Podcasts about Collaborative learning

In this episode, Dr. Ken Scheel, Founder and CEO of KEVA Planks, and Associate Principal Whitney Beck join for a conversation about blending hands-on learning with digital tools to cultivate essential future-ready skills in students. You'll also hear examples of how screen-free activities like building with KEVA Planks promote problem-solving and collaboration across subjects. Tune in to discover actionable strategies for incorporating tactile learning into your digital classroom to boost student engagement and skill development! Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2025/04/25/hands-on-learning-bonus-2/ Sponsored by KEVA Planks: https://kevaplanks.com Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/  Take your pick of free EdTech resources: https://classtechtips.com/free-stuff-favorites/   

Gretchen Wegner, a former classroom teacher, is the founder of The Anti-Boring Learning Lab. This is a wonderful resource for all educators to check out, including home educators! In this second conversation, Gretchen will share her knowledge of Self-Directed Learning, which we discuss calling “Collaborative Learning”!  You'll learn what it is, how to implement it in any learning situation, and why it's worth taking the time to implement well! Video version available at DecodingLearningDifferences.com Be sure to check out Gretchen's FREE resources!  These are shared during the conversation and I found them to be so helpful with my own kids and students!

This week's episode is all about cultivating leadership skills in our kiddos, especially those amazing outside-the-box thinkers. We dive into a type of leadership that's less about rallying a group and more about creativity, kindness, and empathy. We go over ways to nurture these qualities in your homeschool environment and everyday family life. This is part of our focus for the month in the Learner's Lab, where leadership takes center stage. Key Takeaways: Why Leadership Matters: Discover how leadership skills enhance problem-solving, empathy, and adaptability, crucial for every child, especially in neurodivergent families. Homeschool Activities: Try fun activities like planning field trips and hosting family meetings to foster leadership in children. Perfect for practical application at home! Creative Leadership: Explore how homeschool settings provide the perfect environment for kids to experiment and build resilience without external pressures. Resources Galore: We have a treasure trove of resources, including books, movies, and unit studies, plus four years of activities in the Learner's Lab to enrich your homeschool journey. Also, don't miss our upcoming EQ Quest in The Learner's Lab, where your family can dive into emotional intelligence activities centered on leadership. It's a fantastic opportunity for you and your kids to learn and grow together. Keep an eye out for new courses and coaching programs, perfect for your family. Stay tuned for more information by joining our newsletter if you haven't already—it's the best way to ensure you're up-to-date with the latest resources and support.   Get the Book For a deeper dive into these transformative concepts, don't forget to grab my new book, The Homeschool Advantage, where you can explore chapter six and beyond. It's a fantastic resource filled with actionable advice for homeschool educators.   Links and Resources from Today's Episode Our sponsor for today's episode is CTC Math The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Audiobook Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community – The Learners Lab Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed. The Anxiety Toolkit Why Play Matters | Unleashing Lifelong Learning Through Play What Does a Gifted Child Look Like? Embracing Child-Focused Learning | A Guide for Homeschooling Neurodivergent Children 100 Hints That Your Child May Be Gifted Fostering Teamwork | The Power of Collaborative Learning in Homeschooling Delight-Directed Learner Turned Published Author | A Conversation with Millie Florence Cultivating Commitment and Follow Through Why Gamified Learning Works So Well For Gifted Children The Power Of Inquiry Based Learning For Gifted Children Connect with Colleen You can find Colleen on  Twitter @ColleenKessler,  Facebook @RaisingLifelongLearners,  Instagram @ColleenKessler

Episode 69: Building Collaborative Learning CulturesAvailable April 1, 2025Professional development is an important part of educational leadership, but not all professional development opportunities are equally effective. When we're seeking to improve teaching and learning outcomes in our schools, are we developing classrooms or cultures? Siloes or collaborative communities? Guests Elham Kazemi and Jessica Calabrese, co-authors of Learning Together: Organizing Schools for Teacher and Student Learning, join host Morva McDonald to share how they worked together on a novel practice that built community, improved student outcomes, and changed how both teachers and learners thought about their work.Guests: Jessica Calabrese and Elham KazemiResources, Transcript, and Expanded Show NotesIn This Episode:“We think about what it is that we want to try with students, but then all of us go into the classroom together. Instead of going separately into our own individual spaces, we collaboratively go into one space where we know the kids, where we're invested in their learning, and try to learn with them. So we'll pose the tasks. We'll think with the kids. We'll tell the kids that we're there to try something out and learn from the children themselves. And we pause when we need to make sense of what to do next or something that we see that we didn't anticipate, that now we can take advantage of because our real children are there with us.” (7:52)“We have to redefine our identity as teachers, that my job isn't to get kids to do things. I can get you to do things, but you are not left with something new in your understanding when I walk away. So if I'm truly teaching you to be a learner, like we talk a lot about teach the reader, not the book. Teach the mathematician, not the math. And it takes a lot of reassurance from leaders for teachers to believe it's okay to do that, that I am not being judged by what I can get kids to do, things in a moment or on a day of a test. And I find myself saying that a lot of like, we're growing children, not test scores.” (37:51)Related Episodes: 67, 58, 49, 45, 32,19 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & UnitsIn this episode, we explore how math talks have transformed over time to maximize student learning. What started as a quiet, teacher-led process with random student responses has evolved into a dynamic and collaborative experience. By incorporating turn-and-talk strategies, student discourse, and whiteboards for modeling, classroom discussions have become more engaging and purposeful. We also discuss the impact of physical space—how moving students closer to the board fosters better participation and understanding. Tune in to hear how small shifts in structure and environment can lead to powerful math conversations!Key Takeaways:Moving beyond hand-raising to structured student discourse.Encouraging peer discussions before sharing with the whole class.Purposefully choosing student responses to deepen understanding.Helping students visually represent their math reasoning.Positioning students near the board for more engaged discussions.How minor changes in structure can lead to deeper learning. Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you'll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessmentAre you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

In this engaging conversation, Phil and Eugene Banks explore the profound impact of education, the journey of becoming an educator, and the art of teaching. They discuss the importance of connection, positive reinforcement, and authentic engagement in the classroom, emphasizing that teaching is not just about content but about the context and relationships built with students. Eugene shares his personal journey into education, highlighting the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way, and the strategies he employs to foster a dynamic learning environment. They also explore the importance of embracing mistakes in education, setting clear expectations, and fostering a growth mindset among students. Eugene shares his teaching strategies, including the 'We Do' approach, which emphasizes collaborative learning. They discuss the need to challenge traditional educational practices and the significance of inspiring young minds through literature. Eugene also highlights the urgency of pursuing dreams and the impact of his books aimed at empowering young black children.   Positive reinforcement can significantly impact student engagement. Finding your teacher voice takes time and experience. Education requires a long-term commitment to improvement. Teaching is an art form that evolves with practice. Authenticity in teaching resonates with students. Student voice should dominate over teacher voice in the classroom. Engagement strategies are crucial for maintaining student focus. Mistakes in teaching are opportunities for growth. Building relationships with students enhances the learning experience. Mistakes are part of the learning journey. Setting clear expectations minimizes room for error. The 'We Do' strategy encourages collaborative problem-solving. Facilitators guide students rather than dictate learning. Growth mindset is essential for overcoming challenges. Education should prepare students for real-life situations. Rewards should be earned, not given for mere participation. Challenging traditional practices can enhance learning. Books can inspire and empower young minds. Acting with urgency can lead to fulfilling dreams. Eugene on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/youngblackscholarbook/ Learn more about Eugene and his books; https://www.eugenebanks.com/ Music and sound effects - epidemicsound.com

Join us for a special episode of Trending in Education recorded live from the LEGO Education Curiosity Park at SXSW EDU.   We're diving deep into the world of playful learning and the rollout of LEGO Education Science with Dr. Jenny Nash, Head of Impact Education at LEGO. In this fun and insightful conversation, we explore the latest from LEGO Education with a special appearance from host Mike Palmer's six-year-old son, Matthew, who joins in the fun, building and creating with LEGOs as we chat! You'll hear from Mike's wife and occasional Co-Host, Dr. Robin Naughton, who weighs in as a Librarian and Information Scientist at Queens College where she's thinking about Teacher Training and Maker Spaces. Note: there's a bit of the conference buzz in the background, but that's part of the magic – capturing the excitement of learning and discovery in action.   Dr. Nash, a true legend in the field, shares her expertise on problem-based learning and science education while describing LEGO's innovative approaches to K-12 education. We discuss the importance of hands-on learning and how LEGO Education is bringing engagement back into the classroom. We also delve into the findings of LEGO's State of Classroom Engagement Report, highlighting the critical role of engagement and confidence in student learning. Key Takeaways: The LEGO Education Science program and its focus on purposeful play to achieve learning outcomes. Plus motors and wheels are cool!   How LEGO Education is designed to be classroom-ready, supporting teachers with lesson plans, slide decks, and professional development.   The balance between structured and unstructured play in educational settings.   Insights into fostering collaboration and problem-solving skills in the classroom.   Whether you're an educator, parent, or just a lover of LEGOs, this episode is packed with valuable insights into the power of play in education.   Don't Miss: Matthew's creative LEGO car designs and his interaction with Dr. Nash.   The discussion around extending hands-on learning into teacher training programs.   Subscribe to Trending in Education to stay on top of the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of learning!   A special thanks to Dr. Robin Naughton and Matthew Palmer for joining the conversation, and of course, to Dr. Jenny Nash for sharing her expertise and passion for LEGO Education.   Until next time, keep exploring, keep playing, and keep learning! 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:11 Meet Dr. Jenny Nash from LEGO Education 00:51 Playful Learning with LEGO 02:02 Hands-On Learning and Engagement 04:03 LEGO Education Science 09:28 Collaborative Learning with LEGO 11:37 Teacher Workshops and Professional Development 12:04 Classroom Ready Resources for Teachers 13:18 Balancing Play and Structure in Learning 14:58 Extending LEGO Education to Higher Grades 15:43 Hands-On Learning in Teacher Training 18:40 Collaborative Learning and Its Importance 20:35 LEGO Education Science and Competitions 22:38 Final Thoughts and Encouragement 23:14 Conclusion and Future Episodes

