All through September join us as we present a series of education related radio documentaries from American Radioworks. Here is a look at the shows coming up.
September 7 - The Science of Smart
Until recently, we didn't know much about the best ways to learn. Now that's changing. Experts working in cognitive science, psychology, and neuroscience have opened new windows into how the brain works, and how we can learn to learn better. In this program, we look at some of the big ideas coming out of brain science. We meet researchers unlocking the secrets of how the brain acquires and holds on to knowledge and introduce listeners to the teachers and students who are trying to apply that knowledge in the real world.
September 14 - Greater Expectations: The Challenge of Common Core
There's plenty of controversy surrounding the Common Core, a new set of education standards adopted by most states. Getting less attention is what the standards actually say, and the fact that many teachers like them. This American RadioWorks documentary takes listeners into classrooms to explore how the standards are changing teaching and learning. Many teachers say those changes are desperately needed, but some are worried about new Common Core tests and whether they will help improve schools or get in the way of better education.
September 21 - The New Face of College
The 21st Century college student is likely to be older than traditional students. She's more likely to be female, working and Hispanic or African-American. She's more likely to be a mom. She's less likely to attend college full time or finish in four years. This American RadioWorks documentary explores how universities are adapting to their new students. We visit Amherst College, a leader among elite schools in recruiting and serving non-traditional students. We see how the University of Texas-El Paso, where most undergraduates are Hispanic and low-income, is becoming a top-tier research university. And we travel to a tiny college on an Indian reservation in eastern Washington that is trying to bring liberal arts to migrant farm workers.
September 28 - Ready to Work: Reviving Vocational Education
Vocational education was once a staple of American schooling, preparing some kids for blue-collar futures while others were put on a path to college. Today that kind of tracking smacks of classism. "College for all" is the new mantra. But not everyone wants to go to college, and nearly half of jobs don't require a bachelor's degree. Many experts say it's time to bring career and technical education back. This American RadioWorks documentary explores how vocational education has changed and how it's re-shaping debates about the purpose of school.
