Category Archives: author

Rewiring Education: How Technology Can Unlock Every Student’s Potential by John D. Couch by John D. Couch

I was excited to receive an early copy of Rewiring Education: How Technology Can Unlock Every Student’s Potential by John D. Couch today in the mail. You can grab your copy here!

John Couch was friend of Steve Job’s and the first Vice President of Apple Education. I had the good fortune of meeting John in 2011 and hearing him speak. He is brilliant. He has always been an advocate for personalized learning, which is quite a buzz-word in education today.

John’s new book, Rewiring Education: How Technology Can Unlock Every Student’s Potential, has a foreword written by Apple’s Co-Founder, Steve Wozniak, who I also had the pleasure of meeting and hearing him speak in 2017. Steve is also an advocate for personalized learning.

I am excited to read this book. If fact, I started it today, and I can’t put it down. Two of my favorite interests combined, education and Apple, all in one book. I have always admired Apple’s dedication and investment in education. This seems even more renewed with their recent, March 2018, Apple Education Event in Chicago. Clearly Education is indeed in Apple’s DNA.

John’s new book is driven by a powerful question: What if we could unlock the potential in every child?

Isn’t that question in the heart of every educator and educational leader? John believes we can, and he believes technology plays a key role. John’s book, like Apple itself, has a grand vision, and this vision is focused on ‘rewiring education.’

John has agreed to be an upcoming guest on my Wired Educator Podcast. I look forward to sharing that interview with you soon.

Until then, order out John’s new book: Rewiring Education: How Technology Can Unlock Every Student’s Potential.

Here’s more about this new book:

Apple’s iconic cofounder Steve Jobs had a powerful vision for education: employing technology to make an enormous impact on the lives of millions of students. To realize this vision, Jobs tapped John D. Couch, a trusted engineer and executive with a passion for education. Couch believed the real purpose of education was to help children discover their unique potential and empower them to reach beyond their perceived limitations.

Today, technology is increasingly integrated into every aspect of our lives, rewiring our homes, our jobs, and even our brains. Most important, it presents an opportunity to rewire education to enrich and strengthen our schools, children, and society

In Rewiring Education, Couch shares the professional lessons he’s learned during his 50-plus years in education and technology. He takes us behind Apple’s major research study, Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow (ACOT), and its follow-up (ACOT 2), highlighting the powerful effects of the Challenge-Based Learning framework. Going beyond Apple’s walls, he also introduces us to some of the most extraordinary parents, educators, and entrepreneurs from around the world who have ignored the failed promises of memorization and, instead, utilize new science-backed methods and technologies that benefit all children, from those who struggle to honor students.

Rewiring Education presents a bold vision for the future of education, looking at promising emerging technologies and how we—as parents, teachers, and voters—can ensure children are provided with opportunities and access to the relevant, creative, collaborative, and challenging learning environments they need to succeed.

Kelly Croy is an author, speaker and educator. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly, or invite him to your school or conference to speak please send him an email: 

Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe.
Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 104 episodes of interviews and professional development.
Visit the Wired Educator blog at www.WiredEducator.com
Looking for a dynamic speaker for your school’s opening day? Consider Kelly Croy at www.KellyCroy.com
Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library.
Posted on

WEP 102: Cybraryman, An Interview with Jerry Blumengarten

An Interview with Jerry Blumengarten

In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, Kelly Croy interviews Jerry Blumengarten, aka: Cybraryman.

Jerry Blumengarten taught for 32 years in the New York City School System. Twenty in the classroom as a teacher in multiple subjects and multiple grades, and twelve as a teacher/librarian. Jerry developed and wrote curriculum for his school district, the NYC Board of Education and Open Doors a school-business partnership. He also created educational materials for the utility industry for over 30 years. He is the co-author of the book Connecting Your Students with The World. Jerry co-moderated numerous educational chats on Twitter, including #edchat for five years, and he created #engsschat. He has presented at numerous edcamps, #ISTE and #FETC, was a Featured Presenter at #METC and #GaETC, and the keynote speaker for Tomorrow’s Classrooms Today. Jerry is also a very proud grandparent of five grandchildren ages 6-18.

Follow Jerry on Twitter: @cybraryman1

Mentioned in this Podcast: 
Book Creator: One of the top educational tools available. Visit: www.BookCreator.com
 
Posted on

WEP 101: Rigor and Relevance an Interview with Dr. Bill Daggett

An Interview with Dr. Bill Daggett, Founder of the International Center for Leadership in Education

BILL DAGGETT PRESIDENT: INT’L CENTER FOR LEADERS IN ED. USA TODAY EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD APPLICATION MODEL & RIGOR/RELEVANCE FRAMEWORK

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, Kelly Croy interviews Dr. Bill Daggett, the Founder of The International Center for Leadership in Education and the creator of The Application Model and Rigor and Relevance Framework.

 Bill Daggett is the Founder and Chairman of the International Center for Leadership in Education, is recognized worldwide for his proven ability to move preK-12 education systems towards more rigorous and relevant skills and knowledge for all students. He has assisted a number of states and hundreds of school districts with their school improvement initiatives. Dr. Daggett has also collaborated with education ministries in several countries and with the Council of Chief State School Officers, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Governors Association, and many other national organizations. He serves on several advisory boards, including:

NASA Education Advisory Board – 2008 to present
USA Today (national newspaper) Education Advisory Board

Before founding the International Center for Leadership in Education in 1991, Dr. Daggett was a teacher and administrator at the secondary and postsecondary levels and a director with the New York State Education Department, where he spearheaded restructuring initiatives to focus the state’s education system on the skills and knowledge students need in a technological, information-based society.

Dr. Daggett is the creator of the Application Model and Rigor/Relevance Framework , a practical planning and instructional tool for determining the relevance of curriculum and assessment to real-world situations. Dr. Daggett’s Rigor/Relevance Framework has become a cornerstone of many school reform efforts throughout the United States.

Dr. Daggett is the author of numerous books about learning and education, textbooks and research studies, reports, and journal articles.

Dr. Daggett has spoken to hundreds of thousands of educators and education stakeholders in all 50 states. His enlightening, entertaining, and motivating messages have helped his listeners to look at education differently by challenging their assumptions about the purposes, benefits, and effectiveness of American schools. Dr. Daggett inspires his audiences both to embrace what is best about our education system and to make the changes necessary to meet the needs of all students in the 21st century.

Dr. Daggett has been recognized as a distinguished alumnus by both Temple University and the State University of New York at Albany.

Dr. Daggett has a special commitment to individuals with disabilities. He and his wife, Bonnie, volunteer their time and lend their support to Wildwood Programs in upstate New York. Wildwood serves the needs of people of all ages who, like their daughter Audrey, have neurological impairments/learning disabilities or autism, by enabling them to become the best that they can be.

Mentioned in the Podcast:

PlanBook: www.Planbook.com The best way to create & share your lesson plans.

Dr. Daggett’s book: Rigor and Relevance from Concept to Reality

Dr. Daggett’s site for: The International Center for Leadership in Education

BookBook iPhone by 12South: A superb wallet/case for your iPhone.

BookBook MacBook by 12South: The greatest case for your MacBook in this Galaxy.

The Principled Principal: 10 Principles for Leading Exceptional Schools: Jeffrey Zoul & Anthony McConnell

Stories from WEBB: The Ideas, Passions, and Convictions of a Principal and His School Family by Todd Nesloney

The Limitless School: Creative Ways to Solve the Culture Puzzle by Abe Here & Adam Dovico

Google Apps for Littles: Believe They Can by Christine Pinto and Alice Keeler

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on

WEP 0100: Celebrating 100 Episodes of The Wired Educator Podcast

Who is Episode 100?

Thanks for listening to the Wired Educator Podcast where it really is all about becoming a better educator so you can make a greater impact and live a more dynamic life.

I am so proud to have documented the amazing stories of so many talented educators! Over one hundred hours of tips, tricks, inspiration and more helping teachers in their classrooms to make a difference in the lives of students.

One hundred episodes is a milestone, and I wanted to do something totally different, so… I did.

Buckle-up buttercup, this episode has a few surprises for you! Still, I guarantee you will walk away inspired and with a few new tools to put to use.

