Author Archive: Andrew Easton

Curipod: An AI-Powered, Interactive Instructional Tool for Education

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This week’s guest, Eirik Hernes Berre, joins us to share all about Curipod, an interactive instructional tool that uses artificial intelligence to save educators design and research time while also promoting a more collaborative and engaging learning experience for all. Eirik is Curipod’s co-founder and our conversation delves into his experiences working with schools around the world, some potential implications of AI on the future of education, and his personal love for all things Harry Potter! We certainly enjoyed this fun and insightful episode and hope you do as well!

For more, visit Curipod.com, create an account, and begin designing your own AI-enhanced lessons.

Also, be sure to stop by Curipod’s vendor booth at this year’s ISTE Conference!

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UDL, Inclusion, and Fanny Packs with Paula Kluth, a Future Ready Nebraska Conference Preview

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This episode is the third of three pods devoted to previewing the keynote/featured speakers for this summer’s Future Ready Nebraska Conference! Dr. Paula Kluth joins us to share some of her work with Universal Design for Learning and the UDL Hacks found in her book Universal Design for Learning Daily: 365 Ways to Teach, Support, and Challenge All Learners. Paula will be keynoting day two of the FR Nebraska Conference on June 13th, 2023.

To register for the Future Ready Nebraska Conference (it’s FREE), visit:  https://nefutureready.com/

To learn more from Dr. Paula Kluth, visit inclusionrules.com

To learn how to turn on live captioning in PowerPoint, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=847QVGk3jVo

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NCSA & NRCSA on Education Legislation – LB705

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This week on The Good Life EDU Podcast, Dr. Michael Dulaney and Kyle McGowan of NCSA join Jack Moles of NRCSA to share their insights regarding LB705, which has moved to final reading in the Nebraska legislature. This episode explains several of the 20+ measures included in LB705 and explores the potential impact of each across the education landscape in the state.

To learn more about Legislative Bill 705, access: Nebraska Legislature – LB705

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Empowered to Choose with Andrew Easton, a Future Ready Nebraska Conference Preview

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This week the ESUCC’s Executive Director Dr. Kraig Lofquist takes over as the host of The Good Life EDU Podcast to interview our usual host, Andrew Easton! Andrew will be keynoting this summer’s Future Ready Nebraska Conference, sharing his message from his recently released book, Empowered to Choose: A Practical Guide to Personalized Learning. This episode previews Andrew’s various sessions that will be featured at this FREE hybrid professional learning event!

To register for the Future Ready Nebraska Conference (free to in-person and virtual attendees), visit nefutureready.com

To connect with Andrew Easton, visit andrewdeaston.com

Listeners can contact Dr. Lofquist at klofquist@esucc.org

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All Things SCIENCE in Nebraska

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In Nebraska, there are so many efforts being made to support teaching and learning in the area of science that we decided to record an episode that showcases the plethora of professional learning and resources available to educators this summer and into the 2023-24 school year! Dianah Steinbrink of ESU 10 and Kristen Slechta of ESU 9 join the pod as representatives of our statewide ESU science cadre to connect listeners with fun educational opportunities to learn and grow together!

Here’s the link to all the resources and registration sites shared in this episode.

All Things SCIENCE in NE – Google Docs

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Tom Bober on School Librarians, Primary Sources, and News Literacy, A Future Ready Nebraska Conference Preview

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This week features the first of three episodes dedicated to previewing featured speakers at this year’s Future Ready Nebraska Conference. Tom Bober will present on June 12th, speaking from his role as a school librarian and as a former teacher in residence at the Library of Congress. Tom joins The Good Life EDU Podcast and shares some of his experiences along with insights regarding primary sources and news literacy.

For more information and to register, visit Nebraska Future Ready Conference – In-Person and Virtual (nefutureready.com)

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ESU 3’s Innovative Approach to Supporting Student Mental Health in Schools

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ESU 3’s team of mental health leaders (Jen Pollock, Sarah Eades Hamilton, Ashlee Houy, and Avery Fleck) join The Good Life EDU podcast this week to share their work under the SAMHSA mental health grant that was awarded to Nebraska Region 6/ESU 3. The grant funds their unique and innovative approach to supporting student mental health in the rural schools in their region, and their collective hope is that this effort can be a model others adopt and build upon across the country. US Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona, recently visited ESU 3 to learn more about this effort, and now our listeners can learn all about it as well!

To learn more about the School Mental Health Services at ESU 3, access: smhs.esu3.org/home

To learn more about Grants for the Expansion and Sustainability of Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances, access: Grants | SAMHSA

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The Metropolitan Omaha Educational Consortium

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This week, Martha Bruckner, the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Omaha Education Consortium, joins The Good Life EDU to share the history and present work of this unique organization. MOEC’s membership is comprised of Omaha-area educators from public schools, higher ed institutions, and service agencies who are collectively committed to enhancing public education through collaborative efforts that support school, teaching, learning, and kids.

To learn more about MOEC, access their website at: Metropolitan Omaha Educational Consortium | University of Nebraska Omaha (unomaha.edu)

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Navigating the Present and Preparing for the Future of AI in Education

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Matt Miller joins The Good Life EDU Podcast this week to share his insights and learning from the development of his new book, AI for Educators. The episode advocates that listeners actively seek out conversations about the impact of artificial intelligence on education, as this is a topic that is rapidly evolving. Matt asks educators to see their work through the lens of what he calls their “tomorrow glasses” to acknowledge that our students will be learning and working in an AI-infused environment. So, naturally, this episode explores the implications of that reality.

For those interested in extending their learning and diving deeper into AI, check out these resources from Matt Miller…

  • Book: AI for Educators — A readable, understandable primer about AI and its implications for educators in classrooms and schools. It translates AI for teachers, so you’ll know how to prepare students for the future.
  • Online Course: AI for Educators — This deeper dive helps you tackle some of the bigger issues about AI alongside other educators taking the course. Join live streams to get details and discuss. Download bonus resources. Get 5 hours of professional development credit. Spring cohort: April 17 to May 12.

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The Journey to Inclusion: Equity for All Learners at Every Level

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This week, we are joined by Dr. Amy Rhone, NDE’s Administrator and State Director for the Office of Special Education, to chat about the department’s focus on inclusion practices and how that work aligns with the coherence efforts going on in our state. Dr. Rhone is an inspirational leader who has a big heart for the work that she and others have the opportunity to elevate throughout Nebraska, and that aspect of her character truly shines as she shares about the guidance, pilot groups, and other resources that have been developed to support implementation in Nebraska schools.

For more on NDE’s Journey to Inclusion effort, visit – Journey to Inclusion – Nebraska Department of Education.

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