Leaders from the Fleet Science Center, A Reason to Survive (ARTS) and Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center share the power of their collaborative efforts in National City focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts and math.  Eric Meyer, Assistant Director of Education and Engagement for the Fleet Science Center, is joined by Olimpia Vazquez Ojeda, Program Manager of ARTS and Jeni Barajas, Director of Youth Programs for the Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center, to talk about the collaborative.About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media"Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 19 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local. For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us.Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.  About Mission Fed Credit UnionA community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

In this inspiring episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Carla Thompson, a leading real estate expert at Mile High Modern, shares her journey from teaching to building a thriving career in real estate. She reflects on the importance of storytelling in sales, the value of collaborative learning, and how leadership plays a crucial role in creating a strong team culture.Carla discusses the lessons she learned from her upbringing on a farm, the impact of resilience on entrepreneurship, and why quality should always come before speed in real estate. She also dives into the challenges of industry changes, the role of mastermind groups in personal growth, and how balancing work, family, and joy is key to long-term success.If you're looking for insights on leadership, business transformation, and the evolving real estate industry, this episode is a must-listen!Subscribe for more inspiring conversations with industry leaders and innovators!Follow CarlaLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-thompson-56861963/Milehimodern: https://www.mhmhomes.com/ #CarlaThompson #RealEstate #QuestForSuccess #Leadership #Storytelling #MileHiModern #Entrepreneurship #SalesLeadership #PersonalGrowth #BusinessSuccess #QualityOverSpeed #MastermindGroups #WorkLifeBalance #SuccessJourneyFollow us on all your favourite platforms:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-successTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspodWebsite: www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & UnitsAre you looking for a more impactful way to assess your students so they truly understand math concepts instead of just memorizing procedures?In today's classroom, relying solely on tests and quizzes can leave you questioning whether students are really “getting it.” We brought on Suzanne Bucaro - a math tosa from Orange County California – to help you with rethinking how assessment is woven into everyday math lessons, so you can gain a clearer picture of student understanding, boost engagement, and free yourself from grading overload.Discover a simple framework for gathering real-time insights into student thinking.See how to shift responsibility for learning onto students, so they build deeper confidence in math.Explore practical strategies for using peer and self-assessment to transform your classroom culture.Press play on this episode now to learn how to make every minute of your math block an opportunity for meaningful assessment and growth.Show Notes PageLove the show? Text us your big takeaway! Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you'll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessmentAre you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

In today's episode, we chat about the fourth C of homeschooling success: Critical Thinking. This indispensable skill is more relevant than ever in our fast-paced, information-saturated world. Here's a glimpse of what you can expect from Episode 267: Key Takeaways: Definition and Importance of Critical Thinking: Understand what critical thinking truly means and why it's crucial for our kids to develop this ability. Engaging Your Kids: Learn practical strategies, such as asking open-ended questions, storytelling, and integrating games and play to foster critical thinking at home. Real-Life Applications: Discover how discussing literature and everyday situations can build your child's ability to analyze, evaluate, and form independent judgments. Respectful Parenting: Create an environment that values curiosity and respects differing opinions, setting the stage for lifelong learners who are confident to question and innovate. Listen to the episode now and explore how you can cultivate a culture of critical thinking within your homeschool.   Get the Book For a deeper dive into these transformative concepts, don't forget to grab my new book, The Homeschool Advantage, where you can explore chapter six and beyond. It's a fantastic resource filled with actionable advice for homeschool educators.   Links and Resources from Today's Episode Our sponsor for today's episode is CTC Math   The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Audiobook Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community – The Learners Lab Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed. Ultimate Growing Unit Study Bundle Building Strong Family Teams | Tips for Connection and Collaboration Building Strong Family Bonds | A Conversation with Andee Martineau Strengthening Bonds | Building Family Routines and Rituals The Importance of Happiness in Homeschooling | A Guide for Parents Homeschooling Success | The Role of Strong Family Connections Fostering Teamwork | The Power of Collaborative Learning in Homeschooling Homeschooling with Clarity, Confidence, and Calm | A Conversation with Michelle Brownell Helping Our Kids Self-Regulate with Sarah Collins The Anxiety Toolkit Connect with Colleen You can find Colleen on  Twitter @ColleenKessler,  Facebook @RaisingLifelongLearners,  Instagram @ColleenKessler

In this episode of Why Distance Learning?, hosts Seth Fleischauer, Allyson Mitchell, and Tami Moehring welcome Noam Gerstein, CEO of the Bina School and a leading expert in precision education. Noam shares her journey of creating a global, digitally native school that reimagines how education serves young learners, blending emotional connection, cultural diversity, and innovative uses of live virtual learning. The episode explores Bina School's unique approach to play-based, personalized learning for students aged 4 to 12, with a focus on fostering global awareness and nurturing emotionally safe, collaborative learning environments.Key Topics Discussed:The importance of emotionally held learning spaces in live virtual education.How Bina School uses thematic biomes and SDG projects to create meaningful learning experiences.The role of adaptive content generation in balancing personalization and standardization.Building a global community for young learners and redefining what a school can be.Guest Bio: Noam Gerstein is the CEO of the Bina School, a pioneer in precision education and a thought leader in the field. With a background in history, technology, and social innovation, Noam has spent years researching global education systems and building solutions to meet the needs of Gen Alpha learners. She is a frequent speaker at education conferences and a passionate advocate for blending cultural diversity with cutting-edge technology.Host Links:Discover more virtual learning opportunities and resources at CILC.org with Tami Moehring and Allyson Mitchell.Seth Fleischauer's Banyan Global Learning provides meaningful global learning experiences that prepare students across the globe for success in an interconnected world.Episode Links:Bina School - thebinaschool.comContact Noam Gerstein: noam@bina.school

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In this episode of The Resilience Lab with Rex Miller, Melissa Turnbaugh, Senior Principal, Firmwide PreK-12 Market Leader at PBK, shares her vision for transforming education through innovation and intentional design. Melissa discusses how connecting students to nature, fostering creativity, and designing spaces that reflect the identity of their communities can revolutionize the way schools serve their students. She dives into the power of public-private collaboration, the importance of creating equitable and sustainable learning environments, and how small changes—like reimagining outdoor spaces—can inspire pride and connection while addressing larger societal challenges. This conversation is a powerful exploration of how thoughtful design can shape the future of education and the communities it serves. Don't miss this inspiring episode!

In today's episode, we unpacked the true essence of content in homeschooling. It's not just about memorizing dates and facts but teaching our kids how to think, explore, and find answers. We discussed tailoring education to each child's interests, embracing their natural curiosity, and making learning a lifelong journey. And remember, every child is unique, so there's no one-size-fits-all curriculum. Join us next week as we dive into teaching critical thinking skills. Subscribe now and let's raise curious, capable lifelong learners together!   Key Takeaways: Explore how content is often misunderstood in traditional education and how homeschooling allows us to reframe it to foster more meaningful learning. Learn why focusing solely on content limits our children's potential. Discover why how to think and explore is more impactful than just teaching them what to memorize. Learn why there's no perfect curriculum for everyone and how to find what fits best for your family.   Get the Book For a deeper dive into these transformative concepts, don't forget to grab Colleen's new book, The Homeschool Advantage, where you can explore chapter six and beyond. It's a fantastic resource filled with actionable advice for homeschool educators.   Links and Resources from Today's Episode Our sponsor for today's episode is CTC Math   The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Audiobook Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community – The Learners Lab Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed. Ultimate Growing Unit Study Bundle Building Strong Family Teams | Tips for Connection and Collaboration Building Strong Family Bonds | A Conversation with Andee Martineau Strengthening Bonds | Building Family Routines and Rituals The Importance of Happiness in Homeschooling | A Guide for Parents Homeschooling Success | The Role of Strong Family Connections Fostering Teamwork | The Power of Collaborative Learning in Homeschooling Homeschooling with Clarity, Confidence, and Calm | A Conversation with Michelle Brownell Helping Our Kids Self-Regulate with Sarah Collins The Anxiety Toolkit Connect with Colleen You can find Colleen on  Twitter @ColleenKessler,  Facebook @RaisingLifelongLearners,  Instagram @ColleenKessler

In this episode of the podcast, we explore the importance of nurturing communication skills at home. From weekly family meetings to a powerful personal story about her daughter Logan's experience with anxiety, Colleen shares invaluable insights on how open dialogue can build stronger relationships and boost children's confidence. Discover how communication entwined with empathy is essential for thriving in today's world, and get tips on fostering these skills in homeschooling and digital environments. Plus, get a sneak peek into next week's topic—the third C, Content!   Key Takeaways: Weekly Family Meetings: Discover how traditionally held weekly meetings can foster mutual respect and support. Building Communication Skills: Learn why open dialogue and active listening are essential for relationship building, deep engagement with material, and confident growth. Social Media & Digital Etiquette: Get tips on helping your children navigate the online world responsibly, using real-life examples.   Get the Book For a deeper dive into these transformative concepts, don't forget to grab Colleen's new book, The Homeschool Advantage, where you can explore chapter six and beyond. It's a fantastic resource filled with actionable advice for homeschool educators.   Links and Resources from Today's Episode Our sponsor for today's episode is CTC Math The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Audiobook Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community – The Learners Lab Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed. Building Strong Family Teams | Tips for Connection and Collaboration Building Strong Family Bonds | A Conversation with Andee Martineau Strengthening Bonds | Building Family Routines and Rituals The Importance of Happiness in Homeschooling | A Guide for Parents Homeschooling Success | The Role of Strong Family Connections Fostering Teamwork | The Power of Collaborative Learning in Homeschooling Homeschooling with Clarity, Confidence, and Calm | A Conversation with Michelle Brownell Helping Our Kids Self-Regulate with Sarah Collins The Anxiety Toolkit Connect with Colleen You can find Colleen on  Twitter @ColleenKessler,  Facebook @RaisingLifelongLearners,  Instagram @ColleenKessler

