Episode 023 -- Jim Dunning -- College, High School, & Critical Thinking in the Era of COVID-19

ClassCast Podcast Ep.023 features our first return guest, educator Jim Dunning, and an in-depth discussion of the complexity of COVID-19 closures on students' college plans, family finances, school solvency, scholarships, athletics, and more. Dunning and host Ryan Tibbens also go on to discuss the need for open, honest conversations with students; contingency plans; and common sense.  Listen and think carefully -- what should we do next? Enjoy this full episode and the highlight clips (below). Please share the links and ideas with family, friends, coworkers, and students affected by the closures. 

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Clip 023.1 -- What about Returning to College?

In this highlight clip from ClassCast Pocdcast Ep.023, educator Jim Dunning and host Ryan Tibbens discuss the uncertainty of returning to school, particularly to college, after Coronavirus closures. They raise concerns about college enrollment and attendance in Fall 2020 and what schedule changes might mean for graduates from the Class of 2020. These issues have been under-reported; we hope this episode will help students and their families to begin making contingency plans. ​

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Clip 023.2 -- How Changing Finances Affect College

This highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.023 features teacher Jim Dunning and host Ryan Tibbens discussing the financial burdens of Coronavirus closures and how those changes might affect students and their colleges. As more people lose their jobs, are furloughed, or work reduced hours, families' economic and education plans might change.  Students, parents, counselors, and college administrators must be cognizant of these issues and create contingency plans to make sure long-term goals aren't derailed. Financial concerns come up again multiple times later in the full episode, and a more detailed discussion of how closures are affecting athletes/athletics follows this clip (begin ~17:30 in the full episode). ​

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Clip 023.3 -- Graduate, Then What?

This highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.023 features educators Jim Dunning and Ryan Tibbens (host) discussing post-high school plans for the Class of 2020 and how public schools, college admissions offices, teachers, counselors, parents, and others should be helping students to assess their current Coronavirus-dictated situations and to create contingency plans for this summer, next fall, and beyond. Dunning generally believes that this is a weakness in our education system anyway, and while he may have a valid point, students' current needs should be forcing greater support and long-term planning assistance from trusted adults. ​

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Clip 023.4 -- COVID-19 Shutdown: What's the Right Thing to Do (Trolley Problem)

In this highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.023, teacher and philosopher Jim Dunning talks with host Ryan Tibbens about the broader issues of Coronavirus closures and quarantines, the trade-offs, the possible public responses, and what is the right, most just response. They reference the famous Trolley Problem as a way to clarify humankind's situation and the decisions we must make -- how many (and whose) lives we should try to save in exchange for serious, long-term affects on economies and quality of life.  This focus on justice and well-being both provides broader perspective on the shutdown without fear-mongering or judgment; it could also serve as a good starting point for teachers interested in discussing shutdown issues with students.

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Clip 023.5 -- Facilitating COVID-19 Discussions in Virtual Classes

In this highlight clip from ClassCast Podcast Ep.023, educator Jim Dunning and host Ryan Tibbens address the need for (and concerns about) discussing COVID-19, including its impacts on health and daily life, with students in virtual classes. ​

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