Preview of the exciting topics coming in season 9 and an announcement of which podcast episode was the most listened to in 2023.

Dr. Beth Dobler, Professor at Emporia State University, defines digital literacy and explains why it is critically important that everyone in a child's life teaches youth how to effectively locate and learn from information found on the internet. She explains how research has found that even adults are often not effective at creating a plan when looking for information on the Internet. We should not assume that students have effective digital literacy skills just because they spend a lot of time on their digital devices. 

Dr. Beth Dobler, Professor at Emporia State University, defines digital literacy and explains why it is critically important that everyone in a child's life teaches youth how to effectively locate and learn from information found on the internet. She describes what it looks like to think aloud for a student so that they can understand our mental process when we use our experience to quickly find information on the internet.

Cecil Short, PhD, Associate Professor and Director of Secondary Education at Emporia State University, shares about A.I. Join us for an exciting journey into the world of Generative AI! Our podcast delves deep into the fascinating realm of AI-powered creativity. Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming education and unleashing innovation. 

Kendal Norberg, 4th-grade teacher and member of the 2023 KS Teacher of the Year Team gives examples of strategies that work to create an effective classroom environment with procedures, organization, and on-task behavior. She explains why it is important to "Say what you mean; mean what you say" and follow through. She describes the steps necessary to teach a class of students to enter the room quietly and work productively.

Kendal Norberg, 4th-grade teacher and member of the 2023 KS Teacher of the Year Team shares advice and strategies for creating tension reduction for students experiencing stages of crisis, from anxious, defensive, to exhibiting risk behaviors. Listen for an understanding of how to maintain professional detachment to treat students with respect and increase their learning by calming the agitated states that are easily escalated.

Brian Skinner, 2023 Kansas Teacher of the Year and Interrelated Special Education Teacher for Newton Schools, offers suggestions for creating the most successful classroom when working with other educators. Whether in a co-teaching situation or having a paraprofessional join the class, everyone should work together to assist students. Brian shares his hopes for the future of education.

Brian Skinner, 2023 Kansas Teacher of the Year and Interrelated Special Education Teacher for Newton Schools, explains terms and describes important concepts all teachers need to know about meeting a child's needs with an Individual Education Plan (IEP). He offers advice to give yourself and your students a little grace, plus more.

Dr. Jim Persinger, Professor Emeritus, and Assistant Director of the East Central Kansas Cooperative in Education, explains how simple nudges from classroom teachers can make a big impact in helping a child, dealing with a crisis, heal. Listen to hear four things teachers can do tomorrow in their classroom: validate their feelings, give facts and squash rumors, return to normalcy, and conduct a class meeting. Our website, www.emporia.edu/hwtt includes links to the resources mentioned.

Caryn Long, Director of Educational Technology and Innovation at Montverde Academy and Class of 2023 National Teacher Hall of Fame Inductee, shares her experience incorporating real-world experiences learned from NASA's educational program into the science classroom. She encourages educators to invest in the future of education and explains her hopes for the future of this profession.