Advertise on podcast: Perspectives in Parryville

Today, my guest is Glenn Solomons, an educator, learning designer and professional learning specialist whose career has taken him from art and design and studies in architecture, through to classroom teaching and school leadership, to designing professional learning experiences. Glenn shares how ten years in the classroom gradually led him into school leadership, where he discovered another passion: working with adults and facilitating teacher professional learning. Glenn describes the twists and turns that took him beyond the school classroom, from designing professional learning for school leaders across Australia, to developing online and blended learning and eventually establishing his own business, Cheeky Learning. We take a closer look at one of Glenn's recent projects with the Tasmanian Department for Education, Children and Young People, where he co-designed a series of online modules to support teacher mentors working with early career teachers. We explore the challenges that led to the project, the importance of co-design, the use of case studies and storyboarding, and the value of testing and gathering feedback on learning design approaches with real teachers. Our conversation also explores some of the human side of learning design. Glenn talks about trust, relationships, empathy and responsibility—and why understanding the people you're working with can be just as important as having a sound design process. We discuss the idea of being "kind to the person, tough on ideas", and how relationships can help people navigate differences of opinion without turning them into personal conflicts. Throughout our conversation is Glenn's strong belief that professional learning needs to bridge the gap between theory and practice. That is, rather than simply giving participants interesting information and sending them on their way, Glenn asks a simple question: Will this make a difference to what someone does tomorrow or Monday morning? We unpack Glenn's own learning design process—from understanding the problem you're actually trying to solve, through sequencing content into a coherent learning "thread", using case studies to apply ideas, developing action plans, and testing and iterating the final product. Glenn offers thoughtful reflections on designing learning that is practical, human and genuinely useful. Links: https://www.cheekylearning.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-solomons-5a3373128/

Today, my guest is Lucy Blakemore, a researcher, educator and student experience specialist whose career has taken a wonderfully non-linear path from studying German and Italian literature, to market research, English language teaching, educational technology and, more recently, research and insights in higher education. In this episode, Lucy reflects on growing up in the UK and choosing university subjects not because they pointed towards a particular career, but simply because they were things she enjoyed and was good at. She shares how studying languages opened up opportunities to travel and experience other cultures, and how a volunteering experience teaching English in Sudan led to an early realisation that she was fascinated by people's stories – and by asking questions. We explore Lucy's 25-year relationship with research, from conducting focus groups and interviews for everything from chocolate and cars to healthcare, through to her current work investigating student experiences and higher education. Lucy offers insights into the surprising connections between market research, teaching and learning design, and how skills developed in one career can quietly become the foundations for another. In our conversation, we explore Lucy's current research into leadership practices in international education. Rather than asking what makes a 'good leader', Lucy is interested in what leaders actually do – how they spend their days, build relationships, listen, navigate complex organisations and respond to the environments around them. We explore a simple technique of asking people to describe how she could essentially "be them for a day", revealing the often invisible practices that underpin leadership. We also discuss Lucy's research into community and belonging in higher education, and challenge some common assumptions about today's students. Rather than asking whether students belong to a university community, Lucy explores how universities might better understand and connect with the many communities that students already inhabit. We consider the role of learning design, online learning, equity and facilitation in creating meaningful opportunities for students to connect with one another. And throughout our conversation is a recurring theme: the power of asking questions. For Lucy, curiosity isn't simply a personality trait – it's a professional skill, especially when conducting research, designing learning, teaching, leading or simply trying to understand another person. Lucy reflects on her own unplanned career journey, the value of being open to unexpected opportunities, and why sometimes dismantling the career ladder you thought you were supposed to climb can lead somewhere much more interesting. Links: https://www.lucyblakemore.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyblakemore/

Today, my guest is Mark Schuster, an environmental educator, musician and bushfire technical officer whose lifelong passion for Australia's natural environment has shaped a deeply personal career in nature, conservation, Australian history, music, education and bushfire management. In this episode, Mark reflects on growing up in suburban Brisbane, where an early fascination with bushland, birds and books set him on a path that would lead to studies in zoology, rainforest ecology and conservation. He shares the mentors, chance encounters and unexpected twists that shaped his journey—from an unsuccessful PhD that ultimately opened new doors, to a career spanning scientific research, public service, environmental management and community engagement. Our conversation explores Mark's enduring commitment to preserving Australia's cultural and natural heritage. He recounts decades spent travelling through rural Queensland recording traditional bush music, German-Australian folk songs and oral histories, preserving stories that might otherwise have disappeared. We also discuss the power of music, memory and storytelling, and the importance of passing cultural traditions from one generation to the next. The Schuster Collection, part of the National Library of Australia, contains recordings of folk songs and dance music from Queensland and also stories, legends and recollections of customs and immigrant settlement, particularly German and Scandinavian in rural Queensland. Mark plays many of the old German-Queensland dance tunes on his traditional button accordion. Mark offers valuable insights into bushfire ecology and his current work helping communities prepare for bushfire risk in Sydney's northern bushland suburbs. We discuss the relationship between people and place, the value of walking as a way of observing and understanding the environment, and the emerging collaboration between Western fire science and Aboriginal cultural burning practices. We wander into conversations about poetry, nature writing, the influence of Australian poets including Judith Wright and Amy Mack, and the role that curiosity, generosity and lifelong learning have played throughout Mark's life. Mark shares his belief that caring for landscapes and the environment also means caring for people and the stories they carry. Links: https://www.library.gov.au/research/guides-and-resources/guides-selected-collections/schuster-collection https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-schuster-033248a8/ https://germanydownunder.com/

