Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators artwork

Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

369 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 days ago - ★★★★★ - 32 ratings

Shifting Schools is a thought-provoking podcast that explores the latest trends, strategies, and tools in K-12 education. Hosted by educators Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman, the podcast provides a platform for teachers, administrators, and education thought leaders to share their experiences and insights on how to improve teaching and learning. From innovative approaches in classroom management to leveraging technology for personalized learning, Shifting Schools tackles the most pressing issues facing K12 educators today. Whether you are a seasoned teacher or a new educator, this podcast will inspire you to think outside the box and shift your educational approach. Tune in to Shifting Schools to gain new perspectives, share ideas, and join a community of passionate educators who are committed to making a positive impact in the lives of their students.

Follow us at @shiftingschools on Twitter and @shiftingschoolspod on Instagram and Tiktok

Education education technology edtech leadership sel
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

334: How Two 11th Graders are Revolutionizing AP Exam Prep with AI

April 15, 2024 08:00 - 35 minutes - 50.3 MB

In this podcast episode, the creators of Professor AI, an AI startup supporting students with AP exams, discuss their journey and the development of their app. The founders, who are 11th graders in high school, explain how they came up with the idea and the importance of founder-market fit. They also discuss the challenges of AI hallucinations and how they overcame them by using open-source textbooks and integrating with Wolfram Alpha. The founders highlight the support they received from Mi...

333: Integrating AI Literacy into Earth Day Celebrations

April 08, 2024 08:03 - 18 minutes - 37 MB

Imagine students grappling with AI-crafted ethical dilemmas. They're not just learning about sustainability – they’re learning how to question, research, and discern credible information. It’s about nurturing critical thinking and responsible info consumption – the core of information literacy 🌎 Want to dig into our free guide 'Generative AI and Earth Day'? https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/earth-day-and-chatgpt/ Want to join Tricia and Jeff tomorrow? Take $25 off you registration wi...

332: Here's why we need more student podcasters: meet Zach of We the Children

April 01, 2024 08:00 - 40 minutes - 76.1 MB

Our special guest this week is Zach, the host of the incredible podcast 'We The Children' Zachary Fox-DeVol, or Zach, is a curious 12-year-old with a passion for the environment and a mind eager to learn more about our planet. In June 2020, during a summer writing project, Zach ventured into the world of podcasting and created "Rule Of The Bark" . This unique podcast, told from a dog's perspective, provides humorous interviews and helpful tips on raising dogs. Zooming ahead to December 2...

331: Core Skills in the Age of AI: What Remains Essential?

March 25, 2024 08:00 - 39 minutes - 73.5 MB

In this episode, Jeff Utecht interviews Pete Huang from The Neuron, a daily newsletter that explores AI. They discuss the origin of The Neuron and how it started as an experiment with AI-generated content. They also explore the landscape of AI and its potential impact on various industries. Pete shares his insights on the future of AI, including the use of customizable GPTs. He also explains how AI is leveraged within The Neuron, particularly in automating repetitive tasks. The conversation ...

330: Demystify student motivation with Tyler Rablin

March 18, 2024 09:03 - 39 minutes - 73.2 MB

In this conversation, Jeff Utecht interviews Tyler Rablin about his new book, 'Hacking Student Motivation.' They discuss the importance of feedback and assessment in motivating students, the impact of grades and assessment on student motivation, and the need for change in education. Tyler shares his experiences working with students in rural agricultural communities and the challenges they face in finding motivation in school. He also explains the concept of learning progressions and how the...

329: Can clinician-powered AI help us with the mental health crisis?

March 11, 2024 09:03 - 30 minutes - 56.9 MB

Dr. Elsa Friis, of Alongside, discusses how their clinician-powered AI tool supports young people in need of mental health support. The conversation highlights the need for mental health resources in schools and the shortage of mental health providers. The use of AI in mental health is not a new concept, and it can provide a warm and validating space for young people to seek support. The conversation also addresses misconceptions about AI and emphasizes the importance of evidence-based str...

328: Nurturing problem-solvers inside and outside the realm of games

March 04, 2024 09:17 - 45 minutes - 85.4 MB

Dan White, CEO of Filament Games, discusses the future of learning games and the importance of game-based learning pedagogy. He emphasizes the shift towards focusing on skills and conceptual understandings rather than didactic knowledge transfer. White believes that game-based experiences should prepare students for the real world by imparting useful practices and higher-order thinking skills. He also highlights the impact of automation and AI on the workforce and the need to revisit what is...

Episode 327: How Can Educators Leverage AI for UDL?

February 26, 2024 09:03 - 30 minutes - 58.2 MB

LUDIA AI is a free tool that helps educators cultivate a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) mindset by leveraging AI. The conversation explores the fear and misconceptions around AI in education and how LUDIA AI actually emphasizes relationships and centers humanity. LUDIA AI is designed to support teachers' time and thinking, providing ideas and options to adapt instruction efficiently. Educators can use LUDIA AI to plan and model UDL best practices, considering barriers and opportunities....

326: What it means to be a life-long learner in the new era of AI

February 19, 2024 09:37 - 46 minutes - 86.6 MB

On this week... Dwight Gunning, a data scientist with a background in finance, discusses the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the finance industry. He emphasizes the importance of technology in finance and the need for financial institutions to stay up to date with AI to protect against fraud and build trust. Dwight shares his personal journey from economist to technology enthusiast and highlights the value of lifelong learning. He encourages individuals to develop a diverse set of ...

325: 'Lessons of the Pandemic': A Deep Dive into Teacher Experiences

February 12, 2024 09:03 - 38 minutes - 72.4 MB

The co-authors of the book 'Lessons of the Pandemic' discuss their research process, motivations, and recommendations for education. They emphasize the importance of teacher voice and perspective, as well as the need for a blended research approach using surveys, interviews, and focus groups. The chapters cover topics such as teacher workload, continuous innovation, recognizing teacher efforts, and the impact of social emotional learning on student well-being. The authors also provide adv...

324: Shifting paradigms about safety and respect with Dr. Travis Wright

February 05, 2024 09:03 - 36 minutes - 70.5 MB

Dr. Travis Wright is nationally-recognized expert on school-based support for children who have experienced trauma. He is the author of Emotionally Responsive Teaching: Expanding Trauma Informed Care for Young Children. Currently, Dr. Wright is an Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology and Early Childhood Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he is the founder/director of the BASES Project, a school-based intervention for young children experiencing homelessness, th...

Bonus Episode: The Big Game is A Big Moment for Media Literacy

February 01, 2024 17:48 - 8 minutes - 16.8 MB

Give us ten minutes and let us tell you about the ways to lean way into media literacy for the upcoming Superbowl game! 🏈 Explore our special free guide that kicks off with our BRASS framework and then takes you through ideas for activities: https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/three-ways-to-leverage-the-big-game-for-big-learning/ 🗓️ Our three week AI cohort kicks off next week! We only have a few seats left. As a listener you can take 50% off and join us by entering coupon code "PLC3W...

323: Talking emotional intelligence with Dr. Lorea Martínez

January 29, 2024 09:03 - 33 minutes - 63.5 MB

Dr. Lorea Martínez introduces the HEART model, which stands for Five Essential Social-Emotional Skills. The model aims to provide educators with a research-based framework for teaching and practicing these skills. Martinez emphasizes the importance of seeing social-emotional learning (SEL) as a paradigm shift and life skills rather than just a checklist of tasks. She also highlights the significance of intentionality in practicing SEL and reflects on the validation of children's feelings. ...

322: The recipe for a truly great school mental health program

January 22, 2024 09:00 - 29 minutes - 55 MB

Our special guest today: Dr. Tony Walker serves on the executive team of The Jed Foundation (“JED”) – a national nonprofit that serves as a thought leader on school mental health and youth suicide prevention. JED works within Higher Education Institutions and PK-12 schools and districts to help leaders build systems that promote more positive mental health outcomes for youth. In his role, Dr. Walker leads JED’s Academic Programs team, supporting the implementation of JED’s programs and bes...

