Digital Learning Today

In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, Jeff welcomes VP of K-12 Strategy, Hillary Scharton and Principal Product Manager for Microsoft Education, Mike Tholfsen on the show to discuss how the Immersive Reader can now be used to help millions of students using the Canvas Learning Management System.

“Reading is foundational to learning, and through this partnership Instructure and Microsoft will help more students of all abilities learn,” said Tara Gunther, VP of partnerships at Instructure. “Accessibility is a top priority for Instructure and we are committed to ensuring our customers have tools that support all levels of learning. Immersive Reader will allow text-to-speech and make text more consumable inside Canvas by offering it in different sizes and colors.”

Immersive Reader demonstrably improves reading comprehension through tools that read text out loud, break it into syllables, and increase spacing between lines and letters. It offers text decoding solutions for students with learning differences such as dyslexia. The learning tool encourages independent reading and provides a teaching aid that helps teachers support students with learning differences.

“Literacy is the foundation of all learning. As students, we go from learning to read in elementary school to reading to learn throughout our lives,” said Mike Tholfsen, Principal Program Manager at Microsoft who helped create the product in the company's Hackathon in 2015. “Canvas users will be empowered by this tool, which unlocks the potential of all learners.”

Hilary Scharton loves education and has worked in it, in some form or another, for her entire career. As VP of K-12 Strategy for Instructure, she sets the strategic vision for how Canvas makes its products even more awesome for students and teachers across the globe while focusing on leveraging technology to support improved instruction and equitable access for all students.

Prior to joining Instructure in 2012, Hilary served as a psychologist for Utah school districts, spending her time focused on RtI and PBIS for schools and classrooms as well as Special Ed assessment. Before that, she worked in higher ed teaching classes in psychology, education, and English at Utah State and Illinois State Universities.

Instructure (NYSE: INST) helps people grow from the first day of school to the last day of work. More than 30 million people use the Canvas Learning Management Platform for schools and the Bridge Employee Development Platform for businesses. More information at www.instructure.com.

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, that develops, manufactures, licenses supports and sells computer software, consumer electronics, and personal computers and services. Its best-known software products are the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, Microsoft Office office suite, and Internet Explorer web browser. Its flagship hardware products are the Xbox game consoles and the Microsoft Surface tablet lineup. It is the world's largest software maker measured by revenues. It is also one of the world's most valuable companies.

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

Are you enjoying the TeacherCast Network, please share your thoughts with the world by commenting on iTunes today? I enjoy reading and sharing your comments on the podcast each week.

Jeff Bradbury (@TeacherCast) is available as a Keynote Speaker, Presenter, or to Broadcast your conference LIVE!

In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, we meet Colorado Science Teacher Ryan Johson who last year, mentored a team of students to the final round of the Conrad Challenge. 

The Conrad Challenge invites teams of 2-5 students between the ages of 13-18, along with a coach (who may be a teacher, administrator, business leader, or another adult) to innovate new products and services that address global issues in one of six categories:

Students interested in joining this year's competition can visit www.ConradChallenge.com. 

Registration is now open for the 2018-2019 Conrad Challenge. Unlike any STEM competition out there, this annual event unleashes the potential of students to leave their mark on the world, using their innovation and entrepreneurial skills to address some of the most pressing global challenges. In its first 13 years, the Challenge has had student participants from more than 70 different countries.

Coaches and judges from the best in business, industry, research and academia worldwide will guide the teams’ innovative ideas. In February 2019, five teams in each challenge category will be chosen as finalists and travel to the annual Innovation Summit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Finalist teams present their innovations before an esteemed panel of judges. Winning teams receive awards, investment opportunities, patent support, business services and scholarships to support the growth of their concepts into real businesses that can make real difference. At the end of the competition, teams maintain ownership of their Intellectual Property.

Interested teams should visit the Registration Form and 2019-2020 Conrad Challenge Overview for more information on this year’s competition. Expert judges will then select semi-finalist teams in each challenge category who will be invited to develop comprehensive business plans for their innovation.

