Ep. 34 - Toward a More Perfect University: An Interview With Jonathan R. Cole The United States enjoys a higher education system that is the envy of the world, and at the same time that higher education system is facing scrutiny and pointed criticism in ever increasing and strident ways. In this episode, host Dave Goldberg interviews Jonathan R. Cole, author…
Ep. 33 - A New Approach to Education: UTwente's ATLAS Although we're technically in the 21st century, most universities remain deeply rooted in the traditions and antiquated ideas of the past. But there are a few schools around the world that are bravely stepping into new territories. The University of Twente in the Netherlands is doing just that with its revolutionary…
Ep. 32 - 21st Century Graduates and the Ineffectiveness of Career Services Today's college graduates face incredible odds, entering the 'real world' with mountains of debt and few tools to navigate a challenging job market. Most colleges and universities provide career services to their students, but many employers claim these job-seeking grads still fall short. What can be done to…
Ep. 31 - Building an Inspiring Learning Environment: Lehigh's Mountaintop Experience While there is still far to go in the transformation of higher ed, there are plenty of universities that are paving the way with innovative programs and initiatives. Lehigh University's Mountaintop is one of those programs. Mountaintop was developed to be a unique learning environment in which students are…
Ep. 30 - David and Goliath in Brazil: 2 Cases Studies of Higher Ed Transformation, Insper and UFMG Transformation of engineering education is taking place all over the world, and sometimes initiatives are particularly energetic far away from the usual suspects in North America. Big Beacon Radio host Dave Goldberg is joined by two engineering deans from Brazil, Irineu Gianesi…
Ep. 29 - Purdue's Polytechnic as a Case Study in Transforming Big Public Universities Many of the examples of successful higher education transformation take place at small campuses started from scratch or in relatively small extant departments, units, or campuses. One important exception to the rule is Purdue University's Polytechnic in which the former College of Technology has been working…
Ep. 28 - Most Likely to Succeed: A Conversation with Tony Wagner The same forces at work bringing change to engineering education and higher education, more generally, are at work at the primary and secondary levels the world over. In this episode, join host Dave Goldberg and guest commentator Mark Somerville (Olin College) for a wide-ranging and expansive conversation with Harvard's…
Ep. 27 -Student Power and Light: Hidden Keys to Transforming Higher Ed When conversations turn to reforming or transforming higher education, weighty tomes are written, groups of faculty & administrators assemble, and new plans are made and executed, often without consulting or involving a single student. In recent times, business has gotten better at listening to the "voice of the…
In the most recent episode of Big Beacon Radio: Transforming Higher Education, guest Jeff Shelton discussed his educational background and how it led him to become the host of the Engineering Commons Podcast. Jeff went back to school to receive his PhD later in life, decades after completing his initial degrees. By the time he returned to school, Jeff had years of professional…
Ep. 26 - Podcasting and Social Media as Continuing Higher Education: A Conversation with Jeff Shelton Technology has opened many doors to new kinds of educational media. Podcasts and live internet radio, such as Big Beacon Radio, are among these relatively new kinds of media, and in this episode, host Dave Goldberg interviews Jeff Shelton, producer and co-host of The Engineering…