The EduGals Podcast Rachel Johnson & Katie Attwell

This week, we are chatting about technology use with students and how parents can best support that at home. We will share a little bit of our own struggles as parents and also some ideas that we have as educators to help support families.
If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!

We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!

Featured Content
**For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/132**
How Technology Influences Student Thinking - E125This Week In Ontario EduBlogs - Stephen Hurley and Doug PetersonTechnology use has exploded - how much should kids be using it?Limiting screen time (focus on educational apps, limited time/devices, TV time, require activity before screens, get outdoors)Getting off task while on technology (virtual or remote learning, YouTube, lack of focus)Canadian Paediatric Society screen time recommendationsTV watching time as a family activityToo much screen time can affect mood, sleep, etc - decide how much time is right for you, your kids, and your familyParental controls (chromebooks, e-readers, iPads)Teaching digital citizenship skills (share weekly resources in your classroom newsletter)Balance screen time, social activitiesCell phones - when do you start? Safety, maturitySmart watches for kids - Apple Watch, other brandsEducator Tips:Tech breaks (25 min focus, 5 min tech break)Open lines of communication home with parentsSupport the showConnect with EduGals:
Twitter @EduGals Rachel @dr_r_johnson Katie @KatieAttwell EduGals Website Support the show

This week, we are sharing our  podcasting process. We'll get into our past and current podcasting practices, as well as the apps and tools that we use and love! Whether you are interested in podcasting for yourself or with your students, this episode is packed full of great tips and tricks to get you started.
If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!

We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!

Featured Content
**For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/131**
Nerves, giggles, bloopers, and moreStarted with easily accessible tools - GarageBand, AudacityRecording tools - GarageBand, Hindenberg  Pro ($, great for editing too with voice profiles)Editing tools - Hindenberg Pro, Descript ($, creates transcripts, uses AI for editing, decreases editing time, voice regeneration)Transcripts - Descript, can hack with Google Read and Write, etcRemote recording now built into Descript with SquadCastOther remote recording tools - Zencastr (free option), Riverside.fm, SquadCast, ZoomEnd-to-end recording - Google Meet and individual recordingMicrophones - Samson Q2U, condenser vs dynamic mic, Rode PodMic (XLR, requires interface)Cloud Lifter to amplify soundInterface - Rodecaster ProJust starting out? Find royalty-free music, dynamic USB microphoneHosting - Buzzsprout ($, Ads, magic mastering, cohost AI), Anchor/Spotify (free)Posting to social media, newsletter - using Chat GPT for idea generationWebsite - Wordpress ($) for blog post "shnotes"Support the showConnect with EduGals:
Twitter @EduGals Rachel @dr_r_johnson Katie @KatieAttwell EduGals Website Support the show

This week, we are starting our book study with chapter 1 of Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms by Joe Feldman. Specifically, we will dive into what makes grading so difficult to talk about and even harder to change.
If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!

We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!

Featured Content
**For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/130**
Grading for Equity by Joe FeldmanFind a buddy to talk about the ideas in this book!Structure of the book:14 chapters3 parts - foundations, a case for change, equitable grading practicesGet comfortable with being uncomfortable - try to stay open-mindedTeaching is challenging - grades are one of the only places where we still have autonomyGrades and grading practices are highly personalChanging grades by adminGrading is not really something that is taught in teacher education programsMost grading practices are based on prior experienceWe hate grading! and grade grubbing!Stress around gradingMastery grading and specs grading and other equitable grading practices reduces stress around grades and gradingWeb of belief:Shapes our teaching and grading practicesWhat is your starting position?When we learn new info - we either dismiss or accept it (depends on how it fits)Question your reactions What barriers are we creating with our grading practices?Acknowledge guilt around past grading practices and then let it goDiscussion question: What is your why?Part of our UnGrading journey - Jesse StommelBuilding equity lensBuild on learning and justify changes to grading practices (where is the evidence?)Entry points for grading conversations with colleaguesSupport the showConnect with EduGals:
Twitter @EduGals Rachel @dr_r_johnson Katie @KatieAttwell EduGals Website Support the show

This week, we are chatting about providing options for comprehension in the classroom. Using the UDL (Universal Design for Learning) framework and representation pillar, we're going to share some different strategies on how we can help students make information accessible, but also how to transform that into knowledge they can use.
If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!

We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!