America’s Navy is proud to partner with the Pete Conrad Foundation to carry on the shared tradition of discovery, creativity and problem-solving. For the fourth year, the Navy will sponsor the Conrad Challenge for and present the annual America’s Navy Gemini Award for Distinguished Innovation in the Spirit of Captain Pete Conrad to the team that best demonstrates the Navy’s characteristics of teamwork, innovation and hard work. Navy subject matter experts will also serve as panel judges, offering feedback based on their professional experience and knowledge in medicine, aviation, cyber technology and engineering.

Ryan Johnson is a chemistry and AP chemistry teacher at Doherty High School and an adjunct professor of chemistry at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In addition to research in analytical chemistry and chemistry education, Ryan is excited to be continuing his work with students entering the Conrad Foundation Challenge this year in several categories. He can be reached on Twitter @RyTriGuy.

Are you enjoying the TeacherCast Network, please share your thoughts with the world by commenting on iTunes today? I enjoy reading and sharing your comments on the podcast each week.

Jeff Bradbury (@TeacherCast) is available as a Keynote Speaker, Presenter, or to Broadcast your conference LIVE!

In this episode of the TeacherCast we are having the second podcast in our LEGO Education series all about STEM robotics league, FIRST LEGO League. Some of you who are listeners may be involved in FIRST LEGO League yourselves. Maybe you’re a parent or a teacher who is a coach of FIRST LEGO League or you may have a child who is involved in FIRST LEGO League. As a Master Educator for LEGO Education I’ve been excited to learn more about the program and a few weeks ago held an interview with FIRST LEGO League Jr. Director, Kim Wierman. Today we’ll be talking with LEGO Education’s Head of Program Development, Alisha MacIntyre, all about LEGO Education and FIRST’s newest program for the youngest of learners: FIRST LEGO League Discovery Edition. 

In this episode, you will learn:

• What FIRST LEGO League Jr. Discovery Edition is and why the program was created 
• How FIRST LEGO League Jr. Discovery Edition helps teach the youngest of learners the STEAM concepts they need to know for the future 
• How you can get your students or children involved in FIRST LEGO League Jr. Discovery Edition

Alisha is Head of Program Development. She is responsible for the development and strategy of the FIRST LEGO League programs at LEGO Education, and supporting the global implementation of the programs.

LEGO Education offers playful learning experiences and teaching solutions based on the LEGO system of bricks, curriculum-relevant material, and physical and digital resources to preschool, elementary, middle school and after school. Solutions and resources from LEGO Education enable every student to succeed by encouraging them to become active, collaborative learners, build skills for future challenges, and establish a positive mindset toward learning.

• Website: education.lego.com
• Twitter: @LEGO_Education
• Facebook: facebook.com/LEGOeducationOfficial

FIRST LEGO League is the most accessible, guided, global robotics competition, helping students and teachers to build a better future together. The program is built around theme-based Challenges to engage children ages 9 to 16* in research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering. The foundation of the program is the FIRST Core Values, which emphasize teamwork, discovery, and innovation. Students emerge more confident, excited, and equipped with the skills they need in a changing workforce.

• Website: FIRST inspires.org
• Twitter: @FIRST weets
• Facebook: facebook.com/FIRST Official

• The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network | @TeacherCast

• Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury

Are you enjoying the TeacherCast Network, please share your thoughts with the world by commenting on iTunes today? I enjoy reading and sharing your comments on the podcast each week.

• Host: Jeff Bradbury @TeacherCast | @JeffBradbury
• Email: [email protected]
• Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail
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• Join us LIVE every Tuesday at [8:00] PM EST: http://www.TeacherCast.tv

Jeff Bradbury (@TeacherCast) is available as a Keynote Speaker, Presenter, or to Broadcast your conference LIVE!

Are you looking to start the year off by introducing a fully immersive Digital Classroom? In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, we welcome Lee Wilson from FreshGrade onto the program to discuss several things that teachers should have set up this year in their Digital Classroom.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why should teachers really embrace the concept of a Digital Classroom?
• What are the components of a Digital Classroom? (Learning Network)
• What is an End-to-End Learning Workflow
• How should we be training teachers to create a Digital Classroom?
• How do you use Technology to teach a skill in a way that you couldn’t do with traditional paper-based activities?
• Digital PortfoliosWhat are they?
• How to create them?
• Different types of PortfoliosDraft Portfolios
• Assessment Portfolios
• Capstone Portfolios
• Receiving Feedback fromTeachers
• Peer Students
• Parents
• Parent CommunicationHaving real-time communication between student work and parent
• Analog vs Digital ProjectsHow to digitize them for archiving and sharing
• FreshGrade Company History + Overview – Evolving from digital portfolios to learning networks 
• Meeting the Needs of Educators – Problems with app fatigue. It's the age of instant access and schools are behind. The need for personalized learning. The balance between incorporating technology that strengthens ties between people versus isolation with screens. 
• The Shift to Learning Networks – the benefits of an integrated toolset like FreshGrade Next. 

