Podcasts about d2l

Digital learning is undergoing a major shift. As businesses look to retain talent and equip employees for evolving roles, the demand for workforce upskilling is rising fast. A 2023 McKinsey Global Institute survey found that 87% of companies worldwide are either experiencing skill gaps or expect to within five years, posing risks to productivity and national competitiveness.What will it take to make learning more personal, relevant, and accessible, especially for mid-sized businesses that lack traditional training infrastructure?On this episode of DisruptED, host Ron Stefanski once again sits down with John Baker, founder and CEO of D2L and founder of SkillsWave, a new platform focused on workforce upskilling. Together, they explore what inspired Baker to launch a second venture and how SkillsWave is removing friction from the upskilling journey for businesses and learners alike.Key Highlights:Bridging Industry and Academia: SkillsWave connects employers and academic institutions to deliver personalized upskilling that helps workers advance their careers.Upskilling Without the Overhead: Small and mid-size businesses gain access to usage-based learning models without the need for costly internal training platforms.AI-Powered Career Matching: SkillsWave uses AI and curated marketplaces to align employee roles and goals with targeted academic programs and in-demand skills.John Baker is the founder, President, and CEO of D2L, a global leader in education technology, and also the founder and Executive Chairman of SkillsWave, focused on advancing workforce skills. With over 25 years of leadership in edtech and innovation, he has played key roles in shaping education and skills policy through advisory and board positions with organizations like the Business Council of Canada, Global Skills Opportunity, and SSHRC. Baker has also contributed to national initiatives such as the Government of Canada's Industry Strategy Council and served on multiple boards including Canada's National Ballet School and the University of Waterloo.

E-learning has evolved from a fringe innovation to a global necessity. As traditional classroom models struggle to keep pace with the demands of modern learners, platforms like D2L are leading the e-learning transformation. According to the World Economic Forum, over 1.5 billion learners were impacted by pandemic-related school closures, accelerating the shift to digital-first learning models. This transformation continues as institutions seek scalable, engaging, and accessible solutions for learners of all backgrounds.What does it take to design digital learning that feels personal, human, and deeply impactful, not just digitized?This episode of DisruptED, hosted by Ron Stefanski, features John Baker, founder and CEO of D2L. Together, they explore how a question John asked in college, “What problem can I solve that has the biggest impact?” sparked a 26-year journey in transforming global education. The conversation covers D2L's early mission, enduring market success, and how it continues to lead the e-learning transformation by empowering educators and learners around the world.Key Highlights:From Idea to Impact: John launched D2L in college with a mission to break barriers in learning. Today, it supports millions worldwide.Beyond Digitization: The future of e-learning lies not in replication but transformation—through AI, mastery-based learning, and real human connection.Driving Engagement: D2L's Creator+ enables student interactivity, instructor feedback, and design rooted in learning science to combat disengagement.John Baker is the founder and CEO of D2L, a global leader in learning management systems. A University of Waterloo systems engineering graduate, John started D2L in 1999 with a vision to make education more accessible and meaningful. Under his leadership, D2L has become a trusted partner to institutions worldwide. He is also the founder of SkillsWave, a venture focused on upskilling the modern workforce.

Mercredi 19 mars 2025Voix en mouvement : Migrations et IdentitéDans le cadre du Festival Ça jase en Tiguidou, nous avons reçu Kim Thúy, autrice de Em, Ru, Mãn et Vi publiés aux éditions Liana LeviCauserie animée par Anne TrépanierKim Thúy a quitté le Vietnam avec les boat people à l'âge de dix ans et s'est installée avec sa famille au Québec.Diplômée en traduction et en droit, l'écrivaine a travaillé comme couturière, interprète, avocate et chef-propriétaire de restaurant.​Kim Thúy a reçu plusieurs prix, dont le Prix littéraire du Gouverneur général 2010, et a été l'une des quatre finalistes du Nobel Alternatif en 2018. Elle est chevalière de l'Ordre national du Québec. Ses livres, dont les ventes montent à plus de 850 000 copies partout dans le monde, sont traduits en 31 langues et 43 pays et territoires. Kim Thúy vit à Montréal et se consacre à l'écriture.Anne Trépanier est historienne et professeure à l'Université Carleton (Ottawa). Pédagogue novatrice de l'interdisciplinaire, elle a été récompensée par le prix international D2L (2019). La médiation interculturelle lui est à la fois un objectif et un outil pour interroger le passé comme le présent. Ses travaux explorent l'imaginaire politique québécois, les questions de représentations nationales et la narration de la nation.

Mardi 11 mars 2025Voix en mouvement : Migrations et IdentitéDans le cadre du Festival Ça jase en Tiguidou, nous avons reçu Maïka Sondarjee pour présenter son essai Tu viens d'où ? publié aux éditions LUXCauserie animée par Anne TrépanierTu viens d'où ? - Editions LUXFille de l'océan Indien et de l'Atlantique, du canal du Mozambique et du Saint-Laurent, Maïka Sondarjee est issue d'une famille catholique canadienne-française et d'une famille musulmane malgache d'origine indienne. Elle est le produit d'une mixité qui fait qu'on lui demande souvent d'où elle vient.Dans cet essai, l'autrice raconte son histoire, mais aussi celle de toutes les personnes dont la peau est une mosaïque et qui, comme elle, habitent plusieurs mondes. En s'attardant notamment à l'histoire des mariages mixtes, au phénomène du white passing (passer pour blanc) et au colorisme, Maïka Sondarjee s'interroge sur la manière dont les généalogies transnationales et postcoloniales façonnent l'identité des individus et leur rapport au monde.Ce livre est une lettre d'amour et de gratitude à la société qui a accueilli son père à Sherbrooke dans les années 1970 et à la famille indienne qui a accepté sa mère dans les années 1980. C'est aussi un plaidoyer pour l'émergence d'une pensée frontalière, une manière de concevoir le monde à partir de ses marges pour le réinventer.Maïka Sondarjee est une chercheuse et autrice canadienne. Professeure agrégée à l'École de développement international et mondialisation de l'Université d'Ottawa, elle s'intéresse aux aspects inégalitaires des relations internationales, ainsi qu'au métissage et à l'immigration.Anne Trépanier est historienne et professeure à l'Université Carleton (Ottawa). Pédagogue novatrice de l'interdisciplinaire, elle a été récompensée par le prix international D2L (2019). La médiation interculturelle lui est à la fois un objectif et un outil pour interroger le passé comme le présent. Ses travaux explorent l'imaginaire politique québécois, les questions de représentations nationales et la narration de la nation.

