6 Characteristics of an Education that Students Want — from gettingsmart.com by IDEA (School of Industrial Design, Engineering and Arts) Students in Tacoma Washington

As current high school students, we want:

  1. Education for the Real World
  2. Personalized and Flexible Education
  3. Cultivating Agency
  4. Creativity and Divergent Thinking
  5. Joyful Learning and Community Building
  6. Empathy and Emotional Growth

Also from gettingsmart.com

Diving into the Evidence: Virtual and Hybrid Models as High-Quality School Choice Options

Key Points

  • The Learning Accelerator is building an evidence base of what high-quality virtual and hybrid learning looks like and how it can be a catalyst for expanding access to powerful learning opportunities.
  • An analysis of 64 high-quality models revealed that virtual and hybrid learning occurs in various contexts, from state-based, fully-virtual programs to individual, hybrid schools and meets the needs of different student populations, including those underserved or disengaged by traditional education systems as well as looking for increased flexibility and course access.
 

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Building an AI-Ready Workforce: A look at College Student ChatGPT Adoption in the US — from cdn.openai.com

One finding from our student survey that stood out to us: Many college and university students are teaching themselves and their friends about AI without waiting for their institutions to provide formal AI education or clear policies about the technology’s use. The education ecosystem is in an important moment of exploration and learning, but the rapid adoption by students across the country who haven’t received formalized instruction in how and when to use the technology creates disparities in AI access and knowledge.

The enclosed snapshot of how young people are using ChatGPT provides insight into the state of AI use among America’s college-aged students. We also include actionable proposals to help address adoption gaps. We hope these insights and proposals can inform research and policy conversation across the nation’s education ecosystem about how to achieve outcomes that support our students, our workforce, and the economy. By improving literacy, expanding access, and implementing clear policies, policymakers and educators can better integrate AI into our educational infrastructure and ensure that our workforce is ready to both sustain and benefit from our future with AI.

Leah Belsky | Vice President, Education | OpenAI

 

Top student use cases of ChatGPT -- learning and tutoring, writing help, miscellaneouc questions, and programming help

 

Market scan: What’s possible in the current skills validation ecosystem? — from eddesignlab.org
Education Design Lab provides an overview of emerging practices + tools in this 2025 Skills Validation Market Scan.

Employers and opportunity seekers are excited about the possibilities of a skills-based ecosystem, but this new process for codifying a person’s experiences and abilities into skills requires one significant, and missing, piece: Trust. Employers need to trust that the credentials they receive from opportunity seekers are valid representations of their skills. Jobseekers need to trust that their digital credentials are safe, accurate, and will lead to employment and advancement.

Our hypothesis
We posit that the trust needed for the validation of skills to be brought into a meaningful reality is established through a network of skills validation methods and opportunities. We also recognize that the routes through which an individual can demonstrate skills are as varied as the individuals themselves. Therefore, in order to equitably create a skills-based employment ecosystem, the routes by which skills are validated must be held together with common standards and language, but flexible enough to accommodate a multitude of validation practices.

 

The Learning & Development Global Sentiment Survey 2025 — from donaldhtaylor.co.uk by Don Taylor

The L&D Global Sentiment Survey, now in its 12th year, once again asked two key questions of L&D professionals worldwide:

  • What will be hot in workplace learning in 2025?
  • What are your L&D challenges in 2025?

For the obligatory question on what they considered ‘hot’ topics, respondents voted for one to three of 15 suggested options, plus a free text ‘Other’ option. Over 3,000 voters participated from nearly 100 countries. 85% shared their challenges for 2025.

The results show more interest in AI, a renewed focus on showing the value of L&D, and some signs of greater maturity around our understanding of AI in L&D.


 

2025 EDUCAUSE AI Landscape Study: Into the Digital AI Divide — from library.educause.edu

The higher education community continues to grapple with questions related to using artificial intelligence (AI) in learning and work. In support of these efforts, we present the 2025 EDUCAUSE AI Landscape Study, summarizing our community’s sentiments and experiences related to strategy and leadership, policies and guidelines, use cases, the higher education workforce, and the institutional digital divide.

