What does innovation actually look like in a rural classroom?
Introducing Frontier Learning Lab Ambassador, McKenna Akane
Hello Field Notes readers,
It’s McKenna Akane, your Frontier Learning Lab Ambassador. A question that drives my work is: what happens when we bring big ideas and new technologies to the places people often forget to look?
I recently had the chance to explore this very question in a fantastic conversation with Lydia Kumar on her podcast, Kinwise Conversations. The episode is titled “The Frontier Classroom,” and it was a deep dive into the realities of sparking innovation in rural and under-resourced schools.
One of the key things we discussed was moving beyond the hype. It’s one thing to talk about AI and XR in a conference hall; it’s another to figure out what works for a multi-grade classroom in rural Montana. We talked about the importance of starting with the community’s strengths, not its deficits, and how technology can be a bridge (not a replacement) for human connection.
I hope you’ll take a listen. It’s a story about what’s possible when we lead with courage, curiosity, and a deep respect for local wisdom.
You can listen to the full episode on your preferred platform.
Kinwise Conversations: https://www.kinwise.org/podcast/mckenna-akane-ai-vr-rural-education
What does innovation look like in your school or community? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Let’s keep exploring,
McKenna Akane
Write us anytime at ai.help@mtda.org. We will listen, share what we know, and help you take the next step.