Vygotsky Podcast

Issue: identity politics and polarization.  Andy Blunden weighs in.   As can you -- feel free to add a response of your own. (Originally published Feb 26, 2020)

Original source: http://tiny.cc/c5xojz

Andy Blunden addresses an interesting question from Helena Worthen.  Thank you to both. (Originally published Feb 17, 2020)

So many -isms, what do they all mean?  Andy Blunden offers his perspective. (Originally posted Feb 20, 2020)

Andy Blunden weighs in. (Originally published Feb 12, 2020)

Andy Blunden puts on his red shirt, evaluates Stephen Kotkin's response, and adds his own. (Originally published Feb 12, 2020)

Source footage: http://tiny.cc/nn9wjz   

Andy's twitter: https://twitter.com/Andy_Blunden 

Anthony's twitter: https://twitter.com/AnthonyMBarra

Andy Blunden weighs in. (Originally published Feb 11, 2020)

Andy's twitter: https://twitter.com/Andy_Blunden 

Anthony's twitter: https://twitter.com/AnthonyMBarra

Andy Blunden answers . . . and then turns the question around   (Originally published Feb 11, 2020)

Andy's twitter: https://twitter.com/Andy_Blunden 

Anthony's twitter: https://twitter.com/AnthonyMBarra

I asked Andy Blunden for his explanation of Vygotsky's concept of the social situation of development, and here it is!  Thanks, Andy. (Originally published Feb 10, 2020)

Highlights include: 

0:07 - How do we get from dependent newborn to independent adult? 

1:16 - development takes place through a series of 'unique' stages 

2:38 - resolved 'predicaments' fuel the transition between stages 

4:54 - to get new needs met, the child overthrows the former situation to establish a new role 

5:54 - mutual reinforcement between development and the social situation of development 

8:05 - the social situation of development, concisely defined 

8:38 - a preview of perezhivanie and adult development  

More from Andy here: https://www.ethicalpolitics.org/wits/vygotsky-development.pdf

The always interesting Peter Smagorinsky sits down for another wide-ranging chat. Peter is a Distinguished Research Professor at the University of Georgia with a generous internet presence. His website chronicles Peter's extensive landscaping projects, along with his voluminous academic output (and free resources for teachers).  (Originally published August 4, 2020)

Highlights include: 

0:27 - How's the weather? 

1:52 - PART 1: RECENT INQUIRIES 

4:55 - Peter's most recent book (on how teachers learn how to teach) 

10:42 - Clock Time vs. Event Time 

17:00 - Teacher-to-school 'matches' and 'mismatches,' cultural or otherwise 

19:03 - Challenges to 'diversifying the workforce' 

24:12 - Benefits, trade-offs, and advice . . . 

28:27 - Read outside your field to expand imagination and perspective 

31:25 - PART 2: MORE INSIGHTS TO SHARE 

33:50 - All teaching is local; be wary of 'best practices' 

36:37 - Fun, competitive vocabulary games 

42:45 - The importance of metacognitive, generative instruction 

46:02 - The need to listen and pay attention to how others are experiencing you 

47:16 - Peter's next book: teaching in these times (critical inquiry, empathy, & patriotism) 

53:50 - Nutpicking, masks, reason, and the willingness to listen more than talk 

57:38 - Educational trends and fashions 

1:01:52 - What is Constructivism?  

1:09:29 - Parting shots . . . 

Competitive Vocab Games: https://bit.ly/31iZkeX 

Old friend Matt Marino shares his upbeat perspective on life, learning, fatherhood, and success. Recorded on an early Sunday morning, August 2020.  (Originally published August 2, 2020)

Highlights include:

0:35 - Where's Matt headed?

3:22 - Dinner is Important

5:32 - Living an unfiltered life

9:24 - Kids and Covid

11:36 - Tips on slowing down

18:38 - Keeping kids busy

22:00 - Structure, coherence, and success

27:10 - Dark thoughts, laughter, and heart surgery 

37:04 - Matt's interesting job and mental approach  

43:21 - Mentorship at Amazon 

47:02 - A first-person approach to recruiting 

48:10 - Formative work experience and 9/11 

53:30 - Recruiting is matchmaking (and Amazon's 14 leadership principles) 

59:38 - Developmental leaps and the benefits of listening  

1:07:04 - Life is funny 1:09:30 - Matt and podcasting   

Matt's professional page: http://tiny.cc/l8amsz

Amazon's 14 leadership principles: http://tiny.cc/l8amsz

Interesting backstory, Amazon Prime: http://tiny.cc/n8amsz