 

Degree in hand, jobs out of reach: Why recent grads are struggling in a competitive market — from cnn.com by Nayeli Jaramillo-Plata; via Ryan Craig

Bellebuono’s story isn’t unique. A recent study from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported the widest unemployment gap between new graduates and experienced degree holders since the 1990s.

The struggle to find work
The unemployment gap is partly due to the increase in competition and changing employer expectations, said David Deming, professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Skill requirements for entry-level roles are higher today than a decade ago, he said. But the change has been gradual from year to year.

 

DeepSeek R-1 Explained — from aieducation.substack.com by Claire Zau
A no-nonsense FAQ (for everyone drowning in DeepSeek headlines)

There is a good chance you’re exhausted by the amount of DeepSeek coverage flooding your inbox. Between the headlines and hot takes on X, it’s hard not to have questions: What is DeepSeek? Why is it special? Why is everyone freaking out? What does this mean for the AI ecosystem? Can you explain the tech? Am I allowed to use it?

Let’s break down why exactly it’s such a big deal with some straightforward FAQs:




AI Voice Agents: 2025 Update — from a16z.com (Andreessen Horowitz) by Olivia Moore

Voice is one of the most powerful unlocks for AI application companies. It is the most frequent (and most information-dense) form of human communication, made “programmable” for the first time due to AI.

For consumers, we believe voice will be the first — and perhaps the primary — way people interact with AI. This interaction could take the form of an always-available companion or coach, or by democratizing services, such as language learning, that were previously inaccessible.


The professions upskilling in AI — from by Rachel Cromidas

The use of artificial intelligence at work continues to climb. Twice as many LinkedIn members in the U.S. say they are using AI on the job now compared to 2023, according to the latest Workforce Confidence survey. Meanwhile, at least half of workers say AI skills will help them progress in their careers. Product managers are the most likely to agree AI will give them a boost, while those in healthcare services roles are least likely.

 
 

A Community College’s Guide to Building Strong Partnerships — from eddesignlab.org

This November 2024 guidebook offers higher education practitioners actionable strategies for building and sustaining partnerships that both meet regional needs and support students, families, and communities. This work was based on the design and delivery of dual enrollment pathways as part of the Lab’s Designers in Residence 2.0: Accelerating Pathways project.

The practices and case studies shared here are informed by higher education leaders across six community colleges as part of the Lab’s Designers in Residence program.

We have organized the guidebook based on core elements of a strong partnerships strategy, alongside how to establish a strong foundation and sustain and maintain the partnerships you’ve built. Through our research, we’ve identified four key elements of strong partnerships:

+ Communication and collaboration
+ Shared vision
+ Adaptive and responsive
+ Action-oriented

You will find guiding questions, tools, and case studies within each of the four elements.
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Also from The Education Design Lab:

 

The Rise of the Heretical Leader — from ditchthattextbook.com; a guest post by Dan Fitzpatrick

Now is the time for visionary leadership in education. The era of artificial intelligence is reshaping the demands on education systems. Rigid policies, outdated curricula, and reliance on obsolete metrics are failing students. A recent survey from Resume Genius found that graduates lack skills in communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Consequently, there is a growing trend in companies hiring candidates based on skills instead of traditional education or work experience. This underscores the urgent need for educational leaders to prioritize adaptability and innovation in their systems. Educational leaders must embrace a transformative approach to keep pace.

[Heretical leaders] bring courage, empathy, and strategic thinking to reimagine education’s potential. Here are their defining characteristics:

  • Visionary Thinking: They identify bold, innovative paths to progress.
  • Courage to Act: These leaders take calculated risks to overcome resistance and inertia.
  • Relentless Curiosity: They challenge assumptions and seek better alternatives.
  • Empathy for Stakeholders: Understanding the personal impact of change allows them to lead with compassion.
  • Strategic Disruption: Their deliberate actions ensure systemic improvements.
    These qualities enable Heretical leaders to reframe challenges as opportunities and drive meaningful change.

