Teaching Matters: Recent Episodes
WOUB Public Media
In this conversation, Scott and Chris Stewart delve into the significant role sports play in education and personal development. They explore Chris's journey from a passionate athlete to a dedicated coach, discussing the emotional challenges of coaching, the importance of individual player development, and the lessons learned from both playing and coaching. The conversation highlights the transformative power of sports in shaping character, teamwork, and resilience in young athletes. Additionally, he provides an overview of his podcast, Coaching Life, which addresses various aspects of youth sports and the experiences of coaches, parents, and players. You can also find Chris’ books on Amazon.
In this conversation, Scott and Karen Atwell explore the concept of growth mindset, its importance in education and the workplace, and how emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in personal and professional development. Karen shares her journey into consulting, the significance of lifelong learning, and the impact of remote work on interpersonal relationships. They discuss the need for empathy, effective communication, and critical thinking skills in fostering a growth mindset among students and professionals alike. For more information about Karen, you can visit her LinkedIn profile or the Dynamic Perspectives website.
In this podcast episode, Scott engages with Adam Smith and Jeannette Franklin to discuss the mission of the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund (“Air-Diff”) and its EF + Math program. They explore the importance of inclusive research and development in education, particularly focusing on executive function skills in math learning. The conversation highlights the challenges students face in developing these skills, especially in the context of trauma and inconsistent teaching. They also delve into the R&D cycle of the EF Plus Math program, showcasing real-world applications like the Mathematical Thinkers Like Me project, which empowers students and educators alike. The episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective on revolutionizing education through inclusive practices and collaboration. You can learn more about AERDF and EF + Math through the following websites.
AERDF: https://aerdf.org
EF + Math: https://aerdf.org/programs/ef-math/
In this conversation, Dr. Alana Gillis discusses the significance of class participation in education, emphasizing its role in enhancing student learning and engagement. She explores the inequalities present in educational systems and how they affect student participation. Dr. Gillis proposes a redefinition of participation as a skill set rather than a mere attendance metric, advocating for a structured approach to assess and develop these skills. The discussion also covers the mechanics of goal setting in participation, the transfer of skills learned in the classroom to other contexts, and the successful implementation of her model in middle school education. For more information about Dr. Gillis’ research, please visit her blog post discussing these topic.
In this episode of Teaching Matters, Scott Titsworth engages with Russ Davis and Dr. Kara Stern, both of SchoolStatus, to discuss the critical role of communication in education, particularly between teachers, students, and families. They discuss a research report recently released by SchoolStatus identifying specific opportunities for improving communication as well as ways in which SchoolStatus offers potentially effective solutions.
Report Link: https://www.schoolstatus.com/resource/download-engagement-trends-in-school-family-communications?utm_medium=pr&utm_source=newswire&utm_campaign=survey_pitch&utm_term=report
In this episode of Teaching Matters, Scott Titsworth speaks with Jeremy Oskins, an automotive and robotics teacher at Comanche ISD in Texas. They discuss the increasing demand for skilled tradespeople, the innovative curriculum Jeremy has developed to engage students in automotive training, and the partnerships he has built with local businesses to provide real-world experience. Jeremy shares insights on the barriers preventing students from entering skilled trades and emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning and creating opportunities for students to explore their interests in technical fields.
Teacher and staff shortages, particularly in areas of specialized need like speech pathology, counseling, and accessible education, are increasing throughout the country. Such shortages coupled with increasing non-instructional demands on teachers increase stress and, for some, burnout. Despite that, a recent survey conducted by Soliant, a recruiting and staffing company specializing in education and other skilled sectors, shows that teachers remain optimistic about their impact. Lesley Slaughter, Senior Vice President at Soliant, discusses the challenges of staffing and potential solutions offered by firms like hers to meet the needs of students and schools.
Reading is a fundamental skill that facilitates learning across standards, subjects, and grade levels. Yet, national statistics show that students are reading less and, generally speaking, below grade level. Kari Kurto is the National Science of Reading Project Director for the Reading League. Kari discusses a resource called Compass, which provides educators, administrators, policy makers, and others with resources on evidence-based practices that improve students’ reading skills.
To learn more about Compass, visit the Reading League’s website: https://www.thereadingleague.org/compass/
This episode is part of a two-part series on the topic of scientifically supported reading instruction. Joe Burns is a regional product manager for Capstone, an educational technology and publishing company. Having taught early childhood grades, Joe discusses the importance of developmental skill development in reading as well as how Capstone augments phonics instruction with authentic texts. Joe also discusses topics raised in a recent article about the science of reading instruction in eSchool News.
Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrburns-710/
Read more from Joe about the science of reading here: https://tinyurl.com/tmjoeburns
In 2023, Deeper Learning Global (DLg) awarded the Ulster, New York, Board of Cooperative Educational Services (Ulster BOCES) with the “Deeper Learning” designation. Ulster Superintendent Dr. Jonah Schencker discusses this designation and how the district operationalizes deeper learning through its north star commitments of developing self, contributing to community, developing capacity, and engaging in continuous cycles of inquiry. Ulster will partner with DLg to host the DL Global New York conference in July of 2024.
To learn more about Ulster BOCES, visit their website: https://www.ulsterboces.org/
To learn about the DL Global New York conference, visit: https://www.ulsterboces.org/educator-edge-home/educator-professional-development/for-school-district-leaders/dlny
Following the release of Chat-GPT and other Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms, teachers and administrators at all levels of education have worked to react to both the possibilities and problems of AI. Carl Hooker is a former educator and now an author who analyzes the implications of AI for teaching and learning in his new book, Learning Evolution: The New Era of AI in the Classroom. Our discussion highlights practical advice as well as some of the ethical and social implications of AI.
Learn more about Carl at his website: https://carlhooker.com/
Dr. Cynthia Wise has developed a career-long track record of turning low-performing schools into schools of distinction. Currently the Principal and Chief Academic Officer of the Transformation Waco Charter Schools in Waco, TX, Dr. Wise discusses the Culture Conscious Campus Model that she has developed as a proven model for school transformation. As she narrates her story, you will learn key takeaways about the importance of teacher-student relationships, leadership, and relentless pursuit of student academic success.
Connect with Dr. Wise on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-cynthia-wise-a65a8546/
Sam Torres is a bilingual case manager for VocoVision, a company that provides teletherapy services for students across multiple specialties. Sam discusses specific strategies for promoting success for English Language Learners, the fastest growing student population in the U. S. Sam explains unique needs facing ELL students, including the intersection of speech disorders and language learning, as well as how teletherapy can provide a robust solution for schools.
Connect with Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-torres-13bb9b2b4/
Learn more about VocoVision on their website: https://www.vocovision.com/
Theo Mayer is a self-proclaimed history nerd who is also passionate about the relevance of technology for learning. Working as the Chief Technologist for the Doughboy Foundation, Tayo and a team of developers created a mobile app that employs AR/VR concepts and narrative to help students in middle and high school grade levels learn about WWI. In addition to discussing the app and other resources provided by the foundation, Theo also provides some of his thoughts on how technology will continue to progress as a teaching and learning resources.
For more on the Doughboy Foundation and their mobile app, visit: https://doughboy.org/
Connect with Theo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theomayer/
Faculty, staff, and students’ safety is of paramount concern for all educational systems. Although high-profile threats to safety capture national media attention, daily threats to safety such as altercations, vandalism, health incidents, and other issues must be part of a holistic safety strategy. Stacy Locke, Deputy Superintendent of Yakima (WA) Schools, discusses how personal safety buttons from CENTEGIX have been integrated into that district’s safety plan—a strategy that had payoff only 24-hours after implementation. Fair warning, during our interview Stacey received an alert that one of the elementary schools was placed on lockdown—thankfully, that lockdown was a drill, though it provided us with immediate insight on how the system promotes rapid communication and reaction.
In special education, as well as the larger teaching field, there exists significant needs for ongoing professional development where teachers can orient with affinity groups that provide support and feedback that extends beyond local school districts. Dr. Jen Newton, an Associate Professor in the Patton College of Education at Ohio University and co-creator of Teaching is Intellectual, discusses how Teachergram, a specific use of Instagram by teachers, is fulfilling that need. Newton and co-author Mira Cole Williams recently published an article on this topic in the Journal of Special Education Technology:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/01626434211033596
https://teachingisintellectual.com
Since the time of Sputnik, national education reform initiatives have made the case for integrating science, technology, engineering, and math into education at greater levels. Dr. Whitney Dove, CEO of Ellipsis Education, suggests that even greater attention should be given to computer science instruction. Dr. Dove discuses the need for holistic computer science curriculum as well as intentional professional development for computer science teachers.
Learn more at: https://ellipsiseducation.com/
Randi Economou is a former educator and current CEO of Capstone, an educational technology and publishing company dedicated to equitable access to education. In this discussion, Randi narrates her journey from the classroom to being an industry leader and also explains her perspectives on the need for high quality educational resources to empower teaching and learning.
Internships are commonly identified as a high-impact learning opportunity for students attending higher education institutions. Less frequently are internships discussed as a valuable learning tool for high school students. In this episode, Peter Harris, an Assistant Superintendent at the Ulster County (NY) Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), discusses the benefits of the engaging students with industry leaders to promote community building, career preparation, and learning.
Following the release of ChatGPT, artificial intelligence has rapidly become one of the most disruptive technology innovations in education. Though still early in adoption, the near-future impact of AI on teaching and learning is apparent. Dana Mortenson, CEO of the education non-profit World Savvy, discusses how AI technology can be facilitative in promoting global competence, inclusivity, and active learning approaches that help students develop assets as responsible global citizens.
The use of online synchronous communication tools in education has dramatically increased because of ubiquitous access to technology as well as external pressures such as the Pandemic. Remind is an online platform that facilitates easy communication between teachers, students, and families. Recently, Remind expanded its services to include online Tutoring. In this episode, Remind President and CEO, Quenton Cook, discusses the potential for online tools to provide robust options for high-dosage tutoring to help students achieve at higher levels.
Don Berg is an education researcher and practitioner who has focused his career on understanding how to better enact authentic pedagogy that equitably serves students. He has authored multiple books, the most recent of which is the 2022 publication, Schooling for Holistic Equity: How to Manage the Hidden Curriculum for K-12. In this discussion, Don explains his perspective on authentic pedagogy as well as the fake achievement, resulting from an over-emphasis on standardized testing, that can hamper students’ growth.
As we navigate to post-pandemic normalcy, schools are seeking ways to address achievement gaps heightened by the pandemic while also addressing the wellbeing of students, faculty, and families. Dr. JuDonn DeShields, Chief Program and Strategy Officer from the education nonprofit PowerMyLearning, discusses a case study of how Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL) was integrated into Meadows Elementary in San Jose, CA. This case study narrates the power of distributed leadership, innovation, and empowerment stemming from an integrated rather than “another thing” approach to SEL.
Ample evidence shows that reading proficiency is one of the most important skills developed by students. Our guest, Tyson Smith, is the CEO of Reading Horizons, a publishing and technology company that specializes in reading instruction. Tyson discusses his passion for eradicating illiteracy, the vital confidence cultivated through robust reading instruction, and new trends in technology that empowers both teachers and learners.
Since the winter of 2020, students across the globe have experienced significant disruption to learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote learning, anxiety, economic instability, and a host of other social and cultural factors have negatively impacted students’ experiences. A recently released report titled, How Kids are Performing: A Snapshot of K-12 Academic Performance and Growth, analyzes these trends and makes recommendations. Dr. Gene Kerns, Vice President and Chief Academic Officer for Renaissance, publisher of the report, discusses findings and recommendations for improved achievement.
