Getting Smart Podcast

This podcast is the final entry in a three-part series, on which Getting Smart is proud to have partnered with the Learning Assembly. Designing a pilot process to experiment with a new strategy or EdTech tool is complicated. New communication channels must be established, goals and strategies must be agreed upon, and a diverse range of stakeholders (from teachers to EdTech vendors) must be brought on board and set up to work together effectively. One component that all of these details share is the involvement of teachers, and in keeping with that idea, one of the key themes that has emerged in this series has been the importance of teacher voice and engagement to the success of a pilot program. In this podcast, we hear from Kristen Howell, Pilot Network Director of LEAP Innovations (a Learning Assembly member), and Jessica Kertz (who has participated in two of LEAP’s pilots), Assistant Principal of Talcott Fine Arts and Museum Academy. They share more about how important teachers are to pilot program success, and the three key lessons they’ve learned in their time organizing and implementing pilots.

In this podcast, Dr. Bernadette Musetti shares benefits of bilingualism, programs or innovations in education that move emerging bilingual students forward and common myths or misconceptions about teaching emerging bilinguals and English learners.

So you’ve decided that you want to plan a pilot for a new EdTech tool. Where to start? There are a number of factors that affect the outcome of, and reliability of information obtained in, a pilot, from the cultural right down to the technical. In this podcast, we learn more about these factors from Laura Jackson and Joshua Marland (Project Manager and Director of Data & Analytics, respectively) of Highlander Institute, an organization that cultivates and disseminates innovative education solutions that improve educator and system capacity to provide personalized experiences for every learner. We also hear from Cameron Berube, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Providence Public Schools (a participant in one of Highlander’s pilots). For more on pilots, see the first entry in this podcast series: http://www.gettingsmart.com/2017/06/podcast-pilot-programs-foundation-for-innovation/

Barriers to getting into, paying for and persisting through college inhibit many students and adults across the country from achieving their dream of graduating from college. Hear from a mother and daughter about their journey to post-secondary education.

This podcast is the first in a three-part series produced in partnership with the Learning Assembly. In this series, we are exploring the most important lessons that the members of the Learning Assembly have learned in their work developing pilot programs for districts and schools looking to try new personalized learning and EdTech programs. In this installment of the series, we speak with Megan Smallidge (Professional Development Project Manager of LearnLaunch’s piloting initiative, which is part of the Learning Assembly), Lynda-Lee Sheridan and Cathy Lyons (Principal and second-grade teacher, respectively, at Franklin D. Roosevelt K-8 School, which is part of Boston Public Schools and a participant in one of LearnLaunch’s pilots) about what a pilot is, and what it takes to lay the foundation for an initiative that can provide the data its organizers are looking for. For more, see the podcast on our blog: http://www.gettingsmart.com/2017/06/podcast-pilot-programs-foundation-for-innovation

The Getting Smart team visits Oso New Tech in El Paso, Texas to learn more about how EPISD and New Tech Network are personalizing learning for all students. In this podcast, you’ll hear from: Nick Kappelhof, New Tech Network Director, District and School Development Scott Gray, New Tech Coordinator, Innovation Design and Development Celeste Cano (Algebra teacher) Mauricio Olague (Art teacher in an Art and Biology combination class) Diego Medina (English teacher in a World History and English combination class)

Dr. Philip Hickman, superintendent of Columbus Municipal School District in Columbus, Mississippi, shares more about the K-16 Instructional and Technology Integration Model (K-16 ITI)--a new blended instructional model he created that is transforming his district.

Sandy Husk, CEO of AVID, discusses how this nonprofit college and career ready system was created by one teacher more than 30 years ago in her classroom, evolving into today's organization that creates college-going cultures in schools worldwide.

One Stone is a student-led school in Boise, Idaho, that we think is one of the coolest schools in the country. Listen in as students who attend this innovative school share the benefits and lessons they've learned serving on its student-led board.

Andrew Biros, longtime educator and current New Tech Network Coach, joins Getting Smart team member Emily Liebtag to discuss what he feels is essential when it comes to improving PBL practices, and shares some best practices for PBL teaching and learning. Visit www.hqpbl.org to learn more and share your thoughts on PBL!