Featured Content
**For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/129**
CAST.org - Universal Design for Learning (UDL) frameworkRepresentation pillar - Comprehension guidelineIt's all about teaching learners HOW to transform accessible information into useable knowledgeWhy Don't Student's Like School? by Daniel WillinghamCheckpoint #1: Activate or supply background knowledgeValue prior knowledgeGet to know your learners and their background knowledgeConsider using visual imagery, concept anchoring and mastery, KWL chart and other organizers, concept maps (whiteboards), pre-teaching with demos/models, analogies and metaphors, cross-curricular connectionsLearning That Transfers by Julie Stern et al. (ACT model)Checkpoint #2: Highlight patterns, critical features, big ideas, and relationshipsDifference between experts and novicesUse explicit prompts or cues to point to important materialConsider using graphic organizers, examples/non-examples (Frayer model), highlight previous skills (conceptual learning can be helpful)Checkpoint #3: Guide information processing and visualizationTransform information into useable knowledgeConsider using explicit prompts for sequential processes, organizational methods (tables), multiple entry points, "chunk" information, progressive release (Modern Classrooms and mastery-based learning), and ditch the distractions!Checkpoint #4: Maximize transfer and generalizationGeneralizing and transferring learning to new contextsStudents need multiple representations and differing levels of scaffoldingConsider using checklists, organizers, mnemonic devices (decrease cognitive load), explicit review, new ideas in familiar contextsSupport the showConnect with EduGals:
Twitter @EduGals Rachel @dr_r_johnson Katie @KatieAttwell EduGals Website Support the show

In this episode, we are exploring asset vs deficit mindsets in education. We'll go over our observations as well as some of our ideas to shift away from a deficit mindset in our classrooms.
 
If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!

We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!

Featured Content
**For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/80**
Asset mindset - what are the strengths that our students bring to the classroom and how you can embrace that with high expectationsDeficit mindset - what are students lacking and focusing on their weaknessesCRRP - High expectations, Cultural competence, Critical consciousnessGrades contribute to a deficit mindset and don't give the full picture of the strengths of a studentIdeas and Strategies:Get to know students and don't look at past gradesEmbrace first languageGoogle Sheets auto-translate words EduGIF from Jake MillerInvolve parents/families in school community - builds a positive school cultureWatch your language and avoid placing students into buckets (struggling vs striving, harmful language)Destreaming is coming in Ontario for Grade 9 next year and needs asset mindsetBook: Going Gradeless, Grades 6-12 by Elise Burns and David FrangiosaBecoming aware and speaking up against deficit languageNeed PD on asset-based mindsets and language (peer conversations and dialogue, active learning, voluntary, accessing when ready, multiple opportunities, reflection)Video: Asset vs Deficit Mindset DefinitionsRecognize that our brains are wired for negativity to protect ourselvesRachel's grading Twitter rantCommunity and relationship building - conversations and conferencing with students, get curious about behaviours, collaborate with other staffAvoid the silo and utilize the whole school teamQuestion your assessment practices, focus on personalized and descriptive feedback (tests = deficit, portfolios = asset for example), varied types, focus on skillsSupport the showConnect with EduGals:
Twitter @EduGals Rachel @dr_r_johnson Katie @KatieAttwell EduGals Website Support the show

This week, we are setting our goals for the upcoming school year. We'll chat about both our professional and our personal goals, from mastery-based learning to leadership goals and maintaining a good work-life balance this year. 

If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!

We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!

Featured Content
**For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/128**

Professional Goals:
Mastery-based learning - building more whole class activitiesChemEd Conference 2023Conferencing with students - try roster checklistsData collection - what is the impact of mastery-based learning?Tweaks to grading practicesNew SERT role (special education)Other PBL projects in ESL (podcast, video, something else?)Leadership Goals:
Supporting implementation of de-streaming in grade 9 and new courses in grade 11Political landscape might cause a lot of challenges to our rolesAvoid social media to avoid negativityLeading Grading for Equity and Street Data book studies with leadership teamPersonal Goals:
Try to leave the building at a reasonable time each dayNo email at nightComplete prep at work to avoid working at home (leave work at work)Explore opportunities in academia (M.Ed. program, conferences, collaborations, etc)Continuing hobbies (violin lessons, strength training)Maintaining balance - being ok to say no when something doesn't align with our goalsSupport the showConnect with EduGals:
Twitter @EduGals Rachel @dr_r_johnson Katie @KatieAttwell EduGals Website Support the show