In this episode of the Teacher Fellows Podcast, hosts Ryan Rarick and Lauren Merkley welcome Amanda Muffler and Kaitlyn Van Wagoner, two seasoned secondary English teachers. They explore the evolving landscape of English education, touching on the decline in English majors, changing curricula, and the impact of technology and AI on teaching. The discussion centers around adapting to students' needs, adjusting instructional strategies, and the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in writing. The conversation concludes with insights into the benefits of shorter texts and scaffolded learning to enhance student engagement and critical thinking skills. Join us in this episode highlighting the importance of evolving and making changes to support student needs.
In this episode of the Teacher Fellows Podcast, hosts Ryan Rarick and Lauren Merkley discuss the current state of teaching English with their guests Amanda Muffler and Kaitlyn Van Wagoner, both experienced secondary English teachers. The conversation touches on the evolving needs of students, the impact of technology, and the pros and cons of shifting focus to shorter texts. The discussion also delves into the implications of AI on student writing and offers concrete strategies for incorporating it into the classroom in a beneficial way. Key takeaways include the importance of process-oriented learning and the potential for shorter texts to provide more inclusive and engaging literary experiences.
00:00 Introduction and Warm Welcome
00:51 Meet Our Esteemed Guests
01:51 Overview of Today's Topic: The Crisis in English Education
03:07 Changes in Teaching English Over the Years
07:59 Adapting Instructional Strategies for Modern Students
15:07 Navigating AI in the Classroom
21:27 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
25:19 Closing Remarks and Farewell
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