UEN Homeroom

This week in UEN Homeroom we are pleased to welcome Jason Eyre, Technology Department Coordinator for Murray School District.  Our conversation this week includes topics such as: how Murray district has created a wireless LTE network for students to use at home for schoolwork, the impact of the digital divide in rural and urban school districts,  the role the district can provide in overcoming the digital divide for students, and providing a model to help other district provide more access to homes.

Jared and Dani are back with another episode of UEN Homeroom. This week they welcome Charlie Fitzpatrick, K12 Education Manager at ESRI, to the podcast to discuss using digital mapping to help students explore the world around them. Their topics include: how educators use digital maps to change the way we teach students about the world around them, the ways GIS provides students with good problem-solving skills, free software available to Utah teachers and students from ESRI, and the role ESRI will play in that future of technology in our schools.

ESRI Tools for Utah Students:

ArcGIS Online

Dani and Jared welcome Jeff Van Hulten, Director of Public Affairs for the Utah State Board of Education, to UEN Homeroom this week. Our discussion focuses on the 2021 Utah Legislative Session and how teachers can get involved. Some of our topics include: what all educators in Utah should know about the legislative process, the need to communicate with your local law makers, bills specific to education in 2021, and the need for teachers to be advocates for education.

Jared and Dani are thrilled to talk with Dr. Ray Timothy, CEO of the Utah Education and Telehealth Network, this week in UEN Homeroom.  Our conversation focuses on building relationships with community leaders and we discuss the following topics:  how UETN plays a role in procuring funding for education in Utah, the role UETN will play in the future of technology needs in schools, how school or district leaders can build relationships with their local communities, and how UETN makes a difference for students and families in Utah.

This week Jared and Dani welcome Rachael Larkin, an AVID teacher from Matheson Jr. High, to UEN Homeroom. With a new year upon us, Rachael dropped by to discuss helping our students to set goals for their academic and personal lives. Our topics included: a brief overview of the AVID program, the importance of having students set goals, extrinsic vs intrinsic motivation in goal setting, how parents can play a role in helping students achieve goals, and setting goals for all areas of personal growth.

This week UEN Homeroom is pleased to rebroadcast our interview with Dr. Janice Bradley, Assistant Director with the Utah Education Policy Center. During the conversation we cover topics like how to deal with a teacher who's a "downer", what role does a school leader play in changing a toxic culture, and how can a teacher make a difference in a negative school culture.

This week UEN Homeroom is pleased to rebroadcast the Utah Podcasters Unite panel discussion from the UCET Conference.  Jared, Dani, and Fernando were joined by the hosts of three Utah education podcasts to chat about all things audio and education. Jake from the Teaching Literacy Podcast, Quin from Edtrex Rewind, and Tracy from Little Things First are all Utah educators who started podcasts to influence classroom learning.  

Lively discussion topics include:

-Why they began podcasting

-Why education podcasts should be an essential part of every educator's PLN

-How podcasting can innovate educational practices

-What these hosts have learned through podcasting

-Tips for starting your own education podcast

-Audience Q&A 

This week UEN Homeroom is pleased to rebroadcast our interview with Rushton Hurley, the founder and executive director of Next Vista for Learning, to the podcast. In our conversation we focus on how teachers can effectively develop opportunities for students to create videos in class. Topics included in the discussion are: How teachers can use student video projects to engage kids in learning. How film festivals promote student work. How much technical know-how teachers need to help with student video projects and the basic essentials teachers need to get started. How video projects are particularly effective during blended or online learning and more...

UEN Homeroom is excited to have Dr. Ben Springer, Director of Special Education in Wasatch School District, as a guest on the podcast this week.   Our conversation focused on how to support parents during COVID 19 by addressing the following issues: what teachers can do to support parents right now, how educators can keep students’ best interests at the forefront of our minds during these difficult times, and what students can do if they see a classmate struggling.