Education
Welcome to "Ask the Tech Coach," a podcast for Instructional Coaches and Technology Integration Specialists. In this episode of “https://www.teachercast.net/episodes/ask-the-tech-coach/ (Ask the Tech Coach),” Jeff speaks with educator, coach, and co-author of the new book “https://amzn.to/3A0hi5i (Environment Science for Grades 6-12)” from ISTE Books, James Fester. If you would like to be a part of future podcasts and share your thoughts, https://www.teachercast.net/podcastguestform (please contact the podcast). We would love to have you join the show. Join the TeacherCast Tech Coaches Network! Are you a Tech Coach or looking to become one this year? Are you searching for support in your position? The https://www.teachercast.net/TCNForm (TeacherCast Tech Coaches Network), is a brand new Professional Learning Network designed specifically for Tech Coaches and designed to provide weekly support for all Instructional Coaches. https://www.teachercast.net/TCNForm (Click Here to Join!) In This Episode ... What is Project Based Learning? What isn’t Project Based Learning? The difference between focusing on the End Point and the Journey The Importance of Authentic Learning Shifting to a “Learner-Centered” Environment PBL and Distance Learning Understanding how to create a Call to Action Getting Started with Project Based Learning What is the role of the coach in this process? Advice for Coaches in the 2021-22 School Year Be willing to jump in along with your teachers! Let them know that they are not alone Give Grace and recognize that sometimes no matter how brilliant an idea is … if it’s not the right time … it’s just not the right time. Don’t give up on it. Ask Questions to your teachers What’s on your mind? What is challenging you! About our Guests James Fester James Fester is a teacher, educational consultant and instructional coach who helps teachers harness the power of authentic, experiential, technology-infused approaches to classroom instruction. He works as a project-based learning consultant for PBLWorks, the industry leader in providing high-quality professional development for teachers and schools. Additionally, he has collaborated with organizations such as National Geographic, Google, and the National Park Service on educational initiatives. His writing has been featured on well-known educational sites such as Getting Smart, TEDex, Edutopia, and KQED. Links of Interest https://www.festeredu.com/ (https://www.festeredu.com/) @saintfester Jorge Valenzuela Jorge Valenzuela is an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University and the lead coach at https://www.lifelonglearningdefined.com/ (Lifelong Learning Defined). Jorge's extensive experience as a facilitator of professional development has taken him all over the country where he regularly works with teachers to develop their project-based learning knowledge integrated with STEM and SEL. His book Rev Up Robotics and its companion jump start guide Ready, Set, Robotics! are available from ISTE, and his next book, which explores his Equity and SEL Integration Framework, is forthcoming from Solution Tree. Links of Interest https://www.lifelonglearningdefined.com/ (https://www.lifelonglearningdefined.com/) @jorgedoesPBL About the Book Environmental science (ES) education is essential to providing students with opportunities for hands-on investigations to find solutions to complex environmental problems. But the recent COVID-19 crisis has dramatically curtailed student access to ES-focused experiences, particularly affecting students of color and those from low-income communities. At the same time, changes in pollution and air quality levels, as well as a resurgence of wildlife, have created new avenues for students to connect with the revitalized world through technology and social-emotional...