Most of us agree that students experienced something extraordinary over the last two years. What we’re still trying to sort out is how to talk about it, and whether what we call it really matters. In this episode, we try to close the school year by reconciling the terms learning loss and learning recovery and what it all means in practice for students, teachers, and school leaders.

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Related Resources – MicrosoftEDU: See how schools worldwide are collaborating to transform learning and deliver sustained success

Amanda Young is Principal at Education Imagine Academy, Wichita Public Schools’ virtual school program, The Academy has been selected as a Microsoft Showcase School for its vision and its commitment to educational transformation. EI Academy is the only school in Kansas and the first virtual program anywhere to earn the distinction. EI Academy joins an exclusive network of schools for innovative lessons with students and collaboration with teachers from around the world. Education Imagine Academy provides flexibility and choice for students to learn in an online and in-person environment. Project-based learning, real-world experiences and community projects, along with weekly 1:1 mentoring with teachers and staff to help guide students to be Future Ready. All students are provided a free device and internet service.

One thing school leaders discovered over the last two years is that leading staff through ambiguity and chaos requires a unique skill set that most of us were never taught. In this episode, we identify specific skills and strategies for hiring and supporting staff who can thrive in the uncertainty of the education landscape ahead.

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Related Resources – MicrosoftEDU: See how schools worldwide are collaborating to transform learning and deliver sustained success

Michelle Zimmerman has taught students from ages 3-16. She received her Ph.D. in learning sciences and human development from the College of Education at the University of Washington in Seattle, and her research has been recognized with multiple awards. She currently leads the ongoing re-envisioning at Renton Prep Christian School in Renton, Washington. Microsoft selected Renton Prep as the first K-12 Microsoft Flagship School in the United States in September 2018. Since 2007, Zimmerman has presented around the world for groups including the American Education Research Association, UCLA CRESST, ISTE, NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering, New York Academy of Sciences and New York Academy of Medicine, as well as at multiple edtech conferences and universities.

We had just finished recording an episode with Justin Reich, director of the MIT Teaching Systems Lab. After our guest left the discussion, some pointed questions from our producer sparked a gut-level and starkly candid conversation about the myths and limits of education technology. It was a raw and uncommonly frank discussion between the hosts that was not intended for the public. But our producer was still recording and captured the entire conversation. All three hosts agreed that this discussion on the “true capabilities” of education technology was uncomfortable, but it was exceptionally real and relevant, so we agreed to release the core of it.

Follow on Twitter: @MicrosoftEDU @DinaMGhobashy @GOALACADEMY @frankchip2 @jonharper70bd @bjfr @bamradionetwork

Related Resources – MicrosoftEDU: See how schools worldwide are collaborating to transform learning and deliver sustained success