Episoder

  • In which Dan comments on our nation's obsession with STEM education and misaligned priorities. We've been sold a story by industry leaders that STEM jobs are the future; we lionize tech and math nerds; we push kids to take the highest possible math classes. Why?

    Looking at some of our biggest problems that humanity faces – – climate change, sectarian violence, political paralysis, authoritarianism— and it’s clear that while technology can, has, and always will play a vital role, it’s foolish to think that technology will save us. We can’t simply tech our way out of our problems.

    This isn't an anti-STEM rant. It's a call for a more balanced approach.

    Mentioned in the episode:
    Math Anxiety Is Real. Here's How To Help Your Child Avoid It, NPR, Sept. 2020
    College Preparation, Undergraduate Admissions, University of Michigan
    Can We Please Stop Talking About Harvard?, Have You Heard, Jan. 2024
    Bad Idea: Prioritizing STEM Education at the Expense of Civic Education, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Dec. 2020
    The Fantasy Economy: Neoliberalism, Inequality, and the Education Reform Movement by Neil Kraus
    Is There Really a STEM Workforce Shortage? by Ron Hira, Issues in Science and Technology, Summer 2022

  • In which Dan talks about the challenges facing girls today--and reasons for optimism--with Donna Jackson Nakazawa. Donna is the author of seven books, most recently Girls on the Brink: Helping Our Daughters Thrive in an Era of Increased Anxiety, Depression, and Social Media. Dan and Donna talk about the multitude of stressors facing girls today and how their biology uniquely interacts with that stress. Then they talk about some of the implications for schools before turning to what Donna calls "antidotes", strategies and mindsets for the adults in girls' lives to help them thrive.

    As always I welcome comments and questions on Instagram, Threads, and X @BigIdeaEd

    Mentioned in the show:
    Girls on the Brink: Helping Our Daughters Thrive in an Era of Increased Anxiety, Depression, and Social Media by Donna Jackson Nakazawa
    Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology, and How You Can Heal by Donna Jackson Nakazawa
    The Angel and the Assassin: The Tiny Brain Cell That Changed the Course of Medicine by Donna Jackson Nakazawa
    Facebook Knows Instagram Is Toxic for Teen Girls, Company Documents Show, Wall Street Journal, Sept 2021
    Social media is driving teen mental health crisis, surgeon general warns, NBC News, May 2023
    Conference to Restore Humanity 2024 from Human Restoration Project

    Music by Stars in LA

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  • In which Dan talks media literacy--the skills needed to responsibly decode, assess, and create media--with Tim Krueger, a Social Studies teacher in Syracuse, New York, and someone who's been doing a ton of thinking and teaching about this essential topic. The proliferation of information, misinformation, and disinformation (especially as we enter an election year), all super charged by social media, partisan divides and, now, artificial intelligence, makes now the perfect time for teachers to dive into media literacy.

    Mentioned in the episode:
    Verified: How to Think Straight, Get Duped Less, and Make Better Decisions about What to Believe Online by Mike Caulfield and Sam Wineburg
    "Internet at School Is Changing Work of Students--and Teachers", Washington Post, Sept, 2000
    Media Literacy Now, an advocacy group calling for states to mandate media literacy curriculum
    News Literacy Project provides a rich bank of resources and learning platforms for teachers at all grade levels
    How to Teach Media and News Literacy with Ebonee Rice, What's the Big Idea?, Nov, 2021
    Adfontes Media Bias Chart - an incredible visual tool for exploring media outlets
    "When Teens Find Misinformation, These Teachers Are Ready" (featuring Tim Krueger), NY Times, Sept 2022
    "Elections and Disinformation Are Colliding Like Never Before in 2024", NY Times, Jan 2024
    "Fake Joe Biden robocall tells New Hampshire Democrats not to vote Tuesday", NBC News, Jan 2024

    Music by Ruben Ramos

  • In which Dan takes a few minutes to share his thoughts on the power of putting students in a position to hear and reflect on personal stories. Drawing on recent experiences with a Holocaust survivor and an immigration unit, Dan talks about how one great avenue to authentic assessment (see also: can't be replicated by ChatGPT) and student buy-in is in-person storytelling connected to their studies.

    As always, I welcome comments and questions on Instagram, Threads, and X @BigIdeaEd

    Flash draft: n. a work of writing that is done quickly without editing

    Mentioned in the episode:
    Teachers Fear ChatGPT Will Make Cheating Easier Than Ever by Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes
    ChatGPT Is Making Universities Rethink Plagiarism by Sophia Barnett, Wired
    Some Ideas for Using ChatGPT in Middle and High School Classes by Geoff Richman, Edutopia
    Holocaust Museum LA

    Cover photo: Joseph Alexander
    Episode music: "Imperfect" from Lofi free beats

  • In which Dan explores the power of outdoor experiential learning with Fulcrum Adventures, a Los Angeles-based company and leader in the team building and outdoor youth development space. Their motto is Do. Risk. Grow.

    Dan talks with Leo Van Warmerdam, program director, and Racine Camara, one of Fulcrum's facilitators, about the power of learning outside, reflection, and, ultimately, letting young people be themselves.

    As always, I welcome comments and questions on X, Threads, and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

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    Mentioned in the show:
    Fulcrum Adventures
    It's time to log off and touch grass by Catriona Morton
    Angela Hanscom has the remedy for our kids' overly structured, overly scheduled world from What's the Big Idea

    Music by Stars in LA

  • In which Dan talks about puberty--that rite of passage that many of us would sooner forget--and how for kids today it looks and feels so very different from a generation ago. He talks to Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett, hosts of the excellent Puberty Podcast and co-authors of the forthcoming book This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained. Dan, Cara, and Vanessa discuss the role adults play in the lives of adolescents, technology, the adolescent brain, and what schools are getting right and could do better. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter, Threads, and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

    Mentioned in the episode:
    The Puberty Podcast, hosted by Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett
    Pre-order This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained

    Music by Stars in LA

  • In which Dan talks with Celeste Kirsh, middle school educator, podcast host, and Ph.D. student. Celeste is a deeply reflective and thoughtful person, and so Dan picks her brain about digital media literacy, teaching young people to write, and why we should be hopeful about the future. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @bigideaed

    Featured on the show and further reading:
    Teaching Tomorrow Podcast, produced and hosted by Celeste Kirsh
    Civix Canada
    Countering Truth Decay by RAND (a report on digital literacy)
    "How ChatGPT robs students of motivation to write and think for themselves" by Naomi Baron
    "ChatGPT will fundamentally change how we teach writing; that’s a good thing" by Christopher Mah
    "ChatGPT and Writing Assessment, an Old Problem Made New" by John Warner

    Conference to Restore Humanity from Human Restoration Project
    *Enter promo code BIGIDEA at checkout for a $25 discount*

    Music by Stars in LA

  • In which Dan talks with Annie Abrams, public school teacher and author of the new book Shortchanged: How Advanced Placement Cheats Students. Dan was always skeptical of the AP for reasons related to cost and its content-heavy nature, but after reading Abrams' rich analysis and critique of the program, it's clear that there's a lot more to it than that. Dan and Annie discuss why the AP has such reach in America's high schools, how teacher autonomy and student agency are damaged by AP courses, and possible solutions.

    As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

    Mentioned in the show:
    Shortchanged: How Advanced Placement Cheats Students by Annie Abrams
    Culver City eliminates honors English in attempt to reach racial equity by KQED
    Time to Slay the College Board Dragon by Michael Hynes

    conference to restore humanity! 2023 from Human Restoration Project
    *enter code bigidea at checkout for a $25 discount*

    Music by Barry Moore

  • In which Dan interviews Yehudah Potok, Director of Jewish Education Program and Lead for the Antisemitism Project at Facing History and Ourselves. A recent uptick in antisemitism around the U.S. had Dan wondering about the state of Holocaust education, so he reached out to Facing History, which has long been a leading voice in education for authentic, deep learning around hard topics like racism and antisemitism. Dan and Yehudah discuss Facing History's unique approach to curriculum and pedagogy, the role of social media in spreading hate like antisemitism, and why, perhaps, we've done too good a job teaching the Holocaust.