In this episode, we explore the importance of collaboration as a foundational skill for our children. From understanding the science behind our social brains to practical homeschooling tips, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiring anecdotes.   Key Takeaways: The Six Cs:Dive into the six key skills identified by Dr. Kathy Hirsch Pasek—Collaboration, Communication, Content, Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Confidence—that foster lifelong learning. Storytime:Listen to Colleen's heartfelt story about her daughter Molly's innovative approach to a homeschool science project, illustrating the power of collaboration. Practical Tips:Discover ways to build collaborative skills at home, whether or not you're involved in a homeschool co-op, including creative projects, family meetings, and pretend play.   Sneak Peek at Next Week Next week, we'll be focusing on Communication, the second of the six Cs. Colleen will discuss how this vital skill acts as a cornerstone for effective collaboration and how we can foster strong communication abilities in our kids.   Get the Book For a deeper dive into these transformative concepts, don't forget to grab Colleen's new book, The Homeschool Advantage, where you can explore chapter six and beyond. It's a fantastic resource filled with actionable advice for homeschool educators.   Links and Resources from Today's Episode Our sponsor for today's episode is CTC Math The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Audiobook Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community – The Learners Lab Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed. Building Strong Family Teams | Tips for Connection and Collaboration Building Strong Family Bonds | A Conversation with Andee Martineau Strengthening Bonds | Building Family Routines and Rituals The Importance of Happiness in Homeschooling | A Guide for Parents Homeschooling Success | The Role of Strong Family Connections Fostering Teamwork | The Power of Collaborative Learning in Homeschooling Homeschooling with Clarity, Confidence, and Calm | A Conversation with Michelle Brownell Helping Our Kids Self-Regulate with Sarah Collins The Anxiety Toolkit Connect with Colleen You can find Colleen on  Twitter @ColleenKessler,  Facebook @RaisingLifelongLearners,  Instagram @ColleenKessler

Learning through experience requires us to shift from the purely intellectual to a more holistic engagement. I try to create that shift by opening each of my leadership classes with some form of art—a poem, a piece of music or a visual work. It's a way of helping my students, many of whom are management or law students, executives, or leaders in their fields, step out of their typical "brain-bound" mindset and into a space where they can let their thoughts, emotions and values guide their learning. For many, it's an inconvenient and unfamiliar approach, but it's exactly what I believe opens their minds and hearts to walking an unconventional path toward growth.  Dr. Liliana Milkova and I share a passion for this type of experiential learning. The Nolan Curator of Education at Yale University Art Gallery, Liliana uses art to foster reflective, perspective-shifting experiences to encourage people to slow down and engage deeply with what they see and feel. Drawing on her upbringing in Bulgaria and her extensive work in art education, she shares how object-based learning can transform the way we think and connect with others. I encourage you to experience this episode by watching, versus just listening. Join us as we explore how art can shift the way we think, learn, connect and grow. Watch this episode on YouTube. Key Topics 02:19 Learning from Cultural Heritage – Growing up in Bulgaria, surrounded by historical objects, fostered Liliana's deep connection to experiential learning, teaching her to engage with the world through observation, curiosity and reflection. 09:38 Teaching Through Art – "Teaching through art" rather than "teaching about art" catalyzes deeper, shared learning experiences—making abstract concepts more tangible through observation and personal interpretation. 14:37 Object-Based Learning – Through careful observation and multisensory experiences, learners develop critical thinking skills and form deeper connections with content. 18:00 Collaborative Learning and Perspective-Taking – Exercises like "Back-to-Back Drawing" improve communication and empathy by describing and interpreting objects from different angles. 32:39 Learning How to Learn – Developing individual strategies for processing information and engaging with experiences helps to build confidence and adapt to new situations by embracing diverse ways of thinking. 42:43 Reflection and Slowing Down – Slow down to fully engage with an object and allow time for deeper reflection. Creating space for shared insights and dialogue enhances the learning experience. Resources Explore the Yale University Art Gallery Collection The University Museums and Collections Journal (UMACJ) on how university STEM and medicine classes are utlizing art collection in teaching and learning Object-based learning resources Object Based Learning: A Powerful Pedagogy for Higher Education: A powerful pedagogy for higher education — Queen's University Belfast Engaging the Senses: Object-Based Learning in Higher Education - 1st E (routledge.com)

