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The What And Who Of EDU

The What And Who Of EDU

By: Macmillan Learning
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 Welcome to The What and Who of EDU. Join us as we talk with thought leaders, educators, and experts to explore the latest trends, innovations, and best practices shaping education today. Whether in the classroom or beyond, we equip educators with the tools and insights to support student learning anytime, anywhere.2025
Episodes
  • Beyond the Bubble Sheet: What Authentic Assessment Looks Like in Practice

    Beyond the Bubble Sheet: What Authentic Assessment Looks Like in Practice
    Oct 8 2025
    What if the most important things students learn… aren’t showing up on your tests? In this episode of The What and Who of EDU, we go beyond the buzzword to explore authentic assessment: what it is, where it came from, and whether it actually works. With insights from education researcher Sarah Gray, we dig into what authentic assessment looks like in practice, how it holds up in the AI era, and what the research really says about deeper learning, academic performance, and workforce readiness. We’ll explore: How authentic assessment builds critical thinking, collaboration, and self-regulated learningWhat the research actually says (including some eye-opening effect sizes)A brief but mighty history lesson10 practical tips to help you design, scaffold and grade authentic assessments Whether you’re teaching STEM, social science, or Shakespeare, this episode offers actionable ideas to make assessment more meaningful—and more manageable. And spoiler alert: Yes, the research backs it up. But only when it’s done well. Supported by Macmillan Learning 🧠 Today's Syllabus: 02:06 – What is authentic assessment, really? 05:02 – The big three skills: self-regulation, critical thinking, collaboration 07:11 – History rewind: Dewey, the 90s, and the assessment triangle 15:40 – What authentic assessment looks like in practice 18:40 – Sarah Gray's design rule of thumb 23:40 – The receipts: what the research says 30:11 – Common pitfalls + grading without losing your weekend 35:20 – 10 practical tips to try in your classroom 📖 Required Reading: What Is Authentic Assessment, Really? Wiggins, G. (1990). The Case for Authentic Assessment – The origin story.Newmann & Wehlage (1993). Five Standards of Authentic Instruction – A framework for meaningful work.Resnick, L. B. (1987). Education and Learning to Think – Early call for reasoning and transfer.National Research Council (2001). Knowing What Students Know – Introduced the “assessment triangle.”Stanford SCOPE (2013). Criteria for High-Quality Assessment – What good assessment looks like. The Core Skills: Self-Regulation, Critical Thinking, and Collaboration Donker et al. (2014). Effectiveness of learning strategy instruction (Educational Research Review)Boekaerts & Corno (2005). Self-regulation in the classroom (Applied Psychology)Zimmerman & Campillo (2003). Motivating self-regulated problem solvers (Cambridge University Press)Abrami et al. (2008). Meta-analysis on critical thinking instruction (Review of Educational Research)Halpern, D. F. (1998). Teaching critical thinking across domains (American Psychologist)Halpern & Abrami (2015). Critical Thinking in EducationJohnson & Johnson (2009). Social interdependence theory (Educational Researcher)Cooper & Robinson (2014). Using Classroom Assessment and Cognitive Scaffolding to Enhance the Power of Small-Group Learning. (2014). Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, 25(3&4). Does It Work? Academic Performance, Grading, Scaling & Career Readiness Newmann, Bryk, & Nagaoka (2001). Authentic Intellectual Work & Standardized Tests – Test gains in high-authenticity classroomsNACE (2024). Job Outlook Data – Employers report a 25-point gap in critical thinking perceptionsAAC&U & SHEEO (2017). On Solid Ground: VALUE Report (PDF) – 91,000 student artifacts, real scoring dataHerrington, J., Reeves, T.C., & Oliver, R. (2010). A guide to authentic e-learning. Routledge. Vermont Portfolio Assessment (RAND, 1994). Findings & Implications – The highs and hurdles of implementationCLAS Program in California (Kirst, 1996). State Assessment Story – What happens when politics meet performance tasksAAC&U VALUE Rubrics – Tools for assessing skills like critical thinking, teamwork, and written communication at scaleHerrington, Reeves, & Oliver (2021). Design Principles for Authentic Learning Environments – How scenario-based assessments play out onlineShavelson, R. J., Baxter, G. P., & Pine, J. (1992). “Performance Assessments: Political Rhetoric and Measurement Reality.”Lehane, S., Wright, A., & Fenton, P. (2024). Improving academic integrity through authentic assessment design. Office Hours: 📞 If you have ideas on authentic assessment that you'd like to share with us, drop us a voicemail at (512) 765-4688, and you could be featured in a future episode! 📨 If you have an idea for a show or would like to be a guest, send us an email at: TheWhatAndWhoOfEDU@macmillan.com.. For more information about our hosts, you can visit us at https://go.macmillanlearning.com/the-what-and-who-of-edu
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    43 mins
  • This Is Not a Test: 10 Ways Instructors Measure Learning Beyond Grades

    This Is Not a Test: 10 Ways Instructors Measure Learning Beyond Grades
    Sep 24 2025

    Is an “A” really the best indicator of learning? Or is it just proof that a student figured out the system? In this episode of The What and Who of EDU, we explore 10 creative, surprising, and inspiring ways educators are measuring learning beyond the gradebook. Because the real story of learning is bigger, messier, and far more meaningful.

