Digital Citizenship and Fostering Digital Leaders

In this episode, Jennifer Casa-Todd, author, speaker, and teacher-librarian at Cardinal Carter CHS in Aurora, Ontario, joins us to share her expertise and insights on the topic of digital citizenship. Jennifer’s message promotes that educators think about this work not simply as a list of things students should avoid doing, and instead look to foster digital leadership skills in the students they serve. You can learn more from Jennifer at https://jcasatodd.com/.

Additionally, the Nebraska ESUCC is currently promoting a Digital Citizenship competition where students are being asked to share a PSA or poster that helps to educate others on the topic of Digital Citizenship. For more info and the entry form, access this link bit.ly/NEDigCit2021.

Personalized Learning and Developing Independent Learners

In this episode, Tricia Pettis and Kaela Loo of Edina Public Schools in Minneapolis, Minnesota join us for a conversation on their work with personalized learning and their approach to helping learners develop the capacity to learn independently. Edina Public Schools was the recipient of the 2019 Trailblazer Award at the National Convening for Personalized Learning, and in this pod, Tricia and Kaela share about the work being done in their district before the pandemic and also how that has influenced their approach to delivering remote teaching and learning during this time.

12 Rules for Life: An Anecdote to Chaos

Book Review by Dr. Kraig J. Lofquist

Mr. Charles “Tremendous” Jones helps individuals and businesses address their most pressing challenges, and he does so in an inspiring way. It’s safe to say that he knows a thing or two about human behavior. Regarding his popular quote shown in the illustration, Mr. Jones is correct!

Think of the people you have met over the past five years. What is it about them that had a positive impact on you? Now, think of the books you have read over the past five years. What is it about them that had a positive impact on you?

Millions of books are written each and every year, so what books should we consider reading, in order to experience a positive, everlasting impact?  I have read Dr. Jordan B. Peterson’s book: 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, and I strongly believe it’s a game changer.

The now world famous author’s “12 Rules” are based on scientific evidence, and as you read the details in each chapter, you will find them to be continuously thought provoking. Some of the “rules” seem like common sense, but they are clearly not common practice, especially in our current culture. As I read the book, I found myself thinking, “How much better would the world be if we all followed these 12 rules?”

Here is a list of Dr. Peterson’s 12 Rules

  1. Stand Up Straight With Your Shoulders Back
  2. Treat Yourself Like Someone You Are Responsible for Helping
  3. Make Friends With People Who Want the Best For You
  4. Compare Yourself To Who You Were Yesterday, Not To Who Someone Else Is Today
  5. Do Not Let Your Children Do Anything That Makes You Dislike Them
  6. Set Your House In Perfect Order Before You Criticize The World
  7. Pursue What is Meaningful (Not What Is Expedient)
  8. Tell The Truth (Or At Least Don’t Lie)
  9. Assume That The Person You Are Listening To Might Know Something You Don’t
  10. Be Precise In Your Speech
  11. Do Not Bother Children When They Are Skateboarding
  12. Pet A Cat When You Encounter One On The Street

If you are a person dedicated to your own personal development, I highly recommend Dr. Peterson’s work. It’s definitely worth your time. The ESUCC Professional Development Library has this as both an ebook and audiobook checkout for members. Select this link for the library.

Finally, If you’ve already read the book, I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please share your comments.

Citation: Peterson, Jordan B.. 12 Rules for Life: An Anecdote to Chaos. Random House of Canada. Kindle Edition. 

NETA’s Ongoing Support of Education Throughout the Pandemic

In this episode, Julie Moore, the Executive Director for NETA, joins us for a conversation on the multitude of efforts the NETA organization has made and is making to support education in our state throughout the pandemic. The pod captures the NETA board’s vision for supporting education and illustrates how that leadership group has held true to that mission despite the challenges facing everyone in education over the course of the past year.

To learn more about NETA, checkout their website at:  https://netasite.org/

Designing Alternate Reality Games for Education

In this episode, Paul Darvasi joins us for a practical conversation on the thinking that goes into developing an Alternate Reality Game (ARG) unit. This pod takes an in-depth look at this unique style of unit design that leverages both game-based learning and gamification elements to create an immersive and engaging narrative experience.