edWebcasts

This edWeb podcast is sponsored by News Literacy Project.
The webinar recording can be accessed here.

Conspiracy theories are rampant on social media, particularly related to hyperpartisan political beliefs as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. More importantly, though, the thought processes, cognitive dissonance and biases that lead to beliefs in conspiracy theories are even more common. Most of us engage in some form of conspiratorial thinking regularly, yet somehow don’t fall victim to belief in one or more conspiracy theories. What’s different about people who do?

This edWeb podcast explores the psychological and cognitive factors behind conspiratorial thinking, including the role of fears and anxiety, cognitive dissonance and biases, motivated reasoning and institutional cynicism. The presenters discuss the ways conspiracy theories exploit emotions as well as how they fill emotional needs. As part of this session, the presenters also provide instructional resources for integrating these concepts into your curriculum, including our new, interactive lesson which is part of the Checkology virtual classroom.

This edWeb podcast is of interest to teachers, librarians, and school and district leaders of the middle school through higher education levels.

Learn more about viewing live edWeb presentations and on-demand recordings, earning CE certificates, and using accessibility features.

This edWeb podcast is sponsored by The New Meridian Science Exchange.
The edLeader Panel recording can be accessed here.

As schools around the country struggle with uncertainty, many states continue their efforts to implement three-dimensional science standards, a difficult process under the best of conditions. Listen to this edWeb podcast to hear how educators can highlight the value of science education and continue implementing next-generation standards while meeting the challenges brought by COVID-19. 

Jim Pellegrino, Ph.D., an education expert from the University of Illinois at Chicago, moderates a roundtable discussion that will address the current challenges in science education and the critical changes needed to ensure children have the STEM skills to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce. 

Our expert panel will offer insight on science education research, curricula, assessment, professional development and policy, including:

• The implications of distance science education and growing equity gaps
• The complexities of transitioning to three-dimensional science standards
• What can be done to keep science education in the local and federal spotlight

Listeners learn what they can do to effect change in science programs today and how they can prepare for the future of science education. This edWeb podcast is of interest to elementary through higher education school and district leaders, state education leaders, assessment directors, and curriculum directors. 

Learn more about viewing live edWeb presentations and on-demand recordings, earning CE certificates, and using accessibility features.

This edWeb podcast is hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association.
The webinar recording can be accessed here.

Since COVID-19 disrupted schools in March 2020, access to mental health services is more essential than ever for students and staff. As a result of the global pandemic and a mission to meet the needs of each student, Duval County Public Schools has developed an “organic” rising of community support systems to address mental health needs. 

Join the 2021 Florida Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Diana L. Greene, as she and her colleagues share insights into mental health curriculums, advocacy and policies to ensure mental health services for ALL students. Community support has been pivotal to designing behavioral and mental health supports in a blended environment. Dr. Greene discusses intentional steps the district is taking to address disparities with mental health access and service delivery. Dr. Gregory Bostic, Principal of Jean Ribault High School, Katrina Taylor, Duval County Public School’s Director of School Behavioral Health and Full Service Schools Program, and Charis Scurry, Community Partnership Coordinator for the Wolfson Children’s School Based Health Centers at Ribault Senior High School, share how they are applying the system’s design in mental health advocacy within the schoolhouse gates. 

Essential questions include:

• What are the basic elements of a district’s strong mental health program before, during and after a worldwide pandemic? 
• How do district leaders work with community partners to meet the needs of a growing mental health crisis for students and staff? 
• What are the next steps for district leaders who are finding themselves needing to develop social and emotional learning and support systems for staff and students? 

Listeners learn about strategies to address systemic disparities and inequities in order to benefit all students. This edWeb podcast is of particular value to school superintendents, K-12 school and district leaders, and aspiring leaders.

Learn more about viewing live edWeb presentations and on-demand recordings, earning CE certificates, and using accessibility features.

This edWeb podcast is sponsored by Common Sense Education.
The webinar recording can be accessed here.

A new year is like a blank book. As we begin to write our 2021 story, it is critical to recognize the importance of our well-being as well as others’. In this edWeb podcast we share resources, tips and strategies to celebrate those small wins in life. As we dive into the social and emotional realm, we hope that participants find inspiration in this presentation and motivation within for a dynamic 2021. 

This edWeb podcast is of interest to teachers and librarians at the elementary through high school levels. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation.

Learn more about viewing live edWeb presentations and on-demand recordings, earning CE certificates, and using accessibility features.

This edWeb podcast is sponsored by EVERFI.
The webinar recording can be accessed here.

Students’ well-being and social development are inseparably interwoven with their understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion. By centering equity in your work as an educator, you are not only ensuring that students have equal access to opportunities, but also investing in students’ social-emotional skills—the very foundation from which emotional intelligence and social IQ are born. 

If we hope to impart social-emotional skills to our students, we have to first have a conversation that includes the whole person each of our students is, and that includes their understanding of and relationship with diversity. Too often, our discomfort with a topic translates to avoidance, but we can’t expect our colleagues who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color to be the only educators in the building willing to have these conversations—the burden is too great to bear, and the stakes for all students are just too high. 

In this edWeb podcast, educators Stephanie Williams from Norman Public Schools (OK) and Darbie Valenti from St. Joseph School District (MO)  illustrate what it means to center your work in equity, and the far-reaching impact that can have. 

This edWeb podcast is of interest to K-12 teachers, librarians, school and district leaders, and counselors.

Learn more about viewing live edWeb presentations and on-demand recordings, earning CE certificates, and using accessibility features.

This edWeb podcast is sponsored by the National Coalition for Technology in Education and Training.
The edLeader Panel recording can be accessed here.

In this edWeb podcast, NCTET will present eight Community Builder Awards and its Equity Advocate Award. Throughout its history, NCTET has bestowed the NCTET Community Builder Award on a diverse and bipartisan cross section of leaders who have made a difference in education. This year, there are nine distinguished leaders in five different categories to receive the 2020 NCTET Community Builder Award:

• Government: Gov. Jared Polis (D-CO) and Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO)
• Nonprofit: Sylvia Acevedo, former Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts USA, and Sal Khan, Founder, Khan Academy
• Corporate: Google and Kajeet
• Educators: Chris Dede, Timothy E. Wirth Professor in Learning Technologies, Harvard’s Graduate School of Education (HGSE) and Hero Educators of COVID
• The Equity Advocate Award Recipient is Hon. John King, President and CEO, Education Trust 

After the presentation of the awards, Dr. John King, Jr. moderates a panel discussion that focuses on how the incoming Biden-Harris Administration will address digital equity as a policy priority. 

Please listen to this special event to welcome in the Biden-Harris Administration. This edWeb podcast is of interest to all educators and members of the education industry.

Learn more about viewing live edWeb presentations and on-demand recordings, earning CE certificates, and using accessibility features.

This edWeb podcast is hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association.
The webinar recording can be accessed here.

We are on a multi-month journey of supporting student learning from a distance across the nation. While school and district leaders have learned many takeaways during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is nothing more poignant than the bright light shone on the historical, insidious, and abundant inequities in the U.S. educational system. The impact of common problems existing in the brick-and-mortar milieu including high flight from schools and districts with high numbers of linguistically and culturally diverse students to schools with less diversity and more resources has exacerbated the impact on students in this distance learning context. Students living in urban and rural America are dramatically affected by variance access and opportunity. 

While there are many reasons for inequities, including school funding protocols, inequitable access to the internet, and disproportionate distribution of technology devices, school and district leaders are in a position to learn from this experience and take intentional steps to eliminate many of these disparities. Although educational research is replete with benefits of equitable leadership, school transformation and educational policy to combat the impact of conditions of poverty, the system is clearly falling short of meeting the needs of all students. Listen to this edWeb podcast to learn how the Tools of Cultural Proficiency may be used as a framework for leveling the learning field for all students regardless of zip code, home language, and ethnic or racial backgrounds. Dr. Stacie Stanley, Associate Superintendent of Eden Prairie Schools (MN) and co-author of Leading While Female: A Culturally Proficient Response for Gender Equity, will discuss intentional steps to addressing many disparities. Eden Lake Elementary School Principal, Tim Beekmann, and Associate Principal, Valora Unowsky, will share application aspects of the Tools of Cultural Proficiency inside the schoolhouse gates. 