In the milestone 200th episode of the Better Learning Podcast, special host Kevin Foote sits down with Dr. Andy Forless, superintendent of Mesa Public Schools, to dive into a conversation about innovation in education. As the leader of Arizona's largest school district, Dr. Forless shares her unique journey from classroom teacher to educational leadership and how her passion for teaching has shaped her vision for transforming student learning experiences. The centerpiece of their discussion revolves around Mesa Public Schools' groundbreaking team teaching model, an approach designed to leverage shared expertise among educators. This model fosters a sense of belonging among students, enhances student engagement, and has proven effective in improving teacher retention—a growing challenge in education today. Dr. Forless and Kevin also explore the role of collaborative learning spaces and partnerships, particularly with Arizona State University, in making these educational innovations possible.   Takeaways: Team teaching allows for shared expertise among educators. Collaborative learning spaces enhance the team teaching experience. Personalized learning is essential for student engagement. Partnerships with universities can drive educational innovation. Redesigning working conditions is crucial to retain teachers. The future of education relies on collaboration and flexibility.   Andi Fourlis is the superintendent at Mesa Public Schools. Her career began in 1992 as a teacher in the Washington Elementary School District in Phoenix. She joined the Scottsdale Unified School District in 1996, where she spent 19 years as a teacher, director, executive director and assistant superintendent. In 2015 she joined the Arizona Science Center as the chief learning officer. In 2017, she joined Mesa Public Schools as the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning and later served as deputy superintendent. Andi Fourlis has received numerous awards, including the Horace Mann Ruler of the Month Award in 2019, the Kathy Hunt-Ullock Award for Middle Level Advocacy in 2013, and Teacher of the Year Award at Royal Palm Middle School in 1994. She is a graduate of Valley Leadership Institute Class 38 (2017).   Sound Bites: "I never thought that I would ever leave my classroom." "Team teaching is when a group of adults share expertise."   Follow Dr. Andi Fourlis on Social Media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andi-fourlis-713994122/   Learn More About Mesa Public Schools: Website: https://www.mpsaz.org/     Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com. Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Find out more about Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller/. For more episodes of the Better Learning Podcast, visit https://www.betterlearningpodcast.com/     Episode 200 of the Better Learning Podcast Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.   For more information on our partners: Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/ Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/ Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/ EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/ Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/   Want to be a Guest Speaker? Request on our website     Transcript Kevin Stoller (00:01.288) Welcome back to the better learning podcast. My name is Kevin Stoller I'm the normal host of the show, but we have another Kevin Kevin foot who's gonna be stepping in and Leading the conversation with dr. Andy for lists She is the superintendent of Mesa Public Schools the largest district in Arizona and I'm bummed that I wasn't part of this conversation I was really looking forward to it. But as you listen to the episode they talk a lot about their team Teaching approach had they've been doing in conjunction with Arizona State University. So it's really fascinating. So listen in. I hope you learn a lot from this and here you get to hear Kevin Foote and Dr. Andy Forless.   Kevin Foote (00:46.85) Hello, how are you? Good, how are you? I'm a different Kevin.   Dr. Andi Fourlis That is just grand, no troubles at all. So I'm Andy Forlund, Superintendent in Mesa Public Schools. I am an Arizona native. I began my educational career in Mesa Public Schools at Lowell Elementary. I'm starting kindergarten at Lowell. And I became a teacher because I loved to play school ever since I was a little girl. I was trying to arrange and rearrange, whether it was stuffed animals, my brother, the neighborhood kids, I was always organizing them into some type of a classroom. And so I spent fond memories of being a toddler and then growing up always playing school. I got super excited about going to kindergarten and I planned for my first day of kindergarten for a very long time from what I was going to wear to what my lunchbox was going to look like, what my backpack would look like and so on. So my mom took me to kindergarten and off I went and she picked me up at the end of the day. So excited to hear about, my gosh, Andi, how was your first day of school? You've been waiting this for so long. Well, I started crying. I pitched a fit in the car. I said it was the worst day of my life. And I remember her face was just blank. Like, how could this be the worst day of your life? And mom, you did not tell me that I was not going to be the teacher today. So I went to school and I was four. I was turning five in December. I went to school to kindergarten as a fourth as a four year old. Yeah. I was going for one reason. That was to be the teacher. I have had this idea that I was going to be a teacher because I always wanted to arrange people and things so that they can learn. And so as long as I can remember, I was always going to be a teacher in the back of my mind. Then I went to school, so I'll answer another one of the questions. So school for me was, it was a great place. I learned quickly. I had lots of questions. I kept thinking about how it could be different, how it should be different. And as I went through school, I never raised my hand. And when people ask me, Andi, what do you want to be when you grow up? I never said a teacher. kept thinking, I don't want to do it like this. I want to do it differently. And it wasn't until I had the opportunity to take some college courses that like an introduction to education, I thought, OK, this is what I'm going to do with my life. I can't way that it currently is. I don't have to live in the status quo. So I've always had one goal and I've always been in the service industry. I was a waitress all through high school and college to pay my way through college. And I realized that serving other people was something that I was good at and that it contributed to a better life for me and others.   Kevin Foote I love it. I love it. Very, very similar backgrounds, you and I. I'm not going to get into mine, but very, very similar. I was one of those weird ones that always knew I wanted to be a teacher. So what got you into administration, whether it was principal or eventually now in superintendency, what was your guiding light for that?   Dr. Andi Fourlis Well, I will tell you that I never thought that I would ever leave my classroom. I taught third grade, sixth grade, seventh grade, and then eighth grade. And it was a sixth grade classroom that I had district leaders come into my classroom and ask me if I was interested in mentoring other teachers. And I said, sure, I've always mentored other teachers. They said, yeah, but this would be a full time job where you step out of your classroom and for maybe three years or so work in our new teacher induction model and bring in our new secondary teachers. And really get that complemented to strong instructional practices and so on. I said, interesting. Okay, I could do that for a little bit. And then I never went back. So that was in 2000. And so here we are, 24 years later, I've not gone back into a classroom. I still have samples of student work that I'm ready to use someday. But I've back. So it was a tap on the shoulder to move into teacher leadership. And my journey has been through teacher leadership. I've never been a building principal or assistant principal. My journey was being an instructional coach and then to a director of professional learning and a director of recruitment.   Kevin Foote That's great. That's an interesting path. That's very unique compared to general superintendents. They've usually gone the principal path. So that's a very interesting path like that. So I've done some research into it. I've actually...you know, we've designed some schools and stuff within the ASU model of the team teaching and everything. And I wanted you to talk some more about that. I was able to listen to another podcast you were on and I've just, I loved it. Loved it. I was like, guys, this is right. I love hearing about this.   Dr. Andi Fourlis Okay. Yeah. So, you know, I would say like, I'm sorry to be redundant, but I know you probably love talking about it. And this is a, you know, maybe a bigger, different audience. So, if this is, you know, maybe architects or designers or somebody maybe in my industry on that end could hear more about what the team teaching model is for, like, for me, I'm all about it I was in the classroom. Maybe somebody who's never really been in the classroom. What does that look like? So when we think about our experiences in schools and being a one-on-one school is that people usually identify by saying, well, this was my third grade teacher. Well, my fifth grade teacher had the most impact on me. My seventh grade English teacher had an impact on me. That is the typical experience that most students have in American public school system. When we think about team teaching is when you start students start to identify this is the team of teachers that I am working with and it is beyond the one teacher one classroom model. Then the majority of my career I had the great benefit of working on a team. I was not just one teacher trying to serve all of my children. I was always on a team. I started in third grade and that was a team taught class and I did my teaching and then taught there. And then I moved into, there was a couple of years at the very beginning that I was a one teacher in one classroom. And I was a middle school team. And then when I moved to the Scottsdale Unified School District, I was also in a three person team, sharing a roster of 150 students. And we were co-designing deeper and more personalized learning. Those are all fancy words I have now, but I would have never been able to use. 1896 is when I started this work. School teaching is when there are a group of adults, teachers sharing their expertise to co-design instruction for a common roster of children that they serve. So, the public schools, our definition of a team is at least two teachers sharing a roster of students designing learning outcomes for them.   Kevin Foote Awesome. Now, just piggybacking on that, are there...How rare is this in Arizona? Are there other districts that are doing this? Did you get the model from, I know ASU, Arizona State's kind of guiding it, but did you get to see any other districts in action that are doing this?   Dr. Andi Fourlis So yeah, there are other districts that are implementing team teaching. And like I said, my own career, I started in 1991 and thinking about what we knew about middle school, adolescent design. It was, middle schools were based on teams of teachers bringing their academic knowledge, working with other teachers to serve children. So this is not a model that's new at all. In fact, team teaching, we can go back into our history books and look at even our former superintendent, Dr. Jim Saharis talking about team teaching in the 1970s. So this is not a new concept. What's new about team teaching today, is that we are using it in an environment of high levels of accountability. Because I believe that we started moving to the one teacher one classroom under the era of No Child Left Behind. No Child Left Behind talked about things like the highly qualified teacher, the appropriately certified teacher. And when it started breaking down classrooms by certification of who was highly certified to teach these students, and we had such a focus on that that we really aligned one teacher to typically a class of 25 to 30 students. And so No Child Left Behind came in with high levels of accountability to the teacher. And so team teaching, any type of collaboration, I believe, started to fall to the wayside.   Kevin Foote Yeah. OK. And I love what you talked about there where it's taken it from that middle school model or the junior high model where that's essentially what you're doing. And why can't we do top down with that? I love that. It's so important to talk about when we talk about the next education workforce teaming model, it is more than just a team of teachers. When we're truly talking about teaming, we are opening up learning opportunities for students by bringing in community partners, by community educators, rethinking the role of an instructional assistant. Even in today's world, here we are in 2024, rethinking the role of technology on a team. What role does this piece of technology play in integrating into the learning needs of students?   Dr. Andi Fourlis So it's taking all of your resources and arranging for learning for students and it is beyond the scope of just the certified teachers in that classroom. It's wrapping adults around the needs of children.   Kevin Foote Yes. I love that. And you you could see creating a strong workforce that knows how to work with, let's say, different types of bosses and all the varying learning styles and teaching styles that go along with, you know, I'm sure somebody in their career at some point were like, there's a boss that I just didn't work well with or I really like working for him or her and things like that. So I think this is a good start to that to get them to understand it at a young age. How do you function within, how does this team teaching model function within like the learning environment, like the actual spaces? Can you explain how Mesa's done it or if you've seen another district, like how do they make it work with if you do have a space that's been designed and furnished for that and everything, and then a space that's not, how do they make that work? I'd love to hear both sides of it.   Dr. Andi Fourlis So collaborative learning spaces are very important for teaming. And I will tell you that we have intentionally designed spaces for collaboration for teaming in Mesa Public Schools. And we also have teaming that is alive and well their physical design is not super conducive, but they make it work. So I'll give you another example. At Westwood High School, all ninth and 10th graders are on teams, and those are bigger kids, and they need bigger spaces. And so we have some potentially designed space where walls have come down. They've got movable chalkboards, whiteboards throughout the room. So kids are working on different projects. They're in and out of this collaborative space. At Stevenson Elementary, every child is on a team and they are beginning in first grade as a multi-grade team. And so the doors between classrooms are able to be opened. They look just like they're very large doors with the glass in between them and they- Storefront, if you will. So students are moving from classroom to classroom within a pod. never walk outside. They are all inside the building between classes. We have others that students have to walk outside to the classroom next door. So there's lots of different ways. And but what is most important is not that we're just moving kids, but what is the purpose and the intent behind the movement? And that needs to be artfully designed. We are moving kids around to get what they need to improve their learning outcome. So sometimes they need additional English language arts time. Sometimes they need more mathematics time. Sometimes they're going into innovation space because they're working in a project. And so they, at Stevenson Elementary, all students set their own intentions and learning targets for the day and then monitor those and then build their schedule with the guidance of the adults around what their game will look like. And so they have to be able to move.   Kevin Foote Okay, I love that.   Dr. Andi Fourlis That's one very last thing, have to be able to move. I love getting them up and moving. I'd also like to add that it's really important for our teams to build a community of learners. And so when the majority of our teaming models, at the beginning of the day, the entire grade level or grade bands at three, four, for example, at Stevenson, they meet in the morning for what they call family time. They all come together. Other schools, it might just be the entire third grade. They come together in the morning and they check the health and wellness of the community. That's what they do, but then they move on. At Stevenson, we have larger groups of children. So another added feature is that we have audio enhancement. So all of the teachers use microphones and they're in the classroom. And that's been a modification so that all children can learn even in a large space.   Kevin Foote That's great. I love that. I love that. what successes have you seen? And again, this is kind of like a two-part. What successes have you seen academically as well as socially? Because there's so many I want to hear from you firsthand. What successes have you seen in both those aspects?   Dr. Andi Fourlis So we have what our strongest indicators are around students have a sense of belonging. So they know where they belong, have an identity and they have more than one adult that they can connect with every single day. So while you might be assigned to Mrs. Smith and in third grade and teacher one classroom model, you and Mrs. Smith may not see eye to eye on things. And so in our teaming model, students have a lot of opportunity to connect with the expertise of multiple adults, including their teachers. So there's higher level of sense of belonging and confidence amongst our students that are in teams. The other is that what we're paying attention to building their confidence and efficacy for how they can be self-directed learners, those early on indicators are that they're feeling more confident. And being self-directed, when we take a look at our teachers, their retention rates are higher and their job satisfaction is higher in the team. Because it's always nice to know that we're in this together, right? I don't just go in and say, 28 students and me, let's go do this. We're all in this together. And it's a lot of co-planning and it's using expertise. We have teachers that have a background and are really great in math instruction. They take the lead on planning and designing mathematics lessons and design. The same reading specialist on a team taking the lead for that particular team. So they're sharing their expertise. And we often see that if a teacher is going to be out, need the substitute for a doctor's appointment or something on a team, oftentimes they don't even get a substitute or the substance provides just, you know, like supervision and support so the kids don't miss a beat. So we're also seeing learning outcomes are increasing. They've been paying attention to reading. So they are outpacing their peers in literacy development. And in our high schools, we're paying attention to Algebra 1 for our ninth grade. And we're seeing that students on teams are outperforming our students who are not on teams in Algebra 1.   Kevin Foote (18:50.83) Love it. Awesome. Something that I heard you say in a previous quote you made was that you're looking to create more personalized learning. And that's like the one thing that jumped out at me because I remember when I was in the classroom, that was always my goal is for all, know, sometimes I had 32 third graders or whatever, know, but that was a big class, but, you 25 to 30 kids, try to know something about all of them, like what makes each of them tick and feel like having that team teaching models makes that so much easier. You started teaching a little before me, like differentiated learning was the buzzword at the time. And so when I heard you say personalized, I'm like, I think that goes a little further. I love to hear that. So I don't if you want to elaborate on that a little much. That's just something I wanted to say. I thought it was pretty awesome.   Dr. Andi Fourlis We know the research around differentiated instruction that we differentiate by process product, right? And for learning, but within our kids are so different and we have an incredibly diverse community. So we need to make sure that not only is it differentiated, that instruction is differentiated, but it is also personalized where we are building, students have agency that they are building the what's in it for them in their learning. That takes it a little bit deeper than differentiation, because usually you differentiate for groups of kids. You look at personalization... it's a sliver of the solid research on why we differentiate. But this is saying that kids are setting their own goals. They're mastering their own goals. Elementary is very foundational. And English language arts, mathematics, and science, and social science. When we get into high school, that also looks at what is their career and college path that is personalized to them. It's not just the typical subject areas. It's like, no, I am on a path. I know that I want to pursue a degree in engineering. So my path is going to be different and I need to be engaged in an agent of my own learning towards that pathway.   Kevin Foote I think it's a perfect piggyback on the next thing. what's something you think that, or a couple of things that Arizona State's helped with? How do you think we can help work with future teachers on this, specifically college of ed students at our major universities, things like that? Are there some tips you'd have for them? And then also how is Arizona State help with that?   Dr. Andi Fourlis Well, what has been so helpful for us in our partnership with Arizona State University is the way that I think about our relationship is that ASU is the innovative university, a research-run university, and we are the laboratory to try those ideas, collect information, talk about what's working with boots on the ground and how they're constantly working together to make adaptations based on research and then based on implementation. And so to me, that's perfect model. The other is that Arizona State University is keeping this conversation alive beyond Mesa Public Schools. We have a crisis across the nation and the crisis of the teacher shortage. That's one long as I mentioned that I left my classroom in 2000 to be a new teacher induction specialist to help induct new teachers and then go out and recruit new teachers. So we've been at this for 24 years that we've been trying to solve a teacher. I think it's time that we're done admiring this problem and really digging down into why are teachers not choosing teaching? And especially in 2024, it's because the teaching job is incredibly isolating and it's inflexible. So if we can build some collaboration and flexibility into the teaching profession, that is one step closer to solving the teacher shortage problem. A phrase that I say, oftentimes, if teachers are not leaving the profession, they're leaving their working conditions. And working conditions is something that we can control. And so let's control what we can control and let's redesign those working conditions. And my belief is that if we do that, the theory of action is that we will chip away at the teacher shortage.   Kevin Foote (23:38.798) Awesome. I think that I have one more question, but you just answered it was how can people who are gonna hear this podcast help? And what are recommendations on what others do? But I feel like you nailed it in the head before I even got there.   Dr. Andi Fourlis And I think the other thing is that what can ASU do with those that are choosing the teaching profession? Designing their instruction and the experiences that free service teachers have. If free service teachers are coming in and working and learning in isolation. That doesn't set them up for success when they come into our school district with teaming model. So what I really appreciate around our relationship is Dr. Basile and I are constantly calibrating. What are we doing in classrooms in Mesa Public Schools? And how does that trigger pre-service learning and vice versa?   Kevin Foote Nice. I love it. love it. Well, thank you for your time today. I don't want to keep you too much longer. I think we'll just go ahead and wrap up here and thank you again for all you do. And that's a big job with the biggest district in Arizona. So appreciate your time.   Dr. Andi Fourlis The joy every day. We have so much opportunity to preserve the teaching profession and to create great outcomes.   Kevin Foote Awesome. Thank you.   Kevin Stoller (25:09.986) The views and opinions expressed on the Better Learning Podcast are those of myself as an individual and my guests and do not necessarily represent the organizations that we work for, the Association for Learning Environments, K-12, Education Leaders Organization, or Second Class Foundation.

