The DIY Learner

My guest today is Michael Crawford, the Chief Academic Officer of the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative (ELI), where he drives the development, delivery, and curation of program curriculum and content. ELI is an education company dedicated to redefining entrepreneurship and helping to empower people through the development of an entrepreneurial mindset. Their curriculum, the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program, is being utilized at several community colleges and small business development centers, both in the US and in Latin America. Michael believes entrepreneurial thinking is what is needed in education today and feels that entrepreneurs have a mindset that allows them to identify problems in their environment, to take action, to test possible solutions, and then ultimately to manifest something that will provide value for other people.

Building upon more than seven years of facilitation and scholarship in the fields of psychology, education, and human development, Michael combines theory and praxis from multiple disciplines to ground ELI’s work in sound practice and research. Prior to joining ELI, Michael served as the Assessment Coordinator for Kauffman Scholars, Inc., a college access and scholarship program supported by the Kauffman Foundation, where he led all organizational data activities, including planning, analyzing, and reporting, to promote increased and effective usage of research and data across all departments. While there, he co-created and co-facilitated StartupScholars, an innovative internship program that connected companies seeking resources and high-school and college students seeking work experience in a mutually-beneficial learning and employment opportunity.

Michael has extensive qualitative and quantitative research experience, having worked as a Research Assistant at the Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation at the University of Kansas, as the Project Coordinator for the United Way of Greater Kansas City Out-of-School Time Quality Matters Project in Kansas City, and as a Research Assistant at the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University. His writing has been published in academic journals and edited books, and he has been an invited speaker, presenter, and facilitator at conferences and seminars.

Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science in Sport Psychology from Michigan State University, and is currently a PhD Candidate in Educational Psychology at the University of Kansas. In his free time, he loves spending time with his wife, son, and dog. He also enjoys reading whatever he can get his hands on.

Today’s guest on The DIY Learner podcast is John Spencer, a former middle school journalism and computer-programming teacher who is now a full-time professor of instructional technology in Oregon. He is passionate about seeing students embrace creativity and design thinking. His work has been featured in Kappan Magazine, Edutopia, Slate, and The Washington Post, and he had the honor of delivering a speech at the White House on the future of education. Spencer is the co-author of several education books, including Launch: Using the Design Thinking Process to Boost Creativity and Bring Out the Maker in Every Student. He is also the co-founder of two educational technology startups, Write About and Blend Education. Spencer’s goal is to make something new each day. Spencerauthor.com thelaunchcycle.com @spencerideas sketchyvideos.com

Today’s guest is Derek Loudermilk, a former professional cyclist and scientist who now travels the world full time. After discovering a new species in 2012, Derek decided to leave science to impact people more directly. You can usually find him having adventures, learning new things, connecting with people, and teaching. Derek is a coach and hosts the Art of Adventure podcast, and his mission is to help you do something that has never been done before.

Brad Zomick is the co-founder and Senior Director of Content at SkilledUp. He is a life-long learner and lifehacker. SkilledUp’s mission is to organize, curate and review the world of online education, with an emphasis on skill-based learning that helps people gain marketable, in-demand job skills.

Today’s guest is Kyle Pearce, Founder of DIY Genius, and his mission is to teach people how to use technology to learn faster and develop a meaningful career around their creative talents. He runs a self-directed learning community called DIY Genius that helps people learn today's most in-demand digital media and productivity skills they can use to live, learn and work from anywhere they choose. After you hear Kyle, you will be truly inspired to bring out your inner genius.