lead very busy lives, so it might seem tough to even think about cramming something else into an already full schedule. But Ed says there are some pretty easy ways to expand our horizons and learn new things in 2017. In this episode, he and Jennifer discuss focusing on something of interest (“I want to learn that” rather than “I have to learn that”) and keeping expectations realistic (aim for just going a little deeper into something that intrigues you rather than becoming an expert).

We’re still easing into the new year, so no new puzzler this week!

This episode was recorded on December 15, 2015.

The Generation Effect

We might think that when we hear or read something we learn it, but that assumption would be incorrect. As Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke point out in this edition of Two Guys on Your Head we have to work to produce ideas in order to really understand them.

Curiosity

When we are born we know very little about the world and need to learn in order to survive, hence the propensity for curiosity. However some people are just more curious than others, so why is this? In this edition of Two Guys on Your Head, Dr. Art Markman and Dr. Bob Duke talk about the psychology of curiosity.

 

 

Higher Ed: Gifts of Learning

That sweater that doesn’t fit quite right.  Or a fruitcake with ingredients that are not immediately recognizable. Do your family and friends really need more of these during the holiday season? What about giving the gift of learning instead? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss how to encourage people to embrace learning at any age or stage of life. Not everyone had a satisfying experience during their formal education, and that can turn some people off from the idea of staying actively engaged in educational pursuits. In this episode, Ed and Jennifer discuss how to turn people back on to learning. One way to do that: make learning fun. This episode’s puzzler definitely falls in that category; it’s a “classic” riddle.

This episode was recorded on November 22, 2016.

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 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. Jennifer now 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 the puzzler about the Road to Truth.

This episode was recorded on October 4, 2016.

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 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. And (hopefully!) you’ll be grateful for a new puzzler.

This episode was recorded on October 4, 2016.

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 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? Hear Ed and Jennifer debunk some myths about learning and talk about one of the best ways to make sure something is thoroughly learned. And listen on to learn if you found the correct solution to last week’s puzzler.

This episode was recorded on October 4, 2016.

Dyslexia

Experts estimate that between 15 and 20 percent of the general population has dyslexia in some form. Reading and writing are different experiences for those with the language-based learning disability – and we learn more about it all the time.

Protecting Your Brain As You Age (Rebroadcast)

Whether we like it or not, time marches on. And as it does, we age.

One of the most challenging realities for everyone to face in life is that we are all, inevitably, destined to grow old (if we’re lucky, that is).

Aging correlates to a steady decline of functional abilities, both physical and mental. Memory and cognition peak in our early twenties, and we begin a very slow, steady decline of those functions as we near our senior years.

After age 80, many bodily functions – including brain function – seem to have reached the average limit of their operation. So what can we do to preserve our brains for as long as possible?
You know what they say: use it or lose it. The more you think now, the more you will be able to think later, as you age. Activities that are interactive and intellectually rewarding, like having good conversations with people, are not only enjoyable – they’re also good for your brain.

The next time you spend too long talking to someone, lost in a good conversation, there’s your excuse – you were exercising your brain. And by the same token, physical activity and fitness help preserve brain function. After all, your brain is a part of your body – so you have to take care of your body to take care of your brain.

So: think a lot, move a lot, and live a lot if you want to live longer. Drs. Art Markman and Bob Duke give you more of the details.

You’re only as old as you feel: Continued activity – both physical and mental – protects you as you age.

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.

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:” 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.

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.

This episode was recorded May 16, 2016.

Higher Ed: Anxiety in Learning

Anxiety seems to come with the territory – at least some of the time – in school. Students worry about tests and grades or about trying to learn material that’s unfamiliar or tough. But does anxiety really have to be part of the learning process? In this episode of KUT’s podcast “Higher Ed,” Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger and KUT’s Jennifer Stayton chill out and discuss the role of anxiety in learning. Ed says yes –  it’s absolutely possible to keep anxiety out of the learning process. Jennifer is a little doubtful –  and a little nervous. Listen on to hear Ed’s advice for getting past those sweaty palms and nervous stomachs, and to hear the new puzzler. This seemingly simple math riddle may not be as easy at it sounds.

This episode was recorded May 16, 2016.

Higher Ed: The “Messiness” of Learning

Most people like what is familiar, comfortable, and tidy. But should learning be that way, too? In this episode of KUT’s podcast Higher Ed, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger talk about the ways in which learning is actually quite messy. And how we shouldn’t want it any other way. Ed and Jennifer discuss the value of getting down and dirty when it comes to learning new ideas. But does the thought of messing things up bring on anxiety? Ed has some thoughts about anxiety, learning, and education. Time for a new puzzler, too; for this one you need ten friends, ten mangoes, and one sturdy box.

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: 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.

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