BAM Education Radio Network

Amplifying the voices of educators sharing what works - Podcast Network Partners: ISTE | ASCD | Education Week | AASA | Microsoft - Weekly group discussions.

[BAM Education Radio Network @BAMRadioNetwork]

[PRIORITIES] What If we valued teachers like we value celebrities?
http://t.co/u9atVeU8I8 #NationalTeachersDay

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

I had never taught using white boards until this year and now it is pretty much all I use. What I appreciated about this conversation that while we discussed the benefits of teaching using white boards we also discussed when not to use them and the danger of overusing them (I am guilty here).
@AmberBHaven @AndrewWatsonTTB @SoLInTheWild @bamradionetwork https://t.co/tWU40sQQ8g

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

I have concerns about allowing cell phones in the classroom regardless of the expectations or parameters that are set. I think their ability to fracture attention is simply too great. Having said this, I am not well versed in how to teach students how to use them effectively. I believe our students lack too many of the basic skills that should come before learning how to use their cell phone to help them in the classroom. I think modeling and teaching productive use of cell phones is something that shouldn't be on teachers' plates and definitely shouldn't come before teaching many of the basic skills that many of our students sorely lack.
@lkolb @ISTE_ASCD @Rdene915 @bamradionetwork https://t.co/qIjrVjSr1t

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

As the school year comes to an end I am still working on having all of my 4th grade students know their multiplication facts instantly. The thing is, they knew them in January and we practice them every day. This is frustrating but eye opening. In this conversation we discuss specific retrieval practices that teachers have found work for them. I have begun to revisit some of the strategies these last few weeks and I have noticed it has helped, especially having them recall their facts from memory and not just studying flash cards.
@smorrisey @effortfuleduktr @bamradionetwork @SciInTheMaking https://t.co/s7hTmwkb3I

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

My biggest takeaway from this discussion is that students can not possibly enjoy reading until we teach them how to read. It may sound obvious but I think far too often we try to get students excited about something they don't know how to do. I am certain that I have been guilty of this. Great discussion here.
@Jenschwanke @bamradionetwork https://t.co/XebTVo3pG7

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

This conversation does not treat AI in writing as a simple yes-or-no issue. Instead, it wrestles with the tension many teachers are feeling right now: how do we protect foundational writing skills while also acknowledging that AI is not going away?
@JSerravallo @MelanieMeehan1 @T_F_Berger @BAMRadioNetwork https://t.co/oI9HBcXo9Y

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

Retrieval isn’t just about remembering. It’s about building understanding and confidence over time.
I feel like our conversation connects those pieces.
@smorrisey @effortfuleduktr @bamradionetwork @SciInTheMaking https://t.co/DklMio6Gnu

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

It’s May, and many classrooms start to feel different as students become louder, attention spans shrink, and everyone in the room feels the weight of a long school year. If your class has felt harder to settle lately, this conversation is a reminder that even experienced teachers go through it too. Great suggestions here for teachers of all ages.
@dalorleon @mrs_frommert @EmilyAPaschall @Mr100Teacher @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork https://t.co/rACeqUzxza

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

Rereading notes feels productive. It feels like learning.
But it doesn’t prove students actually know anything.

Retrieval does. This conversation digs into why that matters.
@smorrisey @effortfuleduktr @bamradionetwork @SciInTheMaking https://t.co/DklMio6Gnu

[BAM Education Radio Network @BAMRadioNetwork]

https://t.co/cK52mBR9BB

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

We talk a lot about teacher autonomy. But in K–12 it is not unlimited. Where that line is matters more than ever right now. This discussion takes on this tricky topic and how to handle it.
@rickwormeli2 @rpondiscio @mellyteaches @bamradionetwork @curriculumblog https://t.co/t2qAInMhCc

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

The positive multiplier effect of spending just a few minutes on basic math facts each day is unlike anything I’ve seen in my 28 years in education. It’s incredible. Listen as we dig into why this practice matters so much.
@brian_poncy @rastokke @StamStam193 @bamradionetwork https://t.co/Lpu1XWUxar

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

Mini whiteboards aren’t just for engagement. They’re one of the fastest ways to see what every student is thinking in real time. We got into how to use them well in this conversation.
@AmberBHaven @AndrewWatsonTTB @SoLInTheWild @bamradionetwork https://t.co/OijUxk8Cyb

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

Retention isn’t just about pay. It’s about support, autonomy, and feeling valued as a professional. This panel shares real strategies that are making a difference. Click the link below to listen to the discussion.
@AASAHQ @larawadem @BAMRadioNetwork https://t.co/fGmuc7uCCO

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

One idea that stood out is that learning needs friction.
Not everything should be optimized or automated. Some struggle is part of understanding. This conversation makes that case in a really practical way.
@CFKurban @hcrompton @lkolb @punyamishra @bamradionetwork https://t.co/4bTALRoqq3

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

The shift from “we adopted it” to “it’s working for our students” is everything. That requires practice, feedback, and time. There are some clear takeaways here that can actually guide that shift.
@mjanatovich @bamradionetwork https://t.co/vTx63pyInp

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

Confidence doesn’t come from hype. It comes from knowing something and being able to do it. I have learned more this year than any year teaching that the best way I can build a student's confidence and self-esteem is by helping them attain knowledge and skills. This year has been a real eye opener for me.
@eanie0597_2 @StamStam193 @mrzachg @MmeLockhartLDS @bamradionetwork https://t.co/Y7ocF7o9Iq

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

Allowing students to use AI to help them with their writing is tricky for me because I have noticed a decline in my own writing skills since I began using AI. At the same time, I want my students to learn how to take advantage of AI tools that may be able to help them navigate the writing process today and in the future. I am not yet convinced that allowing them to use AI while writing is a good idea but I am always open to having my mind changed. Click the link below to hear this topic discussed in detail from various viewpoints and perspectives.
@MelanieMeehan1 @T_F_Berger @JonHarper70bd @BAMRadioNetwork https://t.co/oI9HBcXo9Y

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

James Floman brought up something in this discussion that I have surprisingly never thought about. He suggests that before we begin to teach students various mindfulness strategies, we should practice and become comfortable with them ourselves. Listen as he explains further.
@Ben_SpringerUT @Rlamourelle @bamradionetwork @rulerapproach https://t.co/123mld8Jp9

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

I don't how many times in the past I convinced myself that I had learned something simply because "I knew my notes well." In this discussion I learned why I had been going about it all wrong.
@smorrisey @effortfuleduktr @bamradionetwork @SciInTheMaking https://t.co/DklMio6Gnu

[Jon Harper @Jonharper70bd]

I love mini whiteboards and probably use them too much, truth be told. This is why I appreciated the part of this discussion that took on when not to use them. Click the link below to listen.
@AmberBHaven @AndrewWatsonTTB @SoLInTheWild @bamradionetwork https://t.co/OijUxk8Cyb