Every Day's a School Day: Recent Episodes
St. James's Place
Looking to explore new technology? Trigger new thinking? Inspire engagement and growth within Learning and Development (L&D)? Well, if so, then this podcast channel is for you.
In this new series from St. James’s Place, we'll educate, enlighten, and prepare you for the exciting digital world of tomorrow. Packed with lively conversations and fascinating insights, expert guests and great minds join St. James’s Place monthly to discuss new technology and immersive experiences, showcasing how they can be applied within corporate and educational settings to enhance learning.
Immersive technology is transforming the L&D landscape. AI, VR, and other innovations are revolutionising the current and future workplace. But how? On today’s podcast, we’ll find out. Dr. Ashwin Mehta (MBA FLPI MChem, FRSC) joins Hannah and Nicki across this three-part mini-series to offer up his expert insights on digital learning's burning questions.
Episode One:
Explores all things AI, unveiling the latest trends, advancements, and limitations of the current L&D tech landscape.
Episode Two:
Looks at immersive learning, highlighting the power of gamification and role-play in boosting learner engagement and retention. Expect to hear the challenges of implementing immersive tech as well as the steps to overcome them.
Episode Three:
Wraps up with a discussion on the combined impact of both AI and immersive learning in forging the future of learning and development.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s All in The Why: Ash says that before rolling out AI or immersive tech, truly consider why you’re doing it. What are you getting out of it? How will it help? Hopping on the bandwagon and doing it for the sake of it won’t get you anywhere.
- Be Deliberate: Purpose-driven L&D strategies are paramount when it comes to applying immersive tech. Know your people and your clients and make it relevant and beneficial for their needs - keep it simple!
- One to Watch Out For: An exciting application of user data to create algorithms and personalised learning pathways. As tech evolves, roles should evolve too - we need training that keeps pace with this.
- Be Adaptable: these days, according to Ash, your 5-year learning plan should really be a 1-year. It’s hard to future-proof in such a fast-moving space, so don’t be afraid to try new things and always remain flexible and agile.
For more from Ash, be sure to follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ashwin-mehta-mba-flpi-
Immersive technology is transforming the L&D landscape. AI, VR, and other innovations are revolutionising the current and future workplace. But how? On today’s podcast, we’ll find out. Dr. Ashwin Mehta (MBA FLPI MChem, FRSC) joins Hannah and Nicki across this three-part mini-series to offer up his expert insights on digital learning's burning questions.
Episode One:
Explores all things AI, unveiling the latest trends, advancements, and limitations of the current L&D tech landscape.
Episode Two:
Looks at immersive learning, highlighting the power of gamification and role-play in boosting learner engagement and retention. Expect to hear the challenges of implementing immersive tech as well as the steps to overcome them.
Episode Three:
Wraps up with a discussion on the combined impact of both AI and immersive learning in forging the future of learning and development.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s All in The Why: Ash says that before rolling out AI or immersive tech, truly consider why you’re doing it. What are you getting out of it? How will it help? Hopping on the bandwagon and doing it for the sake of it won’t get you anywhere.
- Be Deliberate: Purpose-driven L&D strategies are paramount when it comes to applying immersive tech. Know your people and your clients and make it relevant and beneficial for their needs - keep it simple!
- One to Watch Out For: An exciting application of user data to create algorithms and personalised learning pathways. As tech evolves, roles should evolve too - we need training that keeps pace with this.
- Be Adaptable: these days, according to Ash, your 5-year learning plan should really be a 1-year. It’s hard to future-proof in such a fast-moving space, so don’t be afraid to try new things and always remain flexible and agile.
For more from Ash, be sure to follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ashwin-mehta-mba-flpi-mchem-frsc-85818724/ [linkedin.com]
Immersive technology is transforming the L&D landscape. AI, VR, and other innovations are revolutionising the current and future workplace. But how? On today’s podcast, we’ll find out. Dr. Ashwin Mehta (MBA FLPI MChem, FRSC) joins Hannah and Nicki across this three-part mini-series to offer up his expert insights on digital learning's burning questions.
Episode One:
Explores all things AI, unveiling the latest trends, advancements, and limitations of the current L&D tech landscape.
Episode Two:
Looks at immersive learning, highlighting the power of gamification and role-play in boosting learner engagement and retention. Expect to hear the challenges of implementing immersive tech as well as the steps to overcome them.
Episode Three:
Wraps up with a discussion on the combined impact of both AI and immersive learning in forging the future of learning and development.
