SuperSpeaks
28 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingSuperSpeaks is the podcast that explores the hidden world of superintendents and system leaders of school districts in the US. Join Mark Sparvel from Microsoft Education in his effort to better understand what’s working for school leaders in these unprecedented times.
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Episodes
Using SAMR in the Age of Gen AI: The Model’s Creator Offers Three Next-Level Examples
April 13, 2024 22:35 - 12 minutesHow applicable is the SAMR model for selecting, using, and evaluating Generative AI in education? Are any adaptations needed? If so, where and what? We checked in with the creator of SAMR for an update and learned how he is using and supplementing the framework in the age of Gen AI. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd. Related Resources: SAMR: Next Level | Reimagine Education | Microsoft Education Toolkit | Blindsided by AI @ ISTE Live 24 Dr. Puen...
Unlocking Student Potential with Generative AI: John Hattie On What Works - Part 1
March 16, 2024 00:39 - 15 minutesJohn Hattie discusses the impact of technology in classrooms and the importance of collective efficacy in teaching. Hattie, author of Visible Learning, emphasizes the need for teachers to understand their students' learning processes and create a safe environment for them to express their struggles. He also highlights the potential of technology, particularly when used in pairs, to enhance learning. Hattie suggests that social media can be a powerful tool for students to discuss their learni...
Is Your School System GAI Ready? A School Leader’s Checklist
November 16, 2023 17:52 - 15 minutesCoSN collaborated with school system leaders across the United States of America to create a generative AI readiness checklist. The guide covers the essential bases required to prepare for AI implementation, touching on executive leadership, operations, data, technical aspects, security, and legal readiness. The discussion covers promising possibilities for decreasing administrative load and the big pitfalls, including cybersecurity threats. The conversation also covers the importance of add...
What Works: Inside the Australian Department for Education’s Roadmap for Scaling AI
October 19, 2023 20:22 - 20 minutesWe connected with the Australian Department for Education for a behind-the-scenes look at their pilot program to introduce and scale generative AI across the school system. The insight-rich discussion provided granular details and vital specifics about how they approached the pilot, what worked, and why. This is a must-listen episode for any school leader seeking a field-tested roadmap that covers the bases, including security, getting teacher and student buy-in, and avoiding the most signi...
The School Leader’s New Challenge: Learning and Unlearning In the Age of Generative AI
September 06, 2023 19:56 - 23 minutesSchool leaders are guiding organizations through a historic moment in education — the first back-to-school term in the age of generative artificial intelligence. Administrators are exploring what is required to prepare schools and students to thrive in this new era — including the learning and unlearning needed to adapt. This discussion explores this new landscape and what we are learning about navigating it. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @DLCMSavvy @WorldSavvy @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwo...
Facing the Future: ISTE CEO Keenly Understands the School Leader's Mandate in the Age of Generative AI
August 16, 2023 04:58 - 6 minutesIn an age of ambiguity and uncertainty, having a clear vision and understanding of what it takes to meet the moment is refreshing, encouraging, and empowering. This is especially true for school leaders preparing to lead staff through the first back-to-school season in the age of generative AI. The CEO of ISTE offers keen insight informed by a unique window on the education community. Follow on Twitter: @ISTEofficial @RCulatta @hyphenatic @shellthief @jonHarper70bd @MicrosoftEDU @bamra...
Three-Minute Tech Talk: A Wiser Use of Education Technology
August 08, 2023 04:53 - 3 minutesWe checked in with a school leader in the Loudon County School District who shared a wicked-smart approach to using education technology more efficiently and effectively. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @LoudonCountyPD @Jonharper70bd @MicrosoftEDU @ISTEofficial #ISTElive23 @bamradionetwork #BacktoSchool2023 Related Resources: Emerging Practices Guides Exploring new opportunities with AI in education | Microsoft EDU Collaborating to bring AI innovation to education | Microsoft EDU Emp...
Discovering Helpful Tools and Features in the Technologies You Already Use Daily
August 02, 2023 11:44 - 5 minutesWe had an eye-opening discussion with a PLC coach about the tech tools her teachers and students can access but may be unaware of the features or how to use them. This is often the case with AI features that have long been available in classrooms. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd @MicrosoftEDU @ISTEofficial #ISTElive23 #BacktoSchool2023 Related Resources: Literacy Solutions Emerging Practices Guides Exploring new opportunities with AI in education | Micro...
Technologists and School Administrators Taking Risks Together and Leaning Into the Future of Generative AI
July 26, 2023 03:26 - 7 minutesThe summer of AI series continues with a look at the need for education technologists and school leaders to collaborate, take necessary risks and prepare teachers and students for the future of generative AI. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd @MicrosoftEDU @ISTEofficial #ISTElive23 #BacktoSchool2023 Related Resources: Emerging Practices Guides Exploring new opportunities with AI in education | Microsoft EDU Collaborating to bring AI innovation to educatio...