In our latest episode, we dive into how to ignite your child's curiosity by exploring topics together, even if it means using Google searches or watching fun educational videos. Celebrate every milestone, no matter how small, and foster a growth mindset by focusing on the process, not just the outcomes.  This episode, along with Colleen's new book, offers tips for personalized education, especially for neurodivergent kids. Listen now, and let's create a family culture of learning and make education an adventure!  Key Takeaways: Modeling Curiosity and Lifelong Learning: Encourage your children to explore their curiosities by actively engaging with them. Whether it's a topic they discovered on a show or an interest they saw in a book, learning together can be a fun and enriching experience.   Embrace and Celebrate the Learning Process: Focus on the journey rather than the outcome. Celebrate both the small and big milestones, helping children appreciate their efforts and persistence. This can cultivate a growth mindset in them.   Tailored Educational Experiences: Craft learning activities based on your child's unique interests and needs. This is especially effective for neurodivergent children. Personalized approaches, like using creative projects or alternative assessments, can make learning more impactful and engaging.   Here's a challenge for you -- reflect on your week's learning adventures and share them on social media (don't forget to tag us!) or with us directly through the Learner's Lab. Let's celebrate curiosity and lifelong learning together!   Links and Resources from Today's Episode Our sponsor for today's episode is CTC Math The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Audiobook Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community – The Learners Lab Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed. Smart Underachievers: Reigniting a Love of Learning 8 Ways to Foster a Love of Learning in Your Children Fostering Teamwork | The Power of Collaborative Learning in Homeschooling Falling Unexpectedly in Love With Homeschooling My Gifted Child A Deep Dive into The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Bring Joy Into Your Homeschool Day Enjoy Your Kids: Play, Live, & Love Intentionally   Connect with Colleen You can find Colleen on  Twitter @ColleenKessler,  Facebook @RaisingLifelongLearners,  Instagram @ColleenKessler

In this episode of TeacherCast, Jeffrey Bradbury, Diane Manser, and Michelle Stie discuss the intricacies of professional development (PD) in education. They explore what constitutes effective PD, the importance of engaging teachers, and the role of community in fostering a supportive learning environment. The conversation highlights the need for alignment between administrators and teachers, the significance of measuring success in PD programs, and the challenges educators face in implementing new strategies. The episode concludes with practical advice for educators on navigating the complexities of PD and maintaining enthusiasm for teaching. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! Conversation Takeaways Professional development should be relevant to teachers' classroom experiences. Creating a culture of feedback and vulnerability is essential for effective PD. Engaging teachers in collaborative communities enhances the PD experience. Good PD is not just about content but also about building relationships. Teachers need to see the relevance of PD to their specific contexts. Follow-up and follow-through are crucial for sustaining learning from PD. Setting clear goals for PD helps in measuring its effectiveness. Teachers should be encouraged to try new strategies and share their experiences. The role of administrators is vital in supporting effective PD initiatives. Creating a supportive environment can help teachers overcome challenges in their practice. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Professional Development in Education 02:12 Creating Effective Professional Development Programs 05:15 Understanding Good vs. Bad Professional Development 08:10 The Importance of Teacher Engagement and Buy-In 11:01 Collaborative Learning and Community Building 13:59 Follow-Up and Sustaining Professional Development 17:05 Navigating Challenges in Professional Development 20:22 Measuring Success in Professional Development 23:17 Final Thoughts and Advice for Educators About our Guest: Michelle Stie Michelle Stie is the Vice President of Program Design and Innovation for the National Math and Science Initiative. She received her BS in Journalism from Texas Christian University and her MA in English Literature from the University of Oklahoma. Before joining NMSI, Stie spent 18 years in teaching and school leadership positions, during which she won regional and national awards for teaching and curriculum development. Links of Interest The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) is a nonprofit STEM solutions provider transforming the face of STEM. Our focus on creating access for all students, especially those furthest from opportunities, sets us apart as the top choice for educators seeking to improve math and science outcomes. Our services strengthen teachers and leaders of today to inspire the next generation of diverse STEM innovators. Website: https://www.nms.org/ Twitter: https://x.com/NMSI Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalmathandscience/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nmsi/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nmsination/?hl=en Follow Our Podcast...

Having students work in groups can be difficult for them and for you. But working collaboratively is an important way to help students develop compassion, learn more deeply, and be ready to work in their future profession. Listen in as we share the best tips for group work and reasons behind having students collaborate from our community of teachers. Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/323

This episode pulls wisdom from Betsy Cooke Weber, on building a culture of leadership, ownership and professionalism in our classrooms and ensembles. This loaded “how to” session comes from her appearance back in episode 45 with updated thoughts from my on how these ideas are working in my classroom. “If I were to return to … Continue reading "Episode 217: Building Collaborative Learning Environments"

We recorded in-person interviews recently from The Writers' Collaborative Learning Center in downtown Reading, Mass., during the annual Reading Fall Street Faire. We chatted with course leads Nancy Parsons, Evea Raye, and Asa Sutton. To learn more about The Writers' Collaborative Learning Center, visit the official website. Writer's Bone is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm, As Told To: The Ghostwriting Podcast, and The Shit No One Tells You About Writing. 