Lee Wilson has worked in the EdTech and publishing space since 1988. His perspective is shaped by 30 years of experience on the business side of the K12 market.

He currently serves as President at FreshGrade Education and previously served as CEO at Filament Games and PCI Education. Wilson has also held executive positions at Apple, Pearson, Harcourt, Common Sense Media, and Chancery Software. Through his consultancy, Headway Strategies, he has worked with over 50 companies across the industry on strategy and go-to-market programs.

Formerly he served on the AEP Board, the SIIA Board, and was involved in the start of SIF and LRMI.

Wilson earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a master’s in business administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

FreshGrade Next gives administrators, teachers, students and families access to a communication system that simplifies interaction and emphasizes engagement. Using the same technology as consumer social media, FreshGrade Next is a learning network that combines elements of lesson planners, portfolios, communication systems and grade books into a seamless experience.

FreshGrade’s education-specific approach to networking equips school leaders with the ability to connect student work and school-wide priorities while supporting a variety of teaching practices. FreshGrade Next simplifies instruction while driving engagement.

• Twitter (@FreshGrade): https://twitter.com/FreshGrade  
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshGrade 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/freshgrade  
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/FreshGradeVideo  

• The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network | @TeacherCast

• Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

• https://www.freshgrade.com/
• https://www.freshgrade.com/community/blog/
• https://learning.freshgrade.com/

Are you enjoying the TeacherCast Network, please share your thoughts with the world by commenting on iTunes today? I enjoy reading and sharing your comments on the podcast each week.

• Host: Jeff Bradbury @TeacherCast | @JeffBradbury
• Email: [email protected]
• Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail
• YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/YouTube
• iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/iTunes

• TeacherCast Podcast (http://www.teachercast.net/tcp)
• Educational Podcasting Today (http://www.educationalpodcasting.today)
• The TechEducator Podcast (http://www.techeducatorpodcast.com)
• Ask The Tech Coach (http://www.AskTheTechCoach.com)

Jeff Bradbury (@TeacherCast) is available as a Keynote Speaker, Presenter, or to Broadcast your conference LIVE!

In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, Jeff welcomes writer, author, and entrepreneur Shane DeRolf from BigWordClub on the program to talk about how teachers can start with a single idea and turn it into a profitable business concept.

If you have an idea that you would like to turn into something special, please visit www.BuildYourEDUBrand.com to learn how we can work together this year to help you on your entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode, we discuss:

Shane DeRolf brings more than 30 years of children’s publishing, television production, and executive management to his role as founder and Chief Executive Officer of Big Word Club. His unique talent for molding ideas into successful ventures has led to a powerful track record in creating and building successful start-ups in children’s media, toys, and games. Shane’s latest venture, Big Word Club, is an evidence-based, award-winning digital learning program that uses books, songs, animation, and dance to improve preschool and early elementary school children’s vocabularies in an attempt to help close the Word Gao in America. Big Word Club was recently the focus of 12-month MIT-funded randomized control trial that was implemented by the University of Chicago and the University of Toronto. The results were excellent.

Prior to Big Word Club, Shane was the founder and CEO of Big Green Rabbit, a four-time Emmy award-winning children’s preschool television series that aired on PBS in 2008-10. Prior to Big Green Rabbit, Shane served as the president of Random House Entertainment, where he wrote the best-selling children’s book, “The Crayon Box That Talked,” which has sold close to two million copies to date. While at Random House Entertainment, Shane created and produced “The Crayon Box,” a preschool children’s television series in national syndication.  Prior to that, Shane served as co-founder and Partner of World POG™ Federation, the marketing company that transformed an idea into an international toy phenomenon with sales of more than $175 million in two years. 

Shane began his career in children’s television by creating the groundbreaking and critically acclaimed “Zazoo U” for Fox Kid’s Network in 1991. As a result of his work on Zazoo U, Shane was asked to conceive and lead the branding effort for the young network that helped it become the #1 children’s television network in the world.

In addition to his passion for building successful companies, Shane's zeal for social justice and education has led him to produce award-winning children's television programming and PSA's for the Ad Council, including the Emmy nominated “Watts On Your Mind,” the largest national children's communications campaign in the history of the Ad Council and the EPA. His extensive body of work has caught the attention of such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe and U.S. News and World Report, which wrote that with Shane DeRolf, “a single, eccentric imagination is clearly at work.”

Shane is the author of six children's books, including “The Crayon Box That Talked” and is a recipient of the Partners in Public Service Award of Excellence from the National Broadcast Association. Shane’s is an 11-time Emmy award-winning writer, producer, director, and composer.

Are you enjoying the TeacherCast Network, please share your thoughts with the world by commenting on iTunes today? I enjoy reading and sharing your comments on the podcast each week.

Jeff Bradbury (@TeacherCast) is available as a Keynote Speaker, Presenter, or to Broadcast your conference LIVE!

In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, Jeff welcomes the Global Director of Education from Cisco, Renee Patton on the program to discuss the topic of Teachers being Entrepreneurs.  

If you are interested in starting a side business to support your teaching, or if you have ever had a student come to you and say “I have an idea … now, what?” this is a fantastic episode that features tips, tricks, and amazing stories of what is happening in today's classrooms.

Today's podcast is brought to you by the Educational Podcast Directory. The Educational Podcast Directory is now home to over 130 educational podcasts created by teachers … for teachers. Check out the Educational Podcast Directory today and find a new podcast for your next drive to school!

In this episode, we discuss:

• Teachers as Problem Solvers
• Teachers as EntrepreneursHow do you creatively engage your learners?
• Helping students with their ideas to help them learn how to solve challenges
• Where to start your entrepreneurial journey?Make a list of 10 things you are good at doing
• Top 10 things you love to do
• Where is there a need for these skills & abilities
• Top 10 things you would NEVER want to do
• Book: How do you start a consulting company?Create a business planWhat are my core values
• Where do you I think my skills can fit in
• What problems need to be solved?
• How can I help to solve the problems
• What is my target audience
• How am I going to market myself
• How can parents support students with their goals and dreams
• Cisco for EducationCisco Networking Academy Program
• Global Problem Solvers Series
• And how teachers can use technology to create the next generation of creative, innovative thinkers

Renee Patton, Global Director, Education Industry, Cisco

Renee Patton is the leader of the Global Education Industry at Cisco. She and her team help schools, colleges, and universities envision the future of learning and start planning and executing on their vision today. With over 20 years of business, management, sales, and marketing experiences in both small start-ups and large corporations, Renee has managed through adversity and diversity to help customers realize technology solutions that drive business outcomes. Including a Master’s Degree in Education from Stanford, Renee has spent 22 years in education, giving her a clear perspective to address business issues and changing landscapes. Always a curious learner herself, it was after earning her undergraduate degree that she became a high school English and French teacher. She coached cross-country and moderated the student yearbook and newspaper, becoming deeply ingrained in the school culture. She then spent four years on the district side managing policy and a $20M budget for Los Gatos-Saratoga JUHS Board of Trustees, learning firsthand how a district runs and understanding regional challenges. Prior to joining Cisco full time, she ran her own marketing consulting firm for seven years, working with agility to develop strategy and customize marketing programs and projects to meet client needs.

After seven years at Siemens serving as the key global marketing interface with Munich and managing national sales programs, Renee joined Cisco to lead US Education Field Marketing and manage their national E-rate Program. She then served as Global Industry Vertical Team Manager and Marketing Education Lead within Cisco’s Corporate Marketing Organization where she was responsible for content marketing, positioning, and strategy. In her current role, she helps deliver $2B of education sales per year to Cisco. Later, she developed and executed the education industry strategy for Cisco within the US Public Sector organization and led an international cross-functional team to expand Cisco’s influence across the globe.