321: What does media literacy have to do with mental health?

January 15, 2024 09:00 - 23 minutes - 45.5 MB

Our special guest today: Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth (she/they), MD, MA, is the Chief Medical Officer for The Jed Foundation (JED), a national nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults. Laura has provided thousands of patients with crisis intervention and mental health support in over ten different emergency rooms in New York City. Much of her career has focused on LGBTQ mental health, and she continues to see clients at the Hetrick-Martin Inst...

320: Being Mindful in the Moment with Dr. Rina Bajaj

January 08, 2024 09:03 - 28 minutes - 54.2 MB

Our mental health series continues with Dr. Rina Bajaj. This conversation brings us great ways to reframe our inner monologue and strategies to refresh our approach to caring for self and combatting burnout. This series is sponsored by Money Pickle, learn more about ways to connect with an advisor today: https://www.moneypickle.com/shiftingschools Learn more about our guest: Dr Rina Bajaj is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist with over 17 years of experience within the field of menta...

319: What is an 'emotionally healthy school'? with Dr. Deborah Offner

January 01, 2024 09:03 - 28 minutes - 56.1 MB

Our first episode in our brand new mental health series kicks off with Dr. Deborah Offner. This series is sponsored by Money Pickle, learn more about ways to connect with an advisor today: https://www.moneypickle.com/shiftingschools Our special guest Dr. Offner is here to help us think more specifically about ways to support the mental health of our school community. We also explore her brand new book: Educators as First Responders: A Teacher's Guide to Adolescent Development and Menta...

What was our biggest episode of 2023?

December 28, 2023 09:03 - 42 minutes - 78.1 MB

How is Minecraft a powerful tool for building community, fostering inclusion, and engaging learners? This week's amazing guest Mashfiq Ahmed has an answer for that question and tons of wisdom to share. Meet this week's special guest: ➡️ Mashfiq Ahmed (he/him) is a high school chemistry teacher at John Dewey High School in Brooklyn, New York. He has been playing video games ever since he was 4-years-old and they have positively shaped him into the person that he is today. As a teacher, ...

318: AI Literacy Experiments for the Family

December 25, 2023 09:03 - 35 minutes - 66.9 MB

In this episode, Jeff and Tricia discuss their favorite holiday food, introduce a new free guide on experimenting with AI for families, announce an upcoming series on mental health, promote an AI literacy cohort for PLCs and committees, highlight Jeff's work on Washington State guidelines and policies, mention upcoming conferences, discuss the link between AI literacy and DEIJ/media literacy, and tease the upcoming 2024 Protocols Free Guide. Takeaways Experimenting with AI can be a fun...

317: Bonus Episode Tricia on the concept of 'screentime' and more...

December 22, 2023 09:03 - 36 minutes - 67.7 MB

Join us for this bonus episode where Tricia is a guest on the BFIS 'The Future is Now Podcast.' Ready to follow that show? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benjamin-franklin-international-school-podcast/id1714268067   Find all of the resources mentioned here. Listener Challenge: - Be the first to review from your state and win access to our AI course bundle. Leave a review on any podcast platform and email us at [email protected]. How to Connect: - Follow us on...

316: Bonus Episode - Integrating Technology in Education with Jeff Utecht

December 20, 2023 09:00 - 35 minutes - 49.7 MB

Episode Description: Join us for this bonus episode were host Jeff Utecht becomes the interviewee on the Have A Life Teaching Podcast. You can subscribe to the Have A Life Teaching Podcast here: https://pod.link/1702975996 Episode Highlights: 1. Shout-out to Listeners: A special thanks to our listeners in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and France for your wonderful ratings and reviews! Remember, the first reviewer from each state gets access to our exclusive AI course bundle. 2. Jeff Utecht - A...

