With school back in session, things have changed. Again. Many schools have gone back to virtual or hybrid and that's wreaking havoc on kids, teachers, parents, administrators, and the general public. So we're leaning again (still?) on technology and innovation.

Though the increased rates of COVID is scary and unfortunate, this is an opportunity to embrace new ways of doing things. New ways that we should have been using well before the pandemic.

This week on the podcast, I'm talking again with Meg Ormiston, an educational consultant, about how schools can solve the challenges of remote learning without disrupting the classroom climate. We offer real solutions based on what we're seeing schools do right and I sincerely hope that some of these ideas get traction on a wider scale.

We also discuss the EdActive Collective and the second annual EdActive summit, which is coming in April 2022.

About Meg Ormiston:

Meg Ormiston, in her role as a consultant, partners with school systems that have committed to 21st century learning experiences for everyone. Meg creates a unique partnership in each district, reflecting the mission, vision, and direction that local leaders identify. Her districtwide projects include guiding teams through the visioning process, designing and delivering professional development, facilitating classroom modeling, developing student leaders in technology, and educating parents.

Meg is the lead author in the NOW Classrooms series of five books all published in 2018. The books, written by 27 practicing educators, are organized into grade bands of k-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and leadership guide. The NOW Classrooms: Lessons for Enhancing Teaching and Learning Through Technology books are practical and sequence technology skills k-12. The 3-5 NOW book was awarded a Teachers Choice Award by Learning Magazine. Also, Meg was named as "2018's Most Influential People in EdTech" by Tech and Learning Magazine.

After twelve years teaching and coaching in the classroom, Meg volunteered on her local school board, facilitated grant projects, and continued researching and writing about best practices.

To learn more about Meg's work, follow @megormi on Twitter.

Jump Through the Conversation:

• [1:59] - Survival mode in schools vs. evolution
• [4:44] - New year, new variant
• [6:25] - Keeping teachers on front line
• [8:35] - A new (positive!) trend Meg sees
• [10:36] - Giving students choices
• [12:15] - Step back and ask students what they want their post-pandemic portfolio to look like
• [13:18] - We've lost track of students
• [16:48] - There's so many places to learn
• [19:08] - Educational professionals pulling together
• [22:24] - Turbo Time
• [35:36] - Meg's magic wand - continue to collaborate together, hear different voices, ideas and approaches - together we're smarter; let's share our wisdom
• [36:29] Maureen's takeaways

Links and Resources:

• Outschool mini-courses
• MOOCs, an extension of edx.org
• EdActive Collective 2021 summit presentations
• Calm app for sleep and meditation
• 10% Happier mindfulness app
• Roblox game
• Dr. Stacy Gonzalez, virtual empowerment coach
• The Metaverse
• Email Maureen

• Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools

• The Education Evolution
• Facebook: Follow Education Evolution
• Twitter: Follow Education Evolution
• LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution
• EdActive Collective
• Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids

• Micro-school feature on Good Morning America
• The Micro-School Coalition
• Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition
• LEADPrep