The Brighter Side of Education Dr. Lisa R. Hassler

In today's episode, we have a special guest joining me as co-host - my husband, Dr. Gregg Hassler, Jr. He's not only a dentist but also a former school board president and, as he always likes to say, my biggest advocate.
We are thrilled to celebrate The Brighter Side of Education's one-year anniversary! A big thank you goes out to all our listeners and guests who have made this first year truly incredible. When we started this journey, we didn't quite know what to expect, but we've learned and grown tremendously along the way and couldn't be prouder of the results.
One of the significant challenges in education today is the struggle many students face with reading and writing. To address this, I took it upon myself to create a workbook-style writing journal based on the successful classroom writing structure I used in my own teaching experience. It's called "My Writing Journal: 15 Weeks of Writing for Primary Grades," and I'm thrilled with how it turned out! This journal is designed to seamlessly complement any Language Arts program for students in first through third grades and is already being used in several classrooms. You can find it on Amazon!
Over the past year, I've had the privilege to attend and present at three national education conferences, which we'll delve into in this episode. Many of the speakers I met at these conferences have graced our podcast, sharing their valuable knowledge and insights. During these conferences, several emerging trends in education became apparent, and we'll discuss the top nine of them: AI, microlearning/nano-learning, online learning (including blended, hyflex, and extended reality), Masterclass/Maestro platforms, independent startups offering homeschool options, vocational and technical courses in high schools, a renewed focus on soft skills, alternative assessments, and how various states are tackling teacher shortages.
Our call to action for you, our listeners, is simple: keep learning, stay involved, and support education in your community. Together, we can make a positive impact on the future of education. Thank you for being part of our journey!







 

 







Support the showPlease subscribe and share this podcast with a friend to spread the good!
If you find value to this podcast, consider becoming a supporter with a $3 subscription. Click on the link to join: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2048018/support

To help this podcast reach others, rate and review on Apple Podcasts! Go to Library, choose The Brighter Side of Education, and scroll down to Reviews. It's just that easy. Thank you!

Want to share a story? Email me at drlisarichardsonhassler@gmail.com.
Visit my website for resources: http://www.drlisarhassler.com

The music in this podcast was written and performed by Brandon Picciolini of the Lonesome Family Band. Visit and follow him on Instagram.

Buy my books!
America's Embarrassing Reading Crisis: What we learned from COVID, A guide to help educational leaders, teachers, and parents change the game, is available on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible, and iTunes.
My Weekly Writing Journal: 15 Weeks of Writing for Primary Grades on Amazon.

In this episode, I focus on digital communities with Katy Kappler. Why do we need them and how can it increase student completion rates in distance education?
The potential of technology in education is so great that there is a steady increase in the number of online courses available in higher education every year. Distance education is an effective tool with the capability to enhance learning experiences with the added benefit of flexibility. 
However, completion rates for online courses are surprisingly low. 40-80% of online learners just give up. How could such an effective education model fail to go the distance to completion and why do college students drop them? Data suggests that motivation, technical issues, and lack of support are the three major reasons.
Dr. Hughes M. Brown, et al., identified these concerns in his 2015 study with first semester college students taking distance learning classes. His recommendation was that more needs to be done by institutions to change the "lone wolf" preconception and avoid the "goulash approach" to supporting distance learners. He went on to state that lives of distance learners are not black and white, but rather "complex shades of grey and this needs to be taken in to account when designing appropriate learning experiences and supports to ensure student success."
Katy offers insights into how digital communities can be used to create student-centered environments, improve student outcomes, and increase a sense of belonging for online students. She was named one of 144 women CEOs and founders of Leading Global EdTech Startups in March. Katy is the CEO and Co-founder of InScribe, an innovative digital community platform, slated to be one of the world's most promising ed tech startups. To learn more, go to www.inscribeapp.com.

The call to action is that distance education is not a "lone wolf" experience. Digital communities create a greater sense of belonging and improve student success. Use them if you have them, get them if you don't. It may be the difference between completing that online course and not.
Support the showPlease subscribe and share this podcast with a friend to spread the good!
If you find value to this podcast, consider becoming a supporter with a $3 subscription. Click on the link to join: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2048018/support

To help this podcast reach others, rate and review on Apple Podcasts! Go to Library, choose The Brighter Side of Education, and scroll down to Reviews. It's just that easy. Thank you!

Want to share a story? Email me at drlisarichardsonhassler@gmail.com.
Visit my website for resources: http://www.drlisarhassler.com

The music in this podcast was written and performed by Brandon Picciolini of the Lonesome Family Band. Visit and follow him on Instagram.

Buy my books!
America's Embarrassing Reading Crisis: What we learned from COVID, A guide to help educational leaders, teachers, and parents change the game, is available on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible, and iTunes.
My Weekly Writing Journal: 15 Weeks of Writing for Primary Grades on Amazon.

