In my last article, I described the need for focused learning. It was the kick-off to a series I’m called The Concentration Code. This week, I explore how we can design systems and structures that support sustained, focused work and deeper learning. Listen to the... The post Designing Systems that Reduce Distractions and Improve Focused Learning appeared first on John Spencer.

It’s no secret that students are distracted. When I conduct workshops and deliver keynotes, I like to ask teachers about their successes and their current challenges. Overwhelmingly, teachers describe the challenge of teaching to a distracted generation of students. I see a similar pattern when... The post Why Focused Work Has Become an Essential Skill in a Distracted World appeared first on John Spencer.

We’ve all been there before. You’re working with a few other people and everything just seems to click. It might be on a ball field or court. Or it might be in a jam session or a rehearsal for live theater. If you’re lucky, it... The post The Five Biggest Pitfalls of Collaborative Grouping (And How to Avoid Them) appeared first on John Spencer.

I love to come up with project ideas. The brainstorming process feels a bit like going to a candy store, where I get to peruse past experiences, seek out new interests, find materials, and feel inspired by whatever pops up. Or better yet, it’s more... The post How do you come up with great project ideas? (Four Starting Places) appeared first on John Spencer.

In PBL, we often think about the role of a public product. However, community involvement is actually something we can embed into every area of the PBL process. In this week’s article and podcast, we take a deep dive into how we can make this... The post Making the Most of Community Partnerships in PBL appeared first on John Spencer.

Note that this isn’t simply the question, “How will AI change teaching in the future?” This starts with the question, “How is AI already changing the teaching profession?” Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog but you’d like to listen to it on... The post AI Won’t Replace Teachers But It Will Transform Nearly Every Aspect of the Job appeared first on John Spencer.

Machine learning is changing our world in profound ways. It will impact the way we learn and the way we teach. In today’s article and podcast, I want share a few big ideas on what that might look like. I’ll share some questions we might... The post How Will AI Transform the Teaching Profession? Four Trends to Consider appeared first on John Spencer.

Artificial Intelligence can feel overwhelming. With so many tools and strategies, you might be wondering where to start or what to do. But I actually think that before we integrate AI into our lessons with students, we should ask some critical questions that will guide... The post Seven Questions to Ask Before Having Students Use AI Tools appeared first on John Spencer.

Perfectionism often creeps in because we buy into the wrong story about what it means to be a teacher. In this week’s article, I share two different stories that ultimately lead to either burnout or sustainability. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog... The post Campfires or Fireworks? Which Story Will You Choose? appeared first on John Spencer.

As an educator, you are a community builder. From day one, you getting to know your students on a relational level. It’s often in the little things, like sending an email the first time they miss a class period or sending a positive note home... The post 5 Ways to Get to Know Your Students at the Start of the School Year appeared first on John Spencer.

If you’ve read my blog before, you know that I love to share sharing practical ways that we can empower our students to own the learning from day one. This is the core idea that AJ Juliani and I wrote about in our book Empower.... The post Taking a Gradual Release (GRR) Approach to Student Choice appeared first on John Spencer.

When AJ Juliani and I co-wrote the book Empower, we focused on the ways that students could own the learning process. It’s the core idea of shifting from being teacher-centered toward being more student-centered. We often talk about what it means to move from compliance... The post Three Ways to Empower Students to Own the Classroom Culture appeared first on John Spencer.

In my latest podcast episode, we get into the intersection of neuroscience and student learning with renowned expert Kieran O’Mahony. He is Founding Principal of the Institute for Connecting Neuroscience with Teaching and Learning, Chief Learning Officer of HUE Learn, and Emeritus Research Scientist at... The post Kieran O’Mahony on Neuroscience in Education appeared first on John Spencer.

In my latest podcast episode, we get into the intersection of neuroscience and student learning with renowned expert Kieran O’Mahony. He is Founding Principal of the Institute for Connecting Neuroscience with Teaching and Learning, Chief Learning Officer of HUE Learn, and Emeritus Research Scientist at... The post Kieran O’Mahony on Neuroscience in Education appeared first on John Spencer.

We often use the word AI to describe the newest generation of chatbots. However, computers can’t think. They process information. Humans think. Human cognition is affective and emotional. It’s unpredictable and messy. It’s  inherently social and relational. We use the term “intelligence” to describe A.I.... The post 7 Ways to Integrate Curiosity into the Classroom appeared first on John Spencer.

We often use the word AI to describe the newest generation of chatbots. However, computers can’t think. They process information. Humans think. Human cognition is affective and emotional. It’s unpredictable and messy. It’s  inherently social and relational. We use the term “intelligence” to describe A.I.... The post 7 Ways to Integrate Curiosity into the Classroom appeared first on John Spencer.

This would be the year. I would be a fully project-based social studies teacher. After reading every PBL book I could read and attending PBL sessions at a few summer conferences, I had a vision for a new way of teaching my subject. My third... The post Sprints, Mini-Projects, and Project-Based Learning appeared first on John Spencer.

In my latest podcast episode, I talk to Carl Azuz, who shares insights into media literacy and current events within the K-12 classroom. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog but you’d like to listen to it on the go, just click on... The post Carl Azuz on Media Literacy and Journalism in Age of Machine Learning appeared first on John Spencer.

We often hear about the need to develop creative habits. However, habits alone can lead to stagnation. You end up flat lining. In this week’s article and podcast, I share a different approach: creative momentum. The summer time can be a great chance to build... The post Creative Habits Versus Creative Momentum appeared first on John Spencer.