Key Takeaways:
- It’s All in The Why: Ash says that before rolling out AI or immersive tech, truly consider why you’re doing it. What are you getting out of it? How will it help? Hopping on the bandwagon and doing it for the sake of it won’t get you anywhere.
- Be Deliberate: Purpose-driven L&D strategies are paramount when it comes to applying immersive tech. Know your people and your clients and make it relevant and beneficial for their needs - keep it simple!
- One to Watch Out For: An exciting application of user data to create algorithms and personalised learning pathways. As tech evolves, roles should evolve too - we need training that keeps pace with this.
- Be Adaptable: these days, according to Ash, your 5-year learning plan should really be a 1-year. It’s hard to future-proof in such a fast-moving space, so don’t be afraid to try new things and always remain flexible and agile.
For more from Ash, be sure to follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ashwin-mehta-mba-flpi-mchem-frsc-85818724/ [linkedin.com]
In this special episode, Hannah and Nicki hand the microphone over to Dan Cottrell to coverEurope’s leading workplace learning event, Learning Technologies - LIVE from the ExCeL!
Across the two-day event, Dan catches up with a whole host of industry leaders from companies working at the forefront of L&D, HR, Immersive Technologies and more.
You'll hear from Nicky Hoyland and Suzi Archer from Huler, Teresa Rose, Director of ConsultHer, Luke Willett from our friends over at Virti, Thirty Under 30 winner, Ciara Archbold from Siemens Digital Industries Software, Sophie Costin and Tonia Mamai from Make Real , Sam Benton and Jack Beldon from 5Mins.ai and one of HR’s most influential thinkers of 2023, Michelle Parry-Slater from Kairos Modern Learning.
They discuss their respective spaces within L&D, the exciting things that are happening within the industry (including tech!) as well as the challenges and opportunities and the future of the industry.
Happy listening!
In today's episode, hosts Hannah Frame and Nicki Finnigan are welcomed by leaders in the field of experiential training - Alex Young, founder of Virti and Luke Willet, account executive at Virti.
Virti is an award winning immersive enterprise learning solution for healthcare and beyond with a mission to enhance human performance through accessible and affordable experiential learning. They help professionals prepare for real life high pressure environments including surgery, sports, emergency response and military training. Virti's innovative approach is truly reshaping the future of education.
The discussion covers the latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and immersive learning technologies, and with these trail-blazing innovations dramatically reshaping educational landscapes, our panellists explore the host of benefits they bring to experiential learning and professional training spaces.
They also discuss the highly personalised nature of these platforms and how they can cater to diverse user requirements. This forward-thinking perspective encourages a revaluation of traditional 'soft skills,’ (or ‘power skills’ as Alex calls them) and how the advent of analytic platforms is reinforcing their vital importance in sectors including healthcare and emergency response to name a couple.
Luke and Alex also share a few success stories from renowned organisations like Cedar Sinai Hospital, in LA and Amazon. Despite the immense promise these immersive platforms hold for the future of professional learning and success, the discussion doesn't shy away from addressing the challenges and obstacles faced in the process.
Listen now and discover the exciting future coming up in the education and professional development space.
Historically, soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork were gained through practical experience, often limited by the availability and affordability of personal coaching or classroom-style instruction. However, virtual reality (VR) has redefined the landscape of storytelling, leveraging its immersive capabilities to deliver experiences unimaginable with traditional media. Arguably, VR as a storytelling medium is more powerful than anything that came before it. With it’s capacity for hyper-realistic roleplay scenarios, expansive training is achievable, scalable, and can cater to the mass market.
In the Future of Jobs Report 2023, The World Economic Forum listed 6 of the top 10 skills as the most important skills for the next ten years. So how do we make sure we’re skilled up on them?
Enter Bodyswaps. The award-winning leading provider of immersive AI simulations for education, healthcare, and enterprise - deeply human in its approach.
In this episode we speak to founder and CEO, Chris Mallet on his learning platform designed to transform behaviours for good.
Since leaving the world of social media strategy consultancy and founding the company in 2019, Bodyswaps has helped private organisations, public agencies and educational institutions all deliver measurable business value by building empathetic and inclusive cultures. They've built scenarios which create a safe and realistic space where learners can not only practise their soft skills, they also get AI enabled analytical feedback which optimises personal improvement. The platform demonstrates the untapped potential of immersive tech in cultivating a workforce that is both technologically adept whilst heightening emotional connections and deepening understanding.
Tune in to find out the incredible personal story that led to the creation of Bodyswaps via an improv class, a pub and Van Gogh painting, the challenges Chris has faced since creating the platform plus discussion around accessibility - it’s importance and how Bodyswaps is successfully navigating it.
We also discuss the future of personalised learning, how to work best with AI in the soft skills space (hint: it’s not a replacement for humans) plus the magic combination that is AI and VR.
Erik Brown, an award-winning associate creative director at Stanford University with a passion for storytelling and leveraging digital technologies and innovations to support his mission of educational equity and outreach, joins Hannah Frame and Nicki Finnigan in this fantastic episode.
Erik’s background in film-making and documentaries both in the UK and US, having produced hundreds of online courses and marketing campaigns for or in partnership with MIT, Harvard University, NX, Boston University, Wellesley College and Stanford.
Topics covered include how digital technology has transformed educational outreach, a deep-dive into some projects Erik and his team have created and put out there and how to ensure digital innovations are inclusive in catering to diverse learning needs. We’ll also hear Erik’s advice for educational learning institutions looking to harness digital technologies for the biggest impact and hear how companies like SJP can apply some of these learnings in their own respective learning spaces.
School’s in session!
Elle Osili-Wood, a TV presenter and immersive technology expert who’s renowned for her insights into the cutting edge of tech and described by Google as “one of the most influential women in games,” joins Hannah and Nicki in today’s episode of Every Day’s A School Day.
Elle’s no stranger to our screens having worked with the likes of Netflix, the BBC, Channel 4 and has also hosted a Bafta Games Awards. She’s also been nominated for an ARIA as a presenter of Radio Four’s Front Row - she really knows her stuff when it comes to gaming.
So why gaming is now moving into more mainstream tech conversations? Elle, Hannah and Nicki discuss how mindsets towards gaming and the gaming industry are finally changing and what that means for businesses wanting to learn from the multibillion pound gaming industry.
Elle also shares specific projects where gaming is impacting industries including a project with Digital Schoolhouse teaching children computer and digital skills, as well as EndeavorRx, a game that is the first one to be FDA approved in treating children with ADHD.
Another fascinating episode of Every Day’s A School Day. School’s in session!
In this episode of Every Day’s A School Day, hosts Hannah and Nicki look back at some of the big technology product launches of the year and discuss how they’ve impacted L&D but also the wider world, including the rise of AI with ChatGPT.
They discuss some highlights of the year including winning awards, the launch of SJP’s internal House App having collaborated with Huler and the impact that’s had on the business, and also integrating Blinkist [blinkist.com], and eSwapp.
Hannah and Nicki also share some of their favourite projects showcasing innovative tech and share other companies who’ve done the same. Finally they look forward to next year, discussing launches and projects they’re really excited for.
School's in session!
In our latest podcast episode of ‘Every Day's a School Day,’ we’re joined by Dr Tharaka (Dr T), TEDx Speaker, TV Doctor and Psychiatrist, as we dive into the fascinating world of AI and its role in learning.
Dr T’s expertise in High Performance, Psychological Cohesion, Cognitive Biases, and Memory Training, makes this episode a thought-provoking and interesting listen!
Key Takeaways:
✨ Understanding of how our brains learn and how AI could help (andnot help) with that,
✨ how AI contributes to personalised learning, and
✨ how AI is supporting neurodiverse learners.
AI brings to the table the possibility of personalised learning experiences. By having a constant pulse-check on the learner, AI systems can help construct new ideas in the learner's mind brick by brick or step by step. However, as with everything, there’ll always be challenges so we discuss those with AI and VR within learning and how they can be used as supplementary tools. Finally, we discuss the future of education with AI and VR.
Oh and Dr T’s question to our regular feature: ‘What’s something that’s blown your mind?’ is a great one! Maybe our best one yet.
Don’t miss this episode, and catch up on any you might’ve missed.
School’s in session!
Join us for this month’s informative episode of "Every Day's A School Day" which features best bits from previous episodes earlier this year.
From big businesses to budding start-ups, all sorts of organisations are embracing the way of technological innovation to revolutionise how they operate and how to remain competitive. This episode features clips discussing how using cutting-edge tools like AI and VR among others, can transform the landscape of business, encouraging organisations to break new ground and foster innovation.
Guests include SJP’s Head of Skills & Development in L&D discussing how VR can be used in training, Creative Technology Specialist, Carl Guynet, with his key takeaways from the MWC, Mobile World Congress event held in Barcelona and Zillah Watson, who ran the BBC’s multi-award-winning VR studio, on why VR is so useful for empathy training and why it works.
