Two Pint PLC

Problems in education are often a complex mix of social, cognitive, and historical processes. Dr. Beth Holland, author of a recent Education Week piece we read, joins us to talk about education perspective.

Later, Dr. Holland shares her expertise in studying school networks as we discuss how we can get more from our efforts in working with colleagues.

The Peer Review brings us a paper from our listeners that was a favorite from 2018. We read a brief from 100Kin10 about improving representation of women in STEM.

We drink Revenge of the Dragon, a nitro stout from Martin City Brewing Company in Kansas City, MO.

The notion that “schools are designed like factories” is a pernicious myth in education. Jenn Binis, host of the podcast Ed History 101, joins us to discuss why this narrative is so prevalent and how the myth ends up hurting teachers.

Later, we read a paper on how teachers build social capital in their building. Community cohesion is valuable, but too much can lead to some unintended consequences.

Outtakes returns when a behind-the-scenes discussion takes a turn for personal reflection. We get thoughtful about how we use names professionally.

We drink Death Before Disco, a porter from Left Hand Brewing Co. in Longmont, CO.

Good teaching requires creativity, but how do we create a supportive environment for innovative teaching? We read an article lays out how an innovation commons allows people to innovate, and we discuss how we could build an innovation commons in education.

Later, Youki Terada joins us for an extended Peer Review. Youki has published a round-up of educational research from 2018, and we compare notes on topics like the impact of classroom decoration and complications in the mindset literature.

We drink Plaid Habit, a barrel-aged, double-mashed imperial brown ale from Boulivard Brewing Company in Kansas City, MO.

Algorithms that effectively guide instruction is the dream of some people… but the reality of what instructional programs can do right now is something else entirely. Shane Lawrence guest hosts this month as we discuss a recent study on how computer-assisted instruction compared to human teachers.

Later, we look at some urban planning research to find lessons on how we can create better learning spaces in our classrooms and our buildings. We consider the role student work should play, and what decorations do more harm than good.

The Peer Review is a full mail bag, with questions submitted by pre-service teachers and authors who respond to last month’s discussion.

We drink Big Wave, a golden ale from Kona Brewing Co in in the Hawaiian islands (and other places).

Building culture has a tremendous impact on teacher satisfaction, student engagement, and the daily education experience. This month’s article shows us how teacher stress burdens students, enthusiasm is contagious, and more!

Later, Laurence responds to a listener request with details on how he builds his classroom culture in the first two weeks of school. We also bring back the non-sequitur with a debate on a dramatic claim from Twitter.

The Peer Review welcomes Matthew Moore, an educator with a flipped classroom. He shares how he leverages technology daily while still being mindful of the myth of the digital native.

We drink Alchemy Coffee Stout, a seasonal stout from Martin City Brewing Company in Kansas City, MO.

Teachers must build relationships with their students, despite the great breadth in their cultural backgrounds. Dolores Greenawalt, a professor at Caroll University in Wisconsin, joins us to discuss her recent writing on building positive relationships… even when it seems impossible.

Later, we look at research data produced by the non-profit TNTP on the inequity of instructional practice. Their data shows huge differences in the instructional experience of students across race. We consider how TNTP’s recommendations for teaching practice could affect our classrooms.

The Peer Review looks at a popular story on EdWeek about addressing student name pronunciation. What does our approach to unfamiliar student names say to those students?

We drink Pumpkin Ale, a special release seasonal from Schlafly in St. Louis, MO.

Technology seems to be everywhere, and it is tempting to imagine children grow up with expertise through familiarity. The research paints a vastly different picture, and we discuss one of the top read articles of 2017 that deconstructs the myth of the digital native and the costly habit of multitasking.

Later, we take a look at some of the popular writing on socio-emotional development. It can be difficult to find writing on socio-emotional outcomes (or transferable job skills) that can translate to real classroom impact. We find a few articles, and a peer-reviewed piece, that can lead to implementation of new classroom strategies.

The Peer Review considers a critique of last month’s discussion, and fields a question about the popular news story of a teacher being fired for her grading policy.

We drink Iron Joe, an oaked Scottish ale with coffee from Rahr and Sons Brewing Company in Fort Worth, TX.

All students should have access to challenging coursework that lets them grow in their areas of interest. Abby Whitbeck, the Executive Director of AP Strategy and Analytics for the College Board, joins us to talk about how they are using data to create new policies designed to improve representation of all students in Advanced Placement classes.

Later, listeners have recommended Science/Fiction, a blog post from Carol Black. We look at her comments on learning styles, evidence-based instruction, and institutional racism. We have several disagreements with her argument, but find that our common ground is much more important.

Note: A Peer Review was taped with a guest, but the recording was lost due to technology failure. We hope to have her return for a future segment.

Disclosure: Michael maintains a relationship with the College Board as an AP Consultant.

We drink Catherine III, a Russian imperial stout from the Wichita Brewing Co in Wichita, KS.

Enjoy a bonus episode that wraps our first season of production. Check in with many of our guests and reflect on our year of learning.

Responsive teaching is is an exciting way to highlight student voice, but it comes with its own share of challenges and tensions. Caroline Herbster and Jacob Truett, from FSU Teach at Florida State University, join us to talk about their research with veteran teachers as they work to incorporate responsive practices.

Later, we look to a British study on the effects of classroom consensus on socio-emotional outcomes for students. They find that using better measurement methods provides insight into the benefits of student consensus regarding their autonomy, goals, and evaluation.

In the Peer Review, we share feedback on last month’s discussion provided by lead author Dr. Tor Odden. He provides a couple of more practitioner-focused articles that are easy reads with actionable suggestions.