Renee is excited about the future of education and the trends driving massive shifts in how always-connected students are learning today. Working with customers, Renee and her team are deploying technology that addresses new educational approaches and supports ways to better engage learners, prepare teachers, secure institutions, and improve efficiency.

Renee is a Lions’ Club Member and involved in her local community. She holds a B.A. degree in English from Santa Clara University and an M.A. in Education from Stanford University.

Over dinner at her home in Los Gatos, CA, you can catch Renee talking about a Ted talk that inspired her, new ways students are learning, Italian cooking, travel, and her family.

• Company Website: www.Cisco.com
• Twitter @Cisco
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube

• The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network | @TeacherCast

• Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

• Teachers as Entrepreneurs: Applying EdTech for Better Learning Outcomes
• Teachers as Problem Solvers
• Global Problem Solvers
• Cisco Connected Educators Program
• Why Cisco for Education?

Are you enjoying the TeacherCast Network, please share your thoughts with the world by commenting on iTunes today? I enjoy reading and sharing your comments on the podcast each week.

• Host: Jeff Bradbury @TeacherCast | @JeffBradbury
• Email: [email protected]
• Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail
• YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/YouTube
• iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/iTunes

• TeacherCast Podcast (http://www.teachercast.net/tcp)
• Educational Podcasting Today (http://www.educationalpodcasting.today)
• The TechEducator Podcast (http://www.techeducatorpodcast.com)
• Ask The Tech Coach (http://www.AskTheTechCoach.com)

• Jeff Bradbury (@TeacherCast) is available as a Keynote Speaker, Presenter, or to Broadcast your conference LIVE!

In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, Jeff welcomes EdTechTeam founder and CEO, Dr. Mark Wagner on the program to discuss why it's vitally important for teachers to help students understand how they each can create their own future by setting goals and helping them on their path to achieving them.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Who is Mark Wagner?
• The History of EdTechTeamFrom concept to consumer
• From local to global
• Summits
• Services
• Press
• Student Voice Foundation
• Dynamic Learning Project
• More Now (Available on Amazon and EdtechTeam Press)
• Becoming the Architect of the Possible
• The Honeycomb of School Change
• Courageous Leaders
• Empowered teachers
• Student Agency
• Inspiring Spaces
• Robust Infrastructure
• Engaged Community
• Advice for Teachers looking to build their own brand and move away from the classroom

Formerly a high school English teacher, Dr. Mark Wagner has since served as an educational technology coordinator at the site, district, and county levels. He now serves as President and CEO of the EdTechTeam, a global network of educational technologists which provides professional development and consulting services to learning institutions, non-profits, and for-profit education companies. The EdTechTeam is a California Benefit Corporation with a mission to improve the world’s education systems using the best technology and pedagogy available. They aim to inspire and empower other educators to do the same.

In this capacity, Dr. Wagner leads a global series of EdTechTeam Summits featuring Google for Education. Involved in leading the Google Teacher Academy since 2006, he now helps oversee the Google for Education Certified Innovator Program. He has also been the professional development coordinator for CUE, the educational technology coordinator for the California League of Schools (CLS), and the provider of the technology module for the Orange County Department of Educations’s Administrator Training Program. In addition, he works directly with school districts, independent schools, and other organizations that provide educational products and services.

Mark Wagner has a Ph.D. in Educational Technology and a master’s degree in cross-cultural education. His doctoral research focused on the use of video games in education, and specifically on the potential applications of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) as constructivist learning environments. He is the author of More Now: A Message from The Future for The Educators of Today (2018).

Outside of his work, Mark loves playing hockey, practicing martial arts, and obsessing over his ’62 beetle. He enjoys songwriting, spending time in nature, and exploring the world with his friends and family. He lives in Irvine, California with his wife, Eva, and boys Clark and Finn. Naturally, he’s a U2 fan.

Links of Interest

• twitter.com/markwagner
• facebook.com/markdouglaswagner
• linkedin.com/in/markdouglaswagner

• The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network | @TeacherCast

• Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

• EdTechTeam
• @EdTechTeam on Twitter
• EdTechTeam Events
• EdtechTeam Online Courses

Are you enjoying the TeacherCast Network, please share your thoughts with the world by commenting on iTunes today? I enjoy reading and sharing your comments on the podcast each week.