School’s in session!
In this episode of Every Day’s A School Day, our guest Adrian Lockhart, an Enterprise Account Executive at Blinkist, shares valuable insights about the evolution and future of Blinkist.
Adrian has been working at Blinkist for just under 15 months and is part of the B2B team which was established due to the success of the Blinkist name. He explains how many people wanted to bring Blinkist to their organisations, leading to the creation of the B2B arm. Adrian expresses his excitement about the expansion of content on Blinkist and the continuous growth of the library to cover more diverse topics, allowing more people to achieve their learning goals than ever before.
Adrian also discusses the importance of offering both written and audio formats on Blinkist, mentioning that many users prefer the audio versions for its flexibility and convenience, especially for multitasking while driving, exercising or commuting. He also mentions the inclusion of celebrity books on Blinkist, such as Prince Harry's book, providing users with the option to listen to a 15-minute audio version instead of reading.
In our regular feature where we discuss what our guest has had their mind blown by recently, we cover topics including Djokovic's performance at Wimbledon and Adrian’s fascination with the work ethic and marginal gains behind such achievements.
Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights from Adrian Lockhart about Blinkist's growth, future plans and the benefits of using Blinkist for learning and acquiring knowledge.
School’s in session!
Join us for this final episode of our three-part series on immersive empathy training. In this episode Nicki and Hannah are joined by Tori Watson, who works for 55E5 as a key consultant on advising how immersive tech and environments can be brought into businesses.
In this episode, we'll provide you with useful insight into the development and production of how we've created our 360 films and VR role-play experiences to enhance empathy training. You'll understand why this is industry-leading and so important, as well as an overview of what's coming next!
"School's in session!"
Join us for this second episode on 'Immersive empathy training'. In this episode we're joined by Carla Brown, the founder and Managing Director of Oakmere Wealth Management Ltd, and Zillah Watson, lead on the BBC's multi-award-winning VR studio and who has recently founded Phase Space, a start-up focused on using VR to reduce stress and anxiety.
This episode equips you with the knowledge and skills to help you gain an understanding of how you identify individuals who are vulnerable, what training exists in the industry, as well as fascinating insight into why using VR as an aid to enhance empathy and learning works so well.
“Schools in session!”
Carla Brown is a Chartered Fellow with an MSc in Wealth Management and is accredited with the Society of Later Life Advisers. In 2021 Carla won PFS ‘Chartered Financial Planner of the Year’, in 2019 won the SJP ‘Chartered Financial Planner of the Year’ award, and was Highly Commended as ‘Role Model of the Year’ & ‘Best Financial Planner -North West’ at the Women In Finance Awards.
Zillah Watson led the BBC's multi-award-winning VR studio. She's an expert in commissioning, creation and distribution of VR and AR and consults for organisations including the BBC, BFI, and the Royal Shakespeare Company. She led research on the. impact of VR storytelling with Professor Mel Slater at the BBC and was a visiting fellow at the Reuter's Journalism Institute, University of Oxford, where she authored "VR for News: A New Reality." She lectures in VR, radio and podcasting and ethics at UCL and the London Interdisciplinary School. Zillah worked in TV and radio journalism for many years and was head of editorial standards for BBC radio.
To complement the fantastic, and extremely important, work already being done by Technical Connection, in L&D we're creating a variety of immersive empathy training to support our advisers in helping their clients. We are doing this by raising awareness of the four key drivers of vulnerability.
Vulnerabilities can affect people’s decision-making processes, so it’s vital that financial advisers are aware of them and act accordingly. A wide range of circumstances can make people vulnerable, including permanent conditions such as aging and temporary ones such as divorce.
Specially trained financial advisers are highly observant to ensure they identify vulnerabilities in their clients and take appropriate action.
Today we are joined by Edward Grant, Director of Technical Connection for 6 years, St. James's Place, Chartered Financial Planner, PFS past President, and Hannah Coffey, Vulnerability and Client Assistance Manager SJP. This episode will provide you with an understanding of the four key drivers of vulnerability, how VR training can support, as well as an overview of what’s in scope for SJP.
“Schools in session!”
Today, the episode is about MWC Mobile World Congress, hosted in Barcelona last month. The place where you discover the themes and topics around 5G, 6G, and immersive technology, and how they shape our industry and create a brighter future.
Our guest on this episode is creative technologist, Carl Guynette. This episode discusses the key takeaways and highlights from Mobile World Congress, what you can expect in the next year for tech, and the hottest technologies to come out of it. We're also discussing a bit more about the evolution of mobile entertainment, film, and gaming.
School's in session!
In this episode of 'Every Day's a School Day', Nicky Hoyland (CEO of Huler) and Lauren Selwood (Head of Digital Experience) join Hannah as they discuss SJP's brand new learning app; SJP House.
The SJP House app is SJP's new home for digital learning for our employees and the Partnership. It has easy-to-follow bitesize digital content that can be accessed from all devices. It includes peer-to-peer learning, virtual and face-to-face events, and access to accreditation content and exams.
The conversation covers why a bespoke platform was preferred, what future technologies can be integrated, as well as the roadmap for ensuring SJP House can become more than just a learning app!
In this episode of 'Every Day's a School Day', Nicki and Hannah outline SJP's L&D technology and innovation goals for 2023. From the launch of a brand new bespoke learning app and implementation of social learning platforms to developments with Virtual Reality, our leadership proposition, as well as the introduction of an engaging regulatory training calendar for the whole business.
We can't wait to show you what we've got coming up!
In this episode of 'Every Day's a School Day', Nicki takes a step back to look at the past year, the technology it brought with it, and how it has been applied within a business environment to improve Learning & Development.
From the application of Oculus VR Headsets in training to the exploration of AI and building a bespoke learning app. We’ll first be looking back on how SJP has been revolutionising the L&D space with immersive technologies before changing direction and seeing what 2023 and the future have in store for tech and its potential business applications.
We can't wait to show you what we've accomplished within L&D this year and what we have planned for 2023.
Welcome to 'Every Day's a School Day'. In this episode we discuss all things VR, picking up where we left off with the Journey to the Metaverse podcast series.
Hannah Frame is joined by Josh Ellick, a Digital Engagement Analyst at SJP working within the Digital Team, and Carole Piper, Head of Skills & Development in SJP’s Learning & Development team.
They’ll be looking at some of the advancements made in the tech world since the Journey to the Metaverse series - from Meta's latest headset announcement (theQuest Pro) to its potential business applications and the exciting places the tech could be heading next.
We also cover how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is helping enhance communication and discuss apps such as Body Swaps that can be used for soft skills training, such as public speaking and presenting.
Catch the full episode now!
In this final episode of our Journey to the Metaverse four-part series, we’ll be taking you on a visual journey exploring the ENGAGE platform from inside our Virtual Reality headsets, hosted in our very own SJP Metaverse Campus!
Join our guest, Abid Hussain, Senior Business Developer at ENGAGE, and our host Nicki Finnigan, Head of Digital Learning at SJP, as they'll be showcasing the benefits of the social connections within virtual realities, and how Immersive Tech is bringing people and businesses together in a brand new and exciting way! We’ll discuss The Metaverse – what it is, how it works, where it’s heading and its implications on the world of tomorrow and the future of the workplace.
*Disclaimer, this video was recorded pre-phase 2 of SJP brand launch.
In this episode of Journey to the Metaverse, we’ve got our eyes firmly set on the future!
Our guest, Daniel Cheetham, founder of Hot Dark Matter and previously Chief Innovation Officer at Happy Finish, will be talking about the current, planned and potential applications of Immersive Tech, exploring its growing implementation in different industries and sectors across the corporate world and just how it is set to revolutionise the world of business.
In this episode of Journey to the Metaverse, we’ll be looking at the rise of Immersive Technology, in particular the roots and history of Virtual Reality.
Our guests, Sylvia Xueni Pan, Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Virtual Reality at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Carl Hayden Smith, Head of Research and Director of the Learning Technology Research Centre, Ravensbourne University London, will cover Oculus and their story in popularising and capturing the world’s interest with immersive tech’s capabilities, whilst also taking a look at the other companies involved in the immersive tech space and explore how they’re applying it in various different ways.
In this first episode of Journey to the Metaverse, we’ll be taking you on your first step into Immersive Technologies.
Our guests Connie Harrison, Director and Creative Director for immersive experiences and emerging technologies, and Carl Guyenette, Creative Director and CTO for The War of the Worlds Immersive Experience, will be covering a beginner-friendly guide, in which we clarify all the terminology surrounding the emerging tech. We’re going to be debunking the top myths and misconceptions, in the hopes to educate and dissolve the stigma and we explore how immersive technology is being used in everyday life, how it’s developing and where it’s heading.