Today, my guest is Mais Fatayer, a learning designer, educator and researcher whose professional journey has taken her from computer science and software engineering to teaching, higher education, open education and learning design. In this episode, Mais reflects on how a love of mathematics, problem solving and art shaped her early career decisions. Mais shares how studying computer science led to teaching, and how her experiences as both a student and educator revealed the profound difference that thoughtful teaching and learning design can make. We explore Mais’ transition from programming computers to designing meaningful learning experiences. Our conversation centres on the world of open education. Mais explains what open educational resources are, how Creative Commons licensing works, and why making high-quality educational materials openly available has the potential to transform learning for students, teachers and institutions. Mais also shares insights from her doctoral research, demonstrating how student assessment can be redesigned to create valuable resources that continue to benefit future learners long after a course has finished. We also chat about the evolving role of learning designers in higher education. Mais emphasises the importance of collaboration between academics, librarians and learning design teams, and how emerging technologies such as generative AI present new opportunities to make education more accessible, sustainable and equitable. Links: Connect with Mais LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maisfatayer Open Education blog https://educationexpress.uts.edu.au/blog/tag/open-education/ Open education and learning design Designing inclusive learning experience through Open Educational Practices https://oercollective.caul.edu.au/designing-learning-experiences/chapter/designing-inclusive-learning-experience-through-open-educational-practices/ Renewable assessment Fatayer, M., & Tualaulelei, E. (2023). Making the Most of Cognitive Surplus: Descriptive Case Studies of Student-Generated Open Educational Resources. Education Sciences, 13(10), 1011. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13101011 Gems and nuggets: Multicultural education for young children https://usq.pressbooks.pub/gemsandnuggets1/ Creative Commons https://wiki.creativecommons.org/wiki/Recommended_practices_for_attribution#This_is_a_good_attribution_for_material_you_modified_slightly

Today, my guest is Brendan James Murray, an author and English teacher whose work explores education, childhood and imagination. In this episode, Brendan reflects on growing up in a working-class family, discovering a love of writing at an early age, and the unexpected journey that led him from being a child who struggled with school attendance to becoming a passionate teacher and published author. We explore Brendan's lifelong fascination with stories, monsters, mythology and literature, and how these early influences shaped both his writing and his teaching. Brendan shares insights into his creative process, including the role that walking, curiosity and sustained reflection play in developing ideas, as well as the research behind books such as The Drowned Man and his latest work, Childhood: A memoir of growing up, parenting, teaching, and discovering what children need most. Our conversation also examines some of the larger questions surrounding education and contemporary culture. Brendan discusses the distinction between imagination and creativity, discussing that while creativity often focuses on producing measurable outcomes, imagination is a way of thinking that deserves to be valued in its own right. We chat about the growing emphasis on measurement, data and achievement in modern life, and what may be lost when imagination, wonder and uncertainty are pushed aside. We enjoyably explore imitating the poetry of Emily Dickinson, ambiguity, a sense of wonder and the great unknown, writer’s block, measurement and achievement, as well as infinite universes, the nature of reality, the ‘many-worlds’ theory of quantum mechanics and metaphors and their role within a memoir. Throughout the conversation, Brendan offers reflections on childhood, growing up, imagination, learning, hope, storytelling, teaching, parenting and the importance of helping young people imagine possibilities for their future. Links: Childhood: https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761779343/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjmurrayauthor/