In this enlightening follow-up, Matt Huber dives deeper into the collaborative nature of audio engineering, sharing insights on collective learning, building community, and evolving mixing techniques. Discover how fostering relationships with fellow engineers can accelerate your growth, why a competitive mindset holds you back, and Matt's latest revelations about multiband processing on the mix bus.Topics we discuss:How Matt and his collaborators deep-dive into topics like loudness for streaming platformsThe unexpected benefits of viewing other engineers as peers rather than competitorsMatt's innovative "5% better" exercise for group mixing sessionsWhy understanding the 'why' behind plugin choices is crucial for intentional mixingMatt's evolving perspective on multiband processing and how to use it more effectivelyLearn more about Matt - https://matthuber.co/Connect with Matt - https://www.instagram.com/mattjhuber/Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixingConnect with us:Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonicsBen - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/Thanks to our sponsors!Progressions with Travis Ference - https://www.progressionspodcast.com/listen“The Platinum Pitch: Proposals Clients Can't Refuse” FREE CLASS Register today: https://branding.carlbahner.com/offers/eL9EmmUL/checkoutLearn more:https://www.benwallick.com/https://www.carlbahner.com/This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

“The smartest people in the world know where their expertise ends and someone else's begins. We all need to understand that because if we're on the right team, everybody wins.” – Michael ClarkeThe finer details of this episode:• Transitioning from individual-centric practices to sustainable business models in professional services.• Importance of teamwork and collaboration among professionals serving the same clients.• Common mistakes made by professional service providers in managing their firms.• Strategies for building trust and effective communication with clients.• The significance of understanding and targeting ideal clients for growth.• The role of support staff in enhancing client relationships and operational efficiency.• The concept of “trust compression” and its impact on client onboarding and retention.• Emphasizing education and clear communication in the advisory process.• The value of networking and continuous learning for professional development.Episode resources:● Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/● If you have questions or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at mcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.com● Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course: https://vcfoplaybook.summitcpa.net/● Connect with Michael here:● Check Protection Point Advisors out here: https://www.protectionpointadvisors.com/advisors/team/mike-clarke/ Timestamps:Welcome and Introduction (00:00:00)The host introduces the podcast and its mission to provide insights for accounting firms.Guest Introduction (00:00:22)Adam shares his thoughts on the upcoming discussion with guest Michael Clarke and his book.Michael Clarke's Career Journey (00:01:40)Michael discusses his background in the insurance industry and the founding of Protection Point Advisors.Overview of "A Firm Worth Building" (00:03:03)Michael explains the motivation behind his book and the lessons learned from his mistakes.Transitioning from Individual Practice to Business (00:04:13)Michael emphasizes the importance of moving from individual-centered practices to sustainable business models.Building Relationships with Other Professionals (00:06:03)Michael highlights the value of collaboration between professionals to enhance client service.Common Mistakes in Firm Management (00:09:21)Michael identifies key mistakes professionals make, such as being the center of their practice.Practical Lessons in the Book (00:12:12)Adam asks Michael to share one crucial lesson from his book on managing professional firms.Understanding Trust Compression (00:12:50)Michael introduces the concept of trust compression and its significance in client relationships.Education as a Key Element (00:15:27)Michael discusses the importance of educating clients to build trust and improve service quality.Applying Trust Compression Beyond Onboarding (00:17:59)Michael suggests ways to apply trust compression in various processes, not just onboarding.Making Client Interactions Painless (00:19:01)Michael stresses the need to solve client problems while making the process as painless as possible.Good Growth Explained (21:22)Michael discusses the concept of "good growth" and why professionals struggle with it.Identifying Ideal Clients (22:48)He emphasizes the importance of knowing your ideal clients to avoid bad growth.Balancing Growth and Client Quality (23:35)The speakers discuss the challenge of balancing client acquisition with maintaining quality.Building a Reliable Referral Network (25:09)Michael shares insights on developing a trustworthy referral network for business growth.Creating Effective Partnerships (27:34)He explains how partnerships can enhance client services and improve business outcomes.Edifying Team Members (32:21)Michael stresses the importance of building up colleagues to foster trust and collaboration.Managing Client Growth (33:17)Discussion on the common belief of firing low-priced clients to make room for better ones.Building What Should Exist (39:43)Michael defines his philosophy of creating optimal solutions for client care within CPA firms.Practical Changes in Practice (00:41:08)Discusses how professionals can implement small, incremental changes rather than overhauling their entire practice.Importance of Support Staff (00:41:58)Emphasizes the role of support staff in making professionals look good and the need to value them properly.Learning to Manage (00:42:41)Michael reflects on his journey to becoming a better boss and the importance of self-improvement.Transitioning from Doing to Managing (00:43:12)Highlights the urgency for professionals to transition from doing the work to effectively managing their business.Collaborative Learning in Networks (00:44:48)Michael advocates for joining networks to learn from peers and create a collaborative environment for growth.Inspiration and Continuous Learning (00:46:05)Encourages surrounding oneself with inspiring individuals and cultivating a habit of reading for personal and professional growth.

In this roundtable podcast episode, join Rex Miller and our panel as they explore how education environments are transforming in response to new needs and challenges. Our roundtable panel guests include:Audrey Metz, Manager of Furniture and Design at Washington UniversityMelissa Turnbaugh, Partner and National Education & Innovation Leader at PBKAmanda Costell, Interior Designer at the University of ToledoJudy Hoskens, Principal and Senior Planner at DLR GroupJoin the conversation as they dive into the impact of neurodiversity on education design, the shift towards flexible learning environments, and the challenge of fostering community in hybrid learning models. They discuss how libraries and student unions are becoming the new hearts of campus life and emphasize the importance of collaborative partnerships in addressing broader issues affecting students.Packed with thought-provoking insights and innovative ideas, this episode is a must-listen for educators, designers, and anyone passionate about the future of education.How are you reimagining educational spaces? Share your thoughts and join the conversation! Discover the Resilience Lab: https://ofs.com/imagine-a-place/podcast/the-resilience-lab Follow The Resilience Lab.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resiliencelabpodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/80048242/Follow Rex Miller on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexmiller/ Get your copy of education-focused books authored by Rex Miller.Humanizing the Education Machine: How to create schools that turn disengaged kids into inspired learners. https://www.amazon.com/Humanizing-Education-Machine-Disengaged-Inspired/dp/1119283108/Whole: What teachers need to help students thrive.https://www.amazon.com/WHOLE-What-Teachers-Students-Thrive-ebook/dp/B0859NT635/ The Resilience Lab Podcast is an Imagine a Place Production.

Take learning to the next level by encouraging students to work together! Join us in conversation with Stephanie Sisk of Fayette County Public Schools to learn more about collaborative learning.

Julio shares his experience growing up near La Oroya, one of the most polluted cities in Peru, and going on to study architecture to pursue his interest in large scale solutions that impact people's every day lives. He shares his experience spearheading the Green Building Council in Peru as the only LEED AP in the country and his most recent project, Planning 2050, a dashboard platform where public entities such as cities, towns and agencies can track progress on the goals they have set for themselves on a range of topics like transportation, air quality and parks. Over time, tracking their performance can lead to identifying best practices that can be shared with other entities.  Julio Carrillo, AICP, LEED AP ND, is a Senior Planner at Parkhill. Julio co-founded Peru's Green Building Council and has chaired various committees, including Austin's AIA Urban Design Committee (2022), and the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee at the Urban Land Institute of Austin – Texas (2022). Julio is also a board member of the Downtown Austin Alliance (2024). Recognized for his urban design practice, Julio was selected as an International Expert in 2021, leading a research team for future city planning in Asia. In 2023, Julio was the General Co-Rapporteur of the 59th World Planning Congress. He is also the Director of Planning Commitment Inc, driving the PLANNING 2050 initiative for positive impacts in Equity, Climate Change, and Resiliency.

In this episode, listen as one of Langston University's political science instructor, Mr. Jerry Elix shares his powerful approach to fostering collaboration and critical thinking among students, drawing from insights gained at the APSA conference. The Monday Moment of Faculty Development showcases innovative teaching strategies and insights from university professors, with a focus on how they're applying learnings from academic conferences and experiences funded through Faculty Development, part of a Title III grant. Music for this podcast is A Commercial by FASSounds and licensed through Envato.

Today we're diving into a topic that every childcare director grapples with—how to effectively uplevel your team through professional development and mentorship. With newer and less experienced staff, finding the right training and carving out time for mentorship can be challenging. But don't worry, I've got you covered. In this episode, I'll share practical tips for setting meaningful goals with your team, fostering a culture of collaborative learning, and strategically using your resources to enhance your staff's skills. From intentional mentorship to celebrating small wins, we'll explore actionable strategies that can make a big difference in your center. So, if you want to build a stronger, more capable team without overwhelming yourself, stay tuned and take notes. Let's get started!Let's connect:www.thedirectorsclub.netCommunity:Join my FREE Facebook group and connect with other directors and me as we navigate leading a child care center together!  FB Group Child Care Center Owners and DirectorsPODCASTWe have a podcast for your Teacher's!  We take real life skills our teachers need and create podcasts to help them.  Use these to mentor your team, as part of your professional development, AND at your staff meetings! The Early Education Teachers Lounge LISTEN HERESocials:Facebook page, The Director's ClubInstagram, The Director's ClubWORKING WITH NOELLE AND THE DIRECTOR'S CLUB:The ClubDiscover more about The Director's Club, a mastermind group designed for child care center directors who seek support and expert guidance to maintain high-quality early education centers.   LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLUB HEREThe Teacher's LoungeDo you want to enhance your teachers' confidence in the classroom through a mentoring program tailored to their needs? Look no further than The Teacher's Lounge, a dedicated mentoring department that you've always wanted for your child care center. Don't hesitate, visit us now to learn more HERE   

If I walked into your classroom, would I find students seated neatly in rows facing the front, or in small interdependent table teams?  One of the best ways to shift from a teacher-led to a student-centered environments is to re-arrange your furniture.  In this short bonus episode, I unpack simple ideas for creating this kind of collaborative environment, strategies for developing interdependent student teams, and the implications it will have for your classroom in the new school year.  Take the 12 Shifts Scorecard to Identify Areas for Growth: www.transformschool.com/12shiftsscorecard Get the 12 Shifts Book: www.transformschool.com/whereistheteacher RSVP for the 12 Shifts Launch Party: www.transformschool.com/booklaunch  

