The EduGals podcast is all about current challenges in education, and how teachers in K-12 can leverage educational technology (EdTech) in the classroom. Hosted by Rachel Johnson and Katie Attwell.
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Examining Traditional Grading and its Impact on Teaching - E138
Episode 138
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 • Duration 28:43
In this episode, we delve back into our discussion about the book 'Grading for Equity' by Joe Feldman. The third chapter which we are exploring is titled 'How Traditional Grading Stifles Risk Taking and Supports the Commodity of Grades' and opens up the conversation about belief systems and the prevailing view on student achievement. We discuss the stark differences between the Industrial Revolution beliefs and 21st-century beliefs regarding education, and raise questions about how grading methods should shift in light of these changes. We particularly focus on the harm that a heavy focus on extrinsic motivation can cause and the negative implications of traditional grading practices on the trust and relationship between teachers and students. Furthermore, we scrutinize how grades have become a commodity leading to competition rather than collaboration and debate whether traditional grading serves the purpose of preparing students for post-secondary education or not. Towards the end, we suggest potential solutions that look beyond punitive grading policies and value both the learning process and the students' individual expressions of learning.
If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!
We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!
Featured Content **For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/138**
00:00 Introduction to Grading for Equity
00:37 Exploring Belief Systems in Education
01:42 The Shift in Education Systems and Beliefs
04:56 The Impact of Traditional Grading on Risk Taking and Trust
07:09 The Negative Consequences of Traditional Grading
13:48 The Commodity of Grades and Extrinsic Motivation
Creating Inclusive Learning Environments: Action and Expression in UDL - E137
Episode 137
Tuesday, March 19, 2024 • Duration 25:19
In this episode, we delve deeper into the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, examining the pillar of 'action and expression'. We review the importance of different methods and accommodations that allow students to demonstrate their learning in the most effective manner. We'll also highlight potential barriers, such as physical impairments and language difficulties, while emphasizing the value of alternative strategies and physical interaction with materials.
If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!
We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!
Featured Content **For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/137**
00:00 Introduction to Universal Design for Learning
00:33 Understanding the Pillar of Action and Expression
01:35 Personal Experiences with Organizational Abilities
03:51 Exploring the Physical Action Guideline
04:27 Addressing Barriers in Physical Action
09:59 Optimizing Access to Tools and Assistive Technologies
11:44 Expression and Communication: A New Pillar
13:20 Exploring Multiple Media for Communication
13:26 Using Multiple Tools for Construction and Composition
13:37 Building Fluencies with Graduated Levels of Support
The Journey of Destreaming: Reflections and Insights - E136
Episode 136
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 • Duration 28:29
In this episode, we are discussing the challenges and successes that we have experienced with destreaming in our classrooms. Specifically, we'll chat about the new grade 9 English curriculum, continuing efforts with other destreaming program areas, and how to best support teachers that are implementing destreaming.
If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!
We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!
Featured Content **For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/136**
Challenges and experiences we have had with implementing destreaming in our schools, specifically in grade 9 English, science, and math
The importance of providing support and resources for teachers during the implementation process
Challenges include lack of time and resources given to educators
Need for additional support in grade 10 courses to ensure a smooth transition from destreaming to academic streams
Additional pressures with teaching a new grade 11 curriculum (NBE course)
Opening Routines For a Mastery-Based Classroom - E135
Episode 135
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 • Duration 30:41
This week, we are talking all about how we start out using various opening routines in our mastery-based classrooms. Specifically, we will share how we set up our courses and some daily activities you can use with your students to get them ready for learning.
If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!
We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!
Featured Content **For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/135**
Opening Routines For The Semester/School Year:
Unit Zero - 2 to 3 lessons long to learn about the logistics of a mastery-based classroom and learning
Diagnostics - first 2 to 3 weeks, works well for ELL learners (oral, reading, writing skill levels)
Focus on getting to know you activities and building classroom community as the premise to learn about the mastery-based learning model
Use mastery-based learning terminology: lesson classifications, guided notes, etc
Google Slides and YouTube for getting to know you activities, lessons etc
Use of conferencing with students
Lots of opening, whole class activities throughout the first few weeks of school
Thinking classrooms, game-based learning (GimKit for example) are great ideas to engage students in whole class activities and build classroom community
Daily Opening Routines For The Classroom:
Regular conferencing
Group-based work based on STEP levels (ELL learners)
Whole class lessons with all levels modelled (helps to set high expectations for all learners and builds motivation)
Unpacking the Evolution of Schools and Grading - E134
Episode 134
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 • Duration 24:03
This week, we are continuing our book study with chapter 2 of Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms by Joe Feldman. Specifically, we will dive into the history of schools and grading and examine what's changed and what's not changed (which is a lot!).