Navigating the Future of School Leadership: Pivoting From Pandemic Era Challenges to the Age of Generative AI
July 19, 2023 02:28 - 16 minutesThe summer of AI series continues with a look at the challenges, opportunities, and ethical considerations school leaders face as we shift from the pandemic era to the age of generative AI. What are school leaders thinking and doing to adapt? Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @AskAdam3 @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd @MicrosoftEDU @ISTEofficial #ISTElive23 Related Resources: Emerging Practices Guides Dr. Adam Phyall is a former high school science teacher who recently served as the Directo...
ISTELive23: Prioritizing What Matters Most As Generative AI in Education Accelerates
July 12, 2023 19:53 - 13 minutesNew York City was one of the first school districts to block ChatGPT in its schools. The district reversed that decision, and now, schools in and around New York City are leaning into generative with ambitious plans. We joined the Summer of AI series by sitting down with a Brooklyn superintendent in a discussion on how he prioritizes what matters most as generative AI accelerates in education. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd @MicrosoftEDU @michaelprayor1 @I...
Experimenting Safely with ChatGPT: 10 Essential Questions Every Educator Needs to Ask
January 22, 2023 14:11 - 20 minutesWhile many fear ChatGPT’s impact on teaching and learning, others are experimenting with the technology and discovering innovative and helpful ways to use it in education. This group of early adopters is finding and documenting the possibilities, limitations, and current pitfalls to avoid. Collectively they are helping to crowdsource a set of critical guidelines for safely experimenting with ChatGPT while identifying the essential questions the education community will need to ask and answer...
New Possibilities? Snow Days, Sub Days, Hurricanes, and 4 Other Useful Ways to Use Virtual Learning in a Post-Pandemic Classroom
October 15, 2022 14:41 - 9 minutesSchools are more normal this year, but there are still scenarios where virtual learning solves problems that have routinely disrupted traditional classrooms. In this episode, we discuss four common situations where maintaining the virtual option can strengthen any school’s ability to serve all students. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd @ocsdltfdir Related Resources: Onslow County Schools provides a lesson in effective hybrid learning How Onslow S...
This Year, a Positive School Culture Is Everything: Here’s How an Entire School District Created One Step-by-Step
August 10, 2022 06:37 - 17 minutesIllinois’s largest elementary school district has an exceptionally positive school culture and the receipts to prove it. In this episode, we talk with the superintendent about the step-by-step process they used to build theirs, based on the Happiness Advantage. Stanford University researchers placed this school district in the top two percent of all schools in America in student growth. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd @drf4331 @Andy_DuRoss Relat...
How School Chief Information Officers and Chief Academic Officers Manage Vision, Technology, Data, Budgets, and Relentless Change
July 27, 2022 01:44 - 16 minutesIn this episode, we look under the hood to see how school chief information officers and chief academic officers work together to manage the "four buckets" of responsibilities required to achieve educational goals. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd @drf4331 Related Resources MicrosoftEDU: K12 Blueprint – Learning Next Dean Folkers is the Director of Education Data and Technology at the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). CCSSO is a n...
Edunomics: A School Leader’s Roadmap to Making the Most of ESSER Funds Investments
July 15, 2022 02:07 - 19 minutesIn this episode, we talk with the Director of Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University about the challenges of managing ESSER funds spending requests from various internal and external stakeholders, setting priorities for ESSER funds investments, and ensuring the best results based on your school’s long-term objectives. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd @MargueriteRoza @EdunomicsLab @McCourtSchool @Deb_Britt Related Resources – MicrosoftEDU: Micros...
School Leadership in Flux: What Inspires Me, What Still Keeps Me Up At Night
June 26, 2022 02:12 - 13 minutesIn this episode, we check in with the Chief Information Officer at the department of education in a state that has successfully gone from ranking among the lowest in academic performance to one of the fastest growing. Our guest shares some of the practical strategies behind the transformation and the biggest concerns that still keep him up at night. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork @MissDeptEd@Jonharper70bd Related Resources – MicrosoftEDU: Microsoft-Equitabl...
Removing Barriers to Equity: Five Lessons Every School Leader Can Learn by Listening to Educators Around the Globe
October 26, 2021 22:45 - 16 minutesSchool leaders charged with increasing equitable education in their schools are well-positioned to glean invaluable insights from disrupted education systems around the world. Join us as we talk with a global education leader who shares insights from his work in 145 countries. Follow on Twitter: @RobertG_Jenkins @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd @UNICEFEducation Related Resources – MicrosoftEDU: Education Reimagined: Remote to Hybrid Learning Robert Jenkins is the...
Two Out-of-the-Box Strategies for Pandemic Teaching and Getting Students Back on Track
September 19, 2021 16:22 - 12 minutesThis episode is part of a series on the exceptionally creative and resourceful ways educators around the world are teaching during the pandemic and getting students back on track. Follow on Twitter: @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd Related Resources – MicrosoftEDU: Education Reimagined: Remote to Hybrid Learning Alain Pascua is a proud product of public elementary education, having studied in Gerona North Central School in Tarlac. Raised by academicians, both his ...
