Innovation Archives - John Spencer

Apr 30 2024

Using AI to Bridge the Gap from Theory to Practice

By John Spencer Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, Podcast 2 Comments

It's easy to get dismissive about educational theory. I've heard teachers say "Don't bother with the theory. Just focus on practical strategies." But when done well, theory can provide a roadmap and framework we can use. It can be a nuanced dialogue that cuts to…

Apr 03 2024

Rethinking Information Literacy in an Age of AI

By John Spencer Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, Literacy, Podcast 2 Comments

Terms like "game-changing" and "disruptive" have become cliche in technology circles. As educators, we've seen the hype of 1:1 devices, paperless classrooms, interactive whiteboards, and a host of different education fads. However, AI feels different. We are living in a cultural moment where generative AI…

Aug 22 2021

10 Creative Risks to Take With Your Students This Year

By John Spencer Innovation, Mindsets, Podcast 2 Comments

We aren't sure what this year will look like. With the spike in Covid cases, it might involve more hybrid or virtual learning. Or it might be more of a "return to normal." But regardless of the situation, we do know that teachers will continue…

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…

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…

Apr 18 2020

5 Ways to Boost Attendance in Virtual Class Meetings

By John Spencer Distance Learning, Innovation, Podcast 33 Comments

I have a friend who is a phenomenal teacher. She has been making a positive impact on middle schoolers' lives for 20 years. I used to go into her classroom during my prep period and take detailed notes so I could refine my class. She…

Mar 02 2020

Seven Reasons to Geek Out on Educational Theory

By John Spencer Innovation, Podcast 3 Comments

I haven't written a new article in nearly month. After getting back my data, I plugged away at writing Chapters 4 and 5 of my dissertation, followed by a few revisions. I will likely defend it next week or the week after. One of the…

Nov 26 2019

Nine Vintage Ideas to Spark Innovation in Your Classroom

By John Spencer Innovation, Podcast 2 Comments

The Astrodome was a modern miracle, a Space Age wonder, with a glass dome, high-tech air-conditioning, and the world’s biggest scoreboard. When it opened in 1965, reporters dubbed it the “8th Wonder of the World.” This was the future. No more bad weather or quirky…

Nov 19 2019

The Power of Vintage Innovation

By John Spencer Innovation, Podcast 4 Comments

When I was in middle school, one of my teachers called the entire class up to the front of the room. He held up a shiny golden disc in wild excitement. “This will change education forever,” he said, eyes gleaming. “Someday, you’ll be able to…

Jul 02 2019

Four Things P.E. Teachers Can Teach Us About Innovative Teaching

By John Spencer Innovation, Podcast 4 Comments

Six years ago, I led my first PBL workshop for a group of high school teachers. It was the summer after my tenth year in the classroom and I felt fairly confident that I could facilitate a whole day of professional development. I knew, for…