In this episode we interview one of the few experts in the country on fandom research.  Dr. Lynn Zubernis is a licensed clinical psychologist and a professor of psychology at West Chester University.  She became interested in the concept of fandom after she herself became a huge fan of the show Supernatural.  After experiencing firsthand the tight-knit communities that form around tv shows, sports, music etc, she dove into researching the psychology behind fandom.  In this interview, we look at how we can apply our students' fandom to their educational journey with the hope of fostering more participation, interest, and motivation in the classroom.

Timestamps
0:01 - Intro
2:37 - Lynn's background and info on Supernatural
7:04 - Fandom definition and discussion
10:19 - Leonard Nemoy and Star Trek as the first Fandom
12:37 - Dr. Zubernis' process for collecting research on fandom
14:43 - How does fandom apply to the education world?
19:29 - Can fandom be fostered, or is it strictly organic?
20:57 - When should we start using fandom in the classroom?
22:57 - Exit Ticket Questions
28:19 - Wrap-up and takeaways

Don't we all just want to find the best tools, best strategies, and best techniques for becoming effective and skillful teachers?  Doesn't it make sense to insure those tools, strategies, and techniques are proven and backed by research?  Join elementary teacher Jon Ruths as he interviews some of the leading professors and researchers in the fields of education, psychology, and leadership to bring you the most relevant evidence-based information for you to use in your life and in your classroom so that you can become the best teacher you can be.