Cultivating the New Mindset Required to Lead Any School This School Term: 3 Keys
August 29, 2021 21:01 - 14 minutes'This school year is actually a primary opportunity for learning,' says Jody Spiro, director of education leadership at the Wallace Foundation. In this episode, she explains why and walks us through the new mindset required to effectively lead schools this school term. Follow on Twitter: @wallacefdn @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd Related Resources – MicrosoftEDU: Education Reimagined: Remote to Hybrid Learning Jody Spiro, director of education leadership at the W...
Three Back-to-School Surprises We Should Have Seen Coming, Here’s Why They Matter
August 16, 2021 22:50 - 18 minutesDaniel Domenech is executive director of the American Association of School Administrators. A native of Cuba who moved to the U.S. at the age of nine, Domenech has more than 36 years of experience in public education. Prior to joining AASA, Domenech served as senior vice president of the Urban Advisory Resource for McGraw-Hill Education and served for six years as superintendent of the Fairfax County, Virginia. Host of AASA Radio.
What We Learned: The Pandemic’s Impact on the Three Most Vulnerable Sectors of Our School System
June 11, 2021 06:51 - 11 minutesUnlike many schools and school districts, Greenwood Academies was well ahead of the curve technologically. In this episode, we talk with the academy’s school administrator who discovered that the most vulnerable populations in his school system included himself. Follow on Twitter: @graham_feek @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd Related Resources – MicrosoftEDU: Education Reimagined: Remote to Hybrid Learning Graham Feek is Deputy Chief Executive of Greenwood Academ...
Two Strategies We Used to Thrive During the Pandemic: Equity Scans and Help Desk Triage
June 11, 2021 05:45 - 12 minutesIn this episode, we look at some of the strategies a very diverse school district used to quickly come up to speed and thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn how equity scans and a pedagogical help desk provided essential data to allocate resources where they were most needed. Follow on Twitter: @p_gartland @Coquitlam_IntEd @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd Related Resources – MicrosoftEDU: Education Reimagined: Remote to Hybrid Learning Ms. Patricia Gartland h...
2020 Was a Wakeup Call for School Leaders: Here’s What We Did Once We Opened Our Eyes
April 02, 2021 14:33 - 11 minutes2020 opened our eyes to the gaping holes in our capacity to ensure learning continuity under all conditions. In this episode, we speak with the superintendent of Duval County School system, one of the largest in the country about how they responded to their wake-up call. Follow on Twitter: @DuvalSchools @DrDianaGreene @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd Related Resources - MicrosoftEDU: Education Reimagined: Remote to Hybrid Learning | Duval school leaders share ...
Learning Loss or a Different Kind of Learning?
March 31, 2021 13:34 - 12 minutesIn this episode, we talk with the assistant superintendent at a large school district in Florida about how they navigated pandemic learning. Join us as we zero in on the ways the experience has changed how their school system is approaching learning, learning loss, and working with faculty. Follow on Twitter: @1SLPS @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd Related Resources – MicrosoftEDU: St. Lucie Public Schools Education Reimagined: Remote to Hybrid Learning In the s...
The Four Ways We Solved Our Biggest Problem With Remote Teaching and Learning
March 01, 2021 17:38 - 10 hoursMany of us are still struggling with the challenges of teaching during the pandemic. Join us as we talk with the superintendent of one of the largest school districts in the US about the four creative ways they resolved their biggest barrier to remote teaching and learning. Follow on Twitter: @RajAdusumilli @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd Related Resources – MicrosoftEDU- Arlington School District Education Reimagined: Remote to Hybrid Learning Raj Adusumilli i...
Silver Lining: An Invaluable Lesson Learned From Leading Our School District Through Tough Times
March 01, 2021 17:32 - 10 hoursTwo thousand twenty may be the most challenging year in our school’s 150-year history, but it was also one of the best as our school administrators moved from being managers to leaders. Join us as we discuss how we’re totally reinventing a whole lot of what we’ve been doing for a century and a half. Follow on Twitter: @AThompson259 @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Dr. Alicia Thompson’s tenure as superintendent of Wichita Public Schools began formally on July 1, 201...
Helping Students and Teachers Who Are Overwhelmed by Remote and Hybrid Learning
January 05, 2021 21:13 - 10 hoursIn this episode, our guest superintendent shares how her school district is dealing with students who simply disappeared when school shifted to remote learning, teachers who are stressed, and the uncertainty of not knowing is they are doing hybrid teaching well. Follow on Twitter: @FrenshipSuper @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork Related Resources - MicrosoftEDU: Education Reimagined: Remote to Hybrid Learning Frenship Unified puts heart in Texan’s remote Learning Dr. Michelle M...