Essential questions for discussion include: 

• What can school leaders learn from the pandemic experience that will make sure intentional steps are taken to eliminate disparities? 
• How can schools transform to combat the impact of conditions of poverty and meet the needs of ALL students? 
• How can Tools of Cultural Proficiency frame action steps for leaders at all levels? 

Listeners learn about strategies to address systemic disparities and inequities in order to benefit all students. This recorded presentation will be of particular value to school superintendents, K-12 school and district leaders, and aspiring leaders.

Learn more about viewing live edWeb presentations and on-demand recordings, earning CE certificates, and using accessibility features.

This edWeb podcast is sponsored by EveryDay Labs.
The edLeader Panel recording can be accessed here.

Chronic absenteeism has always been a complex issue since barriers to attendance are often the result of systemic inequity. As the urgency to improve attendance heightens, it’s critical to look beyond the headlines and at the data. 

With COVID-19 exacerbating the equity gap, stakeholders across learning communities need to work collectively to remove barriers to attendance for students and families. Join our edLeader Panel of district leaders along with Dr. Todd Rogers, Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University, to gain insight into:

• How they are using data to inform their spring strategy
• Practices they have found effective for addressing absenteeism and learning loss
• How they are supporting and engaging families. 

This edWeb podcast is of interest to educators at all levels from kindergarten through high school, and of special interest to school and district leaders.

Learn more about viewing live edWeb presentations and on-demand recordings, earning CE certificates, and using accessibility features.

This edWeb podcast is sponsored by ExQ® for School.
The edLeader Panel recording can be accessed here.

In recent years, scientific understanding of the brain has changed, and research has shown that cognitive brain training stimulates development and primes the brain for learning. But are today’s schools implementing systematic training programs to help our students learn HOW to learn? 

Listen to this edWed podcast of educational leaders, as they share research proving the positive impact of implementing executive function (EF) curricula, hear what school administrators are sharing about the benefits and outcomes related to teaching students critical reasoning and decision-making skills, and learn how teaching our students to regulate emotions and master skillful deliberation, cognitive flexibility and empathy makes a positive difference in not only their academic outcomes but also in their lives. 

This edWeb podcast is of interest to middle and high school district and school leaders, curriculum directors, school board members, and CEOs, CFOs, and CTOs of school systems. 

Learn more about viewing live edWeb presentations and on-demand recordings, earning CE certificates, and using accessibility features.

This edWeb podcast is sponsored by ClassLink and co-hosted by CoSN, AASA, and edWeb.net.
The webinar recording can be accessed here.

Student data is a critical component for navigating student success and making informed decisions within any school system. Today’s highly connected learning environments present real challenges when it comes to balancing technology advances with the need to protect both student privacy and school data. 

In this edWeb podcast three superintendents review five critical guidelines for ensuring data privacy in any school system’s use of technology. They share how their leadership teams make data privacy a priority across an entire school system. Effective strategies for communicating their district’s commitment to assuring student data privacy are also reviewed. 

Additionally, the project director for CoSN’s Privacy Initiative and Trusted Learning Environment Program shares information about how school districts can earn CoSN’s Trusted Learning Environment Seal and why that process benefits stakeholders across a district. Each of the superintendents on the edWebinar panel represents a school district that has earned the Trusted Learning Environment Seal. They discuss how they each led that process in their own districts and the lessons learned along the way. 

This edWeb podcast will be of particular value to school superintendents, K-12 school and district leaders, and aspiring leaders. 

Learn more about viewing live edWeb presentations and on-demand recordings, earning CE certificates, and using accessibility features.