Ayers Institute launches new professional learning podcast
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
The Ayers Institute for Teacher Learning & Innovation housed in Lipscomb University’s College of Education has developed a new resource for educators with the launch of its new professional learning podcast.
The “Ayers Institute Lunch & Learn” podcast is a newly developed resource by the Ayers Institute. It provides “bite-sized” portions of professional learning for educators. Each episode is 10-15 minutes in length, focuses on a topic that is relevant to educators and concludes with a prompt to generate discussion within the listener’s community of practice. A professional learning guide is available for each episode. The Ayers Institute Lunch & Learn podcast is supported in part by EdSouth.
“Educators know that learning is a lifelong pursuit,” said Rachael Milligan, Ayers Institute managing director. “Podcasts are a convenient way to expand your knowledge and extend your personal learning network. Whether you listen while on-the-go or at your computer, a podcast can bring expert voices and meaningful information straight to the educator.”
The first episode in the new “Ayers Institute Lunch & Learn” podcast is “Motivating Students (Part 1).” The 12-minute podcast features a conversation about the connection of student motivation to educational success with the Ayers Institute’s Karen Marklein, program director for professional learning, and Julia Osteen, technology integration specialist. During the episode they explore ways to encourage students to become self-motivated and discuss four research-based elements that help to build an environment conducive to student motivation.
Milligan said a new episode will be released once a month along with a learning guide for each episode.
“We encourage educators to use the professional learning guide document personally and with their learning communities,” said Milligan. “These resources are designed to spark discussion and boost professional learning and growth.”
The “Ayers Institute Lunch & Learn” podcast will contain four topical series: coaching, educational leadership, college access and instructional practice. All of the Ayers Institute’s podcasts may be accessed at podcast.ayersinstitute.org or may be subscribed to through the iTunes podcast directory or by using any desktop/mobile podcast app and entering the RSS feed.
This is the latest resource developed by the Ayers Institute for educators. Last summer, the institute launched eduToolbox, an online portal that features instructional resources for educators in Tennessee and across the country.
The resource, eduToolbox.org, was developed with collaborative support and funding from the Tennessee Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Education’s Math and Science Partnership program and SCORE: Tennessee’s State Collaborative on Reforming Education. eduToolbox is an easy-to-navigate resource-sharing portal developed by education experts in Lipscomb’s Ayers Institute and College of Education, alongside a cadre of Tennessee teachers.
The Ayers Institute for Teacher Learning & Innovation exists to support both pre-service and current-service educators through individualized educational opportunities, embedded professional learning and innovative resources that result in positive student outcomes. It was established in 2012 as a partnership between the Ayers Foundation and the Lipscomb University College of Education.
Recognizing the vital role of the teacher and leader in every classroom, in every school and in every region of the state, the Ayers Institute for Teacher Learning & Innovation supports teachers and leaders in improving student outcomes through proven professional learning and resources and incubates innovative instructional ideas. For more information visit ayersinstitute.org.