The EdShift Podcast

Join Katie and Kris as they delve into the world of death education with Special guest Austin Roy. Why don't we teach about something that will impact everyone? Austin, an English teacher, adjunct professor, and death education advocate, guides us through the often-overlooked aspects of teaching and learning about death, grief, and end-of-life logistics. Discover why death education is essential in preparing people for one of life's most profound experiences and how it can empower individuals to make informed decisions. Gain insights into addressing the emotional and practical facets of death, all while exploring various cultural and spiritual perspectives.  Content warning: this episode talks about death and grief.  Resources:  Download the Advance Directive forms for each US state: https://www.caringinfo.org/planning/advance-directives/by-state/ Five Wishes online platform that includes the Advance Directive for your state, and some other end-of-life care decisions (costs $5): https://www.fivewishes.org/   Connect with Austin:  Email: aroy@flintridgeprep.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-roy/   Connect with your hosts on social media - well, mostly Katie. Kris is on LinkedIn! IG and Threads: @KatieNovakEdu X: @keightyen LinkedIn: Kris, Katie

Welcome to a brand new season of the EdShift Podcast! Hosted by your dynamic duo, Katie Novak and Kris Astle, we're back with more education insights, innovation, and a dash of fun. In season three, get ready to dive into a world of education transformation, as we explore fresh perspectives, cutting-edge strategies, and inspiring stories that are sure to shift the way you think about education. From reimagining classroom dynamics to harnessing the power of tech, we'll be delving into the trends and ideas that are shaping the future of learning. But that's not all! We're thrilled to bring you special guests who are trailblazers in the field of education, ready to share their wisdom and insights. It's a journey that promises not only to inform but also to ignite your passion for creating meaningful change in the world of education. So, buckle up and tune in as we set sail on another EdShift adventure. Whether you're an educator, a student, a parent, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of education, this season promises to be a rollercoaster of knowledge, fun and discovery. Get ready to shift your perspective, one episode at a time.   Find us on social media - well, mostly Katie. But you can find Kris on LinkedIn!  IG & Threads: @KatieNovakEdu X: @keightyen  

What does great digital citizenship education look like in 2023? How can teachers navigate the onslaught of new tools and tech options? In this episode, Kris and Katie are joined by Tisha Poncio, educator, digital learning specialist, and passionate advocate and expert in digital citizenship and students leadership.  Listen in as they chat about using tech for good, supporting school communities around digital citizenship, and emerging tech's impacts on teaching and learning.    Connect with Tisha:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tishaponcio/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TxTechChick IG: https://www.instagram.com/tishaponcio/?hl=en   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!

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!    

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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. 

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. 

On this episode of EdShift, Katie and Kris are joined by Alex Dunn, a Speech Pathologist from Upper Canada School District near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Discover how Alex and her team have explored the intersection of technology and pedagogy to design and build spaces that demonstrate universal design. Over the last decade, they have done research on best practices and the outcomes associated with various options. They have also created a global community of 'inclusioneers', committed to serving students and learning from one another about the tools and approaches to promote inclusion.  Grab the resources referenced in this episode:  Universal Design for Learning: https://www.cast.org/impact/universal-design-for-learning-udl Aided Language Stimulation Carol Goosens: https://sites.google.com/a/esc13.net/corevocab13/implementation-ideas/aided-language-input Participation Model book: https://www.amazon.com/Augmentative-Alternative-Communication-Supporting-Children/dp/1598571966 Smart Inclusion Research Part 1 https://snow.idrc.ocadu.ca/articles/promoting-participation-and-engagement-the-smart-inclusion-initiative-part-1-data-from-the-smart-inclusion-initiative/ Smart Inclusion Research Part 2 https://snow.idrc.ocadu.ca/articles/promoting-participation-and-engagement-the-smart-inclusion-initiative-part-2-breaking-news/ Connect with Alex on Twitter: @SmartInclusion   Connect with your hosts:  Katie Novak: @keightyen Kris Astle: @KrisAstle     

In this episode, Katie and Kris chat with Anthony Howell, Assistive Technology Resource Teacher with Peel District School Board. They dive into creating a caring classroom climate, centering students’ identities, and what classroom behavior can really mean. Hear how one of Canada’s largest school boards approaches building staff capacity, topics like behavior and mindfulness, as well as supporting learners with diverse needs. Resources from this conversation: Identity chart: https://www.facinghistory.org/chunk/identity-chart Lumio lesson to engage students with identity defining: https://suite.smarttech-prod.com/share/e1ca8466-907f-4ecd-8921-8ca3c2f3f49c?_ga=2.25659129.570800706.1614090283-1400817790.1605877075 Book referenced: Ratchetdemic: Reimagining Academic Success from Dr. Christopher Emdin https://www.amazon.ca/Ratchetdemic-Christopher-Emdin/dp/0807089508 Connect with your hosts on Twitter! @keightyen & @KrisAstle Special thanks to our editor Kevin Olenick.

From ISTE 2022 to back-to-school PD, get caught up with Kris and Katie on the topics and trends in education right now.  What are YOU talking and thinking about right now? We'd love to hear from you!    Connect with your hosts: Katie: https://twitter.com/keightyen Kris: https://twitter.com/KrisAstle      

Welcome to Season Two of the EdShift podcast! In this episode, Kris and Katie dive into Active Learning strategies and ideas with Dr Monica Burns. Hear how each defines active learning and get with ideas for your classroom that keep kids engaged and active in any topic. Katie, Kris, and Monica chatted about the importance of student agency, student creation, and student collaboration, and how teachers can ignite students and engage them in their learning with some key strategies. Dr. Monica Burns is an EdTech and Curriculum Consultant, author of EdTech Essentials (ASCD, 2021) and former New York City public school teacher. She works with schools and organizations around the world to support PreK-20 educators with thoughtful technology integration. Monica’s website ClassTechTips.com and Easy EdTech Podcast helps educators place “tasks before apps” by promoting deeper learning with technology.  Connect with Monica on social media:  Twitter.com/classtechtips Facebook.com/classtechtips Pinterest.com/classtechtips Instagram.com/classtechtips Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicaaburns/   And find all of her amazing books here: https://classtechtips.com/books/   Connect with Kris and Katie:  katie@educatalyst.com  twitter.com/keightyen instagram.com/keightyen   

Sarah Cunnane is the Director of Content at Learnit. Held alongside Bett in London, Learnit’s mission is to create a better world by catalysing change in education globally. They - like the EdShift team - believe that by uniting the global learning community, and leading an intellectually honest conversation about the current state and future of learning, we can revolutionise education, and ultimately change the world. Discover more about Learnit here: https://learnit.world   Discover ideas and insight from the week at Learnit in this first-ever IN PERSON episode of EdShift! The team chats about the concept of teachers as superheroes, connecting to SEL across education, and more.    Connect with Sarah: https://twitter.com/Sarah_Cunnane   Connect with your hosts:  Katie: https://twitter.com/keightyen   Kris: https://twitter.com/KrisAstle 

In episode 10 Kris and Katie are joined by Sreejit Chakrabarty, Director for GEMS Dubai American Academy, the flagship school of GEMS Education. Explore the ideas of AI in education, and the importance of tech as a vital part of education - beyond simply being integrated, what does it mean to be fluent in technology, and why does that matter? Discover how GEMS is setting up students for sustainable success in our shifting world, and Sreejit's ideas and advice for educators everywhere.    Sreejit holds a Bachelors of Electronics Engineering from Mumbai University, a Masters in Business Administration from MGU, and several professional recognitions from Harvard, IIT (Mumbai) and Carnegie Mellon University in Robotics and Maker-Centered Learning. His passion for researching emerging technologies and finding ways of extracting educational benefits out of them is what gets him excited. Sreejit is also working closely with TMRW (the R&D edtech wing of the company) and is the Network Leader across GEMS for Robotics, STEAM, and AI. Connect with him here:  Twitter: @sreejitsocial LinkedIn / Facebook / Instagram: Sreejit Chakrabarty   Connect with your hosts and send your feedback about the EdShift Podcast!  Katie on Twitter: @keightyen & Instagram: @keighten Kris on Twitter: @KrisAstle    

The insights offered through Indigenous culture and education have been ignored for too long - how can we begin to bring not only approaches but holistic conversations into classrooms? Hear from Darren McKee, Executive Director, Saskatchewan School Boards Association and member of the O-Chi-Cha-Ko-Sipi First Nation in the Interlake region of Manitoba, Canada about this, and more.  Connect with Darren and your hosts Katie and Kris on Twitter:  Darren: @DMcKee67 Katie: @keightyen Kris: @KrisAstle

Join Kris and Katie for a conversation with three student leaders from across the United States about what they wish their teachers knew, how they'd like to show their learning, and lots more. We're thrilled to share the incredible voices of these students with you.  Discover more about the event referenced by looking at #SEEUsAll   Connect with your hosts on Twitter: Katie: https://twitter.com/keightyen Kris: https://twitter.com/KrisAstle   Thanks for listening. Did you enjoy the conversation? Leave us a review!