This conference in Missouri...

It was my first experience with MOREnet and Dr. Eric Nicklas. Teachers from all over the state come to this conference to get new ideas and resources to help them prepare their learners for the future and I quickly found myself at home. They host this conference at Tan-Tar-A, an amazing resort and a welcome environment to dig into change and conversations about change.

Random thoughts

From leadership in the 21st century to personal learning communities, I share what’s been on my mind lately as well as the amazing things I’ve seen in classrooms.

Dr. John Dudley

A national speaker and published author, Dr. John Dudley is a highly respected and popular educational consultant. John Dudley has helped school districts across the nation prepare for and respond to school tragedies. In this carpool we talk a bit about some issues around school tragedy and dealing with the aftermath. Dr. Dudley is a brilliant man with much to offer to schools BEFORE and AFTER they face tragedy.

Go get yourself a bionic think-tank to empower your learning!

In my opinion, tools like Plurk are among some of the most powerful learning resources in the world and in this episode I tell you why I think so. If you join Plurk, please add me as a friend. I am kevinhoneycutt on Plurk. How would you like to have access to brilliant minds from all over the world whenever you need them? I hope to see you there.

Two ladies with a passion for helping kids understand math

In this episode I speak with Michelle Flaming and Renee Smith about their hot-off-the-press podcast called Math Snacks. They share the passions that launched them into teaching math in a way that kids can really understand and for helping teachers change the way they teach math. Their podcast is on the iTunes music store and is a treasure trove of good ways to help kids understand math principles.

Project-Based Learning

In this episode, I’m back in the truck talking about the work I’m doing with charter and public schools with Project-Based Learning. We are working with a template and creating a rough draft of a database of projects that we can share with other schools. Terry Eis and Teresa Morgan and Ginger Lewman are three educational pioneers that I get to work with to create a more engaging, meaningful model of learning. Our website for storing our PBL units and student examples is under development and open for you to look at.

View from the front of the class

In this interview with Teresa Morgan, the lead instructor at Thomas County Academy in Colby Kansas. This charter school was started and visioned with a focus on project-based instruction that promotes 21st century skills. The school is bristling with technology and kids who know how to use it. If you’re ever Western Kansas and want to see a model of what schools should be heading toward, drop in and talk to Teresa!
Tell Teresa’s boss that she rocks!
Teresa’s Boss

Tools mentioned:
In a jar (thinking tools for kids)
Plurk
Glogster
Skype
Twitter
Wordle

We have to change!

As I look back at the podcasts I have recorded I learn a lot about myself. I hope I grow and learn as I go but as I looked at this old episode I was struck by my blend of passion and frustration. I hope it offers new subscribers some insight into my mind and old subscribers a laugh.

Student leaders

In this episode Cody Howard and Sloan Lewis tell us about SADD in their school in Norwich Kansas. Students Against Destructive Decisions is all about supporting kids when they make good decisions and 40 kids participate in their school and 10 kids participate on their executive board.

Google Sketchup in school

In this interview with go-getter teacher Greg Berens from Hope High School in Hope Kansas, we discuss the ways he is using Google Sketchup with learners.

Dan Gross Interview (Audio Only)

Daniel Gross is a man with an amazing amount of experience in digital learning. From his early classroom computing to robust school/museum partnerships, he has a lot to share about enhancing learning with new tools.
Sites Shared:
Badgernet
MPM.edu
cilc.org
Dan’s Plurk Page
TWICE

Dan Gross Interview

Daniel Gross is a man with an amazing amount of experience in digital learning. From his early classroom computing to robust school/museum partnerships, he has a lot to share about enhancing learning with new tools.
Sites Shared:
Badgernet
MPM.edu
cilc.org
Dan’s Plurk Page
TWICE

Ed Fish Interview

In this carpool, Ed Fish joins me to talk about the birth of the ePals Conference. He goes on to discuss the value of these connections between classroom around the world. He shares the philosophy behind the ePals mission and what he sees happening as a result. The discussion is about anytime, anywhere learning and sharing and the need for “Shining Light Examples” to inspire others to try new and exciting things in the the classroom. Ed makes me think hard about the need for us to focus on the entire continuum of resources so we can include learners everywhere. They are currently focused on partnering with educators to build a database of collaborative, engaging projects we can all share.

Passion for student reading and so much more!

In this carpool with Nina Zolt, the Co-Founder and Chief Program Architect of ePals, Inc. we discuss the need for passion about books to engage learners. She is the Founder of in2books and shares an amazing passion for helping kids develop personal libraries. She discusses the value of building relationships around books. She also shares the possibilities of connecting kids to the larger world in authentic and meaningful ways. This woman is amazing!

Candace Pauchnick interview

Candace is passionate about connecting to other instructors and letting her kids connect to other learners through ePals. Through her collaboration with other instructors around the world, she has grown and changed as an educator. Candace gives so much credit to others but she truly embodies the spirit of the explorer educator. Candace uses these connections to help kids see a larger world view and to forge relationships with students from around the globe. I think Candace is one of those teachers that focuses on the heart, both her own and that of her students.

Interview with Barnabas Sang and Dan Nijiri

Barnabas Sang is the head of ICT in the Minister of Education in Kenya and he is studying carefully the possible tools that Kenya can invest in to best meet the needs of their kids. Barnabas and his colleagues are looking at technology in ways that some would not recognize as cutting edge but if you listen for any length of time, I believe you will agree that their circumstances have them looking at very new ways to connect classrooms. At the end he shares his vision of the future of Kenyan schools.

Barbara Feaster interview

Barbara Feaster, who is the Director of Instructional Technology for North Brooklyn N.Y. Barbara shares her reasons for attending conferences and staying current as a leader in Tech Ed. iLearn represents a range of professional development services that her teachers can take advantage of. She has a large pallet to paint on with technology in education and she will be implementing an Online Learning grant in the coming year. She looks forward to working with the core curriculum team in New York City. Barbara welcome collaboration from all over the world.

Contact Barbara

The power of global thinking

In this carpools with Adina Popa, a technology resource teacher from Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia, we discuss ways that teachers integrate ePals in classrooms and digital literacy as well as global understanding. We also discuss the intrinsic motivation that comes along for the ride when we allow them to connect. She brings great enthusiasm to the idea of empowering kids with global connections.

Tim DisCipio interview

In this carpool with ePals Co-founder Tim DiScipio we discuss the beginnings of ePals and the passion to connect learners and the motivations that occur as a result. Tim is brilliant and sees the future of digital education in a very compelling, positive way. He shares his views on the value of student to student connections and the need to have a way to exercise a more centralized solution to connectivity.

Why use technology?

In this carpool I talk with Ian O’Byrne and Greg McVerry from the New Literacies Research Lab from the University of Connecticut, as well as Dr. Kari Stubbs from ePals. We talk about online reading means compared to offline reading and the affect we can have on learners’ motivation and engagement. We discussed the impact of inquiry learning that students find motivating.