The Cognitive Edge

Video Series

Expert conversations on education, library science, artificial intelligence, and the future of learning — hosted by Dr. Daniel A. Sabol.

48+
Episodes
2022–2026
Years Active
10+
Expert Guests

Featured Episodes

Calculus Is Not the Problem: How We Teach It Is
2026

Calculus Is Not the Problem: How We Teach It Is

Dr. Daniel A. Sabol challenges the assumption that calculus itself is the barrier for students — arguing that the real problem lies in how it is taught. A thought-provoking look at math pedagogy, student confidence, and what it would take to make higher mathematics genuinely accessible.

Math EducationPedagogyK-12
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The Practice of Progress: Teaching Students How to Get Good at Anything
2026

The Practice of Progress: Teaching Students How to Get Good at Anything

What does it actually take to get good at something? Dr. Daniel A. Sabol examines the science of deliberate practice, growth mindset, and how educators can build classroom cultures where students learn to embrace struggle, iterate, and improve — in any subject.

Growth MindsetPedagogyStudent Engagement
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The Critical Transition Years: Why Sixth and Ninth Grades Shape Student Success
2026

The Critical Transition Years: Why Sixth and Ninth Grades Shape Student Success

Research consistently shows that sixth and ninth grade are the two most pivotal transition points in a student's academic journey. Dr. Sabol examines why these years carry such outsized influence on long-term outcomes — and what schools, librarians, and educators can do to support students through them.

Student SuccessEducationK-12
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Are Schools Teaching Students to Think — or Just Rewarding the Right Answer?
2026

Are Schools Teaching Students to Think — or Just Rewarding the Right Answer?

Dr. Daniel A. Sabol takes on one of education's most persistent tensions: the gap between teaching students to think critically and simply training them to produce correct answers. A sharp examination of assessment culture, intellectual risk-taking, and what genuine thinking looks like in schools.

Critical ThinkingEducationAssessment
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AI, Literacy, and the Growth Mindset: Helping Students Read, Write, and Grow
2026

AI, Literacy, and the Growth Mindset: Helping Students Read, Write, and Grow

A wide-ranging conversation on how AI tools intersect with literacy development and growth mindset in K-12 classrooms. Dr. Sabol explores how educators can harness AI to support reading and writing without undermining the productive struggle that builds real skill.

AI in EducationLiteracyGrowth Mindset
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Finding the Gaps: Choosing Technology That Actually Improves Learning
2026

Finding the Gaps: Choosing Technology That Actually Improves Learning

Not all EdTech is created equal. Dr. Daniel A. Sabol offers a practical framework for evaluating educational technology — focusing on how to identify genuine learning gaps and select tools that address them, rather than chasing novelty or vendor promises.

EdTechTechnologyEducation
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Teacher and Librarian Burnout Is Not a Personal Failure
2026

Teacher and Librarian Burnout Is Not a Personal Failure

Teacher and librarian burnout is not a personal failure. Dr. Daniel A. Sabol explores how excessive workloads, constant role expansion, unnecessary meetings, and lack of planning time affect educators — and the practical ways schools and libraries can create healthier, more sustainable working conditions.

Educator WellnessSchool LibrariesK-12
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Dr. Daniel A. Sabol Interviews Rebekkah Smith Aldrich on The Cognitive Edge
2026

Dr. Daniel A. Sabol Interviews Rebekkah Smith Aldrich on The Cognitive Edge

Dr. Daniel A. Sabol sits down with Rebekkah Smith Aldrich — award-winning library director, author, and sustainability advocate — for a conversation on library leadership, community resilience, and the future of public libraries in an era of rapid change.

LibrariesLeadershipInterviews
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ALA President Sam Helmick Joins Dr. Daniel A. Sabol on The Cognitive Edge
2026

ALA President Sam Helmick Joins Dr. Daniel A. Sabol on The Cognitive Edge

American Library Association President Sam Helmick joins Dr. Daniel A. Sabol for a candid conversation on the state of libraries in America, intellectual freedom, advocacy, and the evolving role of the ALA in supporting library professionals nationwide.

LibrariesALAInterviews
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An Interview with Award-Winning Librarian, Maker, and Author Kristina A. Holzweiss
2026

An Interview with Award-Winning Librarian, Maker, and Author Kristina A. Holzweiss

Dr. Daniel A. Sabol sits down with Kristina A. Holzweiss — award-winning school librarian, maker educator, and author — for a rich conversation on maker culture in libraries, student creativity, and how school librarians can champion innovation and hands-on learning.

LibrariesMaker EducationInterviews
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The Future of Libraries and Learning with Dr. Terry Kirchner
2026

The Future of Libraries and Learning with Dr. Terry Kirchner

Dr. Terry Kirchner joins Dr. Daniel A. Sabol to explore the future of libraries and learning — examining how library professionals can lead the way in preparing students and communities for a rapidly evolving information landscape.

LibrariesFuture of LearningInterviews
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Teachers and Librarians: The Partnership Schools Cannot Ignore
2026

Teachers and Librarians: The Partnership Schools Cannot Ignore

Dr. Daniel A. Sabol makes the case for deep, intentional collaboration between classroom teachers and school librarians — examining the research on co-teaching, integrated instruction, and why this partnership is one of the most underutilized levers for student achievement.

LibrariesSchool LibrariesCollaboration
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Leading Westchester Forward: A Conversation with County Executive Kenneth W. Jenkins
2026

Leading Westchester Forward: A Conversation with County Executive Kenneth W. Jenkins

Dr. Daniel A. Sabol sits down with Westchester County Executive Kenneth W. Jenkins for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, community, education, and the future of Westchester County.

LeadershipCommunityEducation
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Bio-Digital Convergence: Why Librarians Must Help Curate the Future
2026

Bio-Digital Convergence: Why Librarians Must Help Curate the Future

Dr. Daniel A. Sabol examines the emerging intersection of biology and digital technology — and makes the case for why librarians are uniquely positioned to help students, educators, and communities navigate and critically evaluate the ethical, scientific, and social implications of bio-digital convergence.

LibrariesTechnologyFuture of Learning
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Before the Bell Rings: How School Libraries Build Readers, Thinkers, and Confident Learners
2026

Before the Bell Rings: How School Libraries Build Readers, Thinkers, and Confident Learners

Dr. Daniel A. Sabol explores the transformative role school libraries play before the school day even begins — building reading habits, critical thinking skills, and the confidence students need to succeed across every subject and grade level.

LibrariesLiteracyStudent Engagement
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Andragogy, Pedagogy, and EdTech: Teaching Humans, Not Just Delivering Content
2026

Andragogy, Pedagogy, and EdTech: Teaching Humans, Not Just Delivering Content

A sharp look at the difference between andragogy and pedagogy — and why EdTech tools so often miss the mark by focusing on content delivery rather than human learning. Dr. Sabol makes the case for designing technology around how people actually learn.

EdTechEducationAI
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2026

The Belonging Gap: Why Students Need More Than Attendance Policies

Schools cannot close the attendance gap without first closing the belonging gap. In this 8-minute video, Dr. Daniel A. Sabol examines the research on school connectedness, chronic absenteeism, and why compliance-based attendance models fail students who feel invisible. Drawing on CDC, RAND, and IES findings, he makes the case for a relationship-centered approach to student engagement.

EducationStudent EngagementEquity
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2026

From Books to Blueprints: Novel Engineering as a Collaborative Literacy, STEM, and Library Practice

Novel Engineering turns close reading into design action. In this 6-minute video, Dr. Daniel A. Sabol explores how teachers and librarians can use literature as the starting point for engineering design challenges — connecting literacy, STEM, inquiry, and maker culture in one powerful interdisciplinary model.

LiteracySTEMLibraries
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Tracey Wong and Dr. Daniel A. Sabol Discuss Various Library Topics
2026

Tracey Wong and Dr. Daniel A. Sabol Discuss Various Library Topics

A wide-ranging conversation between librarian Tracey Wong and Dr. Daniel A. Sabol covering libraries, technology, and the tools shaping the future of the field. Tracey brings fresh insight, energy, and cutting-edge ideas about the evolving role of libraries in modern education.

LibrariesTechnologyEducation
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Starting Strong: Mandatory Pre-K, Special Education, and Meaningful Access for Every Child
2026

Starting Strong: Mandatory Pre-K, Special Education, and Meaningful Access for Every Child

Dr. Daniel A. Sabol examines the case for mandatory pre-K education and the critical role of special education in ensuring every child has meaningful access to learning from the very start — drawing on research, policy, and the lived experience of educators and families.

Early ChildhoodSpecial EducationEquity
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2026

Dr. Anthony Chow and Dr. Daniel A. Sabol Discuss Technologies of the Future

Dr. Anthony Chow — with a deep background in libraries, information science, and the future of learning — joins Dr. Daniel A. Sabol for a conversation about Virtual Reality, AI, and how emerging technologies are transforming education, libraries, and human experience.

AIVirtual RealityFuture of Learning
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Dr. Chow and Dr. Sabol Discuss Various Technologies
2026

Dr. Chow and Dr. Sabol Discuss Various Technologies

An extended conversation between Dr. Anthony Chow and Dr. Daniel A. Sabol covering a wide range of emerging technologies — from AI and virtual reality to the future of information science and what these shifts mean for libraries and education.

AITechnologyFuture of Learning
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Retired Superintendent Dr. Dawn Bartz and Dr. Daniel Sabol Discuss Tech and Education
2026

Retired Superintendent Dr. Dawn Bartz and Dr. Daniel Sabol Discuss Tech and Education

A candid conversation between retired Superintendent Dr. Dawn Bartz and Dr. Daniel A. Sabol exploring the evolving role of technology in education, leadership perspectives on digital transformation, and the future of teaching and learning.

LeadershipTechnologyEducation
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Preserving Professional Knowledge and Preparing the Next Generation of Teachers and Librarians
2026

Preserving Professional Knowledge and Preparing the Next Generation of Teachers and Librarians

This paper examines how mentorship helps prepare new teachers and librarians while preserving the valuable knowledge of experienced professionals. It presents practical strategies for building effective, equitable, and sustainable mentorship programs that bridge generational expertise gaps in schools and libraries.

MentorshipProfessional DevelopmentLibrary Science
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More Episodes

The Cognitive Edge — New Episode
2026

The Cognitive Edge — New Episode

A new installment of The Cognitive Edge series with Dr. Daniel A. Sabol, exploring the latest developments at the intersection of education, technology, libraries, and human thinking.

Cognitive EdgeEducationLibraries
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Personalized Adaptive Learning: Teaching Every Student Without Losing the Human Touch
2026

Personalized Adaptive Learning: Teaching Every Student Without Losing the Human Touch

How can teachers personalize instruction for every learner without burning out or losing the human connection that makes teaching meaningful? Dr. Sabol examines adaptive learning strategies that balance technology-driven differentiation with the irreplaceable role of the educator.

Personalized LearningAI in EducationK-12
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Deep Reading Is Not Dead: It's Being Crowded Out
2026

Deep Reading Is Not Dead: It's Being Crowded Out

Deep reading — the kind that builds empathy, critical thinking, and sustained attention — is not disappearing because students can't do it. It's being crowded out by fragmented digital environments. Dr. Sabol makes the case for reclaiming space for slow, immersive reading in schools and libraries.

LiteracyReadingInformation Literacy
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The Belonging Gap: Why Students Need More Than Attendance Policies
2026

The Belonging Gap: Why Students Need More Than Attendance Policies

Schools cannot close the attendance gap without first closing the belonging gap. Dr. Daniel A. Sabol examines the research on school connectedness, chronic absenteeism, and why compliance-based attendance models fail students who feel invisible.

Student EngagementEquityEducation
Watch Now
The Future of EdTech, Student Data, and Meaningful Learning
2026

The Future of EdTech, Student Data, and Meaningful Learning

Dr. Daniel A. Sabol examines where educational technology is headed — focusing on student data privacy, the difference between engagement and meaningful learning, and what it will take for EdTech to deliver on its long-promised potential.

EdTechStudent DataFuture of Learning
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Ms. Amy Sabol on The Cognitive Edge
2026

Ms. Amy Sabol on The Cognitive Edge

Ms. Amy Sabol joins Dr. Daniel A. Sabol on The Cognitive Edge for a conversation on education, libraries, and the experiences that shape dedicated educators.

EducationLibrariesInterviews
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The Doctoral Journey: Research, Resilience, and Discovery
2026

The Doctoral Journey: Research, Resilience, and Discovery

A candid reflection on the doctoral journey — the research process, the moments of doubt and discovery, and what it means to contribute original knowledge to a field. Dr. Sabol shares insights for aspiring doctoral students and early-career researchers.

Higher EdResearchEducation
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Edutainment: Where Education Meets Engagement
2026

Edutainment: Where Education Meets Engagement

Dr. Daniel A. Sabol explores the concept of edutainment — the intersection of education and entertainment — examining how educators and librarians can use engaging, media-rich approaches to capture student interest without sacrificing depth or rigor.

EdTechStudent EngagementMedia Literacy
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AI Is No Longer Just a Chatbot
2026

AI Is No Longer Just a Chatbot

A thought-provoking discussion on how artificial intelligence has evolved far beyond simple chatbot interactions — examining agentic AI, real-world applications in education and libraries, and what this shift means for educators and students today.

AILibrariesEdTech
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The Cognitive Edge v.3 with Dr. Daniel A. Sabol
2026

The Cognitive Edge v.3 with Dr. Daniel A. Sabol

The third installment of The Cognitive Edge video series, featuring Dr. Daniel A. Sabol Ph.D., MSLIS., MS., CKM discussing education, library science, and the intersection of technology and learning.