From DSC:
Readers of this blog will recognize that I believe visionary leadership is extremely important — in all areas of our society, but especially within our learning ecosystems. Vision trumps data, at least in my mind. There are times when data can be used to support a vision, but having a powerful vision is more lasting and impactful than relying on data to drive the organization.

So while I’d vote for a different term other than “heretical leaders,” I get what Dan is saying and I agree with him. Such leaders are going against the grain. They are swimming upstream. They are espousing perspectives that others often don’t buy into (at least initially or for some time). 

Such were the leaders who introduced online learning into the K-16 educational systems back in the late ’90s and into the next two+ decades. The growth of online-based learning continues and has helped educate millions of people. Those leaders and the people who worked for such endeavors were going against the grain.

We haven’t seen the end point of online-based learning. I think it will become even more powerful and impactful when AI is used to determine which jobs are opening up, and which skills are needed for those jobs, and then provide a listing of sources of where one can obtain that knowledge and develop those skills. People will be key in this vision. But so will AI and personalized learning. It will be a collaborative effort.

By the way, I am NOT advocating for using AI to outsource our thinking. Also, having basic facts and background knowledge in a domain is critically important, especially to use AI effectively. But we should be teaching students about AI (as we learn more about it ourselves). We should be working collaboratively with our students to understand how best to use AI. It’s their futures at stake.


 

The Best of AI 2024: Top Winners Across 9 Categories — from aiwithallie.beehiiv.com by Allie Miller
2025 will be our weirdest year in AI yet. Read this so you’re more prepared.


Top AI Tools of 2024 — from ai-supremacy.com by Michael Spencer (behind a paywall)
Which AI tools stood out for me in 2024? My list.

Memorable AI Tools of 2024
Catergories included:

  • Useful
  • Popular
  • Captures the zeighest of AI product innovation
  • Fun to try
  • Personally satisfying
  1. NotebookLM
  2. Perplexity
  3. Claude

New “best” AI tool? Really? — from theneurondaily.com by Noah and Grant
PLUS: A free workaround to the “best” new AI…

What is Google’s Deep Research tool, and is it really “the best” AI research tool out there?

Here’s how it works: Think of Deep Research as a research team that can simultaneously analyze 50+ websites, compile findings, and create comprehensive reports—complete with citations.

Unlike asking ChatGPT to research for you, Deep Research shows you its research plan before executing, letting you edit the approach to get exactly what you need.

It’s currently free for the first month (though it’ll eventually be $20/month) when bundled with Gemini Advanced. Then again, Perplexity is always free…just saying.

We couldn’t just take J-Cal’s word for it, so we rounded up some other takes:

Our take: We then compared Perplexity, ChatGPT Search, and Deep Research (which we’re calling DR, or “The Docta” for short) on robot capabilities from CES revealed:


An excerpt from today’s Morning Edition from Bloomberg

Global banks will cut as many as 200,000 jobs in the next three to five years—a net 3% of the workforce—as AI takes on more tasks, according to a Bloomberg Intelligence survey. Back, middle office and operations are most at risk. A reminder that Citi said last year that AI is likely to replace more jobs in banking than in any other sector. JPMorgan had a more optimistic view (from an employee perspective, at any rate), saying its AI rollout has augmented, not replaced, jobs so far.


 

 

LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2025: The 25 fastest-growing jobs in the U.S. — from linkedin.com

Professionals are navigating rapid change, and staying ahead of the curve is no easy feat. Recent LinkedIn research shows that 64% of workers feel overwhelmed by the pace of workplace shifts, from navigating AI to managing multi-generational teams. At the same time, U.S. workers’ confidence in their job securityis the lowest it’s been since the start of the pandemic.

But as the workplace continues to evolve, new opportunities arise. That’s exactly what our annual Jobs on the Rise list uncovers — the fastest-growing jobs over the past three years and the trends defining the future of work. From the rise of AI roles to the resurgence in travel and hospitality positions, the 2025 ranking highlights sectors with sustainable growth in today’s changing workforce. (You can read more about our methodology at the bottom of this article.)

The list is a roadmap that can point you in the right direction at any stage of your career. Under each job title, you can explore the most common skills, top hiring regions, remote and hybrid availability and more. And you can turn those insights into action by exploring open roles, honing your skills through LinkedIn Learning courses (free for all members until Feb. 15) or joining the conversation in the collaborative article for each featured role.

 
 

Increasing AI Fluency Among Enterprise Employees, Senior Management & Executives — from learningguild.com by Bill Brandon

In other words, individual learning leaders need to obtain information from surveys and studies that are directly useful in their curriculum planning. This article attempts, in these early days, to provide some specific guidelines for AI curriculum planning in enterprise organizations.

The two reports identified in the first paragraph help to answer an important question. What can enterprise L&D teams do to improve AI fluency in their organizations?


The Future of Workplace Learning: Adaptive Strategies for Navigating Change — from learningguild.com by Rachel Rosenfeldt

The Importance of Building a ‘Change Muscle’
The ability to test and learn, pivot quickly, and embrace change is an increasingly foundational skill that all employees, no matter the level of experience or seniority, need in 2025 and beyond. Adaptable organizations significantly outperform more change-averse peers on nearly every metric, ranging from revenue growth to employee engagement. In other words, having agility and adaptability embedded in your culture pays dividends. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they represent distinct yet interconnected aspects of organizational success:

  • Agility refers to the ability to swiftly and efficiently respond to immediate challenges or opportunities. It’s about being nimble and proactive, making quick decisions, and adjusting to navigate short-term obstacles.
  • Adaptability is a broader concept that encompasses the capacity to evolve and thrive in the face of long-term shifts in the environment. It’s about being resilient and flexible by modifying strategies and structures to align with fundamental changes in the market or industry.

And a quick comment from DSC:


Addressing Skills Gaps in Enterprise L&D: A High-Level Overview — from learningguild.com by Bill Brandon

Employees’ skills and abilities must match the skills and abilities required for their jobs; when they do, organizational performance and productivity improve.

Skills gaps occur when there are mismatches between employees’ skills and capabilities and the skills and capabilities needed for their work. As technology and work become more complex, identifying and correcting skills gaps become essential to optimizing employee performance.

This article discusses various methods involving skills inference and predictive analytics in addition to traditional methods to pinpoint and prevent skills gaps.


A Practical Framework for Microlearning Success: A Guide for Learning Leaders — from by Robyn A. Defelice, PhD

Another year, another opportunity to bring microlearning into your performance and talent development strategy! This is especially appealing as more and more organizations strive to deliver training in ways that meet the fast-paced needs of their employees.

However, implementing a microlearning strategy that aligns with organizational outcomes and sustains performance is no small feat. Learning and Development (L&D) leaders often grapple with questions like: Where do we start; How do we ensure our efforts are effective; and What factors should we evaluate?

The Microlearning Effectiveness (MLE) Framework offers a practical approach to addressing these challenges. Instead of rigid rules, the framework acts as a guide, encouraging leaders to evaluate their efforts against six key components:

  • Goals or measurable outcomes
  • Purpose
  • Potential
  • Evaluation
  • Implementation
  • Distributed practice
 

How AI Is Changing Education: The Year’s Top 5 Stories — from edweek.org by Alyson Klein

Ever since a new revolutionary version of chat ChatGPT became operable in late 2022, educators have faced several complex challenges as they learn how to navigate artificial intelligence systems.

Education Week produced a significant amount of coverage in 2024 exploring these and other critical questions involving the understanding and use of AI.

Here are the five most popular stories that Education Week published in 2024 about AI in schools.


What’s next with AI in higher education? — from msn.com by Science X Staff

Dr. Lodge said there are five key areas the higher education sector needs to address to adapt to the use of AI:

1. Teach ‘people’ skills as well as tech skills
2. Help all students use new tech
3. Prepare students for the jobs of the future
4. Learn to make sense of complex information
5. Universities to lead the tech change


5 Ways Teachers Can Use NotebookLM Today — from classtechtips.com by Dr. Monica Burns

 
© 2025 | Daniel Christian