What's the Big Idea?

In which Dan kicks off a mini-series on assessment by talking with Jay McTighe (@jaymctighe), co-creator of Understanding by Design and someone who's done lots of thinking about what constitutes authentic and meaningful assessment. They talk about performance tasks, project-based learning, feedback, rubrics, and why teaching should be more like coaching. As always, we welcome comments and que...

In which Dan talks financial literacy with Yanely Espinal (@missbehelpful) from Next Gen Personal Finance. Yanely makes the case that not only is financial literacy essential in schools,  it also needs to be responsive to the economic realities that students and families are facing right now. Dan and Yanely talk about the difference between mandated and embedded curriculum, the power of gamificati...

In which Dan discusses the why, the what, and the how of media and digital literacy with Kerri Redding (@nandikerri), photographer and media educator at Washington International School. They dissect the four principles of media literacy, wonder why schools are so far behind on this, and discuss life on the early internet. As always we welcome comments and questions on Twitter @BigIdeaEd Mentioned...

In which Dan talks conceptual learning, and reframing so much of what we do in education with Kayla Duncan (@MrsKaylaDuncan) and Trevor Aleo (@MrAleoSays). They're part of a team that authored an upcoming book that's not afraid to take on big, important issues in education. We talk transfer, going slow to go fast, teacher credibility, and what it's like to write an education book. A...

In which Dan talks about education in the context of the attack on the U.S. Capitol. He's joined by Joel Westheimer (@joelwestheimer), professor of education at the University of Ottawa and someone's who done lots of thinking and writing about civics education. They talk about the Canadian view of the attack, the meaning of civics education, and how a lack of media literacy might be educ...

In which Dan weighs what 2020 taught us about many of the tenets of education. He's joined by Amy Fast (@fastcrayon), principal of McMinnville High School in Oregon, to take part in "Over, Under, or Properly Rated?", a game of evaluation and reflection. They talk synchronous vs asynchronous, teacher content knowledge, parental involvement, college prep, and more. As always, we welco...

In which Dan talks with Jinnie Spiegler, director of Curriculum and Training at the Anti-Defamation League. If 2020 has shown us anything, it's the importance of being able to talk about race in the classroom. But too often teachers don't. We're limited by feelings of discomfort or defensiveness, the pressures of curriculum pacing, or maybe we just don't see it as our job. This...

In which Dan speaks with Kim Marshall, a retired teacher and principal, on his career and reflections on education and leadership. Kim is now a consultant and publisher of the excellent Marshall Memo , a weekly roundup of ideas and research in K-12 education. Dan and Kim talk about busing in Boston in the 1970s, how you know when you're ready to move into administration, and what he's le...

In which Dan examines the importance of talking with students about important issues facing America, including the upcoming election, race, inequality, and hard historical truths. Dan is first joined by Karen Murphy from Facing History and Ourselves to talk about the work of that organization in helping teachers navigate hard history and sensitive current events (4:45). Then he's joined by Rh...

In which Dan chats with Nate Bowling, history and government teacher and big thinker. Nate spent over a decade in public schools in Washington state, where, in 2016, he was named the Teacher of Year, and was one of four finalists for national teacher of the year. He now works at an international school in Abu Dhabi. They talk politics, policy, the value of liberal arts, America’s place in the worl...

In which Dan talks with Monise Seward, a grade 6 special education teacher in Georgia. In this time of great turmoil and uncertainty, they talk Covid, BLM, textbooks, and how special education is a portal into many of the larger issues facing education. As always, we welcome comments and questions on Twitter @BigIdeaEd

In which Dan examines two very different approaches to teaching Literature in middle and high schools today. He's joined by Jasmine Lane and Jarred Amato to examine the "literary canon", the role of choice in the classroom, and books that have left an impression on these two educators. As always, we welcome comments and questions on Twitter @BigIdeaEd

In which Dan discusses the importance of understanding historical context, especially during times of great change and crisis. He's joined by Matt, the host of the excellent Reflecting History podcast to talk about what it means to truly 'understand' history, the importance of creating and reading primary sources, and the role of social media in our understanding. As always, we welc...

In which Dan reaches out to educators from different contexts and with different perspectives, and asks them for their answer to the question, 'What has the Covid crisis taught you about education?' Some really powerful stuff here. As always, we welcome comments and questions on Twitter @BigIdeaEd

In which Dan talks with Laura England, an IB teacher who's done a ton of thinking about projects and what they mean for student learning. They talk about what we mean by 'project', process vs product, and why establishing a classroom culture of good questions is so important. As always we welcome comments on Twitter @BigIdeaEd

In which Dan talks about the various ways that school might happen in the fall with Chris Chiang, a teacher in northern California's Bay Area. Chris has kept his eye on schools in Europe and Asia and he has an interesting perspective, as well as practical tips for school administrators, teachers, and communities they start thinking about August and September. As always, we welcome comments an...

In which Dan talks with Graham Fletcher, a math specialist who presents to schools and teachers around the globe about the need to slow down and emphasize deep, conceptual learning. They talk about what it means to understand math, our overstuffed curriculums, and why slowing down will help us go fast. As always, we welcome comments and questions on Twitter @BigIdeaEd

In which Dan discusses school belief systems, student agency, and the need for all of us to advance the conversation with Missy Emler, owner of Modern Learners. A self-described 'rebel' of progressive education, Missy offers a unique and insightful perspective on the urgency of real changes to education in the face of the coronavirus crisis. As always, we welcome comments on Twitter @Big...

In which Dan examines the question of schools who can't simply move to online learning in this time of coronavirus and closures. He talks with Kecia McDonald, a middle school educator in Hawaii, about equity, community, and what's really important to students in this time of crisis. As always, we welcome comments and questions on Twitter @BigIdeaEd

In which Dan talks with six teachers from American School in Japan, where they've done lots of thinking and experimenting with online learning. Teachers from across the K-12 school discuss the adjustment to digital, social-emotional support for their students, and what advice they'd give American schools now thinking about the move to online. As always we welcome comments and questions o...

In which Dan talks with Jesse Stommel of University of Mary Washington in Virginia, and someone who has done a ton of thinking about the intersection of pedagogy, purpose, equity, and life online. They talk about the role of schools during the coronavirus crisis, the ‘pivot’ to online learning, ungrading, and the best line from the greatest Fleetwood Mac cover song. Contact us on Twitter @BigIdeaE...

In which Dan investigates the impact of the coronavirus on learning and explores the possibilities of online learning. First he interviews a teacher from Seattle who's going through the uncertainty of a school closure (2:40) before talking about online learning around the country with a reporter from EdSurge (21:50). Finally, he speaks with two teachers who have some great advice for teachers...

In which Dan wants you to know all about the Human Restoration Project, a grass-roots progressive education organization. After a brief description of the organization, Dan talks with Nick Covington, one of its leaders, about learning, grades, the 'evidence-based movement', and fatherhood. As always, we welcome comments and questions on Twitter @BigIdeaEd

In which Dan discusses crucial issues facing math education with Stanford University professor Dr. Jo Boaler, author of 'Limitless Mind'. They talk growth mindset, math's obsession with testing, the overabundance of content in most school courses, and the role of colleges and universities in addressing these problems. As always, we welcome comments and questions on Twitter @BigIdeaE...

In which Dan interviews John Warner, author of Why They Can't Write: Killing the Five Paragraph Essay and Other Necessities. Dan and John talk about student choice, the purpose of writing in schools, the often surface-level assignments given in schools today, and the writer inside every student and teacher. As always comments and questions are welcome on Twitter @BigIdeaEd