After 20 years of teaching at Brookfield Central, I am saying goodbye. Although I spent the majority of that time in the physics classroom alongside my learners. That changed for my last 18 weeks. I ended up in a place similar to where I started, teaching chemistry and biology. So, rather than dealing with juniors and seniors at the end of their high school careers, I was in classrooms with freshmen and sophomores still trying to find their place. At the same time, I was learning and teaching a set curriculum I hadn't taught in over a decade. So, we were learning. But, of course, I already knew the content. The point of this post is to take a step back, reflect, and share the gratitude from the last students I had in my 20 years at Brookfield Central High School, as expressed through the cards and notes they made for me on my last day with them. I don't take many "yay me" moments. But after 20 years, I'll soak this one in.
Tuesday marks the launch of a new podcast from Kasey Bell The Shake Up Learning Show! Kasey is already the host of an amazing EdTech Podcast with Matt Miller called the Google Teacher Tribe focusing on classroom applications for GSuite Apps. Kasey’s new show goes beyond GSuite to focus on EdTech application in the classroom. But is goes beyond simply looking at what tools to use in the classroom. The new podcast has a focus on transforming the way teacher think about lesson design.
One of Kasey’s biggest tips for educators when thinking about EdTech is to “shift your mindset.” This means those who don’t think they are “great at technology” to look again. The focus should never be on what you don’t know but the room for growth. I am big on EdTech, but realize that I still have a way to grow in terms of the way I adopt and implement technology in my classroom.
There are so many great EdTech Podcasts available. Many of them provide the newest tech tools along with a great way to apply them in the classroom. The Shake Up Learning Show asks educators to go beyond thinking about the newest tool. Kasey focuses on how educators can think more about how they approach the implementation of technology in the lessons. She asks educators to look at the role technology plays in lesson design and how to create dynamic lessons that put students in a position to be using technology tools in the process of creation and sharing.
As educators we are often told that it’s not about the tools students use but the application of that tool. As teachers, it’s easy to deploy the latest tech tool that wows us before we have a purpose for it in classroom.
The podcast is a great place for EdTech newbies or experts. It is not simply a place to learn about what’s new in technology. The podcast is a wonderful reflection tool for teachers who have been using technology in the classroom. It forces teachers to ask tough questions about their practice. It is so easy for me to jump on the newest tech tool I hear about before I think about how it would be applied. Kasey understands that just because it’s new doesn’t mean it’s what’s best for learners.
The Shake Up Learning Show will feature:
- Amazing Guest Educators
- On-air Coaching
- Student Interviews
- Lesson Makeovers
On March 26th, The Shake Up Learning will launch with a massive 5 episode binge.
- The Top 20 Tech Tips for Teachers
- The 4 C’s: the Superfoods of Learning
- A Framework for Meaningful Technology Integration
- Easy Lesson Plan Makeovers
- How to Plan for Technology Integration
Find more information about the show at shakeuplearningshow.com or subscribe on Apple Podcasts RIGHT NOW and get the first 5 episodes when they drop on the 26th!
Thank you so much for this review!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat overview emphasizing what the podcast will entail and focusing on pedagogy, not the tools themselves!
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