• Host: Jeff Bradbury @TeacherCast | @JeffBradbury
• Email: [email protected]
• Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail
• YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/YouTube
• iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/iTunes

• TeacherCast Podcast (http://www.teachercast.net/tcp)
• Educational Podcasting Today (http://www.educationalpodcasting.today)
• The TechEducator Podcast (http://www.techeducatorpodcast.com)
• Ask The Tech Coach (http://www.AskTheTechCoach.com)

• Jeff Bradbury (@TeacherCast) is available as a Keynote Speaker, Presenter, or to Broadcast your conference LIVE!

In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, we welcome Steve Halliwell and Cheryl Miller on the program from Promethean to discuss how technology can assist our teachers in the classroom.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How do we define Gamification?
• Grading
• Badging
• How to demonstrate proficiency
• Goal Setting (Putting the students in charge of their learning)
• Asking students to play a variety of rolls
• Bringing the competitive nature of Sports into the classroom
• Why gamification is a necessity in today’s classrooms
• The impact of technology on lesson delivery
• How gamified learning drives personalized experiences

Promethean is a global education company that improves learning productivity by developing, integrating, and implementing innovative 21st-century learning environments. At Promethean, our goal is to reimagine and reinvent educational technologies that engage and empower the classroom, and we do it all for the love of learning. Headquartered in Seattle, Wash., Promethean is a member of the Net Dragon Websoft Holdings Limited group of companies. For more information, please visit PrometheanWorld.com.

• Camp Promethean
• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

Cheryl Miller is the Chief Marketing Officer at Promethean. She has over 20 years in the tech industry and joins Promethean from Microsoft where she was the GM of the One Commercial Partner Team, leading the worldwide go-to-market efforts. Cheryl was responsible for creating and driving accelerated success with partners through depth and breadth marketing initiatives. Prior to Microsoft, Cheryl was VP of Marketing at F5 Networks where she was responsible for all aspects of corporate marketing and led the creation and launch of F5 Synthesis and Software Defined Application Services. She also spent 11 years at Symantec in various product teams including four years leading the Huawei Symantec Joint Venture program office and investment. Early in her career she worked on open source software at VA Linux in product marketing, and started her tech career in distribution selling semiconductors at Arrow Electronics. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration.

Steve joined Promethean in October 2017 and leads the Product organization as Chief Product Officer. Steve is also responsible for general management and driving revenue/profitability for the Americas Markets. This includes all customer-facing activities – sales, marketing, partners, education consulting and channel.

Prior to joining Promethean, Steve most recently held Executive Leadership roles at Amazon Web Services (AWS) since 2011. Steve started the Education and the Healthcare/Life Sciences verticals in addition to running the West Area commercial business. Prior to Amazon, Steve held progressive sales leadership roles in the technology sector with both Hewlett Packard and Microsoft. Steve brings to Promethean over 20 years of experience in both the public and commercial sectors, focusing on top-line growth strategy/execution and identifying new market share opportunities as well as building customer-centric organizations, vertical market penetration, and developing strategies for the efficient cost of sales resulting in margin growth.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational & Industrial Psychology from Penn State University.

• The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network | @TeacherCast
• Edtech in the Classroom Homepage – www.EdtechInTheClassroom.com 

• Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

• Does Gamification Enhance Learning?
• Teaching the iGeneration

Are you enjoying the TeacherCast Network, please share your thoughts with the world by commenting on iTunes today? I enjoy reading and sharing your comments on the podcast each week.

• Host: Jeff Bradbury @TeacherCast | @JeffBradbury
• Email: [email protected]
• Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail
• YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/YouTube
• iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/iTunes

• Educational Podcasting Today (http://www.educationalpodcasting.today)
• The TechEducator Podcast (http://www.techeducatorpodcast.com)
• Ask The Tech Coach (http://www.AskTheTechCoach.com)

• Join us LIVE every Tuesday at [8:00] PM EST: http://www.TeacherCast.tv

Jeff Bradbury (@TeacherCast) is available as a Keynote Speaker, Presenter, or to Broadcast your conference LIVE!

