SOS Podcast

This episode debunks a few misconceptions about Maker education and design projects. We have help with the debunking from Lindsey Simmons, an educator who has partnered with Mackin Maker, who have been a phenomenal sponsor of this show. Our conversation goes on to explore ways we can use the design cycle in many different ways and how understanding that cycle can set us up for all types of projects in our personal lives. Lindsey also helps us think about sustainability and the intersection of literacy and MakerED. Learn all about Lindsey Simmons here. And follow her on social media here. --------- Have you heard about our pre-sale offer on now? Click here to learn more about our pathways for educators looking to leverage the power of Chat GPT and other Generative AI tools. Reach out to us at info (at) shiftingschools.com to learn more -- For the rest of the links mentioned in this episode: Key Strategies for Maker Education (click here) via Mackin Maker Three myths of making (click here) via Mackin Maker Cr

Jeff and Tricia talk about Chat GPT and other generative AI tools. The big question in this episode is: How might you use Chat GPT as a thought partner this year? We asked Chat GPT to help us out with the intro for this show, to tell us more about what misconceptions there are about Chat GPT. What did it tell us?   "ChatGPT is sentient or conscious: ChatGPT is a machine learning model, it does not have consciousness or self-awareness. It can only respond based on the patterns it has learned from the data it was trained on. ChatGPT is always correct: ChatGPT is a powerful tool, but it is not infallible. It may make mistakes or produce nonsensical responses if it is given input that it has not been trained on or if the input is ambiguous. ChatGPT can write any kind of text: ChatGPT is a language model, it can generate text based on patterns it has learned from the data it was trained on. However, its performance may vary depending on the specific task or genre of text. For example, it may not perform as well o

How do you build a network of learners and how does that network in turn shape you as a learner? On the podcast this week, Drea Weiner answers that question (and many others). This conversation is supported by our amazing sponsors: Stem Sports and MackinMaker At the heart of this conversation, we think about how we can cultivate the mindsets that promote STEM-based inquiry and set students up to be leaders in MakerEd. Drea reminds us that STEM learning intersects our entire curriculum and invites interdisciplinary learning and community connections. Let's learn more about our guest: Drea Weiner is the MiSTEM Network Regional Director for the Northwestern Lower MiSTEM Network region. She provides professional learning, support, community connections to education, grant writing guidance, and resources to educators in order to bring the best possible STEM education to students. Drea is one of the founders of Newton's Road 3D, a STEM professional learning community for teachers wanting to give their students the

In this episode, Tricia and Jeff are talking about our relationships with social media, misinformation, disinformation and the role schools must play when leading for media literacy. This conversation was inspired by this recent article in the New York Times by Jenny Gross. Our guests talk about the influence technology has on learners of all ages. The look at what it might mean to help students build habits that ensure they come to their social media with curiosity and a desire to check for bias and become savvy consumers of information. They go on to mention that NPR has launched its annual student podcat competition. Jeff and Tricia offer listeners a special offer on two of the professional development options. Looking to build media literacy routines with learners of all ages? Check out our free guide today. Reach out to the hosts via info (at) shiftingschools (dot) (com) Other resources discussed: Canva image AI https://www.canva.com/features/ai-image-generator/   Open AI image creator https://openai.com

Thanks to our special sponsors for their support of our show. Learn more by heading to StemSports.com and MackinMacker.com today.  On this week Jeff and Tricia talk to Sevile Mannickarottu: Director of Penn's Bioengineering Educational Lab & Bio-MakerSpace-the only Bio-Maker Space in the world. They talk about what it means to create an archive and a legacy of learning. Sevile also shares ways educators can get started in creating a Makerspace. You can learn all about Sevile's work here. Check out the introductory video to the lab here. Also discussed in this episode is Backyard Brains, learn more here. Learn more about ways to learn with Shifting Schools at www.shiftingschools.com Do you want to connect with our hosts? Email info (at) shiftingschools (dot) (com)  

Are you looking to take on a new challenge of leading learning at an upcoming conference? Would you like to refine the way you approach delivering professional development at your school? This episode is all about our recommendations for approaching the application process, as well as communicating what your session is all about with peers. The full guidance is available for you to download free, click here for more. This conversation came to be because a value podcast listener (like you!) reached out for advice after hearing us remind folks that Learning2 Asia is open for applications now until January 23rd. You can learn more about that opportunity here. Have a question you'd like to see Jeff and Tricia take on? Reach them at info (at) shiftingschools (dot com)

