Welcome to the Modern Classrooms Project Podcast. Each week we bring you discussions with educators on how they use blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning to better serve their learners. In this episode, Toni Rose Deanon is joined by Mary Thomas and Perla Lujan to delve into the evolving landscape of research methods and critical thinking skills in education.

They emphasize the integration of technology, like Chad GPT and TikTok, into the learning process, emphasizing the importance of adapting to new platforms and fostering a culture of continuous learning among educators. Perla highlights the challenge of relinquishing control in the classroom, while Mary emphasizes the need for students to recognize the applicability of their everyday research behaviors in an academic context.

Here are three key takeaways from this podcast episode:

• Commit to Continuous Learning: Foster a culture of continuous learning among educators to stay abreast of evolving research methods and technologies. Perla emphasizes, "Teaching is a career that, since the beginning, needs to be understood as the first person who needs to study."

• Connect Research to Life: Encourage students to see the connections between their everyday research behaviors and academic pursuits. They have a world of information in their hands, but do they know how to identify what is inaccurate?

• Consider the Source: Emphasize the importance of knowing and citing your sources. Toni Rose reflects, "We want to give folks credit. And that's why citation is important." When students see information, do they know how to consider and vet the source?

This discussion underscores the need for educators to be proactive in embracing change, cultivating critical thinking, and leveraging technology to support students with the skills they need in their modern lives.

Discussion questions for PLC and PD: 

• How can educators proactively foster a culture of continuous learning within their professional communities, ensuring they stay updated with evolving research methods and technologies?

• In what ways can educators effectively bridge the gap between students' natural inclinations for daily research and the development of robust academic research skills? What strategies could help students recognize the parallels between the two?

• Considering the emphasis on cultivating critical thinking skills, how can educators strike a balance between encouraging curiosity and creativity while still adhering to academic standards? What methods or approaches can be employed to prioritize critical thinking over a mere accumulation of knowledge in the learning process?

Our Host

Toni Rose taught MS English for 10 years and will forever identify as a teacher. Toni Rose strives to be the teacher that they never had growing up, so they focus on anti-bias, anti-racist work and wants to create a brave space for everyone around them. As a queer Filipinx, they understand just how important it is to be represented, be valued, and belong. They especially love being a thought partner for and celebrating teachers.

Our Guests: Perla Lujan and Mary Thomas

• Connect with Perla on Twitter @TeacherPerlaLz

• Connect with Mary via email

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