315: Human Centered Leadership in K12 education with Dr. Peter Stiepleman

December 18, 2023 09:03 - 37 minutes - 71.8 MB

On today we speak with Dr. Peter Stiepleman, 2021 Missouri Superintendent of the Year. We explore keys to a human-centered leadership approach. Ready to meet our guest? Peter Stiepleman, EdD. Author, Leadership Coach, and Inspirational Speaker Dr. Peter Stiepleman is a locally, regionally, and nationally recognized leader who uses the power of storytelling to help leaders design better systems and help make complex concepts easier to understand. Peter is a self-starting, creative leade...

314: Elevating Student Learning With AI

December 11, 2023 09:03 - 46 minutes - 87.6 MB

"What do I want my process to look like?" this is a question researcher, educator and author Maya Bialik would love to see more teachers think about right now. Our conversation thinks about the art and craft of teaching as it applies to AI and the range of AI tools available to us. Our guest this week is: Maya Bialik is a 7th grade science teacher from Boston, and the founder of QuestionWell AI. In the decade since earning her master’s degree in Mind, Brain, & Education from Harvard, May...

313: The necessity of listening to the student perspective on AI

December 04, 2023 09:03 - 34 minutes - 65.1 MB

Join us as we discuss the implications of AI in educational settings, particularly focusing on how these tools can be integrated to foster inclusion and improve learning experiences with Max, a High School Student. Key Discussion Points: AI and Social Interaction: Max highlights how AI tools can prevent social issues like being 'left on read' or 'ghosted', providing valuable insights in social situations. AI as a Communication Filter: The discussion explores AI's role as a reflective to...

Bonus Episode: Meet US Principal of the Year!

November 29, 2023 18:02 - 26 minutes - 49.5 MB

This special bonus episode points you to a recent conversation with Donna Hayword, US Principal of the Year (2023) via a brand new podcast: Sustainable Innovation from NEASC. Sustainable Innovation: By and for K-12 educational leaders NEASC is proud to present this five-part podcast series created by and for educational leaders on themes of key importance including artificial intelligence (AI), technology in education, student agency, and building sustainable systems and cultures of inno...

312: Can we use AI to teach creative writing?

November 27, 2023 09:03 - 18 minutes - 36.8 MB

Delve into the transformative world of generative AI text-to-image technology and its burgeoning role in creative writing. Our journey begins with an exploration of how AI-generated images can act as creative catalysts for writers, offering a vivid, visual interpretation of their penned thoughts. We discuss the free guide available to help educators try out the 'tone words' and vocabular work Jeff and Tricia discuss. Wanna grab the free guide? https://www.shiftingschools.com/free-pdfs ...

311: From Repairs to Resourcefulness: Unleashing the Potential of Asset Management in Schools

November 20, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 49.1 MB

How do we take a lot of this data that usually is hidden from students and teachers and kept in IT departments and make that part of the learning process of supporting us in our tech world? We ask big questions like that and more in today's conversation with Incident IQ's Emily Stapf. Learn all about them: https://www.incidentiq.com/ We debunk a lot of misguided ideas about asset management, so ask yourself: Are you falling for these common myths about asset management in schools? ...

310: Striking the Perfect Balance: Integrating AI and Human Interaction in Elementary Classrooms

November 13, 2023 09:00 - 31 minutes - 60 MB

Does this sound familiar? You integrate AI technology in your classroom, hoping to enhance student engagement and learning. However, you find yourself overwhelmed with the vast array of AI tools and unsure of how to effectively integrate them. This ineffective action leaves you feeling frustrated and disappointed, as you see little improvement in student outcomes. But imagine a different approach—one where the power of AI is harnessed to create a balanced and effective learning environment...

Join the Shifting Schools Community

November 07, 2023 17:29 - 2 minutes - 4.51 MB

In the ever-changing landscape of education, we bring you to the forefront of school transformation and innovation. Welcome to Shifting Schools!  I'm Jeff Utecht, an educator of 24 years and full time educational consultant. Each week I’m joined by the fantastic Tricia Friedman who is a passionate 20 year veteran English teacher and consultant. Together, we unpack the biggest challenges and the most exciting breakthroughs in K-12 education. From harnessing technology to personalize learn...

