Big Ideas in Education

The Big Ideas team is back in the Academica Media studio this week, and they have some great education topics to share with you! First, Sarah, Mike and Ryan discuss National Novel Writing Month and the importance of getting students to do more personal, narrative-style writing assignments where they have the opportunity to find their unique voice as a writer. Sarah mentions the Veteran's Story Project and the American Creed writing project as great resources in this area. Next, our hosts discuss a recent Washington Post article by Professor Daniel Willingham discussing the controversial debate regarding the use of phonics versus a whole language approach to teach reading. Finally, the team talks about the emerging phenomenon of maker faires in schools and how students can benefit from having maker education in the school environment. The hosts give shout-outs to Joe Mazza (@makerdads) and Michael Lomuscio (@michaellomuscio), who are doing great things in this area.

Articles:

National Novel Writing Month: https://bit.ly/2gIvBp7
National Writing Project American Creed: https://bit.ly/2PBnugU
Phonics vs. Whole Language Article: https://wapo.st/2JAwlKj
How "Makers" Make the Classroom More Inclusive: https://nyti.ms/2Pw9Ziz

Hosts: Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye), Mike Hernandez (@edtechmichael), Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair)

This week, the show is broadcasting its second and final episode from the Florida Charter School Conference in Orlando. We are back in the Academica Media Studio next week! First, Sarah, Mike, and Ryan talk about a recent article in Ed Week outlining actionable strategies that principals can employ to fortify relationships with their teachers and boost teacher retention in the process. Next, our hosts discuss Hispanic Heritage Month and what schools can do to avoid superficial celebrations of Hispanic heritage and embrace a deeper dive into the wide variety of cultures we celebrate in September and October. The show closes by talking about an Ed Week article by Rhett Oldham about how teachers can use smartphones to enhance classroom learning.

Articles:

https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2018/10/17/what-principals-can-do-to-keep-good.html

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/global_learning/2018/10/4_ways_to_integrate_smartphones_into_your_classroom.html


Hosts: Sarah Fye (@readwithfye), Mike Hernandez, Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair)

Welcome to Big Ideas in Education! Each week, the BIIE hosts will bring you their favorite topical stories of inspiration and innovation in your schools. But this show is more than just an education news show; our diverse panel of education professionals are to inform you, to motivate you, and to provide you with actionable tips to make you the best teacher, administrator, student, or education advocate that you can be.

This week, the show is broadcasting from the exhibit hall at the Florida Charter School Conference in Orlando. Our hosts discuss the latest insights in improving teacher recruitment, retention, and recognition. They also talk about the innovative model of the Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School in Okeechobee, Florida. Pemayetv Emahakv was the talk of the Conference, both for its incredible program designed to preserve and strengthen the Seminole culture, as well as for the fact that its fourth grade math teacher Joy Prescott was recognized as the 2019 Florida Teacher of the Year. Ms. Prescott is the first charter school teacher in Florida to receive this honor (Congratulations, Ms. Prescott!).

Hosts: Sarah Fye (@readwithfye), Mike Hernandez, Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair)