#EdChat Radio

In this segment, we talk about the dreaded faculty meeting. Tune in for some proven ways to make them more productive and appealing? Follow: @tomwhitby @plnaugle @carinahilbert @bamradionetwork Ed Chat Archive: http://edchat.pbworks.com/ Paula Naugle teaches 4th graders in a suburban, public school near New Orleans. She is a moderator for #4thchat and #LAedchat on Twitter and a co-founder and organizer of #edcampNOLA. Although she is a veteran educator (30+ years), she is a technology integration innovator. Nancy Blair is a school improvement consultant who frequently worked with the High Schools That Work. Tom Whitby is contributing Editor at SmartBrief, founder of #Edchat,Twitter-Using Educators, and NYSCATE Network.

Highlights from a robust #edchat discussion on teachers being change agents in an education landscape that is shifting beneath their feet. Follow: @tomwhitby @shiftparadigm @carinahilbert @bamradionetwork Ed Chat Archive: http://edchat.pbworks.com/ Carina Hilbert is a Spanish teacher for an urban district in Southwest Michigan, and she teaches in an alternative high school in the morning and a middle school in the afternoon. She has taught English and Spanish in grades 6-12 in private, public, and charter schools to students of all SES levels. Mark E. Weston has spent the past 40 years working to enhance education for all students. During that time, he served in key positions at Dell Inc., Apple Computer, Education Commission of the States, United States Department of Education, United States House of Representatives, and several school districts in Iowa. Tom Whitby is former contributing Editor at SmartBrief, founder of #Edchat, Twitter-Using Educators, and NYSCATE Network.

As we talk about how to improve professional development for educators, our guest asks a simple, but potent, question that leads to some powerful insights. Follow: @blairteach @tomwhitby @LearningKate @shiftparadigm @bamradionetwork EdChat Archive: http://edchat.pbworks.com/ Kate Wolfe spends her days as a Coordinator of Professional Learning for Hampton City Schools in Hampton, Virginia. Nancy Blair has returned to public education as a middle school principal in Georgia. She previously served as a school improvement consultant. Mark E. Weston has spent the past 40 years working to enhance education for all students. During that time, he served in key positions at Dell Inc., Apple Computer, Education Commission of the States, United States Department of Education, United States House of Representatives, and several school districts in Iowa. Mark advises leaders about education, ICT, and public policy strategies. He currently serves as Associate Dean, Learning Systems for Georgia Tech Professional Education.

The role of the teacher has changed and the evolution continues. In this segment we look at what it really takes to be a teacher today. Follow: @blairteach @tomwhitby @BarbaraGruener @bamradionetwork EdChat Archive: http://edchat.pbworks.com/ Genise Reid is an instructional administrator in Birmingham, Al. She has been in education for 20 years. She is excited about serving learners, both teachers and students. She believes that collaborating in effective teams is a catalyst for strengthening school culture and for enhancing teacher learning. Nancy Blair has returned to public education as a middle school principal in Georgia. She previously served as a school improvement consultant. Tom Whitby is former contributing Editor at SmartBrief, founder of #Edchat, Twitter-Using Educators, and NYSCATE Network.

In this segment we look at the new elements blogging has brought to the process of teaching reading and writing. Follow: @blairteach @tomwhitby @BarbaraGruener @bamradionetwork EdChat Archive: http://edchat.pbworks.com Barbara Gruener, the school counselor and character coach at Bales Intermediate in Friendswood, Texas, is about to begin her 32nd year as a public school educator. Author of The Corner on Character blog, Barbara recently published her book, What's Under Your Cape: SUPERHEROES of the Character Kind. Nancy Blair has returned to public education as a middle school principal in Georgia. She previously served as a school improvement consultant. Tom Whitby is former contributing Editor at SmartBrief, founder of #Edchat, Twitter-Using Educators, and NYSCATE Network.

What is shared decision making? Does it work? What special skills are required to effectively run a school by shared decision making? Follow: @blairteach @tomwhitby @rondorland @bamradionetwork EdChat Archive: http://edchat.pbworks.com/ Ron Dorland has been teaching for 8 years and currently am in a grade 7 classroom position. I am a part of a very small, connected school in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. I received my teaching degree at the University of British Columbia. I am the co-founder and moderator of #7thchat and regularly help moderate other chats, such as #mschat #tlap, #USedchat (united states ed chat). Nancy Blair has returned to public education as a middle school principal in Georgia. She previously served as a school improvement consultant. Tom Whitby is former contributing Editor at SmartBrief, founder of #Edchat, Twitter-Using Educators, and NYSCATE Network.

The Homework debate rages on with studies that support and refute its value. Is there a compromise or is homework an all or nothing proposition? Follow: @blairteach @tomwhitby@cybraryman1 @barrykid1 @bamradionetwork EdChat Archive: http://edchat.pbworks.com/ Barry Saide has taught 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade in three different New Jersey school districts. He has been teaching for 13 years, the last 11 at Mount Prospect School in Bernards Township where he currently directs the Before/After School Care program. Saide has written and built curriculum in all subjects and been a grade-level leader. Nancy Blair has returned to public education as a middle school principal in Georgia. She previously served as a school improvement consultant. Jerry Blumengarten taught in the NYC public schools for 32 years, written educational materials. Also known as cybraryman.

