MindShift Podcast KQED

Remote learning was far from ideal, but it did open the door for schools to approach the school day day in new ways. We explore the research on teen sleep and what that means for school start times, as well as the promise and peril of the four day school week. Research shows shortening the school week doesn’t necessarily improve student outcomes, but it may alleviate teacher burnout. Finally, we look at the history of the school bell, how it shapes learning and whether it’s time for the final toll. 

Additional Reading:

Students Can Get to Class Without Bells, But Schools Need to Adapt

Three Reasons Teens Need Later School Start Times

Why More Schools Are Considering a 4-Day Week Despite the Risk

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During remote learning, students had to use virtual proctoring tools to take their tests online. These apps and software can be as extreme as using artificial intelligence to track a students eye movements and keystrokes or as simple as a lockdown browser that prevents students from accessing other pages during the test. Students and caregivers have raised concerns about school pressures, racial bias, privacy and mental health. The rise of these tools and their defects brings up some bigger questions too: Where does trusting students come in? Is it time to change the way schools test altogether?
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What do students really need in order to learn? MindShift is where teachers, parents and caregivers can discover solutions for raising our kids in the modern era. Hear from educators and experts creating pathways for students to flourish. The first episode of an all new season drops Tuesday, July 19.
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Today, we’re looking at a huge problem in education: teacher shortages. Across the US, schools are struggling to fill teaching roles. Large numbers of teachers are quitting after only a short time on the job, and 9 out of 10 teachers hired are replacing a teacher who has left the profession. The high turnover means more classrooms are run by beginner teachers, substitute teachers, emergency teachers and teachers from new, for-profit teacher training companies. This story is an excerpt from the four-part series, “Who Wants to Be a Teacher” from the Educate podcast at APM Reports.

To listen to the full series visit the Who Want to Be a Teacher project page:
https://www.apmreports.org/episode/2021/07/28/who-wants-to-be-a-teacher

After reflecting in isolation, millions of adults got fed up and voluntarily quit their jobs in record numbers, and teenagers have also been ready for a change. But what does that look like? Today on MindShift, we’re talking to Caroline Smith about the great resignation and what that looks like for schools.

With social distancing, stay-at-home orders and remote learning during the pandemic, many caregivers allowed more screen time than usual. Teenagers’ screen time doubled during COVID, and now many caregivers and parents are afraid their kid’s screen time has gone overboard. Dr. Anna Lembke, author of “Dopamine Nation,” makes the case for how technology, with its promise of nonstop engagement and flashing lights, can be addictive.