In this episode, Susan Lambert talks with Kelly Butler and Margaret Goldberg about their experiences and insights into improving reading instruction, particularly in Mississippi and California. Kelly discusses her work with the Barksdale Reading Institute, its impact on reading education, and the importance of coaching and structured literacy. Margaret shares her experiences as a coach in California, the challenges of teacher training, and the importance of having a clear and effective literacy plan that includes acquiring high quality data and using it to inform all your strategies. Both guests emphasize the need for systemic change and the role of community involvement in educational success.Show Notes Follow: Kelly Butler's Linkedin:  linkedin.com/in/kelly-butler-5b92b31bFollow: Kelly Butler's Twitter/X: @KellyButler8Follow: Margaret Goldberg's Twitter/X and Facebook: @right2readprojFollow: Margaret Goldberg's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-goldberg-247613117/Listen: S2 E5: The Right to Read Project on nurturing automatic readers, with Margaret Goldberg and Alanna MednickListen: S6 E1: The other side of Scarborough's Rope, with Margaret GoldbergListen: Emily Hanford “Sold a Story” seriesLook: Textbook sSpreadsheet from the Center for Reading Science at Mount Saint Joseph UniversityWatch: Reading Universe: How Children Learn to Read, with Margaret GoldbergQuotes“The laws are telling us that time's up. We need to get this job done. The good news is we know how to do it. We just need to get it done everywhere.” —Kelly Butler“My role is more to help people make sense of information that is much more widely available, and help them understand how it applies to the work that we're doing. Whereas before, I felt like I was trying to alert people to the existence of research that had been kept out of reach.” —Margaret GoldbergEpisode Timestamps*03:00 Introduction: Who are Kelly Butler and Margaret Goldberg?11:00 Challenges in Teacher Preparation19:00 Effective Coaching Models28:00 Margaret's Journey into Coaching29:00 Collaborative Learning and Best Practices30:00 Challenges and Solutions in Coaching35:00 The Impact of Legislation on Coaching36:00 Reflections on Coaching and Curriculum48:00 Future Visions and Final Thoughts

In today's episode, Dr. Addison Killeen delves into the nuances of effective teaching in the dental field. Whether it's training a hygienist or sharing insights from continuing education, presenting information in an understandable way is crucial. Tune in as Dr. Killeen discusses the importance of fostering a collaborative learning environment, ultimately leading to a stronger team and improved patient care. For more information about Dr. Addison Killeen, visit: www.addisonkilleen.com or interact with him on a daily basis at www.DentalSuccessNetwork.com

How can social annotation transform traditional reading into a collaborative learning experience?Damijana Keržič and Vida Zorko from the University of Ljubljana delve into this question through their research on Diigo, a social annotation tool. They investigate its impact on student motivation, comprehension, and the correlation between learning approaches and online activity.Read the original research: doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2269043

In today's episode, Colleen dives into the art of building a family team. Discover the importance of setting boundaries, taking personal time, and forming deep, meaningful connections with your loved ones. Colleen shares her personal experiences and offers practical tips on how to balance family and personal time, foster open communication, and create an empathetic, supportive home environment.   Key Takeaways: Personal Time & Boundaries: Importance of balancing personal time and family time to model self-care for children. Flexible and adaptable coping strategies are crucial, especially during busy times. Shared Responsibilities: Creating a team dynamic through defined roles, shared activities, and collaborative decision-making helps in fostering mutual support and accountability within the family. Building Connections: Engaging in activities that build strong bonds—such as family meals, open conversations, and expressing love and affirmation—contributes to a compassionate and empathetic home environment.   Tune in to gain insights and actions you can take to strengthen your family bonds and support system. Let's create a loving, united family team together!   Our sponsor for today's episode is CTC Math  Links and Resources from Today's Show Pre-Order - The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community - The Learners Lab Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed. Activities to Strengthen Your Family Team Homeschooling Success | The Role of Strong Family Connections Masterclass | Building Family Connections A Different Kind Of Family Togetherness: Ideas and Encouragement For Connecting With Our Kids Rock Your Family Life and Raise Awesome Gifted Kids Family Night Game Guide Fostering Teamwork | The Power of Collaborative Learning in Homeschooling Masterclass | Raising Resilient Families Self-Compassion for a Healthier Mindset | A Conversation with Michelle Brownell How a Return to Outside Play Will Help Our Kids Thrive with Ginny Yurich   Connect with Colleen You can find Colleen on  Twitter @ColleenKessler,  Facebook @RaisingLifelongLearners,  Instagram @ColleenKessler How does your child learn best?  Take the Quiz ==> https://raisinglifelonglearners.com/quiz/

In this episode, fellow ASCD author and educator Jennifer Orr joins me for a deep dive into the art of fostering dynamic academic conversations with students across grade levels. You'll hear techniques from her book Demystifying Discussion that empower students to co-construct knowledge while using versatile digital tools to enrich collaborative and reflective practices, deepening classroom discussions. Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2024/05/28/Academic-Conversations-269/  Sponsored by my new free ebook "10 Ways School Leaders Can Use AI Tomorrow": https://classtechtips.com/aileader/  Follow Jennifer on social: https://twitter.com/jenorr  Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/   

This podcast discusses the application of Quantum Tensor Networks in Federated Learning for healthcare, providing a collaborative and privacy-preserving framework for analyzing medical data and improving diagnostic tools. Key Points Federated Learning (FL) offers a solution for healthcare institutions to collaborate on analyzing sensitive data while maintaining privacy and reducing data transfer costs. The integration of Quantum Tensor Networks (QTNs) in this framework shows promise in successfully training models on heterogeneous medical data across multiple healthcare institutions. The experiments conducted on different medical datasets demonstrate the superior performance of the Quantum Federated Global Model, particularly with models like TTN and MERA, showcasing higher accuracy and improved generalization compared to locally trained models.

In this week's episode, Colleen dives into the world of collaborative learning and how it can transform your homeschooling experience. Listen to gain insight into creating a dynamic, engaged, and cooperative learning environment right in your home. Key Takeaways: Collaboration Empowers: Discover ways to implement co-ops, community projects, and family initiatives that develop skills like cooperation, problem-solving, and critical thinking.   Shared Learning, Shared Growth: Learn how rotating leadership roles and involving the entire family can create rich educational experiences that go beyond the traditional curriculum.   Unleashing Potential: Understand the high value of tailoring education to your child's unique needs, fostering a love for learning that prepares them for a complex, interconnected future. For any homeschooler looking to elevate their child's learning journey and unlock the full potential of their educational experience, tune in to this inspiring episode. Our sponsor for today's episode is CTC Math  Links and Resources from Today's Show Pre-Order - The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community - The Learners Lab Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed. Finding Your Community as a Neurodivergent Family  Why Community Is So Important For Gifted And Twice Exceptional Kids Finding Community: Building a Support System Online and In-Person  Thriving Together | Creating Supportive Environments in Homeschooling  Building Social-Emotional Skills While Helping Others Find a Place of Belonging for Your Neurodiverse Kids Activities to Strengthen Your Family Team  Free Solar Eclipse STEM Printable for Your Homeschool RLL 22: Finding a Homeschool Co-op and Creating Killer Classes | A Listener Question  Why Community Is So Important For Gifted And Twice Exceptional Kids Science Buddies Electronics Kit for Arduino Connect with Colleen You can find Colleen on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram How does your child learn best? Take the Quiz!

Head over to sessions.us and sign up for a 14-day free trial: https://sessions.cello.so/vsI1SnxCw8i 360Learning enables companies to upskill from within by turning their experts into champions for employee, customer, and partner growth. With our LMS for collaborative learning, Learning & Development teams can accelerate upskilling with the help of internal experts instead of slow top-down training. 360Learning is the easiest way to onboard and upskill employees, train customer-facing teams, and enable customers and partners–all from one place. 360Learning powers the future of work at 1,700 organizations. Connect with Justin

Explore how integrating technology into PBL can enhance the learning experience, making it more accessible, engaging, and impactful for students. #EdTech Thought: Are You Really Trying? In this segment, I ask myself if I am doing all that I could be doing because I am experiencing some self-doubt. #EdTech Recommendation: Brisk Teaching Discover Brisk Teaching, a free AI-powered Chrome extension designed to save teachers time. With features like personalized material creation, targeted feedback, and AI writing detection, Brisk Teaching is revolutionizing the way educators approach lesson planning and student interaction. Learn more and download Brisk Teaching from the Chrome Web Store. Featured Content: How to Use EdTech for Project-Based Learning Explore the transformative power of integrating technology into project-based learning. We discuss how EdTech tools can provide students with access to diverse resources, facilitate collaboration, and offer innovative ways to showcase their learning. From the planning stages to assessment, discover how technology can make PBL more accessible, dynamic, and impactful. How do we choose the right edtech tools for our project? Here are some tips: Tech Must Align with Learning Objectives: Ensure that the tool supports the goals of your project. If you're focusing on data analysis, a tool like Google Sheets might be more appropriate than video editing software. Consider Age Appropriateness: The tools should be suitable for the age group of your students. It should have an intuitive interface and appropriate safety features. Check for Collaboration Features: Since PBL is all about teamwork, look for tools that facilitate collaboration. Features like real-time editing, commenting, and sharing are essential. Evaluate Accessibility: Ensure that the tool is accessible to all students. It should work on various devices and platforms, as not all students may have access to the latest technology. Assess Cost and Privacy: Be mindful of the tool's cost and its privacy policies. Many tools offer free versions for educators, but make sure they comply with your school's data privacy regulations. Resources mentioned: Trello: A project management tool that allows users to organize tasks, set deadlines, and collaborate with team members. Asana: A web and mobile application designed to help teams organize, track, and manage their work. Google Docs: A web-based word processor that allows real-time collaboration and sharing of documents. Google Keep: A note-taking service included as part of the free, web-based Google Docs Editors suite offered by Google. Canva: An online design and publishing tool that allows users to create graphics, presentations, and other visual content. Flip (formerly Flipgrid): A video discussion platform that allows students to create and share short videos on various topics. Miro: A visual workspace for innovation where teams manage projects, design products, and build the future together. Padlet: Make beautiful boards to collect, organize, and present anything. Zotero: A free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share research. Just Give It A Try - Bonus Recommendation! Tired of formatting issues when copying and pasting from AI tools like ChatGPT? Check out the Google Docs add-on "Markdown to Docs" to effortlessly convert markdown formatting into traditional document formatting.

