The TechEd Podcast

• Teaching in the Age of Distraction: Why Students Can’t Focus – And What Educators Should Do About It - Dr. Gloria Mark, Author of Attention Span

  In a world of digital overload, short-form media, and AI-powered personalization, staying focused has never been harder. Today, the average attention span on any screen is just 47 seconds. What's causing this decline in focus, and what should educators do about it?Those are some of the questions we discuss with Dr. Gloria Mark, UC Irvine informatics professor and author of Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity. Dr. Mark explains the psychology behind attention, including the difference between controlled and automatic processing, the role of self-regulation, and how sleep debt, stress and individual cognitive rhythms factor into a student's ability to concentrate. She also points to a growing trend in education: designing classroom content to accommodate short attention spans, which may be unintentionally reinforcing them.The conversation also takes a timely turn into how AI tools—from TikTok’s recommender systems to ChatGPT—are changing the way students interact with information, and what that means for deep learning, retention, and even courage in the classroom.Listen to learn:Why shrinking attention spans aren’t your fault—and what’s really driving themHow schools may be unintentionally reinforcing short-form thinkingWhat AI and automation are doing to deep learning and reflectionThe hidden role of sleep, stress, and self-regulation in attention3 powerful strategies students can use to take back control of their focus3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:1. Short attention spans are not a personal failure—they’re shaped by both individual traits and digital environments.Gloria distinguishes between controlled and automatic attention, noting that much of our behavior—like checking phones or clicking notifications—happens without conscious thought. These automatic habits are reinforced by our environment, particularly digital technologies that train us to switch rapidly and respond to constant stimuli.2. Classroom strategies that cater to short attention spans may be doing more harm than good.Gloria highlights a trend in education toward breaking lectures into smaller chunks or assigning only short passages instead of full books. While well-intentioned, these adaptations risk further weakening students’ ability to engage in long-form content and develop deep, reflective thinking.3. AI tools like TikTok and ChatGPT are reshaping how students consume and process information—often at the cost of deeper learning.Platforms driven by recommender algorithms use random reinforcement to keep users engaged, conditioning them for rapid content consumption. In the classroom, reliance on generative AI can create a disconnect between students and the material, undermining “depth of processing” and reducing the cognitive benefits of making mistakes.Resources in this Episode:Official website of Dr. Gloria MarkSee official show notes page for more resources!Connect with Dr. Gloria MarkFacebook  |  We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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• Inside the Tour de France: Strategy, Technology, and the Science of the World’s Toughest Race - Jason Gay, Sports Columnist at The Wall Street Journal

  What does the Tour de France have to do with STEM education? More than you might think.This week, host Matt Kirchner is joined by Wall Street Journal columnist and cycling expert Jason Gay to unpack the world’s most demanding sporting event: the Tour de France. They break down everything from team tactics to jersey competitions to the breathtaking drama expected in this year’s race—highlighting the fierce rivalry between defending champion Tadej Pogačar and two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard.Along the way, they explore the surprising connections between elite cycling and STEM education, from aerodynamics and power output to mechanical systems, race strategy, and nutrition science.Listen to learn:What makes the Tour de France’s 21-stage race one of the most captivating competitions in global sportA preview of this year’s high-stakes showdown between two of cycling’s most dominant ridersHow the science of cycling connects directly to STEM—physics, engineering, and human performanceThe advanced tech behind the race: radio comms, carbon fiber frames, power meters, and moreThe complex strategy and systems thinking behind every individual win3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:1. The Tour de France offers a powerful model for teaching systems thinking. Success on the course depends on how well teams work together—each rider has a role, and strategy unfolds in real time. Educators can use the race to illustrate collaboration, logistics, and decision-making under pressure.2. Cycling gives students a real-world application of STEM principles. Every stage involves physics, data analysis, mechanical systems, and energy management. From gearing ratios to wattage tracking to aerodynamics, the race mirrors the technical concepts taught in STEM and CTE classrooms.3. This year’s race highlights how different approaches can lead to success. Pogačar races on instinct and momentum; Vingegaard relies on structure and consistency. Their contrast gives educators a chance to explore how mindset, preparation, and style impact outcomes—even in high-tech, high-performance environments.Resources in this Episode:Official website of the Tour de FranceConnect with Jason GayFollow Jason on X  |  Read Jason's articles in The Wall Street JournalWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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• "Open to Anything" = Hired for Nothing: Accelerate Your Career Search with Smarter Networking