Education is at a crossroads. With student debt standing at about $2 trillion and industries evolving at an unprecedented pace, the traditional education system is struggling to keep up. The question is no longer just about degrees but about skills, adaptability, and education's ROI. Can the current system deliver the outcomes society needs at the cost it demands? If not, what must change?Welcome to the second episode of this two-part series on DisruptED. In this episode, host Ron J. Stefanski sits down with Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich, the President of SkillsWave, and Jason Aubrey, the CEO of Skilltrade, to dissect the forces disrupting education. From the role of lifelong learning to the impact of AI, this conversation explores how the future of education must evolve to remain relevant.The main topics of conversation…Education ROI isn't just financial. While cost and economic impact are crucial, education must also provide critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and lifelong learning pathways.Skills-based training is reshaping learning. Alternative education models, from micro-credentials to AI-driven tutoring, are allowing individuals to upskill quickly without accumulating massive debt.The liberal arts are still essential. In a rapidly changing job market, skills like logic, adaptability, and structured thinking—often found in liberal arts disciplines—are proving to be invaluable assets for employers.Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich is an EdTech and workforce development leader specializing in AI-powered learning models and digital education strategy. As the President of SkillsWave, she leverages her experience from executive roles at Pearson, D2L, and Louisiana State University to drive corporate upskilling and enrollment growth. With a deep focus on skills-based hiring and employer-sponsored education programs, she continues to innovate in the rapidly evolving landscape of workforce training and education technology.Jason Aubrey is a seasoned workforce development and EdTech executive, currently serving as the CEO of Skilltrade, where he focuses on upskilling solutions for healthcare and allied health industries. He previously led MedCerts to a successful acquisition by Stride, Inc. and served as the CEO of ClearGage, driving innovation in healthcare financing. With a background in scaling tech-enabled businesses globally, he co-founded and grew LectureTools, an active learning technology company. He has a proven track record in corporate strategy, private equity leadership, and skills-based workforce transformation.

The rising cost of education and its declining return on investment have become a pressing concern. Over the past few decades, tuition costs have skyrocketed beyond inflation, making it harder for students to justify traditional four-year degrees. Meanwhile, employers are still using degrees as hiring proxies despite increasing discussions about skills-based hiring. In this evolving landscape, how can education be restructured to meet both workforce demands and student needs?How can education move beyond traditional degrees to focus on skills, affordability, and real-world impact?In this episode of DisruptED, host Ron J. Stefanski sits down with Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich, the President of SkillsWave, and Jason Aubrey, the CEO of Skilltrade, to explore the shifting paradigm of education. They discuss the historical challenges of traditional learning models, the role of AI in curriculum development, and how hybrid and employer-sponsored learning models can redefine workforce readiness.The main topics of conversation are…The ROI of Education Needs a Rethink: The traditional one-to-many lecture model is outdated, and many degrees no longer directly correlate with careers. Skills-based hiring is gaining traction as a more effective way to match education with job market needs. The focus must shift to skills that drive career success.Hybrid and Employer-Sponsored Education: Companies like Skilltrade and SkillsWave are introducing AI-driven, immersive learning experiences combined with hands-on training to make education more practical and cost-effective.AI's Transformational Role in Learning: From adaptive learning models to AI-driven curriculum development, technology is making personalized, outcome-focused education a reality.Dr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich is a leader in upskilling and EdTech, currently serving as the President of SkillsWave, where she drives corporate workforce development through AI-powered learning models. With a career spanning executive roles at Pearson, D2L, and Louisiana State University, she has led large-scale education initiatives, improving online learning, enrollment growth, and employer-sponsored education programs. Her expertise in digital education strategy and skills-based hiring continues to shape the future of workforce training and education technology.Jason Aubrey is a workforce development and EdTech leader, currently serving as the CEO of Skilltrade, where he focuses on upskilling solutions for healthcare and allied health industries. Previously, he led MedCerts to a successful acquisition by Stride, Inc. and served as the CEO of ClearGage, driving innovation in healthcare financing. With experience in scaling tech-enabled businesses globally, he has a proven track record in corporate strategy, private equity leadership, and skills-based workforce transformation.

Brian Finnerty is a senior marketing executive with extensive experience leading high-performance teams and driving global customer acquisition from mid-market to Fortune 500 companies. He specializes in brand strategy, demand generation, and sales-aligned marketing, leveraging deep customer insights to accelerate pipeline growth. A seasoned thought leader, Brian has served on the Customer Advisory Board for 6sense and as a strategic advisor to Sendoso, bringing expertise in account-based marketing, content strategy, and SaaS platform evangelism. Website: https://www.d2l.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfinnerty/   Amit Bivas is a seasoned executive with a proven track record of strategically planning, developing, and executing marketing initiatives from the ground up. His success is driven by a unique blend of leadership skills, expertise in data analytics and statistics, business acumen, creativity, and meticulous attention to detail. In essence, Amit is a rare executive who seamlessly integrates the art and science of marketing. Website: https://www.bl-il.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitbivas/   In this episode, we chat with Brian and Amit about their roles and insights in marketing and business development. Join us as we dive into strategies and innovations!   Apply to join our marketing mastermind group: https://notypicalmoments.typeform.com/to/hWLDNgjz   Follow No Typical Moments at: Website: https://notypicalmoments.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-typical-moments-llc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4G7csw9j7zpjdASvpMzqUA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notypicalmoments Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NTMoments

Brian Finnerty is a senior marketing executive with extensive experience leading high-performance teams and driving global customer acquisition from mid-market to Fortune 500 companies. He specializes in brand strategy, demand generation, and sales-aligned marketing, leveraging deep customer insights to accelerate pipeline growth. A seasoned thought leader, Brian has served on the Customer Advisory Board for 6sense and as a strategic advisor to Sendoso, bringing expertise in account-based marketing, content strategy, and SaaS platform evangelism. Website: https://www.d2l.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfinnerty/   Amit Bivas is a seasoned executive with a proven track record of strategically planning, developing, and executing marketing initiatives from the ground up. His success is driven by a unique blend of leadership skills, expertise in data analytics and statistics, business acumen, creativity, and meticulous attention to detail. In essence, Amit is a rare executive who seamlessly integrates the art and science of marketing. Website: https://www.bl-il.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitbivas/   In this episode, we chat with Brian and Amit about their roles and insights in marketing and business development. Join us as we dive into strategies and innovations!   Apply to join our marketing mastermind group: https://notypicalmoments.typeform.com/to/hWLDNgjz   Follow No Typical Moments at: Website: https://notypicalmoments.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-typical-moments-llc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4G7csw9j7zpjdASvpMzqUA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notypicalmoments Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NTMoments

