Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is currently a popular focus for schools because evidence suggests that effective SEL improves academic learning.    How can we best teach students skills like self-awareness, self- management, empathy, perspective taking and cooperation. Today’s guest is someone who combines her love of reading and knowledge of books provide support to people trying to start conversations about challenging issues.  Whether it’s diversity, mindfulness, diversity or dealing with trauma… she has a list for you. ( Though, she also has lists about unicorns and outer space!)  Lauren Bercuson shares her work with “Happily Ever Elephants” and how to make children’s reading intentional.

If Equity work is going to be meaningful, it requires more than just a passing commitment of time and energy, more than just inviting a speaker or distributing materials.  It means that community as a whole is going to take a good hard look in the mirror. So what does an Equity process look like and what does it entail? Shawn talks about Equity in Education with Dr. Darnisa Amante of Disruptive Equity Education Project (DEEP)

Educator Kwaku Aning joins us in our first episode that explores the potential and role of virtual reality in education.  The discussion covers the entire spectrum of the topic from big picture thinking about the role and impact of VR in the classroom and on student experience, to specific approaches towards implementation.  Learn more from Kwaku and follow his work on Twitter at @kwaku1 and check out his podcast, Radio Zamunda.

To explore Virtual Reality from a research perspective, visit the Stanford Virtual Human Interaction Lab site.

Shawn Talks with Project Based Learning (PBL) Expert Andrew Miller. Some changes take more than just making a new lesson or building a new unit.  These changes can require a whole new mindset or in some cases building a new classroom culture.  Project based Learning is one of these changes. Andrew Miller has been sharing his PBL expertise around the world and stops by today to discuss “Making PBL Work” 

In episode 17, Greg sat down with David Lee to dig into Design Thinking.  The discussion shifts from the model itself to the importance of shifting culture and mindsets to truly leverage the design thinking process.

David is an EdTech Specialist at Singapore American School and the author of Design Thinking in the Classroom.  Learn more about his work at his site, David Lee EdTech and follow along with David's work on Instagram & Twitter. 

In episode 16 Shawn speaks with Haley Shoaf, the Vice President of Impact at Launch Code.