This article was published just this last week and I think it's probably something a lot of parents, school teachers, administrators, IT support staff, and leadership might think about but it doesn't get a lot of attention until it becomes an issue. When 12-Year-Olds Can Breach School IT Systems, Who’s Responsible?  discusses the realities that school staff and families face today.

What happens when a 12 year old is able to hack into a school IT system? Who is responsible? What should be done? What can we do to try to redirect this curious behavior?

In this episode of the podcast, I talk a bit about my thoughts on this issue. I don't think there's a one-sized fits all answer here. Developmentally, young children have difficulty understanding abstract concepts. The internet, data, and technology is just that... abstract. While your child can hold a phone in his or her hand or can login to a computer, what happens behind the scenes in technology can be a mystery to children... and even adults too. This makes it difficult to understand what makes a poor choice and even the consequences around his or her actions.

Full disclaimer: I am not a lawyer nor a developmental psychologist. I am a trained educator and technologist sharing my perspective on this growing issue.

What are some situations you've encountered? Are you a parent with a curious child? Are you a teacher who's experienced something similar? I'd love to learn more about some of the issues you face and continue the conversation about this growing topic.

Help support the podcast. Visit Fit Geek Boutique for your favorite STEM-inspired activewear!

 

On August 28, 2018 I was able to sit on a panel of four women who work in a STEM -related field.  We shared our stories, answered questions, and just had some great discussion about being successful in our respective professions.

We also each gave a 15 minute talk about our own personal history. I didn't share mine here, but I give you the 30 minute version in episode 5 of the podcast. 

This episode of the podcast is the audio from the panel portion of the day. The audio isn't the best and it's tough to hear a few people ask questions since they weren't speaking into the microphone. I had enough requests from various people who wanted to hear what we talked about, so I hope that you enjoy! 

The panelists included:

* Linda Collins, PhD - Mesa Community College

* Marla Peterson - Honeywell Aerospace

* Barbara Lockwood - Arizona Public Service

In this episode, I share a bit about my personal background in aviation and how it brought me to my career in technology and STEM education. I also share some stories from my recent past of young women I've encountered who have doubted their abilities in STEM or just weren't too sure.

I share some of my tips and strategies for you and how you can help join the movement to encourage more young women to consider a career in a STEM discipline.

Credits:

Podcast intro and outro music Late Night Tales by Lee Rosevere is licensed under a Attribution License.

Welcome to episode 4 of the podcast, where I talk about using your right brain vs your left brain, and STEM vs STEAM!

Please note that when I recorded the podcast, I didn't have a great name just yet.

In this episode, I share a bit about what the term STEM is & why it's been the center of attention in US schools for a while now. I also share some information about why integrating the arts into STEM has helped foster innovation and creativity by looking at things from a different perspective.

If you're interested in addressing education policy, curriculum choices in schools, workforce development, national security, or immigration policy, STEM education and careers plays a large role in each of these areas. In order to have more influence in these areas, having a solid understanding of STEM, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math) will help you lead, influence change, and make informed decisions.

Here's the STEM vs. STEAM Infographic I reference in this episode. Click on the image to download a PDF version.

University of Florida STEM vs STEAM infographic.

Credits:

Podcast intro and outro music Late Night Tales by Lee Rosevere is licensed under a Attribution License.

Welcome to episode 4 of the podcast, where I talk about using your right brain vs your left brain, and STEM vs STEAM!

Please note that when I recorded the podcast, I didn't have a great name just yet.

In this episode, I share a bit about what the term STEM is & why it's been the center of attention in US schools for a while now. I also share some information about why integrating the arts into STEM has helped foster innovation and creativity by looking at things from a different perspective.

If you're interested in addressing education policy, curriculum choices in schools, workforce development, national security, or immigration policy, STEM education and careers plays a large role in each of these areas. In order to have more influence in these areas, having a solid understanding of STEM, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math) will help you lead, influence change, and make informed decisions.

Here's the STEM vs. STEAM Infographic I reference in this episode. Click on the image to download a PDF version.

University of Florida STEM vs STEAM infographic.

Credits:

Podcast intro and outro music Late Night Tales by Lee Rosevere is licensed under a Attribution License.

In this episode, I share my experiences at the EAA Airventure Airshow and my thoughts and perspectives on a few great STEM education resources that integrate aviation.

You can read and see some pictures and videos here.

Credits:

Podcast intro and outro music Late Night Tales by Lee Rosevere is licensed under a Attribution License.

One thing I hear A TON is, "I didn't grow up with technology! I will never be tech savvy."

Eeeeek! Have you heard about Carol Dweck and her research on Fixed and Growth Mindsets as it relates to our views on our own intelligence?

While it seems like the kids in your life know a ton more than you, it's really just that they never told themselves they couldn't do it.  In this episode of my podcast, I share with you a few stories about learning technology, some of the research behind how we view ourselves and our own intelligence, and some strategies you can use to help change the way you think about your ability to learn technology.

This episode is also great for those of you who are teaching technology to other people, whether you're a K-12 technology teacher, you volunteer at the library to teach older people how to use Google or email, or you work in higher ed. You can identify some mindset patterns that might be holding some of your students back!

Most people fall in one of 2 categories on beliefs of intelligence"

* view it as static (fixed mindset)

* view it as malleable or can be shaped or changed (growth mindset)

Fixed Mindset

* you are born with a certain amount of intelligence and there's very little you can do to change it

* helpless response to obstacles and challenges

Growth Mindset

* with hard work and persistence, one's intelligence can increase

Achievement goals are different based on which group you fall into:

Fixed beliefs:

* Performance goals by choosing tasks that are not that difficult

* primary objective is to demonstrate their ability

Growth beliefs:

* seek out challenges

* adopt learning goals without fear of making mistakes

* attribute failure to a lack of effort rather than a lack of intelligence

Mindset in CS education (Murphy, L., & Thomas, L. 2008, June).

* When learning technology, why do some people work through obstacles, take errors or bugs in stride and others become quickly frustrated and give up right away?

* Idea that you can change your view on intelligence, at least temporarily through a "continued and compelling message"

Negative feedback

* When learning technology, you continually get negative feedback.

* Cryptic Error messages

* Unfamiliar tools and environment

Novices at learning technology

* "Stoppers" - abandon all hope of ever solving the problem on their own (Perkins, et al 1986)

* Fear the computer

* have doubt in their abilities

* threat to self-esteem and your standing with peers and the teacher

* "Movers" - take steps to figure out the problem

* "Extreme movers" - take so many impulsive steps that it's ineffective and is their way of disengaging from the problem

* Risk avoidance and strategy abandonment is associated with fixed mindset

* Interventions are then needed to encourage you to a growth mindset

* Idea is to get to to a happy medium as a "mover"

Implications for teachers of technology (Yorke & Knight, 2004)

* Appreciate the significance of ones views on intelligence

* Be able to figure out if a student has fixed or growth mindset

* Have strategies to help encourage those who have a fixed mindset towards a growth mindset

So what are these strategies? (Murphy, L., & Thomas, L. 2008, June)

* Psychologist Lev Vygostsky theorized that learning is most effective when tasks are slightly above the students a...

One thing I hear A TON is, "I didn't grow up with technology! I will never be tech savvy."

Eeeeek! Have you heard about Carol Dweck and her research on Fixed and Growth Mindsets as it relates to our views on our own intelligence?

While it seems like the kids in your life know a ton more than you, it's really just that they never told themselves they couldn't do it.  In this episode of my podcast, I share with you a few stories about learning technology, some of the research behind how we view ourselves and our own intelligence, and some strategies you can use to help change the way you think about your ability to learn technology.

This episode is also great for those of you who are teaching technology to other people, whether you're a K-12 technology teacher, you volunteer at the library to teach older people how to use Google or email, or you work in higher ed. You can identify some mindset patterns that might be holding some of your students back!

Most people fall in one of 2 categories on beliefs of intelligence"

* view it as static (fixed mindset)

* view it as malleable or can be shaped or changed (growth mindset)

Fixed Mindset

* you are born with a certain amount of intelligence and there's very little you can do to change it

* helpless response to obstacles and challenges

Growth Mindset

* with hard work and persistence, one's intelligence can increase

Achievement goals are different based on which group you fall into:

Fixed beliefs:

* Performance goals by choosing tasks that are not that difficult

* primary objective is to demonstrate their ability

Growth beliefs:

* seek out challenges

* adopt learning goals without fear of making mistakes

* attribute failure to a lack of effort rather than a lack of intelligence

Mindset in CS education (Murphy, L., & Thomas, L. 2008, June).

* When learning technology, why do some people work through obstacles, take errors or bugs in stride and others become quickly frustrated and give up right away?

* Idea that you can change your view on intelligence, at least temporarily through a "continued and compelling message"

Negative feedback

* When learning technology, you continually get negative feedback.

