What if a child could become literate and numerate—without ever stepping into a formal classroom? In this episode of Lectures on Learning, Heather Clayton Staker travels to the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi to explore how Imagine Worldwide is delivering powerful learning gains to the most marginalized students using only tablets, adaptive software, and a caring facilitator. Joined by Vafa Hakimi, a field leader from Imagine, Heather discovers how children—many of whom have never attended school—are becoming confident readers and mathematicians. Together, they explore a bold new vision for education in underserved communities and the future of learning for displaced youth around the world.

KEY TOPICS COVERED:

• The learning crisis facing refugee children in Malawi and beyond
• How Imagine Worldwide tablets use AI-powered adaptive software to teach literacy and numeracy
• A behind-the-scenes look at implementation in refugee-led schools and community centers
• Stories of students who have never attended school now learning entirely through tablets
• Pros and cons of extrinsic motivators (e.g. play zones, books, raffles) for younger learners
• Why refugee-led organizations can outperform traditional NGOs in education delivery
• The surprising conversion story of a social worker who was once skeptical of edtech
• Insights on sustainability, device durability, and the need for wraparound support like meals
• The emerging “brick-and-mortar Flex Model” as a solution for out-of-school learners
• Real-life partnerships between Imagine Worldwide and Limitless Education’s 2-Hour Learning

LINKS:

Download the "Innovation Spotlight: Imagine Worldwide" infographic at: https://www.guide.school/6

YouTube version of Lectures on Learning: www.youtube.com/@guideschooling/playlists

Podcast version: Available on all major platforms (Spotify, Apple, etc.)

Description:

Have you struggled to motivate students? In this episode of Lectures on Learning, campus director Paige Fultz of Alpha Brownsville reveals her groundbreaking approach that propels students to outpace traditional learners by 2.3x—all through a unique two-hour learning model. Join us as Paige explores how blending intrinsic passion with extrinsic incentives creates an environment where students thrive, adapt, and master new challenges in tomorrow’s schools.

KEY TOPICS COVERED:

• Overview of Alpha Brownsville and its innovative two-hour learning model
• How intrinsic and extrinsic motivators work together to boost student performance
• The use of creative tools like raffle tickets, Class Dojo points, and Alpha Bucks
• Strategies for personalized incentives and real-time student feedback
• Balancing immediate rewards with long-term, deep engagement
• The role of school culture in fostering a motivated, resilient learning community

FREE RESOURCE

Page from Paige's Playbook: Discover the top intrinsic and extrinsic motivators that power success at Alpha Brownsville. Download here: https://www.guide.school/5

LINKS

• www.guide.school/5 - Paige's Playbook on Motivators
• YouTube version of Lectures on Learning: www.youtube.com/@guideschooling/playlists
• Podcast version of Lectures on Learning: Available on all major podcast platforms.

Do you secretly dread your job? Do you resist going to work each day. Do you regret your low salary? Or do you feel you’re not making much of a difference? In this provocative episode of Lectures on Learning, Heather Clayton Staker explores the emerging role of the Guide in AI-powered Flex studios and questions whether you might be happier if you make the jump into this new role, whether because you see the downsides of traditional teaching or you are compelled by the upsides of what’s on the horizon with AI-powered Flex learning.

KEY TOPICS COVERED:

- The emergence of AI-based adaptive learning software in education

- What is a Guide?

- Comparison of traditional "Teacher" role vs. new "Guide" role

- Benefits of the Flex model in K-12 education

- Reasons for current teachers to consider becoming Guides

- Opportunities for non-teachers to enter the field as Guides

- Quiz to help listeners determine if they're suited for the Teacher or Guide role

- Potential ways Guides can transform education globally

- Characteristics of individuals who should not pursue teaching or guiding roles

FREE RESOURCE

Quiz: “Do you have a Teacher or a Guide Mindset?” Download here: https:www.guide.school/4

LINKS

• www.guide.school/3 - Microschool budget resource
• www.guide.school/4 - Quiz to determine suitability for Teacher or Guide role
• https://faculty.washington.edu/kate1/ewExternalFiles/SageOnTheStage.pdf - Alison King's article on "From Sage on the Stage to Guide on the Side"
• https://www.christenseninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/JTBD.pdf - Paper on "jobs to be done" in education
• YouTube version of Lectures on Learning: www.youtube.com/@guideschooling/playlists
• Podcast version of Lectures on Learning: Available on all major podcast platforms.