The EdShift Podcast

Tech with Purpose: Skills and Support for Teachers with Dr. Sam Fecich

On this episode, Katie and Kris are joined by professor, author, and podcast host herself, Dr. Sam Fecich. They chat about supporting teachers, developing skills for and with new educators, and lots more. They dive into the importance of using technology with PURPOSE in classrooms and give examples of the most valuable transferable skills for teaching with tech. 
 
Discover more about Dr. Sam - including her newest books "Digital PD for Teachers" & "Crush it from the start: 50 tips for new teachers" at: https://www.sfecich.com
 
Get in touch with Katie and Kris: katie@educatalyst.com
On IG: @keighten
And on Twitter: @Keightyen & @KrisAstle
 
Big thanks to our awesome editor Kevin Olenick!
 
 

Neuroscience and Learning: An Accessible Intro with Kris and Katie

While a lot of people might glaze over when the word neuroscience enters the conversation, Katie and Kris maintain that when you understand a bit of what happens in the brain, it gives a lot of context to some of the things that are happening in classrooms. This super approachable discussion of the way the brain works and WHY that matters in teaching and learning give a good intro to the intersection of neuroscience and education. Dip into topics like language learning, how the two sides of the brain communicate and why that matters, and what does 'right-brained' and 'left-brained' REALLY mean? Plus, can we 'fake it till we make it' when it comes to how our brain manages emotions? 
 
Get in touch with Katie and Kris: katie@educatalyst.com
On IG: @keighten
And on Twitter: @Keightyen & @KrisAstle
 
Big thanks to our awesome editor Kevin Olenick!

Doing WHAT? Returning to the Classroom with Teachers Judy & Kristen

In this episode, Kris and Katie dive in with two educators - Judy and Kristen - who have chosen to go BACK to the classroom in recent months. Hear why they chose to dive back in at a time when many educators are more than ready to get out, and what they see as the same, and different with their students and colleagues today. Are kids more 'grown up' now? What impact has Covid had from the standpoint of educators who were looking in from the outside? And what is it like to jump into EdTech when you haven't been in the classroom for 20 years? Explore these questions and more with two 'new-again' teachers. 
Many thanks to Judy and Kristen for joining this episode and sharing their experiences. 
Check out the PD Course Judt mentioned from the Heritage Institute: https://www.hol.edu/courses/keep-students-from-falling-through-the-cracks?list=Instructor%20Courses#sthash.XBLWdotn.dpbs
Get in touch with Katie and Kris: katie@educatalyst.com
On IG: @keighten
And on Twitter: @Keightyen & @KrisAstle
 
Big thanks to our awesome editor Kevin Olenick!

EdTech Evidence & Research with Katie

In this episode, Kris dives in with Katie about the EdTech Assessment Tool - a perpetual research project looking at what works in EdTech globally. The tool focuses on evaluating 32 different capabilities for successful EdTech planning and implementation, and maps the importance of each based on outcomes. Discover what's working in high-preforming schools around the world, and how emergency remote learning changed the data about what's most important for success with EdTech. 
Learn more about the EdTech Assessment Tool at: www.smarttech.com/profile 
 
Get in touch with Katie and Kris: katie@educatalyst.com
On IG: @keighten
And on Twitter: @Keightyen & @KrisAstle
 
Big thanks to our awesome editor Kevin Olenick!

Preparing Students for Their Future (Not Ours) with Gabriel Carrillo of EdTech Bites

From Spanish Rice to Dungeons and Dragons to Whataburger, join Kris and Katie with Gabriel Carrillo of EdTech Bites as they discuss modelling, students creation, and so much more. Hear ideas and reflections for EdTech in 2023, and tips for how to tap into what students truly value. Hear why Gabriel's key coaching goal is to have teachers stop creating lessons and start creating experiences. 
Find Gabriel at FETC, TCEA and ISTE in 2023, and be sure to check out the EdTech Bites blog and podcast for lots of great insights about EdTech AND food: https://edtechbites.com/
 
Get in touch with Katie and Kris: katie@educatalyst.com
On Twitter: @Keightyen, @KrisAstle & @TheEdShiftPod
And on IG: @keighten
Big thanks to our awesome editor Kevin Olenick!

Devices, Social Media, and Learning: Teaching With and About Tech with Kris and Katie

Devices, devices, devices, rockin' everywhere. But, are they having the right impact in classrooms? How can devices be put to good use to help kids learn not only with tech, but about it, too? Join Kris and Katie as they dive into some of these questions and examine the role that devices can play in teaching and learning. 
 
Download the 'In Defense of Devices' whitepaper  authored by Katie and Kris for SMART Technologies here: https://go.smarttech.com/en/developing-tech-fluency-in-students 
 
Get in touch with Katie and Kris: katie@educatalyst.com
And on Twitter: @TheEdShiftPod, @Keightyen & @KrisAstle
 
Big thanks to our awesome editor Kevin Olenick!
 

Equity, Creativity & Student Tech Creation with Alefiya Master

In this episode, the Founder and CEO of MAD Learn Alefiya Master joins Kris and Katie to discuss the power of putting technology creation in the hands of students for equitable, empowered learning. Discover how MAD Learn helps put the design thinking process into practice in classrooms, and hear about some fantastic ideas students have developed. Plus, hear about that time that Katie made up an entire book for a high school book report. 
Learn more about MAD Learn and student tech creation here: https://mad-learn.com/
And connect on Twitter: @MADLearn
Get in touch with Katie and Kris: katie@educatalyst.com 
And on Twitter: @TheEdShiftPod, @Keightyen & @KrisAstle 
 
Big thanks to our awesome editor Kevin Olenick!

Connections, Courage, and the Interconnectedness of Digital Strategy with Philippa Wraithmell

In this episode, Kris and Katie are joined by Philippa Wraithmell - author, educator, and Lead for Digital Strategy, Learning, and Innovation for a group of schools in the Middle East. They discuss and explore the journey of planning, strategy, and digital innovation in schools, and the importance of looking at it as so much more than just monitoring devices. Hear why digital strategy is like a geodesic dome, and why being brave and asking questions along the way can take you places you never imagined. 
Find Philippa's book, The Digital Ecosystem: How to create a sustainable digital strategy for your school on Amazon globally: https://www.amazon.com/Philippa-Wraithmell/e/B09M8Q6S1S%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
And connect with her on Twitter: @MrsWraithmell
Connect with Kris and Katie: 
katie@educataylst.com
And on Twitter: @TheEdShiftPod, @keightyen & @KrisAstle 
 
Big thanks to our opening voice talent Samantha Hussey and excellent editor Kevin Olenick. 
 

Tools for Supporting Mental Wellbeing for Students & Teachers

Everyone experiences stress, anxiety, and other emotions differently. In this episode, we explore that while teachers shouldn't have to be mental health counselors, ensuring they have the proper knowledge and tools available to recognize, address, and support students when they're struggling is vital. Kris and Katie are joined by Bob McCullough from Kooth and Kacie Germadnik from Lumio and discuss some of the research-backed tools offered by Kooth, and how free resources in Lumio can help all educators with the immense task of supporting mental wellbeing in their classrooms. 
Learn more about the research-based Kooth mental health platform: https://go.smarttech.com/kooth & https://www.kooth.com
 
Follow Kooth on Twitter: @Kooth_PLC 
 
And connect with your hosts:
Katie: @keightyen
Kris: @Kris
 
Review and leave feedback, or reach out by email!
katie@educatalyst.com
 
Special thanks to EdShift editor Kevin Olenick.

The UN Transforming Education Summit: Topics and Trends with Giancarlo Brotto

In this special edition episode, Kris and Katie are joined by Global Education Advisor Giancarlo Brotto for a breakdown of the trends and topics discussed at the UN’s 2022 Transforming Education Summit. Hear about the setup of the summit, the key takeaways, and what anyone listening to the podcast can do to help move education forward. They chat about SDG 4, equity in education, funding, assessment, and lots more.
The Transforming Education Summit was convened in response to a 'global crisis in education' – one of equity and inclusion, quality, and relevance. Learn more about it and the commitments coming out of it here: https://www.un.org/en/transforming-education-summit 
 
Connect with Giancarlo on Twitter: @4GBrotto
 
And connect with your hosts:
Katie: @keightyen
Kris: @Kris
Review and us leave feedback, or reach out by email! katie@educatalyst.com
Special thanks to EdShift editor Kevin Olenick.