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It's that time of year when high school seniors everywhere start working on — or at least contemplate working on — their college applications. And for many students, it's the personal essay that's the trickiest part. When is humor okay? Are any topics off limits? Is it ever acceptable to use AI? We'll get tips on how to craft a personal essay that admissions officers want to read, and we'll hear from you: what was your college essay about? Guests: Anna Esaki-Smith, author of “Make College Your Superpower: It's Not Where You Go, It's What You Know”; co-founder of Education Rethink; contributor to Forbes, covering education Allie Volpe, senior reporter, Vox
Reversing pandemic-era admission policies, more universities, including MIT, Yale, Dartmouth and Brown, are again requiring that applicants submit SAT or ACT scores. Research has shown that high scores on the tests are a good predictor of college success, and proponents say that the tests are a more equitable metric than a student's GPA. In California, public colleges – including the UCs and Cal State schools – remain “test blind” and will not consider a student's scores, even if submitted. We'll look at arguments on both sides and get tips for prospective students who are navigating testing issues. Would you like to see the SAT and ACT come back in California? Do you think the tests helped or hurt your college application? Guests: Anna Esaki-Smith, author, “Make College Your Superpower: It's Not Where You Go, It's What You Know;" co-founder, Education Rethink; contributor, Forbes Jeff Selingo, author, "Who Gets In & Why: A Year Inside College Admissions," "There is Life After College" and "College (Un)Bound: The Future of Higher Education and What It Means for Students" Eddie Comeaux, professor and associate dean of graduate education, University of California Riverside
Globalization is now an inescapable reality. In this segment we discuss how how our teaching is changing as a result. Follow: @edrethink @dlaufenberg @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork John Spencer is currently a sixth grade ELL teacher in a low-income urban school in Phoenix, Arizona. He blogs regularly at Education Rethink, writes a column for Kappan magazine and has written several books. Diana Laufenberg is a Nationally Board certified Social Studies teacher currently teaching 7th graders in Flagstaff, AZ. Her work focuses on inquiry-driven, project based teaching and learning that uses the modern tools of the day. @edrethink @dlaufenberg
The problem of homeless students is greater than many realize. In this segment we take a closer look at the challenges teachers face and offer ways to manage this growing problem at the classroom level. Follow: @edrethink, @SarahDSparks @mzteachuh @bodymindchild @bamradionetwork Sarah D. Sparks spent the last five years writing about federal and state education regulations. She writes a blog called "Inside School Research" for Education Week. Barbara Duffield is Policy Director for the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth ("NAEHCY"). John Spencer is currently a sixth grade ELL teacher in a low-income urban school in Phoenix, Arizona and blogs regularly at Education Rethink. Melanie Link Taylor teaches both general ed. and Special Ed.
No matter how long they've been teaching, fact is most teachers are nervous about the first day of school. In this segment our guests share their insights on how to to get off to a good start on the first day back in the classroom. Follow: @professormartin @LarryFerlazzo, @edrethink @bamradionetwork Dr. Joe Martin is a professor, and a teacher retention and classroom management expert. He's authored or co-authored nine books, including "Good Teachers Never Quit." Larry Ferlazzo, author of "HSelf Driven to Learn", is a high school teacher. John T. Spencer is currently a sixth grade ELL teacher in Phoenix, Arizona. He blogs regularly at Education Rethink
Our guest this week points out that teaching critical thinking can be dangerous. Tune in to highlights and commentary from the 5/28/13 #Edchat on the challenges of teaching critical thinking. Follow:@blairteach, @tomwhitby @edrethink @bamradionetwork John Spencer is currently a sixth grade ELL teacher in a low-income urban school in Phoenix, Arizona. He blogs regularly at Education Rethink, writes a column for Kappan magazine and has written several books, including A Sustainable Start and Pencil Me In. Nancy Blair is a school improvement consultant who frequently worked with the High Schools That Work. Tom Whitby is contributing Editor at SmartBrief, founder of #Edchat,Twitter-Using Educators, and NYSCATE Network.
Some students are convinced that any writing assignment beyond 140 characters is both cruel and unusual punishment and unconstitutional. Our legal department is still checking into this. In the interim, here are some proven strategies to get students excited about jumping off the 140 character cliff and smiling on the way down. Follow:@thenerdyteacher @tgwynn @johntspencer @bamradionetwork . Follow:@thenerdyteacher @tgwynn @bamradionetwork John Spencer is currently a sixth grade ELL teacher in a low-income urban school in Phoenix, Arizona. When he's not doing dishes or playing Legos with his kids, he blogs regularly at Education Rethink, writes a column for Kappan magazine and has written several books, including A Sustainable Start and Pencil Me In, along with a chapter in an upcoming educational technology textbook. .
Some students are convinced that any writing assignment beyond 140 characters is both cruel and unusual punishment and unconstitutional. Our legal department is still checking into this. In the interim, here are some proven strategies to get students excited about jumping off the 140 character cliff and smiling on the way down. Follow:@thenerdyteacher @tgwynn @johntspencer @bamradionetwork . Follow:@thenerdyteacher @tgwynn @bamradionetwork John Spencer is currently a sixth grade ELL teacher in a low-income urban school in Phoenix, Arizona. When he's not doing dishes or playing Legos with his kids, he blogs regularly at Education Rethink, writes a column for Kappan magazine and has written several books, including A Sustainable Start and Pencil Me In, along with a chapter in an upcoming educational technology textbook. .