In this episode of the Bamboo Beat, Nicole Hiers engages with guests Cristin Klute and Dr. Mitzi Fehl-Seward to discuss the importance of alignment services in education, the role of standards of learning, and how these services support educators in Virginia. They explore the customizable approach of Elevate's alignment services, the challenges of adopting new standards, and the joy of engaging learning experiences through well-crafted standards. The conversation highlights the collaborative efforts between Elevate and educational institutions to enhance teaching and learning.

In this episode of the Bamboo Beat podcast, hosts Nicole Hiers and Tim Mason discuss the integration of Lucid with Canvas, exploring its collaborative tools, organizational features, and interactive activities that enhance student engagement. Special guest Mark Sluzky shares insights on how Lucid supports project-based learning and offers best practices for educators looking to incorporate this powerful tool into their teaching.
TAKEAWAYS:

• Lucid is a powerful tool for collaboration and ideation.
• The integration of Lucid with Canvas enhances the learning experience.
• Students can engage in real-time collaboration using Lucid Spark.
• Lucid offers organizational features like Frames for content management.
• Interactive activities in Lucid drive student engagement and learning.
• Teachers can monitor group work through breakout boards in Lucid.
• Lucid provides a safe space for students to brainstorm privately.
• The workflow for students using Lucid is intuitive and user-friendly.
• Lucid can be used for both individual and group assignments.
• Educators should encourage students to explore Lucid before using it for assignments.

In this episode of the Bamboo Beat, hosts Nicole Hiers and Tim Mason discuss Instructure's certified programs with guest Erin Keefe, the project manager for certified programs at Instructure. Erin shares the history and growth of the certified programs, including the Canvas Certified Educator (CCE) and Canvas Certified Technical Admin (CCTA) programs. She also introduces two new programs, Mastery Certified Educator (MCE) and Instructure Credentials Innovator (ICI). Darcy Priester and Joe Cox, participants in the beta programs, share their experiences and the long-term benefits they have gained. 

The conversation highlights the unique features of the certified programs, such as the focus on practical application, the absence of seat time and tests, and the support and engagement of facilitators and peers. 

Takeaways:

• Instructure offers certified programs, including Canvas Certified Educator (CCE) and Canvas Certified Technical Admin (CCTA), to help educators strengthen their use of Canvas and elevate their instructional practices.
• Two new programs, Mastery Certified Educator (MCE) and Instructure Credentials Innovator (ICI), have been added to the certified programs lineup.
• The certified programs are designed by educators for educators, with a focus on practical application and real-world experiences.
• The programs incorporate a continuous improvement model, with feedback from participants and facilitators driving updates and enhancements.
• Participants in the certified programs benefit from a supportive community of peers and facilitators, who provide guidance, share best practices, and offer practical solutions.
• Institutions can prioritize which programs to enroll in based on their specific needs and goals, such as teaching with Canvas, administering Canvas, using Mastery Connect, or implementing digital badging and credentials.

In this episode, Nicole and Tim share their top 10 tips for a successful back to school season. They discuss the importance of organization, using what you already have, effective communication, playing in a sandbox, focusing on the students, creating engaging content, leveraging technology, setting clear expectations, building relationships, and taking care of yourself as an educator. These tips provide practical advice for teachers to navigate the challenges of the new school year. In this episode, Nicole and Tim provide 10 tips for educators to start the school year strong. The tips include organizing course materials, utilizing existing resources, effective communication, exploring new tools, focusing on student-centered learning, analyzing data for improvement, personalizing the learning experience, saving time with technology, setting clear expectations, and maintaining work-life balance. These tips aim to help educators create a positive and productive learning environment, engage students, and continuously grow as professionals.
Takeaways:

