Ep. 8 - Sitting Down with Microsoft Education’s Principal Group Product Manager, Mike Tholfsen

I first want to give a huge shout out to anyone out there producing podcasts as their hobby or side gig. We had the lofty goal to release 24 episodes in 2021 but I am struggling to get this 8th episode out. Reaching out, scheduling, recording, editing, and marketing the episodes has all been a fun learning journey but wow, it is a lot to do on the side while teaching full-time. 

This 8th episode was really fun to do. As a Design and Tech teacher, I really enjoyed hearing about the design process, the creative freedoms, and then the impacts of the final products they are producing over at Microsoft Education. For the educators listening in to this episode; you will notice that it is clear that Microsoft makes it a priority to communicate and collaborate with in-class teachers for their design phases. 

So, for this 8th episode, we had the chance to sit down with Mike Tholfsen. It was a great conversation that helps shed light on the work Microsoft Education has been doing both before and during this ongoing pandemic. Some great insights are shared for teachers, students, and parents on how this assistive technology is and can be used in the classroom (and beyond). That is also why I am excited to get this episode out in the beginning of the school year. I know I am already struggling in week 2 and my hope is that this episode can either help teachers and students out there or at the very least point them in the right direction. 

To put it simply, the technology Tholfsen and Microsoft Education are working is showing us how technology can provide inclusive learning environments for students with disabilities, not “special education.” 

Things to listen for

I also want to point out a few things about this episode and how they connect to past episodes. Mike, along with several of our last guests, pointed to how social media became a huge teaching tool and a great way to connect with learners all around the globe. From TikTok to YouTube videos, Mike and some of our previous guests are meeting learners where they’re at. This may be something to keep in mind for other teachers out there. How are we meeting our students where they’re at? Are there content creation platforms that we aren’t using that could be the catalyst for creativity for our students? 

Another reoccuring theme that has come up during this episode and past episodes is the impact of “Hackathons” (Episode 1 with VidCode co-founder Leandra Tejedor, Episode 4 with Rocket Club founder Alex Hodara, and now this episode). These events not only seem to drive human creativity but also human connection. Just in these 8 episodes we have released 3 guests have connections to these type of events. These events inspire new startups, new technology, and new ways of looking at the world and its problems. It makes me wonder where these type of events can fit in at schools. And it makes my want to explore ways of incorporating them into my own classes.