Month: May 2015

Nick and Marc discuss the recent appointment of Commissioner Elia. They also break down various commencement speeches and offer suggestions to the Class of 2015.

“Methods Lab” – Cooperative Learning

a) How can you make it work well?

b) When is it too much?

c) Why doesn’t it work all the time?

Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com

Links related to this episode:

1. Washington Post announces Commissioner Elia
2. Graduation Speeches – Excerpts from the NY Times
3. Commencement Speech by David McCullough Jr.

Nick and Marc discuss the social, emotional and academic damage caused by social media and offer suggestions to help children and parents navigate the dark waters of technology with greater success.

“Methods Lab” – Reading Aloud

a) When should a teacher read aloud in class? What about the students?

Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com

Links related to this episode:

BBC: Rescue Our Kids From the Digital World

NY Times: Diagnosing The Wrong Deficit

Nick and Marc celebrate 100 downloads! They also discuss Advanced Placement courses, debate merit pay and review the recent cheating scandal in Atlanta.

“Methods Lab” – Homework

a) How much is too much?

Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com

Subscribe to the podcast in the iTunes store.

Links related to this episode:

1. The Daily Show segment: Fraud City
2. CNN covers Atlanta Cheating Scandal
3. Freakonomics’ take on Atlanta
4. http://www.wsj.com/articles/cheating-in-atlanta-a-teachable-moment-1428521500
5. http://www.businessinsider.com/how-was-the-atlanta-cheating-scandal-was-uncovered-2014-9

Nick and Marc debate the need for tenure (for both teachers and administrators). They also discuss the impact of Vergara v. California and the educational reform agenda of New York’s Governor Cuomo.

“Methods Lab” – Testing

a) What should classroom assessments look like?

b) To review or not review?

Listeners are welcome to ask a question, suggest a topic or share their thoughts: ask@stateofedpodcast.com

Links related to this episode:

Time Magazine: A Brief History of Tenure

Opinion piece on tenure and the Vergara case in The Daily News

Education Reform in New York State

Details of Vergara v. California

Can you figure out Cheryl’s birthday?

Kristof’s column: Are You Smarter Than An 8th Grader?