* Cryptic Error messages

* Unfamiliar tools and environment

Novices at learning technology

* "Stoppers" - abandon all hope of ever solving the problem on their own (Perkins, et al 1986)

* Fear the computer

* have doubt in their abilities

* threat to self-esteem and your standing with peers and the teacher

* "Movers" - take steps to figure out the problem

* "Extreme movers" - take so many impulsive steps that it's ineffective and is their way of disengaging from the problem

* Risk avoidance and strategy abandonment is associated with fixed mindset

* Interventions are then needed to encourage you to a growth mindset

* Idea is to get to to a happy medium as a "mover"

Implications for teachers of technology (Yorke & Knight, 2004)

* Appreciate the significance of ones views on intelligence

* Be able to figure out if a student has fixed or growth mindset

* Have strategies to help encourage those who have a fixed mindset towards a growth mindset

So what are these strategies? (Murphy, L., & Thomas, L. 2008, June)

* Psychologist Lev Vygostsky theorized that learning is most effective when tasks are slightly above the students a...

Welcome to the first episode of ConnectED, a podcast with me, Heather Monthie.

This podcast is a way for you and I to connect, share ideas, and have some meaningful discussions about technology education, curiosity, leadership, self-discipline, motivation, lifelong learning, and self care through health and fitness.

I changed the name of the podcast. As my ideas and podcasting skills evolve, I fully expect this podcast to evolve! Who knows, it may change again! :)

In this episode, I share how this podcast came to be... when I polled you on my social media platforms, an overwhelming majority of you wanted to learn more about my thoughts, actions, and the things I've learned and implemented in the personal development space. I share a bit about what this podcast will be about: discipline, leadership, STEM education, health & fitness, lifelong learning.

The most frequently asked question I get is "How do you do so much and get so many things done?"

Trust me. It hasn't been an easy road and there's still so much more I want to do. I've had to learn strategies to be productive and keep moving towards my goals.

You'll learn about how I've bridged two areas I am passionate about: technology and education and formed a career around both. As I expand more into the broader theme of STEM education, I continue to be a lifelong learner and find hidden connections in what might at the surface be unrelated topics.

Finally, I talk a bit about how I'd like to focus on health, fitness, and wellness as a foundation for success in this podcast. I share a story about how things got pretty bad when I was working full time, working on my PhD, and completely neglecting taking care of my body, the vessel I have been given to make an impact on the world.

Over the years, I've learned a ton about discipline, leadership, confidence, motivation, and success. I hope you'll come along with me in the journey to learn, plan, and execute!

Notes:

This episode is sponsored by Fit Geek Boutique, your favorite source for STEM-themed leggings and other activewear!  (This is my personal store!)

Credits:

Podcast intro and outro music Late Night Tales by Lee Rosevere is licensed under a Attribution License.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of A Complete Mind: Integrating Technology in STEM Education.

In this podcast, I share with you the vision for this podcast. It is an extension of my blog and is another way for you and me to connect, share ideas, have discussions, and help further technology education across all disciplines.

Staying on theme with my website, the podcast will cover topics related to STEM education, leadership, influence, decision-making, growth mindset, career planning and more.

This podcast is for you if you are:

* a passionate teacher at any level from Pre-K to higher ed who is dedicated to helping students learn technology (and maybe you want to learn a few things to stay ahead of the students!)

* a caring school guidance counselor who helps advise students on career paths

* a trailblazing school administrator concerned with bringing technology into your school or district, training your teachers, how to pay for all this, and where to put it in the day

* a concerned member of your local community working hard to develop your local workforce and talent pool

* a policy-maker at some level, whether you're working to influence policy in your own school, working to influence STEM education policy at the Federal level, or somewhere in between

* a dedicated parent who wants to ensure that your child is well-prepared for the 21st century workforce (but you're also trying to help them grow up in a constantly connected world)

* a leader who employs people and has difficulty finding the right talent with the right technology skillset

* a curious newcomer to the tech industry who is trying to find their way

* a long-time technology professional who is dedicated to furthering your career as well as mentoring the newcomers

I give some examples of how future episodes might look. Podcasting is quite new to me and although I have a lot of experience in tech, this has been a great learning experience for me to learn how to use all the software, editing, and more. I hope you enjoy!

This episode is sponsored by Fit Geek Boutique, your favorite source for STEM-themed leggings and other activewear!  (This is my personal store!)

Credits:

Podcast intro and outro music Late Night Tales by Lee Rosevere is licensed under a Attribution License.