In this episode, I focus on history in education. Why study history?
Joining me to discuss these intriguing facets of the study of history is historian of education, Dr. Christopher Berg. He is a history professor specializing in pre-modern World history with research and writing focused on creating a "usable" past that meets the needs of an educated public in the 21st century. He has authored/edited three books: Small Island, Big History: A Modern Panoramic History of Great Britain & Her Empire, Unveiling the Thread of Time: 27 Texts in Greek and World History, and The Palgrave Handbook of History and Social Studies Education.  

Once highly regarded in education, the significance of history has gradually faded from the curriculum's forefront into a subject that has increasingly become marginalized within the public school system. However, this trend has not gone unnoticed, as debates surrounding the study of history have emerged with roots tracing back to the 1930s.
In recent years, there has been increased scrutiny surrounding history textbooks, leading some critics to call for their removal from the curriculum with titles such as "Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong" and "Teaching What Really Happened: How to Avoid the Tyranny of Textbooks and Get Students Excited about Doing History Again.” Nonetheless, simply eliminating textbooks, as often proposed, clashes with the reality experienced in most classrooms. Scholars assert that traditional teaching methods and educational resources like textbooks have the potential to harm students in their current form. However, they also emphasize that these resources can still fulfill a vital role if they adapt to meet the needs of 21st-century students.

The call to action is to appreciate the value of history education and illuminate the path for future generations. It is more than a sidebar subject on the education menu, but rather the backbone of our humanity. 

To contact Dr. Christopher Berg or learn more about his publications in history, you can find him on LinkedIn and Academia.edu.
Support the showPlease subscribe and share this podcast with a friend to spread the good!
If you find value to this podcast, consider becoming a supporter with a $3 subscription. Click on the link to join: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2048018/support

To help this podcast reach others, rate and review on Apple Podcasts! Go to Library, choose The Brighter Side of Education, and scroll down to Reviews. It's just that easy. Thank you!

Want to share a story? Email me at drlisarichardsonhassler@gmail.com.
Visit my website for resources: http://www.drlisarhassler.com

The music in this podcast was written and performed by Brandon Picciolini of the Lonesome Family Band. Visit and follow him on Instagram.

Buy my books!
America's Embarrassing Reading Crisis: What we learned from COVID, A guide to help educational leaders, teachers, and parents change the game, is available on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible, and iTunes.
My Weekly Writing Journal: 15 Weeks of Writing for Primary Grades on Amazon.

In this episode, I discuss the benefits of bilingual immersion programs. How can a dual language education impact student achievement? Joining me today to discuss bilingual education, is educator and administrator Eric Franzen (www.idealschool.education). He is the founder of Ideal School, a Cognia-accredited dual language international online school serving K-9 students from over 20 countries in real-time.
Studies funded by the Department of Education, have delved into the effects of bilingual education on student achievement, stating the benefits that extend far beyond language acquisition. Researchers indicate that students immersed in a bilingual environment demonstrate enhanced cognitive skills, including improved problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and creativity. These students exhibit greater flexibility in adapting to new situations and a heightened awareness of cultural diversity, leading to increased empathy and tolerance. Moreover, bilingualism has been shown to positively impact academic performance across various subjects. Students proficient in multiple languages often outperform their monolingual counterparts in areas such as mathematics, reading comprehension, and even standardized tests. The cognitive flexibility developed through bilingual immersion programs equips students with invaluable skills that transfer beyond language skills alone.
Join us on this enlightening journey as we discuss the power of bilingual immersion programs and their positive impact on student achievement. Whether you're a parent seeking the best education for your child, an educator exploring innovative approaches, or simply fascinated by the wonders of language, this episode is sure to inspire and inform.

Ideal School is giving a discount for any family that heard this podcast. Put your last name in the discount code, and he will give you a discount for having listened and gone to their website: www.idealschool.education.
The call to action is to unlock the potential of bilingual immersion programs to empower more students to become global citizens. 
Support the showPlease subscribe and share this podcast with a friend to spread the good!
If you find value to this podcast, consider becoming a supporter with a $3 subscription. Click on the link to join: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2048018/support

To help this podcast reach others, rate and review on Apple Podcasts! Go to Library, choose The Brighter Side of Education, and scroll down to Reviews. It's just that easy. Thank you!

Want to share a story? Email me at drlisarichardsonhassler@gmail.com.
Visit my website for resources: http://www.drlisarhassler.com

The music in this podcast was written and performed by Brandon Picciolini of the Lonesome Family Band. Visit and follow him on Instagram.