Pew Research reports that 46% of teens report using the Internet “almost constantly.” Because of such rampant consumption of media, our students, and in fact, all of us, need robust tools for critically analyzing media. We are joined by two authors of a 2022 book titled, The Media and Me: A guide to critical media literacy for young people. Allison Butler and Nolan Higdon discuss multiple areas of literacy important for consumers of digital and social media as well as ways in which teachers could integrate those concepts into already-existing lessons and curriculum.
Both K-12 and Higher Education are built on the idea of credentials. Students matriculate from academic programs and use transcripts to demonstrate completion of specific credentials, such as the completion of a degree. These traditional credentials potentially conceal specific, high demand skills that could be pivotal for employment. Territorium is a Texas-based Ed-Tech firm that helps students translate academic experiences into durable skills. CEO and Co-Founder Guillermo Elizondo and Vice President of Equity and Innovation Keith Look discuss the need for competency-based, lifelong learning as well as more transparent reporting of those skills to potential employers.
For more information on Territorium, visit their website: https://territorium.com/
Learning math is hard, but could it be made easier if we had better ways to introduce math to students? Nigel Nisbet is a math expert and Vice President of Content Creation for the MIND Research Institute, an organization focused on teaching math the way children learn. Nigel discusses the challenges of traditional pedagogy as well as Spatial-Temporal approach taken by the MIND Institute to help children reprogram their minds to better understand math.
For more information on the MIND Research Institute, visit :
https://www.mindresearch.org/
Despite the desire for increasing students in STEM fields, educators still face challenges in keeping students engaged as they learn concepts like math, biology, physics, and other topics. Louise Krmpotic, Vice President for Enterprise Services at DigitalEd, discusses strategies for keeping students engaged, even in remote learning environments, as well as benefits of authentic assessments for teachers seeking to elevate learning in STEM courses.
Digital transformation increasingly shapes how students interact with schools and universities. Ardis Kadiu is a computer scientist who is also founder and CEO of Element451, a company specializing in using artificial intelligence, user experience, and digital transformation in colligate admissions. Our discussion provides an excellent overview for understanding what artificial intelligence is, how it is used effectively, and possible warnings about its effects on our privacy.
Dr. Julia Olayanju is a research geneticist who has become a disruptor in the food industry. Her most recent project, FoodNiche-ED, is a platform that empowers teachers to make science education applicable to students, particularly in support of improved health. Dr. Olayanju discusses the FoodNiche-ED platform and various health issues facing students.
For our new season of Teaching Matters, we begin with a discussion of how data sciences can be used by school districts to promote teaching effectiveness and student success. LaToya Blackshear is Director of Planning and Evaluation for Jackson (MS) public schools and Dr. Joy Smithson is Director of the Data Science Research Group for SchoolStatus. They discuss how data science has been implemented in Jackson as well as insights on how the use of data science will progress in educational settings.
The Smithsonian Education program is the largest museum-based education program in the world. Providing students and faculty of all ages with access to content experts and primary source materials, the Smithsonian is a tremendous resource for learning in any content area. Dr. Monique Chism, Undersecretary for Education at the Smithsonian, discusses how the education program can be used to enrich lessons and promote critical thinking about history and other subjects.
For more information on the Smithsonian Education program, visit their website : https://www.si.edu/education
As students prepare for state testing in math, finding ways to help students re-engage previously learned material is essential. In this episode we explore a pilot-project in New York where students created short TikTok videos explaining how they used distributive properties to solve problems. Our guest, Elly Blanco-Rowe, is an educational consultant for Teaching Matters, a New York non-profit focused on promoting equitable teaching and learning. Though we share a great name, the Teaching Matters organization is not directly affiliated with this podcast.
Student wellbeing is rapidly emerging as a critical area of concern for educators at all levels. Dr. James Mazza, Professor of Education at the University of Washington, and Anne Brown, President and CEO of the Cook Center for Human Connection, discuss the importance of student wellbeing and describe a new animated series called, “My Life is Worth Living.” The series uses storytelling, with lesson plans, to help educators, families, and community organizations address the crisis of wellbeing confronting many youth and young adults.
This is the second episode in a two-part series exploring how faculty at Excelsior College, based in Albany NY, are using gamified simulations to teach course concepts. Dr. Anna Zendell, who is the Senior Faculty Program Director in Health Sciences, discusses how she has created gamified simulations to teach students about health concepts related to every-day decisions like purchasing groceries.
Dr. Mary Berkery, Faculty Program Director in History and Cornerstones at Excelsior College in Albany, NY, has worked with colleagues to develop and implement three games/simulations to help students grapple with concepts related to historical narratives. Dr. Berkery discusses how the simulations were developed and then integrated into her general education course.
Listeners can experience the simulations by following these links:
The July Crisis—Be the Kasier : https://kaiser.muzzylane.com/sample/web/6d5faeda-2cd9-42bb-a15e-dbbe5c9749ae
The True Cost of War—Be the General : https://kaiser.muzzylane.com/sample/web/874c5626-56ef-4747-b033-d7d656dfbe68
Making the World Safe for Democracy—Be President Wilson : https://kaiser.muzzylane.com/sample/web/774f603d-8d58-42cb-a143-b879b18c5f7b
Generational changes with students, coupled with a more dynamic career landscape, is forcing higher education institutions to shift approaches to advising and mentoring for students. Dr. Jennifer Murphy, Associate Vice Provost for the OHIO Guarantee + initiative, discusses how Ohio University is expanding and strengthening support for students as they enter college and begin preparation for career success and lifelong learning.
