State Of Ed Podcast

After a long hiatus, Nick and Marc return with a show about why America's education system shouldn't be compared to Finland's. "Methods Lab" - How do babies learn and how can that research improve classroom instruction? Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com Subscribe to us on iTunes Follow us on Twitter: @soepodcast Links from the show: How young children learn Diane Ravitch on Common Core Why we’re not Finland How much American doctors earn 4 Reasons why schools in Finland are better Unicef study on child poverty rate

Nick and Marc celebrate the show's first anniversary at the Gilder Lerhman Institute in Manhattan and interview their president, Dr. James G. Basker. Topics include: Teaching through primary source documents Promoting a love of history in our schools Opportunities for teachers to study abroad "Methods Lab" - Bringing Hamilton, the man and the musical, to urban schools Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com Subscribe to us on iTunes Links from the show: The Gilder Lehrman Institute Oxbridge Academic Programs Hamilton educational outreach Nominate someone for National History Teacher of the Year

Nick and Marc discuss the recent Tri State Technology Conference, sponsored by EdSurge. "Methods Lab" - One to One Implementation How do we avoid turning tablets into really expensive notebooks? Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com Subscribe to us on iTunes Links from the show: SAMR Model kytelearning.com Tri State Technology Conference

Nick and Marc discuss the movie THE MARTIAN, tearing up student work and Internet access in Mississippi."Methods Lab" - Untimed AssessmentsHow will these new changes in New York State impact students?Will testing ever be the same?Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.comSubscribe to us on iTunesLinks from the show:PBS piece on Internet access in Mississippi schoolsClip from THE MARTIAN (spoiler alert)NYT article on The Success Academy Charter School in Brooklyn

Nick and Marc discuss the newly enacted Every Child Succeeds legislation, as well as two articles illustrating the vast educational disparities that exist from community to community. "Methods Lab" - Midterms Should we continue to administer midterm exams? What do quality midterms look like? Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com Subscribe to us on iTunes Links from the show: NYT article on Ethnic Divide in New Jersey NYT article on diminishing value of high school diplomas Every Child Succeeds Act

Nick and Marc discuss Secretary Duncan's recent about face on the abundance of standardized testing time."Methods Lab" - Flippin' ReviewHow much time, if any, should be dedicated to review?Nick offers a great solution for increasing test preparation while preserving instructional time in the classroom.Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.comSubscribe to us on iTunesLinks from the show:NY Times article on the rollback of testing time by Secretary DuncanA listener shares a great video

Nick and Marc welcome Dr. Carol Burris, former New York State High School Principal of the Year and current Executive Director of the Network for Public Education Fund, as well as the co-director of the Schools of Opportunity Project at the National Policy Education Center."Methods Lab" - The Observation ProcessWhat is a principal looking for?What makes for an effective post-observation conference? Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.comSubscribe to us on iTunesLinks from the show:NY Times article on the rollback of testing time by President ObamaDr. Burris takes on APPRwww.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/the-dangers-of-building-a-plane-in-the-air/2011/09/30/gIQAojqWAL_blog.htmlwww.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/forging-ahead-with-nutty-teacher-evaluation-plan/2011/12/29/gIQAkMiYQP_blog.htmlwww.newyorkprincipals.org/appr-paperwww.nepc.colorado.edu/blog/teacher-evaluation-going-badwww.nepc.colorado.edu/blog/what-thoughtle

Nick and Marc welcome Karen Bronson, former teacher and principal, who currently serves as a staff developer for SAANYS. "Methods Lab" - Professional Development Why does PD get such a bad wrap? What are the keys to providing quality PD? Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com Subscribe to us on iTunes

Nick and Marc discuss Arne Duncan's exit and the arrival of John B. King as U.S. Secretary of Education. "Methods Lab" - The First Progress Report How optimistic should the first one be? To what extent does student behavior change around this time? Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com Subscribe to us on iTunes Links related to this episode: Arne Duncan is leaving