Sponsors Thank you to our sponsors for this mini-series on STEM and MakerSpace. Check out both StemSports.com and MackinMacker.com today. Find all the offers from all our sponsors at https://www.shiftingschools.com/offers Episode On this episode, we explore the joy of tinkering, the social-emotional case for making, and we question the benefits of cultivating a beginner's mindset. Whether you are an experienced teacher of MakerEd or you've never thought of yourself as a 'maker' this episode is for you. Our special guest on the show is Mike Bycraft. Mike Bycraft is an international educator who specializes in design, robotics, engineering, and makerspaces. He is the head of design and innovation at Korea International School. Prior to moving internationally, Mike taught AP and IB sciences in the United States, in Clark County School District. Mike has created design programs, makerspaces, and robotics curriculum for K-12 students. In 2021 his project of redesigning a controller was featured on the Makey Makey

Few educators would disagree with the idea that feedback is crucial for meaningful learning. So how can we support one another in striving for better feedback processes? As students move towards the process of setting goals for a new year, what are some of the conversations we need to prioritize in order to scaffold that planning? In this special bonus episode, we hear from educator Madalena Elshoff as she walks us through the way she leveraged on of our Shifting Schools free guides in order to reimagine feedback, goal setting, and classroom culture. Specifically we talk about the free guide "Learner Focused Goal Setting." Did you know our free resource library has over 60 free guides for educators to choose from? Visit our library here. Is there a resource you would like to see us work on for your school this year? Email Jeff and Tricia at info (at) shiftingschools (dot com) today! Members of our free newsletter community receive weekly updates on the latest free guide as well as additional resouces and idea

A new year is a time when many of us start thinking about new goals, and new habits we want to cultivate. And yet, how many of us have had the time and the opportunity to dig into the research on habit formation? On this episode, Jeff and Tricia talk to Wendy Wood about her phenomenal book Good Habits, Bad Habits. This episode puts a spotlight on some of the research and insight included in that book. Wendy Wood, explains why we have some misguided ideas about how habits are cultivated. Our conversation is a timely reminder of the importance and significance our learning environments have for learners of all ages. We hope this conversation inspires you to spark better, more meaningful conversations about habits and the role they play in your learning organization. Ready to learn more about the guest on this week's episode? Wendy Wood is a UK-born psychologist who is the Provost Professor of Psychology and Business at University of Southern California, where she has been a faculty member since 2009. She previo

In this replay episode from June, 2022 the number one listened to episode of the the year. Jeff reflects on the past year of shifting schools and how this conversation about cell phones is a microcosm for the educational shift at large we find ourselves in.  Jeff shares a snipet from his 2019 conversation with Microsoft around cell phones in the classroom and education at large. You can watch the full interviwe with jeff at this link. This has been an incredible year for Shifting Schools. We went through a lot of transitions this year. From new album art and website logos from Chrissy to Tricia becoming a full time co-host on the podcast and taking on the role of Creative Content Extraordinaire. I’m happy to announce that Tricia and I will continue working together in 2023. How she finds time to do everything she’s involved in still blows me away. From her own podcast and newsletter Be A Better Ally to her new podcast Unhinged Collaboration. Her dedication to educators, education, students and the LGBTQ+ comm

On this special episode, Jeff and Tricia sit down with a listener of the show: Joe Taranto. Joe reached out to Jeff and Tricia about his experience podcasting with students. Joe shares what he has learned over the years of launching and sustaining a podcast that is truly student-led. This episode is great for fellow educators who are curious about what a podcast might bring to their community as well as for educators reimagining student agency and student leadership. We discuss practical strategies for sustaining a podcast and avoiding a few hurdles along the way. Ready to learn more about Joe's student-driven podcast? Check out The Eagle's View here Connect with Joe on Twitter: @JoeRayTee School  Learn more about the school he works at: https://www.emerson-school.org/ Are you looking for more support in leveraging the power of podcasts? Check out one of our recent free webinars for more ideas here. Hoping to do more with podcasts as part of your professional learning? As always you can find all of our free g

The Port Townsend School District Website for the 2022 Salish Coast Elementary Children’s Film Festival This year the Library/STEM program at Salish Coast Elementary hosted the 2022 SC Children’s Film Festival! It was created by our K-5 citizen-scientists as a “Call to Action for the Future of the Salish Coast Ecosystem” and our students are excited to share their voices to tell their stories to ask our community: “What Will You Do to Help?” https://sites.google.com/ptschools.org/sc-childrens-film-festival-22/home Novel Effect is a Seattle-based company that created a fantastic free app that follows along as you read aloud books and uses voice recognition software to respond at just the right moment with music, sounds, and character voices to help make storytime magic.  They also have premium plans with educator discounts. https://noveleffect.com/educators/ WeVideo is an easy to use, chromebook compatible, cloud-based editing platform that allows teachers and students to work collaboratively on creating gifs

