Education for Sustainable Democracy
88 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 33 ratingsThis show explores how we can prepare the next generation for informed civic engagement, environmental stewardship, and the development of a more just and peaceful world. Host Brett Levy is a researcher of civic and environmental education and an associate professor at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Episodes feature interviews with leaders, innovators, and scholars in civic and environmental education. Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, or listen from your computer. For information about upcoming episodes, guests, and more, please visit www.esdpodcast.org. Thank you!
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Episodes
Best of ESD: Democracy Prep Charter Schools, with Rashid Duroseau (Civics Program Director, Democracy Prep Public Schools)
April 17, 2024 10:00 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MBWhat if a school made preparation for democracy its central goal? That’s what Democracy Prep tries to do - not in just one school but in many. This charter school network includes 24 schools in five states, with schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. In this episode, Brett talks to Rashid Duroseau, the Civics Program Director at Democracy Prep. Rashid describes the civic participation experiences that these schools require of students, how various courses integrate civi...
Best of ESD: Teaching Elections & Modeling Political Tolerance, with Wayne Journell (University of North Carolina at Greensboro)
March 23, 2024 18:00 - 26 minutes - 17.9 MBThis is a rebroadcast of an interview with Professor Wayne Journell about teaching elections, recorded in 2020. How should educators teach about elections? How can they maximize student learning, foster engagement, and minimize overly heated exchanges among students? Professor Wayne Journell from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, has conducted research on how high school teachers help students learn about elections. He describes how teachers can frame productive discussion of e...
Maximizing Youth Voter Registration, with Laura Brill (The Civics Center)
February 15, 2024 11:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBWe have millions of young people in school every year who become eligible to register during their time in school, but there are few mechanisms in place to get them registered. Laura Brill is starting to change that. Through her new organization, the Civics Center, she’s trying to make voter registration drives a regular feature of high schools around the country. We discuss why she started the organization, how they reach students, the variety of ways that voter registration drive can take ...
Lateral Reading & Other Media Literacy Skills, with Sarah McGrew (University of Maryland)
January 21, 2024 14:00 - 37 minutes - 26 MBIn today’s media environment, there’s no shortage of information and disinformation – so how do we know if we’re being misled? How can young people know? The ability to tell fact from fiction is vital for maintaining a healthy civil society, and researchers are exploring how to teach these skills. On this episode, Brett speaks with Sarah McGrew, a cutting-edge researcher in this area. After earning her PhD at Stanford in 2019, she joined the faculty at the University of Maryland, where she ...
Best of ESD: Guiding Productive Political Discussions, with Diana Hess (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
December 17, 2023 21:00 - 38 minutes - 26.7 MBWhat do students learn when they discuss controversial political issues? What are the benefits and limitations? How can teachers guide these discussions and maintain a positive classroom environment? In this episode - published originally in late 2020, renowned social studies education scholar Diana Hess explores these questions, drawing on her two decades of research in classrooms. Hess is professor and dean at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education and has written two awar...
Addressing the Israel-Hamas War in Schools, with Lauraine Langreo (Education Week)
November 21, 2023 15:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MBThe recent conflict in Israel and Gaza has been upsetting to so many of us and to so many young people. How should educators respond? How should they help their students make sense of these events? On this show, I speak with Lauraine Langreo, a staff writer at Education Week who has written two recent articles on these questions. We discuss these articles, the resources that she recommends, and what she’s learned about how teachers and administrators are addressing the conflict - and related...
Civic Education during a Democratic Crisis, with Walter Parker (University of Washington, Seattle)
October 07, 2023 17:00 - 49 minutes - 33.9 MBHow should educators prepare youth for democratic participation at a moment when democracy itself seems so fragile? For ESD's third anniversary episode, Walter Parker, professor emeritus at the University of Washington - Seattle, explores the answer to this question by sharing ideas from his new book, Education for Liberal Democracy: Using Classroom Discussion to Build Knowledge and Voice. Walter Parker is one of the most influential social studies education scholars of our time. In his new...
