ClassCast Podcast Ep.054 features host Ryan Tibbens making unexpected connections between big ideas, from the Capitol attack on January 6 to grading policies to student scheduling to ending the factory model of public education. It sounds like a stretch, but trust me: It's all connected.  If you've ever thought teachers should make time for "teachable moments" in class, or if you want to end "factory" or "industrial" schooling, then there's a lot to unpack in this content-rich 29 minutes. Buckle up!

Remember: you can listen to the ClassCast Podcast at www.ClassCastPodcast.com, on YouTube, and on all major streaming services, including iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Stitchr, Amazon Music, Audible, and more!  If you like what you hear, please subscribe, leave a positive review, and share with your friends. If you want to get involved in the conversation, visit the website for more information about leaving comments or contacting the host. Enjoy!

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Episode 052 of the ClassCast Podcast features Sandy Sullivan, president of the Loudoun Education Association (LEA), speaking with host Ryan Tibbens about the LEA, its short and long term goals, collective bargaining in Virginia, pandemic safety measures, community outreach, and more.  This is Sandy's second (non-consecutive) term as LEA president; otherwise, she has spent her career teaching early elementary education in Loudoun and Montgomery (MD) counties. In this conversation, she explains the changes in Virginia's collective bargaining laws, the need for union representation, how education associations and unions function, as well as what is best for teachers and students. Whether you're for or against teachers' unions, this episode will help you better understand the issues and better contextualize their impacts in local communities.

Contact Sandy Sullivan and/or the Loudoun Education association at their website, on Facebook, or by email.  You might also check out the Virginia Education Association and National Education Association. 

Be sure to like, share, follow, subscribe, and leave a positive review wherever you get your podcasts.

​​Table of Contents

1. 0:00-3:40 -- Sandy's LEA Involvement
2. 3:54-8:51 -- Sandy's Path through & to Education
3. 8:52-11:41 -- Member involvement in the Loudoun Education Association
4. 11:41-20:08 -- Political Climate in 2020
5. 20:08-34:14 -- How LEA Works & Unionization/Collective Bargaining ***
6. 34:14-46:33 -- Short Term LEA Goals ***
7. 46:33-52:26 -- What's Best for Teachers? (And Students?)
8. 52:26-57:06 -- Sandy's Ideal School
9. 57:06-59:54 -- Final Thoughts on Teacher Motivations & Collective Bargaining ***
10. 59:55-1:07:19 -- Sandy's Book/Movie Recommendations & Wrap-Up

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ClassCast Podcast Ep.046 features Taylor Freeman (founder & CEO of Axon Park, co-founder of Upload, Forbes 30 Under 30, and VR industry leader) sharing knowledge and insights about the exciting field of XR (virtual reality, augmented reality, etc. -- we explore the names and functions in this episode), how it can impact and improve schools, and how the world may change as virtual reality technologies become better, cheaper, and more popular. Whether you know nothing about virtual reality or you have your own headset, this episode has something for you -- educational applications, business dynamics, technical details, recommended platforms, and more. 

Host Ryan Tibbens first gave serious consideration to virtual reality schooling in late September 2020 after teaching synchronous online classes all day: "It would be great if students could work from home but feel like they were around each other, if they could look around and see each other to improve class climate and discussion." From there, the idea took off: "If we had virtual reality capabilities to recreate the classroom, why stop there? Why not make every day a lab day, field trip, or hands-on activity?"  Tibbens contacted Freeman, and the result is an engaging, truly outside-the-box discussion about how we can apply new XR technologies to improve nearly every aspect of both traditional and online schooling. 

Whether you're looking for educational innovation, information about a quickly advancing technology, what the future may hold, or even a great holiday gift idea, Ep.046's conversation with Taylor Freeman is rich in ideas and inspirations. 

​Contacts
Find Taylor Freeman on Twitter @TaylorPFreeman, on Instagram @TaylorPFreeman, and on LinkedIn.  Also follow @AxonPark and @UploadVR on Twitter and other social media outlets. Check out www.AxonPark.com and www. UploadVR.com for more information.

Table of Contents 

1. 0:00-9:47 -- Intro to Taylor Freeman &  VR in Schools
2. 9:47-13:31 -- The Inspiration for This Discussion
3.  13:31-23:52 -- Taylor's Education
4.  23:52-34:57 -- The Rise of Virtual Reality in School & Beyond
5. 34:57-42:19 -- VR, XR, AR, MR: What Are We Talking About?
6. 42:11-44:50 -- The State of XR/VR Today
7. 44:50-54:53 -- Axon Park: The School of the Future 
8.  54:53-1:01:02 -- How to Create a Virtual Setting
9. 1:01:03-1:13:56 -- Virtual Reality in Movies AND Taylor's Book/Movie Recs.
10.  1:14:22-1:30:06 -- Final Thoughts: Video, Cyber Sickness, Oculus Quest 2, & AR in Class
11. 1:30:06-1:37:53 -- Taylor's Ideal School

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!