Today, my guest is Kylie Sturday, a learning and development professional whose career journey spans international studies, immigration and refugee visas, emergency management, and organisational performance. In this episode, Kylie reflects on her path from studying Japanese and International Studies to spending more than a decade in the Australian Public Service, where she worked in complex refugee and humanitarian visa decision-making roles before discovering a passion for learning and development. We explore how Kylie transitioned from frontline service and operational environments into the world of workplace learning, where she became fascinated by the challenge of helping people make sense of complex information and apply it effectively in their job roles. Kylie shares insights into performance consulting, continuous professional development, communities of practice, and the importance of understanding the broader organisational systems that influence learning and performance. Our conversation ranges from onboarding programs and leadership support through to the evolving role of learning professionals in an age of rapid technological change. Kylie discusses the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, artificial intelligence, arguing that qualities such as curiosity, empathy, judgement, and critical thinking remain central to effective learning and organisational growth. We also discuss the value of evidence-informed practice, human-centred design, evaluation, and collaboration, along with Kylie’s work with ‘Crackin’ LnD (Down Under)’, a professional Learning Community that connects and supports learning practitioners across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Throughout the conversation, Kylie emphasises a holistic approach to learning and development, the power of asking better questions, connecting with others, and approaching both learning and change with openness and curiosity. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylie-sturday/ Crackin’ LnD (Down Under) - Learning Community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462967/ and https://v2.chameleoncreator.com/preview/J--YPMeUx8C6/welcome-to-crackin-lnd

In this episode we chat about Minh’s early inspiration from a high school chemistry teacher, leading to studies in medical science at Sydney University and further research in biology and cancer. Minh shares some of the challenges of being ‘first-in-family’ as well as the opportunities, complications and struggles in completing honours research and a PhD. We explore the significance of taking a career pause and the benefits of a career change. Minh shares her positive experiences with music, creativity and singing, which offered a break from the intensities of research and academia. We find out more about Minh’s move away from medical research and towards learning and teaching. Minh outlines how she flipped face-to-face teaching approaches to online during the global pandemic with the central question: How do we design learning resources that are going to work for the needs of students? Minh outlines her ‘third space’ academic role and how she co-designs learning resources with academics and students and supports and enhances the student experience, including activities involving generative Artificial Intelligence tools (AI). Minh reflects on the pressures and obligations when student follow a prescribed path, in contrast to modes of learning with broader, more creative boundaries. Minh emphasises the value of connecting with people, building community and encouraging a sense of belonging and the role of curiosity and openness to new ideas and connections. Minh aims to foster student’s unique voice, a ‘why-does-this-matter?’ approach, and a love and enjoyment of learning, particularly in transitional times, in an era of AI and rapid change. Here’s my conversation with Minh Huynh. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minh-d-huynh/ Minh Huynh, Learning Experience Designer: https://bit.ly/MinhHuynh-LearningExperienceDesigner

Today, my guest is Wendy Taleo, a Learning Designer, Writer, and Musician. In this episode, Wendy shares her diverse background and career journey, highlighting her experiences with technology, education, and creative pursuits including craft and music, while emphasising her approach to work and learning through curiosity and openness to new opportunities. We explore the ideas around ‘open education’ and discuss various digital tools and platforms that Wendy uses for creative expression. Wendy discusses her experiences in being awarded Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and how she aligns her work with the UK Professional Standards Framework with a focus on open education and online course design. We chat about the profound metaphors offered by trees and rhizomes, those mysterious modified subterranean plant stems – like ginger - that help us reconceive our conceptions and approaches to learning and teaching. Wendy shared insights about poetry, ‘freedom of expression’ and ‘rewilding’, with an emphasis on life-long learning, curiosity, collaboration, mentorship and connecting with others both locally and globally. Links: Wendy’s landing page: https://about.me/wen.ta LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wentale/ Landing stages (book of poetry): https://amzn.asia/d/1oMY8gq Https://bit.ly/landingstages

Today my guest is Darryn Gray, a learning designer, educator, and community builder based in New Zealand. Darryn brings a wealth of experience from his time as a classroom teacher and school leader, through to his current work in adult learning and professional development. In this episode, we explore Darryn’s reflections on moving between education systems — from traditional Eurocentric approaches to learning, to those grounded in Māori worldviews offering rich possibilities for more relational, reciprocal and inclusive learning design. Darryn shares his belief that learning is not something done to people, but something created with them. We hear about his early experiences in a brand-new school, surrounded by technology, and how this sparked his lifelong interest in innovation, collaboration, and community. We also talk about his creation of Crackin’ L&D Down Under, a grassroots community for learning professionals navigating change, technology, and the future of work. In our brief chat, we explore the role of AI, the power of facilitation over instruction, and why trust, humility, and conversation might be our most important tools in a time of constant change. This is a wide-ranging, reflective, and energising conversation. Darryn invites us to rethink what learning could be when we value the contributions that everyone brings. Links: https://www.darryngray.co.nz/ Crackin' LnD (Down Under) https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462967/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/darryn-gray-acc-b6b73385/

Today, my guest is Norman Hunter, an Educational Leader and Author. In this episode, Norman shares insights into his upbringing, educational background, and experiences as a school teacher and principal. We chat about Norman’s book, ‘Between the Idea and the Reality: Decision making for the Thinking Educational Leader,’ a book that explores the central role of reasoning behind the many decisions that school leaders make each day. Norman reflects on the importance of understanding human factors in leadership and the significance of recognising individual talents. We discuss the significance of multiple points of view and how to approach this ambiguity when engaging with stakeholders within a school context. We chat about The Beatles song, ‘The Long and Winding Road’ as a metaphor for the complexities and uncertainties of life and the quest for purpose that is often ambiguous and not straightforward. Norman emphasises the importance of combining cognitive and intuitive approaches in educational leadership, and the importance of understanding the values and beliefs that underpin a community, particularly in a school setting.

Today my guest is Paulina Larocca, Creativity Author, Trainer and Provocateur. In this episode, we discuss the relationship between creativity and innovation, and Paulina’s studies in pursuing a Master's in Creative Problem Solving. Paulina offers insights into creativity, and the significance of embodiment practices and self-reflection in fostering creativity and personal growth. Paulina explains that connecting with the body and the environment can lead to powerful insights and creative breakthroughs. We chat about moments of stillness in our day and how this stillness can often bring in profound moments of insight. Paulina encourages people, especially those who might be a little sceptical, to deepen their relationship with creative practice and explore its potential. Links: https://paulinalarocca.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulina-larocca-b455044/

Today my guest is Ben Lawless, an educator, teacher, university lecturer, textbook author, and education consultant. Ben helps schoolteachers make sense of the different approaches to assessment, specifically by demystifying the design and use of rubrics and encouraging their value in supporting student progress. In this episode, we find out about Ben’s very early experiences on a university campus, through to his later studies in law, philosophy, and education, which eventually lead to roles that combine teaching, research, and educational innovation. We discuss Ben’s work in developmental rubric design, an approach used when teachers want to describe what it looks like to get better at something. Ben shares his belief that assessment in schools is time-consuming, and at times, inaccurate and often doesn’t support teaching and learning. Ben shares insights into the idea that student assessment should be about growth, not just grades, and some of the limitations of traditional ranking systems. We also chat about Ben’s love of history, video games in the classroom (such as using Assassin’s Creed as a teaching tool), and his thoughts on NAPLAN, ATAR, and the pitfalls of big data in schools. We cover quite a few ideas and tangents in this fluid conversation. Ben encourages a more considered and meaningful approach to teaching, learning, and assessment. Links: https://lawlesslearning.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawlessben/

Today my guest is Dr Selena Fisk. In our conversation, we chat about Selena's career journey and her work as an author and data storyteller in education. We explore the use of generative AI in data analysis, the challenges and opportunities related to the use of data and strategy in schools, and the importance of using multiple sources of data, including personal reflections, to gain a well-rounded understanding of impact. Selena highlights the importance of understanding the context and purpose of data collection, the need for leaders to be confident in their own numeracy and understanding of data use and aligning data collection with an organisation's purpose and goals. Selena shares insights into the significance and purpose of a holistic approach to student well-being; that is, the need to consider not only academic performance but also students' emotional and physical well-being. Selena outlines the potential role of data, and the role of strategic leadership in using this information effectively. Links: https://www.selenafisk.com/

Today my guest is Melissa Gough, an educator, brain injury advocate, and podcaster. In this episode, we find out about Melissa’s early and diverse career roles. We also explore Melissa's unexpected life-changing experience of surviving a brain haemorrhage. Melissa reflects on her recovery process, the challenges she faced in navigating the healthcare system, and the cognitive difficulties related to her condition. We explore her additional advocacy efforts for individuals with brain and other injuries in the form of her creating and hosting “The Brain Game Changer” podcast. Links: https://thebraingamechanger.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-gough-68a33869/

Today my guest is Tim Kitchen, an educator, technologist, and advocate for creativity in education. Tim is also Adobe’s Senior Education Specialist for the Asia Pacific region, with a focus on K-12 education. In this episode, Tim shares insights into his career, spanning a diverse range of roles, from teaching music and physical education, managing technology within schools, teacher professional development, and writing about creativity in education. We chat about educational technology and Tim’s sustained passion for integrating technology in meaningful ways to enhance learning experiences while maintaining the human element. We also chat Tim's book, ‘The Best Way to Learn is to Make. Creativity in a Gen AI World’, which explores the intersection of technology and creativity in contemporary classrooms. Tim reflects on the SAMR model, which encourages using technology not just to substitute traditional methods but to redefine teaching and prepare students for the future. Throughout our conversation, Tim offers practical ways to foster creativity in schools. Tim discusses the importance of nurturing creativity as a skill that can be taught and developed, as well as the potential role of AI in freeing up time for more creative pursuits. We chat about some of the challenges and misconceptions surrounding creativity and how teachers can break away from rigid classroom structures to encourage more creative thinking and creative practice. Links: https://timkitchen.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-kitchen/ https://mammothlearning.co/the-best-way-to-learn-is-to-make/