Blog - Page 20 of 49 - Spencer Education

Sep 29 2020

What can food trucks teach us about virtual and hybrid learning?

By John Spencer Distance Learning, Innovation, Podcast 4 Comments

When we think of innovative companies, it's easy to imagine an open-air tech startup with ping pong tables and free drinks and huge windows and chairs so modern you're not sure how you're supposed to sit in them or look at them. Sometimes I look…

Sep 23 2020

Using Scavenger Hunts to Get Students Moving in Virtual Learning

By John Spencer Distance Learning, Podcast 6 Comments

When we hear the terms "virtual learning" or "remote learning," it's easy to imagine students spending eight hours a day in front of a screen. However, as educators, we know that this approach isn't developmentally appropriate. Children need to move around and interact with their…

Sep 15 2020

5 Models for Making the Most Out of Hybrid Learning

By John Spencer Creativity, Distance Learning, Podcast 11 Comments

In the 1960's, cities built multipurpose stadiums for football games, baseball games, and concerts. These were supposed to be sleek, modern, and broad enough to encompass the needs of every entertainment industry. They were designed to be all things to all people. However, the multipurpose…

Sep 09 2020

The Power of Student Check-Ins During Distant Learning and Hybrid Courses

By John Spencer Distance Learning, Podcast 11 Comments

In my last article, I wrote about ways that we can get to know our students in virtual and hybrid courses. I also did a webinar on building a community online. You can watch it on replay here. One of the best ways to build…

Aug 24 2020

5 Ways to Get to Know Your Students in Virtual and Hybrid Environments

By John Spencer Distance Learning, Empowering Students, Podcast 6 Comments

As an educator, you are a community builder. From day one, you getting to know your students on a relational level. It’s often in the little things, like sending an email the first time they miss a virtual class session. It’s what happens when you…

Aug 12 2020

How to Make Virtual Meetings More Interactive for Students

By John Spencer Distance Learning, Podcast 11 Comments

Video conferences can be exhausting. You might notice that students who are highly engaged during an in-person session suddenly disengage in a virtual meeting. Often, there are challenges with video lag or simply the inability to see the room entirely. I created the following visual…

Jul 29 2020

Improving Student Collaboration in Remote and Hybrid Learning

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 14 Comments

In this latest article, we explore how to improve collaboration in distance learning by empowering students to own the collaborative process. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog but you’d like to listen to it on the go, just click on the audio…

Jul 20 2020

The World Needs Your Voice

By John Spencer Podcast, Professional Development 4 Comments

This is my latest article in a series on owning your professional learning. When we think of professional development, it's easy to think of skills you might acquire, concepts you might learn, or ideas you might explore. However, professional development is bigger than this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw53uRedr5U&t=2s…

Jul 14 2020

Making Rest a Priority in the Summer

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 11 Comments

This is my latest article in a series on owning your professional learning. Teaching is an exhausting gig and when teachers take the time to rest during the summer, they able to find a place of renewal and restoration. Research has demonstrated that rest is…

Jul 06 2020

Pajama PD: Taking an Anytime / Anywhere Approach to Professional Learning

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast, Professional Development No Comments

This is my latest article in a series on owning your professional learning. I love the concept of "Pajama PD." It's the idea that you can engage in deep professional learning without having to dress up nicer or go anywhere. Don't get me wrong. I…