As we work through the pandemic, all of us are looking for ways to re-inspire learners. Carmello Piazza has focused his career on using scientific discovery to unlock students’ imagination and to help them ground learning in inquiry-based methods. Carmello is the Executive Director and Education Director at the Brooklyn Preschool of Science. To learn more, visit: https://brooklynpreschoolofscience.com/
Teachers aiming to integrate discussions of social issues like racism, power differentials, and other contemporary social issues are also confronted with the realities of the common core. How can classrooms become vibrant places of discussion while still meeting standards for learning outcomes? Elizabeth and Bill James discuss strategies for doing this in their book, “A Sea of Troubles: Pairing Literary and Informational Texts to Address Social Inequality.”
Prior to COVID, the U.S. Department of State initiated a program using comics to facilitate English Language instruction by partnering teachers from across the globe. Although COVID caused changes in how that program was executed, lessons learned from the pilot suggest that comics are a great tool for connecting with students. Our guest, Dan Ryder, is a learning Coordinator at Overman Academy, CRCS, in Skowhegan, Maine, and a key consultant on the State Department’s program. Dan explains how the program unfolded amidst the pandemic as well as success stories that were observed. To learn more about this program, or to access resources on using comics when teaching, visit the American English “Teaching with Graphic Novels” resource site at https://americanenglish.state.gov/resources/teaching-comics-and-graphic-novels
Discussions of STEM topics on this program and in other outlets typically focus on middle, primary, and higher education age-level. Dr. Stephanie Ryan is the author of a children’s book titled, Let’s Learn about Chemistry, which offers an interactive and engaging solution for helping children in primary grades develop understanding of everyday chemistry concepts. In our discussion, Stephanie explains her approach to teaching with the book and also discusses ways in which parents or educators can extend the chemistry concepts through other applications and activities. You can learn more about Stephanie and her book at her website, http://letslearnaboutscience.com.
Jennifer Degenhardt is a Spanish teacher and author of several student-oriented books that raise cultural awareness while also helping to teach second language skills. A core premise of her books is to use character-developed storytelling to raise empathy and cultural awareness within the context of language learning. Jen discusses these issues as well as her own transition from classroom teacher to author.
In the 2018, Episode 120 of Teaching Matters, we learned about Persistence Plus, a communication platform that uses text messages to give students behavioral nudges toward academic success. Now, 3-years later, we can dive into the successes of this platform and how it has been expanded to address a variety of student needs, including those surrounding the pandemic. We are joined by Dr. Ross O’Hara, Director of Behavioral Science and Education with Persistence Plus, and Marisa Vernon White, Vice President of Enrollment Management at Lorain County Community College, which has been an institutional leader in use of the Persistence Plus technology.
Educational trauma happens for nearly every student (and teacher) in every school. Dr. Lee-Anne Gray is a forensic and clinical psychologist and author of, Educational Trauma: Examples from Testing to the School-to-Prison Pipeline. In this episode she explains how even well-intentioned behaviors can result in trauma for students, teachers, and others in the educational setting. She is a proponent of democratic education principles, design thinking, and empathy to abate such trauma.
Conrad Wolfram is the co-founder and CEO of Wolfram Research Europe and author of The Math(s) Fix: An Educational Blueprint for the AI Age (2020, Wolfram Media, Inc.). Listeners may be familiar with the popular Wolfram Alpha app created by his company. Our discussion in this episode delves into a core problem in math education: We focus far too much on calculation rather than computation. Wolfram outlines ways in which computational thinking skills can be taught and why they are essential to our modern society.
Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts the census, which is then used for a variety of purposes including the nature of representation in Congress but also resources provided to schools. The Statistics in Schools program is an initiative to help teachers of all PK-12 (and Adult ESL) levels integrate lessons using census data into lessons ranging from U.S. History to English and, of course, math. Our guests in this program are Victoria Glasier, Director of the Statistics in Schools Program with the U. S. Census Bureau, and Lem Wheeles, a U.S. Government History Teacher at Diamond High School in Anchorage
A growing body of research has documented the problems associated with using conventional student course evaluations as a primary method for demonstrating teaching effectiveness for purposes of
promotion and tenure, annual review, and other uses. A group of faculty and administrators at Ohio University have tackled this issue for the past year in order to make recommendations on how practices of documenting teaching effectiveness can be usefully broadened. Ohio University guests on this episode include Kamile Geist from the School of Music, Debora Marinski from the Southern Campus, Katie Hartman from the College of Business, and Mary Wurm-Schaar from the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.
The KIPP Foundation is a network of over 240 public charter schools that emphasizes college preparedness for the 100,000+ students in its system. Richard Barth, CEO of the KIPP Foundation, discusses the KIPP foundation’s approach as well as information from a recently released foundation report titled, “The Promise of a Choice-Filled Life: Meeting Students’ College and Career Needs, from Classrooms to Congress.” The report carefully documents the opportunities and challenges facing students as they make the transition from college-prep to college.
To learn more about the KIPP Foundation, visit their website: https://www.kipp.org/
Over the course of this season of Teaching Matters we have discussed a variety of topics and approaches to STEM education. Dr. John Ewing, President of Math for America (MfA), joins us in this episode to discuss how MfA creates a community for math and STEM educators to professionally develop and attain recognition for their efforts. As a veteran math educator and leader, Ewing also discusses his views on the future of math and STEM education.
The Noyce Teaching Fellowship Program in the Patton College of Education at Ohio University provides interested students with the opportunity to earn a tuition-free Master’s Degree and certification to teach in a STEM field. Drs. Allyson Hallman-Thrasher and Danielle Dani, both faculty in the Department of Teacher Education, and Laura Diaco, a Noyce Scholar in the program, discuss how they enact STEM training for teachers and why such training is necessary to meet the needs of future students.
