Dead Ideas in Teaching and Learning

Columbia University Center for Teaching and Learning

Higher Education

Teaching Evaluations

Graduate Education

Teaching In Doctoral Programs

Adjunct Faculty

STEM Education

Teaching and Learning

Generative AI

Active Learning

Pedagogy

Teaching Quality

ADHD

Faculty Development

Student Engagement

Faculty Retention

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Racial Bias

Gender Bias

Student Success

Engaged Learning

Dead Ideas in Teaching and Learning is a podcast from the Columbia University Center for Teaching and Learning. Our mission is to encourage instructors, students, and leaders in higher education to reflect on what they believe about teaching and learning.

30 ratings

Publishes	Twice monthly	Episodes	66	Founded	5 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	Self-ImprovementEducationHow To

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Latest Episodes

AI Is Not Inevitable. A Conversation with Madisson Whitman

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Madisson Whitman, Director of Undergraduate Studies and Assistant Director of Curriculum Development at Columbia University's Center for Science and Society, and Lecturer in the Department of Anthropology. Drawin... more

12 Mar 2026 • 32 min

What Learning Looks Like: A Conversation with Lucy Appert

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Lucy Appert, Senior Director of Teaching Excellence & Innovation at NYU Arts & Science, and host of the new NYU Office of Teaching Excellence and Innovation’s podcast, What Learning Looks Like. As an academic with 25... more

26 Feb 2026 • 28 min

Teaching Pluralism in Higher Education. A Discussion with Mike Whitenton.

In this episode, we talk with Mike Whitenton, Director of Academic Initiatives at Interfaith America (IA). Mike works at the intersection of rhetoric, religious narrative, and cognitive science to help educators create classroom spaces where students... more

12 Feb 2026 • 24 min

From Shame to Strength: Supporting ADHD Students. A Discussion with Karen Costa

Welcome to Season 11! In our opening episode, we sit down with Karen Costa, a faculty development facilitator specializing in online pedagogy, trauma awareness, and course/community design. Our conversation focused on her forthcoming book, An Educato... more

29 Jan 2026 • 33 min

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Recent Guests

Lucy Appert

Senior Director of the Arts and Science Office of Teaching Excellence and Innovation, NYU

New York University

Episode: What Learning Looks Like: A Conversation with Lucy Appert

Mike Whitenton

Director of Academic Initiatives at Interfaith America, specializing in interfaith cooperation and pluralism

Interfaith America

Episode: Teaching Pluralism in Higher Education. A Discussion with Mike Whitenton.

Karen Costa

Faculty development facilitator, adjunct faculty, and author

100faculty.com

Episode: From Shame to Strength: Supporting ADHD Students. A Discussion with Karen Costa

Dr. Robert Gray

Associate Professor of University Pedagogy at the University of Bergen

University of Bergen

Episode: Are Students Knowledge Consumers or Co-Producers? A discussion on academic co-creation with Robert Gray

Gene Flenady

Lecturer in philosophy at Monash University, focusing on human rational agency and the implications of new technologies

Monash University

Episode: “Constitutively Irresponsible”: Why Students Can't Be GenAI's Quality Control. A conversation with Gene Flenady and Robert Sparrow.

Rob Sparrow

Professor in the philosophy program and associate investigator in automation ethics

Monash University

Episode: “Constitutively Irresponsible”: Why Students Can't Be GenAI's Quality Control. A conversation with Gene Flenady and Robert Sparrow.

Phillip Dawson

Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Research in Assessment and Digital Learning at Deakin University

Deakin University

Episode: Redefining Academic Integrity in the Age of AI with Phill Dawson

Justin Shaffer

Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies and teaching professor at the Colorado School of Mines

Colorado School of Mines

Episode: 880 Eyeballs: Mastering Active Learning in Large Classes with Justin Shaffer

Michelle Miller

Professor of Psychological Sciences and President's Distinguished Teaching Fellow at Northern Arizona University, author focused on memory and learning technology.

Northern Arizona University

Episode: The Secret to a Connected Classroom? Names Matter. A Discussion with Michelle Miller

Host

Amanda Urban

Executive Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Columbia University, she engages in discussions focused on improving teaching practices in higher education.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 30 ratings

Inspiring and Thoughtful
As a regular listener, I find the topics that are covered and the speakers who are invited reflect up-to-the-moment concerns in the state of teaching and learning in higher education. The guests—especially students—always elicit new thoughts and stimulate new ideas to eclipse those pernicious “dead” ones. This is definitely worth a regular listen if you are a faculty member, administrator, or graduate student who is involved in teaching and learning in a higher education context.
Apple Podcasts
5
Tinymenace
United States2 years ago
Well-curated content on teaching and learning
As someone who is a life long learner and who aspires to be the best teacher I can be, these podcasts are inspiring.
Apple Podcasts
5
nyc jloo
United States3 years ago
Phenomenal
As a curriculum and pedagogy grad student, this podcast is everything I could hope for.
Apple Podcasts
5
McNuggets88
Canada3 years ago
Great theme
Wonderful theme for an education podcast. It’s great to see CTL director go out and share her expertise and find great guests.
Apple Podcasts
5
mindofmoser
United States5 years ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many find the discussions inspiring and aligned with current trends in teaching and learning, encouraging listeners to rethink traditional educational practices.

Listeners appreciate the depth and relevance of topics, praising the thought-provoking insights shared by guests, particularly students.

The podcast is recognized for its well-curated content and its innovative approach to education, appealing to a diverse audience in the academic community.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#229	Germany/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts	#55	Sweden/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts	#78	Ireland/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts	#135	Spain/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts	#155	Switzerland/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts	#158	Denmark/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What Learning Looks Like: A Conversation with Lucy Appert

Q: Have you come across any dead ideas you'd be willing to share?

The central dead idea is that higher ed cannot change; however, institutions have shown they can pivot and innovate, especially when faculty collaborate in learning communities and focus on real student outcomes rather than traditional metrics.

Teaching Pluralism in Higher Education. A Discussion with Mike Whitenton.

Q: How did you all see an application to the classroom, and what application do you see for Teaching and Learning in the Pluralism Framework?

We think a lot about strategy and impact. We're trying to create cultures of pluralism across whole universities, and we view working with CTLs as a strategic move to help shift cultures on campus toward pluralism.

From Shame to Strength: Supporting ADHD Students. A Discussion with Karen Costa

Q: What advice might you have for those instructors who feel nervous about welcoming Divergent Thinking into the classroom?

It's normal to feel fear of losing control, especially in uncertain times. To introduce divergent thinking, consider adding choice to assignments and normalize the discomfort of change while acknowledging the need for control.

The Present Professor with Liz Norell

Q: Could you talk a little bit about the types of tools that are included in your book?

The tools include mindfulness practices, yoga philosophy, and discussions on self-reflection to promote awareness of how we want to show up in our teaching.

The Present Professor with Liz Norell

Q: How do you think presence and authenticity might interact with this dead idea?

Bringing more of our authentic self into the classroom helps us meet each other as fully human, which can enhance learning and relationships.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dead Ideas in Teaching and Learning

What is Dead Ideas in Teaching and Learning about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Aimed primarily at educators, this podcast explores pressing issues in higher education and encourages a critical examination of traditional beliefs in teaching and learning. The topics range from inclusivity and diversity to innovative pedagogical strategies that challenge the status quo. Recent discussions analyze the impact of neurodiversity in academic settings, the role of generative AI in education, and methods for fostering student engagement through active learning. The series features notable experts who provide insight into contemporary educational practices that seek to improve the academic landscape. Listeners can expect to gain valuable perspectives that may inspire changes in their own teaching methodologies or educational lea... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Dead Ideas in Teaching and Learning?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Dead Ideas in Teaching and Learning:

1. Code Switch
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. Hidden Brain
4. The Gray Area with Sean Illing
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of Dead Ideas in Teaching and Learning are there?

Dead Ideas in Teaching and Learning launched 5 years ago and published 66 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Dead Ideas in Teaching and Learning?

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What guests have appeared on Dead Ideas in Teaching and Learning?

Recent guests on Dead Ideas in Teaching and Learning include:

1. Lucy Appert
2. Mike Whitenton
3. Karen Costa
4. Dr. Robert Gray
5. Gene Flenady
6. Rob Sparrow
7. Phillip Dawson
8. Justin Shaffer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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