• Organize your courses and materials to create a clear and structured learning environment.
• Reuse and recycle content from previous courses to save time and effort.
• Communicate effectively with students using various tools and strategies.
• Create a sandbox course to experiment and plan your curriculum.
• Focus on building relationships and creating a supportive classroom community.
• Use technology to enhance engagement and deliver personalized instruction.
• Set clear expectations for students and provide regular feedback.
• Take care of yourself as an educator to avoid burnout and maintain well-being. Organize course materials to create a structured and efficient learning environment.
• Utilize existing resources and tools to save time and enhance teaching strategies.
• Communicate effectively with students and set clear expectations for assignments and behavior.
• Explore new tools and technologies to engage students and personalize the learning experience.
• Analyze data to identify areas for improvement and adjust teaching strategies accordingly.
• Focus on student-centered learning to create a positive and inclusive classroom environment.
• Save time by using technology for grading, feedback, and administrative tasks.
• Set clear expectations for students and establish rules and procedures for collaboration and assignments.
• Continuously learn and grow as an educator by staying up-to-date with trends and seeking professional development opportunities.
• Maintain work-life balance by setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care.

In this episode, Nicole and guest co-host Tim are joined by Loryn Martini to discuss setting and achieving goals in both personal and professional life. They explore the importance of prioritizing goals, breaking them down into manageable tasks, and overcoming barriers. They also discuss the concept of SMART goals and how they can help in goal achievement. The conversation emphasizes the need for flexibility, seeking support, and finding joy in the process. They explore the importance of goal setting and provide strategies for effective goal setting. The conversation also discusses the role of accountability and support in achieving goals, as well as the importance of setting boundaries and finding balance. It suggests resources such as TED Talks, books by Adam Grant, Simon Sinek, and Malcolm Gladwell, and the Life Wheel as tools for goal setting.

In this episode, Nicole Hiers welcomes Tina Cassidy and Sam Mathis to discuss the impact of Instructure's tool adoption platform, Impact. They explore the three main pillars of Impact: messaging, support, and insights, and how these contribute to an institution's adoption goals. They also discuss the life cycle of Impact, its creative uses, and the importance of cross-functional collaboration in maximizing its potential. The episode concludes with advice for institutions looking to maximize the potential of Impact.

In this episode, we dive into the world of standards-based grading and its important role in education. Our discussion centers around the use of Mastery Connect and Canvas Outcomes as essential tools for assessing student mastery skills effectively. Our guests share their personal experiences and insights on utilizing these platforms to enhance the teaching and learning process. We explore the advantages of Mastery Connect in supporting standards-based grading and its positive impact on student learning outcomes.

In this episode of the Bamboo Beat host Nicole Hiers welcomes special guests Cory Chitwood, Sam Christ, and Danielle Lentz to discuss the diverse training options available through Instructure. The conversation delves into the evolution of training over the years, emphasizing the importance of community and user-centered approaches. From insights on the Training Services Portal and its new Checklist resource to personal anecdotes from live training sessions, the episode offers valuable advice for administrators and educators looking to enhance their Instructure product knowledge. With practical tips and reflections on their experiences, the guests highlight the significance of continuous learning and collaboration within the Instructure community.

Check out the blog post referenced in this episode and our new Training Services Portal Checklist.

This episode of the Bamboo Beat with Nicole Hiers celebrates International Women's Day and Women's History Month. The conversation highlights the history of International Women's Day and the contributions of women throughout history. It also focuses on the women at Instructure who have shaped the company and the personal and professional growth of the speakers. The episode emphasizes the importance of empowerment, mentorship, and support for women in the workplace. It concludes by recognizing the impact of educators and the influence of family in shaping individuals. Overall, the episode celebrates the achievements and contributions of women and encourages listeners to continue creating history.

In this episode, Melissa Loble and Ryan Lufkin interview Matthew Pittinsky, the founder of Parchment, the world’s largest academic credential management platform and network that was recently acquired by Instructure. They discuss Parchment's history, mission, and role in the education industry. The conversation highlights the importance of serving the lifelong learner, improving credentialing processes, and addressing student mobility. The episode concludes with a discussion on the culture and accomplishments of Parchment and the vision for the future.