    I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

    Mentioned in the episode:
    Antisemitism is on the rise, and it's not just about Ye from NPR
    The State of Holocaust Education in America from Moment Magazine
    A Convenient Hatred: The History of Antisemitism from Facing History and Ourselves
    Holocaust and Human Behavior from Facing History and Ourselves
    Explorations Workshop from Facing History and Ourselves
    Teaching for Justice & Equity from Facing History and Ourselves
    Antisemitism Explainer from Facing History and Ourselves

    Music: mel unfiltered via Youtube Audio Library

  • In which Dan discusses history, representation, and America's blindspots with Femi Redwood (@femiredwood), journalist and host of the podcast Beyond Black History Month, which has just kicked off its second season. They talk about the very idea of Black History Month in both schools and American media, the country's reluctance to engage with history, significant topics that are being overlooked, and the importance of representation in our institutions. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

    Mentioned in the show:
    Beyond Black History Month, hosted by Femi Redwood
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration rejects African American AP course, ABC News
    More Than a Month, directed by Shukree Hassan Tilghman
    Oyotunji, South Carolina

    Teaching Resources:
    Zinn Education Project
    Facing History and Ourselves
    Learning For Justice
    Equal Justice Initiative

    Music: "It'll Be Alright", mel unfiltered via Youtube Audio Library

  • In which Dan learns all about the book adaptation process from Rebecca Stefoff (@RebeccaStefoff), author of numerous fiction and nonfiction titles. Notably, Rebecca has adapted important works by Howard Zinn, Ronald Takaki, and Charles Darwin, and her efforts have made seminal texts such as A People's History of the United States accessible for young people. Dan and Rebecca talk about her career as an author, how she goes about adapting, and why it's so vital to get these ideas in the hands of the youth.

    Mentioned in the episode:
    A Young People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn, adapted Rebecca Stefoff
    A Different Mirror for Young People: A History of Multicultural America by Ronald Takaki, adapted by Rebecca Stefoff
    On the Origin of Species: Young Readers Edition by Charle Darwin, adapted by Rebecca Stefoff
    How to Change Everything: The Young Human's Guide to Protecting the Planet and Each Other by Naomi Klein, adapted by Rebecca Stefoff

    As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

    Music: "Que Es Extraño" by Molo via Creative Commons Media

  • In which Dan talks with Kindra Neely (@kindraneely), author of the new graphic memoir Numb to This: Memoir of a Mass Shooting. Neely is a survivor of the 2015 shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon. Numb to This is both a documentary of the events and an intimate personal account of the human toll of a mass shooting. Neely explores the role of media in covering mass shootings, the stress that such traumas place on relationships, the recurrence of mass shootings in America and, in the book’s most poignant, difficult, and tense scene, Neely’s own suicide attempt. Numb to This is an important book for this national moment.

    If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

    As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

    Music: "Que Es Extraño" by Molo via Creative Commons Media

  • In which Dan chats with Monte Syrie (@MonteSyrie) about the gains, pains, and learning that comes with being a professional educator. Our fast-paced, get-it-now culture can lead teachers to think that they should be polished and amazing NOW. Monte's career, and reflection on that career, suggest that patience is a virtue and that we can all grow into greatness. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

    Mentioned in the show:
    Project 180 by Monte Syrie
    Monte's writing for Edutopia
    Better: A Teacher's Journey by Monte Syrie

    Music: "Que Es Extraño" by Molo via Creative Commons Media

  • In which Dan asks a bunch of really smart educators, "What have the past two+ years taught us?" We're entering another school year of pandemic teaching and learning, so what do we have to show for it? Forget the think pieces online and the ranting at local school board meetings; what can these innovative teachers tell us about where education has (and hasn't) gone since March 2020? As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

    Guests on the show:

    Celeste Kirsch - host of the Teaching Tomorrow Podcast, @teaching_tomorrow Jonathan Gold - check out his articles for Learning for Justice, @jonathansgoldKayla Duncan - co-author of Learning That Transfers, @MrsKaylaDuncanLeo Thompson - of the Council of International Schools, check out his thoughts on education over at LinkedInTanay Naik - educator at UNIS Hanoi, @tnaikNick Covington - Creative Director at the Human Restoration Project and prolific, insightful tweeter @CovingtonEDUJulia Fliss - Colorado educator and @SDG ambassador, @JuliaFlissJessica Kirkland - Virginia educator full of good ideas @jkirk___Music: "Que Es Extraño" by Molo

  • In which Dan chats with author Barbara Dee about her work writing powerful novels about middle school students, for middle school students. Barbara's 13th novel comes out this fall, and her books take on issues ranging from mental health to addiction to eco-anxiety. Dan and Barbara discuss how she finds the sweet spot in writing fiction at the middle school level, her characters, her career, and her views on the current wave of censorship sweeping through America's schools and libraries. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

    Mentioned in the show:
    Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee
    Violets Are Blue by Barbara Dee
    Starcrossed by Barbara Dee
    Barbara Dee online

    Music:
    Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release]
    Music provided by Audio Library Plus
    Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9Pk
    Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

