ClassCast Podcast Ep.057 features host Ryan Tibbens examining the motivations behind returning to in-person schooling this spring. Many community members, particularly teachers, have been shocked by how rapidly local officials have shifted their positions on distance vs hybrid options this winter. What people often fail to realize is that the return to school is not motivated by infection rates, a few loud parents at school board meetings, or even the quality of education. Rather, there are financial and political interests at play, and government officials -- local, state, and federal -- see the writing on the wall. 

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ClassCast Podcast Ep.056 features teacher, innovator, author, lawyer, and speaker Rachelle Dene Poth discussing virtual reality and augmented reality in the classroom, accessing VR hardware for students, and preparing students and teachers alike for the technology of tomorrow. After speaking with Taylor Freeman, an AR/VR industry leader and Forbes 30 Under 30 winner, in ClassCast Podcast Ep.046, host Ryan Tibbens made exploration of VR in education a top priority for future podcasts. Crowdsourcing ideas for future interviews led to Rachelle, a talented foreign language and STEAM teacher who has presented at ISTE, ASCD, and professional development events and conferences across the country. In this episode, Rachelle describes her amateur beginnings in the AR/VR space, how she gradually incorporated the technology into her STEAM and foreign language classes, and offers ideas to help other teachers access the technology for their students. If you are interested in AR/VR, or if you are a teacher or parent who wants to bring learning to life for your students, check out this discussion with Rachelle Dene Poth (and then listen to Ep.046 with Taylor Freeman)! 

You can keep up with Rachelle at www.rdene915.com and follow her on Twitter @rdene915.  Her books -- In Other Words: Quotes That Push Our Thinking, The Future Is Now: Looking Back to Move Ahead, Unconventional: Ways to Thrive in EDU, Chart a New Course: A Guide to Teaching Essential Skills for Tomorrow's World, and True Story: Lessons That One Kid Taught Us -- are available on Amazon.com, her website, and many education booksellers.  

The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and right here at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!  
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Table of Contents (Highlight clips*)

1. 3:19-8:40 -- Intro to Rachelle Dene Poth & Her Work with Virtual Reality/Augment Reality
2. 8:40-17:49 -- AR/VR Equipment in the Classroom *
3. 21:08-23:01 -- What VR Has in Store for Us **
4. 23:01-27:48 -- Why Isn't EdTech More Kid Friendly?
5. 27:48-38:37 -- Rachelle's Education & 9,000 Degrees
6. 38:37-45:39 -- Rachelle's Ideal School **
7. 45:39-53:42 -- Rachelle's Education Books & Being an Author
8. 53:42-55:42 -- Rachelle's Book/Movie Recs.
9. 55:42-56:58 -- Final Wrap-Up & Contact Info 

~~ And be sure to check out Spaces, a great digital portfolio and collaboration software that empowers teachers and students to focus on learning and growth. They helped to make this episode possible. ~~

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!

ClassCast Podcast Ep.055 features Clement Townsend, the owner/operator of Broadcasting Career Mentor and VideoJournalismPro.com. Clement shares his views on improving education through project-based learning (PBL), particularly in regard to teaching students how to plan, write, record, and edit video projects that amplify their voices, build foundational academic skills, and prepare them for 21st century jobs. Prior to launching his own education company, Clement Townsend was a popular and successful sports journalist who broadcast in Texas, Alabama, Virginia, and Chicago, Illinois. Clement covered the Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game, and several NCAA football national championship games. Now, he dedicates himself to empowering young people by teaching them the skills he's learned, by making their learning authentic and applicable, and by improving education through innovation and industry-expertise. Clement's enthusiasm is infectious, and if you have interests in PBL, media, or transitioning students from media consumers to media producers, this episode is for you.

The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major services plus YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com. Contact host Ryan Tibbens via website comment/contact forms. Contact Clement Townsend at www.videojournalismpro.com, on LinkedIn, on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter. Check out the table of contents below; highlights are marked with an asterisk (*).

Table of Contents

1. 0:00-12:53 -- Intro to Clement Townsend & His Educational Journey
2. 12:53-23:04 -- Launching Broadcasting Career Mentor & Video Journalism Pro*
3. 23:04-37:46 -- Serving the Youth: Modern "Essays," Media Education, & More**
4. 37:46-44:26 -- Opportunities for Collaboration & Quick Practice
5. 44:26-50:43 -- Pandemic Pivots: Teaching Media Production Online
6. 50:43-56:04 -- Clement's Ideal School*
7. 56:04-1:00:37 -- Music, Art... Why Not Media?: Expanding Media Production in Schools*
8. 1:00:37-1:05:32 -- Clement's Book Recs & Final Wrap-Up