What's the Big Idea‪?‬ What's the Big Idea?

In which Dan chats with Tyler Rablin (@Mr_Rablin) about how teachers can make assessment really work for student motivation, purpose, and confidence. Tyler is a teacher and instructional coach in Washington, and he's the author of the new book Hacking Student Motivation: 5 Assessment Strategies That Boost Learning Progression & Build Student Confidence. Dan and Tyler talk about the nature of student motivation in 2024 and online gradebooks before turning to Tyler's book.

Tyler lays out specific, actionable ways that teachers can make assessment work for students, and it makes for a great read. Dan and Tyler discuss his thoughts on feedback, learning progressions, and what Tyler calls an "informative gradebook." They wrap up by talking about phones in schools and why removing them creates a more authentic, productive environment.

As always, I welcome comments and questions on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter (X) @BigIdeaEd

Mentioned in the show:
Hacking Student Motivation: 5 Assessment Strategies That Boost Learning Progression & Build Student Confidence by Tyler Rablin, February 2024
Assessment with Tyler Rablin, What's the Big Idea?, April 2021
Introducing the HyperRubric: A Tool that Takes Learning to the Next Level (featuring Tyler Rablin), Cult of Pedagogy, August 2021
Tyler Rablin on Twitter (X), where he shares many excellent ideas and resources

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Music: Red Funk by Ruben Ramos

In which Dan comments on our nation's obsession with STEM education and misaligned priorities. We've been sold a story by industry leaders that STEM jobs are the future; we lionize tech and math nerds; we push kids to take the highest possible math classes. Why?

Looking at some of our biggest problems that humanity faces – – climate change, sectarian violence, political paralysis, authoritarianism— and it’s clear that while technology can, has, and always will play a vital role, it’s foolish to think that technology will save us. We can’t simply tech our way out of our problems.

This isn't an anti-STEM rant. It's a call for a more balanced approach. 

Mentioned in the episode:
Math Anxiety Is Real. Here's How To Help Your Child Avoid It, NPR, Sept. 2020
College Preparation, Undergraduate Admissions, University of Michigan
Can We Please Stop Talking About Harvard?, Have You Heard, Jan. 2024
Bad Idea: Prioritizing STEM Education at the Expense of Civic Education, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Dec. 2020
The Fantasy Economy: Neoliberalism, Inequality, and the Education Reform Movement by Neil Kraus
Is There Really a STEM Workforce Shortage? by Ron Hira, Issues in Science and Technology, Summer 2022

In which Dan talks about the challenges facing girls today--and reasons for optimism--with Donna Jackson Nakazawa. Donna is the author of seven books, most recently Girls on the Brink: Helping Our Daughters Thrive in an Era of Increased Anxiety, Depression, and Social Media. Dan and Donna talk about the multitude of stressors facing girls today and how their biology uniquely interacts with that stress. Then they talk about some of the implications for schools before turning to what Donna calls "antidotes", strategies and mindsets for the adults in girls' lives to help them thrive.

As always I welcome comments and questions on Instagram, Threads, and X @BigIdeaEd

Mentioned in the show:
Girls on the Brink: Helping Our Daughters Thrive in an Era of Increased Anxiety, Depression, and Social Media by Donna Jackson Nakazawa
Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology, and How You Can Heal by Donna Jackson Nakazawa
The Angel and the Assassin: The Tiny Brain Cell That Changed the Course of Medicine by Donna Jackson Nakazawa
Facebook Knows Instagram Is Toxic for Teen Girls, Company Documents Show, Wall Street Journal, Sept 2021
Social media is driving teen mental health crisis, surgeon general warns, NBC News, May 2023
Conference to Restore Humanity 2024 from Human Restoration Project

Music by Stars in LA

In which Dan talks media literacy--the skills needed to responsibly decode, assess, and create media--with Tim Krueger, a Social Studies teacher in Syracuse, New York, and someone who's been doing a ton of thinking and teaching about this essential topic. The proliferation of information, misinformation, and disinformation (especially as we enter an election year), all super charged by social media, partisan divides and, now, artificial intelligence, makes now the perfect time for teachers to dive into media literacy.

Mentioned in the episode:
Verified: How to Think Straight, Get Duped Less, and Make Better Decisions about What to Believe Online by Mike Caulfield and Sam Wineburg
"Internet at School Is Changing Work of Students--and Teachers", Washington Post, Sept, 2000
Media Literacy Now, an advocacy group calling for states to mandate media literacy curriculum
News Literacy Project provides a rich bank of resources and learning platforms for teachers at all grade levels
How to Teach Media and News Literacy with Ebonee Rice, What's the Big Idea?, Nov, 2021
Adfontes Media Bias Chart - an incredible visual tool for exploring media outlets
"When Teens Find Misinformation, These Teachers Are Ready" (featuring Tim Krueger), NY Times, Sept 2022
"Elections and Disinformation Are Colliding Like Never Before in 2024", NY Times, Jan 2024
"Fake Joe Biden robocall tells New Hampshire Democrats not to vote Tuesday", NBC News, Jan 2024

Music by Ruben Ramos

In which Dan takes a few minutes to share his thoughts on the power of putting students in a position to hear and reflect on personal stories. Drawing on recent experiences with a Holocaust survivor and an immigration unit, Dan talks about how one great avenue to authentic assessment (see also: can't be replicated by ChatGPT) and student buy-in is in-person storytelling connected to their studies.

As always, I welcome comments and questions on Instagram, Threads, and X @BigIdeaEd

Flash draft: n. a work of writing that is done quickly without editing

Mentioned in the episode:
Teachers Fear ChatGPT Will Make Cheating Easier Than Ever by Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes
ChatGPT Is Making Universities Rethink Plagiarism by Sophia Barnett, Wired
Some Ideas for Using ChatGPT in Middle and High School Classes by Geoff Richman, Edutopia
Holocaust Museum LA

Cover photo: Joseph Alexander
Episode music: "Imperfect" from Lofi free beats

In which Dan explores the power of outdoor experiential learning with Fulcrum Adventures, a Los Angeles-based company and leader in the team building and outdoor youth development space. Their motto is Do. Risk. Grow.

Dan talks with Leo Van Warmerdam, program director, and Racine Camara,  one of Fulcrum's facilitators, about the power of learning outside, reflection, and, ultimately, letting young people be themselves.

As always, I welcome comments and questions on X, Threads, and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

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Mentioned in the show:
Fulcrum Adventures
It's time to log off and touch grass by Catriona Morton
Angela Hanscom has the remedy for our kids' overly structured, overly scheduled world from What's the Big Idea

Music by Stars in LA