ClassCast Podcast Ep.068 features Chris Rader, a former student of host Ryan Tibbens, sharing his experiences and perspectives on education and how to better serve students.  Since graduating from high school in 2012, Chris has found immense success in the fields of chemistry and material science at Virginia Tech and now as a Ph.D. student the Adolphe Merkle Institute in Switzerland. Aside from groundbreaking work with cellulose and creating environmentally friendly packaging, Chris also has some great ideas about how we can improve K12 education in the United States to better prepare young people for college, career, and the independent critical thinking we all aspire to. Chris's experiences in lab sciences have not only shaped his rare and valuable skill set; they've also helped him to better understand what education can -- and can't -- do for young people in the current paradigm. If you are interested in improving STEM in K12, learning more about chemistry and materials science, helping young people achieve more on their own, studying abroad for higher ed, or even the significance of athletics for high school students, this is a discussion you won't want to miss. 

For more information, leave a comment at www.ClassCastPodcast.com or contact Chris Rader directly via email, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.  

Table of Contents (*highlights)

1. 0:00-5:40 -- Intro to Chris Rader & His Unique Education Path
2. 5:40-14:18 -- Depth, Rigor, & Project-Based Learning in HS vs College *
3. 14:18-16:49 -- Why Get a Ph.D.?
4. 16:49-25:52 -- Patents, Saving the World, & Chris's Work in Material Science *
5. 25:52-45:25 -- Improving American High Schools, Career Prep, & Grading ** 
6. 45:25-59:32 -- Chris's Ideal School & Learning by Doing *
7. 59:32-1:07:04 -- The Value of Athletics in Human Development
8. 1:07:04-1:12:30 -- Study Abroad: Make It a Priority
9. 1:12:30-1:21:24 -- Chris's Book & Movie Recs/ Final Wrap-Up

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The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! If every listener made a one-time donation of $2-3, the podcast would be funded for the year! 

ClassCast Podcast Ep.058 features Iman Ghanizada, aka "The Certs Guy," a young star at Google, newly published author, and former student of host Ryan Tibbens. Iman shares ideas about his new book, Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect: All in One Exam Guide, about how technology can improve education, and how people must maintain strong morals and respect if they truly want to live good lives and serve others. Tibbens taught Iman in 9th grade English during his first year as a teacher, so the episode begins with a little catching up but quickly moves on to focus on Iman's goals of mentorship, representation, and personal development.  If you are interested in how technology is reshaping our world, how young leaders are building networks to support others, or even how to get certified as a Google Cloud Architect, this episode is for you. 

Table of Contents (highlights*) 

1. 0:00-5:13 -- 9th Grade English
2. 5:13-10:55 -- Why Write and Teach?*
3. 10:55-17:47 -- The Purpose of Education
4. 17:47-24:59 -- How the Internet Decentralizes Learning*
5. 24:59-31:25 -- Morality in Tech
6. 31:25-37:34 -- Blockchain: Decentralizing Education
7. 27:34-43:39 -- Certificates vs Degrees
8. 43:39-46:12 -- Communication: The Value of Schooling
9. 46:12-56:42 -- Iman's Ideal School*
10. 56:42-1:08:53 -- The Certs Guy: How to Think, Help Others, Increase Representation, & Advance Careers*
11. 1:08:53-1:15:23 -- Iman's Recommendations & Wrap-Up

The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and right here at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions! 

ClassCast Podcast Ep.056 features teacher, innovator, author, lawyer, and speaker Rachelle Dene Poth discussing virtual reality and augmented reality in the classroom, accessing VR hardware for students, and preparing students and teachers alike for the technology of tomorrow. After speaking with Taylor Freeman, an AR/VR industry leader and Forbes 30 Under 30 winner, in ClassCast Podcast Ep.046, host Ryan Tibbens made exploration of VR in education a top priority for future podcasts. Crowdsourcing ideas for future interviews led to Rachelle, a talented foreign language and STEAM teacher who has presented at ISTE, ASCD, and professional development events and conferences across the country. In this episode, Rachelle describes her amateur beginnings in the AR/VR space, how she gradually incorporated the technology into her STEAM and foreign language classes, and offers ideas to help other teachers access the technology for their students. If you are interested in AR/VR, or if you are a teacher or parent who wants to bring learning to life for your students, check out this discussion with Rachelle Dene Poth (and then listen to Ep.046 with Taylor Freeman)! 

You can keep up with Rachelle at www.rdene915.com and follow her on Twitter @rdene915.  Her books -- In Other Words: Quotes That Push Our Thinking, The Future Is Now: Looking Back to Move Ahead, Unconventional: Ways to Thrive in EDU, Chart a New Course: A Guide to Teaching Essential Skills for Tomorrow's World, and True Story: Lessons That One Kid Taught Us -- are available on Amazon.com, her website, and many education booksellers.  

The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and right here at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!  
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Table of Contents (Highlight clips*)

1. 3:19-8:40 -- Intro to Rachelle Dene Poth & Her Work with Virtual Reality/Augment Reality
2. 8:40-17:49 -- AR/VR Equipment in the Classroom *
3. 21:08-23:01 -- What VR Has in Store for Us **
4. 23:01-27:48 -- Why Isn't EdTech More Kid Friendly?
5. 27:48-38:37 -- Rachelle's Education & 9,000 Degrees
6. 38:37-45:39 -- Rachelle's Ideal School **
7. 45:39-53:42 -- Rachelle's Education Books & Being an Author
8. 53:42-55:42 -- Rachelle's Book/Movie Recs.
9. 55:42-56:58 -- Final Wrap-Up & Contact Info 

~~ And be sure to check out Spaces, a great digital portfolio and collaboration software that empowers teachers and students to focus on learning and growth. They helped to make this episode possible. ~~

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