309: Nurturing Informed Citizens with CIVIX's Dimitri Pavlounis

November 06, 2023 09:03 - 48 minutes - 90.9 MB

Explore the profound impacts of digital literacy and political engagement initiatives by CIVIX, and discover resources that can transform classrooms into hubs of critical thought and respectful discourse.  We sit down with Dimitri Pavlounis, the Director of Research at CIVIX. Our discussion unravels around two pivotal programs at CIVIX: CTRL-F and PoliTalks, which are meticulously crafted to bolster digital literacy and political awareness among the youth. Our guest  explores the resourc...

308: The Future of News Literacy: Educating in the Age of Artificial Intelligence with Erin Olson

October 30, 2023 08:03 - 30 minutes - 59.6 MB

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Erin Olson, an advocate of news literacy and a representative from the News Literacy Project (NLP). Drawing from her rich experience as a middle and high school teacher, Erin shares a poignant anecdote that underscores the indispensable role of news literacy in every classroom. She delves into the importance of educators adopting a systemic and strategic approach to news literacy, emphasizing its relevance in today's rapidly changing media lands...

307: Elevating Media Literacy Through Screen Language: Insights from Sherard Duvall

October 23, 2023 08:03 - 42 minutes - 81.2 MB

Discover how Sherard Duvall went from spinning beats to spinning tales that captivate and educate. In a surprising twist, this DJ-turned-filmmaker found that the language of screens held the key to bridging the gap between storytelling and education. Join him on a journey where the power of human connection meets the magic of screen language. Get ready to dive into the world of screen language, where the episode dives deep and enables listeners to: Discover the power of media literacy educ...

306: The Power of Purposeful Play with Dr. Kristen Craft

October 16, 2023 08:03 - 32 minutes - 62.2 MB

In this episode Dr. Craft shatters misconceptions and reveals the power of gaming for building social-emotional skills. How can educators effectively integrate gaming into their SEL programs?  Are You Ready To Unlock the Power of Gaming? The power of gaming can be harnessed to forge strong peer connections among students. By instilling the elements of gaming in social-emotional learning, students can be encouraged to reflect on their emotions and reactions in gaming scenarios, apply ins...

How do we bring brave beginners and bold early adopters together to explore AI Literacy?

October 14, 2023 14:11 - 26 minutes - 49 MB

In this episode of the Shifting Schools podcast, you'll join Tricia and Jeff as they dive into their recent experiences and reflections on AI and education. They're excited to share the consulting work they've been doing and the innovative ways they're incorporating AI into the classroom. Tricia discusses her passion for teaching creative writing and how she's been using AI-generated art to fuel students' creativity. Jeff, on the other hand, shares his experiences working with school leader...

305: Stargazing for SEL with Swapna Krishna

October 09, 2023 08:03 - 34 minutes - 66.7 MB

SWAPNA KRISHNA writes about space, science, and technology. You can find her at the YouTube channel Ad Astra, and her work has been published at outlets such as Wired, Engadget, The Verge, NPR, and Slate. Her new book provides a novel approach to mindfulness while learning more about science and history. Pocket Nature: Stargazing: Contemplate the Cosmos to Find Inner Peace Part of the Pocket Nature series, this petite volume features helpful tips for stargazing, plus thoughtful meditat...

304: What confidence is...and what it isn't with Jennifer S. Miller

October 02, 2023 08:00 - 38 minutes - 73 MB

For nearly thirty years, Jennifer Miller has worked with educators and families to help them become more effective with children through social and emotional learning (SEL). She authored and illustrated the book “Confident Parents, Confident Kids: Raising Emotional Intelligence In Ourselves and Our Kids” and founded the organization by the same name ten years ago growing an international platform through her blog with more than 23,000 followers in 152 countries world-wide. She has served as ...