If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!
We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!
Featured Content **For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/134**
Changes in society that affected our model of school
Manufacturing - need for factory workers, prepare students to be good employees, critical thinking is highly valued now
Migration and Immigration - assimilation, movement from rural to urban, FNMI, history repeats itself
Intelligence Testing and Categorization - IQ tests used for streaming purposes, IQ tests not equitable, created barriers to pathways for students, de-streaming is beginning to address these inequities, college vs university pathway (college is much more career-focused which is great)
Progressive Educators - John Dewey was ahead of his time, he saw the inequities that existed and saw school as a way to improve position in society, other behaviourists (BF Skinner, Pavlov) - operant conditioning applied to our education system
How did this impact schools?
Quiet vs noisy classrooms - humans are social, quiet is no longer as valued, mastery-based learning supports active and collaborative classrooms where all students are on task
Learning skills - not a lot of change, skills like following directions, punctuality are still highly valued
From The Archives: Getting Started With Station-Based Learning - E102
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 • Duration 32:16
This week, we are chatting all about station-based learning. This instructional model is frequently used at the elementary level, so our focus for this conversation is how to implement station-based learning in the secondary classroom.
If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!
We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!
Featured Content **For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/102**
There are many different ways to set up stations - by activity, by curriculum strand
Can be done over a day, several days, or even a week
Teacher-led, small group work, individual practice, online learning, collaborative stations
Doesn't need to be physical locations in your room although this can help your students stay on task!
Other ideas for stations: makerspace, research, project-based learning, design & create, virtual field trips, role playing &/or performance, feedback
Feedback station suggestions:
Peer review, teacher led, self assessment
Provide sentence starters and/or frameworks to guide peer and self assessment
Behind the scenes:
Evolving Grading: A New Classroom Approach - E133
Episode 133
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 • Duration 27:06
This week, we are chatting about how Rachel's grading approach is shifting this year. Specifically, we will chat about standards-based grading, how Rachel is applying standards-based grading in her classroom, and where she hopes to be with her grading approaches in this school year.
If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!
We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!
Featured Content **For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/133**
What is standards-based grading (SBG)? It's a system of grading that is closely tied to mastery of the standards in the curriculum
From Classroom to Home: Tech Strategies for Families - E132
Episode 132
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 • Duration 26:41
This week, we are chatting about technology use with students and how parents can best support that at home. We will share a little bit of our own struggles as parents and also some ideas that we have as educators to help support families.
If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!
We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!
Featured Content **For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/132**
Too much screen time can affect mood, sleep, etc - decide how much time is right for you, your kids, and your family
Parental controls (chromebooks, e-readers, iPads)
Teaching digital citizenship skills (share weekly resources in your classroom newsletter)
Balance screen time, social activities
Podcasting 101: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Our Process - E131
Episode 131
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 • Duration 26:33
This week, we are sharing our podcasting process. We'll get into our past and current podcasting practices, as well as the apps and tools that we use and love! Whether you are interested in podcasting for yourself or with your students, this episode is packed full of great tips and tricks to get you started.
If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!
We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!
Featured Content **For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/131**
This week, we are starting our book study with chapter 1 of Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms by Joe Feldman. Specifically, we will dive into what makes grading so difficult to talk about and even harder to change.
If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And consider supporting the show by buying us a coffee or two!
We would love to hear from you – leave a comment on our website OR check out our FLIPGRID!
Featured Content **For detailed show notes, please visit our website at https://edugals.com/130**
Thinking Classrooms model (but not in a traditional sense) - use randomized groups of 3 (Flippity Random Name Picker), at the whiteboards, solving 1-2 problems related to on pace lessons, use mastery as checks for understanding
Mix approaches up - other collaborative activities, demos, thinking classrooms, other whole group activities to set the tone, etc
Do Now or Check-In (goal setting and/or SEL check-in) - can be done daily, weekly, more sporadic (end of unit/module)
Weekly agenda slide deck
Progress Tracker for informal check-in and goal-setting
Very descriptive and individualized and shifted to letter grades for efficiency reasons
Now we are returning to more descriptive and individualized feedback
Bell Curves - if grades fit within a bell curve, it means that the approach taken had no impact on student learning; instead, we want to see skews towards higher achievement to show a positive impact
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