Teaching Matters

Teaching Matters

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Teaching Matters episodes

  • The Urban Sandbox approach to Student Wellbeing

    In this episode of Teaching Matters, Scott Titsworth speaks with Danna Okuyama, founder and CEO of Urban Sandbox, a platform designed to enhance student wellbeing through creative expression and peer interaction. They discuss statistics surrounding student mental health, the origin of Urban Sandbox, and how it aims to provide a safe, engaging environment for K-12 students. Danna shares insights on the importance of creativity in fostering wellbeing, the platform's safety protocols, and the newly launched Wellbeing Program that offers tiered support for families. The conversation emphasizes the need for individualized approaches to student support and the role of parents and educators in nurturing student growth.

    Link to Urban Sandbox:

    https://www.urban-sandbox.com

    30 min
  • Understanding the Value of Decision Education

    The Alliance for Decision Education is a national nonprofit organization that provides resources to help students develop skills and dispositions for making better decisions. Adriana Masarra and Ali Stumacher, both from the Alliance, discuss the alliance’s mission and the benefits of adopting intentional decision education into students’ experiences.

    Link to Alliance for Decision Education: https://alliancefordecisioneducation.org

    49 min
  • Plasticity: The Word Every Educator Needs To Know

    Tara Bonner, Chief Neuroeducation Officer for the Arrowsmith Program, discusses the concept of neuroplasticity as it relates to students’ growth. The neuroplasticity perspective assumes that our cognitive functions can grow and change as a result of learning experiences. Tara discusses classroom techniques that stimulate such growth, including techniques employed by the Arrowsmith Program

    Link to the Arrowsmith Program:

    https://www.arrowsmith.ca

    1 hr
  • A Conversation about Deeper Learning with Jonah Schenker
    Dr. Jonah Schenker, Superintendent of Ulster BOCES in New Paltz, NY, discusses the concept of deeper learning and its implementation at Ulster BOCES. He emphasizes the importance of leadership in fostering an environment conducive to deeper learning and the skills necessary for students to thrive in the future. The discussion also highlights the recent Deeper Learning Conference and its innovative approach to fostering Deeper Leadership among educators. The discussion also addresses the challenges of translating big ideas into actionable steps and the importance of preparing for future challenges in the educational landscape. The upcoming 2025 Leading for Deeper Learning Conference (https://www.ulsterboces.org/educator-edge-home/educator-professional-development/for-school-district-leaders/dlny) is scheduled for July 15 & 16, 2025.
    56 min
  • Andrew Goldman Discusses Writable and the role of AI in Education
    In the February 12, 2024, episode, listeners learned about the use of Writable by Galveston ISD in Texas. In this episode you will meet Andrew Goldman, co-founder of Writable (https://www.writable.com) and Executive Vice President of HMH Labs. Andrew discusses the origin story of Writable as well as the emerging role of artificial intelligence as a tool for teachers. Goldman suggests that AI may help teachers re-allocate time from tedious tasks so that they can provide meaningful feedback and establish authentic connections with students.
    9 min
  • The Role of AI in Student-Centered Math Education
    Nigel Nisbet, Vice President of Content Creation at the MIND Education, discusses the intersection of artificial intelligence and education, particularly in mathematics. The conversation explores how neuroscience can inform teaching methods including the integration of experiential learning to help students make connections while learning mathematical concepts. MIND Education (https://www.mindeducation.org) enables students to experience math the way the brain learns, ensuring that all students are mathematically equipped to solve the world’s most challenging problems.
    44 min
  • Assessment for Good: A Program of the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund
    In this conversation, Scott Titsworth and Dr. Temple Lovelace discuss the evolving landscape of educational assessment, focusing on the mission of Assessment for Good (https://aerdf.org/programs/assessment-for-good/). Assessment for good is a program funded by the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund, a national nonprofit dedicated to unlocking scientific breakthroughs to solve teaching and learning challenges in PK-12 settings. They explore the importance of formative assessment, the implications of high-stakes testing, and innovative approaches to assessment that prioritize learner-centered practices. The discussion also touches on the role of AI in enhancing assessment tools and the future vision for assessment practices that are more experiential and authentic.
    28 min
  • YouScience 1

    Sparking Discussion of Career Readiness through Aptitude Testing

    This conversation explores how YouScience is being used to assist teachers, staff, students, and families reduce the awareness gap for possible career paths. Edson Barton, CEO of YouScience (https://www.youscience.com), shares the company's origin story and the importance of bridging the gap between education and industry. Candice Sears, from the Montgomery County Educational Services Center in Ohio, discusses how the Montgomery County ESC is leveraging the partnership with YouScience to enhance student readiness for the future. The discussion emphasizes the significance of understanding students' aptitudes and interests to create meaningful career pathways and community engagement. This is the first of a two-part series exploring ways in which schools are using YouScience to spark understanding and discussion of career readiness.

    54 min
  • Youscience2

    Aptitude Testing and Career Readiness in Danbury Local Schools

    This is the second of a two-part series exploring the use of aptitude testing to help students envision career goals. In this episode of Teaching Matters, Scott Titsworth engages with Koree Hodgkinson and Victoria Hegsted from Danbury Local Schools in Ohio to discuss the implementation of YouScience (https://www.youscience.com), a platform designed to assist students in understanding career pathways. The conversation explores the unique challenges faced by a small school district, the importance of career readiness, and how data from Youth Science informs curriculum development and student support. The guests share insights on engaging parents, collaborating with local businesses, and the transformative impact of career assessments on students' futures.

    31 min
  • The Use of Writable in Galveston ISD
    In this episode of Teaching Matters, you will meet Aja Cormier and Katie Assad, both with Galveston ISD, Galveston, TX. Katie is an instructional coach working in an elementary school and Aja is a 9th grade English teacher. Our discussion centers on how the technology tool, Writable, is being used in Galveston ISD to improve student writing. In addition to offering teachers a more efficient way to grade and provide feedback, Writable embeds AI tools that coaches students on writing, suggests prompts for scaffolded lessons, and other processes to help students and teachers.
    34 min

About Teaching Matters

From the publisher's feed

Teaching Matters Podcast is an audio series exploring the issues related to teaching and learning in an informaiton-rich world.