Buy my books!
America's Embarrassing Reading Crisis: What we learned from COVID, A guide to help educational leaders, teachers, and parents change the game, is available on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible, and iTunes.
My Weekly Writing Journal: 15 Weeks of Writing for Primary Grades on Amazon.

What are the current trends as well as the academic steps needed to help students reach their college goals? In this episode, we discuss the changing landscape for college admissions with  College Admissions Advisor, Julie Keisheimer.  Julie works with Great Minds Advising, which is the remotely-based college advising wing of the tutoring company Westchester Prep located just outside of New York City. 
Most college students report improved job prospects and financial security as a primary reason for college attendance, but the benefits of a college education extend beyond financial gains. In the study, Education Pays 2019: The Benefits of Higher Education For Individuals and Society, researchers reported these main personal and societal findings: 
1. Individuals with higher levels of education earn more, pay more taxes, and are more likely than others to be employed.  
2. Having a college degree is associated with a healthier lifestyle, potentially reducing health care costs. Adults with higher levels of education are more active citizens than others and are more involved in their children’s activities.
As a nation, more young adults aged 18- to 24 are investing in college. The percentage of those young adults who enrolled increased from 25% in 1978 to 41% in 2018. So, how can we help more students make the leap from high school to college?  The ever-changing application process can make the road to college acceptance overwhelming and confusing.
To connect with the Great Minds Advising team or to work with one of their advisors, visit www.westchesterprep.com or visit them Facebook or Instagram for daily college admissions insights. You can also visit their website to join their newsletter.
The call to action is to stay abreast on the changes in college admissions and be engaged in the process earlier for better chances at getting into the college of your choice. 
Support the showPlease subscribe and share this podcast with a friend to spread the good!
If you find value to this podcast, consider becoming a supporter with a $3 subscription. Click on the link to join: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2048018/support

To help this podcast reach others, rate and review on Apple Podcasts! Go to Library, choose The Brighter Side of Education, and scroll down to Reviews. It's just that easy. Thank you!

Want to share a story? Email me at drlisarichardsonhassler@gmail.com.
Visit my website for resources: http://www.drlisarhassler.com

The music in this podcast was written and performed by Brandon Picciolini of the Lonesome Family Band. Visit and follow him on Instagram.

Buy my books!
America's Embarrassing Reading Crisis: What we learned from COVID, A guide to help educational leaders, teachers, and parents change the game, is available on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible, and iTunes.
My Weekly Writing Journal: 15 Weeks of Writing for Primary Grades on Amazon.

In this episode, I explore the fascinating findings on working memory, its impact on academic attainment, and the promising avenues for intervention and support. How does working memory determine student success and how can it be improved? 
Over the years, studies conducted by Dr. Tracy Packiam Alloway (www.tracypackiam.com)  have provided growing evidence of the significant connection between working memory and academic achievement. The capacity of an individual's working memory plays a crucial role in their ability to acquire knowledge and develop new skills. Deficits in working memory have been observed in various learning difficulties including reading disorders, math difficulties, ADHD, and motor impairments.
In fact, Alloway's large-scale screening study revealed that one in ten students experience working memory deficits, leading to below-average performance in language and math. Surprisingly, research also indicated that all components of working memory are present by the age of 4. As a result, it is vital to prioritize finding effective interventions to overcome these challenges and maximize students' learning potential.
Traditionally, working memory was believed to be genetically fixed, however, recent studies highlight the remarkable plasticity of the developing brain and suggest that working memory capacity can potentially be enhanced through environmental interventions and support.
Join us as we delve into the world of working memory and its implications for optimizing learning outcomes with Dr. Tracy Packiam Alloway. She is an award-winning psychologist, professor of memory, 15 time author and Associate Editor of the Educational and Developmental Psychologist journal. Dr. Alloway has been featured on The Doctors TV, Good Morning America, the Today Show to name a few. She also consults for documentaries, ABC/NBC and the CW affiliates, AMC TV, and the World Bank. 
Support the showPlease subscribe and share this podcast with a friend to spread the good!
If you find value to this podcast, consider becoming a supporter with a $3 subscription. Click on the link to join: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2048018/support

To help this podcast reach others, rate and review on Apple Podcasts! Go to Library, choose The Brighter Side of Education, and scroll down to Reviews. It's just that easy. Thank you!

Want to share a story? Email me at drlisarichardsonhassler@gmail.com.
Visit my website for resources: http://www.drlisarhassler.com

The music in this podcast was written and performed by Brandon Picciolini of the Lonesome Family Band. Visit and follow him on Instagram.

Buy my books!
America's Embarrassing Reading Crisis: What we learned from COVID, A guide to help educational leaders, teachers, and parents change the game, is available on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible, and iTunes.
My Weekly Writing Journal: 15 Weeks of Writing for Primary Grades on Amazon.