Cognitive EdgeLibrary ScienceEducation
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The Cognitive Edge - v1
2026

The Cognitive Edge - v1

The inaugural episode of The Cognitive Edge video series by Dr. Daniel A. Sabol, exploring key themes in education, information literacy, and the evolving role of school libraries in the 21st century.

Cognitive EdgeInformation LiteracyLibraries
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Completed History of Computing
2026

Completed History of Computing

A comprehensive walkthrough of the history of computing, tracing the evolution of technology from early mechanical devices to modern digital systems — designed to provide students and educators with essential context for understanding today's technological landscape.

Computer ScienceHistoryEducation
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Entanglement & Superposition
2026

Entanglement & Superposition

An accessible exploration of two foundational quantum mechanics concepts — entanglement and superposition — designed to introduce students and educators to the principles underpinning quantum computing and modern physics.

Quantum ComputingPhysicsSTEM
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Dr. Sabol Memorial Day Lesson
2026

Dr. Sabol Memorial Day Lesson

A special Memorial Day lesson by Dr. Daniel A. Sabol, honoring the significance of the holiday through an educational lens — connecting history, civic responsibility, and the importance of remembrance in the school library and classroom setting.

HistoryCivic EducationK-12
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Dr. Daniel Sabol - Curious George Lesson - Grade K
2026

Dr. Daniel Sabol - Curious George Lesson - Grade K

A Kindergarten lesson featuring Curious George as a springboard for early literacy and information literacy concepts, demonstrating how beloved children's literature can be used to build foundational research and curiosity skills in young learners.

Early LiteracyK-2Lesson Plan
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Sabol WBL Presentation to Board
2026

Sabol WBL Presentation to Board

Dr. Daniel A. Sabol's Work-Based Learning presentation to the school board, showcasing program outcomes, student engagement, and the impact of connecting classroom learning to real-world professional experiences.

Work-Based LearningLeadershipPresentations
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The Future Library
2025

The Future Library

A forward-looking video exploration of how school and academic libraries must evolve to meet the demands of an AI-driven, digitally connected world — examining emerging roles for librarians as knowledge curators and learning architects.

Future of LibrariesAILibrary Science
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Module 3: Light Pollution
2022

Module 3: Light Pollution

An educational video module examining the causes, effects, and solutions to light pollution — designed to support environmental science instruction and raise student awareness of this often-overlooked form of environmental degradation.

Environmental ScienceSTEMK-12
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El Paso Reaching the Unreachable
2022

El Paso Reaching the Unreachable

A documentary-style video exploring outreach efforts in El Paso — examining how educators and community leaders work to reach underserved and hard-to-reach student populations through innovative programming and dedicated service.

EquityCommunityOutreach
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Reading Challenge
2022

Reading Challenge

A short video promoting a school reading challenge initiative, encouraging students to engage with books and build a lifelong love of reading through friendly competition and community participation.

LiteracyReadingK-12
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Helping Students Successfully Navigate the College Admission Process
2026

Helping Students Successfully Navigate the College Admission Process

A practical guide for educators and school counselors on supporting students through the college admission process — covering application strategy, essay writing, financial aid awareness, and the emotional challenges students face during this high-stakes transition.

Higher EducationCounselingK-12
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New York's Universal Prekindergarten Expansion: Building Access, Quality, and Early Learning
2026

New York's Universal Prekindergarten Expansion: Building Access, Quality, and Early Learning

An in-depth look at New York's Universal Pre-K expansion — examining how the program builds equitable access to early childhood education, raises program quality standards, and lays the foundation for long-term student success across diverse communities.

Early ChildhoodPolicyEquity
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Statewide Standards vs. Local Flexibility: Finding the Right Balance for Schools
2026

Statewide Standards vs. Local Flexibility: Finding the Right Balance for Schools

Should schools follow the same policies across districts? This discussion examines the tension between fairness and consistency on one hand, and the reality that communities have different needs on the other — arguing that shared statewide standards combined with meaningful local flexibility may be the most effective path forward.

PolicyEducation ReformLeadership
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Developing Computational Thinking, Creativity, and Problem Solving in K–12 Education
2026

Developing Computational Thinking, Creativity, and Problem Solving in K–12 Education

An exploration of how K–12 schools can embed computational thinking, creative problem solving, and design-based learning across subject areas — moving beyond coding classes to build the cognitive habits students need to thrive in a technology-driven world.

STEMComputational ThinkingK-12
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