You can find out more about the Noyce Teaching Fellowship program at: https://www.ohio.edu/education/teacher-ed/masters/noyce
The topic of esports has recently gained significant traction in higher education as more and more universities have opted to field varsity and club-sport teams. Some universities have even planned for new academic programs to surround esport teams. Jeffrey Kuhn, an instructional designer in the Office of Instructional Innovation at Ohio University, is also a member of the Game Research and Immersive Design Lab at Ohio University. As one of the principal leaders in the University’s esports initiative, Jeff talks about the scope, scale, and benefits of esports on college campuses. His discussion highlights the interdisciplinary potential of curriculum and research surrounding esports, and its potential as a contemporary, student-focused academic program.
The rise of smart and mobile technology has opened many doors for students and teachers. Although we use our devices to share pictures of pets and to argue on social media, we also have access to information unimaginable even a few years ago. Therein lies the problem: mobile smart technology provides powerful opportunities for learning and for distraction. Abraham Flanigan is an Assistant Professor at George Southern University in the College of Education. In this episode, Abraham discusses the topic of digital distraction, including rather specific ways that technology can help and hinder learning.
Tracey A. Benson is the co—author, with Sarah Fiarman, of a recently published book titled “Unconscious Bias in Schools: A Developmental Approach to Exploring Race and Racism.” In this discussion, Tracey, who is an Assistant Professor of Education Leadership at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, discusses how we can have productive and potentially transformative conversations about unconscious bias in our schools, classrooms, and potentially broader culture. Benson and Fiarman’s book is refreshing in how it recognizes the lived experience of unconscious bias, but also provides practical ways in which schools and individuals can talk about that topic and seek to make positive change.
As teachers we rarely have the opportunity to switch roles in the classroom and become students again. Dr. Laura Harrison did just that, rerunning to a classroom as a student interested in obtaining certification to teach English as a foreign language. In Harrison’s book, “Teaching Struggling Students: Lessons Learned from Both Sides of the Classroom,” she reflects on her experiences. Our discussion explores the peaks and valleys of her emotions as she experienced the classroom as a student, including times when she was challenged. Our discussion also examines essential lessons learned that will be important for faculty teaching current generations of students.
The second of a two-part series on augmented and virtual reality, this episode features faculty and students who work on the production of AR/VR content. Our discussion focuses on how content creation for AR/VR applications provide high-impact problem-solving opportunities for students with a diverse array of interests. Lessons learned from the Immersive Media Initiative at Ohio University can spur ideas for other educators wanting to use contemporary technology as a learning opportunity. Guest for this episode include John Bowditch, professor in the School of Emerging Communication Technology at Ohio University, as well as two students, Alyssa Stahl and Mitchell Cook.
The first of a two-part series on augmented and virtual reality, this episode how ideas behind effective simulations start. Dr. Patti McSteen, Associate Dean of Students at Ohio University and Detective Rick Sargent of the Ohio University Police Department brought an idea to the Immersive Media Initiative team at OU. That idea was turned into a training simulation making use of what John Bowditch, Director of OU’s Gaming Research and Immersive Design Lab, and his colleagues refer to as “Preality.” This episode tells the less visible story of how technology can facilitate high-impact learning opportunities when people from multiple fields and disciplines work collaboratively during the creation process.
Digital Pioneers Academy is a Washington DC charter school for 7th and 8th grade students focusing on computer science. The school, which is located in the Hillcrest neighborhood of the District, serves a student population that is entirely black and Latino. Mashea Ahston is the founder, CEO, and principal of Digital Pioneers Academy and discusses how she and her faculty enact their philosophy of success with students.
To learn more about Digital Pioneers Academy, visit their website: https://www.digitalpioneersacademy.org/
Educational institutions at all levels establish concrete objectives related to diversity. In discussions about diverse educational environments, inclusion is mentioned less, but is critically important. Our discussion today with Dr. Michael Arrington from Sam Houston State University and Dr. Marlene De La Cruz-Guzmon from Ohio University explores the need for inclusive educational environments as well as inclusion strategies for teachers, schools, and institutions.
As student matriculate from high school to college, they face both opportunity and challenge. Dr. Varun Soni, Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California, recently published an op-ed in the LA Times titled, “There’s a loneliness crisis on college campuses.” We discuss his essay to learn more about this phenomenon and what teachers, students, and institutions can do to try and mitigate its prevalence.
Teaching Matters is not just a great name for a podcast, its also a great name for an organization devoted to teacher development. Today’s guest is Lynette Guastaferro, the CEO of the non-profit organization, Teaching Matters, based in New York City. We will learn from Guastaferro how the organization uses micro-credentialing to empower teachers with best practices, innovative thought, and leadership skills that have far-reaching positive impact in their schools.
Excellence in teaching and learning is increasingly tied to the need for assessment. As both students and methods of instruction change, faculty are called upon to assess learning in ways that are increasingly nuanced so that meaningful improvements can be made across programs and within specific courses. Dr. Terri Givens, an education consultant and former provost, argued in a recent Inside Higher Ed essay that doctoral students should receive more training in this area. We discuss this idea and the general importance of assessment with Dr. Givens in this episode.
Learning to play a musical instrument presents a number of winding paths for students. Besides needing to learn concepts related to music theory, students must also integrate their conceptual understanding with development of fine motor skills. Often overlooked is the affective dimension of learning. How can music educators keep students motivated to practice so that they can move their musical expertise forward? The Tonara app provides a learning management system for teachers and students that integrates gamification approaches to tackle that problem. In this podcast, Ron Regev, Chief Music Officer for Tonara, describes how the app facilitates teaching and learning for a new generation of students oriented toward mobile, interactive technology.
In this podcast, I explore the big picture of the Healthy Living Imitative from the perspective of it being a catalytic learning environment. In particular, we learn about three specific characteristics of the imitative that, in my opinion, serve as catalysts for learning that have positive effects for researchers, faculty, students, and community members.
In addition to the project-based work surrounding the fight against Chagas disease, students and faculty engaged in service learning project. In this episode, participants described two of the project. Following their explanations, I reflect on the important role of reflexivity in these types of learning situations.
