#19 - 10 Ways to Transform the Traditional Classroom

In this Backwards Podcast episode, A.J. Juliani sits down with author, professor, and speaker John Warner to discuss all things artificial intelligence (and how it impacts our current and future education system). John Warner is the author of "Why They Can't Write" and "The Writing Practices" where he discusses the need for a more creative and authentic approach to teaching writing. ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools have completely changed the landscape of writing for schools and work - this episode tackles those changes head-on.

I've heard from educators all around the country that this is a bigger issue and something we need to talk about more. Are you seeing this? In this video, I dive into some of the reasons for student apathy, and a three-part solution that works to boost engagement. Head on over to Ajjuliani.com to learn more.

Jon Corippo is a co-author (along with Marlena Hebern) of The Eduprotocol Field Guide 1 & 2. In this episode, we talk about how you can change your teaching forever, and impact student learning with Eduprotocols.  EduProtocols are instructional lesson frames that are designed to engage students in learning through critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. EduProtocols can be used with any subject, any grade level, kindergarten through adult. Listen to the episode and head over to https://www.eduprotocols.com/ for more information!

In this episode, A.J. breaks down 10 different practical ways to transform from a sit-and-get, textbook type of classroom - to one that engages and challenges learners.

Want to empower and engage your learners? If you are anything like me then you know this has two sides, in theory, it sounds great, but often in practice, it is a hot mess! In this episode, I share some ways to scaffold student ownership and agency and give you a 9-month plan to get students to talk more, collaborate more, and create more.

This school year has been exhausting! Teachers need a more flexible, sustainable, and rewarding way to approach this work. They should not be doing the lion's share of the work in classrooms, yet that is what is happening in classrooms all over the country. If we are going to attract and retain high-quality teachers to this profession, we need to help them approach this work differently. Blended learning offers a viable path forward, shifting students into the role of active agents in the learning experience. Dr. Catlin Tucker breaks down how we can use Blended Learning to support meaningful change.

UDL Now! Author Katie Novak dives deep into the best practices with Universal Design For Learning, and how we can start removing barriers for all learners (kids and adults). If you've ever wanted to learn more about UDL, this episode is for you! And if you ever had a feeling that one size fits all learning doesn't work, here's how to fix it with real examples.

When 5th-grade teachers Vanessa Shriver and Nichole Caleris realized their Ohio students were missing some of the most important pieces of Social Studies, (due to testing focusing on Math and ELA) they decided to try something different. With the help of their Principal and 5th grade team colleagues, they created Wondrous Wednesday. Every Wednesday their students would dive deep into Social Studies projects that would connect across the curriculum. Their deep dive into history led to some amazing products being developed and awesome experiences (even in the midst of the pandemic). Hear there story in this Backwards podcast episode!

Too often our systems are set up to be rigid and standard, when we know the world is adaptable and flexible. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit our schools, it was the people who were adaptable. The system was not. The assessments were not. The policies were not. Most schools and organizations had nothing prepared to handle this virtual and hybrid situation, so like in other times in history, the burden fell on the teachers and educators to make things work. How can we build systems that are adaptable enough to support flexible learning situations and our people? That's where this solo podcast dives in to reflect on our last two years.

Melinda Wenner Moyer has been a science journalist for 15 years, covering new trends and controversies in science and medicine. She is also a contributing editor at Scientific American magazine and a faculty member in the Science, Health & Reporting Program at NYU's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. Since having kids a decade ago, she's been answering parenting questions with science, too. She was Slate's first parenting advice columnist, and regularly writes about parenting (and science) for The New York Times and The Washington Post. Her first book, How To Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes: Science-based Strategies for Better Parenting—From Tots to Teens, was published in July 2021.