Nick and Marc welcome Dr. Christina Sapienza to the show. They discuss the impact that gender bias is having on young girls and the role schools can play in ending this unfair practice."Methods Lab" - Teacher TrainingAre new teachers adequately trained to enter the classroom?Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.comSubscribe to us on iTunesLinks related to this episode:Teacher Training piece in NY TimesThe Threat of Stereotype by Joshua AronsonAronson’s research - Women and mathDr. Sapienza’s links on gender biasseejane.orgBechdel test

Nick and Marc discuss some changes to A.P.P.R. in New York State, an ongoing legal action by a teacher in Great Neck and a valedictorian's appeal for greater college affordability. "Methods Lab" - The First Days of School How can you turn a traditionally rote, boring day into one that fosters excitement and interest? Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com Subscribe to us on iTunes Links related to this episode: Great Neck teacher’s trial Kacie Candela’s Newsday piece Victor Fleischer’s indictment of Yale First Five Days Twitter Hashtag on First Days

Nick and Marc welcome Barry Isseks, former Technology Coordinator of the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, to discuss the infrastructure and software that has driven unprecedented change in education over the past two decades. "Methods Lab" - Distance Learning To what extent is this transforming learning? Can we ever truly replace a three-dimensional learning environment? Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com Subscribe to us on iTunes Links related to this episode: NY Times: Disconnecting From Our Digital Lives

Nick and Marc discuss social-emotional learning (a.k.a. character education) and how it can create improved learning environments in schools. "Methods Lab" - Vocabulary How can we improve students' vocabulary skills? Is a dictionary better than dictionary.com? Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com Subscribe to us on iTunes Links related to this episode: Overcoming Obstacles NY Times: Teaching Social Skills

Nick and Marc welcome their first guest, Mary Craig, to the show. They discuss the ousting of Pearson, the Value Added Model and the incredible efforts of librarians and teachers in Charlottesville, Virginia to bring books to underprivileged children. "Methods Lab" - Summer Assignments What does a quality assignment consist of? Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com Subscribe to us on iTunes Links related to this episode: Carole Burris’s Blog Post Pearson Is Out in NYS Link to the Books on Bikes program Books on Bikes on Facebook David Brooks’ column on attention span

Nick and Marc discuss personnel changes at the New York State DoE and debate whether or not cell phones should be permitted in class. "Methods Lab" - Attire The case for and against school uniforms Should there be a dress code for professional educators? Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com Subscribe to us on iTunes Links related to this episode: NY Times article on Screen Addiction The Science of “Inside Out” School Uniform Debate

Nick and Marc discuss the educational impact of the Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage, "scrubbing" in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and Pixar's latest film, "Inside Out." "Methods Lab" - Differences in teaching preadolescents and teens   Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com Subscribe to us on iTunes Links related to this episode: Common Core Documentary NY Post Article on Scrubbing

Nick and Marc discuss a recent article in the Washington Post regarding teacher burnout and high turnover rates. "Methods Lab" - The Drain a) How can teachers leave at the end of the day with more energy than the students?   Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com Subscribe to us on iTunes Links related to this episode: Washington Post: Why So Many Teachers Want To Leave - And How To Get Them To Stay Joe Nocera's NYT column: How To Grade A Teacher

Nick and Marc discuss Nick's recent sojourn to Kentucky to score AP US History exams. "Methods Lab" - College Board Workshops a) What sessions did Nick attend? b) Is there anything worth implementing in the classroom? Sharing with colleagues? c) Were there any administrators in attendance? Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com Subscribe to us on iTunes Links related to this episode: EdWeek:Decision-Making Game

Nick and Marc discuss the recent appointment of Commissioner Elia. They also break down various commencement speeches and offer suggestions to the Class of 2015. "Methods Lab" - Cooperative Learning a) How can you make it work well? b) When is it too much? c) Why doesn't it work all the time? Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com Links related to this episode: Washington Post announces Commissioner Elia Graduation Speeches - Excerpts from the NY Times Commencement Speech by David McCullough Jr.

Nick and Marc discuss the social, emotional and academic damage caused by social media and offer suggestions to help children and parents navigate the dark waters of technology with greater success. "Methods Lab" - Reading Aloud a) When should a teacher read aloud in class? What about the students? Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com Links related to this episode: BBC: Rescue Our Kids From the Digital World NY Times: Diagnosing The Wrong Deficit