303: Social Justice in Schools with Dr. Charles A. Barrett

September 25, 2023 08:11 - 19 minutes - 39 MB

On this week... We were so excited to have a conversation with Dr. Charles A. Barrett to dive deeper into his book: Social Justice in Schools A Framework for Equity in Education Our conversation explores: Ensuring equitable access to key opportunities Centering Relationships Reflecting on how to build community Find your copy: Via this link Learn about our special guest Charles A. Barrett, PhD, NCSP, a district-level administrator in Virginia, practiced as a school psycho...

302: Honoring the complexities of what it means to be an educator with Dr. Novak and Dr. Rodriguez

September 18, 2023 08:31 - 58 minutes - 109 MB

On this week... We were so excited to have a conversation with Dr. Novak and Dr. Rodriguez about their latest book In Support of Students: A Leader's Guide to Equitable MTSS Our conversation explores: How to make change happen What schools can do to better support ALL students How leaders can upskill in order to foster inclusion in schools Find your copy: On Sale Now via Bookshop Check out their special book group guide Learn about our special guests https://www.novakeduc...

301: Fine-tuning the conversation about failure with Jessica Lahey

September 11, 2023 08:33 - 56 minutes - 105 MB

Jessica Lahey is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed and The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence. Jess was awarded the Research Society on Alcohol’s Media Award for “outstanding journalistic efforts of writers who cover empirical research on alcohol” […] “for her book The Addiction Inoculation and advocacy for the recovery community.” Over twenty years, Je...

300: How might ChatGPT help us reflect on human-centric skills?

September 06, 2023 16:12 - 43 minutes - 80.6 MB

Jeff begins by emphasizing how ChatGPT enable educators to offer tailored content and support to a diverse range of students, meeting them at their individual learning levels. He cites examples of how this AI-driven technology can adapt lessons, provide personalized feedback, and assist students with varying needs, making the learning experience more inclusive and engaging. Tricia further expands on this by discussing how ChatGPT can help educators save time and energy when it comes to fost...

299: Unlocking the Potential of esports in Education: with Elliot Mack, Co-founder of Daigon Esports

September 04, 2023 08:03 - 35 minutes - 66.5 MB

 In this episode of the Shifting Schools Podcast, Jeff Utecht sits down with Elliot Mack, the co-founder of Daigon Esports, our generous sponsor for the esports mini-series. What do we discuss? The educational benefits of esports How Daigon Esports is shaping the future of educational technology Ways to integrate esports into your classroom curriculum What do we investigate? Educational Technology Esports in Education Classroom Integration Why Listen? If you’re an educato...

298: Unlocking Minds with Minecraft with Janey Laney

August 28, 2023 08:03 - 52 minutes - 97.5 MB

Join us as we unravel the stories that emerge when esports and gaming becomes a lifelong compass for learning. This week's guest is thought leader Janey Laney, a content creator and podcaster bridging the gap between education, gaming & tech. Our guest takes us on a journey where gaming serves as a conduit for boundless education. Janey uncovers the profound community dynamics that power the world of gaming, weaving networks and inspiration together into a seamless fabric of connectivity. ...

297: Campfire Conversations: Leadership in AI and What It Means for Schools

August 27, 2023 22:16 - 24 minutes - 35.5 MB

In this Off The Cuff episode, Jeff Utecht and Tricia dive into the exciting launch of https://camp.shiftingschools.com and their groundbreaking course on Leadership in AI. Discover how AI is shaping the future of education and why school leaders should be at the forefront of this technological revolution. Key Points: Introduction to https://camp.shiftingschools.com A new platform for educators and leaders to collaborate and share resources. Features and benefits of being a part of this...

296: Cultivate STEM and STEAM skills with esports

August 21, 2023 08:03 - 35 minutes - 67.1 MB

How do we help students learn and play simultaneously? This week's guest explains how esports links to so many components of academic life. Curious about ways to leverage your existing curriculum, STEM and STEAM programs with esports? You need to learn more from our guest. In recent years, esports has transitioned from mere entertainment to a thriving ecosystem that offers much more than thrilling competitions. We sit down with an expert to unravel how esports acts as a dynamic pathway for...

Trailer: What's on deck for September at Shifting Schools

August 19, 2023 15:20 - 2 minutes - 19.1 MB

Hello, Shifting Schools community! Jeff Utecht here, as we wrap up our exciting journey into eSports Tricia and I wanted to share what we have coming up next for you in September. As we start the new school year, we're diving in with a brand new mini-series focused on Social Emotional Learning, or SEL, a topic that we know is front and center in the minds of educators as we start another school year. And we're not doing it alone. I'm thrilled to announce our guest list for this enlighten...

295: What's at the intersection of law and gaming?

August 14, 2023 08:03 - 41 minutes - 76.9 MB

Unravel the complexities of video game ethics as we embark on a dialogue with Dr. Leon Xiao, a distinguished expert at the crossroads of gaming and law. In this episode, we probe into the innovative ways gaming and law intersect, and how they shape the experience of game play. This episode helps us explore more pathways available in the gaming industry and asks us to think more creatively about how differing passions might intersect. Ready to learn more about our guest? Leon is a PhD Fel...

294: Where might a student's passion for video games lead?

August 07, 2023 08:03 - 51 minutes - 96.8 MB

In this episode, we have the honor of sitting down with Joanie Kraut, the CEO of Women in Games International (WIGI), a leading organization that empowers women and underrepresented individuals in the gaming and eSports industry. Joanie Kraut has a unique perspective on the role eSports can play in communities and is dedicated to creating more future pathways for young enthusiasts interested in pursuing a career in the eSports realm. Joanie Kraut shares her inspiring journey into the world...

293: Level up on literacy with video games

July 31, 2023 08:03 - 42 minutes - 93.5 MB

In this episode, we dive into the intersection of education technology and literacy with Dr. Miles Harvey. We explore the innovative teaching strategy of using video games as a powerful tool to enhance literacy skills and engage students in reading. Discover how this approach can transform K-12 education and foster a love for learning.   Meet this week's special guest:   ➡️ Dr. Miles Harvey is a scholar gamer, middle years esports coach, streamer, and teacher educator from the Univer...

292: Skeptical about the benefits of gaming? Give this a listen.

July 24, 2023 08:00 - 32 minutes - 34.5 MB

On this episode Dr. Rachel Kowert busts myths about gaming. If you are skeptical about what games can offer us, give this conversation some time. Meet this week's special guest: ➡️ Rachel Kowert, Ph.D is a research psychologist and the Research Director of Take This. She is a world-renowned researcher on the uses and effects of digital games, including their impact on physical, social, and psychological well-being. In her current work, she serves as one of the primary investigators on ...

291: The Magic of Minecraft

July 17, 2023 08:00 - 39 minutes - 56.5 MB

How is Minecraft a powerful tool for building community, fostering inclusion, and engaging learners? This week's amazing guest Mashfiq Ahmed has an answer for that question and tons of wisdom to share. Meet this week's special guest: ➡️ Mashfiq Ahmed (he/him) is a high school chemistry teacher at John Dewey High School in Brooklyn, New York. He has been playing video games ever since he was 4-years-old and they have positively shaped him into the person that he is today. As a teacher, ...

Twitter Mentions

@mr_rablin 5 Episodes
@jutecht 4 Episodes
@murphyhusky1 4 Episodes
@jenlongmire1 4 Episodes
@pgreensoup 3 Episodes
@heza 3 Episodes
@dhudgins 2 Episodes
@nathalienahai 2 Episodes
@tishrich 2 Episodes
@iainfish5 2 Episodes
@shei_asc 2 Episodes
@jenniferlagarde 2 Episodes
@timrigsbytech 2 Episodes
@thelivbits 2 Episodes
@dorieclark 2 Episodes
@skrishna 2 Episodes
@cuethelibrarian 2 Episodes
@dphelps1113 2 Episodes
@shiftingschools 2 Episodes
@_wiseducation 2 Episodes