In this episode, I chat with Juliana Finegan, VP of Educator Experience at Vivi, all about the various levels of communication and sharing in classrooms, schools, and districts - from digital signage and emergency alerts to student-friendly virtual whiteboards and ways to do quick formative assessment. You'll also hear how Vivi transforms your classroom dynamic by empowering students to share wirelessly and facilitating collaborative learning experiences at multiple levels. Show notes: https://classtechtips.com/2024/03/01/classroom-dynamic-bonus/  Sponsored by Vivi: http://myvivi.io/monica  Follow Vivi on social: http://www.twitter.com/vivieducation  Follow Monica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classtechtips/   

Much is said and assumed about the religious landscape of Black America, but it's more diverse than the common narratives. Holly Hollman speaks with Dr. Sabrina E. Dent and Dr. Anthony Pinn about misconceptions and how they brought together Black Church leaders and Black nontheists for key conversations. Tune in for this open and honest conversation about how we can work across racial and religious lines to help all communities thrive.   SHOW NOTES Segment 1 (starting at 00:35): Misconceptions about the religious landscape of Black America Dr. Anthony Pinn is the Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Humanities at Rice University, and he's also the Founding Director of Rice's Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning. He is the author/editor of more than 35 books, and he is also director of research for the Institute for Humanist Studies. Read Dr. Pinn's full biography here. Dr. Sabrina E. Dent is the director of the BJC Center for Faith, Justice and Reconciliation, which is the home of our project on Race and Religious Freedom. Learn more about the Center on our website and in this video. She is the editor and contributing author of the book African Americans and Religious Freedom: New Perspectives for Congregations and Communities. Read Dr. Dent's full biography here. “(Dis)belief: Reimagining the Religious Landscape of Black America” was the topic for the 2023 Religious Freedom Mobile Institute. Click here to read about it in a piece by Jaziah Masters, Research Fellow for the BJC Center for Faith, Justice and Reconciliation.    Segment 2 (starting at 20:13): The connections between religious freedom and racial justice BJC's “Religious Freedom Has Been White Too Long: Voices of Black Scholars” was BJC's 2021 lecture featuring Dr. Anthony Pinn, Dr. Nicole Myers Turner, Dr. Teresa L. Smallwood, and Dr. David Goatley. Watch the event at this link and read a recap on our website. James Baldwin wrote in The New York Times on Feb. 2, 1969, that the bulk of the country's white population is beyond hope of moral rehabilitation. “They have been white, if I may so put it, too long.”   Segment 3 (starting at 30:23): Key moments from the conference As mentioned, Dr. Dent and Dr. Pinn will be co-editors of a forthcoming book of essays from the participants in the conference. Keep up with BJC and the BJC Center for Faith, Justice and Reconciliation for the latest! Respecting Religion is made possible by BJC's generous donors. You can support these conversations with a gift to BJC.

Do you have ideas that would make your company better? Leaders want the input and perspective of others, but sometimes those ideas fall flat, discouraging leaders from asking  and keeping others from sharing. Newer team members with ideas need to know how to share their ideas and energy without triggering defensiveness and resentment in those who invested in the company before.    Listen in as Andrea describes why Voice of Influence is focused on helping companies develop Collaborative Learning Cultures in 2024. Learn more about our offerings and our manager training program:   www.voiceofinfluence.net/manager   Read the show notes here:   https://www.voiceofinfluence.net/295 Give and receive feedback that makes a difference! Register for our 20 minute Deep Impact Method video course here:  www.voiceofinfluence.net/deepimpact

Jim Bailey, founder and director of Rock, Tree, Sky - an immersive school located in upper Ojai, has been a key participant in an exciting new approach to education, called Education Reimagined. Jim was among the invitees of distinguished educators who attended a seminal conference in Rhode Island earlier this year, called "Exploring Ecosystems in Community: Insights, Questions, and Collaborative Learning." Bailey, who came to Ojai several decades ago as a science teacher and who has also taught at Oak Grove School, is known as an influential, transformative teacher, so he was exactly the kind of educator we need reimagining education for the modern era. He said the approach is to "work for the many, for all learners, not just some; we need to bring in more student agency and self-determination." We talked about the many lessons he's learned as a caring, thoughtful teacher, and how it's possible to ignite a love of lifelong learning in unexpected ways. The wide-ranging discussion touched on key issues that confront Ojai and a society at large. We did not talk about pickerel mating habits, Japanese salt cures or the shifts in ocean currents. Learn more about Bailey and his innovative school at https://www.rocktreesky.org/

#sandler #sandlerworldwide Are you ready to revolutionize your approach to sales training? Lisa Ellis, the Head of Product at Sandler, joins the podcast to explore the transformative power of collaborative learning in modern education and sales training. Lisa is a powerhouse of knowledge, sharing her insights on learner autonomy and how to create a learning environment that values and utilizes what each individual brings to the table. She brings to light the importance of different contexts for learning and how giving people choices shapes their learning journey. We also dive into how Sandler's Sales Development Series has been reimagined to incorporate these concepts for the best possible learning outcomes for our clients.   Moving from the theoretical to the practical, we talk about how these principles apply to sales training. We break down the benefits of engaging content and the power of role-play in enhancing information retention. With Lisa's expert guidance, we explore engagement ideas for virtual instructor-led sessions and discover the innovative 'trap exercises,' pattern interrupts, and other education best practices she and her team have built into the new Sales Development Series.   We explore the role of collaboration within the sales team, with the managers and leaders, and with your Sandler coach to get the best results and return on investment, so tune in and join us in relaunching the classic Sandler sales training through the lens of collaborative learning. Timestamps:   0:00:00 Collaborative learning in sales training. 0:02:03 Modern adult learning concepts and techniques. 0:07:42 Sales training and information retention.  0:12:37  Sales techniques and collaborative learning.  0:16:01 Sales training and collaborative learning. 0:20:55 Sales development, growth, and collaboration.  Key highlights:   Collaborative learning, where learners actively engage with each other and facilitators, is essential for effective adult education. Modern adult learning focuses on experiential learning, application in real-world contexts, and active engagement with the material. Engagement, humor, and excitement in learning environments can trigger better memory retention and make the learning process more effective. Sometimes, a single impactful lesson or insight can be worth more than a comprehensive program. Sales is ultimately a conversation between adults to uncover the truth. Honest and open communication is fundamental to successful sales. Learning should focus on acquiring and applying skills, not just accumulating knowledge. Maintaining an appropriate balance of energy in learning sessions is crucial. =========================================   SUBSCRIBE: https://podfollow.com/howtosucceed Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a comment!   =========================================   Follow Us:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandlerTraining Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/school/sandler-training/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandlertraining/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/sandlertraining/?_rdc=1&_rdr   =========================================  

Are you ready to revolutionize your approach to sales training? Lisa Ellis, the Head of Product at Sandler, joins the podcast to explore the transformative power of collaborative learning in modern education and sales training. Lisa is a powerhouse of knowledge, sharing her insights on learner autonomy and how to create a learning environment that values and utilizes what each individual brings to the table. She brings to light the importance of different contexts for learning and how giving people choices shapes their learning journey. We also dive into how Sandler's Sales Development Series has been reimagined to incorporate these concepts for the best possible learning outcomes for our clients. Moving from the theoretical to the practical, we talk about how these principles apply to sales training. We break down the benefits of engaging content and the power of role-play in enhancing information retention. With Lisa's expert guidance, we explore engagement ideas for virtual instructor-led sessions and discover the innovative 'trap exercises,' pattern interrupts, and other education best practices she and her team have built into the new Sales Development Series. We explore the role of collaboration within the sales team, with the managers and leaders, and with your Sandler coach to get the best results and return on investment, so tune in and join us in relaunching the classic Sandler sales training through the lens of collaborative learning.

Let's dive into the world of collaborative learning and modern adult education. Discover the secrets to boosting memory retention, the importance of energy balance in learning, and the shift from knowledge accumulation to skill development.   Find out how to measure success beyond the numbers. Learn why perfectionism can be a roadblock to progress. Get ready to revolutionize your approach to learning and growth! Timestamps:   0:00:00 Collaborative learning in sales training. 0:02:03 Modern adult learning concepts and techniques. 0:07:42 Sales training and information retention.  0:12:37  Sales techniques and collaborative learning.  0:16:01 Sales training and collaborative learning. 0:20:55 Sales development, growth, and collaboration.  Key highlights:   Collaborative learning, where learners actively engage with each other and facilitators, is essential for effective adult education. Modern adult learning focuses on experiential learning, application in real-world contexts, and active engagement with the material. Engagement, humor, and excitement in learning environments can trigger better memory retention and make the learning process more effective. Sometimes, a single impactful lesson or insight can be worth more than a comprehensive program. Sales is ultimately a conversation between adults to uncover the truth. Honest and open communication is fundamental to successful sales. Learning should focus on acquiring and applying skills, not just accumulating knowledge. Maintaining an appropriate balance of energy in learning sessions is crucial. =========================================   SUBSCRIBE: https://podfollow.com/howtosucceed Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a comment!   =========================================   Follow Us:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandlerTraining Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/school/sandler-training/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandlertraining/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/sandlertraining/?_rdc=1&_rdr   =========================================