In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, we speak with Kim Wierman to learn about the FIRST LEGO League. For more than 30 years, FIRST has partnered with LEGO Education to provide outstanding collaborative learning environments and student competitions that ask teams of students to use the LEGO brick to solve a real-world problem.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What is FIRST LEGO League?
• FIRST LEGO League vs FIRST LEGO League Jr
• LEGO Mindstorms
• Professional Development for Teachers
• What do FIRST LEGO League competitions look like?How do you prepare for competitions?
• What do the kits look like and cost?
• How to get involved as a teacher & school district 

• Website: FIRST legoleague.org
• Twitter: @FIRST legoleague

 LEGO Education offers playful learning experiences and teaching solutions based on the LEGO system of bricks, curriculum-relevant material, and physical and digital resources to preschool, elementary, middle school and after school. Solutions and resources from LEGO Education enable every student to succeed by encouraging them to become active, collaborative learners, build skills for future challenges, and establish a positive mindset toward learning.

• Website: education.lego.com
• Twitter: @LEGO_Education
• Facebook: facebook.com/LEGOeducationOfficial

FIRST LEGO League is the most accessible, guided, global robotics competition, helping students and teachers to build a better future together. The program is built around theme-based Challenges to engage children ages 9 to 16* in research, problem-solving, coding, and engineering. The foundation of the program is the FIRST Core Values, which emphasize teamwork, discovery, and innovation. Students emerge more confident, excited, and equipped with the skills they need in a changing workforce.

• Website: FIRST inspires.org
• Twitter: @FIRST weets
• Facebook: facebook.com/FIRST Official

• The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network | @TeacherCast

• Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

• FIRST LEGO League website: http://www.firstlegoleague.org/

Are you enjoying the TeacherCast Network, please share your thoughts with the world by commenting on iTunes today? I enjoy reading and sharing your comments on the podcast each week.

•    Host: Jeff Bradbury @TeacherCast | @JeffBradbury
•    Email: [email protected]
•    Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail
•    YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/YouTube
•    iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/iTunes

• TeacherCast Podcast (http://www.teachercast.net/tcp)
• Educational Podcasting Today (http://www.educationalpodcasting.today)
• The TechEducator Podcast (http://www.techeducatorpodcast.com)
• Ask The Tech Coach (http://www.AskTheTechCoach.com)

Need a Presenter?

·   Jeff Bradbury (@TeacherCast) is available as a Keynote Speaker, Presenter, or to Broadcast your conference LIVE!

In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, Jeff welcomes Travis Allen from iSchool Initiative on the program to discuss why it's important for teachers to allow students to have the opportunity to solve real-world problems in the classroom.

I had the privilege of meeting Travis this year at ISTE where he and his team at iSchool Initiative partnered with Cisco to create an immersive, gamified, breakout experience that had 20,000 teachers buzzing during the entire conference.  In this interview, you will learn how Travis took his first steps at becoming an entrepreneur during his teenage years, and how he is turnkeying those experiences into helping other students create their own paths through a program called SLED: Students Leading Education.

In this episode, we discuss:

Travis Allen is a young visionary promoting technology and culture readiness within the learning environment. Before graduating from high school, Travis created a viral YouTube video on revolutionizing America’s education through the use of mobile technology. While in college, he started a company, iSchool Initiative, which focuses on empowering students with a voice. With the support of his team, Travis has presented in over 45 states and 11 countries, allowing him to reach an audience of over 300,000 people! He has been featured on CNN, Huffington Post and Forbes. In 2011, he was the winner of Google Young Minds competition; in 2012, he was invited to the White House for Education Datapalooza; and in 2015 he won the GA Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Travis is quickly becoming one of the most influential leaders of the emerging digital learning movement.

Why we are here iSchool Initiative exists because we saw a significant need to improve and support Education in America. The tools that our students have at their disposal and the amount of information that is readily available has created a need for a new set of skills in today’s world. Students must become passionate, lifelong learners who have the ability to problem-solve and manage an unknown future. Unfortunately, the system is antiquated – leaving our students unprepared.

Our Vision – Help create and define a new type of learning environment. Our services are designed to challenge the status quo and ask what learning should look like given the tools and information at our disposal.

Our Mission Help schools embrace technology and create a positive culture of lifelong learning. We do this by: 

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