Thank you for being a listener. I hope you enjoy this episode. Please send me a message.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
Along Came a Leader by Kelly Croy
The Rhythm of Life by Matthew Kelly
Kelly’s Moleskine Journal of choice.
Kelly’s favorite pen.
The Google Teacher Tribe Podcast

 

Posted on

WEP 0096: Unmapped Potential an Interview with Julie Hasson

WEP 0096: Unmapped Potential and Interview with Julie Hasson

In this 96th episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, Kelly interviews Julie Hasson, the co-author of the amazing book, Unmapped Potential: An Educator’s Guide to Lasting Change. Julie has a unique perspective in education from multiple vantage points, she has been an educator, and administrator, and now trains future teachers as a college professor. Julie and Kelly have an incredible conversation about educational data and the best ways to use it. This is a great conversation with a brilliant educator and author, Juie Hasson. You are going to love this interview.

Julie is a third generation educator and a former public school teacher and principal. She is currently a professor at her alma mater, Florida Southern College, where she teaches graduate courses in educational leadership. When Julie is not teaching, she is doing qualitative research in schools, delving into educator expectations and impact. Julie is also a speaker, trainer and author of Unmapped Potential. Julie Hasson, Ed.D., Assistant Professor, Coordinator for the Master of Educational Leadership at Florida Southern College.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Our Sponsor: Potato Pirates: A fun card game that teachers you programming! <<< Check it out!

Julie’s book, Unmapped Potential: An Educator’s Guide to Lasting Change by Julie Hasson & Missy Leonard.

Books Kelly is reading and recommends:

The Wild Card: 7 Steps to an Educator’s Creative Breakthrough by Hope & Wade King

Culturize: Every Student Every Day. Whatever it Takes. by Jimmy Casas

Code Breakers: Increase Creativity. Remix Assessment. And Develop a Class of Coder Ninjas. by Brian Aspinall

 

 

Posted on

WEP 0080: Shift This! An Interview with Joy Kirr

An Interview with Author and Educator Joy Kirr

Kelly interviews Joy Kirr, the author of the hot new book, Shift This! How to Implement Gradual Change for MASSIVE Impact in Your Classroom! 

Joy Kirr is an amazing teacher and author. She was first a special education teacher of deaf & hard-of-hearing students, and next became a reading specialist and National Board Certified. Now in her 22nd year of teaching, she learns alongside 7th graders. Joy is passionate about students owning their own learning, doesn’t mind being known as a “Genius Hour Evangelist,” and enjoys the school year without grades.

This is a fantastic and energetic interview that is perfect for all teachers. Joy is absolutely brilliant.

Mentioned in this podcast: 

Creation Crate: An amazing monthly subscription service that ships a new electronic project right to your home or classroom. Wired Educator loves this service and you will too! Check out www.CreationCrate.com.

Joy Kirr’s book: Shift This! How to Implement Gradual Change for MASSIVE Impact in Your Classroom! 

Joy’s website: http://joykirr.wixsite.com/portfolio

Joy’s reccomends the book: Choice Words: How Our Language Affects Our Children’s Learning by Peter Johnson

Joy reccomends the book: Creating a Culture of Feedback: Use Grading to MotivateStudents to Move Forward (Solutions) by Bill Ferriter

Start with Why by Simon Sinek

LiveBinders: www.LiveBinders.com

Posted on

WEP 0078: An Interview with Kevin Duncan

The New Normal: Tales from International School Teachers.

In this episode, Kelly interviews Kevin Duncan about his work as an International Teacher and his new book The New Normal: Tales from International School Teachers.

Kevin A. Duncan, an Apple Distinguished Educator, has taught high school history and economics for 15 years, 4 in the US and 11 in Costa Rica, South Korea, and China (and soon-to-be Argentina). Before and while teaching, he has visited over 50 countries on 6 continents but still views the farm his dad grew up on in Tennessee as his favorite place in the world. In the past few years the power of stories has become a more important element in his teaching and personal life: In the classroom, students work on their communication skills by incorporating effective anecdotes into written and oral presentations. Outside of the classroom, Duncan interviewed many people to create a mini-documentary about his parents and hosts storytelling nights for the local teaching community. The recent emphasis on telling stories culminated with the publication of The New Normal: Tales from International School Teachers, a collection that features 37 true stories set in 24 countries written by 35 authors, several of whom are friends and former colleagues.

