Digital PD 4 You

As educators, it is important to include time in our day to focus on helping students learn to regulate their emotions. When students are taught how to navigate their emotional compass, it helps to create a stable space for them to concentrate academically. What strategies are you currently using to construct this type of environment in your school? This episode will provide you with research-based information on this topic, fill your toolbox with strategies to help get you started or strengthen your current practices, and push your thinking in this area. Additionally, more resources are linked to the blog posting of this content. Visit Digitalpd4you.com to continue growing and expanding your knowledge in this area. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, we tackle the topic, Reimagining Learning Environments in our schools. As we welcome students back into the learning environment after almost two years, we must be intentional about the way we craft the space for students. Below you will find a link to resources which can be used to help you find your one word for the year, strengthen your knowledge about the pursuit of goals, as well as other resources that could be used to improve goal-setting. As always, thanks for listening to Digital PD 4 You and I will see you in a couple of weeks for another episode of Season #2.  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Now I know what you are thinking. Most schools have begun offering only in-person learning, so there is no need to continue thinking about using breakout rooms or any other virtual protocols. Well, as the Pandemic continues to rage on, I am here to tell you that it will be imperative for educators to continue honing our technological instructional skills. Just as we prepare for inclement weather by having tornado drills, we should consider having Pandemic preparation drills as well. To hear more episodes, subscribe to DigitalPD4You on Twitter and Facebook. Visit https://Digitalpd4you.com to read more about this topic and find more resources to continue learning about this topic. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I have been reflecting on my life and how we educated students prior to March 12, 2020. If asked to choose just one, I would say that I believe that the inclusiveness of online instructional environments still needs to be calibrated. These pursuits have been nothing short of amazing!! While excited, I can’t help but think about those students who may have been lost in the shuffle.  I must admit that I worry about students with exceptional needs during this time. My fear is that we are spending so much time attempting to synchronize and calibrate what online instruction looks like we haven’t devoted enough attention towards personalizing and differentiating instruction within the online environment. Norman Kunc notes that when inclusive education is fully embraced, we abandon the idea that children have to become “normal” in order to contribute to the world. We begin to look beyond typical ways of becoming valued members of the community, and in doing so begin to realize the achievable goal of providing all children with an authentic sense of belonging. This episode focuses on strategies teachers and schools could use to ensure that we have included processes and strategies which meet the needs of all levels of learners. Come along and reflect with me as you think through your current processes and consider the strategies I am proposing for you.  Here are a few of the Resources/References you could use to deepen your knowledge. Direct links are included in the accompaning post for this episode at https://digitalpd4you.com/2021/02/27/educator-reflection-tip-79-is-your-online-instruction-inclusive/ Here’s What Happens When Every Child Gets a Personalized Learning Plan Defining Learning Disabilities What are Classrooms Like for Students with Disabilities Helping Students with learning disabilities Teaching Students with Disabilities: Perceptions of a First-Year Teacher Personalized Learning for Every Student An Operationalized Learning of Personalized Learning Edutopia-3 Myths about Personalized Learning --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to Season 2 of the Digital PD 4 You Podcast! This BONUS episode gives listeners a sneak peak at my latest project, Volume II of the Educator Reflection Tips book series. I take a deep dive into five of the ten topics included in the book, pose thought-provoking questions to help you figure out if these are topics that you have been grappling with over the past few months. As you listen, be sure to note which topics you are most interested in so that you can read them first after purchasing your copy. Unlike most series, my books do not have to be read cover to cover. These choose your own path books afford educators the unique opportunity to choose their own path for instructional improvement. Go ahead!! Come on and begin the journey with me.  Volume II of the Book series can be purchased by visiting bit.ly/EdReflect2.  Volume I of the Book series is available at bit.ly/EdReflect1.  Other resources for this episode can be found by visiting DigitalPD4You.com  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

As we embark on another year that will be filled with uncertainty and unsual circumstances, I began to reflect on the #oneword that I would use to remind me of the personal goals that I set for myself. For a number of years, I have set personal goals, but have quickly found myself pushing them to the side to pursue professional goals. Think about the goals that you have set over the past couple of years. Have you been reluctant to pursue personal goals? If so, why do you think you continue to push them to the side. We will explore this question and so many others as I discuss my personal reflective journey and overcome my reluctance to work towards accomplishing personal goals that I set for myself. Below you will find a link to resources which can be used to help you find your one word for the year, strengthen your knowledge about the pursuit of goals, as well as other resources that could be used to improve goal-setting. As always, thanks for listening to Digital PD 4 You and I will see you in a couple of weeks for Season #2. 

Link to resources: https://digitalpd4you.com/2020/12/31/educator-reflection-tip-78-what-goals-have-you-been-relunctant-to-pursue/

--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Pearson and Gallager (1983) coined the term "gradual release" to describe an instructional process which prepares students to steadily take more and more ownership of their learning. These authors outlined a four-step process to be used within the classroom setting. As more and more schools  adopt hybrid or remote learning models, educators will need to reconsider what this process looks like for students, especially in virtual settings. This episode will not only assist you with digging deeper and reflecting on your own implementation, but will introduce the "BRACE" model that I used in the classroom with students. As always, I will also attach a link to additional resources which can be used to further enhance your knowledge and assist you with outlining your virtual gradual release process. 

Link to additional resources: https://digitalpd4you.com/?s=and+gradual+release

Be sure to visit and follow Digital PD 4 You so that you can stay abreast of additional resources and stay informed when new episodes are published. Stay safe!!! See you in a couple of weeks!!!!

--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

How often do you think about your level of expertise in the classroom? More importantly, what steps are you using to self-reflect on your instructional practice? This week’s episode takes you on a journey through the four stages of self-reflection, provides you with steps to help you integrate them into your current practices, and includes additional resources which will help you continue to improve teaching and learning in your classroom. We welcome you to also visit DigitalPD4You.com where you will find more tips and resources. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Educators will learn about the research related to non-clinical trauma informed practices and strategies for crafting a social & emotional well-being plan for their classroom. This week’s top comes from Chapter 11 of my book, Educator Reflection Tips: How often do you reflect on your practice? The book is available on Amazon and can be previewed at amzn.to/34rDetBamzn.to/34rDetB or purchased on Kindle for only $9.95. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Educators will learn why districts and teachers are asked to use data to inform instructional decisions, about three types of bias that we should be aware of when disaggregating data, and questions to reflect on as they work to effectively use data within their classroom. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app