Civic Education amid a Democratic Crisis, with Walter Parker (University of Washington, Seattle)
October 07, 2023 17:00 - 49 minutes - 33.9 MBHow should educators prepare youth for democratic participation at a moment when democracy itself seems so fragile? For ESD's third anniversary episode, Walter Parker, professor emeritus at the University of Washington - Seattle, explores the answer to this question by sharing ideas from his new book, Education for Liberal Democracy: Using Classroom Discussion to Build Knowledge and Voice. Walter Parker is one of the most influential social studies education scholars of our time. In his new...
Creating "Brave Spaces" for Learning, with Dr. Kewsi Burgess (Hackett Middle School, Albany, NY)
September 06, 2023 10:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MBHow can literacy learning support civic engagement? How can educators best support the literacy learning of young African-American males? On this episode, Brett speaks with Kewsi Burgess, a veteran middle school teacher in the City School District of Albany. Dr. Burgess recently earned his doctoral degree at the University at Albany, and his dissertation closely examined how one seasoned African-American educator supported the literacy learning of the black boys in his classroom. In this in...
Best of ESD: Learning to Care for Our Community Environments, with Dr. Ethan Lowenstein (Eastern Michigan University & Southest Michigan Stewardship Coalition)
August 08, 2023 10:00 - 40 minutes - 27.9 MBHow can we help young people learn to care for their local communities and their natural environments? Ethan Lowenstein believes that a big part of the answer is place-based education - a method that enables youth to explore, analyze, and begin to address local challenges. Lowenstein is a professor at Eastern Michigan University and the director of the Southeast Michigan Stewardship (SEMIS) Coalition, which has built a broad network of educators and local organizations to foster place-base...
Best of ESD: Integrating History and Current Events & Creating an Open Classroom Climate, with Amber Joseph (East Side Community School, NYC)
July 03, 2023 10:00 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MBThis is a re-broadcast of one of ESD's most popular episodes. Amber Joseph, a public school social studies teacher in New York City, discusses how teachers can create safe spaces for discussing controversial public issues and how they can guide students to explore potentially emotion-laden current events, such as police shootings. We also consider how history teachers can integrate current events into their curricula. Ms. Joseph currently teaches 8th grade history and civics at East Side...
A Research-Practice Partnership for Civic Education, with Kei Kawashima-Ginsburg (Tufts & CIRCLE) and Mary Ellen Daneels (Illinois Civics Hub)
June 02, 2023 11:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MBHow can state laws improve civic education, and how can research-practice partnerships support the enactment of these state laws? This episode explores how an ambitious Illinois civic education law, passed in 2015, is being enacted with the help of a research-practice partnership. I speak with Kei Kawashima-Ginsburg and Mary Ellen Daneels, who are leading this partnership, which has helped tens of thousands of educators strengthen their civics-oriented teaching. Kei is the Director of CIRC...
A Research-Practice Partnership for Civic Education, with Kei Kawashima-Ginsburg (CIRCLE) and Mary Ellen Daneels (Illinois Civics Hub)
June 02, 2023 11:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MBHow can state laws improve civic education, and how can research-practice partnerships support the enactment of these state laws? This episode explores how an ambitious Illinois civic education law, passed in 2015, is being enacted with the help of a research-practice partnership. I speak with Kei Kawashima-Ginsburg and Mary Ellen Daneels, who are leading this partnership, which has helped tens of thousands of educators strengthen their civics-oriented teaching. Kei is the Director of CIRC...
A Research-Practice Partnership for Civic Education (Kei Kawashima-Ginsburg, CIRCLE, and Mary Ellen Daneels, Illinois Civics Hub)
June 02, 2023 11:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MBHow can state laws improve civic education, and how can research-practice partnerships support the enactment of these state laws? This episode explores how an ambitious Illinois civic education law, passed in 2015, is being enacted with the help of a research-practice partnership. I speak with Kei Kawashima-Ginsburg and Mary Ellen Daneels, who are leading this partnership, which has helped tens of thousands of educators strengthen their civics-oriented teaching. Kei is the Director of CIRC...
A High School Course on Public Policy, with Tim Northrop (Saratoga Springs High School, NY)
May 06, 2023 09:00 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MBHow can high school courses help adolescents learn to carefully analyze public policies and summarize their analyses in writing? In this episode, veteran teacher Tim Northrop explains how his public policy courses foster these important skills. He also discusses how these courses support students' capacities in media literacy and civil discourse - and how these skills could be integrated into other courses. Episode Resources University in the High School Program at Syracuse University in ...
Three Types of Civically Engaging Pedagogy, with Brett Levy (University at Albany, SUNY)
April 06, 2023 10:00 - 9 minutes - 6.35 MBIn this episode, Brett Levy summarizes how concepts of intrinsic motivation, civically engaging pedagogy, and inquiry-based learning can help to strengthen civic and social studies education. Episode Resources Brett's Article on Civic Science Education Brett's Article on Inquiry-Based Learning New York State Council for the Social Studies Site ESD Podcast Resources Brett Levy's Open-Access Research Articles (Free Downloads) Education for Sustainable Democracy Facebook Page (Please Li...
Building Skills for Environmental Advocacy, with Dr. A.J. Schneller (Skidmore College)
March 07, 2023 10:00 - 48 minutes - 33.2 MBHow can we help young people build the skills they need to become advocates for environmental sustainability? In this episode, Professor A.J. Schneller of Skidmore College describes how his course helps students develop their advocacy toolkit by requiring them to create a website, write an op-ed, author a policy memo for a public official, design a public service announcement, write an elevator speech, and more. Episode Resources A.J. Schneller's Site Syllabus for the Environmental Advoca...
Facilitating Youth Podcasting, with Gerardo Mancilla (Edgewood College) and Luz Rodriguez Camacho (Dominican University)
February 07, 2023 10:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBHow can young people learn to share their stories and perspectives through podcasts? In this episode, we hear about a youth podcasting program for Latino and Latina youth in Madison Wisconsin. Gerardo Mancilla, a professor at Edgewood College, and Luz Rodriguez Camacho, a student who completed the program (who now attends college at Dominican University in Illinois) tell us about how the program worked, what students learned from the experience, how the program was funded, how it might expa...
Taking the Long View, with Vince Meldrum (President & CEO of Earth Force)
January 02, 2023 10:00 - 39 minutes - 27.4 MBVince Meldrum, the President and CEO of the non-profit Earth Force, discusses the power and importance of taking local civic action, how Earth Force prepares educators to get kids excited about addressing local environmental issues, and the many ways that Earth Force is expanding its reach, including its plans to reach 150,000 students by 2026. Earth Force Resources Earth Force Website Vince Meldrum's Commentaries ESD Podcast Resources Brett Levy's Open-Access Research Articles (Free D...
Taking the Long View, with Vince Meldrum (Earth Force)
January 02, 2023 10:00 - 39 minutes - 27.4 MBVince Meldrum, the President and CEO of the non-profit Earth Force, discusses the power and importance of taking local civic action, how Earth Force prepares educators to get kids excited about addressing local environmental issues, and the many ways that Earth Force is expanding its reach, including its plans to reach 150,000 students by 2026. Earth Force Resources Earth Force Website Vince Meldrum's Commentaries ESD Podcast Resources Brett Levy's Open-Access Research Articles (Free D...
The ABCs of Rich Talk with Children, with Rebecca Rolland (Harvard Graduate School of Education)
December 06, 2022 11:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBFor many years, educators have touted the value of classroom discussions, but what frameworks and principles can help us to guide these discussions? In this episode, Brett Levy speaks with Rebecca Rolland, a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and author of the new book, The Art of Talking with Children: The Simple Keys to Nurturing Kindness, Creativity, and Confidence in Kids. We talk about the value of rich talk, three key elements of guiding rich talk with children, how r...
Learning about Election Integrity, with Tom Connolly and Brendan Lovullo (NYS Board of Elections) and Meghan Cook (Center for Technology in Government)
November 02, 2022 18:00 - 46 minutes - 32.2 MBHow do we ensure that elections are free and fair? For the past couple of years, we’ve heard more and more false claims about stolen elections, but the truth is that our election systems are very well-managed. Yes, there are areas where systems can be improved, but among the biggest problems in our election system now are misinformation about the elections and the skepticism that this creates. In this episode, I speak with Meghan Cook, Program Director of the Center for Technology in Govern...
Scholar Collectives for Improving Education, with Kevin Kumashiro (former Dean, University of San Francisco School of Education)
October 06, 2022 10:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBHow can scholars of education work together to strengthen educational policy and practice? In this episode, I talk to Kevin Kumashiro about some of his recent work to build education scholar collectives, groups of scholars and researchers working together to share their knowledge and perspectives to improve education. He talks about several of these scholar collectives in various parts of the United States, and we discuss their origins, goals, successes, and challenges. We also talk about h...
The New Seal of Civic Readiness for High School Diplomas, with Lisa Kissinger (Academic Administrator for Social Studies, Shenendehowa Central School District, NY)
September 01, 2022 09:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MBWhat is the Seal of Civic Readiness, and how can students earn it on their high school diplomas? Last year, New York became the fifth U.S. state to begin awarding this honor to graduating high school seniors for demonstrating certain levels of civic knowledge and participation. Over 100 New York schools piloted the program during the last school year, and in this episode, I speak to a district administrator who oversaw the rollout of the Seal of Civic Readiness in her large upstate New York...
The New "Seal of Civic Readiness" for High School Diplomas in New York, with Lisa Kissinger (Academic Administrator for Social Studies, Shenendehowa Central School District)
September 01, 2022 09:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MBWhat is New York's new Seal of Civic Readiness, and how can students earn it on their high school diplomas? Last year, the New York State Board of Regents, which supervises all educational activities in the State of New York, approved a proposal for the state's Education Department to award a Seal of Civic Readiness to any graduating high school senior who demonstrates certain levels of civic knowledge and civic participation. Over 100 schools piloted the program during the last school year,...
Connecting Students with the Natural World, with Dr. Lia Harris (Highland Middle School in Highland, NY)
August 04, 2022 10:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBHow can we foster young people's sense of connection to the natural environment? For over twenty years, teacher Cornelia (Lia) Harris has been helping adolescents develop this sense of connection. In this episode, Brett Levy talks to Lia about her work as a middle school science teacher, how she helps her students spend time outside and feel connected to the Earth, and what she learned from her recent dissertation study about what students got out of participating in a citizen science proje...
Connecting Students with the Natural World, with Dr. Cornelia Harris (Highland Middle School in Highland, NY)
August 04, 2022 10:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBHow can we foster young people's sense of connection to the natural environment? For over twenty years, teacher Cornelia (Lia) Harris has been helping adolescents develop this sense of connection. In this episode, Brett Levy talks to Lia about her work as a middle school science teacher, how she helps her students spend time outside and feel connected to the Earth, and what she learned from her recent dissertation study about what students got out of participating in a citizen science proje...
Students Connecting with the Natural World, with Dr. Lia Harris (Highland Middle School in Highland, NY)
August 04, 2022 10:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBHow can we foster young people's sense of connection to the natural environment? For over twenty years, teacher Cornelia (Lia) Harris has been helping adolescents develop this sense of connection. In this episode, Brett Levy talks to Lia about her work as a middle school science teacher, how she helps her students spend time outside and feel connected to the Earth, and what she learned from her recent dissertation study about what students got out of participating in a citizen science proje...
How Should Educators Teach about the Abortion Debate? (with David Ross, Madison West High School, Madison, WI)
July 05, 2022 13:00 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MBHow should we help young people understand the abortion debate? For three decades, Dave Ross has been helping adolescents explore highly controversial issues, including abortion and reproductive rights. As a teacher of philosophy, history, and social issues courses at West High School in Madison, Wisconsin, he has guided students to examine not only the legal issues around abortion but also the ethical issues, the policy issues, and numerous related questions. In this episode, Brett talks t...
Pride Month Feature: Being Authentic with Students (with Marc Lewis, R.J. Grey Junior High School in Acton, MA)
June 01, 2022 10:00 - 13 minutes - 9.16 MBIn this short episode, middle school teacher Marc Lewis describes how he first told his students that he was gay - way back in the year 2000. This moment of "coming out" was unplanned, but since then, he has continued to be open with his students about his sexual orientation. Marc Lewis holds a master's degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has taught social studies at R.J. Grey Junior High School in Acton,...
Pride Month Feature: "Coming Out" to Students
June 01, 2022 10:00 - 13 minutes - 9.16 MBIn this short episode, middle school teacher Marc Lewis describes how he first told his students that he was gay - way back in the year 2000. This moment of "coming out" was unplanned, but since then, he has continued to be open with his students about his sexual orientation. Marc Lewis holds a master's degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has taught social studies at R.J. Grey Junior High School in Acton,...
Pride Month Feature: "Coming Out" to Students (with Marc Lewis, R.J. Grey Junior High School in Acton, MA)
June 01, 2022 10:00 - 13 minutes - 9.16 MBIn this short episode, middle school teacher Marc Lewis describes how he first told his students that he was gay - way back in the year 2000. This moment of "coming out" was unplanned, but since then, he has continued to be open with his students about his sexual orientation. Marc Lewis holds a master's degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has taught social studies at R.J. Grey Junior High School in Acton,...
Building a Movement for Civic Education, with Michael Rebell (Teachers College, Columbia & Democracy Ready New York)
May 04, 2022 10:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBWe all know that we could be doing a better job preparing young people for civic participation – and government officials and the public largely agree, but few organizations focus primarily on addressing this problem. Democracy Ready New York is one of the groups that’s taking action on this issue – advocating for government policies to better support civic education and broadening public engagement in the issue. This episode features the leader of Democracy Ready New York, Michael Rebell. ...
Democracy Prep: A Charter School Network Focused on Civic Learning, with Rashid Duroseau (Civics Program Director, Democracy Prep Public Schools)
April 06, 2022 10:00 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MBWhat if a school made preparation for democracy its central goal? That’s what Democracy Prep tries to do - not in just one school but in many. This charter school network includes 24 schools in five states, with schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. In this episode, Brett talks to Rashid Duroseau, the Civics Program Director at Democracy Prep. Rashid describes the civic participation experiences the schools require of students, how various courses integrate civic issue...
Resources for Teaching about the War in Ukraine, with Rashid Duroseau (Democracy Prep Public Schools)
March 24, 2022 09:00 - 3 minutes - 2.3 MBThis mini-episode briefly describes resources that can be used to teach about the war in Ukraine, including the resulting refugee crisis. To explore these resources, please click on the links below. Resources for Teaching about the War in Ukraine Democracy Prep's Resources for Teaching about the War in Ukraine Facing History & Ourselves - Lesson on the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis NY Times - Updates on the War in Ukraine PBS - Lesson Plan on the War in Ukraine Ed Week - Sports as an Enga...
Resources for Teaching about the War in Ukraine, with Rashid Duroseau (Democracy Prep Public Schools)
March 24, 2022 09:00 - 3 minutes - 2.3 MBThis mini-episode briefly describes resources that can be used to teach about the war in Ukraine, including the resulting refugee crisis. To explore these resources, please click on the links below. Resources for Teaching about the War in Ukraine Democracy Prep's Resources for Teaching about the War in Ukraine Facing History & Ourselves - Lesson on the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis NY Times - Updates on the War in Ukraine PBS - Lesson Plan on the War in Ukraine Ed Week - Sports as an Enga...
Kid Citizen and Elementary Social Studies, with Michael and Ilene Berson (University of South Florida)
March 01, 2022 10:00 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MBHow should young children learn about their social world? How should elementary educators prepare students for life in a democratic society? What is Kid Citizen, and what can children learn from it? In this episode, Brett talks to Professors Ilene and Michael Berson from the University of South Florida. They discuss their online civic education site, Kid Citizen, which includes activities and curricula to strengthen young children’s civic learning. In addition, they share their ideas and ...
Creating Inclusive Environments and Curricula for LGBTQ+ Youth, with Marc Lewis (R.J. Grey Junior High, Acton MA)
February 01, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 44.6 MBHow can educators create inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ youth? To explore this question, Brett speaks to a veteran middle school social studies teacher in Massachusetts, Marc Lewis, who has been enacting and experimenting with strategies and curricula to help all of his students feel welcome in his classroom – and to help them understand the complexity and truth of our world and its history. In our conversation, Marc describes how he builds a trusting classroom community, how he physica...
Teaching about the Capitol Insurrection One Year Later
January 05, 2022 07:00 - 2 minutes - 1.85 MBHow should educators teach about the first anniversary of the Capitol Insurrection? This mini-episode describes free online resources to help teachers who want their students to understand the important events of January 6th, 2021, and their significance. Below are links to these resources. Teaching Resources Facing History & Ourselves - Resources for Teaching the Insurrection Generation Citizen - Resources for Teaching the Insurrection More Relevant Resources from Facing History & Ours...
Teaching about the Capitol Insurrection One Year Later (Brief Note about Helpful Resources)
January 05, 2022 07:00 - 2 minutes - 1.85 MBHow should educators teach about the first anniversary of the Capitol Insurrection? This mini-episode describes free online resources to help teachers who want their students to understand the important events of January 6th, 2021, and their significance. Below are links to these resources. Teaching Resources Facing History & Ourselves - Resources for Teaching the Insurrection Generation Citizen - Resources for Teaching the Insurrection More Relevant Resources from Facing History & Ours...
The Civically Engaged Districts Project - Part 2, with Six Students & Four Teachers (New Jersey)
January 02, 2022 10:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MBHow can youth help to improve the culture and policies of their school districts? In Part 2 of ESD's series on the Civically Engaged Districts Project, students and teachers discuss how they conducted research and took action to effect real change in their central New Jersey districts. They addressed challenging issues, such as gun control, student mental health, and creating an inclusive school community. Listen to hear what they learned from the experience and how district leaders respon...
The Civically Engaged Districts Project - Part 1, with Prof. Beth Rubin (Rutgers University) and District Administrators (New Brunswick Public Schools)
December 07, 2021 11:00 - 51 minutes - 35.6 MBMany civic education programs focus on generating civically engaging classroom experiences, and these are very important. But what structures and systems exist at the school district level to support youth civic engagement? How can districts foster a "civic ecosystem" that encourages youth voice and activism - and leverages these assets to enhance the district's culture? Professor Beth Rubin of Rutgers University has been working closely with administrators and teachers in New Brunswick Pu...
The Civically Engaged Districts Project - Part 1, with Prof. Beth Rubin (Rutgers University) and District Administrators (New Brunswick Public Schools)
December 07, 2021 11:00 - 51 minutes - 35.6 MBMany civic education programs focus on generating civically engaging classroom experiences, and these are very important. But what structures and systems exist at the school district level to support youth civic engagement? How can districts foster a "civic ecosystem" that encourages youth voice and activism - and leverages these assets to enhance the district's culture? Professor Beth Rubin of Rutgers University has been working closely with administrators and teachers in New Brunswick Pu...
A Congressional Bill to Strengthen Civic Education, with Cat McDonald (DC Lobbyist for Civic Ed)
November 01, 2021 10:00 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MBWill the federal government support a comprehensive civic education bill? The Civics Secures Democracy Act is a Congressional proposal to support civic education with about one billion dollars annually over five years. Currently the bill has sponsors from both major parties, but it is not without detractors. In this episode, Cat McDonald, the lead lobbyist for the bill, tells us about the bill's content, how likely it is to pass, and the challenges that lie ahead for this proposed legisla...
A Bipartisan Federal Bill to Strengthen Civic Education, with Cat McDonald (Linchpin Strategies)
November 01, 2021 10:00 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MBWill the federal government support a comprehensive civic education bill? The Civics Secures Democracy Act is a Congressional proposal to support civic education with about one billion dollars annually over five years. Currently the bill has sponsors from both major parties, but it is not without detractors. In this episode, Cat McDonald, the lead lobbyist for the bill, tells us about the bill's content, how likely it is to pass, and the challenges that lie ahead for this proposed legisla...
A Bipartisan Federal Bill to Strengthen Civic Education, with Cat McDonald (DC Lobbyist for Civic Ed)
November 01, 2021 10:00 - 35 minutes - 24.7 MBWill the federal government support a comprehensive civic education bill? The Civics Secures Democracy Act is a Congressional proposal to support civic education with about one billion dollars annually over five years. Currently the bill has sponsors from both major parties, but it is not without detractors. In this episode, Cat McDonald, the lead lobbyist for the bill, tells us about the bill's content, how likely it is to pass, and the challenges that lie ahead for this proposed legisla...
Online Technologies to Enhance Student Learning: Possibilities & Perils, with Dan Krutka (University of North Texas)
October 07, 2021 10:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MBHow can technology enhance students' engagement in classroom learning? When are technologies helpful, and when are they harmful? In this episode, I talk to Dr. Dan Krutka, associate professor of social studies education at the University of North Texas. Dan's research sits at the intersection of technology, education, and democracy. We discuss how teachers can decide which technologies would strengthen their teaching or whether technologies would even be helpful at all. We also discuss m...
Online Technologies to Enhance Student Learning: Possibilities & Perils, with Dan Krutka (University of North Texas)
October 07, 2021 10:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MBHow can technology enhance students' engagement in classroom learning? When are technologies helpful, and when are they harmful? In this episode, I talk to Dr. Dan Krutka, associate professor of social studies education at the University of North Texas. Dan's research sits at the intersection of technology, education, and democracy. We discuss how teachers can decide which technologies would strengthen their teaching or whether technologies would even be helpful at all. We also discuss m...
First Anniverary & Looking Ahead
September 27, 2021 09:00 - 3 minutes - 2.64 MBThis podcast turns one year old this October! Happy anniversary, and thanks for your support! New episodes are in the works, so please stay tuned. As you know, I try to release a new show towards the beginning of each month, and there are some good ones coming up, including shows on technology for the social studies classroom, civically engaged districts, and proposed federal legislation to support civic learning. As we celebrate this first anniversary milestone, I'm hoping to continue exp...
How Textbooks & Teachers Have Taught about September 11th & Its Aftermath, with Jeremy Stoddard (University of Wisconsin - Madison)
September 02, 2021 12:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBThis month, we'll observe the 20th anniversary of the attacks of September 11th, 2001. These events had many consequences that we see today, including the long war in Afghanistan. When these attacks occurred, today's k-12 students had not even been born. How should we help students understand 9/11? What should they learn about the causes and the effects of the attacks? How have curricula portrayed 9/11 and the "War on Terror"? Jeremy Stoddard, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madi...