On this episode we are so excited to bring you words of wisdom from Eva Murray. Eva Murray is an international speaker on the topics of data visualization, data culture and data communities ,she’s a published author, and is a driving force for women’s empowerment in the technology industry. You can learn all about her work at:  evamurray.co.uk Three questions are on our minds after learning with Eva: 1) What might we do to better tell stories with data and why might data visualization be a skillset to lean into more in 2023? 2) How are our learning organizations fostering listening skill sets: specifically putting greater emphasis on how we can best listen for understanding? 3) What's the relationship between data analysis and curiosity? Connect with this week's special guest online Via LinkedIN Via Twitter If public speaking is something you are working on for your new year's goals be sure to also give her book a look! You can learn more about it here. Have you checked out our latest free guides? Learn more

About Swapna Krishna Swapna Krishna is a science and technology communicator specializing in the geek space. She regularly creates science videos on TikTok and contributes to Wired, NPR, StarTrek.com, New Scientist, and Engadget. Krishna’s writing has appeared in outlets such as The Verge, Polygon, Fast Company, The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, Business Insider, and Slate. She is currently writing a book on stargazing for Chronicle Books (Fall 2023). You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Subscribe to Swapna’s brand new show Far Out on PBS Far Out explores the future of science, technology, and culture and how these changes may affect humanity and life on Earth. With pop culture and sci-fi references, the series will be humorous and fun, but unafraid to ask tough questions and explore unknowns. Far Out is the inaugural show in a lineup of new STEM-related content coming to PBS Terra with support from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)’s Advancing Informal STEM Learnin

On this episode, Jeff and Tricia bring listeners an abundance of news. Up first they let listeners know that the 3rd annual collection of protocols is now available to download free. Jeff and Tricia talk about the many ways protocols have been helpful to them as facilitators of professional learning, as well as for their own learning, reflection, and creative processes. That free guide puts an emphasis not only on collaboration but also on ways we can seek to lead with belonging in mind. Tricia and Jeff then move on to explore and discuss the brand new podcast playlists that listeners can explore. So far there are three playlists: one on storytelling, one on the future of work, and one that looks to expand a school's professional learning library. Jeff also lets the community know about the new offers page where the Shifting Schools podcast family can learn more about special offers made possible through sponsors and partners. This is the time of year that the Shifting Schools team would love listener feedbac

In this free webinar from Jeff and Tricia we talk about using a backwards chaining approach to scaffling learning for students and why right now is a great time to introduce students to podcasts before the winter (or summer) holiday break.  - A list of podcasts for studnets - What does it mean to "read" in today's world? - How we can use podcasts to scaffold creativing writing for students Watch the free webinar on Youtube here and make sure to subscribe to not miss any of our upcoming webinars.  Make a copy of the presentation here Thank you to Quizalize for being a sponor of the podcast. You can get 1 month free of their premium subscription when you visit this link. 

Sponsors:  Quizalize.com Get started with 1 mont free premium subscrption when you visit bit.ly/SHIFTINGSCHOOLS Guest: Francisco Cervantes Francisco Cervantes is the Director of Creative Learning of the Scratch Foundation. Francisco has extensive experience researching, designing, and implementing educational resources in K–12 computer science. https://scratch.mit.edu/ https://www.scratchfoundation.org/ ScratchEd’s Creative Computing Curriculum Guide

This is an audio recording of the free webniar Jeff and Tricia did on YouTube.  Watch the webinar on YouTube and don't forget to subscribe to catch more live free webinars.  Make a copy of the slide presentation to keep Sponsor:  Quizalize.com Save 80% by signing up for a yearly premium subscription when you use the code SHIFTINGSCHOOLS at checkout. Good through December 4th. 

Sponsors:  Quizalize.com  Save 80% on a yearly premium subscription when you use the code SHIFTINGSCHOOLS at checkout.  Join Jeff at the NCCE23 conference happening in Tacoma, WA. Stop by and say high or be on an episode of Shifting Schools as we record live from the conference on March 23rd, 2023 Today's Guess: Aaron Reiss Aaron Reiss is a freelance researcher, journalist, and cartographer based in New York City. He publishes work in places like The New Yorker, The New York Times, This American Life, The Atlantic, NPR, The Pulitzer Center, and more. Aaron's Twitter Getting Started with Podcasting Learning Series Google Earth adn Google MyMaps Professional Learning Pathways

Sponsors:  Quizalize.com Save 80% off a 1-year premium subscription when you use offer code SHIFTINGSCHOOLS at check out! Nanjing International School is seeking a PYP Coordinator Interested applicants can learn more and apply online at www.nischina.org/employment Education Concierge Podcasthttps://justteachbasics.wixsite.com/globaled Today's Guest: Dr. Sarah Lamdan Sarah Lamdan is a professor at CUNY School of Law. She also has a master's degree in library science and legal information management and a law certificate in environmental law. Her research focuses on information law and policy. When she's not teaching, she works on data justice projects across the spectrum from open government to personal privacy. She researches and writes about information access, surveillance & privacy, and informational capitalism. She's written a book about data analytics companies called Data Cartels (Stanford University Press). Data Cartels (Stanford University Press) Amazon Link