K-12 Greatest Hits:The Best Ideas in Education

Along with the many benefits of being able to freely access the world's information online comes the challenge of separating reliable information from unreliable. How can teachers help students avoid the scams, scoundrels and hoaxes that come with bringing the Internet into the classroom? Robert Pondiscio is a former South Bronx 5th grade teacher, Pondiscio has written and lectured extensively about education and ed reform, most recently as the Vice President of the Core Knowledge Foundation. Brian Mull has been a middle school teacher, a technology director and a curriculum specialist. He now assists schools and districts in the building of robust and rigorous educational environments. Lisa Nielsen, author of the book Teaching Generation Text, is a long time public school educator who has worked in various capacities. Dr. Joyce Valenza is the teacher-librarian at Springfield Township High School in Erdenheim, PA. She is a prolific education and technology writer who for ten years.

A growing cabal of educators is concluding that giving control of learning to students is the ideal path forward. But are teachers, accustomed to being the sage on the stage, really ready to step down? Are school leaders ready to support teachers taking a backseat to students? Can the standards be met this way? Follow: @CoachGinsburg @globalearner @stumpteacher @bamradionetwork David Ginsburg helps schools improve student outcomes through various services including leadership coaching and instructional coaching. Alan November is an international leader in education technology. He has been director of an alternative high school, computer coordinator, technology consultant, and university lecturer. Josh Stumpenhorst is a junior high Language Arts and Social Science teacher. He has been named the 2012 Illinois Teacher of the Year.

While one of our guests refers to some advanced certifications as "meaningless credentials,” another says the move to discount advanced degrees is dumbing down teaching. Listen and tell us what you think Follow: @bodymindchild @stumpteacher @bamradionetwork John Wilson is former executive director of the National Education Association and a senior fellow with the Pearson Foundation. Marcus A. Winters is an assistant professor in the Leadership, the College of Education at the University of Colorado. His research focuses on K-12 education policy including teacher compensation policies. Nancy Flanagan is a retired National Board Certified Teacher. Josh Stumpenhorst, is a junior high Language Arts and Social Science teacher.

The rules and expectations in today's schools creates a climate that many believe conflicts with encouraging creativity. What's a teacher to do? Our guests offer some ideas and practical strategies. Follow: @AngelaMaiers@kylepace @edrethink @wmchamberlain @bamradionetwork Robert J. Sternberg is Provost, Senior Vice President, and Regents Professor of Psychology and Education at Oklahoma State University. Angela Maiers is a teacher educator, author and advocate. Kyle Pace is an Instructional Technology Specialist in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. William Chamberlain is a husband, father, and an educator. John Spencer is currently a sixth grade ELL teacher in a low-income urban school in Phoenix, Arizona.

Our guests move beyond lamenting the lack of respect teachers receive and offer some practical ideas about how teachers can reclaim the profession. Daniel Willingham is currently Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia. Dr. Steve Paine is current President of P21 (Partnership for 21st Century Skills) and a consummate life-long educator; he served as West Virginia's 25th state superintendent of schools. Lisa Nielsen is an educator and author of the book Teaching Generation Tex. Jerry Blumengarten taught for 32 years at inner city NY school. Follow: @DTWillingham @InnovativeEdu cybraryman1 @bamradionetwork

According to our guests pre-service teachers, administrators, and universities are behind the education technology curve. This week's Edtech Chat discussed the challenges we face in bridging the gap between etdech possibilities and preparation. Follow:@L_Hilt @Mcleod @thomascmurray @bamradionetwork Lyn Hilt is an Elementary principal; K-6 technology integration coach; author, "The Principal's Post" (blog)and regular on-air commentator for BAM Radio Network. Scott McLeod, J.D., Ph.D., is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts on K-12 school technology leadership issues. Dr. McLeod currently serves as the Director of Innovation for Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency in Iowa. He also is the Founding Director of the UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE).

When the subject turns to classroom management, using carrots and sticks has been the prevailing strategy for getting compliance. But research and an emerging cadre of voices are asserting that engagement trumps compliance. So is there a place in the enlightened teacher's classroom for rewards and punishments? Follow: Follow: @danielpink@@Teach_Preschool @stumpteacher@LarryFerlazzo @bamradionetwork.com Dan Pink is the author of 5 best-selling books about business, work, and management, including Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us. Larry Ferlazzo, author of Helping Students Motivate Themselves and Self Driven to Learn, is a high school teacher. Josh Stumpenhorst, award winning teacher, is a junior high Language Arts and Social Science teacher. Deborah J. Stewart, M.Ed. has over 20 years experience in the field of early childhood education and is the Executive Educational Director over three childcare campuses.