    Brought to you by Macmillan Learning

    🎓 Key Takeaways

    • Judge the work, not the GPA
    • Rethink the test
    • Turn students into teachers
    • Stack the game
    • Measure the moment
    • Track the trajectory
    • Make it make sense
    • Build the toolbox
    • Listen for the learning
    • Look for the long echo

    📌 Featured Educators

    Dr. Christin Monroe is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Landmark College, where she has been teaching for five years. She teaches Principles of Chemistry, Intro to Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry, with a focus on supporting neurodivergent learners.

    Dr. Daniel M. Look is the Charles A. Dana Professor of Mathematics at St. Lawrence University. He’s spent over 25 years trying to convince students that math is useful and occasionally fun. He authored Math Cats: Scratching the Surface of Mathematics (Oct 2025), an illustrated exploration of mathematical ideas through the lens of cats.

    Dr. Star Sinclair is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Florida Gulf Coast University. For 18 years, she has taught general psychology, lifespan development, behavioral statistics, and research methods in psychology. She conducts research on metacognition, student success, and imposter phenomenon.

    Mary Gourley is a psychology instructor at Gaston College with over 16 years of teaching experience. She also teaches gender, human sexuality, and social psychology courses at New Mexico State University’s Global Campus.

    Dr. Mike May is the lower division coordinator in the department of mathematics and statistics at Saint Louis University, where he has taught for 30+ years. During that time he has looked at how to effectively incorporate numerous technologies into effectively teaching math.

    Jennifer Duncan is an Associate Professor of English at Georgia State University’s Perimeter College. She has been teaching English literature and composition for twenty-five years and specializing in online teaching for fifteen.

    Dr. Charlotte De Araujo is an Assistant Professor at York University with 16+ years of biology and biomedical science teaching experience. She has coordinated large-scale biology/biochemistry programs at multiple Ontario-based universities and was recognized with a 2023 Faculty of Science Excellence in Teaching Award.

    Dr. Ryan Herzog is an Associate Professor of Economics, Program Coordinator, and Faculty Fellow at Gonzaga University, where he has been teaching for 16 years. His work focuses on macroeconomics, financial markets & public policy.

    Betsy Langness is the Psychology Department Head at Jefferson Community and Technical College, where she has worked for more than 20 years. She teaches psychology courses in a virtual, asynchronous environment.

    Dr. Amy Goodman is a Senior Lecturer in the Mathematics Department at Baylor University, where she has taught since 1999. In addition to teaching, she is also a course designer, author, teaching mentor, and learning analytics researcher. Her pedagogy is founded on the belief that all students can be successful at math.

    Dr. Derek Harmon is an Associate Professor - Clinical in the Department of Biomedical Education and Anatomy at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. For over a decade, he has taught anatomy to students, medical residents and practicing clinicians. His research is focused on the impact of immersive technology on anatomy education.

    Dr. Margaret Holloway is an Assistant Professor of English and the Composition Coordinator in the English & Modern Languages Department at Clark Atlanta University. My research is rooted in the rhetoric and composition discipline, and I have nine years of college-level teaching experience.

    ☎️ Join the Conversation

    🔗 If this episode gave you something useful, or just made you nod while grading, pass it along to a colleague or that one friend who still says “I’m staying ahead this semester.” (We believe in you.)

    🔗 Got a tip of your own? Send us an email ar TheWhatAndWhoOfEDU@Macmillan.com or leave us a voicemail at (512) 765-4688 & your strategy might just make it into a future episode.
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    29 mins
  • The EDU-niverse: Meet the Team Behind the Mic

    The EDU-niverse: Meet the Team Behind the Mic
    Sep 10 2025

    You’ve heard the stories. You’ve heard the tips. You’ve heard the bell ding (you know the one). But in all our episodes of The What & Who of EDU, we somehow forgot to introduce... us.

    In this special behind-the-scenes episode, we’re flipping the mic to spotlight the trio that brings the EDU-niverse to life:

    Marisa Bluestone, Host and Resident “Why?” Asker
    LaShawn Springer, Host and Champion of Inclusive Pedagogy
    Derek Lambke, Producer and French New Wave film fan (we had to)

    Together, we talk about what brought us to education, how podcasting reshaped our approach to storytelling, and what we’ve learned from the incredible educators we’ve featured. Expect laughter, reflection, shoutouts to students and librarians, and maybe a Gator reference or two. Plus, we share our dream segments (confession cams? classrooms in the field? students on the mic?) and what we’re hoping to explore in future episodes.

    🔍 In This Episode:

    • What podcasting taught us about storytelling (and why it’s not just about what you say)
    • Moments from past guests that made us think differently about education
    • The real reason we believe this show matters (hint: it’s not about downloads)
    • Our favorite educator tips, and the ones we still think about
    • The dream segments we may yet one day try

    Have an idea for a dream segment? Want to hear from students or share your own classroom wisdom? Email TheWhatAndWhoOfEDU@macmillan.com and you might just hear yourself in a future episode.

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    37 mins
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