The New Normal: Tales from International School Teachers follows the experiences of 35 educators living in 18 different countries. From Colombia to China, Morocco to Mexico, and many other places in between, veteran international school teachers share a wide variety of tales about moving, adapting, living, teaching, traveling, and leaving overseas. 100% of all proceeds will benefit education via The Children of Haiti Project.

Follow Kevin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/duncanka

Mentioned in this podcast:

Order Kevin’s book: The New Normal: Tales from International School Teachers; all proceeds benefit The Children of Haiti Project.

Planbook.com: The best way to create lesson plans!

New books by Dave Burgess Consulting Inc:

Swift Playground update from Apple.

Kevin is reading: Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis

Kevin’s favorite book is: Two Minute Mysteries by Scholastic

ISTE Conference

CREATE Conference

Invite The Wired Educator, Kelly Croy, to speak at your school opening or educational event/conference! www.KellyCroy.com

Interested in becoming a paid speaker, podcaster, blogger, publishing your own book, creating online content and courses? Inquire about Kelly’s Wired Educator Entrepreneur Weekend Retreat and get on the notification list. Extremely limited availability and tickets will be sold to those who purchase first. Tickets go on sale in July. Register now to be notified. This February weekend retreat will sell out. Learn more here: I want to learn more!

Posted on

WEP 0077: An Interview with Julie Wilcot

Julie Willcott is an EdTech Consultant and Apple Distinguished Educator.  She works as an advocate for innovative learning with an emphasis on STEAM (science-technology-engineering-art-math).  As a high school science teacher, Julie implemented one of the nation’s first 1:1 iPad programs and developed multiple open educational resources on iTunes U and iBooks.  Her current consulting work includes serving as a Professional Development Specialist and Subject Matter Expert for zSpace, a provider of immersive virtual reality technology.  In addition, Julie works as a Social Media Manager for EdSurge promoting resources on how and when to use technology in K-20 education.  Julie presents at national and international conferences and serves as an advisory board member for SXSWedu.

Follow Julie on Twitter at @willcottjulieand visit her website at:  juliewillcott.com.

Julie and Kelly talk about a wide-range of topics including:

  • 1:1 iPad initiatives
  • iTunes U Course
  • STEM moving to STEAM
  • Inquiry Based Learning
  • The need for Director’s of Innovation
  • how Director’s of Innovation need to be relationship builder and be good with the tech,

Mentioned in this podcast: 

Creation Crate: An awesome subscription-based service for your home or school that includes a new technology project each month. www.CreationCrate.com

Julie recommends the book The Three-Legged Woman and Other Excursions in Teaching

and Losing My Faculties: A Teacher’s Story.

Julie finds great benefit in using the “The Self Journal”.

Her must-have gadget is a 3-D Printer.

She recommends Rich Perry, an outstanding ELA teacher as a possible guest for an upcoming interview on The Wired Educator Podcast.

One of her favorite apps is Clipsby Apple.

Some of the sites and resources we discussed include:

edu.zspace.com

edsurge.com

http://www.sphero.com/education.

Looking for a speaker for your school’s opening day or educational conference? Please check out www.KellyCroy.com

Posted on

WEP 0073: Lead Like a Pirate an Interview with Shelley Burgess and Beth Houf

In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, Kelly interviews Shelley Burgess and Beth Houf, the authors of the hot, new, best-selling book, Lead Like a Pirate.

About the book, Lead Like a Pirate: Make School Amazing for Your Students and Staff:

Are You a Treasure Seeker? 

Pirates are on a constant quest for riches, but PIRATE leaders seek even greater rewards: amazing schools, engaged students, and empowered educators who know they are making a difference. In Lead Like a PIRATE, education leaders Shelley Burgess and Beth Houf map out the character traits necessary to captain a school or district. You’ll learn where to find the treasure that’s already in your classrooms and schools–and how to bring out the very best in your educators.
What does it take to be a PIRATE Leader? 
  • Passion–both professional and personal
  • A willingness to Immerse yourself in your work
  • Good Rapport with your staff, students and community
  • The courage to Ask questions and Analyze what is and isn’t working
  • The determination to seek positive Transformation 
  • And the kind of Enthusiasm that gets others excited about education
The ultimate goal for any education leader is to create schools and districts where students and staff are knocking down the doors to get in rather than out. This book will equip and encourage you to be relentless in your quest to make school amazing for your students, staff, parents, and communities.
Are you ready to set sail?