The landscape of employee education and workforce development is undergoing rapid disruption. Employers are stepping in to bridge the skills gap, offering education as a benefit to attract and retain talent while addressing critical workforce needs. With U.S. student loan debt reaching $1.77 trillion as of late 2024, corporations are innovating to provide employees with opportunities to advance without financial burden. This shift raises critical questions about how companies can effectively balance ROI with meaningful support for their workforce.How are corporations reshaping employee education for frontline and non-traditional workers while ensuring business outcomes?On this Part 1 of a 2-part episode of DisruptEd, host Ron Stefanski dives into the rapidly evolving intersection of education, workforce development, and technology with Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich, president of SkillsWave. Together, they explore how innovative learning models and partnerships are transforming the role of corporations in upskilling their employees.Key Takeaways from the ConversationThe Evolution of Education as a Benefit: Companies like Starbucks and McDonald's pioneered this movement by offering tuition assistance and programs for frontline workers, shifting corporate culture from exclusive executive MBAs to widespread educational access.Aligning Learning with Business Goals: Organizations are now prioritizing education programs that directly impact business outcomes, such as increasing employee retention, improving productivity, and reducing external hiring costs.Navigating a Disrupted Learning Landscape: With the erosion of state support for higher education and changing workforce needs, both learners and employers are asking new questions about the ROI of traditional degrees versus skills-based education.Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich, Ph.D., is an accomplished leader in higher education and innovative learning models, with expertise in eLearning systems and workforce upskilling. As President of SkillsWave and former Senior Vice President at D2L, she has driven corporate partnerships and scalable learning solutions, enhancing talent development for major organizations and universities. Sasha's career includes key roles at Louisiana State University and Pearson, where she spearheaded online education initiatives, team building, and operational growth, solidifying her reputation as a transformative force in education and technology.

Integrating education and workforce training as an employee benefit has become a pivotal strategy for talent acquisition and retention. While industry leaders like Walmart, McDonald's, and Starbucks have long championed such programs, mid-sized and smaller enterprises often face barriers to implementation. A study found that education reimbursement programs deliver a 129% return on investment, meaning for every dollar spent, companies gain an additional $1.29. This makes the case clear that upskilling is not just a perk but a business imperative.How can mid-market companies effectively adopt and benefit from educational assistance programs?Part two of this episode of "DisruptED" features host Ron Stefanski continuing to engage with Sasha Thackerberry-Voinovich, CEO of SkillsWave. The discussion delves into the challenges and opportunities mid-sized businesses face when implementing education benefits, emphasizing the importance of aligning these programs with cutting-edge technology and measurable business outcomes.Key Takeaways from the Conversation:Technology as a Driver: Innovative platforms streamline the implementation of educational and workforce training programs, enabling scalability and efficiency for businesses of any size.Investment with Impact: Upskilling initiatives not only reduce turnover but also foster innovation and competitiveness in a disrupted workforce landscape.Tailored Learning Paths: Personalized education tracks align employee career growth with organizational goals, enhancing engagement and retention.Sasha Thackerberry-Voinovich is a renowned leader in corporate upskilling and education innovation. As the CEO of SkillsWave, she bridges the gap between education providers and businesses, driving transformative workforce development. Sasha holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Kent State University and has held key leadership roles at D2L, Louisiana State University, and Pearson, bringing unparalleled expertise to the table.

How can micro-credentials and short courses reshape the future of higher education to meet the demands of today's workforce? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I'm joined by Rob Telfer, Director of Higher Education at D2L, to explore how these innovative course formats are transforming education. As universities face challenges such as declining international enrollments and increased competition, micro-credentials present a flexible and scalable solution for learners and institutions alike. Rob shares insights on how micro-credentials enable universities to tap into the growing lifelong learning market, estimated to reach $800 billion by 2030, while helping learners acquire specific skills quickly and affordably. We discuss the significant impact micro-credentials can have on workforce development, with 72% of employers more likely to hire candidates with these qualifications. Additionally, Rob highlights their potential to foster collaboration between universities, governments, and industry, ensuring programs align with real-world needs and maintain high educational standards. However, implementing micro-credentials isn't without challenges. Rob outlines the hurdles institutions face, from securing resources and faculty support to building infrastructure and addressing credibility concerns. Drawing on D2L's extensive experience in education innovation, he shares practical strategies for universities, including starting with pilot programs, leveraging data-informed approaches, and marketing these programs effectively to students and employers. We also explore how D2L's Brightspace platform supports the delivery of micro-credentials and adaptive learning through its scalable, flexible, and AI-enhanced features. Whether you're an educator, student, or employer, this episode provides valuable insights into how micro-credentials and short courses are reshaping the future of higher education. What role do you see micro-credentials playing in addressing the skills gap and workforce development? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!

In this year-end episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, hosts John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik take a look back at 2024's groundbreaking tech stories and gaze ahead to what 2025 might bring. Joined by Sean Silcoff, technology reporter for The Globe and Mail for 12 years, they explore the rise of AI, the space economy, Canada's evolving tech ecosystem, and the influence of political shifts on innovation.Sean sheds light on the evolving tech ecosystem, from Canadian companies like Wealthsimple and D2L bouncing back with renewed valuations, to the challenges posed by brain drain, capital gains taxes, and global competition.The trio also discusses the political landscape's influence on tech, including the re-election of Donald Trump and his administration's implications for big tech, crypto innovation, and international tariffs. They delve into trends like trust in AI and dual-use technologies, the growing prominence of armed drones, and the surge of defense investments in hardware and innovation.Whether you're curious about Canada's tech resurgence, fascinated by AI's evolution, or keen to explore the intersection of politics and technology, this episode is packed with insights and foresight.

In this episode of Disruptors x CDL: The Innovation Era, hosts John Stackhouse and Sonia Sennik explore the dynamic role of generative AI in education and its far-reaching implications. As AI technology continues to evolve, it's transforming classrooms and curriculum, influencing how students learn, and prompting schools to rethink traditional teaching methods. The hosts are joined by two distinguished guests: Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs, and John Baker, founder of D2L, a global ed-tech pioneer.Janice shares her expertise on the ethical considerations and challenges of integrating AI into educational environments, highlighting how AI's capabilities can impact both learning outcomes and the human connections vital to education. Meanwhile, John Baker provides insights into the evolving landscape of digital learning and discusses how AI-driven platforms like D2L Lumi are revolutionizing the educational experience, making learning more interactive and personalized.This episode sheds light on the possibilities and challenges of AI in education, from enhancing productivity to rethinking team-based learning and fostering deep human connections. Whether you're an educator, student, or tech enthusiast, tune in to discover how generative AI is not only shaping the classroom of today but paving the way for the classrooms of tomorrow.

