42. The "OG" International Education Podcasters: Meet Dan Taylor and John Mikton of the ISP

What happens when you speak with two leaders in the field of educational technology? You learn a lot! We were fortunate to speak with Dan Taylor and John Mikton, who, in their spare time, host the big dog of international education podcasting, The International Schools Podcast.

Dan has been involved in the Google for Education community since 2006 and is the founder and director of AppsEvents, a Google-based PD provider. He has trained educators across the globe from El Salvador to Vietnam. 

John currently serves as the Primary Technology for Learning Coordinator at the International School of Geneva – La Châtaigneraie. John’s journey as an educator has spanned Africa, Asia, and Europe. Of those years, 18 have been in school leadership roles, particularly in educational technology leadership. In addition to his coordinator role, John works as a trainer and course designer at the Principal Training Center / Teacher Training Center and as a coach for the Faria Education Group. 

We asked the guiding question “What does technology use in teaching and learning look like post-pandemic and what it might look like going forward?” John and Dan responded with so many helpful insights! 

Here are a few: 

• The pandemic was an example of the power of disruption to bring about change and innovation
• A focus on well-being has emerged
• We have the technology for the next possible need to go virtual, so going forward, the focus is on the plans, structures, connections, and policies to support the students, teachers, and parents. 
• There has been an expansion in online schools, and also in hybrid and blended learning. 
• It is still early to say where we stand with Generative AI. The driving question should be, what is the “value add” of schools when we have GenAI? 
• Personalizing professional and personal learning are still critical goals for schools.
• Lessons learned from hosting the International Schools Podcast: Look to start your own podcast; it’s a great way to share your ideas, and it’s not that hard! And as a host, you learn so much!
• There are concerns about social media and how they lead to divisive behaviors. However, on a positive note, social media can help grow one’s professional brand.
•  There are also concerns about the ongoing teacher shortage.

Dan and John then reversed the course of the interview to ask us questions about the Educators Going Global podcast. We had fun comparing notes!

This episode was recorded on November 12, 2023.

John’s Contact Information: LinkedIn | Beyond Digital
Dan’s Contact Information: L

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Music: YouTube. (2022). Acoustic Guitar | Folk | No copyright | 2022❤️. YouTube. Retrieved October 11, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOEmg_6i7jA.