Meet the Authors:

Shelley Burgess

 

Shelley has served as an award-winning teacher, principal, Director of Student Achievement, and Assistant Superintendent of Educational Leadership. Her highly respected work focuses on building leadership capacity through coaching, collaboration, and building a positive culture of change which leads to dramatic improvements in teaching and learning. She now works as a full-time partner in Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc. and is the co-author of P is for PIRATE: Inspirational ABC’s for Educators.

Beth Houf

Beth is passionate about developing schools that encourage high levels of learning and empowerment for all… schools where students and staff are running to get in, not out! To do so, Beth seeks out fun and meaningful ways to interact with students and teachers so they are excited about coming to school. Wearing costumes, singing karaoke, or breaking out some original dance moves as she enthusiastically greets students each morning, or providing innovative  learning time and celebrations for her staff so they feel rejuvenated and excited about teaching is common practice for Beth.

Beth Houf is a middle school principal in central Missouri. She also serves as a facilitator for the DESE Leadership Academy, providing monthly training to state educational leaders. She has spoken at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference, the Association for Middle Level Education National Conference and many state and local educational venues. She is also active in her local, state and national elementary principal associations. Beth has also been a guest lecturer at William Woods University, Westminster University and the University of Missouri. Beth was named a Missouri Exemplary New Principal in 2011 and the Missouri National Distinguished Principal for 2016.

Mentioned in this Podcast:

www.DaveBurgessConsulting.com

Follow Shelley and Beth on Twitter.

Order your copy of: Lead Like a Pirate: Make School Amazing for Your Students and Staff

Do you love the Wired Educator Podcast? Really? Really!?! Now you can help support it for just $1 at www.patreon.com/wirededucator

Website: www.LeadLikeaPirate.net

———————————————————————–
Kelly Croy is an author, speaker and educator. If you’d like to learn more about Kelly, or invite him to your school or conference to speak please send him an email. • Listen to Kelly’s other podcast, The Future Focused Podcast and subscribe. • Subscribe to The Wired Educator Podcast with over 115 episodes of interviews and professional development. • Visit Kelly’s website at www.KellyCroy.com. • Looking for a dynamic speaker for your school’s opening day? • Consider Kelly Croy at www.KellyCroy.com • Order Kelly’s book, Along Came a Leader for a school book study or your personal library. • Follow Kelly Croy on Facebook.  • Follow Kelly Croy on Twitter.  •  Follow Kelly Croy on Instagram 

 

Posted on

WEP 0072: #Formative Tech, An Interview with Author, Monica Burns

Monica Burns: Class Tech Tips Blogger and Author of Three Educational Books

In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, Kelly interviews Monica Burns about her hot new book, #Formative Tech. This is Monica’s second book. Her first, Deeper Learning with QR Codes and Augmented Reality: A Scannable Solution for Your Classroom was also published by Corwin Publications. Monica and Kelly have a great educational discussion focusing on her new book, and as always… so much more!

About the book: #Formative Tech: Formative assessment is a must for educators, but it can be difficult to juggle with all the other demands of a busy teacher’s to-do list. Fortunately, technology tools can help you work smarter, not harder. In #FormativeTech, you’ll find:

  • Practical tips on how to use technology in formative assessment, including quick “pulse checks” for the whole class.
  • Formative assessment strategies for small groups and individual students.
  • Ideas for assessing project-based and inquiry-based approaches.
  • How to evaluate data and communicate results with families.

About Monica: Kelly interviewed Monica and her awesome website Class Tech Tips back in episode 41 of The Wired Educator Podcast. Monica Burns is an EdTech & Curriculum Consultant, Apple Distinguished Educator and Founder of ClassTechTips.com. In her role as a classroom teacher she used iPads one to one with her students to create engaging, differentiated learning experiences. Monica visits schools to work with PreK-12 teachers to make technology integration exciting and accessible and has presented to numerous national and international audiences including SXSWedu, ISTE and EduTECH. Monica is a regular contributor to Edutopia and the author of Deeper Learning with QR Codes and Augmented Reality: A Scannable Solution for Your Classroom (Corwin Press, 2016.)

Mentioned in this podcast: 

Connect with Monica: