Episode 120 - The Flipped Classroom

This week we talked about the idea of flipping the classroom.  After having read an article about it in the May ISTE Leading and Learning magazine, we decided to tackle the topic ourselves.  Luckily, Jon Bergmann, originator of the flipped classroom, was able to join us.  


The audio archive is here.

Episode 118 - Test Prep and Keeping Things Exciting

This week, we discussed the difficulties with preparing students for the major state tests without making the whole classroom be about test prep.  With Race to the Top, it's not easy.


Chat and archive can be found here.

Episode 116 - Teaching Tolerance

This week, we discussed the idea of teaching tolerance, respect, and acceptance in school.  How do we do this in our classrooms and how do we help parents understand what we are doing?  We were joined by Amanda Marrinan.


You can hear the show and read the chat at EdTechTalk.

Episode 115 - What keeps us motivated?

For our first show of 2012, we decided to discuss our goals for the New Year.  This led to a conversation about what keeps us motivated in our classrooms?




Chat and Audio can be found here.

Episode 114 - Serendipity

This week, Maria was sick and the chat room was not hopping.  I guess everyone is busy getting ready for the holidays.  But Sheila and Lisa did have one guest, who we were thrilled to call into our skype call to have her join the chat.  Amanda Marrinan took time away from her beach vacation to talk with us about how technology is working in the classrooms.  Sheila, Amanda, and Lisa shared many very exciting for us, and getting to be commonplace for the kids, activities that occur daily in our classrooms.  Enjoy the conversation.


The conversation can be heard here.

Episode 113 - Objectives - Should We Share Them With Students?

This week, Maria brought us an article about sharing objectives with students.  This author gave various reasons not to share objectives.  We debated the issue. Our next Conversations show will be held on Monday, December 19th at 8:00 Eastern. 

Chat and audio here.

Episode 112 - Character Education

This week, during our new Monday night time, we discussed Character Education.  As educators, we recognize the importance of teaching values but sometimes feel we are fighting an uphill battle.  How do we keep it going? 


Audio and Chat can be found here.


Our next show will be Monday, December 5, at 8:00 Eastern.  Hope to "see" you there.

Episode 107 - Back to School Night

This week we discussed Back to School Night, debating what parents want to hear, what we want to say, and what our administrators expect us to say.  


The Chat and Audio can be found here.

Episode #103 How has your teaching changed with collaboration?

This week we talked about how collaboration and being connected has changed our teaching practice. We looked at how we use Twitter to reach out to our PLN for feedback, advice, support and ideas. John Fladd joined Maria and Lisa to share his thoughts on the topic. Sheila will be back next week.

Chat and Audio here.

Episode 102 - What Message Does Your Classroom Send?

This week, we discussed the message people get when they come into your classroom.  Does your room portray the message you want it to?  How do you get people to understand your message? 


Chat and Audio here. 

Episode 100!!! A Celebration

This week we celebrated our 100th Episode.  We talked about how we got started and moved right into a conversation about being connected as educators.  It was great fun!


You can find the chat and audio here.

Episode 99 - Teachers Advocating For Themselves

This week, Lisa, Maria, and Sheila got a bit political, talking about today's politics of teaching.  Our kickoff was a series of tweets by Diane Ravitch, @dianeravitch, about the need for educators to advocate for themselves.  Join us this week in finding a way to promote educators to the public - or at least to your parents.


Chat and Audio can be found here.

Episode 98 - School Rules

This week, Lisa, Sheila, and Maria talked about school rules - what are they, why are they, what should they be.  We started the show with some exciting news about our friend, Amanda Marrinan.  John Fladd also shared some great news with us.


You can find the chat and audio here.

Conversations #96 - Spring in the Classroom (March 27, 2011)

Spring time is here! Well, on the calendar at least. Do our classrooms have seasons too? We discussed if there were spring/seasonal differences that affect our teaching and our students. Does your classroom change? The building staff? You?

Accepting Student Behavior - Episode 95

This week, Maria, Lisa and Sheila discussed the topic of acceptance of all students.  We talked about UDL and how that can help us accept differences among behavior, both social and academic.


Chat and audio here.

Conversations #94 Events, Pattern and Structure

We're back from a two week leave due to school vacation weeks. Today's Conversation was about using events, patterns and structures and examining the 5 events that led us to go into teaching. Lisa, Maria and Sheila each shared the 5 things that led them into education. They looked at the events and then looked for the patterns. Taking it further, they asked about the system that is in place that allows for these events to happen or for the pattern to evolve. Of course, there was plenty of conversation.

Audio and chat log here.

Episode 90 - Curiosity

In this show, Lisa Parisi, Maria Knee, and Sheila Adams explored how to create a culture of curiosity in classrooms.

Link to audio and chat

Episode 89 - Teachable Moments

This week, we discussed the topic of teachable moments.  It seems that in these days of more content and high test expectations, there is very little time to take advantage of teachable moments.  We discussed ways to capitalize on the moments, as they arise.


Chat and audio can be found here.

Episode 87 - Readiness to Learn

This week we used an article by Alfie Kohn to try to tackle the question, What does readiness to learn really mean?  We had a great conversation but didn't come up with many answers.  We did come up with our next topic: When we collect data, what data do we want?  What is the purpose of data collection?  We will be back on January 9th to discuss that topic.




The audio can be found here. The chat did not archive this week.  

Episode 86 - Scheduling

This week, Lisa Parisi, Maria Knee, and Sheila Adams tackled the topic of scheduling.  We discussed the pros and cons of scheduling and tried to find an ideal way to schedule a school day.  Add to our discussion and maybe we'll come up with a solution.  One never knows.

Audio and chat can be found here.