Blog - Page 17 of 49 - Spencer Education

Apr 12 2021

Clement Townsend on How Video Journalism Can Empower Students with Voice and Choice

By John Spencer Empowering Students, Literacy, Podcast 2 Comments

In this podcast episode, I interview Clement Townsend about the importance of journalism and multimedia composition in the classroom. Clement Townsend has valuable real-world experience in journalism as well as teaching and mentoring experience at the K-12 level. In this episode, he shares practical insights…

Apr 08 2021

Every Student Deserves Access to Project-Based Learning

By John Spencer Podcast, Project-Based Learning 7 Comments

Years ago, my friend Chad (who tragically passed away from cancer last year) started the 21st Century Classroom initiative in our district. Teachers would be part of six-person teams where they would attend professional development, receive state-of-the-art technology, and have a learning coach who would…

Mar 12 2021

Dr. Melissa Deutsch on the PBL Journey

By John Spencer Podcast, Project-Based Learning 2 Comments

Project-based learning can feel overwhelming. It can seem like an entire transformation in your teaching practice. However, it doesn't have to require a massive overhaul. Often, it's more like an evolution. In my latest podcast episode, I interview Dr. Melissa Deutsch about her PBL journey.…

Mar 05 2021

Four Ways to Boost Collaboration in Student Projects

By John Spencer Creative Collaboration, Creativity, Podcast, Project-Based Learning 5 Comments

Creative collaboration can be challenging at every every level of education. Sometimes the issue is work imbalance, with one student doing the majority of the work while others slack off. The term organizational psychology is "cognitive loafing." In some cases, it can feel like one…

Feb 26 2021

Thom Gibson on Designing Student Jobs that Empower the Classroom Community

By John Spencer Empowering Students, Podcast One Comment

Teachers have been using student jobs for years but sometimes a classic idea can use a makeover in an age of hybrid learning, remote learning, and blended learning. In this podcast episode, I interview Thom Gibson, who has thought strategically about how to use classroom…

Feb 12 2021

Austin Kleon on the Surprising Truths About Creativity

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast One Comment

In our world, we have these rules that creative types are supposed to follow. However, Austin Kleon, a self-described, “writer who draws,” takes those rules and tears them to shreds. Or maybe not. Maybe he turns them upside down or folds them into a paper…

Feb 04 2021

Students Should Share Their Process, Not Just Their Product

By John Spencer Creativity, Innovation, Podcast 11 Comments

When I was a kid, I loved watching reality TV. Okay, it wasn't really reality TV. It was PBS. However, I would watch an entire season of This Old House, as Bob Vila walked viewers step-by-step through a cumbersome restoration process. This never included a…

Jan 29 2021

Jed Dearybury on the Power of Play for All Ages (Interview)

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast No Comments

In my latest podcast episode, I interview Jed Dearybury. He's a deep thinker and a creative spirit. As the co-author of The Playful Classroom, Jed advocates for integrating play into every aspect of school; from curriculum and instruction to assessment to the classroom culture to…