Hooking your audience is one thing, but keeping them emotionally invested in your content is another. So for this episode of Remarkable, we're taking marketing lessons on doing just that from the Irish dark comedy, Bad Sisters.It's a show about four sisters who plot to kill their diabolical brother-in-law, and the season starts with his funeral.Series creator, Sharon Horgan, says, “We had to keep an audience with us for 10 episodes and keep them wanting the same outcome." That is, the death of their brother-in-law, John Paul. So with the help of our special guest, D2L CMO Brian Finnerty, we're talking about hooking your audience, knowing your target, and doing trial and error. About our guest, Brian FinnertyBrian Finnerty is a B2B marketing specialist with over 25 years experience leading enterprise marketing teams. He currently serves as CMO at D2L. His expertise includes brand strategy, B2B demand generation, and global customer acquisition from mid-market to Fortune 500. He previously served as VP of Revenue Marketing for Udacity. Prior to joining Udacity, Brian served as VP of Growth Marketing at Demandbase, where he was responsible for demand generation, field marketing, and customer marketing at Demandbase. Brian has also been a marketing leader at two ad tech companies, Marin Software and Smaato. He co-founded an e-learning startup that specialized in software developer training, with a rules-based code judging engine. He is an active Customer Advisory Board member for both 6sense and Sendoso.What B2B Companies Can Learn From Bad Sisters:Start with a hook. Bad Sisters grabs viewers' attention because it's about four sisters plotting to kill their brother-in-law, and it starts with his funeral. So the question is: “How did he die?” This is what drives viewers to keep watching. So how can you get your audience invested in your content? What question do you want to inspire them to ask?Know your target. This is a bit tongue-in-cheek, but just like the sisters truly knew their brother-in-law and all the ways they could potentially do him in, so should marketers get to know their audience so they can appeal to them. Brian says, “The sisters do a lot of research and they really know their target audience. Like, what does JP like to eat? What does he like to drink? If you were to poison him, how would you do that? So they really do research, like, ‘What are the ways that we can do this and get away with it, and free our sister from the prison of her marriage?' So they really do their kind of their targeting and their research, which I think any good marketer does.”Do trial and error. Try different marketing strategies and keep dialing it in based on data you get from the tests. Brian says, “[The sisters] do that right throughout the show. Like, they're testing ways to bump this guy off. Some of them end in sort of miserable failure and some of them have some potential of succeeding and you're never quite sure. Not unlike a lot of digital campaigns, where you're trying to find that perfect balance and the right approach.”Quotes*”I think for marketers, if you're not pushing the envelope, testing new messaging and testing new approaches to your website, conversion, optimization, your customer journey, your buyer's journey, then you're not trying hard enough. You're not getting enough data from the market to optimize and improve.”*”In a B2B context, it is tough to really identify a villain. And that kind of marketing turns me off. Some companies will identify their competitors as villains and really go after them. As a marketer, I would say instead of identifying your competitors as a villain, which I think is a mistake, you look at either the cost of doing nothing, or like, ‘What is the counterpoint to your mission?'”Time Stamps[0:55] Meet Brian Finnerty, CMO at D2L[3:02] D2L and Brian's Role as CMO[4:04] How Bad Sisters was created[9:30] Authenticity and Cultural Representation[22:18] B2B Marketing Takeaways from Bad Sisters[22:21] The Importance of a Good Hook[23:00] Research and Targeting in Marketing[24:08] Trial and Error in Marketing[28:30] Creating a Great Villain[33:48] Brand and Content Strategy[36:10] Effective Content Marketing[38:34] Leveraging Content Across Teams[42:58] Favorite Campaigns and Final AdviceLinksConnect with Brian on LinkedInLearn more about D2LAbout Remarkable!Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. In today's episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Senior Producer). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise.

In this episode - our 100th! - host Will Francis⁠⁠⁠⁠ chats with ⁠Brian Finnerty, the CMO of educational software company D2L. They look at Brian's long career in educational technology where he sees the learner as always taking the central role, especially in the age of AI. He explains how he manages their global marketing strategies, and offers insights into the ideal relationship between marketing and sales, as well as tips for anyone considering working in marketing. "Marketing is a great profession. It's plugged into the heartbeat of a company and its growth and its commercial viability. --------- To listen to more great conversations with professionals in digital marketing subscribe to Ahead of the Game on ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and the video version on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠. And visit the Digital Marketing Institute for thousands of educational resources. You'll find ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, blogs, guides, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join as a member for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, ⁠⁠email the podcast team⁠⁠!

Are you planning on going to a learning conference soon? I just came back from D2L's Fusion and it was amazing. There were a few changes I made compared to my normal conference routine and it made a huge difference. On today's episode, you'll hear my top 5 tips on how to get the most out of your next conference.

We are delighted to have the great Koreen Pagano join the podcast for the furthering conversation on skills. We get Koreen's perspective and definition of skills.  Matt alludes to the earlier LDA Podcast, The “What the Skills” Episode with Paul Kirschner, as well as the research work he did with John Sweller and Richard Clark published in their article: Kirschner, P.A., Sweller, J., & Clark, R.E. (2006). Why minimal guidance during instruction does not work: An analysis of the failure of constructivist discovery, problem-based, experiential, and inquiry-based teaching. Educational Psychologist. 41(2), 75-86. In the episode, we dig into whether one can teach, and how one can teach, conflict resolution, critical thinking, and even tease the subject of teaching leadership. The debate really gets playfully heated when they talk about critical thinking. Clark uses the famous phrase, “yes… and…” Matt references the great improv in business practitioner, Kat Koppett. Her first book, Training to Imagine is a great source to go into yes, anding… in more depth. Matt references evolutionary skills and brings up the references from Sweller: Sweller, J. (2016). Cognitive Load Theory: What We Learn and How We Learn. In M. Spector, B. Lockee, & M. Childress (Eds.), Learning, design, and technology (pp. 1–28). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17727-4_50-1 And Geary Geary, D. C. (2008). An evolutionarily informed education science. Educational Psychologist, 43(4), 179–195. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520802392133 We discuss what it means to master skills, and develop automation. We also explore how to assess whether a person has a skill or the potential to develop a skill. We debate transferability and whether skills— especially complex skills need be taught within a contextual domain. Matt argues yes. Koreen argues no. Clark argues “It depends.” They also debate whether, and how much, talent plays into skill development. Heck… is talent even a thing? The big argument centers around Carnegie Hall and playing golf! And of course, Anders Ericsson is a part of the conversation. Ericsson, K. A., & Charness, N. (1994). Expert performance: Its structure and acquisition. American Psychologist, 49: 725–747. Matt referenced the Human Development expert, Richard Lerner. Koreen references the hostage negotiator, Chris Voss and his book, Never Split the Difference. And we even debate how transferrable the skill of game design is! And we talked about so much more!!! Of course, we run out of time because we had so much fun chatting with Koreen… that we didn't get to Best and Worst! Next time… and Koreen will be back! More about Koreen: Koreen Pagano, Chief Product Officer at Thrive Learning and founder of Isanno, is a globally recognized product executive with deep expertise in learning technologies, skills strategy, AI, analytics, and immersive technologies. Koreen has held product leadership roles at companies including Lynda.com, LinkedIn, D2L, Degreed, and Wiley. Koreen previously founded Tandem Learning in 2008, where she pioneered immersive learning through virtual worlds, games, and simulations. She has taught graduate courses at Harrisburg University and provided advisory and consulting services to a range of tech companies in the corporate learning, VR, and K12 education markets. Koreen is a seasoned international speaker, author of the book Immersive Learning and an upcoming book on organizational skills transformation due out in 2025. You can find Koreen here: https://isanno.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/koreenpagano/ 

¿Cómo crear EL Foro de Negocios enfocado en el Talento Humano?Diego, junto a César Rivera, Director Regional de Transformación y Talento de Rockwell, y Edith González, Directora de RH en Banco Base, discuten el Foro ERIAC que se celebrará el 20 y 21 de junio bajo el lema "Business + Talent: Organizations that matters". El evento reunirá a líderes en negocios, emprendedores y profesionales de Recursos Humanos para abordar los temas de necesidades actuales dentro de las organizaciones como: negocios, contexto macroeconómico, liderazgo, inteligencia artificial y el propósito de las personas.

“I think the dirty secret of marketing on a lot of things is sometimes things happen behind closed doors, and people just kind of make decisions without actually talking to people.” -Adrian Speyer   Adrian Speyer is an accomplished marketing and community leader, currently serving as the Vice-President of Marketing & Community at CLI, an education and research community focused on empowering customer-centric professionals in their career development. Adrian has successfully collaborated with global brands such as Qualtrics, IBM, Acer, TeamViewer, D2L, Smartsheet, SmartRecruiter, and TSIA to enhance their community programs. Adrian is author of "The Accidental Community Manager," a comprehensive guide for first-time B2B community builders. In this episode, Adrian and Andrew have a candid discussion on content strategies to engage modern audiences. Listen to this episode to gain insider tips from a marketing leader on trends like shorter formats, AI newsletters, and leveraging online communities.   Website: https://mycli.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/customerleadersinstitute LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianspeyer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/customerleadersinstitute/

“I think the dirty secret of marketing on a lot of things is sometimes things happen behind closed doors, and people just kind of make decisions without actually talking to people.” -Adrian Speyer   Adrian Speyer is an accomplished marketing and community leader, currently serving as the Vice-President of Marketing & Community at CLI, an education and research community focused on empowering customer-centric professionals in their career development. Adrian has successfully collaborated with global brands such as Qualtrics, IBM, Acer, TeamViewer, D2L, Smartsheet, SmartRecruiter, and TSIA to enhance their community programs. Adrian is author of "The Accidental Community Manager," a comprehensive guide for first-time B2B community builders. In this episode, Adrian and Andrew have a candid discussion on content strategies to engage modern audiences. Listen to this episode to gain insider tips from a marketing leader on trends like shorter formats, AI newsletters, and leveraging online communities.   Website: https://mycli.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/customerleadersinstitute LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianspeyer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/customerleadersinstitute/

John Burk joins as cohost on this Friday to remember, and we traverse all sorts of topics. Relationships, marriage, the role of men in society, how the D2L pod is shifting focus and why, and much, much more! Make sure to give this a like and share it out with your friends, and let us […] The post A Friday to Remember appeared first on Radio Influence.

John Burk joins as cohost on this Friday to remember, and we traverse all sorts of topics. Relationships, marriage, the role of men in society, how the D2L pod is shifting focus and why, and much, much more! Make sure to give this a like and share it out with your friends, and let us […] The post A Friday to Remember appeared first on Radio Influence.

John Burk joins as cohost on this Friday to remember, and we traverse all sorts of topics. Relationships, marriage, the role of men in society, how the D2L pod is shifting focus and why, and much, much more! Make sure to give this a like and share it out with your friends, and let us […] The post A Friday to Remember appeared first on Radio Influence.

In this episode of our Learn Better Podcast host, Stuart Pedley Smith, Head of Learning at Kaplan, explores the benefits of learning and teaching online. Our guest is Dr. Cristi Ford: The Vice President of Academic Affairs at D2L - a Canadian education company that developed the Brightspace Learning Management System. 

 With summer just around the corner, this timely conversation with DCAC Clinical Support Director, Lyndsey Smith,  sheds light on preparing for a safe and healthy summer. Brooke and Lyndsey discuss reporting, free time, camps, and screen time and more. With the conversation centering around these topics, you and children in your life will be better equip for an enjoyable summer ahead!  Visit the references mentioned to learn more:American Camp Association - www.acacamps.orgNetSmartz- MissingKids.org/netsmartz/resources#overviewCyberTipline- Report.Cybertip.orgTake It Down- Takeitdown.ncmec.orgDarkness to Light- www.D2L.orgQuestions about the episode?Contact community@dorchestercac.orgWant to learn more about DCAC?Visit dorchesterchildren.org

Holly is back on the show! On today's episode, she talks about her journey from being a teacher to instructor to instructional designer at Amazon. We also take a deep dive into what a typical day looks like for her. If you have been thinking about wanting to work at an organization such as Amazon, this episode is for you.

Jide from D2L preached on Don't worry wherever God has you he will find you as long as you call upon his name.

Well, we did it! 100 podcast episodes in the books. Whether you just started listening or you've been with me since day one, I can't thank you enough. On today's episode, I'll share with you my biggest takeaway after 100 episodes.

What a great day today as we start the show with some fun, and move to a brief clip of an interview of one of our D2L family that is sure to inspire. Please check below for the link. Also, we move on to Dr. Ladapo in front of congress, and then jump on over […] The post SCOTUS and the Biased Solicitor appeared first on Radio Influence.

What a great day today as we start the show with some fun, and move to a brief clip of an interview of one of our D2L family that is sure to inspire. Please check below for the link. Also, we move on to Dr. Ladapo in front of congress, and then jump on over […] The post SCOTUS and the Biased Solicitor appeared first on Radio Influence.

Our society is stuck in a fast-paced go-go-go mode. Overworking is celebrated. Multitasking is expected. Do you know one thing you can't rush though? The learning process. Today, we are talking about the benefits of slowing down by utilziing reflections.

I need to take you behind the scenes for a moment to discuss a huge issue within the instructional design field.  There is a disconnect between instructional design degrees and real world expectations. It's been a trend I've been monitoring for years, and it only seems to be getting worse. Students are graduating with these degrees and don't know how to apply the lessons into the real world. They aren't ready and don't feel confident to take their next steps. When asked why, I hear that they spent two to four years learning about theories, models, and processes, but did not gain experience in practicing them. The topics of working with subject matter experts, managing projects, building a portfolio, and career guidance never even came up in some of these degrees, yet they advertise on their websites that they prepare students for a competitive job market. On today's podcast, I'm going to share with you what I've been hearing directly from instructional design students. The hope is that we can acknowledge their thoughts and make changes to fix this problem now before it gets any worse. You'll also hear about institutions who are doing everything right to prepare their students for the real world and I give a shout out to a few of them.  After you've read the transcript or listened to the show, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

What does the day in the life of a senior instructional designer look like? Let's talk about it!

Meredith White, host of the EdTech World podcast, returns to the show to discuss how and when to make educational technology work for you. Bio For 16 years, Meredith White taught Spanish in both Tennessee and Georgia. Focused on novices, her work with students ingrained proficiency-based teaching, comprehensible input, technology, and helping make learning Spanish fun. In March of 2023, she transitioned to an Instructional Technology support role to help more teachers in all content areas with both their teaching and technology use (or even paring down). She also teachers Technology in World Language Education at Kennesaw State University, hosts the EdTech World podcast for Wayside publishing, does consulting works, and often presents and shares resources at local, state, and national regional conferences. Producer's Notes Visit the Language Lounge on Twitter - https://twitter.com/langloungepod Connect with Michelle - https://twitter.com/michelleolah Have a comment or question? Leave a voicemail at (207) 888-9819 or email podcast@waysidepublishing.com Produced by Wayside Publishing - https://waysidepublishing.com Social Media Meredith White: http://www.twitter.com/@techMEWithyou Mentions EdTech World https://www.waysidepublishing.com/podcast/edtech-world Amanda Minnillo Avant Assessment Gimkit https://www.gimkit.com/ Josh Feinsilber @JoshFeinsilber Jeff Osborn @JeffGimkit Adrian Riley NECTFL https://www.nectfl.org/ SCOLT https://www.scolt.org/ Central States https://www.csctfl.org/ Southwest COLT (SWCOLT) https://www.swcolt.org/ Pacific Northwest (PNCFL) https://pncfl.wordpress.com/ Tim Eagan @tjeag Blooket https://www.blooket.com/ Formative https://www.formative.com/ Canvas https://www.instructure.com/canvas D2l https://www.d2l.com/ Listening in the Dark: Reclaiming the Power of Intuition Amy Poehler https://www.harpercollins.com/products/listening-in-the-dark-amber-tamblyn?variant=40072200650786 Lisa McCargh @lisajmch World Language Teacher Summit https://www.worldlangteachers.com/ Joe Dale http://www.twitter.com/@joedale

En esta ocasión le damos la bienvenida a un apasionado del aprendizaje, un devorador de libros, creador de programas de aprendizaje ágil para distintas organizaciones, así como procesos de transformación cultural a través del desarrollo de habilidades para el futuro. Diego Lainez Jamieson es CEO y Fundador de la firma de Consultoría D2L (Dare to Learn), de la cual también tiene un podcast del mismo nombre, disponible en todas las plataformas. Además, Diego es miembro de Speakers México LATAM, TED Speaker y fue ponente en la primera edición del Disrupt HR México. Durante esta conversación Diego nos habla sobre su camino por la vida corporativa y su pasión por el desarrollo instruccional, de forma que lo que empieza como un blog, al paso del tiempo se convirtió en la marca de su empresa, en la que actualmente ofrece programas como Time Ownership, Liderazgo Remoto, Hacking Information, Comunicación de Impacto, entre otros. La clave de su éxito ha sido emocionarse tanto con lo que hace, que irremediablemente se vuelve un atractor del cambio para quienes lo escuchan en sus múltiples workshops y conferencias. Sin duda un ingrediente para impactar en los demás es la congruencia, instruir desde un liderazgo consciente, reconociendo el privilegio de servir a los demás. Puedes buscar a Diego en sus redes, como LinkedIn: Diego Lainez Jamieson; así como en Instagram: @preguntaleadiego y @daretolearnmx También puedes visitar su sitio web: www.daretolearn.com.mx Si necesitas apoyo sobre algún tema de Recursos Humanos como: Cultura Organizacional, Clima Laboral, Desarrollo de Talento, Procesos de Recursos Humanos y Salud Organizacional, no dudes en llamarnos. Tenemos una línea de chat en nuestro sitio web: www.talento4d.com así como acceso a distinto contenido en nuestras redes sociales: @Talento4D   #Talento #Speaker #DareToLearn #D2L #Proposito #Vocacion #LifeLongLearning #AgileLearning #CorporateTraining #TimeOwnership #LiderazgoRemoto #HackingInformation #ComunicacionDeImpacto #LiderazgoDeServicio #LiderazgoCompasivo #LiderazgoConsciente #Linkedin #DisruptHR #DisruptiveSpeaker #Consultoria #RH #RRHH #RecursosHumanos #HR #Talento4D #MrTalento

Join the Digital2Learn team in celebrating 200 episodes! For episodes 200 and 201, we brought media mogul Mike Jones to co-host alongside Tiffany Snyder to interview D2L's very own Brad Garner. Brad shares his latest work on inclusive hospitality, what it is, and how you can cultivate it in digitally-driven learning environments. Listen now!

Where else can you talk about God, consciousness, brave musicians, unvaccinated sperm, the life saving study about HCQ and Stacy Abrams all in one place? Nowhere but here! Saddle up for the wild ride on the D2L podcast today. We hit music, teach you how to really create the life you want, and tell you […] The post We Knew It Worked appeared first on Radio Influence.

Where else can you talk about God, consciousness, brave musicians, unvaccinated sperm, the life saving study about HCQ and Stacy Abrams all in one place? Nowhere but here! Saddle up for the wild ride on the D2L podcast today. We hit music, teach you how to really create the life you want, and tell you […] The post We Knew It Worked appeared first on Radio Influence.

Join the Digital2Learn team in celebrating 200 episodes! For episodes 200 and 201, we brought media mogul Mike Jones to co-host alongside Tiffany Snyder to interview D2L's very own Brad Garner. Brad shares his latest work on inclusive hospitality, what it is, and how you can cultivate it in digitally-driven learning environments. Listen now!

It’s a very special episode of D2L today. Beanz was thrilled to interview Dr. Ken Berry today about the carnivore lifestyle, how it works, how to get started, and some of the mistruths you may have come to know over the past several years. Many of you have seen the success her husband has experienced […] The post Dark To Light: The Proper Human Diet – Dr. Ken Berry appeared first on Radio Influence.