In this episode of EdTechChat Radio, we discuss what makes really great and effective technology-based professional development. We also cover things to avoid. Follow:@thomascmurray @ajpodchaski @Cvanderark@SrtaLisa @garnet_hillman @Getting_Smart @bamradionetwork Caroline Vander Ark Davis is COO and Partner of Getting Smart an education advocacy firm that advocates for innovations that customize learning and extend access (Twitter @Cvanderark). Alex J Podchaski serves as the Director of Technology at Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child in Summit, NJ. Tom Murray serves as the Director of Technology and Cyber Education for the Quakertown Community School District in Bucks County, Pa. Tom is a former middle school assistant and elementary school principal.

Learning to write computer code is a skill that our guest believes is not just for geeks and will be increasingly important to students and teachers in the future. Follow:@coolcatteacher @alfredtwo @bamradionetwork Alfred Thompson currently teaches high school computer science at Bishop Guertin HS in New Hampshire. He has also been a software developer and worked at academic relations at Microsoft. He is the author of several computer science textbooks, project books, and a blog about computer science education. He was recently elected to the board of the computer Science Teachers Association.

In this episode, we talk with a brand new teacher who decided to try flipping her classroom. Find out what this first-time flipper discovered and the impact it had on her and her students. Follow:@amber_mueller2 @jonbergmann @bamradionetwork Amber Mueller, 5th grade teacher at Lily Lake Elementary in Stillwater, MN, has been teaching for the past two years.

Most educators agree that education is all about the learning and not the grades. However, the messages we give students and the expectations of parents suggest that grades are indeed the name of the game. How do we change this. Highlights and commentary from the 3/12 Edchat. Follow:@blairteach, @markbarned19 @bamradionetwork Mark Barnes is a 20-year classroom teacher, education consultant and author of Role Reversal: Achieving Uncommonly Excellent Results in the Student-Centered Classroom (www.markbarnes19.com). Tom Whitby is contributing Editor at SmartBrief, founder of #Edchat,Twitter-Using Educators, and NYSCATE Network. Nancy Blair is a school improvement consultant who frequently worked with the High Schools That Work and Making Middle Grades Work initiatives.

Student bodies have changed in dramatic ways. There are more differences in your classroom than ever, but many of these differences are below the surface. Children of divorced parents, children of single parents, children in blended families, children with LGBT parents, children from homeless families and military families all bring a different set of issues into your classroom. What do you need to know to manage these new classroom dynamics? Eileen Kugler is author of Innovative Voices in Education: What It Takes to Engage Diverse Communities. Lisa King is co-author of "Today's Families: Who Are We & Why Does it Matter?" (Exchange magazine). Heather Wolpert-Gawron is an award-winning middle school teacher. Peter DeWitt (Ed.D.)a principal in Upstate, NY and is the author of Dignity for All: Safeguarding LGBT Students.

Highlights and commentary from the 2/19 Edchat about Creativity as the new literacy and concerns about what could happen if we try to test for creative competence. Follow:@blairteach,@kylepace @tomwhitby @bamradionetwork Kyle Pace is an Instructional Technology Specialist for the Lee’s Summit School District in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Tom Whitby is contributing Editor at SmartBrief, founder of #Edchat,Twitter-Using Educators, and NYSCATE Network. Nancy Blair is a school improvement consultant who frequently worked with the High Schools That Work and Making Middle Grades Work initiatives.

Highlights and commentary from the 2/12 Edchat about the tension between the kind of professional development teachers want and what teachers need to know. Follow:@jswiatek,@blairteach, @tomwhitby@bamradionetwork Aaryn Schmuhl is the Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Leadership Services in Henry County, Georgia. Jerry Swiatek is a District Technology Specialist for the Citrus County School District in Florida and founder/ organizer of EdCamp Citrus. Tom Whitby is contributing Editor at SmartBrief, founder of #Edchat,Twitter-Using Educators, and NYSCATE Network. Nancy Blair is a school

Educon is all about putting big thinkers in a small place and turning them loose to tackle education's biggest issues. In this segment Edchat's hosts bring you highlights of the big ideas from this year's event. Follow:@blairteach, @tomwhitby @bamradionetwork Tom Whitby is contributing Editor at SmartBrief, founder of #Edchat,Twitter-Using Educators, and NYSCATE Network. Nancy Blair is a school improvement consultant who frequently worked with the High Schools That Work and Making Middle Grades Work initiatives.