Big Ideas in Education

Latest Episodes:

Ep 182: Test-optional college admissions; Phonics for older readers Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

This week, Ryan talks about complicated matters as to just how “optional” a test-optional college admissions process truly is. Sarah talks about an approach in prolonging phonics-based instruction with optional literacy training for educators to help students apply literacy concepts in all subjects. Tune in!
Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.
Articles:
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/60002/colleges-that-ditched-test-scores-for-admissions-still-struggle-with-bias
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/25/us/reading-literacy-memphis-tennessee.html
Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)
Producer: Ross Ulysse

Ep 181: Should we be teaching about AI?; How ChatGPT could revolutionize education Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

Happy New Year! Welcome back to Big Ideas in Education. This week, Sarah talks about the importance of teaching artificial intelligence in schools and a program that transforms learning with technology. Ryan talks about ChatGPT, a cutting-edge technology that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to engage students in natural, human-like conversations. Tune in!
Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.
Articles:
https://www.iste.org/areas-of-focus/AI-in-education
Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)
Producer: Ross Ulysse

Ep 180: Banning corporal punishment in schools; Helping food insecure students over winter break Dec 19, 2022

Show notes

Happy Holidays! This week, Ryan talks about advocacy work to convince legislators and superintendents to ban the use of corporal punishment in Kentucky schools. Sarah talks about an initiative to provide food insecure families with meals and other resources during this holiday season. Tune in!
Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.
Articles:
https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/local-news/helping-food-insecure-students-over-winter-break/
www.feedingsouthflorida.org
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/how-a-students-push-to-end-paddling-in-schools-became-a-yearslong-civics-lesson/2022/11
Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)
Producer: Ross Ulysse

Ep 179: Re-imagining videos as a teaching tool; Will teachers stay on Twitter? Dec 12, 2022

Show notes

This week, Sarah talks about faculty development in online pedagogy, when preparing and presenting lessons that include video. Ryan talks about if educators intend to stay on the platform Twitter, noting if the connections that they have made on the platform are valuable or not. Tune in!
Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.
Articles:
https://www.edsurge.com/amp/news/2022-11-25-press-play-isn-t-a-teaching-strategy-why-educators-need-new-methods-for-video
https://www.edweek.org/technology/stay-or-go-educators-weigh-their-future-on-twitter/2022/11
Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)
Producer: Ross Ulysse

Ep 178: High expectations bringing positive student outcomes; Team Teaching in Mesa, Arizona Dec 05, 2022

Show notes

This week, Ryan talks about how high expectations from teachers can bring positive student outcomes and great achievements. Sarah talks about team teaching to foster teacher collaboration, fill staffing gaps, and boost teacher moral retention. Tune in!
Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.
Articles:
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/high-teacher-expectations-boost-long-term-student-outcomes/2022/11?utm_source=tw&utm_medium=soc&utm_campaign=edit
https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/in-one-giant-classroom-four-teachers-manage-135-kids-and-love-it/
Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)
Producer: Ross Ulysse

Ep 177: Advice for first-year teachers from veterans; Metacognition in writing Nov 28, 2022

Show notes

This week, Sarah talks about insight and wisdom from veteran teachers reflecting on experiences as former educators. Ryan talks about the importance of metacognition in building students’ writing skills to get students to engage more effectively in the writing process. Tune in!
Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.
Articles:
https://www.edutopia.org/article/making-metacognition-part-of-student-writing
www.edutopia.org
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-11-pieces-of-advice-veteran-teachers-would-tell-their-first-year-selves/2022/11

Ep 176: Video Games and Cognitive Performance; Reflections on Teacher Observations Nov 07, 2022

Show notes

This week, Sarah talks about screen time recommendations for children playing video games and video games’ potential positive effects on cognitive performance. Ryan talks about perspectives on in-class observations for first time educators, sharing impactful experiences that celebrates rookie teachers. Tune in!
Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.
Articles:
https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/education/3702176-video-gaming-may-be-associated-with-better-cognitive-performance-in-children/
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2797596
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-the-most-important-thing-principals-can-do-in-a-teacher-observation/2022/10?utm_source=tw&utm_medium=soc&utm_campaign=edit
Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)
Producer: Ross Ulysse

Ep 175: School-based voter registration drives; Academica Media livestream preview Oct 17, 2022

Show notes

This week, Ryan talks about formalized school-based voter registration efforts in schools to help students participate in the democratic process. Ryan also talks about the Academica Media livestream Thursday, October 20th at the 2022 Florida Charter School Conference. Join us as we bring educational leaders and stakeholders on our seven-hour livestream. Tune in!
Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.
Articles:
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/4-tips-for-organizing-a-school-based-voter-registration-drive/2022/10
https://www.charterschoolconference.com/2022/
Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)
Producer: Ross Ulysse

Ep 174: Shifting the narrative around struggling schools; Effective handwriting instruction in schools Oct 10, 2022

Show notes

This week, Sarah talks about a proposal for shifting the narrative when it comes to school accountability. Ryan talks about the impacts of penmanship and the importance of teaching effective handwriting skills in schools. Tune in!
Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.
Articles:
https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2022/10/3/23386248/ny-state-officials-seek-to-shift-the-narrative-around-struggling-schools
https://www.edutopia.org/article/extending-penmanship-lessons-beyond-elementary-school
Host: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye)
Producer: Ross Ulysse

Ep 173: Special Episode: Schools providing support following Hurricane Ian with Shirrie Barany of Academica Oct 03, 2022

Show notes

This week, Sarah, Michael, and Ryan are doing a special episode following Hurricane Ian in which they interview Shirrie Barany, Academica’s Assistant Director for Special Education, to provide some insight on how schools can have a positive impact their students, parents, and other stakeholders amid natural disasters. Equity issues are also discussed.
Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed.
Hosts: Ryan Kairalla (@ryankair); Sarah Boulos Fye (@readwithfye); Michael Hernandez
Producer: Ross Ulysse
Resources:
https://www.wesh.com/article/central-florida-school-closures-ian/41387546#
https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/disasters/hurricane-resources
https://www.srcd.org/research/understanding-impacts-natural-disasters-children
https://www.myflfamilies.com/
https://www.fema.gov/disaster/hurricane-ian

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