The October 27 Primary School serves approximately 40 students who live in the three villages serving as the primary focal point of the Healthy Living Initiative. In this episode, I provide a description of the school and introduce you, though the translation skills of my colleague Lori Lammert, to two of the teachers at the school. After meeting the teachers and learning more about the school, I reflect on the importance of “giving back” to the community as we engage in our planned work of fighting Chagas disease.
This episode is the first in a series of podcasts about my summer trip to Ecuador to participate in a place based/problem based learning project. This Episode focuses on the core part of the project—the search for Chucuro (or “Kissing Bugs”)—within homes constructed of adobe located in three small Southern Ecuadorian villages. In the podcast you meet various people involved in the bug search and I then reflect on my own experiences as a learner in that setting. The project, called the Healthy Living Initiative, was organized by the Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute at Ohio University.
Teaching Matters is starting its third season! This short podcast provides an overview of some of the topics we are booking for the season. It also highlights two special series of Teaching Matters podcasts. One of the special series explores an international trip by students and faculty who engaged in place based/problem based learning, and the other highlights several Ohio K-12 teachers who are innovating communication education projects into their classes.
In an effort to improve assessment practices, a collaboration between 19 different organizations representing educational researchers, educational policy reform advocates, private sector interests, and others, recently released “The Ten Principles for Building a High Quality System of Assessment.” (http://deeperlearning4all.org/10-principles-building-high-quality-system-assessments)
A primary objective of the Ten Principles is to improve the ecological validity of assessment practices by bringing equity to the development of students’ academic, career, and civic aptitudes. Guests on the program include workforce Expert, Gail Norris, who is the U.S. Lead for Industry Learning Services at Siemens; Dr. Rebecca Wolfe, who is an education policy advocate and Associate Vice President of JFF’s Students at the Center initiative; and, Dr. David Conley, Founder of Ed Imagine and researcher focused on college and career readiness, student ownership of learning, and systems of assessment.
Teaching Matters is excited to announce a special series of podcasts with award-winning teachers who will share their personal stories about teaching excellence. The second program in this series is with Jitka Nelson, who was selected as the 2017 Indiana Teacher of the Year through a program of the Council of Chief State School Officials (CCSCO), which is the oldest and most prestigious national honors program focusing on teaching excellence. In this podcast, Jitka discusses the importance of student voice in an audio segment recorded by NWEA, the not-for-profit assessment solutions provider, who partners with the CCSCO on the National Teacher of the Year Program (segments from the other State Teacher of the Year Candidates are posted to teacherpodcasts.org).
A constant challenge facing educators is to determine the best ways in which to motivate students to succeed. A recent collaboration between JFF, Persistence Plus, and several community colleges explored the use of “behavioral nudges,” or short personalized messages, to promote student success. Barbara Endel, Senior Director at Jobs for the Future, Jill Frankfort, Co-Founder and President of Persistence Plus, and Aaron Weiss, an Instructor at Lorain Community College in Ohio discuss the use of behavioral nudges as well as results of a large research trial showing a 10% gain in academic success when STEM students receive such messages.
Dr. Lynn Gangone is President and CEO of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, a national advocacy group based on Washington, D.C. The AACTE advocates at both national and state levels in support of high-quality teacher preparation. The organization represents over 800 postsecondary institutions with teacher education programs. Dr. Gangone explains core tenets of the AACTE approach and delves into specific issues like school gun violence, promoting women leaders in the field, and challenges facing today’s teachers.
Dr. Brittany Peterson is an award-winning teacher in the School of Communication Studies at Ohio University. Peterson was awarded the title of “Presidential Teacher” from 2017-2020; the Presidential Teacher Award is the highest teaching award given to one Ohio University faculty member each year. Recently, Peterson was also awarded the title of “University Professor,” which is a yearly award bestowed by a student selection committee to a maximum of five faculty each year. In this podcast, Peterson discusses her teaching approaches, how she balances the multiple demands of being a faculty member, and approaches she uses when teaching e-learning courses.
This episode expands on the topic of place-based learning, which was also covered in Episode 103. Whereas the previous interview focused on place-based learning in an urban setting, this episode focuses on a rural-based program, the Teton Science School. The science school offers place-based experiences for students and faculty, and also helps conduct workshops on this topic for faculty. We are joined on the podcast by Josh Kleyman of the Teton Science School, as well as Dr. Scott Seaman, Dean of Ohio University Libraries, Delaney Dixon and Brandan Hogan, both Ohio University Students. Seaman, Dixon, and Hogan are all affiliated with the Ohio Fellows program, which participated in place-based learning at the Teton Science School.
Linda Darling-Hammond led a team of researchers to conduct an international comparative study, Empowered Educators. The study and accompanying series of policy briefs related to teacher recruitment, professional development, appraisal, and other topics was funded and supported by the National Center on Education and the Economy, a Washington DC-based organization led by Marc Tucker, with the help of the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education. Our discussion focuses on some of the lessons learned from a multi-country comparative study of practices used in high-performing education systems, and their implications for policy and practices in the United States.
View the series of policy briefs at: http://ncee.org/empowered-educators/empowered-educators-resources/#PolicyBriefs
Eva Moskowitz is a leading figure in the education reform movement promoting charter schools. Her charter school system, the Success Academy Charter Schools in New York City, has 45 locations and serves nearly 15,000 students. In this episode of Teaching Matters, Moskowitz describes how her schools have created a culture of success despite the many political challenges advanced by charter school opponents. Additional information about Eva’s work as an educational reformer can be found in her memoir, “The Education of Eva Moskowitz,” published by Harper Collins.
