Join us for an interview with Dr. Jill Castek and host, Dean Regina Deil-Amen.

Dr. Castek, a former teacher and literacy specialist, is a professor in the department of Teaching, Learning, and Sociocultural Studies (TLS) and is the co-director of the Digital Innovation and Learning Lab (DIALL).

More than just a tech-filled room, DIALL is a dynamic community hub where students, educators, and local partners come together to explore, create, and showcase digital learning experiences. 

From welcoming high school students thinking of becoming teachers to supporting graduate students as community leaders, DIALL is a living example of how education can adapt to the digital age while remaining deeply human. Dr. Castek’s research, including her work with community-based maker spaces and the NSF-funded Research Coordinated Network, underscores the importance of inclusive, innovative environments that foster inquiry and connection. 

In this episode, Mia Perry's book Pluriversal Literacies: When Words Are Not Enough is brought up as suggested reading.