  Submit your question for Ask Us Anything!Networking can be the best way to land your first (or next) big job, but are you going about it the wrong way?Too often, networking conversations end the same way: the other person says, “I’ll keep an eye out and let you know if I hear of anything that fits.”You nod, thank them… and never hear from them again.So what went wrong—and more importantly, what can you do better?In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, Matt Kirchner breaks down why most job seekers leave networking meetings empty-handed—and how to change that. The difference? It’s not about who you know. It’s about how you approach the conversation in the first place.Matt shares the exact mindset, questions, and preparation that turn a vague “I’m open to anything” into a powerful, productive dialogue that gets results. From clarifying your goals to building a smart list of target companies, this episode is packed with actionable strategies that help job seekers stand out and move forward.Whether you’re entering the workforce or making a career pivot, these insights will help you land the right opportunity—and if you’re someone who supports job seekers, it’s just as valuable for you.Listen to learn:Why being “open to anything” can actually limit your opportunitiesThe 3 questions to answer before every networking meetingHow to create a list of target companies—and why it works like magicA smarter way to ask for help that gets real follow-upEncouragement for staying persistent through rejection and uncertaintyWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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• AI Engineering: The Emerging Field Poised to Secure America’s AI Advantage - Pramod Khargonekar, ERVA Co-Principal Investigator and Vice Chancellor for Research at UC Irvine

  A new era is emerging where engineering drives AI—and AI transforms engineeringThis week Matt Kirchner is joined by Dr. Pramod Khargonekar—Vice Chancellor for Research at UC Irvine and lead author of the ERVA report AI Engineering: A Strategic Research Framework to Benefit Society. Dr. Khargonekar unpacks the emerging discipline of AI Engineering, where engineering principles make AI better, and AI makes engineered systems better.From robotics and energy systems to engineering education and data sharing, this episode dives into the flywheel effect of AI and engineering co-evolving. Pramod explains the real-world impact, the challenges ahead, and why this moment represents a generational opportunity for U.S. leadership in both innovation and education.Listen to learn:How AI is changing every branch of engineering—from mechanical to civil to industrial and beyond.Why manufacturing, energy, and transportation are ground zero for “physical AI”What the 14 Grand Challenges of AI Engineering reveal about the future of innovationWhy systems thinking is the key to building AI products that actually workHow colleges must rethink engineering education—and what industry can do to help3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:1. AI is transforming every branch of engineering—from design and simulation to manufacturing and operations. Pramod explains how fields like robotics, fluid mechanics, and materials science are being reshaped by tools such as reinforcement learning and foundation models. This shift isn’t just about efficiency—it’s enabling engineers to solve problems they couldn’t approach before.2. Engineering will play a critical role in advancing the next generation of AI. Pramod highlights how engineering disciplines contribute essential elements like safety, reliability, power systems, and chip design to AI development. These contributions are vital to scaling AI into real-world, physical systems—what he calls “physical AI.”3. To lead in AI Engineering, higher education must integrate AI into every engineering discipline. Dr. Khargonekar outlines how universities can start with shared foundational courses, then build field-specific AI applications into majors like mechanical or electrical engineering. He also emphasizes the importance of short courses, professional development, and industry partnerships to support lifelong learning.Resources in this Episode:Read the ERVA report: AI Engineering | A Strategic Research Framework to Benefit SocietyLearn more about the work of the NSF Engineering Research Visioning Alliance (ERVA)Connect with ERVA on Social Media:X  |  LinkedIn  |  FacebookWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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• The 5 Strategies Driving Transformative K-12 Education - Dr. Annalies Corbin, Founder of the PAST Foundation

  What do all high-impact, disruptive—and sustainable—K-12 programs have in common?In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner sits down with Dr. Annalies Corbin, founder and CEO of the PAST Foundation and author of Hacking School: Five Strategies to Link Learning to Life. With more than 25 years of experience transforming how students learn, Dr. Corbin offers a bold, research-backed framework for schools to break away from obsolete models and embrace learning that’s applied, relevant, and enduring.From student agency to transdisciplinary teaching, she unpacks five core strategies that successful, long-lasting innovative programs share. Along the way, she shares lessons from 275 episodes of her own podcast, Learning Unboxed, and reflects on what too many students—and educators—are missing.If you’ve ever asked, “How do we fix education?” this episode answers: by rebuilding it for the real world.Listen to learn:Why our education system isn’t broken—it’s just built for a world that no longer existsWhat employers say young professionals are missing (and why it’s not technical skills)How education research and funding models are holding back real innovationThe five core strategies every long-lasting, high-impact program has in commonWhat 275+ conversations with education disruptors reveal about the future of learning3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:1. The education system isn’t broken—it’s outdated: It still functions exactly as it was designed 100 years ago, prioritizing compliance over relevance. Dr. Corbin argues that instead of adding “federal band-aids,” we need a complete redesign from the ground up.2. Young professionals are graduating without real-world readiness: Employers report that new hires can pass exams but struggle to collaborate, ask questions, or admit what they don’t know. These missing skills are costing companies time, productivity, and mentorship bandwidth.3. The best programs that last 10+ years all share five traits: Dr. Corbin identified five essentials: student agency, culturally relevant education, mastery learning, transdisciplinary teaching, and problem-based learning. When schools commit to all five, students experience learning that connects directly to real life and future careers.Resources in this Episode:Get the book Hacking School: Five Strategies to Link Learning to LifeLearn more about the PAST FoundationListen to Learning UnboxedConnect with Annalies on Social Media:Instagram  |  LinkedInWe want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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