Teaching Matters is excited to announce a special series of podcasts with award-winning teachers who will share their personal stories about teaching excellence. The first program in this series is with Sydney Chaffee, who was selected as the 2017 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year through a program run by the Council of Chief State School Officials (CCSCO), which is the oldest and most prestigious national honors program focusing on teaching excellence. In this podcast, Sydney discusses how she uses social justice as an orientation for bringing authentic, culturally-based, and real-world experiences to her classroom. She also discusses her "epiphany" about the purpose of learning in an audio segment recorded by NWEA, who partners with the CCSCO on the National Teacher of the Year Program (segments from other State Teacher of the Year Candidates are posted to teacherpodcasts.org).
Math and Science education poses challenges for teachers as they confront phobias, anxieties and perceived differential abilities among students. Dr. Courtney Koestler, Director of the OHIO Center for Equity in Math and Science in the Patton College of Education at Ohio University, discusses the political dimensions of math and science education as well as the role played by the center in promoting educational equity with improved learning outcomes for students.
Students have a variety of motives for communicating with their instructors over the course of a semester or term. In this episode, Dr. Scott Myers from West Virginia University discusses a recent study he published in the journal, Communication Education, titled, “A longitudinal analysis of students’ motives for communicating with their instructors.” Dr. Myers research observes that, in general, students’ motives surrounding the need for information decreases as a semester progresses, but that their motives for relational communication increases.
Virtual and augmented reality are poised to disrupt media consumption in all areas—entertainment, journalism, and education to name a few. Are you skeptical about this influencing your teaching and learning? If so, think about how smart phones and mobile computing has changed the ways in which we consume information. Virtual and augmented reality is the next evolution of mobile media consumption, and will disrupt our uses of media in the same way that the iPhone did less than a few years ago. Eric Williams, Josh Antonuccio, and John Bowditch are the chief architects of the Immersive Media Initiative at Ohio University. In this episode, you will hear how they teach students in a technology environment that changes rapidly, as well as how uses of AR/VR technology is presenting exciting learning opportunities across a wide array of fields, and at all age levels. This is the first in a multi-show series on VR/AR uses in education settings. You can learn more about the Immersive Media Initiative by visiting http://gridlab.ohio.edu/projects/immersive-media-initative/
On this episode, Scott Titsworth welcomes two members of the Appalachian Peace & Justice Network, a non-profit organization that empowers and challenges groups and individuals to work for peace and social justice, to talk about how the organization helps to embed social and emotional learning directly into schools in the region.
Mara Giglio, director of the Appalachian Peace and Justice Network, where she she provides training on bully and violence prevention, conflict management and peer mediation.
Jennifer L. Seifert, Ph.D., directs the Sexual Assault Prevention Program, an affiliate program within the APJN.
For more info on the APJN, visit: http://www.apjn.org/
Dr. Craig Davis and Mr. Chuck Borghese teach courses in strategic communication in the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. Both Craig and Chuck draw upon years of experience working in the communication industry to integrate real world, problem-based learning into their courses. They emphasize creativity, problem-solving, team-based collaboration, and real-world application. In this episode, Chuck and Craig describe their approaches and how teachers in various settings might use problem-based learning to help students develop transferable skills.
Academic Service Learning is a pedagogical approach to problem-based learning that involves maximizing benefits for both learners and local communities in which educational projects are enacted. This episode describes an ongoing (20-year) project in Ecuador involving faculty from multiple disciplines and multiple universities. Dr. Mario Grijalva, Director of Ohio University’s Infectious and Tropical Disease Institute, and Diana Marvel, Director of Ohio University’s Center for Campus and Community Engagement, describe the service learning project in Ecuador, the philosophy behind service learning, and their approaches to emphasize multidisciplinary work by faculty and student participants. To learn more about this program, visit the ITDI website at: https://www.ohio.edu/medicine/itdi/
This program focuses on the link between educational credentials and future earning potential for students. Guests on the program describe an initiative called, Accelerating Opportunity, which is designed to advance the credentials of underprepared students with the objective of increasing their preparedness for careers that could increase their earning potential. Our discussion is centered on a recently released report, titled “New Evidence on Integrated Career Pathways: Final Impact Report for Accelerating Opportunity,” from the Urban Institute. Guests on the program include: Dr. Barbara Endel, Senior Director of Jobs for the Future, who led the Accelerating Opportunity initiative, Monty Sullivan, President of the Louisiana Community & Technical College System in Baton Rouge, LA, and Peggy Heinrich, Interim Vice President of Teaching, Learning, and Student Development at Elgin Community College.
On this episode of Teaching Matters, Scott discusses the problem, the challenge, and the rewards of technology, specifically cell phones, in the classroom with Dave Panzer, Director of Sales at Pocket Points, Inc. and Dr. Jeff Kuznekoff, Assistant Professor of Communication at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Pocket Points is a new app providing a powerful and innovative solution to a modern day challenge for Educator's across America. Pocket Points rewards students for doing the right thing of staying off their cell phones during class time. For more information on the app, visit: https://pocketpoints.com
On this episode of Teaching Matters, host Scott Titsworth talks with Dr. Renee Middleton, Dean of Ohio University's Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education and Human Services, about how their college prepares new and experienced teachers for the constantly changing landscape of education.
Teaching students to think creatively about problems is a critical step in promoting metacognition, problem-solving, and even productive collaboration. A lifelong puzzle enthusiast, Eric Berlin has created a variety of resources, including puzzle-based mystery novels and free word puzzles, that can be used by teachers, parents, and students to promote creative thinking. In this episode, we discuss the benefits of using puzzles in a variety of settings, both in the classroom and at home. Through a free subscription to his website, www.puzzleyourkids.com, you can receive a weekly free puzzle.
Colleges and universities sometimes have an “arm distance” relationship with their communities. Alternatively, Dr. Jeffrey Partridge, Director of the Heritage Project at Capital Community College in Hartford Connecticut, offers a more productive approach. In a recent essay titled, “Higher Ed Approaches to Empowering Students,” which appeared on the Getting Smart online community, Dr. Partridge discusses the value of Place Based Pedagogy for student learning, community engagement, and empowerment.
In previous times, students who missed class either ignored the transgression, or were forced to address the issue with their teacher during office hours, or during a subsequent class period. Modern communication tools, however, offer new avenues for accounts, excuses, and apologies surrounding absences. In his recent book titled, Dear Professor: A Chronicle of Absences, Filip Noterdaeme presents over 200 emails that he received from students explaining and apologizing for absences. In this podcast, we explore Noterdaeme’s book, and lessons to be learned about the emotional nature of apologies between students and teachers. Noterdaeme’s book holds a 2016 copyright and is available from Punctum Books at: https://punctumbooks.com/titles/dear-professor-a-chronicle-of-absences/
It's back to school with another season of Teaching Matters! New podcasts will be uploaded every week on Tuesday morning. Thank you for all the support thus far!
When students enter college, or undergo other similar transitions during their academic careers, they are at greater risk of academic difficulties. This episode features Wendy Merb-Brown, who is the Assistant Dean of University College at Ohio University. Wendy directs a campus wide learning community program for first-year students, which is designed to support students as they transition to a new stage in their academic career.
Dr. Stephen Hunt is Director of the School of Communication at Illinois State University in Normal Illinois. For several years, Steve and his colleagues have worked with the American Democracy Project, which is a program of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, to integrate political engagement activities into college curricular and co-curricular experiences. Dr. Hunt discusses how this initiative has grown at Illinois State, assessment data on its success, and steps that teachers and parents can take to promote political engagement among students.
To learn more about the American Democracy Program, visit:
http://www.aascu.org/programs/ADP/
Ulrich Boser is a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, where he examines education issues. He talks with Scott Titsworth about his recently published book, "Learn Better: Mastering the Skills for Success in Life, Business, and School, or, How to Become an Expert in Just About Anything".
For more information on the book, visit: http://ulrichboser.com/
As Basic Course Director in the Department of Communication at George Mason University, Melissa Broeckelman-Post is responsible for training and supervising 50-60 instructors who teach 3500-4000 students per year in the required introductory communication skills courses taken by all students, as well as developing curriculum, managing the program, and assessing learning outcomes.
Dr. Broeckelman-Post discusses how different course structures and interventions facilitate learning.
Dr. Katherine Ziff is an assistant professor in the department of counseling at Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, NC. Ziff’s recent book, Art Break: A Creative Guide to Joyful and Productive Classrooms, was published in 2016 by Swallow Press. In this episode, Ziff discusses the use of Art Breaks in elementary school settings as a potential therapeutic intervention that can improve students emotional orientation toward learning while at the same time centering them around productivity tasks like critical thinking, problem solving, and positive social interactions. Art Breaks, according to Ziff, are potentially useful for students in any classroom and can potentially be used by parents in home settings. Ziff’s book can be purchased through the Swallow Press website (http://www.ohioswallow.com/search?q=ziff) or through other online booksellers.
Dr. Angela Hosek directs the basic communication course in Ohio University’s School of Communication Studies in the Scripps College of Communication. Dr. Hosek discusses how group dynamics play a role in the learning process for millennial students, as well as how education approaches must adapt to the ways in which millennial students tend to learn.
Nathan Carpenter and Laeeq Kahn – Nathan Carpenter is the Director of the Social Media Analytics Lab at Illinois State University, and Dr. Laeeq Kahn is director of the Social Media Analytics Research Team Lab at Ohio University. Carpenter and Kahn discuss uses of social media analytics as a new arena for teaching millennial students a wide range of liberal arts issues, ranging from quantitative reasoning to critical thinking.
Dr. Mayhew is a professor of Music in the College of Fine Arts at Ohio University and Conductor of the Ohio University Women’s Ensemble and Ohio University Choral Union. Paul discussed the role of communication and creativity in the classroom.
Ruthi Engelke, a representative of a national organization called Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed, discusses how the theatre of the oppressed philosophy provides a meaningful learning experience for contemporary learners of all ages.
April is a teacher at Athens Middle School who teaches courses related to technology and other STEM areas for 7th and 8th grade students in the Athens City Schools. April has recently integrated coding into her curriculum and discusses effective practices in student-centered teaching, particularly in technology-related subjects.
Dr. Chabot is a professor of Child and Family Studies in the College of Health Sciences and Professions at Ohio University. Jennifer specializes in issues related to pediatric health care and discusses the changing roles of children as those changes potentially influence how children and young adults experience educational settings.
Dr. Ken Kiewra is a Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Dr. Kiewra’s comments explore how to best help students learn how to learn in a constantly evolving information landscape. He offers practical advice for educators, parents, and students to encourage academic success.
Linda Rice is professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences at Ohio University. Linda, who has taught at various levels, discusses the process of learning as it relates to contemporary students and how educators must adapt to provide meaningful learning experiences.
Dr. Wendy Reinke and Dr. Keith Herman are Co-Directors of the Missouri Prevention Center, which brings together community members and researchers to help schools and families promote social and academic success. This interview focuses on a recent research article published by Reinke and Herman exploring dynamics of classroom interaction related to problematic behaviors in classroom settings.
If you'd like to learn more about the work being done at the Missouri Prevention Center, visit: http://prevention.missouri.edu
http://pbi.sagepub.com/content/15/1/39
Laura Harrison and Pete Mather are professors of Higher Education and Student Affairs in the Patton College of Education at Ohio University, and authors of a recently published book titled, "Alternative Solutions to Higher Education’s Challenges: An Appreciative Approach to Reform". Harrison and Mather discuss their book and its potential implications for using appreciative inquiry to transform teaching and learning.
Senior Vice Provost for Instructional Innovation at Ohio University, Dr. Cohen discusses various trends in educational innovation ranging from e-learning to learner-centered classroom spaces.