In this segment we explore the special learning needs of teachers and how this impacts professional development. Follow: @blairteach @tomwhitby @shiftparadigm @bamradionetwork EdChat Archive: http://edchat.pbworks.com/ Mark Weston Ph.D. has worked at all levels of the educational system — classroom, school, congress, US Dept of education, technology companies and universities. He's currently an Associate Dean at Georgia Tech and co-author, along with Alan Bain, of the Learning Edge – What Technology Can Do to Educate All Children. Nancy Blair has returned to public education as a middle school principal in Georgia. She previously served as a school improvement consultant.

For many, school faculty meetings are a dreaded occupational hazard. In this segment we discuss several ways we can make staff meetings more productive, enriching and even enjoyable. Follow: @blairteach @tomwhitby @apgovme @bamradionetwork Rachel Murat has been teaching for 19 years at Maine-Endwell HS, which is located about 5 miles west of Binghamton, NY. She is teaching a flipped AP Gov class, US History, Economics, Digital Citizenship and Entrepreneurship. She is the Tech Integrator for the High School. Nancy Blair has returned to public education as a middle school principal in Georgia. She previously served as a school improvement consultant. Tom Whitby is former contributing Editor at SmartBrief, founder of #Edchat, Twitter-Using Educators, and NYSCATE Network.

We are now in an era of unprecedented innovation in education. Some of the innovations we're embracing are breathtaking breakthroughs in teaching and learning. Others are junk. How do we best determine which innovations are leaps forward and which are useless distractions? Follow: @blairteach @tomwhitby @bamradionetwork EdChat Archive: http://edchat.pbworks.com/

Around 50% of new teachers will leave the profession within the first five years. In this segment we go looking for causes and solutions. Follow: @shiftparadigm @wmchamberlain @tomwhitby @bamradionetwork EdChat Archive: http://edchat.pbworks.com/ Mark Weston Ph.D. has worked at all levels of the educational system — classroom, school, congress, US Dept of education, technology companies, and universities. He's currently an Associate Dean at Georgia Tech. William Chamberlain husband, father, and an educator. He teaches in the school he grew up in. Tom Whitby is contributing Editor at SmartBrief, founder of #Edchat, Twitter-Using Educators, and NYSCATE Network.

There are assorted new tools and opportunities available to personalize professional development. Many educators are buying in, many are not. Learn why some educators are so enthusiastic about controlling their professional development, while others remain disinterested. Follow: @hadleyjf @tomwhitby @blairteach @shiftparadigm @bamradionetwork EdChat Archive: http://edchat.pbworks.com/ Hadley Ferguson is the new Executive Director of the Edcamp Foundation. She is one of the Founding members of Edcamp Philly and the edcamp movement. She helped create the Foundation and has served on its Board since its creation, acting as the Board representative to the Public Relations Committee. Nancy Blair has returned to public education as a middle school principal in Georgia. She previously served as a school improvement consultant. Tom Whitby is contributing Editor at SmartBrief, founder of #Edchat, Twitter-Using Educators, and NYSCATE Network.

In this segment we reflect on the critical role of reflection in the process of improving your teaching practice. Follow:@Principallovell @tomwhitby @blairteach @lookforsun @bamradionetwork EdChat Archive: http://edchat.pbworks.com/ Donna Reed Lovell is the Principal at Berea Community Middle and High School, a 6-12 school located in Berea, Kentucky. She received a Master’s in School Counseling from Eastern Kentucky University, as well as a second Masters in Educational Leadership. Nancy Blair has returned to public education as a middle school principal in Georgia. She previously served as a school improvement consultant. Mark Weston Ph.D. has worked at all levels of the educational system — classroom, school, congress, US Dept of education, technology companies, and universities. He's currently an Associate Dean at Georgia Tech and co-author, along with Alan Bain, of the "Learning Edge – What Technology can do to educate all children."

In this segment we discuss highlights from our Twitter #edchat on the general concept of preparing students for the future, along with the governments's Future Ready Initiative. Follow: @tomwhitby @blairteach @lookforsun @bamradionetwork Maureen Devlin is a fifth grade classroom teacher in the Boston metro area. She has been an elementary school teacher for 29 years. Prior to teaching she worked in marketing for a few years. Nancy Blair has returned to public education as a middle school principal in Georgia. She previously served as a school improvement consultant. Tom Whitby is contributing Editor at SmartBrief, founder of #Edchat, Twitter-Using Educators, and NYSCATE Network. EdChat Archive: http://edchat.pbworks.com/

What are the important distinctions between face to face and online learning? What is required for success in blended and online learning? What is required to prepare teachers? Tune in as we discuss. Follow: @tomwhitby @blairteach @dbuckedu @TOTALTeacher @bamradionetwork EdChat Archive: http://edchat.pbworks.com/ David Buck is an Associate Professor of English at Howard Community College in Columbia, MD, teaching composition and literature. From 2010-2014, he served as Director of eLearning. Leanna Prater, M.A. Ed., ia a District Technology Resource Teacher for Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington, KY where she conducts professional development and provides supports to educators in the area of instructional technology. Nancy Blair has returned to public education as a middle school principal in Georgia. She previously served as a school improvement consultant. Tom Whitby is contributing Editor at SmartBrief, founder of #Edchat, Twitter-Using Educators, and NYSCATE Network.