  • In which Dan examines the behemoth that is traditional grading--you know, the A-F and 0-100 scales, and GPAs. Dan is joined by Susan Blum (@SusanDebraBlum) who has done a ton of thinking, speaking, and writing about how teachers can move away from this crude, harmful practice and towards something called ungrading. Susan edited and contributed to Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead). She talks with Dan about why grading is not at all about learning, how it's baked into our educational system and expectations, and what teachers can start doing now to ungrade. As always, comments and questions are welcomed on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

    Mentioned in the episode:
    Ungrading: Why Rating Students Undermines Learning (and What to Do Instead) edited by Susan Blum
    The Schools Our Children Deserve by Alfie Kohn
    Mastery Transcript Consortium
    The Ungrading Handbook from the Human Restoration Project
    Grading ≠ Assessment from the Human Restoration Project

    Music:
    Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release]
    Music provided by Audio Library Plus
    Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9Pk
    Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

  • In which Dan takes a close look at the recent spread of censorship aimed at schools and libraries across the United States. Hundreds (!) of new laws have been proposed in just months that would put teachers and curriculums under the microscope, and books are being pulled from shelves. The common denominator? The ideas and books being questioned all challenge orthodox views of American society, history, and family.

    To begin, Dan is joined by Jonathan Friedman from PEN America to talk about gag order laws proliferating across the country (5:40). They discuss how the 1619 Project should be seen as ground zero for this latest censorship push, and then talk through the goals and consequences of the gag order laws coming out of state houses around America. Then Dan talks to Christine Emeran from the National Coalition Against Censorship about why books are coming under attack across the country (33:00). As always I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

    Mentioned in the episode:
    "A Tennessee school board removed the graphic novel ‘Maus,’ about the Holocaust" (CNN)
    "'Don't Say Gay' bill passes Florida Senate" (ABC)
    The 1619 Project from the NY Times
    Educational Gag Orders: Legislative Restrictions on the Freedom to Read, Learn, and Teach from PEN America. Lead author: Jonathan Friedman
    Kids' Right to Read Action Kit from the National Coalition Against Censorship
    Responding to Book Challenges: A Handbook for Teachers from the National Coalition Against Censorship
    Youth Censorship Database from the National Coalition Against Censorship
    "How a YA oral-sex scene touched off Texas' latest culture war" from Texas Tribune

    Music:
    Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release]
    Music provided by Audio Library Plus
    Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9Pk
    Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

  • In which Dan interviews Monica Brady-Myerov, founder and CEO of Listenwise, a learning platform that helps teachers bring podcasts and other audio into the classroom. Before starting Listenwise, Monica was an award-winning public radio journalist, and Dan and Monica talk about what she learned about storytelling during those years. Then they discuss why schools need to do more to teach listening skills and how Listenwise is set up to do exactly that. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

    Mentioned in the episode:

    Listenwise, a learning platform that brings audio into the classroom
    A sample of Monica's reporting on the opioid crisis
    Listen Wise: Teach Students to Be Better Listeners by Monica Brady-Myerov
    The Student Podcast PODCAST, highlighting outstanding student work

    Music:
    Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release]
    Music provided by Audio Library Plus
    Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9Pk
    Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

  • In which Dan chats with Molly Josephs, the adult who works on This Teenage Life, a podcast hosted by teens to talk about issues that matter to them. Dan and Molly discuss how TTL got its start, why student voices are more important than ever, and why the real goal is honest, productive conversation. They also talk about how teachers everywhere can (and should!) try out podcasting in the classroom. Always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

    Mentioned in the episode:

    This Teenage Life's website, featuring resources that accompany the episodes
    "Text Etiquette" (episode)
    "Book Magic" (episode)
    "Snacks" (episode)
    Student projects at High Tech High
    My own students podcasts

    Music:
    Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release]
    Music provided by Audio Library Plus
    Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9Pk
    Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

  • In which Dan and special guest co-host Kim Dzwonkowski talk with Angela Hanscom about the importance of getting kids outside, away from overly structured activities and hovering adults. Angela is the best-selling author of Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children and the founder of Timbernook. Dan, Kim, and Angela talk about how our overly scheduled, overly supervised world is wrecking havoc on children's mental, emotional, and physical development, and why getting kids outside is the key to turning it around. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter @BigIdeaEd

    Also mentioned in this episode:
    The REAL reason children fidget — and what we can do about it (TED Talk) by Angela Hanscom

    Music:
    Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release]
    Music provided by Audio Library Plus
    Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9Pk
    Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower