10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher

Latest Episodes:

#67 Game Based Learning and Twine May 02, 2017

Show notes

Matt Farber talks about game-based learning in his classroom and a new tool he loves: Twine. We're also hosting a giveaway contest of his new book Game Based Learning version 2.

As Matt discusses Game-Based Learning, you'll hear:

Why game-based learning works
Matt's favorite example of game-based learning
How Matt got a month ahead in his history curriculum using Twine to make adventure games
Other ideas of how Matt uses GBL in his classroom
Other ways to use Twine in other subjects

Matthew Farber, Ed.D. teaches social studies at Valleyview Middle School, in Denville, New Jersey. Dr. Farber is an Edutopia blogger and cohost of Ed Got Game, on the BAM! Radio Network, and is a BrainPOP Certified Educator. He was a recipient of a Geraldine R. Dodge Teacher Fellowship and a Woodrow Wilson HistoryQuest Fellowship. Look for the new, expanded, revised edition of his book, Gamify Your Classroom: A Field Guide to Game-Based Learning -- Revised Edition (Peter Lang Publishing, 2017),

To learn more, please visit http://matthewfarber.com

A full transcript of this show and the show notes are available at www.coolcatteacher.com/podcast as well as details on entering this month's giveaway contests.

#66 How to Make it to the End of the School Year #MondayMotivation May 01, 2017

Show notes

Today I share a post I wrote several years a go that tends to be shared like crazy this time of year. I hope it encourages you to finish well. Here's the link to the blog post: http://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-to-make-it-to-the-end-of-the-school-year/

I've also got a new way I'm posting transcripts. Once the show goes up, give it a few hours and the transcript will go live at www.coolcatteacher.com/e66

So, it is the episode number and the letter e in front for all episodes. I hope you find this encouraging and happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

#65 5 Mistakes that Hurt Standardized Test Scores Apr 28, 2017

Show notes

Dr. Brad Johnson talks about the mistakes schools make that hurt their standardized test scores. You might be surprised that sometimes the things schools do may have the opposite impact of what they intend. Consider this feedback as you prepare to administer testing this spring. As Brad discusses standardized testing mistakes schools make, he will share:

Mistakes we make in routines during testing
How keeping kids "quiet" and limiting activities may be a mistake
The importance of resource classes
Important things for administrators to consider
Perspective on testing Dr. Johnson is a speaker in the fields of education and leadership.

He is the author of six books including, From School Administrator to School Leader, & Learning on Your Feet: Incorporating Physical Activity into the K-8 Classroom (Routledge). He teaches graduate-level leadership courses and other educational courses.

A full transcript of this show and the show notes are available at www.coolcatteacher.com/podcast as well as details on entering this month's giveaway contests.

#64 Fast Problem Solving and Innovation with Hack Learning Apr 27, 2017

Show notes

Mark Barnes @markbarnes19 discusses a popular method of problem-solving: Hack Learning. Instead of a 5-year plan, this model helps educators improve on a daily and more short term basis. He gives examples of how educators are hacking (and improving) meetings and more. Let's Hack Learning!

Today, Mark shares how we can Hack Learning by:

Understanding the model of hacking learning
Giving us examples including cloud meetings
The problems with hacking learning (when people don't want to change)
How to solve problems not marinate in them
An exciting perspective on change

Mark Barnes is a longtime educator, author, podcaster, and Founder of Times 10 Publications. Mark is the creator of Hack Learning -- books, podcasts, presentations and other content that provides right-now solutions for teachers and learners. One of the world's most recognizable connected educators, @markbarnes19 and his team of internationally-renowned eduhackers are turning the Hack Learning problem-solving model into a global movement. Dedicated to this mission, they are giving away 10,000 books and other free innovative digital content in 2017. Learn more at http://hacklearningfree.com.

A full transcript of this show and the show notes are available at www.coolcatteacher.com/podcast as well as details on entering this month's giveaway contests.

#63 Teaching CyberSecurity to Empower Students and Schools to Be Safe Apr 26, 2017

Show notes

David Raymond is part of equipping Virginia high school students to defend themselves from cyber attacks. With knowledge in digital forensics and current technology, the Virginia Cyber Range is working to lead the world in educating its students on cyber security. Learn how in this wide-ranging conversation about modern security.

As David Raymond and I discuss cyber security, we talk about:

Privacy online
Digital hygiene (yes, this is a word!)
Password knowledge
Digital forensics
Issues with Smart devices and security

David Raymond @dnomyard is Director of the Virginia Cyber Range, Deputy Director of Virginia Tech's IT Security Office and Lab, and adjunct faculty in the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at VT. He has taught networking and cyber security courses for over ten years at Virginia Tech and West Point and is a retired U.S. Army officer.

A full transcript of this show and the show notes are available at www.coolcatteacher.com/podcast as well as details on entering this month's giveaway contests.

#62 Special Needs #edtech treasure chest with Jennifer Cronk Apr 25, 2017

Show notes

Jennifer Cronk helps us empower those with special needs. She shares her treasure chest of favorite edech tools for those with special needs. This show is a must-listen for special needs teachers.

In today's show about special needs edtech tools, Jennifer Cronk shares:

Why speech recognition empowers students
How to help students guide their eyes in online reading
Accessibility tools
Why we should help students select tools and empower their learning
A full edtech treasure chest for special needs students

Jennifer Cronk is an Assistant Manager of Emerging Technologies for the Southern Westchester BOCES in New York. She currently oversees and strategically plans the Google Apps transformations of several school districts in Westchester County. Jennifer began her career in 1996 as a computer teacher and passionately pursued the ed tech field for twenty years. Jennifer presents nationally at instructional technology conferences, and workshops on integrating Google Apps and other emerging technologies into learning. She is a Google Certified Innovator and Google Education Trainer. Also, Jennifer is also certified: administrator, English teacher, elementary teacher and educational technology specialist.

Jennifer also blogs about "digital parenting," professional development and educational technology at www.transparentlyteaching.com and is a co-host of the blab.im show "Positively Special Ed."

A full transcript of this show and the show notes are available at www.coolcatteacher.com/podcast as well as details on entering this month's giveaway contests.

#61 Combatting Emotional Fatigue: A Teacher's occupational Hazard Apr 24, 2017

Show notes

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life" Mary Oliver. Joan Flaherty, the author of Rest and An Approach to Rejuvenating our Teaching and Ourselves, talks about how we can combat emotional fatigue. Teacher, you have one wild and precious life. Our students do too.

We need to use it well. In today's show on emotional fatigue, Joan discusses

How we should center ourselves in the classroom
Some counterintuitive thoughts on our relationship with students
Focusing on our learning from everything
Advice for teachers who are burning out
Encouragement for all you teachers working so hard

Bio from Joan Flaherty: I'm a faculty member in the School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management at the University of Guelph, Canada, where I teach communications. My research is in the area of teaching and learning.

A full transcript of this show and the show notes are available at www.coolcatteacher.com/podcast as well as details on entering this month's giveaway contests.

#60 5 Easy Brain Breaks for Your Classroom Apr 21, 2017

Show notes

Want to help students learn and be more refreshed. Students need breaks too. That is why brain breaks are becoming so popular. Teacher Rob Donatelli @DTown_MrD talks about the Brain Breaks phenomenon and gives teachers five ideas he uses in his classroom for brain brains in his high school class. Take a brain break today! Rob will share five ideas today including the:

Backwards classroom race
60-second pitches
Face off
Smartphone ping pong
Penny catch

Plus, a 40-second pitch to teachers about the reasons they need brain breaks in their classroom.

Have some fun! Take a break! You might need these especially as kids are taking high-intensity tests to help kids refresh and gear back up.

(I am not crazy about the tests but I am crazy about kids and when I feel things getting too intense, I take brain breaks with my students.)

A full transcript of this show and the show notes are available at www.coolcatteacher.com/podcast as well as details on entering this month's giveaway contests.

#59 Tips for Successful Digital Parenting Apr 20, 2017

Show notes

How much time on devices is too long? Should kids put up their smartphones and talk to each other and parents sometimes? Are we using technology too much as parents?

Today, for Thought Leader Thursday, Weston Kieschnick @wes_kieschnick and I have a conversation about digital parenting. There aren't easy answers, but one thing is sure, we won't find answers without having the hard conversations.

In today's show, Weston and I discuss:

Digital overuse and digital deserts and the need for balance
The dangers of letting kids have devices during time for sleep
The challenges faced by parents in today's digital age
Questions for parents to consider about moderation
Experiences and observations about digital overuse and misuse

A full transcript of this show and the show notes are available at www.coolcatteacher.com/podcast as well as details on entering this month's giveaway contests.

#58 How the African STEP Dance Ignited Kids at Ron Clark Academy Apr 19, 2017

Show notes

African Step, based on the African Gumboot Dance, has an American version with a competition. Junior Bernadin @JBernadin is one of the STEP coaches at 3-time national champion winning Ron Clark Academy. Learn about this marvelous type of song/ dance and its role in African American culture. Also, hear about Junior's commitment to excellence and what students learn from competing in this dance competition. In today's Wonderful Wednesday, Junior shares:

The origins of step

How step came to Ron Clark Academy
What students learn from step competition
His students' story from beginning step to winning the national championship
What students learn from step and the competition

Junior Bernadin is a Dean of Students and IT Director at the highly-acclaimed Ron Clark Academy (RCA). In addition to his daily roles at RCA, he currently serves as one of the coaches of the current 3-time National Step League Middle School Champions, the Essentials Step Team.

A full transcript of this show and the show notes are available at www.coolcatteacher.com/podcast as well as details on entering this month's giveaway contests.

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