Bonus: Conversations about Education and AI
In this episode of My EdTech Life, Todd McFarland, whom I have known for about seven years, gives us a look at how ed tech and AI impact modern education and industry fields. From discussing the benefits of deep learning to exploring the potential of AI in closing learning gaps, Todd provides valuable insights. The conversation also touches on subjects like lifelong learning, the value of learning fewer things deeply, the significance of parent involvement in education, and the unanticipated consequences of standardized testing. Todd shares about his own journey from growing up in Dayton, Ohio, to becoming the Chief Product Officer for a medical device start-up. Highlighting the importance of understanding maths deeply, he credits this with his academic success. Todd also discusses the challenges he faced in his learning process and suggests some useful strategies to overcome them.
00:31 Introduction and Welcoming the Guest
02:19 Getting to Know the Guest: Todd McFarland's Journey
04:32 Deep Dive into Todd's Career and Advice for Students
06:09 The Importance of Deep Learning and Understanding Fundamentals
18:54 Reflections on Current Education Practices and Standardized Testing
28:19 Insights into the Industry: Observations from Todd's Career
32:05 Exploring the Concept of Limits and Infinity
32:34 The Art of Teaching: Guiding Students to Answers
34:13 The Role of Parents in Fostering Intellectual Curiosity
35:02 The Impact of Deep Conversations in Learning
36:53 The Pressure on Teachers and the Importance of Understanding
37:39 The Power of Student-led Conversations
38:18 The Intersection of Education and Technology
39:11 The Role of AI in the Industry
42:15 The Potential and Limitations of AI in Education
53:15 The Use of AI in Translations and Parent Communication
56:34 Reflecting on the Journey and the Future of Education
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Until Next Time, Stay Techie!
-Fonz
🎙️ Love our content? Sponsor MyEdTechLife Podcast and connect with our passionate edtech audience! Reach out to me at myedtechlife@gmail.com. ✨
Todd McFarland
Chief Product Officer
Todd McFarland is currently Chief Product Officer for Cerulean Scientific and has been working in the medical device industry for twenty-one years. He is passionate about bringing new products to market that change the standard of care in medicine.
Todd has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University and an MA in Mathematics from the University of Houston. He is a lifelong learner and is considering becoming a high school teacher after retirement from industry.
Todd lives in Athens, Texas, with his wife and daughter. They have four older children.
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