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Generate Instant Pear Decks

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  I’ll keep this short as the video explains most of you. Any new educational technology can be complicated to dig into from scratch as you attempt to align it to learning outcomes.  Well, a new feature that Pear Deck has introduced has taken a giant leap forward to help educators do just that.  Before we jump into the new features, if you are unfamiliar with Pear Deck and why my students and I consider it the #1 EdTech tool that helps their learning, check out the video in the previous blog post.   But if you are more concerned with why you should even dive into Pear Deck or learn about this new AI generation of Pear Deck sessions to a learning target, check out the video below. Like I said, I’m keeping it short so you have time to watch the video. If you have questions, please contact me at mohammam@elmbrookschools.org or the Pear Deck Learning team at support@deck.peardeck.com . Also, check out the amazing Stacey Roshan's video on this update. 
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Where to Start with Podcasts for Professional Development

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How to Listen to a Podcast

Everyone has their favorite podcast listening software of choice. It may also vary based on the device you are using. For those of you using an Apple device, the Apple Podcast app may be the way you choose to listen, but it’s pretty crummy in terms of its functionality. I personally use the Overcast app. It’s free. But there is a premium option, you don’t need to upgrade to premium! As far as Android devices, Google Podcasts may be the way to go. Additional apps that work on both Apple and Android devices are Stitcher or Spotify. Within any of these apps, you’ll be able to browse, stream, and download shows.

In my experience, there are 3 different formats for Educator Podcasts. There are shows which focus on a single topic per week and spend the time drilling deeper. This means that the topics can vary greatly from episode to episode. Another category would be interviews or conversations with educators. In this episode the educators are the stars and they tell their stories and inform you about their practice. Finally, there are shows with a more standard multi-segment format. This means a lot more information will be covered, but they may lack some depth in each topic discussed.

New to Educational Podcasts? Start Here

The Cult of Pedagogy


The number one educational podcast I would recommend you start with if The Cult of Pedagogy from Jennifer Gonzalez. It is a show that focuses on a different topic each week. So, you’ll likely be able to find a show that will be of interest to you. Each episode also has a companion page on her blog for more information. Look through the topics and find one that speaks to you.

 Some of my favorite episodes include:

 Episode 117: Rubric Repair: 5 Changes that Get Results

 Episode 104: Note Taking: A Research Round up

 Episode 87: Moving from Feedback to FeedForward

 Episode 79: Retrieval Practice The Most Powerful Learning Strategy You Are Not Using

The Google Teacher (Focus: Educational Technology)


I listen to a lot of Educational Technology Podcasts. My favorite is probably The Google Teacher Tribe. Because we do so much with Google Apps in the classroom, it has been a great source for me to learn what is new in Google and HOW to use Google apps in ways I never would have imagined. The show has a standards weekly structure that is easy to get into. While each episode will provide lots of ideas, you’ll come away from each episode with a couple you’d be able to use in class. Like any podcasts, there will be episodes that may not apply to you.

Where to start? Try this pair of episodes about innovative uses for Google Slides in the classroom

 Episode 60: Slides to the Left

 Episode 61: Slides to the Right


Aspire: The Leadership Development Podcast (Great Interviews)

Aspire: The Leadership Development Podcast
Educators have some great stories to tell about where they have been, the path they took, and the lessons they have learned. The Aspire Podcast is a wonderful place to hear the stories of educators who have made tough choices, faced obstacles, but have found some success as professionals.

Learning Scientists Podcast (Focus: Educational Science)


 I enjoy this podcast because it gives a dose of educational research along with putting that research into practice. It’s a great way for me to learn about those ideas and practices that I may have heard in passing but don’t have the time to read up on. There are episodes about the hosts’ research process that may not be of particular interest for you. So, don’t just listen to the first episode that you download

 Many of the episodes are paired up so why not start with

 Episode 12: Dual Coding

 Episode 13: Bite-sized Research Dual Coding vs Learning Styles
Conversations with Educators

Check out this Episode with my Co-teacher Andelee Espinosa!



I've been co-teaching with Andelee Espinosa for 10 years. She has brought so much to our classroom. Hear her story and the great work she does on the Westside Personalized Podcast.

I could never list every great podcast out there. But, here are some other Podcasts to recommend. (If you have some you’d like to suggest, please email me mohammam@elmbrookschools.org I hope to create a list for users.)

Get more info about each Podcast by hovering over the hotspot on each in the ThingLink below.

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