The Balance, by Dr. Catlin Tucker

Katie Novak Dishes About Her New Podcast, The Education Table

In this mini-episode, Dr. Katie Novak tells us all about her new podcast, The Education Table. She shares her inspiration, describes the microformat, and discusses a few of the topics she has already covered!

What Blended Learning Is and What It Is Not

In this mini-episode, I dispell some of the misconceptions about what blended learning is and is not. I highlight the benefits of this combination for positioning students to become active agents in the learning experience while freeing teachers to more effectively meet the diverse needs of students in their classes.

Rethinking Writing Instruction in the Age of AI

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Randy Laist, Dr. Cynthia Murphy, and Dr. Nicole Brewer about their book Rethinking Writing Instruction in the Age of AI. Discover how the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) form the bedrock of their innovative strategies, aimed at empowering students to discover and amplify their individual voices as writers. Want to connect with Dr. Randy Laist? rlaist@bridgeport.edu

Ask Catlin: Differentiation?

In this Ask Catlin episode, Catlin and Noelle answer your questions about differentiation and what it looks like to differentiate content, process, and products. Plus, you'll find out what song Catlin says is currently reflecting her frame of mind.

Designing Choice Boards

Choice boards are a fantastic tool for honoring learner variability and providing students with meaningful choices. Not every student enjoys the same task, so giving them options is critical to maximizing their motivation and focus in a lesson. Choice boards allow us to honor our students’ preferences, needs, and interests, making their learning experience more engaging and effective.

Additional Resources

• Blog Post: Designing a Standards-aligned Choice Board (with AI)
• Google Doc: BlendEDU: Active Reading Choice Board
  

 

Letting Students Lead the Learning with Spider Web Discussions with Alexis Wiggins

In this episode, I chat with Alexis Wiggins, 20-year teacher and author of, The Best Class You Never Taught: How Spider Web Discussion Can Turn Students into Learning Leaders. Alexis explains the purpose, process, and incredible outcomes of using the spider web discussion to engage students in collaborative inquiry and meaning-making. You can connect with Alexis on X at https://twitter.com/alexiswiggins

Ask Catlin: Grading

In this Ask Catlin episode, Catlin and Noelle answer your questions about grading practices and how to make grading more manageable. 

3 Reasons Teachers Should Use the Playlist Model

In this episode, I share three reasons teachers should consider using the playlist model to provide students with more control over the pace and path of their learning. https://catlintucker.com/2024/03/3-reasons-playlist-model/

AI and Teacher Productivity with Angela Watson

In this episode, I talk with Angela Watson about her most recent work integrating AI into her 40-Hour Work Week Course for teachers interested in leveraging AI to create more work-life balance. Angela also shares a new project called Finding Flow Solutions that is designed to help students be more effective and self-aware learners. You can check out more of Angela's work on her website and podcast https://truthforteachers.com.

Additional Episode Resources

• Finding Flow - High School Unit
• Finding Flow - Middle School Unit

Ask Catlin: Assessment

In this Ask Catlin episode, Catlin answers your questions about assessment.