{"podcast":{"title":"The Signal","slug":"the-signal-7024065","podcast_index_feed_id":7024065,"rss_url":"https://feeds.castos.com/4xqr8","website_url":"https://edtechconnect.castos.com","image_url":"https://episodes.castos.com/66cf7b74d67cb0-47099354/images/podcast/covers/c1a-mp079-qd154xrxu74q-t9z0us.jpg","author":"Jeff Dillon","episode_count":96,"summary":"With more than 450,000 downloads, The Signal is the definitive podcast for higher education’s transformation leaders. Hosted by Jeff Dillon, The Signal cuts through the noise of the \"status quo\" to bring you the strategic intelligence needed to reshape how institutions recruit, support, and retain students. Every Friday, we sit down with the practitioners and technology builders who are actively defining the next decade of campus life. Why Higher Ed Leaders Listen: In one of the most consequential periods for academia, we move past the hype to focus on Human-Centered Innovation. Our episodes feature deep-dive interviews with guest experts focusing on the \"real work\" of institutional evolution. Core Topics & AI Strategy: * Artificial Intelligence: Practical AI adoption, governance, and the \"Human in the Loop\" mindset. * Enrollment Marketing: Modern recruitment strategies and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). * Student Success: Data-driven retention, mental health, and digital engagement. * Institutional Transformation: Navigating digital transformation with a focus on workforce readiness and AVPs reimagining student care. Whether you are a C-suite leader, IT Director, or Facult…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-17T20:20:41.808526+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-signal-7024065"},"episode":{"title":"Ep. 75 - Tawnya Means: Human Plus AI and the Future of Teaching","slug":"ep-75-tawnya-means-human-plus-ai-and-the-future-of-teaching","published_at":"2026-02-20T09:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-signal-7024065/ep-75-tawnya-means-human-plus-ai-and-the-future-of-teaching","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-signal-7024065","url":"https://edtechconnect.castos.com/episodes/tawnya-means-human-plus-ai-and-the-future-of-teaching","audio_url":"https://episodes.castos.com/66cf7b74d67cb0-47099354/2332153/c1e-jz47xs4wodmsn0nx3-jpqd97k3uq5w-m10f18.mp3","summary":"Tawnya Means, Founding Partner and Principal at Inspire Higher Ed, talks about how institutions can navigate the rapid shifts in technology without losing the human heart of education. With over two decades of experience guiding colleges through digital transformation—from the early LMS days to today’s AI revolution—Tawnya brings a rare, grounded perspective on what it takes to innovate with purpose. She breaks down why smaller institutions can actually lead the way, how to move beyond \"shiny object\" tech adoption, and why the future of teaching is a \"human plus AI\" partnership—not a replacement. Whether you’re wrestling with change fatigue, misaligned incentives, or the pressure to modernize on a budget, this conversation offers practical frameworks, real-world examples, and a refreshing focus on culture, accessibility, and sustainable impact. Key Takeaways Innovation Isn’t About Tools, It’s About Teaching – True transformation starts with pedagogy, not technology. Tools should serve learning goals, not drive them. The sequence matters: teaching first, then technology. Change Fatigue Is Real, and It’s Eroding Trust – Faculty and staff are exhausted from constant shifts (pandemic, LMS changes, AI). Institutions must acknowledge this and build sustainable, trust-based approaches to change. Align Incentives with Innovation Goals – If institutions value teaching innovation but reward research, transformation will stall. Incentive structures must support the behaviors they claim to prioritize. Adopt a “Human Plus AI” Mindset – AI should expand human capability, not replace it. Think of AI as a thought partner, tutor, or mentor that helps students understand concepts—not just a shortcut for answers. Accessibility Is a Design Philosophy, Not a Compliance Burden – Building ac…","meta_description":"Tawnya Means, Founding Partner and Principal at Inspire Higher Ed, talks about how institutions can navigate the rapid shifts in technology without losing…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1982,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-signal-7024065/episodes/ep-75-tawnya-means-human-plus-ai-and-the-future-of-teaching/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-signal-7024065/ep-75-tawnya-means-human-plus-ai-and-the-future-of-teaching.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}