It's a very special episode of D2L today. Beanz was thrilled to interview Dr. Ken Berry today about the carnivore lifestyle, how it works, how to get started, and some of the mistruths you may have come to know over the past several years. Many of you have seen the success her husband has experienced […] The post Dark To Light: The Proper Human Diet – Dr. Ken Berry appeared first on Radio Influence.

¡Qué tal Learning Explorer!Bienvenido una vez más a este su podcastVamos a dar inicio oficialmente al relanzamiento de CEO Deconstructed con quien fue nuestro primer invitado a esta serie: Juan Clariond Actualmente Juan es CEO en DmX , tiene un MBA en business administration del MIT, también es graduado de la Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business en Shanghai, China, del programa: Confucius Humanism and Finance.

Tonight's special guest is Sylvia Goalen from Lawrenceville, Georgia (Atlanta area). She's a survivor of child abuse who's a recipient of the Darkness To Light, Stewards of Children® Voice of Courage award for her contribution to the fight against sexual child abuse. Originally from Guatemala, Sylvia is a member of a large Hispanic family (her mom is one of 21 children). As an immigrant and survivor, she's written an article on the D2L website .. 'A Hispanic Perspective on Abuse'. "I know there is stigma that surrounds sexual abuse; the perspective in Hispanic communities is that we do not share our pain or talk about uncomfortable topics." She continues, "At times I recall the fun memories of being with so many cousins." But she also remembers the first time she experienced sexual abuse. Her cousin took her to the room where her grandmother had died. "As one of the younger cousins I was taught to be submissive, to listen to my elders, to do as I was told. No one questioned that we were alone, especially not me." Because of this experience, as she became a parent she became incredibly cautious about where her children are allowed to go, and with whom, a helicopter parent. Sylvia learned in her recovery that sharing one's issues with someone who is also a survivor makes it easier to disclose. "You feel like you have common issues and you are sharing your story." It's difficult it is to share one's story with someone for the first time, not being sure if one feels safe, without feeling blame or shame.

Recruiters Moving On Up: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome:   Fresh from seeing tons of recruiters make their speaking debuts on Recfest, we're going to speak to as many of them as we can to chat about the mental aspect of doing things which give us anxiety, especially the sense that 'you might not be good enough'.   - What is imposter syndrome and do we all experience it? - How prevalent is it for recruiters / HR, do we feel it more than professionals in other departments? - What techniques do we have to combat it? - How does identity interact with imposter syndrome? - Is it matter of in-group vs out-group? - How do we help others ameliorate the feeling? - What can TA Leaders do to help direct reports overcome it? - Does it get better with age?     We're on Friday 7th July, 2pm BST, with Lauren Harrop, Talent Acquisition Partner, (D2L), Becca Collis, Senior Manager Talent Acquisition (AMS), Anna Pokrzywka-Szklarska, Sourcing Manager (RTS People) & Alex Geht, Talent Sourcing Lead, Added Value         Ep213 is sponsored by our buddies Greenhouse     In today's competitive talent landscape, being people-first is business-first. Greenhouse helps companies adopt a flexible, fair, and efficient approach to hiring. Empower everyone from recruiters to hiring managers to make confident decisions that strengthen your business. Get measurably better at hiring with a data-driven approach. Discover how Greenhouse can help you hire for the kind of business you want to build.   Learn more at Greenhouse.com/hire

I had a great conversation with Paul Stisser, the Director of Educational Institutions and LMS Partnerships for ReadSpeaker. Paul has been a leader in ReadSpeaker's TTS Education initiatives. Prior to ReadSpeaker, Paul worked at D2L and start-up Moblmedia. He also has 14 years of education and teaching experience in Rochester, NY, specializing in Special Education and At-Risk Students. Paul attended St. Bonaventure University with degrees in History and Literacy. We talked about ReadSpeaker which is a text-to-speech (TTS) company. With ReadSpeaker embedded into an LMS, a website, or learning content, the user can choose from 68 languages and over 245 voices. They can choose from a suite of reading and writing tools; personalize their reading speed, highlighting preferences, font, size, colors, and more; and select distraction-free “text-only” mode. We've been trying to raise awareness about TTS tools being not only for students who need them. Follow on Twitter: ReadSpeaker Learn more about ReadSpeaker and get started today! Stay tuned for an upcoming guest blog post from Paul on my ThriveinEDU Learning as I Go blog.

As online learning becomes a more commonplace option for college students, this is a good time to discuss the benefits of the experience. In this episode, Dr. P. talks with Dr. Cristi Ford about the basics of online learning and strategies that students can use to be successful in virtual environments.Dr Ford serves as the Vice President of Academic Affairs at D2L. She brings more than two decades of cumulative experience in higher education, secondary education, project management, program evaluation, training, and student services to her role. In this role, she offers thought leadership and direction to the academic affairs unit of the organization. Her previous roles have allowed her to have impact in education from secondary and higher education settings as well as the on the international landscape. Her reach has allowed her to focus on building online education in the US and African continent.Dr. Ford was selected by the Online Learning Consortium, as the 2022 OLC Fellow which is the highest professional distinction offered by the association.  She is a tireless advocate for quality online education where she has leveraged her passion and expertise in many realms in the education space. She is known for utilizing her leadership in extraordinary ways to help institutions build capacity to launch and expand online programming through effective faculty development, instructional design and pedagogical practices.Dr. Ford holds a PhD in Educational Leadership from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field of Psychology from Hampton University and University of Baltimore, respectively.Dr. Ford on Twitter D2L Teach & Learn Podcast

La falta de puestos nuevos, la zona de confort que existe en el ámbito laboral “convencional”  y la casi obsesión de las mismas empresas por su mismo mindset, mismos puestos, mismas formas de hacer las mismas cosas, pero solo con un nombre diferente; y su relación justamente con la falta de talento para los próximos años. Este es uno de los varios temas y de los retos de los líderes que Bernardo Phols nos comenta en este episodio:Bernie tiene más de 15 años de experiencia dentro de empresas transnacionales muy importantes como CEMEX y BANAMEX, y actualmente es Chief People Officer en dmX. Por hablar un poco de sus títulos, tiene una Maestría en Finanzas de EGADE Escuela de Negocios del Tecnológico de Monterrey, y también hizo el One MBA del programa internacional de Tec de Monterrey. Experto en temas de negocios y finanzas, apasionado también por el talento, el desarrollo del liderazgo, y en temas de recursos humanos, del aprendizaje, de lo digital y la tecnología, talento y planeación. Algunos highlights del episodio: La importancia del concepto de Life-Long Learnining, el cual se refiere a que nunca vamos a terminar de aprender y que cada día es una oportunidad nueva para aprender; y la importancia del Growth Mindset, el decirnos que sí podemos, sabernos con la habilidad de aprender algo y no limitar nuestra mente.Los retos dentro del futuro próximo para atraer y mantener enganchado nuevo talento que sume. La mayoría de veces ellos escogen, y al ser talento tan peleado, ellos empiezan a decidir más rápido y, por lo tanto, debemos saber colocarnos como líderes y empresas como opciones reales para ellos. De ahí la importancia de la experiencia del empleado, prácticamente tan importante (o más) que la experiencia del cliente.Tips y ejemplos para medir la experiencia del colaborador dentro de la empresa, y cómo ocupar esa información para agregar valor en relación entre colaboradores y líderes.Esperamos que disfrutes mucho este episodio y encuentres en él información, datos, historias o hasta reflexiones que te hagan vibrar. Visítanos:https://diegolainez.com.mx/ https://daretolearn.com.mx/

Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: Basin broadness depends on the size and number of orthogonal features, published by TheMcDouglas on August 27, 2022 on The AI Alignment Forum. TL;DR For neural networks trained to perfect loss, the broadness of optima in parameter space is given by the number and norm of independent orthogonal features the neural network has. The inner product that defines this "feature norm" and independence/orthogonality is the L2 product of Hilbert space. Introduction - why do we care about broadness? Recently, there's been some discussion of what determines the broadness of optima of neural networks in parameter space. People care about this because the size of the optimum basin may influence how easy it is for gradient descent (or other local optimisation algorithms which you might use to train a neural network) to find the corresponding solution, since it's probably easier to stumble across a broader optimum's attractor. People also care about this because there's some hypotheses floating around saying that the broadness of optima is correlated with their generality somehow. The broader the basin of your solution is in parameter space, the more likely it seems to be that the network will successfully generalise to new data in deployment. So understanding what kinds of circuit configurations are broad seems like it might help us grasp better how AIs learn things, and how an AGI might really work internally. Meaning, understanding what kind of solutions are broad is probably relevant to start developing general predictive theories of AI and AI training dynamics, which we'd like to have so we can answer questions like "What goals is my AGI going to develop, given that it has architecture A, and I'm training it with loss function L on data set D?" Measuring broadness Warning: calculus and linear algebra incoming! Say we have a loss function L(f,x,y) for a neural network f(x,Θ), with some data points x and labels y(x), and we've trained the network to perfect loss, setting the parameters to some set ^Θ. L=∑xl(f(x,Θ),y(x))dL(^Θ)dΘ=0 Now, lets try to look at how much the loss changes when we make small changes to the parameters ^Θ. To do this, we're going to perform a polynomial expansion of L up to quadratic order. This isn't going to describe the function behaviour perfectly, but within a small neighbourhood of ^Θ, it'll be mostly accurate. L(Θ)−L(^Θ)=dL(^Θ)dΘ(Θ−^Θ)+(Θ−^Θ)Td2L(^Θ)d2Θ(Θ−^Θ)+O((Θ−^Θ)3)=(Θ−^Θ)Td2L(^Θ)d2Θ(Θ−^Θ)+O((Θ−^Θ)3)=:δΘTd2L^Θ)d2ΘδΘ+O(δΘ3) The first order term vanished because dL(^Θ)dΘ=0 (since we're at an optimum). δΘ:=(Θ−^Θ) is a vector with #params entries, specifying how much we're perturbing each parameter in the network from its value at the optimum ^Θ. d2L(^Θ)d2Θ is going to be a matrix with (#params,#params) entries. So far so good. Now, if we wanted to work out how broad the basin is by looking at this matrix, how would we do it? The matrix is filled with second derivatives. Or in other words, curvatures. If you only had one parameter, this matrix would be a single number (the second derivative), telling you the curvature of the parabola you can fit to the optimum. And the curvature of a parabola determines its broadness, the closer the curvature is to zero, the broader the parabola, and with it the optimum, is. If you have two parameters, you can imagine the optimum as a little valley in the loss function landscape. The valley has two curvatures that characterise it now, but those don't need to line up with our coordinate axes x and y. You could, for example, have one "principal direction" of curvature lie in the (1,1) direction of parameter space, and one in the (1,−1) direction. To find these principal directions and their curvatures, you perform an eigendecomposition of the matrix. The two eigenvalues of the matrix will be the curvatures, and the two e...

This edWeb podcast is hosted by ERDI and sponsored by D2L.The edLeader Panel recording can be accessed here.In the fall of 2021, ERDI hosted a Thought Leadership Symposium on Systems Leadership for Equity where district and industry leaders and emeritus superintendents came together to address these issues, provide insight, and offer a way to frame conversations around equity, access, and diversity. Listen for a two-part edWeb podcast with members of this group who discuss the results of their work and present a series of articles that are provided during the presentation. In Part 2, the panel discusses hosting forums and opportunities for us to listen to the students, parents, and members of our school communities. How do we engage others and avoid a forum for extreme or toxic rhetoric? How do we engage the heart of the community rather than the vocal outliers? How do we champion a climate and culture of equity? How do we make equity part of organizational DNA that doesn't change with a board election cycle? This edWeb podcast is of interest to all educators and school leaders.Click here to view the recording of Part 1.Click here to listen to the podcast of Part 1.D2L We're transforming the way the world learns.ERDI Bringing together education leaders and solution providers committed to improving education for all.

In this episode, we meet Chrissy Farr, Principal at OMERS Ventures. Previously, she was a writer and frequent on-air contributor for CNBC, Fast Company and Reuters News, among other publications. She was raised in London, UK, and received degrees from University College London and Stanford University. Over the last five years, OMERS Ventures has invested more than $340 million of capital in nearly 30 disruptive technology companies across North America, creating over 5,000 jobs, and attracting an additional $1.2 billion for portfolio companies. Their portfolio companies include: 360insights, AmpMe, Busbud, Citizen Hex, D2L, DCG, Fusebill, Hootsuite, Hopper, Interaxon, Jobber, Kaleo, Klipfolio, Klue, Leafsift, League, Mojix, Nudge, Ranovus, Rover, Shopify (IPO 2015 — NYSE & TSX: SHOP), Smile.io, Vidyard, Vision Critical, Wattpad, Wave. Chrissy continues to write and share her perspectives here: https://ovsecondopinion.substack.com/ In this episode, Chrissy and I chat about: Chrissy's personal story: from her time at Stanford to her experiences as a journalist and her love for research, learning and connecting with innovators Her approach to investing and thesis development, areas of digital health which are underserved/overlooked and opportunities in women's health Digital health superlatives — Chrissy's takes on the most disruptive healthcare company of the year, most interesting merger/acquisition, innovative early-stage start-up to follow, and her favorite news sources Predictions for digital health in 2022, reflections and words of wisdom