Welcome everyone to the very first episode of 2023!

In this first episode, we look at how we can make use of EduTech tools to enhance student learning and performance from an evidence based perspective. We unpack how we can get past the "shiny object syndrome" and really use these tools to get students to think critically and to use them to be more self regulated.

As we get back into the groove of 2023, we hope that you enjoy this episode. As usual, you can write to us at [email protected].

Oh, and here's the link for you to explore ChatGPT. - https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/

In this final episode for 2022, Dennis and Mark unpack the concept of intuitive teaching - what it means and why being an intuitive teacher may not be such a great idea after all. We look at examples of intuitive teaching and we also offer ideas on how teachers can leverage on their own intuitive teaching with evidence based principles.

Have a look at the Harvard article - https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/ed/20/05/teacher%E2%80%99s-intuition

In Part 2, Mark shares an interesting site on teachers who are considering differentiated instruction and instead of trying to differentiate content, product and the learning environment, teachers should leverage their expertise and to FOCUS on differentiating their teaching methods. Have a read

Link - https://eleducation.org/resources/learning-that-lasts-challenging-engaging-and-empowering-students-with-deeper-instruction-differentiating-instruction-chapter-6 

As always, you can contact us at [email protected]. Happy Holidays and see you in 2023!

And we are back! In this episode, Dennis and Mark discuss the merits of having School Evaluation and point out the potential benefits in helping a school grow and thrive. We also look at the other side of the coin where we look at potential problems School Evaluations can bring and how we can mitigate them.

In Part 2, Mark shares the EduTech took Blooket (pronounced Blue Kit) and how it is potentially better than Kahoot! Blooket is a new take on trivia and review games! The way it works is that a teacher/host picks a question set and a unique game mode. Then, Blooket generates a code that players can use to join the game on their own devices. After the game starts, players will answer questions to help them win. That's where the fun starts, because Blooket offers a variety of games to keep students engaged and excited.

Link - https://www.blooket.com/

As always, please do write to us at [email protected] and share the podcast! See you at the next one!

In our 53rd episode, Dennis and Mark talk about the rising importance of using data to make T&L decisions and what teachers can do to prepare themselves to adopt a more data and learning analytics mindset. Have a look at the article below as we dissect their recommendations

Link - https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/data-driven-decision-making-in-education#:~:text=Data%2Ddriven%20decision%20making%20in%20education%20can%20transform%20classrooms%E2%80%94dramatically,in%20addressing%20inequalities%20in%20education

In Part 2, Mark shares a quote from Theodore Roosevelt in one of his most famous speech called the "Man in Arena" from his "Citizenship in the Republic".

Here's the quote: 

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

Link - https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/63389/roosevelts-man-arena

And we are back! This is the 52nd Episode and a special one. Why? This is where one of us finally succumbs to the COVID virus after 1 whole year of dodging the bullet. In this episode, we dissect Michael Fullan's 6 views on why we should be optimistic for learning in 2022 as we exit the pandemic. Have a listen!

In Part 2, Mark shares another podcast that he listens to - The Positive Arena. This podcast helps educators and students build a positive self image as well as build resilience and understand their strengths through positive psychology. Have a listen!

Link - https://open.spotify.com/show/6K938pTMpZQd6BYZY0e4Kh?si=84879e17fd544149

What comes to mind when we say "Active Learning"? Does it mean students always doing something? When does it become activity for activity sake? In this episode, Dennis and Mark attempt to answer the question "Is Active Learning Always Active"? We look at the concepts behind active learning, what actually qualifies as active learning and does it mean that students HAVE to be doing something all of the time? The answer will surprise you. Have a listen.

In Part 2, we look at the new tool called peergrade. It is a nifty little tool that allows you to set up a peer assessment system for your students as they learn how to grade their peers and offer good, meaningful and actionable feedback.

Link - https://www.peergrade.io/

As always, you can write to us at [email protected].

We made it! Episode #50! As promised, this episode is where both of us take a look back at our own teaching careers and look at how evidence based creative teaching has had such a profound impact in our teaching practice. Join us as we laugh, cry and also look back at some great stories. Thank you for keeping us company for 50 episodes and you can write to us at [email protected].

In this episode, Dennis and Mark deconstruct the work of Johnmarshall Reeves focusing on how we can build autonomy supporting strategies for our students. Reeves' research point out that adopting an autonomy supporting style helps to build agentic learners. Agentic Learners can be framed as students who have learned how to learn and have developed appropriate habits of mind (e.g., Growth mindset) that support active engagement and autonomy in their learning relations and strategies. Why is this important? Well, Deci, Vallerand, Pelletier & Ryan (1991) reported that: Students in classrooms with autonomy-supportive teachers displayed more intrinsic motivation, perceived competence, and self-esteem than did students in classrooms with controlling teachers.

In Part 2, Mark shares the tool Frame. Frame uses VR technology to create online spaces that feel more three-dimensional, allowing participants to move through virtual spaces as if they are physically in a room together. In the world of Frame, a host can create an environment like an office, a lounge, or even an island, and populate that environment with artwork, documents, videos, or any other kind of materials needed for a lesson or other experience. Participants move around the space as avatars and can use voice or text chat to interact.

Check them out - https://learn.framevr.io/

As we inch towards the 50th episode, we look back and forward on what teacher expertise will look like after COVID has changed everything. Is it more of the same or are we looking at radically new competencies and visions for the future of teaching and learning? Dennis and Mark try and unpack these competencies and share what they think the Teacher of the Future will need to navigate a VUCA teaching and learning world.

In Part 2, Mark shares the tool Lumen5. Just like the previous tool, Pictory. Lumen5 uses AI-powered technology to help you storyboard your ideas, fit your content to a layout, and find music and visuals that enhance your message. They have a variety of templates to use and you DO NOT need technical knowledge to create videos. Check them out!

Link - https://lumen5.com/

As always, you can write to us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you.

If you are like every teacher out there wondering what content to cover in an already very tight time-table, then this episode is for you. Dennis and Mark explore the 40-40-40 rule where it begets the question - "Of all of the academic standards, you are tasked with ‘covering’, what’s important that students understand for the next 40 days, what’s important that they understand for the next 40 months, and what’s important that they understand for the next 40 years?"

In some ways, it can be reduced to a depth vs breadth argument. Coverage versus mastery. UbD refers to it as the difference between “nice to know,” “important content,” and “enduring understandings.” Dennis and Mark attempt to shed more light on the 40-40-40 rule and discuss how you can exploit it for your own classroom

Link to Article - Click HERE

In Part 2, Mark shares the brilliant AI (Artificial Intelligence) Tool called Pictory.AI.

You can turn Scripts Into Jaw-Dropping Videos In Just Minutes, no to need buy expensive equipment or appear on camera.

Simply paste your script and the advanced AI searches Pictory's vast library of over 3 million royalty-free video clips, images and music to automatically create the perfect video for you. How cool is that

Check them out

Link - https://pictory.ai/#

As usual, you can contact us at [email protected]